February/March: This photography tour is not currently in the schedule, but can be added by request

  9 nights/10 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 8 participants, and a minimum of 4 participants

Photography Tour Overview: The red rock of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Antelope Canyon, plus Bryce and Zion National Parks. This itinerary is the best of Arizona and Utah’s red rock country and includes stunning formations such as towering monoliths, canyons, spectacular overviews and more. This is some of the best photography America's southwest has to offer during the 'off-season', and it is hoped that there is a light dusting of snow contrasting the red rock at each location. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.

Please note: Roads are kept open at each location but some trails may have limited access because of local snowfall.
 

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Days 1, 2 + 3  |  Salt Lake City to Moab
Our Icons of the American Southwest photography tour will get under way mid-morning, and as we head south we'll pause for the included lunch and a digital orientation of images you can expect to take on the trip. We'll then head on to Moab via Price and Green River and on over the Colorado River into Moab . . . with photo stops along the way. Late light photography as we approach Moab, and on to this 'adventure town' for our three night stay.
For two days we’ll photo-explore the highlights of Arches National Park featuring the best arches and rock formations. Early and late light is essential, and the short hike for the last light on Delicate Arch will be most worthwhile. Dawn at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands is a classic must-have sunrise image, and we'll follow that with a pair of detours for mesas complete with meandering rivers. Plus, as usual, much more.
Moab, 3 nights

Days 4 + 5  |  Moab to Monument Valley Tribal Park
Well ‘mop-up’ around Moab photographically speaking this morning, and then depart toward Monument Valley. On south via more rock formations, Hovenweep National Monument, and a scenic spot on the San Juan River, and lastly, the classic highway and Monument Valley scene as the light fades.
On day 5 our photography will commence at dawn with the classic Mittens view. For the remainder of the day you will be guided around Monument Valley by a Navajo guide and myself, and record many classic scenes including John Ford Point, Totem Poles, Left and Right Mittens, plus spots reserved only for Navajo guidance such as Teardrop Arch. See the photo gallery for this trip.
Monument Valley Tribal Park, 2 nights

Day 6  |  Monument Valley to Page
We'll point cameras at the Mittens once more as they are touched by the first light, then following breakfast we'll make our way to Page via a couple of hours photographing lower Antelope Canyon. Once in the canyon, and armed with a tripod, you'll enjoy creating some classic ‘rippling rock’ compositions. Throughout our time in the colorful canyon the light and soft shadows will caress the walls and create ever-changing photo challenges. On to Page, and the late light on Lone Rock and Lake Powell.
Page, 1 night

Day 7  |  Page to Bryce Canyon National Park
After breakfast we'll make the short trip to frame the classic Horseshoe Bend image on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon, then more Lake Powell prior to heading on to Bryce Canyon. Red Canyon is very photogenic, and erm, red! We'll be on the Bryce Canyon rim at sunset for side lighting on the colorful pinnacles.
Bryce, 1 night

Days 8 + 9  |  Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park
We'll start Day 8 back at the Bryce Canyon amphitheater rim, then following breakfast we'll venture into the canyon, snow and ice permitting, for slow ambles among the pinnacles and many, many absorbing images. We'll then set off in the direction of Zion National Park and shoot in Red Canyon once more. Then as we descend Zion Park Boulevard, Checkerboard Mesa plus a variety of 'swirling rock' patterns will be among our photography subjects . . this a great opportunity for some creative macro shots. Sunset photography on the Virgin River this evening.
On Day 9 we'll capture the first light on peaks such as Towers of the Virgin, East and West temples, plus Bridge Mountain and more before returning to Springdale for breakfast. We'll then spend much of the day in Zion canyon on the Floor Of The Valley Road to access the Court of the Patriarchs, the Virgin River, the Temple of Sinawava, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, and much, much more. There are several easy walks, and others that go to 'great heights' should you wish to break off from the group for a while. Being winter, access to the trails will be dependent upon the amount of snowfall the canyon has had. Sunset will be the last light on Watchman Peak. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Springdale, 2 nights

Day 10  |  Departure day
We'll depart early for Zion's little known Kolob Canyon as we make our way north to the Salt Lake City airport. Please arrange your departing flight for 3:30 pm onwards or late day/evening, or following day departures.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'mildly strenuous' to 'strenuous'

Horseshoe Bend image: Moderately strenuous

Delicate Arch image: Strenuous

Landscape Arch image: Mildly to moderately strenuous based upon distance and temperature on the day

Turret Arch image: Short strenuous scramble at the end of a moderately strenuous ascent of steps

Mesa Arch image: Mildly to moderately strenuous

Bryce: The rim trails are almost level, but ascending into the canyon will entail a sharp return ascent back to the canyon rim

Zion: We take specific easy trails that ascend short heights.

In every other respect this photography tour is considered non-strenuous to mildly strenuous

Do you need a Visa for travel to the United States?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here
 

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $4,302 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here
 

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Admission to Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion National Parks is included in our Commercial Organization, Commercial Tour Fees, and/or a Commercial Use Authorization [CUA] permit

• Deadhorse State Park

• Monument Valley Tribal park

• Lower Antelope Canyon

• All other possible rides, admissions or excursions are optional and not included.