• Red Rock Photography Tour
Destination:
WINTER RED ROCK COUNTRY
In-Field Experience:
Winter Wilderness
Group Size:
3 Guests
Travel Dates:
January 3 - 8, 2025

Red Rock Country Photo Tour focuses on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States including the States of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The entire area is largely made up of high desert, with scattered areas of forests. Domes, hoodoos, fins, reefs, goblins, river narrows, natural bridges, and slot canyons are some of the features typical of this area.

The Colorado Plateau is home of the highest concentration of U.S. National Park Service (NPS) units in the country. Among its ten National Parks are Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and Petrified Forest. Among its 17 National Monuments are Dinosaur, Hovenweep, Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Natural Bridges, Canyons of the Ancients, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the Colorado National Monument.

Highlights

Winter experience
Remote and off the beaten path locations
Being at the right places at the right time
Unique red rock compositions

3 spots are still available

Winter Adventure in the Red Rock Country

By joining this adventure you will be able to experience the American Southwest during winter. The roads and the backcountry will be less populated by the ordinary visitors. Experience the silent remoteness of the wild desert. With some luck you will see snow  covered landscape and the bonus of dramatic cloud formations in the sky. Follow less beaten path trails and photograph unique red rock formations.

We will camp in the wilderness, which will allow us to be at the right place at the right time - low light conditions (dusk and dawn) and astrophotography opportunities.

You will be provided with complete camping gear and infrastructure, exception of sleeping bag, pillow and mattress. 

The photo tour is suited for beginners, advanced and semi-pro photographers. Participants must have a working knowledge of their camera. A list of must-have and nice-to-have photographic gear will be provided once booking completed.

Strenuous rating: Moderate to tough. This tour requires good health and physical condition. Be prepared for daily hikes up to 30 minutes to 3 hours of duration. These are simple, partly sandy and uneven trails. Some short stretches are downhill or uphill with rocks, but no rock climbing. You need to be able to carry your photography gear backpack and a water bottle. Sturdy shoes and walking sticks might be helpful, but not mandatory.

Learn & Photograph with Passion

Work in different light conditions, with short/long exposure and aperture.
Learn about night photography techniques in the beautifully desolate surroundings of the Red Rock Country.
How to handle equipment with care on location and harsh weather conditions.
Assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, guide and help in general.
Hands-on lessons that can help to take your photography skills to the next level.
Learn about image back up strategies in-the-field to avoid any loss of your irreplaceable images.
Review and constructive criticism/feedback of the images taken during the tour.
List of must-have and of nice-to-have photography gear.

Itinerary

On our first day I will pick you up at your hotel or I will meet you at a predetermined spot in Farmington, NM at 8 am. Alternatively, I can also pick you up on the day prior to the start of the photo tour at the airport in Durango, CO and take you to your hotel in Farmington.

After loading all gear onto my car and trailer we will depart to Page, AZ. The drive is about 3 ½ – 4 hours. We will spend the following 3 ½ days in this area and explore some very specific red rock formations so characteristic for this wild landscape.

The fourth day of this photo tour starts with a very early rise to reach some secluded hoodoos at dusk, prior to sunrise. After finishing our photographic session of this area we will return to the car and head to our next major destination, northwestern New Mexico badlands. The remaining portion of this photo tour will be dedicated to the exploration of some incredible geologic badlands formations, including petrified logs.

On our sixth day and unfortunately the last day of this photo tour, we will be returning to Farmington, NM once finished with the morning photography session. I will drop you off at your hotel or drive you to the airport in Durango, CO.

Travel Facts

Facts

Red Rock Photography Tour
January 3 - 8, 2025
6 Days
Number of guests: 3

Included
Local Transport + gas
Camping gear
All permits

Not included
Travel to and from the photo tour destination
Hotel overnight
Sleeping bag, pillow and mattress
Meals
Travel and Health insurance

Ask Us
Do you have any questions about the Red Rock Photography Tour or would you like to go on a private customized tour?

Price

USD 3,900.

Groups sign-up of 3 participants receive a 7.5% group discount.

Alumni to previous photo tour or workshop receive a 10% discount on the base price.

All prices are per person.

To secure your reservation a deposit of USD 500 per person is required. Refunds are handled according to the Terms & Conditions. The remaining money is due 90 days prior to the trip.

We recommend an independent travel insurance. Knowing you have 100% trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason.

Overview

GETTING THERE

There are three possibilities: 

1- Pick you up at your hotel at some predetermined place in Farmington, NM at 8 am.

2- Fly in to Durango, CO and pick you up on the prior to the start of the photo tour at the airport and take you to your hotel in Farmington.

3- Coming with your own car and meeting in Page, AZ to join the photo tour. 

 

WEATHER

Winter in the Four Corners area is very cold, partly cloudy, with some chance of snow or mild shower. The temperature typically varies from 35°F to 55° F during the day and 21° F to 31°F during the night.

BASIS AND RATES

All prices are quoted in US Dollars (US$). The prices are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While Peter Boehringer Photography will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, Peter Boehringer Photography reserves the right to do so, and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.

PAYMENTS

A deposit is required at the time of booking. The invoice for the balance of payment will be issued 180 days prior to departure of international tours and 90 days for tours in the U.S.A., where after final payment is due. For reservations made within 180 days (international tours) or 90 days (tours within the U.S.A.) of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. In order to participate on a photography tour or workshop the participant must have made full payment prior to the start of the photography tour or workshop.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective on the date, which the letter or email is received by Peter Boehringer Photography. There is no cancellation charge until 180 days (international tours) and 90 days (tours within the U.S.A.) before departure with exception of transaction fees (5.8% + $0.6 + international exchange fees, if applicable). Cancellation charges less than 180 days (international tours) or 90 days (tours within the U.S.A.) before departure are expressed as a percentage of the total price, and are as follows: 179 – 91 days, for international tours, and 89 – 31 days, for tours within the U.S.A., before departure 50%, and 90 days for international tours and 30 days for tour within the U.S.A. or less before departure 100%. Leaving a photography tour or workshop in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of a photography tour or workshop. Peter Boehringer Photography reserves the right to cancel a photography tour or workshop because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate, or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If a photography tour or workshop is cancelled prior to departure, you will have a choice between a full refund minus transaction fees (5.8% + $0.6 + international exchange fees, if applicable) or a credit towards a future photography tour or workshop equivalent to amount paid. If Peter Boehringer Photography cancels the trip in progress, you will receive a pro-rata refund based on the number of days. Peter Boehringer Photography is not responsible for any refund for airline tickets, hotel accommodation, etc. purchased by the participant.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

In order to participate in a photography tour or workshop you are required to have comprehensive insurance coverage for personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs during the photography tour or workshop. In addition Peter Boehringer Photography strongly recommends that you arrange cancellation and travel insurance covering the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, cancellation of the photography tour or workshop (whether in whole or in part), loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, as well as flight cancellations and delays.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

You must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition or treatment requiring special attention must be reported in writing at the time of booking and again when signing Peter Boehringer Photography’s waiver of liability. By registering for a photography tour or workshop, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. Peter Boehringer Photography reserves the right in its sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant of a photography tour or workshop, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in our judgment, conditions warrant or if I Peter Boehringer Photography deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the participants.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

If you have special requests, e.g. dietary, cabin number, bedding type, airline seat or other requests, you should inform Peter Boehringer Photography of these at the time of booking. Peter Boehringer Photography cannot guarantee that such requests will be met, and will have no liability to you if such requests are not met.

RESPONSIBILITY 

Peter Boehringer Photography shall not be held liable for (a) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by Peter Boehringer Photography; and (b) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond our control. The participant waives any claim against Peter Boehringer Photography for any such loss, damage, injury, or death.
Peter Boehringer Photography shall not be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket to or from the participant’s Peter Boehringer Photography’s photography tour or workshop departure city. It is the sole responsibility of the participants to organize their own transportation to and from the meeting point as described in the photography tour or workshop itinerary, e.g. airport, hotel, and to ensure timely arrival. The participant should not book flights and/or hotel accommodation until Peter Boehringer Photography has issued final confirmation for the photography tour or workshop. In the event of late arrival it is the responsibility of the participant to join the photography tour or workshop, and to carry all associated expenses. Peter Boehringer Photography is not liable if the participant misses any portion of, or the entire photography tour or workshop as a result of the delay. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the responsibility of the participant.

OTHER

Other terms and conditions may apply to some photography tours or workshops, and details will always be provided with pre-trip mailings. By making the deposit payment, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions and the responsibility statements herein on behalf of all the individuals included in the booking.

MEALS

We will be out in the wilderness for six days. I always plan for breakfast and dinner. Lunch is usually informal with occasional fresh or dried fruits, nuts, energy bars, chips, and alike. You will have to plan a little bit in advance and you will have several opportunities to refresh goods along the trip.

I recommend for breakfast and dinner frozen and dried meal as this safes me time and it is easily fixed. It does actually taste quite well out in the wilderness.

Here are two links for you to explore, in case you are interested in such simple solution: 

There is always enough drinking water in the trailer’s water container for cooking and to keep you hydrated.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

The road trailer attached to the Jeep Wrangler has a stove with two flames. Cooking and eating utensils are part of the kitchen equipment. The trailer has also a fridge to store a small amount of fresh produce and keep some drinking cold.

There are lights all over (in and outside) the Jeep and the trailer and yet it comes handy to have flash lights, or even better, headlamps for the night.

The trailer has also a warm shower, a toilet and a privacy shelter. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper, soap, shampoo and a towel.

Tent can be provided if requested. You will have to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and mattress.

TRAVEL SAFETY

I will be carrying an inReach device with me during the entire photographic tour for  everybody’s safety. The inReach is a handy satellite operated device which has virtually 100% coverage capabilities regardless of where we are located in the wilderness. This ensures that I can dispatch a SOS signal for an emergency evacuation. The dispatch is free, but all the costs related to the rescue will be your responsibility and that is why a comprehensive insurance is imperative and mandatory.

DISCLAIMER

Peter Boehringer is a physician by trade and he takes people along with him on his trips because he enjoys the company and the opportunity to help people get to know and photograph the Southwest. His goal is to have a pleasant, safe trip with artistic value photography as a result. We share gear, ideas, and experiences. We will not be going anyplace on public lands that are not generally open to the public. No photographs you take on public lands may be used to promote the sale or use of a product or service. We will not do any "commercial filming" as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations.

***

Digital photography, social media and modern travel patterns changed nature & landscape photography radically. The amount of people visiting the wilderness increased over the last two decades exponentially. Nature is coping poorly with the increased human presence. It is time that we all, who value nature and photography, question our behavior out there and prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. As such I support the entities Leave no Traces, Nature First, Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

Leave no Traces Nature First
Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance