THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SOUTH WEST CANYONLANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR 2015
THE TOUR Have you ever wondered how professional photographers go about capturing amazing images? Well here is your chance to find out Join International Award Winning Adventure Photographer Adam Crews on a 14 day tour exploring the rugged and historic landscape of America s South West. This small personalised tour is aimed at educating you on how to research, prepare and capture timeless photographs, so you know how to be in the right place at the right time. With the tour limited to 8 guests only, you are sure to receive plenty of one on one time so you can elevate your skill level dramatically. This photographic tour is like no other, your class room is the great outdoors and these amazing locations are some of the best in the world. We begin in Las Vegas and reach many National Parks such as Red Rock Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon. Other highlights we explore are Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. We have 20 planned shoots, with many more opportunities during our tour. But it s not all about photography, you will have plenty of time to relax and have your own personal time to enjoy the locations. Make sure to bring your walking shoes, because we will be exploring some incredible short to medium walks along the way. INCLUSIONS Transfers to & from McCarran International Airpot in Las Vegas, or any Car Rental Depots in Las Vegas, only on first and last day of tour. Full Transport in a modern 15 seater Ford Wagon. 12 meals provided. 8 light refreshments provided. 20 planned shoots (weather depending). 7 sunrises, 1 Daytime, 10 sunsets & 2 night shoots. A photography handbook with guide notes, yours to own. Personal tuition from Adam Crews. 3 guided tours: Lake Powell Boat Trip, Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons, Monument Valley. Amazing walks throughout entire journey. Modern to Luxury Accommodation for 13 nights. Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park
TOUR ITINERARY ~ 13 Nights, 14 Days DAY 1 - Wednesday, 15th April 2015. Las Vegas Welcome to the start of our exciting journey through the historic South West of America. You may have arrived to Las Vegas earlier to recover from jet lag, though if you re arriving today then transfers are included from McCarran International Airport or any Car Rental depots in Las Vegas. Guests will have time to relax for the afternoon and before we have our first meeting with Tour Leader/ Photographer Adam Crews. Tonight dinner is provided. Accommodation: The Bellagio (Deluxe Room - 2 Queen Beds). DAY 2 - Thursday, 16th April 2015. Las Vegas This morning & early afternoon is your time to explore the Strip before we prepare to have our first sunset shoot. Prior to heading out, we will have an equipment check with all guests to make sure all camera gear is in working order. After our shoot, you will have some leisure time back in Las Vegas. Sunset Shoot: Red Rock Canyon (Light refreshments supplied). Accommodation: The Bellagio (Deluxe Room - 2 Queen Beds). DAY 3 - Friday, 17th April 2015. Las Vegas to Zion National Park Early morning, we depart The Strip in our 15 seater wagon and head North East for Zion National Park in Utah. Once we have settled in to our lodge, we will hire our trekking equipment (water shoes and poles) in preparation for the next morning. The afternoon we get know Zion by doing some short walks through the Canyon before we prepare for our sunset shoot. Sunset Shoot: Beautiful location in Zion National Park. Accommodation: Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens (Canyon View Room - 2 Queen Beds).
DAY 4 - Saturday, 18th April 2015 Zion National Park Sunrise Shoot: The Narrows in Zion National Park We begin the day early with a supplied breakfast before we head up through the Park to begin our 4-5 hour hike up through The Narrows, shooting scenes as we proceed further up the gorge. After a short rest and if your feeling fit and need a challenge, you can have the option to join us on an extended hike to the top of Angel s Landing. This evening is your leisure time to rest up or explore the township of Springdale. Sunset Shoot: Extended hike up Angel's Landing. Shoot from the top (Light refreshments provided). Accommodation: Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens (Canyon View Room - 2 Queen Beds). DAY 5 - Sunday, 19th April 2015 Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park Sunrise shoot: A beautiful spot in Zion National Park. After we capture our final scene at Zion, we hit the road again towards the East in the direction of Bryce Canyon National Park, witnessing spectacular landscapes along the way. Once we arrive in Bryce Canyon, we will explore the rim and pick out our spot for the evenings sunset shoot. Tonight s dinner is included at Ruby s Inn. Sunset Shoot: Location in Bryce Canyon National Park. Accommodation: Ruby s Inn (2 Queen Beds). DAY 6 - Monday, 20th April 2015 Bryce Canyon National Park to Moab Sunrise Shoot: In Bryce Canyon National Park (Light refreshments provided) Today we begin with a trek through the Hoodoo's, here we will find an interesting spot to set up for our sunrise shoot. Breakfast will be provided upon arrival back at the hotel, then we will continue North East on a 5 hr drive to the country town of Moab. The rest of the day is leisure time. Accommodation: Super 8 Moab (Room - 2 Queen Beds).
DAY 7 - Tuesday, 21st April 2015 Moab Sunrise Shoot: Arches National Park (Breakfast provided). We leave early for our sunrise shoot as we need to allow time to arrive at our destination. After breakfast, we continue to explore Arches National Park with various short walks. We regather ourselves back in Moab for the afternoon and then head back out to Arches to hike out to Delicate Arch. Weather and group depending, we may stay late into the night to shoot stars over the amazing archway, returning to vehicle via torch light. Sunset Shoot: Delicate Arch in Arches National Park (Light Refreshments provided). Night Shoot: Delicate Arch in Arches National Park (Dinner provided after hike) Accommodation: Super 8 Moab (Room - 2 Queen Beds). DAY 8 - Wednesday, 22nd April 2015 Moab Sunrise Shoot: Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park (Breakfast provided). Again we begin today very early as we want to claim our spots at the very popular Mesa Arch. After breakfast we will set out on foot and hike a few small walks around the park, then return to Moab for relaxation. The afternoon is a real treat, when we visit a sacred site back in Canyonlands National Park, it is around here that we will have our Sunset shoot. If the skies are clear, we will return to Mesa Arch and photograph it under the night sky. Sunset Shoot: Sacred Site in Canyonlands National Park. Night Shoot: Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park (Dinner provided on location). Accommodation: Super 8 Moab (Room - 2 Queen Beds). DAY 9 - Thursday, 23rd April 2015 Moab to Monument Valley After the big day yesterday, we feel you need a recovery meal, so breakfast at a cafe is included. We then depart Moab and head south to Monument Valley, crossing the border into Arizona for the first time. We then join a private 4WD tour and explore the amazing landscape with a local Indian Guide. Lunch is provided on tour. Our sunset shoot tonight is easy, just next to the hotel is the perfect viewing area. Sunset Shoot: Monument Valley lookout. Accommodation: The View Hotel (2nd Floor Valley View Room - 2 Queen Beds).
Monument Valley to Page DAY 10 - Friday, 24th April 2015 Sunrise Shoot: Monument Valley - Sand Dunes (Light refreshments included). Early morning we head out back into the valley and shoot the sand dunes in front of the massive Sentinels. Back on the road again, we now head West to Page. Once settled, we have a huge afternoon installed. First a visit to the incredible Lake Powell Dam, then a boat trip around the Lake checking out the scenery. At sunset, we take the hike to Horseshoe Bend overlooking the Colorado River. Sunset Shoot: Horseshoe Bend (Light refreshment supplied). Accommodation: America s Best Value Inn (2 Queen Beds). DAY 11 - Saturday, 25th April 2015 Page Day Shoot: Guided tour through Lower And Upper Antelope Canyons (Light refreshments included). Get ready for another huge day. Your camera will be working overtime You will need this morning off to prepare. From late morning, a local Indian guide Lional Big Thumb will escort us through Lower & Upper Antelope Canyons, visiting the best spots at the best times. Later on as the sun falls over Lake Powell, we will be there to capture it from a beautiful location. At night, celebrate the amazing images we captured today by enjoying a massive feast at the Dam Bar in Page, the meal is on us Sunset Shoot: Lake Powell Accommodation: America s Best Value Inn (2 Queen Beds). DAY 12 - Sunday, 26th April 2015 Page to Grand Canyon National Park Travelling South West today, making our way to the world famous Grand Canyon National Park. We check into the Lodge and you will have a chance to relax and prepare for our afternoon hike. If your feeling fit, join us as we descend into the Canyon on a 4km challenging walk. We will be shooting the sunset from a location on the hike. Sunset Shoot: South Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park (Light refreshments included) Accommodation: The Red Feather Lodge - South Rim (Motel - 2 Queen Beds).
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas DAY 13 - Monday, 27th April 2015 Sunrise Shoot: Vantage Point of the South Rim We pack up our gear and depart south for the historic Route 66 town of Williams. Enjoy & capture the culture of this small country town. We hit the road one last time and head North West back to Las Vegas. The afternoon is your time to relax and unwind before one final dinner with your fellow photographers. As an optional extra, you may like to attend the amazing Cirque Du Soleil show in the hotel theatre. This can be decided on the day. DAY 14 - Tuesday, 28th April 2015 Las Vegas Accommodation: The Bellagio (Deluxe Room - 2 Queen Beds). You may wish to continue on your hot streak in Las Vegas and stay on at your chosen hotel, otherwise we do offer transfers to the McCarran International Airport or any Car Rental locations in Las Vegas area. This marks the end of our amazing tour through the South West of America. We hope you had an incredible tour and managed to capture timeless images along the way. TOTAL TOUR COST $5950.00 per person/twin share Tour details subject to amendments, terms & conditions. Airfares are not included. Landed cost only. Night sky over the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
Light Shaft in Upper Antelope Canyon Sunset over Bryce Canyon Town of Williams, Arizona Virgin River in Zion National Park
WEATHER Mid to late April in the South West is very unpredictable. Some days can be freezing in the high altitudes with chances of snow fall, and other days can be so hot it can melt your shoes off, especially in the desert regions. You must pack for both occasions. ACCOMMODATION 13 nights of modern to luxury accommodation is included in the tour cost. All nights are twin share with 2 Queen Beds per room, however if you wish to have your own private room throughout the tour, please CONTACT us for a full quote. PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL The tour is suitable for the absolute beginner through to the semi-professional. PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT Required items: Digital OR Film SLR Cameras (Digital is preferred as it allows for on-location photo critique). We recommend using a Full Frame camera for better results. A sturdy Tripod Camera bag Memory Cards Recommended Additional Items: Neutral Graduated Filters All lenses you own or as many as you can bring. A Cable release Len s cleaning kit Spare Batteries Laptop Portable Hard Drive FITNESS We recommend that you have a satisfactory fitness level to join the tour. However there are some challenging walks that are optional, which require a higher fitness level. We suggest you have a steady fitness training schedule beginning 3 months prior to trip, this will help allow you to reach certain locations and avoid missing out. CLOTHING Required items: Sturdy walking/hiking shoes. Warm winter clothing for icy conditions and high altitudes. Summer clothing for desert conditions. Wet weather clothing. Day walking bag/camera bag Swimwear (optional).
Monument Valley Arches National Park The Narrows in Zion National Park
TERMS & CONDITIONS TRAVEL All participants are responsible for making their own way to the workshop pick-up points and from the workshop drop-off points. MEALS Included in the tour cost are twelve meals and eight light refreshment stops. Vegetarian and special dietary options are available on request. Please note, the average meal includes the following Breakfast 1 meal and 1 non alcoholic beverage p/p Lunch 1 main course and 1 non alcoholic beverage p/p Dinner Shared entrees, 1 main course and 3 beverages p/p (includes wine, beer etc) Any additional food or beverages may be purchased at the participants expense. ACCOMMODATION While on the tour, all participants enjoy carefully selected twin shared rooms. If desired however, on request you may decide to enjoy your own private room at an additional rate. Quotes on request. PHYSICAL FITNESS This tour may be taken by anyone in good physical condition, as hiking is heavily involved in this tour including trekking along walking tracks, walking over irregular terrain, all while carrying equipment. Therefore you are encouraged to get in shape by exercising regularly. Please call if you have any questions about your ability to do a particular trek. Once a tour has started and it is necessary for you to sit out a location or leave entirely because it is beyond your physical level, please note that there will be no refunds for any unused portion of the trip. MEDICAL You must be in generally good health and it is vital that persons with medical problems make them known to us well before the tour begins. It is understood that Adam Crews Imagery is not a medical facility and therefore has no expertise or responsibility regarding what medications or inoculations you and your private physician should decide necessary for your safe participation on the tour. Adam Crews Imagery assumes no liability regarding provision of medical care. Trip members are urged to check their coverage to be sure it is adequate. TRIP INSURANCE We recommend that you have personal health insurance and purchase emergency medical evacuation insurance and emergency medical expense coverage, and trip cancellation insurance, which would reimburse you for non-refundable airfare and trip cancellation fees should you have to cancel the trip due to personal or family illness. Life insurance, baggage loss and baggage delay reimbursement plus other coverage is available.
TOUR FEES The tour cost includes the tuition fee, transfers to & from McCarran International Airpot or any Car Rental Depots in Las Vegas (only on first and last day of tour), on-tour chauffeured transport, 13 night s of modern to luxury accommodation, 12 fine meals 8 light refreshments & 3 guided tours. All other expenses are the responsibility of the participants. Not included are any airfares, airport taxes, or items of a personal nature. Price also excludes any insurance coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, travel accident, travel delay, baggage delay or baggage theft (we recommend you obtain coverage for these items), medical or hospitalization expenses. REFUND POLICY To secure your booking, we require 100% payment of the total tour cost. If for any reason you need to cancel your participation in the tour, please notify us at least 60 days before the start of your tour. At that time, you will be charged a $500 cancellation fee and the remaining amount will be refunded. If notification of your cancellation is made less than 60 days before the start of a photo workshop, we will retain the full amount paid. No cash refunds will be given and no refund of any fees will be made for withdrawal after the tour begins. Adam Crews Imagery reserves the right to cancel any tour with inadequate enrolment 60 days beforehand. In the event that a photo tour has to be cancelled due to inadequate enrolment, all fees paid are refunded in full or transferred to an alternative tour. No fees will be charged in this situation. TRANSFER POLICY If you wish to transfer to an alternative tour please contact us prior to 60 days before the tour commences. We require the transfer request in writing (email is fine) and the transfer fee paid before the transfer is implemented $150.00 fee for any transfer of tour. This must be paid within 7 days of your transfer request. If we do not receive payment within this time and no response to our attempts of contact has been made on your behalf, we reserve the right to cancel your place on the tour and in this case, no refund will be issued. We do not accept transfers within 60 days of the tour commencing. CANCELLED TRIPS We reserve the right to cancel any tour for any reason, including too few participants or logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstances, which may make operation of the tour inadvisable. In case of a tour cancellation, all tour payments, which were received, will be promptly refunded. This refund will be the limit of Adam Crews Imagery liability. Adam Crews Imagery is not responsible for any expenses or damages incurred by tour members as a consequence of any cancellation, such as costs expended in preparing for the trip (including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets), special clothing, lost income, or any other trip-related losses or expenses. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADAM CREWS IMAGERY This section defines our responsibility with respect to all of our tours, please read it carefully: Payment of your reservation represents your acceptance to all terms and conditions outlined in this document. Adam Crews Imagery shall have no liability for any damages, losses, or expenses of whatever cause or nature, including those resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft or criminal activity of any kind, government regulations, etc., over which it has no control.
Without limiting the above paragraph, Adam Crews Imagery shall have no responsibility for additional expenses due to unforeseen delays caused by weather, theft or criminal activity of any kind, political disputes, acts of terrorism, strikes, sickness, failure of flights or other transportation to arrive or depart on time, and other causes beyond our control. Adam Crews Imagery is not responsible for additional hotel nights not specified in the tour itineraries which may be required en route, prior to or following a trip, caused by airline scheduling or schedule changes, or by individual clients' travel arrangements or by other factors. Adam Crews Imagery cannot assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or personal property. IN NO EVENT SHALL ADAM CREWS IMAGERY HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, HOWEVER CHARACTERIZED. Adam Crews Imagery reserves the right to substitute hotels, conference facilities, and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. The right is also reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received, which shall release Adam Crews Imagery from further liability. Adam Crews Imagery is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the trip (i.e. non-refundable advance-purchase air tickets, equipment, etc.) Adam Crews Imagery reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any member of any trip should such person's actions impede the operation of the trip or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other members of the trip, and it is agreed that no refunds will be given in such circumstances. Adam Crews Imagery reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of our tours, and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.