Eagle’s View American Southwest

Day 1. September 27. Saturday. 

Arrival & First Sunset Shoot

📍 Arriving in Albuquerque (ABQ) — Participants will meet at the airport around noon.
🚗 Drive to San Juan Badlands — Our first sunset session will take place in this otherworldly landscape, famous for its eroded formations, hoodoos, and alien-like textures.
🍽️ Late Dinner in Farmington, NM — After capturing the last light, we’ll grab a meal before heading to our hotel.
🏨 Overnight in Farmington — Rest up for the adventure ahead!

Day 2. September 28. Sunday. 

Ship Rock, Valley of the Gods & Mexican Hat

🌅 Sunrise at Ship Rock & Golden Wall — Start the day capturing the dramatic silhouette of Ship Rock against the morning light, along with the vibrant hues of the Golden Wall.

🚗 Drive through Valley of the Gods — A scenic drive through this incredible landscape to get familiar with the terrain before our dedicated sunrise/sunset session here later.

📍 Possible short visit to Monument Valley — Depending on time and group interest, we may stop by this iconic location for a quick exploration and photo opportunities.

🌄 Sunset at Mexican Hat Hoodoo & Raplee Anticline — We’ll capture the golden light illuminating the famous balancing rock next to the San Juan River, along with the unique geological folds of Raplee Anticline.

🏨 Check-in at the hotel in Bluff, UT — Rest and recharge for the next day’s adventure.

Days 3 — 4. September 29 — 30. Monday — Tuesday. 

Sunrises, Sunsets & Lightroom Class

These two days will follow a relaxed but photography-packed schedule, allowing us to capture stunning landscapes in the best light while also getting some well-deserved rest.

☀️ Mornings:

• We’ll start each day with a sunrise session at one of our breathtaking locations, such as the Valley of the Gods, Muley Point, or the San Juan River with its dramatic meanders.
• After the shoot, we’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and rest before the afternoon activities.

📷 Midday Options:

• One afternoon, we will hold a Lightroom class, where participants will learn techniques to fine-tune their aerial shots for maximum impact.
• The rest of the time is free for participants to explore Bluff, a small historic town with charming local shops, trading posts, and galleries showcasing Native American art and jewelry.
• A great place to visit is The Bluff Fort Historic Site, an open-air museum where you can step back in time and see how Mormon pioneers settled this rugged landscape. The site features reconstructed log cabins, a replica of the original fort, and artifacts from the late 1800s.

🌄 Evenings:

• Each evening, we’ll head out for sunset sessions at different locations, ensuring a variety of compositions and lighting conditions.

🏨 Nights in Bluff, UT.

Day 5. October 1. Wednesday. 

Sunrise & Farewell

🌅 Early Morning:

• Before dawn, we will check out from our rooms and head to a hidden gem near Bluff, a remote area filled with towering hoodoos and incredible rock formations. This location is rarely visited, making it a perfect place for a peaceful and unique sunrise session.

🚗 Drive to Durango Airport:

• After sunrise, we will begin our drive to Durango Airport, where our journey together will come to an end.
• Arrival at the airport will be around 11:00 AM, so participants should book return flights no earlier than 12:30 PM.

🌄 Extend Your Adventure:

• If you’re not ready to say goodbye to the Southwest, Durango is a great place to rent a car and continue exploring—right in time for the peak of fall colors in the San Juan Mountains.
• For those joining our next tour, “Fall Colors of Colorado” (October 1-5), this will be the beginning of an exciting new adventure!