New Year In Utah
December 29, 2026 — January 3, 2027
Tour start — Salt Lake City, UT
Tour finish — Salt Lake City, UT
Dates: December 29, 2026 — January 3, 2027
Price:
- Early Bird (before 05/01/2026 — $2,150 per participant
- Regular — $2,350 per participant
Group size — limit: 10 participants
Instructor: Alex Mironyuk, Elena Kukhareva
Trip Highlights
- A true winter escape around Moab — step away from the daily routine and into wide-open landscapes, silence, and space to breathe
- Iconic National and State Parks, along with vast Federal and Municipal lands that invite exploration far beyond the usual viewpoints
- Active days outdoors, with daily hikes of 2–7 miles through canyons, arches, mesas, and desert terrain
- Sunrise and sunset moments in carefully chosen locations, when light, color, and stillness transform the landscape
- One comfortable base — no packing and unpacking, less time on the road, more time immersed in nature
- A shared home in the desert — a cozy Airbnb where we can gather as a group, cook together, relax, or head out to local restaurants
- New Year 2027 celebration in a setting that feels worlds away from crowds and noise
- A photography-friendly rhythm that encourages slowing down, observing, and truly experiencing each place
- Personal mini photo session for each participant, set within extraordinary landscapes — a meaningful memory of your time here
- Quiet winter season advantage — fewer people, softer light, and a deeper, more intimate connection with the land
Physical Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This Tour Involves 2 — 7 miles of hiking daily on rugged (1 — 2 hikes per day) with some elevation gain.
Weather: The weather at that time of year is unpredictable Participants must be prepared for a temperature range from 20°F to 55°F. Participants must be ready for snowy, rainy, and windy weather conditions.
Transportation: included in the Tour’s price except for the flights to and from Salt Lake City.
Lodging: We will stay in the ARNBB house for five nights.
Meals: are not included.
Itinerary
Day 1. December 29, Tuesday
Everyone arrives in Salt Lake City. We’ll meet at the rental car facility around noon. If you arrive the day before, please book a hotel near the airport so we can easily pick you up in the morning.
After gathering, we’ll do all necessary grocery shopping in Salt Lake City for the coming days, then begin our scenic drive toward Moab.
Upon arrival in Moab, we’ll check into our Airbnb and settle in.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy our first group dinner — a relaxed start to the journey and a chance to get to know each other.
Day 2 — 5. December 30 — January 2.
These days follow a similar rhythm, allowing us to fully settle into the landscape and the experience.
Each morning begins with an early breakfast, followed by heading straight outdoors for hiking and photography. Winter days are short, so we’ll spend our daylight hours where they matter most — in the landscape.
Lunch will be enjoyed picnic-style at scenic locations, allowing us to stay immersed in nature rather than losing time in restaurants.
After lunch, we’ll continue exploring and photographing, returning to Moab around or shortly after sunset for dinner and rest.
This steady, unhurried routine creates space to disconnect from everyday life, stay active, and fully experience the desert in its most beautiful winter light.
Day 6. January 3, Sunday
After breakfast, we’ll check out of our Airbnb and begin the drive back to Salt Lake City International Airport, where the tour will officially conclude.
We expect to arrive at the airport around 4:00 PM, so all participants should book return flights no earlier than 6:00 PM on January 3, 2027 to allow sufficient time for check-in and security.
Safe travels home, and until our next adventure!
Payment schedule and cancellation policy:
The total price for the tour is $ 2,150 if you booked this tour before 05/01/2026; after that date, the cost is $2,350.
A deposit of $ 500 is required to reserve a space in this trip.
Cancellation Policy: We will refund your deposit if you cancel this trip before 09/29/2026. If you cancel after 09/29/2026, your deposit becomes non-refundable. Therefore, we suggest all participants buy separate travel insurance.
The final balance is due by September 29, 2026. If you cancel after the final payment, you will not receive a refund of the total amount owed. However, if we find another client to fill your space, you will receive a full refund minus your deposit.
If we cancel this trip — you will get a full refund.
What is included:
- ARNBB lodging (double occupancy)
- Transportation during the trip.
- Entrance and parking fees at all locations according to the itinerary.
- Expert instructions and guidance to various locations in Utah
- In-field instruction on capture technique (composition, compensating for high dynamic range, focus stacking, creating effective sun stars, night photography, light painting, and much more).
- In-field recommendation on your photo gear.
- An incredible, unforgettable experience, full of adventure with amazing people and loads of great photos!
What is NOT included:
- Airfare to and from Salt Lake City, UT.
- Visas
- Meals, snacks, and water.
- Alcohol.
- Medical Insurance & Incidental Costs.
Recommended Photo Equipment:
- Camera (DSLR or Mirrorless) with extra batteries and memory cards.
- Tripod with a ball head (leveling base is optional but very helpful for panoramic shots).
- Wide to standard zoom lens, with their lens hoods (I carry 16-35mm and 24-70mm lenses).
- Telephoto zoom lens for extraction and abstract scenes (I use 70-200mm and 100-400mm lenses).
- Circular polarizer filter to remove glare from the water and leaves.
- Graduated neutral density filters (if you use them).
- A drone with extra batteries (if you use one). Participants must comply with all US drone laws and regulations to fly a drone on this tour. The drone must be registered in the US, and the participant must obtain all necessary drone permits before the tour starts.
- Rocket blower and microfiber cloths to keep glass surfaces dry and clean.
- Most importantly — a great attitude!
Recommended Personal Gear:
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Down (insulated) jacket or hoodie.
- Fleece jacket and extra warm layers.
- Hat and warm gloves
- Rain jacket.
- Fleece jacket
- Hiking winter boots
- Mikrospikes or other traction devices to hike on slippery terrain.
- Windshield jacket
- Backpack (bag) to carry your photo gear.
Questions? Please contact me at (386) 627-1449 if you have any questions or message me.
A follow-up email will be sent to registered photographers with schedule details, recommended gear, and a liability release.
A deposit payment of $500 is required to confirm the booking. We will send you payment instructions upon registration. The remaining balance is due September 29, 2026. Please register for this trip using the form below.
