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Raft Down the Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon
August 16 – 26, 2025
The Colorado River winds through massive canyon walls in one of the most scenic wonders of our world, the Grand Canyon. Join Muench Workshops for this photography workshop and expedition. The workshop will begin in Flagstaff, two days before the journey, where you will be given lessons on composition, technique, and image-making in the field. Then, Arizona Raft Adventures will guide us on this ten-day expedition, rafting on the Colorado River. Following our ten days on the river, we will conduct a full day of image reviews and post-processing lessons using the images just captured on the expedition. This will be held in a private meeting space in our hotel, with classroom-style seating so that everyone can participate, working on their own laptops.
A motorized raft offers a great way to experience the Colorado River. Safe and comfortable, with plenty of room for camera equipment on our second raft. The speed of the motors allows for more time to explore and photograph, and our additional raft offers space for everyone to spread out. Our river guides will share canyon geology, early river running history, river ecology, and many other facts and river lore. When you embark on this journey, everything needed for the expedition is carried on the raft. Arizona Raft Adventures pioneered the use of quiet engines; they are just big enough to steer our 32-34 foot long rafts. Their custom-designed boat is comfortable yet still offers excitement through the rapids. Our group size is small, allowing everyone to spend time photographing in all the fantastic locations. You will see 225 miles of the river from “put in” at Lee’s Ferry to “take-out” at Diamond Creek. Daily itinerary includes rafting, camping, hiking, swimming, and, of course, photography.
This will be an excellent opportunity to float through the deepest canyon on earth and capture images of beautiful caverns, waterfalls, streams, and so much more. We will eat like royalty at every camp, where the guides will prepare excellent meals with fresh local meats, vegetables, and herbs. All camping equipment will be provided.
You will come away with a much deeper knowledge of landscape photography, having spent an intense twelve days around many like-minded photographers in a spectacular location.
Your Pros
Location
Arizona, USA
Tuition
$9,995
Dates
August 16 – 26, 2025
Availability
Open for Registration
Limited to 12 Guests
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
August 16, 2025: Meet and greet at 5:00 PM in hotel followed by group dinner.
August 17, 2025: Sunrise shoot at Wupatki, National Monument. This will be a great time to learn landscape techniques before you begin your journey down the Colorado River. Breakfast back at the hotel, followed by downtime, then post-processing and composition lessons in our private meeting room. Dinner will be followed by a 7:00 PM orientation meeting with Arizona Raft Adventures guides.
August 18–24, 2025: Early breakfast at the hotel, then we’ll load a school bus and ride to the input location along the Colorado River. The bus ride will take about 2 hours.
For seven nights, you’ll be sleeping under the stars in one of the most dramatic locations in the world. Our guides and leaders will discuss locations, logistics, and plans each day. Be prepared to enjoy the cool waters of the river, fantastic side canyons with streams, waterfalls, and pools, and hot afternoons with cool refreshments. Everyone gets tents if they choose, portable showers are available, and portable toilets are provided. All cooking and food will be prepared and handled by our guides.
August 25, 2025: This will be our final morning on the river. After another great breakfast and a short drift downstream, we’ll arrive at Diamond Creek take out. We’ll spend time transferring all our items to the bus and begin our drive back to Flagstaff. Lunch will be served in a park along the way, and once we reach our hotel, we’ll have plenty of time to check in, clean up, and rest before dinner. If the guides can join us for dinner, they will. This is a great time to reminisce about our adventure and thank them.
August 26, 2025: Breakfast at the hotel, and at 9:00 AM, class begins. You’ll be asked to share samples of your images from the expedition and receive valuable critiques from your pros. Bring your laptop, as there will be tables and power to follow during the post-processing lessons. Learn how to make simple yet powerful edits to your images, crop, and set the white point to reveal all the colors of the Grand Canyon. 4:00 PM break for the day followed by final group dinner and goodbyes. This night’s stay at the Little America Hotel is included.
August 27, 2025: Flights home anytime.
Physical Requirements
We highly recommend discussing any physical challenges with your doctor. Beyond the active itinerary, camp safety is essential. Camp life may entail moving around and over rocks, climbing steep, sandy beaches, and cautiously crossing slick or sticky mud. In addition, living outdoors for several days in a desert environment can quickly impact one's health and stamina. Weather conditions vary from extreme heat to extreme cold, heavy rain, strong winds, and blowing sand. We encourage you to use the following questions to help you think about the ideal endurance and stamina needed. Can you:
- Ascend and descend two flights of stairs carrying a 20-pound bag without using a handrail? This is similar to getting around camp with your dry bags.
- Get up on top of a kitchen counter, stand up, and return to the floor without using a stool? This is similar to getting on and off the boats (particularly the motorboat if that's the adventure type you're on).
- Climb several sets of stairs while urgently needing the bathroom? This is similar to locating and getting to the groover (toilet facilities) in camp.
- Balance a plate of food on your lap while eating? If you choose to sit in the provided camp chair while eating dinner, your food will be on a plate in your lap.
- Suspend your weight from a pull-up bar for 15 seconds? This is similar to holding onto the raft during the rapids. Sometimes you're holding on with all of your strength.
- Do a UPS delivery person's job from 6 AM-8 PM? This is similar to the activity level you'll likely experience on your Grand Canyon rafting adventure. You'll be sitting down and getting up multiple times a day, walking around with heavy bags, hiking and exploring, maneuvering around camp, etc.
If you feel you cannot do one or more of the above scenarios, it does not preclude you from participating in your rafting adventure. However, it does mean that some aspects of the trip may present more of a personal challenge and/or risk. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you have after reviewing this information. We're always happy to explain these in more detail.
Fitness
Moderate: Rafting is easy. Setting up and tearing down camp is moderately physical. Side canyon hikes can be challenging. All hikes are optional.
Flights
Arrive Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Flagstaff, Arizona before 4:00 PM on August 16, 2025. Flights out can be made anytime on August 26, 2025. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $750 supplement. (Hotel only)
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $750 supplement. (Hotel only)
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $3,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $3,000 is due by January 1, 2025.
- The balance is due not later than May 1, 2025.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Testimonials
“Greg is an excellent instructor in the field, helping with camera settings, pointing out various views and helping with compositions. ”
“From beginning to end Muench Workshops is a Class act. The materials we got before hand; the e-books, the accessories & protective devices for our equipment etc. all well done. ”
“I really enjoyed the entire process. I was apprehensive about the photography part as although I feel I have an excellent artistic eye, I am a bit of a luddite technically. I ended up with some excellent photos largely thanks to the instructors patience as well as tips from other participants. The crew, instructors and other workshop attendees were great and everyone contributed to a great feeling of camaraderie. What an experience! ”
Behind the Scenes
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