Arizona Photography Tour

Flights: Choose to fly into Flagstaff (FLG) or Phoenix (PHX).

If PHX is a more convenient or affordable option for you, Groome Transportation offers daily shuttle rides from Phoenix Sky Harbor to the Flagstaff Amtrak station, where we will come to pick you up.

Please send us your flight confirmation for whichever airport you choose.

Want us to advise on flights? Email us at info@damesly.com

Weather: Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Grand Canyon! Temps will vary from the Rim to the Canyon, but generally expect warm/hot temps during the days (80s+) and much cooler nights (50s).

Packing: Sun protection (hat/sunscreen/sunglasses), comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, and a sweater/jacket for when the sun sets are a must for this trip. Additionally you’ll want a small backpack for personal items and a bathing suit for the hotel hot tub. And, of course, don't forget your DSLR camera or smartphone to take photos!

For entry into Arizona, you'll need:

• (Real) ID
• Passport (if outside the US)
• Travel Insurance*

*Note: We require proof of travel insurance for all international departures, so if you are a US resident, it's your call. If you have a nationwide insurance policy, double-check that you'll be covered by your provider in Arizona.

Short answer? Yes to a camera, no to experience!

Camera: Historically, we've recommended a DSLR camera to get the most out of this tour (since we have a professional photographer to instruct us), but if that's just not your thing, you can also learn a ton using just your smartphone.

There are many aspects of the newer smartphone cameras that correlate to the DSLRs, so we'll all learn some awesome techniques to up our game and practice them on whatever device you choose.

Workshop: It will be helpful (but not totally necessary) to at least understand the basic functions of your camera prior to the workshop. The workshop leader will go into the basics of each element and throughout the next 2 days will show you hands-on techniques to get the best photos you can with various elements.

While we will be doing a lot of traveling, make no mistake: this is a photography tour, and the emphasis here will be on perfecting photos from setup to edit.

Questions and one-on-one discussions are encouraged, and everyone is invited to bring their own individual knowledge of these mediums to better the group experience.

At Damesly, our goal is to connect women through beautifully curated travel experiences. 

Our trips feature a high level of customer support and a focus on cultural interaction and experiences. We’re dames who work hard, and travel often. So when you use your coveted PTO days, we want you to have the best trip possible! To do this, we hand-select boutique hotels based on location and service. We look for unique properties that we think of as hidden gems, which may or may not be 5-stars. Our itineraries offer a mix of adventure and relaxation. We’re not afraid to get a little dirty to have the most fun experiences, but if there’s an infinity pool or a great spa afterwards — we’ll meet you there!

Traveling the world comes with rewards and challenges. Our traveler is someone who is easy-going and open minded to new experiences and cultures, ready to get out of their comfort zone and understands that travel leads to personal growth, even on its toughest days. Join us if you’re adventurous, kind, open-minded and ready for the trip of a lifetime. 

On our Grand Canyon Photography Tour, you can expect to pack a lot into 4 days! Our days are long on this trip and include long drives, but you will see so many incredible sights along the way. Come ready for adventure and to learn more about practicing photography in different lights and different landscapes. Activity level on this one is moderate. Horseshoe Bend has a 15-minute downhill/uphill walk involved, and Antelope Canyon is a 1-mile hike through a slot canyon involving a few staircases.

Will you match me?
Of course! If you choose a space in a shared room but you're traveling solo, we will do our best to pair you with a roommate. Roommates are matched based on arrival time and perceived compatibility. Sharing a room is a great way to save costs, and make a new friend! However, we ask you to approach the situation with an open mind, some grace, and maybe a little humor.

While 99% our travelers are amazing, we can't guarantee that you'll hit it off with your roommate, or that your sleeping styles will be compatible.

Is sharing right for you?
If you are a light sleeper, get easily irritated or just know that you need your own space, sharing a room might not be for you. Likewise, if you know that you snore, sleep with a CPAP machine or have other health conditions, sharing a room might not be the best fit.

What if I don't get along with my roommate?
If you've tried but you absolutely can't get along with your roommate and need to separate, your trip leader will either swap things around, or, attempt to get you your own room. If the latter, additional charges will incur.

What if I book a double room, and you can't match me?
We book a certain amount of hotel rooms before any tour, and are bound by their rules. In the event that we cannot find a roommate for you before the tour, and your room converts to a single room, there may be additional charges.

Small group trips require at least 4 people to run. We will confirm as soon as possible when the trip has met its minimum; up to 60 days before departure. For this reason, we recommend waiting until after a trip has been confirmed to purchase airfare. Any tour can be converted to a private departure when a trip does not meet its minimum. Additional costs may incur. Alternatively, apply your credit to any small-group tour departing within 12 months. 

When you book a tour with us, our team will create a customer portal for you, where you can make payments towards this tour at your leisure. 

If you’d prefer, we can create a payment schedule for you, just let our accounting team know (accounting@damesly.com) Tours must be paid in full 60 days before departure. 

This tour to Grand Canyon must be paid in full by Monday July 15th, 2024 for our 2024 tour, and by July 7th, 2025 for our 2025 tour. See our cancellation policy here.