Moab: Hike, Bike & Raft

Welcome to Utah! You’ll need to make sure you arrive into Salt Lake City in time to meet your leader and the rest of the group at 10 am to kick off your tour. Once you’ve all gathered, sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic drive of approximately 4 hours to Moab, home to some of the world’s most striking red rock formations. Enjoy a stop along the way to buy lunch and stretch your legs before arriving in Moab in the late afternoon. In the evening, you’re free to explore the local nightlife in town or enjoy a relaxing night in before your first hike of the trip tomorrow.

It’s an early morning start today but it’s worth it to have more than 2,000 natural stone arches, rock formations and giant, balancing rocks pretty much all to yourself. Our rugged, half-day hike along the Devil’s Garden Primitive Trail offers a genuine wilderness experience with spectacular scenery at every climb, dip and turn. Admire the soaring rock arches and stunning views as you challenge yourself to avoid tricky spots like a depression filled with water that you’ll need to shimmy around to avoid wet feet. Back in Moab, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Take a swim in the pool, walk around this artsy town or book an optional evening tour. (B/L)

After breakfast, jump on Specialized Stumpjumper 29er mountain bikes for a half-day mountain bike adventure around the Bar M Loop, an introductory trail that is low on difficulty but big on fun. Your expert mountain biking guide will choose a trail based on everyone’s level of experience and thirst for adventure. Take it easy on a single track ride with spectacular views of the surrounding red rock landscape and the distant La Sal mountain range. If you’re more experienced, you may like to pick up speed and zoom over red hillocks which are perfect for hopping jumps. The afternoon is yours to enjoy back in Moab before a sunset hike to Delicate Arch, the largest freestanding arch in the entire park and one of the world’s largest. (B)

It’s a very early start as we make our way to Dead Horse Point for sunrise before heading to Canyonlands National Park where we will hike the Islands in the Sky District. This easy network of trails offers one of the finest panoramic overlooks anywhere in the Southwest USA. At the southern tip of this breathtaking plateau known as Island in the Sky, you can see the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, as well as vast areas of red rock cliffs and the incredible maize district. Take the short paved walkway to the aptly named Grand View Point and marvel at the mighty Mesa Arch perched on a cliff edge. Enjoy the view with an included picnic lunch, before the trip back to town where the evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. (B/L)

After a leisurely breakfast, join your group for a half day rafting trip along the Colorado River. With easy-to-navigate rapids that still offer enough excitement for those who’ve been rafting before, this experience is the perfect mix of chill and thrill. You’ll enjoy lunch and plenty of fun before your return to Moab at around 4. 30pm. Maybe head out for an optional group dinner tonight to celebrate the penultimate night of your active adventure. (B/L)

After breakfast, make your way back to Salt Lake City. Before your tour comes to an end, your leader will take you on a tour of Lake City, where you will learn about Mormon Pioneer history. See the magnificent Salt Lake Mormon Temple, State Capital Building and founder Brigham Young’s Territorial Governor’s Mansion. The tour wraps up by 5 pm and you are free to depart any time after that. If you would like to stay on in Salt Lake City, we would be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). (B)