Spirit of the Desert: The National Parks of the Southwest

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Red Cliffs Lodge. A transfer is included from Grand Junction Regional Airport to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah. The "Spirit of the Desert" defies just one single definition. It's the spirit of the moment, a mood, a feeling harmonious with nature yet transcendent of earth and sky. It moves the senses to create, the mind and soul to soar, adventurers to be bold.

And, starting tonight, you will become part of its amazing story. Learn about the days ahead through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, who explains: "If you really want to witness the national parks when they're most beautiful, you want to see them at sunrise and sunset - the times when we typically shot most of the footage for our film. Nothing quite compares to those parts of the day.

From 10 am to 3 pm, standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon is certainly awe-inspiring; but standing on the rim as the first rays of light hit the canyon, or when the last rays of a sinking sun move through it, is an experience beyond words." In the vignette, Dayton introduces the "Dawn Patrol" and "Sunset Scouts," independent explorations that take place at these optimum times of the day; optional, they create an emotional connection to the parks that deepens your appreciation of all they offer.

Following pre-dinner drinks featuring hot and cold canapés, join us for a "cowboy cookout" dinner at Red Cliffs Lodge as Tauck's Spirit of the Desert begins. Stay Three Nights: Red Cliffs Lodge (D)

A tour this morning of Arches National Park provides many unexpected sights. You won't believe your eyes as you travel through the park – there are more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches here, the world's largest concentration. You'll find several varieties of arches as well as pinnacles that absolutely soar skyward, tafoni, and wildlife that has acclimated to the desert landscape.

The land was declared a national monument in 1929, taking 40+ years to achieve national park status. You're sure to recognize Balanced Rock along with a variety of other sensational geological formations during guided sightseeing before a visit to the fun little town of Moab for lunch.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at your Colorado River lodge, where activities such as horseback riding can be arranged individually (additional cost). You may wish to take a walk before dinner; your evening is spent at the lodge, which is steeped in the authenticity of its architectural style that truly defines what "the West" is all about. (B/D)

Join your Tauck Director for a different type of exploring – a scenic float trip along the Colorado River* where rock towers, colors and light reflect upon the water like mirror images. Depart for the fun little town of Moab, then on to Canyonlands National Park, whose countless canyons, mesas and buttes shadow the Colorado River and the Green River. These rivers divide the park into four districts – and today you'll explore the northern section, Island in the Sky.

There is no better way to experience Canyonlands than at sunset – and the setting sun, during a picnic dinner at Dead Horse Point overlooking the U-turn in the Colorado River, is nothing short of inspirational. (B/L/D)

Enjoy some free time this morning – you might want to rise early and catch a beautiful sunrise, or explore the Film Museum at the Lodge. For the past 70 years, many of the most famous western movies were filmed in and around Moab – learn about the filming locations and the stars who brought them to life.

Vignettes today include Dayton Duncan's insights on the best way to access the major sights in the national parks; some are available at a turnout, while others require back-country hiking or an aerial overview... like the way you'll see Capitol Reef National Park today, on a flightseeing excursion.

Cross the Waterpocket Fold, which is sort of a "warp" in the Earth's crust that runs nearly 100 miles, and see Strike Valley, the spectacular sandstone Capitol Domes, colorful cliffs, soaring spires, odd monoliths and more. Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, home to some of Earth's more whimsical geologic formations; spend some time at the Visitor's Center and enjoy some free time before dinner. Stay: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (B/L/D)

You may want to rise early this morning to catch the shocking array of colors illuminated by the first rays of light throughout the park. More of a series of horseshoe "amphitheatres" than a canyon, morning walks reveal millions of pinnacles positively glowing...

This afternoon, depart for Zion National Park; en route you'll learn about the park's complicated creation via a film vignette by Ken Burns, who shares his favorite memories of the park. Tour the park by narrated tram through Zion Valley, traveling to the Temple of Sinawava and the Great White Throne, then have some free time to explore as you please. Stay Two Nights: Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton (B/L/D)

"I was so impressed by the red cliffs and wilderness surroundings of Zion Canyon that I determined we should... have it made a national park." The words of conservationist Horace Albright set the stage for the expansion of national park designations in the Southwest, and the creation of Zion National Park in 1919. Zion's most striking images are unique sandstone cliffs that range from towering monoliths to narrow canyons, changing in color from light cream to pink to red.

Today you are free to do as you wish; walk the trails to the Emerald Pools and the Court of the Patriarchs, perhaps do some hiking, or pursue other activities that interest you – there are a lot of possibilities within Zion including the Virgin River, which is a tributary of the Colorado River that earned the designation "wild and scenic." And the night sky is most memorable. (B/D)

A film vignette by Dayton Duncan tells the story of Grand Canyon National Park, and how it exemplified the struggle that often occurred when creating a new national park. Leave Zion, and en route to Grand Canyon National Park get a guided tour of fascinating Pipe Spring National Monument to learn about Paiute Indian and Mormon pioneer history.

Following lunch, drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park; more remote, it is less crowded than the South Rim – with fewer than 10% of the park's total annual visitors. Dinner tonight is at your lodge, North Rim Lodge, situated on the rim of the canyon; the amazing views from the deck are truly panoramic. Stay Two Nights: Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge (B/L/D)

The North Rim is special at sunrise – well worth viewing (but remember, it comes pretty early)! Naturalist John Muir remarked: "The dawn, as in all the pure, dry desert country is ineffably beautiful; and when the first level sunbeams sting the domes and spires, with what a burst of power the big, wild days begin." Join us for a tour today that takes in some of the magnificent North Rim views, including Cape Royal and Point Imperial.

Enjoy some free time today to explore the park as you please; optional activities include additional ranger talks, mule rides and more. Whatever your choice, your days in the national parks create memories to treasure. (B/D)

Today is your final day to view a spectacular sunrise, this time from the North Rim of the canyon. The last of our vignettes features reflections by Ken Burns about our own private memories of the national parks – these memories are not about the "views," but instead they are the memories of those you shared the views with. Dayton Duncan's vignette explains how the parks belong to all of us, and the need to continue to help to protect them for future generations.

The most fitting farewell to the Southwest and the Spirit of the Desert is a flightseeing trip from Kanab over the western regions of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas for your return home. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at your Four Seasons hotel. Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas (B/L/D)

Tour ends: Las Vegas. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Checkout time is 12:00 noon. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in. (B)