Overview
Itinerary
Channel your inner pioneer as you embark on an epic encounter with the peaks, canyons and deserts of what was once the treacherous Wild West. We kick-start our expedition in Denver, exploring the Mile High City at your leisure before meeting our Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Welcome Reception this evening. (WR) Stay: Sheraton Denver Downtown
Ascend into the foothills of the Rockies and cross the Continental Divide en route to the alpine village of Vail, renowned for its epic powder-filled alpine basins that have attracted skiers since the 1960s. We then make our way to the town of Palisade for a Be My Guest lunch at a local peach orchard. Learn how peaches are grown and harvested before enjoying a lunch inspired by local ingredients. We continue to Moab for an evening on your terms. (B/L) Stay: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Tread lightly through the captivating landscapes of Utah's Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as you explore Mother Nature's profound mark on the surrounding geology. Deep canyons, towering spires and mesas give way to thousands of fiery sandstone arches during today's encounter with two soul-stirring national parks. See iconic Delicate Arch and if you like, take a short hike to the view point for an up close look. Reconnect with nature and admire how the land has adapted to the ravages of wind, water and time. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
This morning, say goodbye to the playground of giants and arrive at the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park where you'll enjoy a rare opportunity to delve into the history and culture of the once-flourishing community of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Explore their beautifully preserved dwellings hewn from the sandstone cliff centuries ago and look down at the massive Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the world.
Later, deepen your connection with the first nations of this land as we head toward Monument Valley - home to the Navajo Nation and the backdrop of many famous Hollywood Western movies. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B) Stay: Goulding's Lodge
The arresting beauty of Monument Valley is yours to explore this morning as we join a Local Specialist driving in an open-air vehicle past towering sandstone buttes and mesas that rise from the barren landscape on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. We continue through the ancestral home of the Navajo, arriving at Cameron Trading Post for your chance to take home some handmade Native American crafts and jewelery. Driving along the scenic Desert View Drive, skirt the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and gaze into its mesmerizing multi-colored depths while gaining insights into its geologic life.
Stop at Desert View Intertribal Cultural Heritage Site to hear stories, family histories and cultural demonstrations by tribal members on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Then unlock the geological wonders of Grand Canyon on a private nature walk with a geological expert, Canyon Tim. Join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner to reminisce over the epic landscapes encountered along our journey. (B/D) Stay: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Rise early to catch the first rays of light as they illuminate the canyon. Consider an optional helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flightseeing trip to view this feat of nature from the sky or enjoy a leisurely morning, before we journey to Sin City. Desolation gives way to a desert oasis as we cruise back in time past motels, diners and gas stations towards the dazzling lights of Las Vegas. (B) Stay: Horseshoe Las Vegas
Our exhilarating adventure through the canyon lands has come to an end. Grab some breakfast as you prepare to say farewell to your friends or consider extending your stay at Horseshoe, Las Vegas. Depart at your leisure to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. (B)
Channel your inner pioneer as you embark on an epic encounter with the peaks, canyons and deserts of what was once the treacherous Wild West. We kick-start our expedition in Denver, exploring the Mile High City at your leisure before meeting our Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Welcome Reception this evening. (WR)
Ascend into the foothills of the Rockies and cross the Continental Divide en route to the alpine village of Vail, renowned for its epic powder-filled alpine basins that have attracted skiers since the 1960s. We then make our way to the town of Palisade for a Be My Guest lunch at a local peach orchard. Learn how peaches are grown and harvested before enjoying a lunch inspired by local ingredients. We continue to Moab for an evening on your terms. (B/L) Stay: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Tread lightly through the captivating landscapes of Utah's Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as you explore Mother Nature's profound mark on the surrounding geology. Deep canyons, towering spires and mesas give way to thousands of fiery sandstone arches during today's encounter with two soul-stirring national parks. See iconic Delicate Arch and if you like, take a short hike to the view point for an up close look. Reconnect with nature and admire how the land has adapted to the ravages of wind, water and time. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
This morning, say goodbye to the playground of giants and arrive at the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park where you'll enjoy a rare opportunity to delve into the history and culture of the once-flourishing community of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Explore their beautifully preserved dwellings hewn from the sandstone cliff centuries ago and look down at the massive Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the world.
Later, deepen your connection with the first nations of this land as we head toward Monument Valley - home to the Navajo Nation and the backdrop of many famous Hollywood Western movies. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B) Stay: Goulding's Lodge
The arresting beauty of Monument Valley is yours to explore this morning as we join a Local Specialist driving in an open-air vehicle past towering sandstone buttes and mesas that rise from the barren landscape on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. We continue through the ancestral home of the Navajo, arriving at Cameron Trading Post for your chance to take home some handmade Native American crafts and jewelery.
Driving along the scenic Desert View Drive, skirt the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and gaze into its mesmerizing multi-colored depths while gaining insights into its geologic life. Stop at Desert View Intertribal Cultural Heritage Site to hear stories, family histories and cultural demonstrations by tribal members on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Then unlock the geological wonders of Grand Canyon on a private nature walk with a geological expert, Canyon Tim. Join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner to reminisce over the epic landscapes encountered along our journey. (B/D) Stay: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Rise early to catch the first rays of light as they illuminate the canyon. Consider an optional helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flightseeing trip to view this feat of nature from the sky or enjoy a leisurely morning, before we journey to Sin City. Desolation gives way to a desert oasis as we cruise back in time past motels, diners and gas stations towards the dazzling lights of Las Vegas. (B)
Our exhilarating adventure through the canyon lands has come to an end. Grab some breakfast as you prepare to say farewell to your friends or consider extending your stay at Horseshoe, Las Vegas. Depart at your leisure to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Discover the Grand Canyon with Tim, a Local Specialist and Geologist
- Visit Vail, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab, the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas
- See Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
- Scenic drive along Desert View Drive and Route 66
Be My Guest
- Unlock the local secrets of the land over a meet-and-greet at Field to Fork, an organic fruit and vegetable farm that cultivates 10 acres for vegetable production in addition to a fruit orchard of rare heritage stone and pomme fruit. Welcomed by owners Jessica and Scott, you'll learn about the farm, its history and Jessica and Scott's passion and expertise for organic farming. Then, take a walking tour of the farm discovering horticulture and how they grow organic fruits and vegetables, including a greenhouse and barn tour. Cap off your experience with a meal of crudité, salad, pizza topped with local ingredients and dessert featuring local seasonal fruit.
Dive Into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim's fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Iconic Experience
- Vail: Welcome to one of Colorado's great playgrounds. While the winter attracts the ski crowds, the summer draws in guests to the European-style Vail Village. Surrounded by towering Rocky Mountain peaks, the pedestrian village offers a unique mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. Feel the friendly local vibe that makes Vail cosmopolitan and unpretentious.
- Arches National Park: Nature's creations spring to life at Arches National Park, home to the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Some 6,000 natural sandstone arches can be found within the boundaries of the national park. On your visit, unlock all the science and history of how these 6,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind. Take in the sights of Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock while admiring the ever-changing landscapes as you traverse the park.
- Canyonlands National Park: There's no better spot to witness the power of the Colorado River carving through rocky red landscapes than at Canyonlands National Park. Take in the sights of Mesa Arch, views from the Green River Overlook, and be inspired by the vast expanse of high desert canyons at Grand View Point.
- Mesa Verde National Park: There's no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
- Grand Canyon National Park: One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the second most visited national park in the United States. Explore the Visitor Center and get familiar with the history of the Grand Canyon, grab a coffee at a local café and take a walk along the Rim Trail. Keep your camera on-hand as you explore some of the 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent canyonlands at one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world with unmatched vistas along its rim.
- Las Vegas: Go sightseeing in the largest city in Nevada and one of the world's greatest resort cities, Las Vegas.
Make Travel Matter®
- Grand Canyon: Feel good knowing you're doing good visiting Desert Viewpoint Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site where members of 11 traditionally association Indigenous tribes share their stories, family histories and cultural demonstrations. Discover Native crafts watching a carpet weaving demonstration, or you may enjoy traditional song and dance performances. Your visit and donation provide a continuous source of funding for the on-going development of the Cultural Heritage Site while allowing guests to engage directly with Indigenous community members. The experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 11: Responsible Production and Consumption.
- Monument Valley: Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Navajo people journeying through the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park accessing roads, places, sites that are closed to the general public. Get a feel for the land and its people climbing aboard an open-air, all-terrain vehicle to explore the valley with your Navajo guide as you pass its towering sandstone buttes and mesas, many of which have been featured in prominent Western films including John Wayne's ‘Stagecoach'. Your exclusive Navajo Tribal Park tour with a Navajo guide helps preserve the integrity of the land and culture. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities.
Trafalgar Difference
- Monument Valley: Explore an iconic part of the Western USA on this Stays With Stories - experience. Feel like you're stepping back in time to when the lodge was founded in the 1920's. Then imagine you're stepping onto a movie set -- Goulding's Lodge was made famous by Hollywood movies filmed here. In addition to waking up to watch the daybreak over Monument Valley, you'll also love how the hotel has supported the local Navajo community.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 1 Dinner (D)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Discover the Grand Canyon with Tim, a Local Specialist and Geologist
- Visit Vail, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab, the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas
- See Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
- Scenic drive along Desert View Drive and Route 66
Be My Guest
- Unlock the local secrets of the land over a meet-and-greet at Field to Fork, an organic fruit and vegetable farm that cultivates 10 acres for vegetable production in addition to a fruit orchard of rare heritage stone and pomme fruit. Welcomed by owners Jessica and Scott, you'll learn about the farm, its history and Jessica and Scott's passion and expertise for organic farming. Then, take a walking tour of the farm discovering horticulture and how they grow organic fruits and vegetables, including a greenhouse and barn tour. Cap off your experience with a meal of crudité, salad, pizza topped with local ingredients and dessert featuring local seasonal fruit.
Dive Into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim's fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Iconic Experience
- Vail: Welcome to one of Colorado's great playgrounds. While the winter attracts the ski crowds, the summer draws in guests to the European-style Vail Village. Surrounded by towering Rocky Mountain peaks, the pedestrian village offers a unique mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. Feel the friendly local vibe that makes Vail cosmopolitan and unpretentious.
- Arches National Park: Nature's creations spring to life at Arches National Park, home to the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Some 6,000 natural sandstone arches can be found within the boundaries of the national park. On your visit, unlock all the science and history of how these 6,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind. Take in the sights of Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock while admiring the ever-changing landscapes as you traverse the park.
- Canyonlands National Park: There's no better spot to witness the power of the Colorado River carving through rocky red landscapes than at Canyonlands National Park. Take in the sights of Mesa Arch, views from the Green River Overlook, and be inspired by the vast expanse of high desert canyons at Grand View Point.
- Mesa Verde National Park: There's no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
- Grand Canyon National Park: One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the second most visited national park in the United States. Explore the Visitor Center and get familiar with the history of the Grand Canyon, grab a coffee at a local café and take a walk along the Rim Trail. Keep your camera on-hand as you explore some of the 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent canyonlands at one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world with unmatched vistas along its rim.
- Las Vegas: Go sightseeing in the largest city in Nevada and one of the world's greatest resort cities, Las Vegas.
Make Travel Matter®
- Grand Canyon: Feel good knowing you're doing good visiting Desert Viewpoint Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site where members of 11 traditionally association Indigenous tribes share their stories, family histories and cultural demonstrations. Discover Native crafts watching a carpet weaving demonstration, or you may enjoy traditional song and dance performances. Your visit and donation provide a continuous source of funding for the on-going development of the Cultural Heritage Site while allowing guests to engage directly with Indigenous community members. The experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 11: Responsible Production and Consumption.
- Monument Valley: Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Navajo people journeying through the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park accessing roads, places, sites that are closed to the general public. Get a feel for the land and its people climbing aboard an open-air, all-terrain vehicle to explore the valley with your Navajo guide as you pass its towering sandstone buttes and mesas, many of which have been featured in prominent Western films including John Wayne's ‘Stagecoach'. Your exclusive Navajo Tribal Park tour with a Navajo guide helps preserve the integrity of the land and culture. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities.
Trafalgar Difference
- Monument Valley: Explore an iconic part of the Western USA on this Stays With Stories - experience. Feel like you're stepping back in time to when the lodge was founded in the 1920's. Then imagine you're stepping onto a movie set -- Goulding's Lodge was made famous by Hollywood movies filmed here. In addition to waking up to watch the daybreak over Monument Valley, you'll also love how the hotel has supported the local Navajo community.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 1 Dinner (D)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (3) Most Recent 'Best of the Canyonlands' Reviews
Not sure why there's a requirement to bring a torch as we never have a need for one, but a wide brimmed hat and lots of water is a must, especially with the high altitude. However, I was surprised to find out that this tour was actually joining the Scenic Parks tour group that started in LA, so it was little awkward joining a this late stage. In addition, the two final days is Vegas were free time and any optional tours were arranged via third party tour groups - no Trafalgar Travel Director or Coach required - it was unfortunate as I had already prepaid my gratuities. Ideally, I would have liked the tour to include Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park however the existing group had already visited these parks before we joined the group in Denver.
Overall, a great short trip that was breath taking and magical.
Brochure
Trafalgar USA (2023-24)
Brochure
Trafalgar Worldwide Tours (2023-26)
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