The Trailblazer

The dazzling lights of Las Vegas set the tone for an unforgettable encounter with some of America's most iconic natural sights-a soul-stirring array of canyons, mesas and rocky cliffs. This evening meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and then soar 550 feet above the center of the Las Vegas Strip on the High Roller, the world's tallest observation wheel. With sweeping 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip you'll see all the glitz and glamour of Sin City. (WR) Stay: Harrah's Las Vegas

Say goodbye to Vegas and journey east to Grand Canyon National Park. We hit the "Mother Road" as we journey past fifties-style diners, motels and general stores - colourful highlights on a journey that will take you through stunning desert landscapes. From the iconic to the unexpected, the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon is beyond anything you could have ever imagined. Meet your Local Specialist who will share insights into the canyon's geological marvels. Watch how the light plays on its layered cliffs, revealing a different story at every vantage point. Later, take a mental snapshot as you watch a mesmerising sunset over one of the world's seven natural wonders - its grandeur lingering far longer in our minds than the fading light glinting off its ancient rock-face. (B) Stay: National Park Lodges

This morning opt for a birds-eye view of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon on a helicopter or fixed-wing flight over the canyon. Heading south take in Arizona's most scenic drive along Oak Creek Canyon, before arriving in stunning Sedona known for its towering red rock formations, new age movement, and popular arts scene. This evening connect with Locals over a hosted Be My Guest dinner featuring warm Arizona hospitality. (B/BMG) Stay: Sky Rock Inn of Sedona

Today we venture to the badlands of the Painted Desert en route to Monument Valley. On the way, stop at Cameron Trading Post to browse through Navajo handicrafts and perhaps a taste of traditional fry bread. We'll board open-air vehicles, passing mesas and iconic rock formations that rise up from the red valley floor. We arrive on the shores of glittering Lake Powell next, surrounded by the rusty red walls of Glen Canyon. (B) Stay: Lake Powell Resort and Marinas

Enjoy a day to indulge your inner adventurer at Lake Powell. In the morning consider embarking on an optional raft experience^ down one of the prettiest sections of the Colorado River. This afternoon enjoy an included lunch followed by a visit to one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest, Horseshoe Bend. Conclude the day with an optional scenic cruise on the lake, visiting exquisite Antelope Canyon. (B/L)

Continue your journey to the mesmerising pink, orange and red spires of Bryce Canyon National Park. Witness first-hand the eerie pillars that rise up from the desert floor - the world's largest collection of hoodoos that have eroded over millions of years. Keep a keen eye for one of the park's rare bristlecone pines, the longest-living trees known to man, then travel to Zion National Park, where we'll spend the next two nights. (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Springdale

A full day with the freedom to explore Zion National Park and take the same paths once travelled by America's early pioneers and Native Americans. Admire the graceful slot canyons, towering cliffs and jaw-dropping monoliths, all carved out over 200 million years from the orange sandstone. Stretch your legs on a leisurely stroll along the Virgin River from the Temple of Sinawava to the start of the Zion Narrows, or hike up to the three Emerald Pools. See if you can spot the park's resident Peregrine falcons, California condors and Bald eagles, or join a park ranger to learn more about the inhabitants who live there. This evening, share your adventures with your travel companions at a festive Farewell Dinner. (B/FD)

Head west and wind along the interstate that skirts the Virgin River Gorge traversing the vast arid expanses of the Mojave Desert. A transfer is provided to Las Vegas International Airport and to Harrah's Las Vegas if you'd like to extend your stay. (B)