DAY 01: ARRIVE IN LAS VEGAS,
Begin your adventure under the neon lights of Las Vegas, an oasis in the desert of southern Nevada. You’ll lose track of time along the Strip, where resorts with elaborate themes offer an array of options, including 24-hour casinos, innovative dining options from big-name chefs, and variety shows and concerts starring legendary headliners. Whether you choose to stay in a luxury resort or in more modest accommodation, excitement is in store. If you like high-end shopping, prepare to stroll through The Forum Shops at Caesars or The Shops at
Crystals and Via Bellagio. For budget-friendly shopping, head to the north end of the Strip to the Fashion Show Mall or to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. For a unique experience, visit the Downtown Container Park, an open- air center with boutiques, restaurants, bars and live music. Less than an hour from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park features spectacular attractions of a very different sort. At the oldest state park in Nevada, you’ll see magnificent sandstone formations that are 150 million years old, ancient petroglyphs and abundant wildlife. Many of the park’s animals, including bobcats, jackrabbits and coyotes, are nocturnal, giving a different meaning to ‘nightlife’.
Accommodations: (STD) Gold Coast Hotel or similar (1 night)
DAY 02: LAS VEGAS - BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT (396 km)
Today, travel to Bryce Canyon National Park through Virgin River Gorge and the natural amphitheater of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Once in Bryce Canyon, take the park’s 38-mile (61 km) scenic drive to acclimate yourself and select where to return to sightsee or hike. Do not miss a hike to the expansive Bryce Amphitheater. This impressive natural landscape sits below the Rim Trail hiking path and is filled with hoodoos, which are brightly colored, tall, thin rock spires. Plan to spend several days at the park so you can experience both sunrise and sunset, photographing the views from overlooks such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. Stay after dark to see the vast, star-filled night sky.
Accommodations: (STD) Quality Inn Bryce Canyon or similar (1 night)
DAY 03: BRYCE CANYON NP - CAPITOL REEF NP - MOAB, UT (412 km)
Travel through Capitol Reef National Park, famous for its white sandstone domes and the towering monoliths of ‘Cathedral Valley’. Arches National Park is the site of more than 2,000 natural arches, many accessible through a variety of hiking trails that accommodate all levels. Moab is at the confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers and is an epicenter of river rafting, so you may wish to stay longer and explore.
Accommodations: (STD) Bighorn Lodge or similar (1 night)
DAY 04: MOAB - CANYONLANDS NP - PAGE, AZ (336 km)
Today, explore Canyonlands National Park, carved by the Colorado River and featuring a dramatic desert landscape of mesas and canyons, before visiting Natural Bridges National Monument with three natural bridges viewable from Bridge View Drive or from hiking trails to the bridges themselves. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is known for its towering sandstone buttes and has been the location for many Hollywood movies. The nearby town of Page, Arizona, straddling the border of Utah and Arizona, is the gateway to Lake Powell, popular for houseboating, fishing, kayaking and rafting.
Accommodations: (STD) Marriott Courtyard Page at Lake Powell or similar (2 night)
DAY 05: PAGE, AZ
Plan to visit Antelope and Navajo canyons, Rainbow Bridge National Monument and Horseshoe Bend, one of the most photographed curves in the Colorado River. For a truly memorable experience, take a helicopter or hot-air balloon ride to see it all from above. Extend your stay here to enjoy the many activities available.
DAY 06: PAGE - ZION CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT (246 km)
Zion National Park is famous for its steep red cliffs, canyons and towering rock formations as well as cascading waterfalls and rivers. A hike along the Virgin River to explore its waterfalls and hanging gardens is a must-do as well as a hike through water in the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, with walls 1,000 feet tall (300 meters) and the river just 20 to 30 feet (six to nine meters) wide. This area is a favorite for photographers of all levels due to its amazing light and structure. If you are lucky, you may get to view some of the park’s wildlife, including California condors, mountain lions and bighorn sheep. A five–mile (eight km) scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road allows visitors to experience the crimson canyons and view the dramatic overlooks.
Accommodations: (STD) Zion Park Pioneer Lodge or similar (1 night)
DAY 07: ZION - LAKE MEAD NRA/HOOVER DAM, AZ - LAS VEGAS, NV (260 km)
Returning to Las Vegas, explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the spectacular Hoover Dam with great hiking trails to the dam’s base or natural hot springs and activities for all interests and ages.
Accommodations: (STD) Gold Coast Hotel or similar (1 night)
DAY 08: DEPART FROM LAS VEGAS, NV
Enjoy your last moments in Las Vegas and depart at your leisure.
