When to go
April, July, September, and November
Price
From £2,999 pp (excluding flights)
Flight time
10hrs 58mins
Introduction
In this exciting, spiritual, and informative trek to three of the best national parks in the United States, you will enjoy marvelous scenery and learn about the Navajo Nation, the second-most populous Native American people in the world. Your journey will start in glamorous Las Vegas, and then take you across sprawling deserts, steep cliffs, and unique rock hoodoos (irregular rock formations) that seem to defy nature.
At a Glance
Duration
8 days & 7 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,999pp (excluding flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Las Vegas | Zion National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park | Monument Valley | Grand Canyon National Park | Route 66 – Las Vegas
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
OYO Las Vegas Hotel & Casino | La Quinta Inn & Suites | Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn | Kayenta Monument Valley Inn | Yavapai Lodge
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 6 people with a maximum of 13
Start/Finish
Las Vegas | Las Vegas
Extensions
Highlights
Visit Three Incredible National Parks
Your journey to Western USA will take you to three iconic national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. Comprised of unique rock formations, vast desert plains, and extreme hot and cold temperatures, each national park has their own distinct landmarks to explore, making for a memorable trip, one that will keep you on your toes each step of the way.
Guided Tour of the Navajo Backroads in Monument Valley
The Navado backroads is a sacred destination. So much so, that you cannot venture there without a suitable travel guide. During your trip to this very special place, you will learn about the Navajo culture and traditions, and also bear witness to remarkable rock formations, like the Big Hogan Arch that has a circular hole in the ceiling.
Watch the Sunrise and Sunset at the Grand Canyon
One of the best parts of visiting, and staying at, the Grand Canyon, is being able to watch the sun rise and then set. This results in a dramatic change in the formation of the shadows, which gradually adjust in their angle and intensity as light fades from the horizon.
Watch the Zion Sandstone Cliffs and the Bryce Canyon Rock Hoodoos
Zion National Park is home to gorgeous sandstone cliffs, which stretch on for miles and produce all kinds of imaginative shapes. You’ll get the chance to marvel at these marvelous works of nature from many angles, including down below and way up above. Likewise, at Bryce Canyon, you will witness the hoodoos (irregular rock formations), which number in the hundreds and are scattered across the land.
Recommended Hotels
OYO Las Vegas Hotel & Casino | La Quinta Inn & Suites | Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn | Kayenta Monument Valley Inn | Yavapai Lodge
Sample Itinerary
Canyons & Navajo Landscapes
Starting at the lights and glamor of Las Vegas, your journey deep into Western USA will take you to three iconic national parks. In your sample itinerary, you will learn about the Navajo people, including their history, culture, and time-tested traditions and practices. What’s more, you’ll be surrounded by stunning, imaginative rock formations and structures, accompanied by glorious mountain ranges and vast desert plains that stretch for miles.
Day 1: Las Vegas
Start your Western USA journey in the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. You’ll have a full day of free leisure to bask in this magnificent city. Try your luck at the nearby casinos, enjoy a margarita at a local bar, or take a walk down the Vegas strip to appreciate the sights and sounds.
At around 18:00 hrs there will be a welcome meeting, where you will meet your tour guide and fellow travelers.
Stay overnight at the OYO Las Vegas Hotel & Casino or similar.
(N)
Day 2: Zion National Park
Leave Las Vegas and head to Zion National Park. Officially recognized as Utah’s first national park, Zion is home to a wide array of native wildlife and plants, enhancing rock formations, and a variety of easy and more challenging hiking trails.
Stay for 2 nights at the La Quinta Inn & Suites or similar.
(N)
Day 3: Zion National Park
Enjoy a full day of exploring the Zion National Park in all its glory. There are many hiking trails to choose from, but if you are unsure where to go first then the Watchman Trail is a great starting point. This trail is relatively easy to moderate in difficulty, and it takes about 2 hours to complete, covering a total distance of 3.3 miles per round-trip.
If weather permits, you can choose to hike into the Zion Narrows; a deep, narrow gorge that sits between two overbearing walls, where the shadows and cool water will provide some much-needed respite from the summer heat.
(B)
Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park
Leave Zion and make your way to Bryce Canyon National Park. You’ll climb a high elevation of 8,296 feet, resulting in reaching a high plateau that provides breathtaking views of the mountain ranges ahead, along with the steep cliffs below.
While exploring the park you will come across various hoodoos, irregular rock formations that seem to defy nature. They display a kaleidoscope of colors and tones, which change as the sun rises and sets in the region. There is also optional horseback riding for an additional fee, payable onsite.
Stay overnight at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn or similar.
(B)
Day 5: Monument Valley
After leaving Bryce Canyon National Park, travel along the border of Utah and Arizona. On the way to Monument Valley, stop at Glen Canyon Dam. The dam lies 710 feet above the bedrock, and it harnesses the power of the Colorado River to provide water to millions of residents across Western USA. From there, arrive at Monument Valley and explore the region. Aside from marveling at the creative rock formations, you’ll also learn about the legend and mythos behind the Navajo people.
Stay overnight at the Kayenta Monument Valley In or similar.
(N)
Days 6 – 7: Grand Canyon National Park
Leave Monument Valley and travel to your final canyon, the Grand Canyon National Park. Upon arrival, you will have 2 days to explore everything that this incredible region has to offer. We encourage you to check out the Desert View, a tall, historic watchtower that rests on a tall plateau, and provides incredible views from way up above.
By far, the best way to admire the Grand Canyon is with a scenic helicopter flight, which provides a unique, unbeatable perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. For those wanting a more pleasant stroll, go for a walk on the South Rim Trail, or test your might with the more challenging Plateau Point.
Stay for 2 nights at the Yavapai Lodge or similar.
(N)
Day 8: Route 66 | Las Vegas
After visiting the Grand Canyon, make your way back to Las Vegas via Route 66. You will travel on a section of this historic road, and stop for an optional launch at a local diner. Your tour will officially end in Las Vegas at around 17:00 hrs, where the final meeting will take place.
