DAY 1 LAS VEGAS Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities so check in and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon, meet the tour leader and fellow group members to go over the details of the trip.
DAY 2 LAS VEGAS/ZION NATIONAL PARK Early this morning we take a drive along the Las Vegas strip and marvel at some of the stunning buildings that line this avenue. Leaving Las Vegas, we transfer to Zion National Park with its variety of trails for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. We spend the next 2 days on various activities through the Park.
This afternoon we take a short, introductory hike in Zion. From the expansive valley floors to the creamy sandstone of towering cliffs rising 2,000 ft (600 m), Zion is a wonderland of visual imagery. The monolithic stone sculptures, lush forests and roaring rivers are breathtaking, and the first-time visitor will be amazed by the diverse array of colors including magenta, azure, vermilion, and cyan.
Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours
Approximate Distance: 155 miles (250 km)
DAY 3 ZION NATIONAL PARK We spend the day exploring the great outdoors in the Zion Canyon area. In the morning, we have a canyoning trip through the National Park, giving a different perspective on these great rock formations. All the elements of great canyoning are here, as we hike, rappel, scramble over and under obstacles and swim through the seasonal pools.
After getting our breath back over lunch, we have an afternoon of hiking to keep the pace up. Depending on group condition and interest, the guide will propose different hikes. Comprising more than 147,000 acres (59,500 hectares), the park covers a wide range of elevations from 3,700 ft (1,130 m) to 8,726 ft (2,630 m) above sea level. The terrain runs from desert to forest, with a dramatic river canyon known as the Narrows. The weather and temperature in the area is just as diverse, reaching over 100 F (38 C) in the summer, while the higher elevations are often snow-capped during the winter months.
Some possible hikes:
Middle Emerald Pool: 2 miles, 2 hours, 150 ft elevation gain. Moderate with steep drop-offs. Loop trail to lower and middle pools. Swimming, wading, or bathing is prohibited in all pools in order to protect the aquatic wildlife and preserve this fragile area.
Watchman Trail: 2 miles, 2 hours, 368 ft elevation gain. Moderate with minor drop-offs. Ends at viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and town of Springdale.
Angles Landing: 5 miles, 4 hours, 1488 ft elevation gain. Strenuous with steep drop-offs and narrow trail. Not for anyone fearful of heights. Ends at summit high above Zion Canyon. Last 0.5 mi (0.8 km) follows a steep, narrow ridge; chains have been added.
DAY 4 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Transfer to Bryce Canyon where we hike past the fascinating hoodoos and learn about the captivating history of the area.
Bryce Canyon National Park does not contain one main canyon, but rather a dozen smaller ravines eroded into the east side of a ridge at the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southwest Utah. This erosion has resulted in thousands of bizarre and fragile rock formations in many subtle shades of pink, white, yellow and red. The Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon farmer who was the first modern-day settler in the region. The park is located about 270 miles (435 km) northeast of Las Vegas.
The main ridge forms part of the Pink Cliffs, which are the highest and most geologically recent of a series of escarpments known as the Grand Staircase stretching across south Utah, formed by erosion and uplift of differently colored sandstone rock layers. The cliffs are named according to the dominant rock color: Chocolate (running northwards, from the Grand Canyon), Vermilion (visible most spectacularly around Lees Ferry, AZ), White (which surround Zion Canyon), Gray and Pink. Most of the Grand Staircase is now contained within the new Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument.
Water was initially responsible for creating the rock shapes in Bryce. Rain and melting snow flowing down the Pink Cliffs towards the Paria River formed ridges, or fins, which subsequently eroded into the spires, pinnacles and other shapes (collectively known as 'Hoodoos') which are left standing. In time these too will erode, and the whole process will move westwards as more of the cliff is gradually worn away.
Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours
Approximate Distance: 87 miles (140 km)
DAY 5 ARCHES NATIONAL PARK/MOAB Day on the road traveling through the scenic Escalante Staircase area arriving in Arches National Park later in the afternoon. This park contain countless canyons, arches, spires, buttes and a myriad of other spectacular rock formations. So named for the spectacular sandstone arches that dot the terrain here, including the famous Delicate Arch, instantly recognizable and a state symbol for Utah. We may hike this afternoon out to the Delicate Arch along the rugged trail.
Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours
Approximate Distance: 280 miles (450 km)
DAY 6 ARCHES NATIONAL PARK/MOAB Today we take to two wheels as we cycle from Moab out into Arches National Park. There are a variety of cycling routes into the canyon out of Moab, all of which take you on trails alongside Arches National Park. You cover sandy terrain, rocky canyons and dirt tracks along the route, all the while with fantastic scenery on all sides. We return back to our hotel in Moab for the night.
DAY 7- 8 CATARACT CANYON A further change of transport today as we change to white water raft to float down the Colorado River. Starting out from Moab, the river starts in a calm stretch before heading into grade 3-4 rapids, with names like Funnel Falls and Sock-it-to-Me, this is the most exciting way to see the river. Overnight we stop and camp alongside the mighty Colorado River. Listening to the river roll by is an interesting contrast to the thrilling ride we have taken along the river during the day.
DAY 9 LAKE POWELL We continue our rafting this morning along the river, and after a couple of days out on the wilds of the river, we have a more leisurely morning today as we float along the river to the take out point. Our day continues with a journey along to Lake Powell, where we spend the night.
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Approximate Distance: 168 miles (270 km)
DAY 10 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK This morning, we head to the Grand Canyon around Page to see the great Horseshoe Bend viewpoint. This is another of Mother Nature's little tricks in a whole world of sandstone and slick rock, tricks that result in some of the most interesting formations in the West. Gently carved from the Navajo sandstone over the course of countless millenniums, the slot canyons are majestic and narrow passages, with just enough space for a small group to walk the sandy floor with occasional shafts of sunlight shining down from above.
Later in the day we visit the south rim of the canyon for a first impression. The Grand Canyon stretches before us to the further rim, and as far as we can see on either side. The land at our feet drops almost straight down for over 3,280 ft (1,000 m) and then several thousand feet more into the serpentine canyons below. This vast gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words cannot describe it, it is one of the most magnificent sights on earth.
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Approximate Distance: 168 miles (270 km)
DAY 11 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK/LAS VEGAS This morning we take a spectacular hike to the heart of the canyon at Indian Garden and the Plateau Point trail. Optional activities, such as a helicopter flight or Imax Grand Canyon experience are also available. Most visitors only see the canyon from lookout points on the South Rim, but to really experience its natural beauty, we need to descend into it.
In the afternoon, we transfer to the city of lights, Las Vegas. Enjoy free time to explore this one of a kind city, take in a show or we can try our hand at the casino.
Hike Bright Angel Trail: to Indian Garden (4.6 miles one way) or Plateau Point (6.1 miles one way). This hike is difficult because of elevation, sun and heat. It is always possible to turn back.
Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours
Approximate Distance: 299 miles (480 km)
DAY 12 DEPART LAS VEGAS Depart at any time.
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