Destination Country: America
Regions/Cities include: California Arizona Utah Nevada	Activities include: Sightseeing & discovery in a small group

USA Canyonlands walking tour

Days 1 – 3 

Our group departs Auckland International Airport  for a direct flight to Los Angeles International Airport, arriving early afternoon of the same day. After taking time for a short rest, and to freshen up in our nearby hotel, we meet our American tour driver and board the coach for a short drive to the coast where we can enjoy an afternoon walk on the fine sands or boardwalk and to explore the shops of beautiful Manhattan Beach. We will have dinner here at a local Bar & Grill. On the morning of day two, after enjoying breakfast in the dining area of our hotel, we load luggage and board our coach for the first major drive, along the broad Los Angeles City motorways and out into the rolling hills of the California hinterlands. We have scheduled two days in this area of Southern California to enjoy some of the attractions of San Jacinto State Park in Palm Springs, plus Joshua Tree National Park – while staying in the nearby desert township of Twentynine Palms. A full day exploring the wonders of Joshua Tree Park before we arrive to stay in a quiet motel complex in the town of Blythe, located right on the California/Arizona State border. Features Include: An afternoon ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to enjoy an alpine walk in the forested San Jacinto Mountains; a fascinating day of varied nature walks in Joshua Tree National Park complemented with visits to the National Park Visitor/interpretative centres on each side of the park.

Days 4 – 6

The morning of day four sees us cross the Colorado River and enter the State of Arizona, where we journey east along the Route 10 motorway, past the sprawling city of Phoenix, and south towards Tucson for our feature afternoon visit to view the beautiful cactus while strolling along the nature trails of Picacho Peak State Park. Next, we arrive for a three night stay in modern motel rooms on the outskirts of Tucson City. Here we have two full days visiting the numerous parks and other attractions within the Tucson locality. Features Include: Visits to discover the amazing plants and animals featured in the world renowned Sonora Desert Museum – plus explorations of Tohono Chul Botanical Park and Catalina State Park, both located nearby to our Inn in Tucson. Also scheduled for our time spent here in southern Arizona is a visit to the beautiful Mission San Xavier, a shrine church for Native Americans, now a National Landmark.

Days 7 – 9

After enjoying a complimentary breakfast in the dining area of our Inn, we depart Tucson to journey north along the scenic byway to the historic city of Prescott located in the vast ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona. An overnight stay here with part of the next day to explore the attractions in and around Prescott, before travelling further north to arrive for two nights stay in pretty Oak Creek Village located on the outskirts of the new-age township of Sedona, set amid a magnificent landscape of sculptured red-rock formations. A full day scheduled here in order to explore the township and to enjoy some of the amazing local attractions and walkways. Features Include: Walks in both Prescott and the nearby historic mining town of Jerome to explore the artsy shops whilst on our drive to Sedona; a visit to the historic Indian dwelling and visitor centre at Tuzigoot near Sedona – plus time to enjoy the new age shops, galleries and other attractions of Sedona itself.

Days 10 – 12

We depart the beautiful red-rock surrounds in Oak Creek Village, to journey north through the city of Flagstaff and onwards to enter Grand Canyon National Park where we stay for two nights in a comfortable lodge just a few kilometers from the canyon’s spectacular South Rim. A full day here to experience what is certainly one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world. Day 12 sees us depart our lodgings in the South Rim Village, but with time to further enjoy the breath-taking Grand Canyon scenery as we drive the Desert View scenic highway eastwards to our final night’s accommodations in Arizona – in spacious and beautifully appointed motel units in the historic trading post township of Cameron. Features Include: A visit to Walnut Canyon National Monument near the city of Flagstaff to walk amongst the ancient cliff dwellings of the early native North American Indians; opportunities to stroll the pathways along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to view bighorn sheep, deer and perhaps the huge North American Condor, plus options for keener walkers to descend part-way into the canyon along the Bright Angel Trail.

Days 13 – 17

On day 13 we travel northeast into the State of Utah, to visit world-renown Monument Valley located on Navajo Indian Nation lands and encompassing the astounding mesa and butte geological formations featured in so many well-known movies. Tour members have the opportunity to walk and explore in the valley before the end of the day sees us check into our luxury lodgings at the Desert Rose Inn located in a tranquil canyon-land setting in the tiny historic township of Bluff, founded by Mormon pioneers in the early 1880’s. From Bluff we journey further north to arrive for four nights stay in the well-known resort town of Moab, where we have three full days to experience the scenic wonders of both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and the township of Moab itself. Features Include: Nature walks in both Monument Valley and the spectacular Arches National Park and trail walking in the “Islands in the Sky” region of Canyonlands National Park. Day four in Moab is a free day for tour members to explore the local walkways and attractions of the beautiful township itself.

Days 18 – 23

We depart Moab to travel southwest across the fascinating desert interior of Utah, and to stay two consecutive nights in the tiny township of Torrey while we take a full day to explore nearby Capitol Reef National Park. The next two nights we spend in central Utah are in modern motel units nearby to the colorful Bryce Canyon National Park. With its sculptured canyon walls and multi-colored rock spires, Bryce Canyon is one of the most visually spectacular features of our whole tour! Our group has a full day here in Bryce to walk down into the canyon amid the fascinating rock spires, to view deer grazing in the meadows and forests along the canyon rim and to take any number of photographs in this amazing locality. From Bryce Canyon, and to complete our Utah Canyonlands experience, we enjoy a short drive over to the neighboring Zion National Park. With its wonderful dry climate, amazing plants, beautiful Virgin River and towering rock walls. Zion has become a tour favorite – and this is not to mention the charming township of Springdale where we stay for two nights in modern spacious motel units nearby to the park. One afternoon plus a full day to enjoy this amazing location. Features Include: A feature stroll amongst the amazing stone “goblins” in Goblin State Park on-route to Torrey on day 18, walking opportunities along valley and canyon rim nature trails in each of Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion National Parks, plus time to visit and enjoy all three National Park Interpretative Centre’s.

Days 24 – 25

On day 24 we farewell the wonders of the Utah landscape to journey west and then south along the main highways, into the state of Nevada. As we descend into the south-western corner of Nevada we arrive into the visually stunning surrounds of the world famous casino city of Las Vegas. Although perhaps a digression from the nature/walking & Canyonlands tour theme, our scheduled afternoon and evening exploration of Las Vegas is a truly fascinating experience not to be missed. With Accommodation conveniently located right on the renowned Las Vegas Strip, we have ample time to stroll along Las Vegas Boulevard to enjoy the street-side attractions, the many shops and to just embrace the whole eye-opening experience that is Vegas. Don’t worry about being intimidated by this very modern and fascinating city. From the hotel entrance your tour leaders will take you on an introductory afternoon walk to familiarize you with the workings of this amazing tourist city. There will be an opportunity to purchase show tickets for any performances you would like to see. 

 

Price is subject to change - currently based on 2018 rate.  Includes:

• Tour escort / Wilding Guide
• Return economy class airfares from Auckland 
• Accommodation in motels, hotels, lodges
• Daily breakfast, packed lunch, some dinners
• Entry fees & Permits to featured attractions and national parks
• Sightseeing as specified