Grand Circle Experience: Explore Southwest National Parks

Arrive anytime today at McCarran (now Harry Reid) International Airport and transfer to your lodging for the night. The hotel does offer a hotel shuttle, you can call for pick-up once you land in Las Vegas. Enjoy your evening in Las Vegas, NV.

You will receive a call from your guide today, if you haven’t heard from them by 4 pm, please call.

Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport

Your journey begins this morning as you meet your guide to depart for Zion National Park. Here, you will explore sites like the Great White Throne, Emerald Pools, Scouts Lookout, the Court of the Patriarchs, and the Narrows. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your group this evening. 

2024 Lodging: Hotel DeNovo, Springdale, UT
2025 Lodging: The Lodge at Zion Country, Springdale, UT

Meals: B, L, D

Your morning starts with breakfast and a drive up the Zion switchbacks to see a wild world of swirling sandstone, then out through the east entrance. You pass through Kanab, Utah, marveling at yet more fantastic rock formations along the way. Up you go up to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and visit viewpoints around the North Rim Lodge including Bright Angel Point and other areas. After lunch you will continue your journey to Page, Arizona by crossing the Navajo Bridge spanning the Colorado River, passing by the enormous Vermilion Cliffs, so named for their brilliantly crimson striations of sedimentary rock. There will also be a stop at the Navajo Bridge and Colorado River. Our lodging for the next two nights is on the shores of Lake Powell.

Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell​, Page, AZ

Meals: B, L

There's no better way to see the best of what the Colorado River and Lake Powell has to offer, while learning about its history and geology than stepping aboard a guided boat tour of Navajo Canyon. Avoid the land-tour crowds, bask in the Navajo Sandstone’s orange glow, and experience wonders only the water provides as you glide deeper and deeper into the world’s most famous and beautiful slot canyons.  The highlight is the beautiful Navajo Tapestry-laden walls of Navajo Canyon and learning about the Navajo People who have inhabited this land for centuries.   

Once finished on water, experience the undulating sandstone-sculpted walls of Antelope Canyon. The lighting and beautiful flow of the walls make this an experience to remember. This will be the highlight of the afternoon! Enjoy the evening at the Red Heritage Experience in Page, Arizona. Red Heritage is a Native American Dinner Theater in Page, Arizona showcasing local dancers talented in colorful powwow dancing, flute playing, and live drum music. You will have an evening of culturally inspired food and an unforgettable show!

Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell​, Page, AZ

Meals: B, D

Today you will head to Kayenta, Arizona, for a brief stop before entering Monument Valley in an open-air truck. Admire the gigantic formations up close or towering along the horizon. You'll also visit filming spots for classic Western movies and lesser-frequented outcroppings in the backcountry. After lunch, you will have some time to explore the historic Gouldings Lodge before continuing to Bluff, UT. Stops will be made at Sand Island Petroglyph Panel and Historic Fort Bluff to learn about the early settlers of the region before enjoying your evening in this quaint town.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Express Cortez, CO

Meals: B, L

Start your day with breakfast before traveling to Four-Corners Monument where you will stop to shop and snap a shot at the famous spot where the borders of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah all meet.

Travel into Colorado to Mesa Verde National Park. Here, you'll explore and experience the dramatic ruins of ancient Pueblo cliff houses, built into shallow caves and under rock overhangs. You will also stop at viewpoints and a museum along the mesa top before heading to the San Juan Mountains for Durango. This frontier town offers plenty of restaurants and shopping — just the place to enjoy your free evening.

Lodging: Holiday Inn & Suites, Durango, CO

Meals: B, L

Score a true frontier experience with a steam engine train ride on the Durango and Silverton Railroad, an impressive track built in 1881 that snakes along the canyons of the Animas River Valley. It'll be lunchtime when you arrive in Silverton, and the Shady Lady, Bent Elbow, and Natalie's -- all former bordello and current restaurants -- will be happy to accommodate you. Then, trek the twisting turns of the Million Dollar Highway, stopping in Ouray for some shopping before the final leg to Moab. (If traveling from March 1 to May 1, the train ride will be only up to Cascade Canyon.)

Lodging: Hyatt Place, Moab, UT

Meals: B

Spend the day exploring Arches National Park and its 2,000 natural sandstone arches, up to 50 of which you'll experience firsthand as you hike to the Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Devil's Garden, and Courthouse Towers. Returning to the hotel, you'll have the afternoon free before an early dinner at a local restaurant, giving you plenty of time to head over to Dead Horse Point for a beautiful sunset overlooking the Colorado River.

Lodging: Hyatt Place, Moab, UT

Meals: B, L, D

Today, you're treated to another scenic drive into Canyonlands National Park to see and experience the majestic Mesa Arch in the morning. This is the best time to photograph this formation. You will then enjoy the San Rafael Swell on the way to Capitol Reef National Park, where you'll hike up to Hickman Bridge, enjoy the Grand Wash, and look for Geodes and other activities within this fantastic park. Dinner and an enjoyable evening will be experienced at one of the local hotels in this area.

Lodging: Broken Spur Inn, Torrey, UT

Meals: B, L

After a morning exploring Capitol Reef National Park, you will journey down Highway 12, known as the All-American Road for its iconic vistas, and also the deep canyons that have been carved through the landscape before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park, a Utah treasure filled with unearthly archways and rose-colored hoodoos. You'll spend the evening hiking the stunning canyon, relaxing, and dining on your own in Bryce Canyon.

Lodging: Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Bryce Canyon, UT

Meals: B, L

Your last day in the Southwest's fantastic landscape starts with a stellar sendoff of early morning sun lighting up pink cliffs during an unforgettable sunrise in Bryce Canyon. After hiking and exploring more of the canyon, you'll head back to Las Vegas, stopping for a few final views of Zion National Park from the Kolob Canyons and lunch at a local joint in Cedar City, Utah. After lunch begin your return drive to Las Vegas through the historic town of St George, UT. Hotel drop off by 6:00 pm PST. Thank you for traveling with us!

Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport

Meals: B, L

Transfer to the Las Vegas Airport by hotel shuttle on your own for your departure flight home.

Meals: B