10 Days/9 Nights

Grand Canyon & The Red Rocks

Join us on a journey through spellbinding Red Rock Country—including the spectacular Grand Canyon, enchanting Bryce Canyon and more. Behold magnificent caves and huge natural amphitheaters...see stunning rock formations and intriguing fossils...plus experience the rich history of the Navajo. The sights will take your breath away!

Tour Highlights

• Marvel at Zion National Park’s “towers of stone” and fields of colorful wildflowers.
• Explore the natural rock bridges of Arches National Park.
• Thrill to a Hummer ride through the beautiful backcountry or take a Jet Boat Cruise on the Colorado River.
• See ancient Native American dwellings in Anasazi Indian Village State Park.

Itinerary

Day 1—Phoenix: We’ll begin our journey in the “City of the Sun.” At our get together this evening, you’ll meet your travel companions and hear about all the excitement ahead. Welcome Reception included.

Day 2—Sedona: Thrill to a scenic desert drive to Sedona, a city surrounded by unbelievable towering rock formations. Enjoy a visit to Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. Then explore the eclectic shops and galleries of Sedona on your own, or take in all the best places around town on a fun-filled trolley tour. Meal included: B.

Optional Excursion—Sedona Trolley: Join us on a fully narrated trolley tour, including a stop at the remarkable Chapel of the Holy Cross and a breathtaking photo stop at Airport Mesa. Price: $20 per person.

Day 3—Sedona/Grand Canyon: This morning, enjoy some free time, or join an optional jeep tour for an up-close look at the desert.

Optional Excursion—Jeep Tour: Sign up for this thrilling “four-wheeling” adventure and learn about the fascinating history of this region, plus get plenty of photo opportunities of the awe-inspiring Red Rock formations. Price: $60 per person.

Get ready for the Grand Canyon! Upon arriving at the park, we’ll go to Mather Observation Point for your first view of the canyon. A stop at the Visitor Center will provide a good introduction to the park. Then we’ll head to Grand Canyon Village and our lodging for the night. Be sure to check out the views at the rim and be sure to catch the canyon sunset! Meals included: B, L.

Day 4—Grand Canyon/Lake Powell: Today we’ll travel east along the canyon’s rim, stopping for a breathtaking look at the Desert View Watchtower. We’ll have lunch on the banks of Lake Powell. Join us on an optional afternoon cruise or enjoy some free time. Meals included: B, L.

Optional Excursion—Cruise on Lake Powell: Sit back, relax and take in the incredible scenery as we cruise the brilliant blue waters of Lake Powell. Price: $40 per person.

Day 5—Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon: Today we’ll tour spectacular Zion National Park, where you’ll see an unusual combination of plummeting canyons, wide plateaus and soaring multicolored sandstone cliffs.

Then enjoy a peaceful evening before starting another day of geological and cultural wonders in Bryce Canyon. Meals included: B, L.

Day 6—Bryce Canyon/Escalante: Explore the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. These pinnacles of limestone, sandstone and mudstone shoot toward the sky in fanciful formation.

Then we’ll head to Escalante, named after explorer and missionary Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante. One of the town’s residents will share the unique history of this desert town.

We’ll also get a “taste” of life in southern Utah when we visit Jenifer and Shannon Steed, who’ve cooked up a great meal and some “cowboy” entertainment for us. Meals included: B, D.

Day 7—Escalante/Anaszi Indian Village/Moab: Today, you’ll see the grand mesas, buttes and pinnacles of Escalante National Monument and explore a replica of a six-room 1,000 A.D. dwelling in the Anasazi Indian Village. Next, you’ll soak in the radiant cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park—the Navajo called them “sleeping rainbows”—followed by the captivating rock sculptures of Goblin Valley.

Our home for the next two nights is the Moab Valley Inn. Meals included: B, L.

Day 8—Arches National Park: One of the geographic wonders of the world awaits! No one quite knows why hundreds of sandstone “arches” were formed by nature in this one national park. You’ll have a chance to see and photograph dozens! In the afternoon, return to our hotel or take one of the options. Meals included: B, L.

Optional Excursion—Jet Boat Cruise: This four-hour, 30-mile jet boat ride on the Colorado River takes you from Canyonlands National Park to Dead Horse State Park with a stop at the Petrified Forest. Price: $79 per person.

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Optional Excursion—Off-Road Hummer Adventure: You are invited to experience a two-hour “extreme” ride through the beautiful remote backcountry with guides well-versed on these trails. Although these backcountry trips are off the main road, your Hummer, the ultimate 4x4, provides an exciting yet comfortable ride. Price: $85 per person.

Day 9—Navajo Nation/Cameron: Today we’ll visit the Betatakin Ruin, the remains of the canyon’s largest Pueblo village. We’ll stay in the heart of Navajo Country at our hotel in Cameron. Meals included: B, L.

Day 10—Phoenix: We’ll say farewell to new friends—and to the Southwest’s rugged natural beauty. Meals included: B.

Accommodations

• Day 1: Radisson Phoenix Airport Hotel, Phoenix
• Day 2: Best Western, Sedona
• Day 3: Grand Canyon Lodges, Grand Canyon
• Day 4: Best Western at Lake Powell, Page
• Day 5: Bryce Canyon Pines, Bryce
• Day 6: Prospector Inn, Escalante
• Days 7-8: Moab Valley Inn, Moab
• Day 9: Cameron Trading Post Lodge