Have you always wanted to walk a path in Zion Park? Hike in Zion Park is for you. The entire area is known as the Colorado Plateau. To see how the Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon are stairstepped see the Grand Staircase. Explore the Hoodoos and otherwordly shapes of dramatic Bryce Canyon. You may find, as many others do, the calm and soothing Zion Park is good for your nerves.


Itinerary:

Day 1 – Phoenix, Arizona
See some of America’s greatest parks! Your Southwest adventure begins in Phoenix, Arizona. Transfer from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m.

Day 2 – Montezuma Castle, Sedona
See Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain and giant Saguaro Cacti on your morning sightseeing. Drive north to visit Montezuma Castle, site of 12th and 13th century cliff dwellings. The state of Arizona has been inhabited for at least 15,000 years. Fifteen different Native American tribes live on reservations within Arizona. Continue to the artist colony of Sedona, surrounded by magnificent red rock formations and voted the most beautiful place in America. Some people believe that certain areas in Sedona have strong energy forces. These areas are known as vortexes and are believed to revitalize you. Photostop at beautiful Bell Rock, a well-known vortex. Enjoy a leisurely visit to Sedona, with its outstanding collection of galleries, shops and restaurants. Continue on a scenic drive of the red rock formations surrounding Sedona. Arrive at your Sedona hotel. Enjoy dinner tonight. BD

Day 3 – Flagstaff, Grand Canyon
This morning wind through Oak Creek Canyon en route to Flagstaff to visit the Indian Museum of Northern Arizona. Then, arrive early afternoon at the Grand Canyon. Your lodge is in the Grand Canyon National Park, near the South Rim. The Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, follows the course of the Colorado River. It varies from one to eighteen miles in width and is almost 280 miles long. Your afternoon is free for exploration. Take the free shuttle to the West Rim lookouts. Enjoy breathtaking Grand Canyon vistas. B

Day 4 – Grand Canyon, Lake Powell
Enjoy breakfast at historic El Tovar Lodge on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Then, drive along the scenic East Rim lookouts to the famous Desert View Lookout. Next, continue to visit a Navajo and Hopi Trading Post. Here, you will find a large selection of high quality Hopi and Kachina dolls and fine Native American jewelry and handicrafts. Next, drive over the Glen Canyon Dam to 185 mile long Lake Powell. Arrive at Lake Powell Resort, formerly known as Wahweap Lodge, on the shores of Lake Powell. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise through Lake Powell’s Antelope Canyon. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay at Lake Powell Resort. B

Day 5 – Monument Valley, Jeep Tour
Enjoy breakfast in your resort’s famous Rainbow room with 180 degree sweeping views of Lake Powell. This morning enter the Navajo Indian Nation. Enjoy a jeep tour of the restricted backcountry of Monument Valley, a beautiful, pristine area of buttes and arches which is accessible only with authorized Navajo guides. The Valley was the backdrop for Western classics, such as “The Searchers,” “Stagecoach,” and “Once Upon a Time in the West.” This is John Wayne country. John Ford, the filmmaker, discovered the rugged beauty of Monument Valley in the 1940’s. Visit Ford Point where you will recognize movie backdrops. Many westerns were filmed here, with such Hollywood legends as Maureen O’Hara, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart. Lunch at Gouldings Lodge overlooking Monument Valley. Visit the Hollywood Museum dedicated to the films made in Monument Valley. Return to Lake Powell. BL

Day 6 – Bryce Canyon National Park
Enjoy breakfast in your resort’s famous Rainbow room. Morning drive to Bryce Canyon. See the “Hoodoos,” fantastic red, orange and pink limestone spirals. This afternoon enjoy scenic stops at Bryce Point and Sunrise Point, overlooking the stunning Bryce Amphitheater. Next, to Bryce Valley for an overnight stay at rustic Bryce Valley Inn, which is located just outside the Park and has an overnight elevation of 6,200 feet (overnight elevations in Bryce Canyon Park are higher and up to 8,100 feet). Look for colorful sunsets which transform the nearby Escalante Mountains (Butch Cassidy country) into brilliant shades of red, orange and pink. B

Day 7 – Zion National Park
This morning drive to Zion Park. See a wonderland of rock monoliths. Zion features stunning scenery found nowhere else on earth and is a geologic showpiece with sandstone cliffs among the world’s highest. Early settlers were so inspired by Zion’s beauty that they bestowed exalted names on the park’s natural features. See East Temple, the Court of the Patriachs and the Great White Throne. Leisure time this afternoon to take the valley floor shuttle and the scenic walking trails. Enjoy dinner. BD

Day 8 – Zion Park to Las Vegas, Nevada
After breakfast, Caravan transfers you from Zion Park to Las Vegas, Nevada. Enjoy a brief sightseeing drive of the Las Vegas strip. Arrive at the Las Vegas airport at 1:00 p.m. Schedule flights after 3:00 p.m.