6 Days Cycle Utah: Bryce & Zion National Parks
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6 DAYS CYCLE UTAH: BRYCE & ZION NATIONAL PARKS DESTINATIONS — The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Destination Saint George Meals included Hotel Hotel in Saint George, or similar Welcome to Saint George, the gateway to some of Utah’s finest parks and cycling trails. If you arrive early you might like to try one of the local hiking trails like the Red Reef Trail or just enjoy a relaxing morning exploring the local area. Your trip begins with a 3pm welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. Afterwards, enjoy a warm-up ride around Saint George taking in iconic sites such as the beautiful architecture of the 1877 St. George Temple in town before venturing into the stunning Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and back. At only 23kms (14 miles) it’s a short ride but one that will give you a good taste of the amazing scenery that Utah has to offer. After the ride, you’re free to freshen up and head out to the vibrant downtown to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants. Optional Activities: Brigham Young Winter Home Tour - Free St George Mormon Temple - Free Red Reef Trail Hike - Free Special Information: Today’s riding distance is approximately 23 kms/14 miles, uphill for the first 4 miles then most downhill, with 250 m/820 ft of overall elevation gain. DAY 2 Destination Saint George Tropic Meals included Breakfast Hotel Hotel in Tropic, or similar After breakfast transfer by vehicle (approx.1.5hrs) to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Learn about the stunning half- mile deep amphitheater of red rock, sitting at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, before getting onto the bikes for a long but enjoyable day in the saddle. Start by enjoying a relaxed 30-mile descent through the conifer and aspen trees of the sprawling Dixie National Forest. After lunch, the road flattens out as you make your way east. Get a taste of what is to come as you ride the Canyon bike path, gently climbing through the Ponderosa pines and red sandstone hoodoos of Red Canyon – once a hideout of the notorious Butch Cassidy – before dropping down into the small town of Tropic, gateway to the stunning Bryce Canyon National Park. You have two nights here so feel free to unpack and relax. Included Activities: Dixie National Forest Cedar Breaks National Monument Special Information: The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P1 TOUR ITINERARY Today’s riding distance is approximately 100kms/65 miles, downhill for the first 30 miles then a long but gentle uphill to Bryce, with 610 m/2000 ft of overall elevation gain. DAY 3 Destination Tropic Escalante Canyons Meals included Breakfast Hotel Hotel in Tropic, or similar Today is a long ride, but a classic, as you spend the entire day riding Scenic Byway 12, also known as ‘A Journey Through Time’. The day starts with a gentle downhill to the edge of the multihued Kodachrome Basin State Park then a long climb up towards Powell Point Vista and the towering Canaan Peak – the views certainly make the climb worthwhile and the support vehicle is always on hand if you need it. After a well-earned rest begin the freewheeling 20-mile descent all the way to the town of Escalante, before one last climb up to the Head of the Rocks Overlook for expansive views of the colourful slickrocks. From here it’s all downhill back into Escalante where you’ll board the vehicle and transfer (approx. 45 minutes) back to Tropic. Enjoy a hearty meal and drink in town tonight – you’ve earned it! Included Activities Head of the Rocks Overlook Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Special Information Today’s riding distance is approximately 95kms/59 miles, downhill for the first 10kms/6 miles then a long 23km/14-mile uphill section immediately followed by a 30km/19 mile downhill, with 870m/2850 ft of overall elevation gain. DAY 4 Destination Bryce Canyon Zion National Park Meals included Breakfast Hotel Hotel in La Verkin, or similar Today you ride through not one, but two iconic US National Parks. After a quick vehicle shuttle, begin your first ride, slowly climbing up through the surreal canyons and needle-like orange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Parks all the way to the end of the road at the famous Rainbow Point. Here you can enjoy the expansive panoramic vista of pink cliffs contrasted with the green bristlecone pines - the oldest living individual organisms on Earth. After taking in the view (and numerous photos) board the vehicle and shuttle (approx. 1.5 hrs) to Mt Carmel Junction for lunch. After lunch, jump back on the bikes and follow the road as it shadows Pine Creek all the way into the iconic Zion Canyon National Park. See the famous towering monoliths like The East Temple and Bridge Mountain looming above, touches of greenery contrasting the red sandstone and the fast-flowing Virgin River tumbling downwards all the way downhill to the end of the ride at Springdale. From here pack up the bikes and jump into the vehicle for the short transfer (approx. 25 mins) to your lodging in the hot spring town of La Verkin. Included Activities: The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P2 TOUR ITINERARY Bryce Canyon National Park Cycling Zion National Park Cycling Special Information: Today’s morning ride distance is approximately 33kms/20 miles, mostly gently uphill with 675m/2200 ft of overall elevation gain. DAY 5 Destination Zion National Park Meals included Breakfast Hotel Hotel in Saint George, or similar This morning you’ll drive back to Springdale then enjoy an epic ride up the virtually car-free Floor of the Valley Road beneath the towering red rock cliffs of Zion Canyon. This is Utah’s canyonlands at their finest as you cycle up steep- sided cliffs and past the megaliths such as the Mountain of the Sun, Mount Majestic, and The Great White Throne. Be sure to stop off at the scenic Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint along the way – for a good rest and even better view. Once you reach the end of the paved road it’s time to park the bike, swap your riding shoes for hiking boots and enjoy one of many hikes the park offers. Hiking in Zion is a once in a lifetime experience and the vistas here are some of the best in this vast park. Later, descend the same road then shuttle (approx. 45 minutes) back to St George. Included Activities: Zion National Park - Walks Zion National Park Cycling Special Information: Today’s riding distance is approximately 30kms/19 miles, with one uphill/descent, with 400m/1310ft of overall elevation gain. DAY 6 Destination St George & Snow Canyon State Park Meals included Breakfast Accommodation N/A Your last ride follows a familiar start as you start by retracing your tyre tracks from Day 1 then turn north, climbing upwards on an early morning cycle through the lesser-visited Snow Canyon State Park. The terrain here is a vast contrast to the last few days, yet equally compelling, as vertiginous cliffs give way to petrified sand dunes, ancient lava flows and red Navajo sandstone. Savour the final long descent back down into Saint George with ample time to freshen up before it is time to say goodbye to your riding companions as the trip comes to an end. Included Activities: Snow Canyon State Park Cycling The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P3 TOUR ITINERARY Special Information: Today’s riding distance is approximately 39kms/24 miles, with one uphill/descent, with 630m/2070ft of overall elevation gain. The trip finishes at 11am today. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P4 TOUR ITINERARY Inclusions WHAT'S INCLUDED Travel with Intrepid Travel Cycle through deserts, forests and canyons through Utah’s ever-changing landscapes Combine cycling, stunning rugged landscapes and laidback Southwestern life Ride winding roads through iconic Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, Pass red rock canyons, sandstone cliffs and through sprawling forests Enjoy the endless vistas of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Explore the trails and dunes of beautiful Snow Canyon State Park Off the bike you’ll find some of the country’s best hiking as well as fascinating history Spend time with friendly locals and experience authentic cuisine This cycling adventure takes in the best of it all at a pace everyone can enjoy 5 breakfasts Fine Print BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic.