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Home , Arches National Park, Zion National Park

Tour Code APCS 11 Day America?s Spectacular Canyonlands with Rocky Mountaineer

11 days Created on: 25 Sep, 2021

Day 1: Arrive Las Vegas

Depending upon our arrival time, we will have some free time to explore this glittering city before joining our Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Las Vegas

Included Meal(s): Dinner

Day 2: Las Vegas ? Springdale (Zion )

With stops along the way to photograph the scrub landscape, we head out from Las Vegas and the bright lights to a landscape of natural masterpieces. With a brief break in the town of St. George in southern , we travel to Springdale, gateway to the . We will spend some time in the newly opened Zion Visitor Centre. Knowledgeable park experts are here daily to provide a wealth of information about Zion National Park, and the other surrounding parks and attractions. The new facility offers an extensive retail store with apparel, gear, gifts, books, maps, and more. There will be some free time this evening before dinner.

Overnight: Springdale

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Zion National Park

Located in the southwest corner of Utah, the Zion area is a destination that offers more than 2,400 square miles of adventure and inspiration. With over 229 square-miles, more three dozen hiking , cliffs towering more than 2,000 feet above the floor, and more species of plants than the Hawaiian Islands, Zion National Park is a pretty incredible place. Zion was the state?s first federally designated park in 1919, and it shows off the oldest geologic layers this side of the ~150 million years old. With so much to explore in this dramatic landscape, we have a day here to see and also to spend some time in solitude taking photographs and marvelling at the grandeur and uniqueness of the landscape.

Overnight: Springdale

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Springdale ? Bryce Canyon City

Exiting from the east entrance of Zion National Park, we see the top layers of the largest sand that have ever existed and may see bighorn sheep climbing the area, ponderosa pine trees growing out of the side of sheer cliffs, and the individual layers of sand shaped and altered over millions of years.After a brief stop at Checkerboard and a few other prime photo stops, we will have the opportunity to hike up to Canyon Overlook and look 2500 feet down to the bottom of Pine Creek and . After driving through the historic 1.1-mile long tunnel and down into the canyon, enter the main canyon and continue to see why this landscape was sacred to the Native Americans who lived here for thousands of years. We will explore sites like the Great White Throne, Angel's Landing, the , and the Narrows. We will enjoy the scenic drive through Zion Hwy 9 and HWY 89 and travel through historic towns and beautiful Red Canyon. We then head north for the town of Panguitch, one of the great historic towns of the west and the entrance to Bryce Canyon. After a break, we will travel further to Bryce Canyon National Park and Bryce Canyon City.

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Page 1/4 Overnight: Bryce Canyon City

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park and Escalante National Monument

Today we will explore the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park. Wind, water and time have eroded the park's cliffs into otherworldly characters plucked from the unconscious of a mad Viking. Rows of humanoid pillars crosshatched by strata look almost intentional but perfectly surreal. Geologically, Bryce is not actually a canyon at all. We will spend the day walking in this stunning area, relaxing, or simply viewing the amazing colours. We will also visit the famous Kodachrome Basin located with the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. This evening in Bryce Ampitheater, we visit some of the scenic overlooks. For sunset, we will aim to visit Inspiration Point, Paria View or Sunset Point, and plan to arrive one-and-a-half hours before sunset for the best lighting.

Overnight: Bryce Canyon City

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Bryce Canyon City ? Kanab - Monument

We will start the day with a drive to Kanab, that has lured filmmakers to Utah for nearly 80 years. The buildings all over town have plenty of movie posters and autographed photos to support Kanab's self-proclaimed title, "Little Hollywood," while abandoned film sets near town have become tourist attractions without becoming tourist traps. We continue onwards to the mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon, also known as "Corkscrew Canyon". We will travel to the Upper Antelope Canyon in a 4WD tour truck with a Navajo guide and step into the desert, an amazing fantasy world of stone which has been carved over many years with wind and water. The colours are rich and deep in the morning and afternoon. Our guide will explain some of the interesting , culture and history of this stunning region. Finally arriving in , we?ll spend the evening seeing the best of this region. Our tour will begin as our Navajo guide leads us on a journey into the spectacular backcountry of the Valley, exploring the natural and historic landmarks like sprawling rock , bridges and rock art. Along the way, our guide will perform a Navajo cultural demonstration as we make our way to the Rain God Mesa area. Here we?ll watch the beautiful colors of sunset over the landscape as we eat a dinner of Navajo tacos and steaks. After dinner, we?ll be treated to a one-of-a-kind campfire, with Native American dancing, flute playing, drumming, chanting, and storytelling.

Overnight: Monument Valley

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: Monument Valley ? Moab

In some ways, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the definitive West. We?ll explore more of the park this morning in the area known as Mystery Valley. Imagine unveiling the secrets of the old legacy of the Ancestral indigenous peoples. Like strands of early-morning mist, the mystic legends of these Ancient Ones float through and pervade the area. Born and raised in Monument Valley, our Navajo guide will lead us to authentic rock arts where their sacred grounds still remain. As we drive alongside the painted walls and age-old dwellings, we?ll begin to discover and imagine the lives of these ancient forefathers. Following the prehistoric trails, we also discover the majestic natural bridges, arching across the desert floor, delicately connecting the massive sandstone rocks. After time in Monument Valley, we trace our steps as we drive north to the town of Moab. Time permitting, we will explore the other side of Moab with a short drive along the to the fantastic Petroglyph Panels, Dinosaur Tracks, and other geological formations found just outside the park.

Overnight: Moab

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Page 2/4 Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8: Moab - Canyonlands National Park ? - Moab

Canyonlands National Park is home to many different types of landscapes, including one of the West's most photographed landforms, Mesa . The park has four separate districts, each with its own characteristic landscape. We visit the second district of Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky. We begin in a 4x4 vehicle down in the corridor. As we drive through the park, we?ll stop to take in the sights and the red rock desert rarely seen by other visitors. Our knowledgeable guides will share information on Canyonlands and its natural history. The Ancestral Puebloean people left evidence of their ancient culture in the and we?ll stop to explore their mysterious and beautiful rock art. We?ll also visit the famous Gooseneck overlook of the Colorado River, and travel part of the White Rim to Musselman Arch. We?ll finish by climbing the Shafer ?s switchbacks to the top of Island in the Sky. Driving to Arches National Park, we visit and later travel further into the park to explore , Double O Arch, and other outstanding natural formations. From sun up to sun down, this park offers opportunities to immerse ourself in a landscape like nowhere else on earth.

Overnight: Moab

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9: Moab ? Glenwood Springs on board the Rocky Mountaineer

Experience the Canyonlands onboard the Rocky Mountaineer?s newest route, Rockies to the Red Rocks. From vast canyons and chromatic , to red sandstone landscapes that twist through the bright blue sky, this stunning rail route is filled with highlights best seen from their expansive glass-dome coaches. The breathtaking scenery is complemented by vibrant storytelling, regionally-inspired cuisine and impeccable service. Get the sense of adventure with the exceptional service on this journey of a lifetime. We depart Moab in the afternoon and travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer for the first day of our two-day journey. We will cross the Utah-Colorado border with stunning views in the background before arriving in the resort town of Glenwood Springs.

Overnight: Glenwood Springs

Overnight:

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Glenwood Springs ? Denver on board the Rocky Mountaineer

Today we depart Glenwood Springs for day two of our two-day train journey. Take in the spectacular views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River before crossing the Continental Divide. Soon, we will reach the vibrant city of Denver, The Mile High City. Denver is an outdoor city known for its world-class cultural attractions, craft breweries, dining and music scene. We have some free time this evening to explore the city at your leisure. View world class exhibitions at the Denver Art Museum, stroll the pedestrian promenade of 16th Street Mall, or discover one of the city?s most iconic historic landmarks, Denver Union Station. Tonight, we?ll gather with our group for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Denver

Overnight:

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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Page 3/4 Day 11: Depart Denver

After breakfast we transfer to Denver International Airport to begin the journey home.

Overnight:

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Canada/USA 1-866-814-7378

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