Historic Parks of the American Southwest

B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner

Day 1 Las Vegas

Today we can arrive in Las Vegas at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon we will meet our fellow group members to go over the details of our trip.

Day 2 Las Vegas/Zion National Park (B,L)

Today we will transfer to Zion National Park with its variety of trails for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. We will spend the next 2 days on various day hikes through the park. From the expansive valley floors to the creamy sandstone of towering cliffs rising 2,000 feet (600 m), Zion is a wonderland of visual imagery. The monolithic stone sculptures, lush forests and roaring rivers are breathtaking, and the first-time visitor will be amazed by the diverse array of colors including magenta, azure, vermilion, and cyan.

Day 3 Zion National Park (B,L)

We will spend the day exploring the great outdoors with a hike along the Angels Landing Trail for a magnificent, uninterrupted view of the park. The terrain runs from desert to forest, with a dramatic river canyon known as the Narrows. The weather and temperature in the area is just as diverse, reaching over 100F in the summer, while the higher elevations are often snow-capped during the winter months.

Day 4 Bryce Canyon National Park (B,L)

Today we will transfer to Bryce Canyon where we will hike past the fascinating hoodoos and learn about the captivating history of the area. Bryce Canyon National Park does not contain one main canyon, but rather a dozen smaller ravines eroded into the east side of a ridge at the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southwest Utah. This erosion has resulted in thousands of bizarre and fragile rock formations in many subtle shades of pink, white, yellow and red.

Day 5 Bryce Canyon National Park/Canyonlands/Moab (B,L)

Today we will spend the day on the road traveling through the scenic Escalante Staircase area arriving in Canyonlands later in the afternoon. This park contain countless canyons, arches, spires, buttes and a myriad of other spectacular rock formations. Here we will stop to enjoy the sunset at Dead Horse Point.

Day 6 Arches National Park (B,L)

Today we will spend the day in Arches National Park, hiking in Devil’s Garden to the base of the stupendous Delicate Arch. Arches National Park is of course famous for its thousands of red sandstone arches.

Day 7 Mesa Verde (B,L)

Today we will take a scenic trip to Mesa Verde National Park which contains the largest and most important archaeological preserve of Native American culture in the USA. The Ancestral Pueblo peoples populated this area from 500 AD to 1300 AD. As their culture developed, they learned to build elaborate fortified communal dwellings on sheltered niches in the cliffs. The ruins of many such ancient cliff-side cities are preserved at Mesa Verde National Park. Here, we will join a ranger-guided tour which will elaborate the rich history found in this area.

Day 8 Monument Valley (B,L)

Today we will explore one of the most beautiful parks in the Southwest, in 4X4 vehicles with a Navajo guide. Monument Valley lies entirely within the Navajo Indian Reservation on the Utah/Arizona border near the southeastern corner of Utah. The Monument Valley area and the Navajo reservation provide some excellent opportunities to view Native American culture, learn about the Navajo people and purchase hand-made traditional items.

Day 9 Betatakin/Grand Canyon National Park (B)

Today we will visit the Navajo National Monument and take a park ranger-guided hike of the Keet Seel and Betatakin (Bitát'ahkin in Navajo) cliff dwellings. Later in the day we will visit the south rim of the canyon for a first impression. The Grand Canyon stretches before us to the further rim, and as far as you can see on either side. The land at our feet drops almost straight down for over 1000m and then several thousand feet more into the serpentine canyons below. This vast gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words cannot describe it; it is one of the most magnificent sights on earth.

Day 10 Grand Canyon National Park (B,L)

Today we will take a spectacular hike to the heart of the canyon at Indian Garden and the Plateau Point Trail. Optional activities, such as a helicopter flight or rafting trip are also available. Most visitors only see the canyon from lookout points on the South Rim, but to really experience its natural beauty, we will need to descend into it.

Day 11 Las Vegas

Today we will enjoy early morning free time in the Grand Canyon before transferring to the city of lights, Las Vegas. This afternoon we will enjoy free time to explore this one of a kind city, take in a show or try our hand at the casino.

Day 12 Depart Las Vegas

After choosing your desired tour, you will need to select a departure date that works for you. You can view all of our dates and prices on any tour page. You may also want to consider the need for a private room during the tour. Please remember to ask for an air quote. It is important however that you do not purchase tickets that carry cancellations penalties until your trip is guaranteed to run.

Availability Options

• Available – Trips marked as available means there are at least 4 spots left on your tour.
• On Request– Less than 4 spaces are left, or we need to contact a local supplier, especially in the case of independent tours.
• Waitlist – There is currently no space available, but you can ask to be contacted if anything opens up.

Guaranteed - We guarantee our tours 60 days before departure. Some popular tours are guaranteed before this date. If your tour indicates it is guaranteed, you can proceed to book your international airfare once you receive your booking confirmation.

Inca Trail Status - For Peru trips that involve hiking the Inca Trail permits often sell out many months in advance. Permits can either be available, on request or sold out. If sold out, then you can either take a different hiking route to Machu Picchu or extend your stay in Cuzco and visit Machu Picchu by train. We recommend the sooner you book your trip the better.

Book your Tour Online

When you decide to “book now” you will proceed to our secure, online booking pages that are encrypted for online purchases. The processing steps are explained below. Essential information comes first. Let us know who you are and whom you are traveling with.

• Add your personal information for our “passenger” section, such as name (as it appears on your passport), email, date of birth and save that information.
• Please advise us of any medical or meal requirements at this time.
• If you are travelling with anyone else, enter their personal information next, and continue doing this for any passengers you are booking and paying for.
• Review our insurance section so that you’re aware of our requirements.

Note: Discovery Adventures can book your insurance for you.

Proceed to the checkout...

• Please refer to your invoice for a recap of the total cost of services and tours you have requested. Once you have confirmed that your booking details are correct, it is time to book.
• “Hold an option,” means you will have 48 hours to decide, without being charged on your credit card. If you do not confirm, we will release your space for someone else.
• On most tours you can “hold an option” with a credit card or “confirm a booking”.
• Confirming a booking means your credit card will be charged the deposit amount of your tour. The following are the amounts: CAD 250, AUD 250, NZD 250, USD 250, GBP 100, EUR 250.
• Note that you will be charged the full tour amount if your booking request is within 60 days of departure.
• Enter your credit card information as requested and submit the booking to complete your transaction!
• It is a good idea to record your Booking Number and ID for future reference.

We'll be in touch!

Upon receipt of your request, our reservations team will prepare your invoices and documents, and review any special requirements for the tour(s) and services you have requested. You will hear from us within 24 hours of your request by email.

• Please note, even if your online booking went through and you’ve received your booking number, a quality control check is required for all bookings before we can advise to book airfare or extra services.
• We will answer any questions you may have, and provide competitive quotes on both insurance and airfare over the phone.

Any other questions you may have before then can probably be answered by visiting our FAQs and links to our Terms and Conditions.

Good things to know before you go on your Discovery Adventures trip.

Our Discovery Adventures Specialists will take care of all the details of your trip, however some travelers enjoy doing a little research on their own to be ahead of the game. Here are some tips and links to get you started.

• Passport: Make sure your passport is valid up to 6 months from your return date.
• Travel Visas - Requirements change frequently and are dependent upon your nationality and your destination. You are responsible for obtaining your own Visas. Check the Plan Your Trip page to determine if a Visa is required for your specific trip.
• Travel Reports: Most governments have websites dedicated to providing the most up-to-date travel information including recent news and background information on every country. Please visit the US State site for information about your destination and international travel
• Arrival and Departure taxes/fees: Check your tour confirmation documents and speak with a Discovery Adventure Specialist if you have any questions.
• Immunizations and travel health issues: Be sure to get the most accurate and up-to-date health information for the region you will be visiting. Check with your general physician or a specialist from your local travel health clinic.
• Good Health Practices: Adjusting to new climates and cultural conditions can cause some minor complications. This guide will help you stay healthy while you travel.
• Travel Insurance: Be sure to acquire the necessary travel insurance before your trip. You will not be allowed to participate without showing proof of adequate coverage.
• Packing Tips: Create your own packing list based on your destination, accommodations, weather and tour activities. Leave jewelery at home and keep makeup to a minimum. Travel size toiletries stored in a waterproof kit are recommended. Pack once…divide it in half and pack again. (Please verify weight and carry on restrictions with your airline carrier.)