WESTERN USA - BEST OF THE CANYONLANDS 7 Days from approx $1,375 US Details below or
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Travel from the Mile High City of Denver into the heart of the Rockies to marvel at the stunning red rock landscapes of Utah. Continue your journey through desert-dry Arizona, where you'll be rewarded with views of archeological cliff dwellings and the imposing Grand Canyon. End your trip in the city that never sleeps, glittering Las Vegas.
Highlights: Denver, Vail, Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas
Day 1 ARRIVE DENVER
Welcome to the Mile High City! Nestled between the High Plains and the majestic Rockies, Denver entices visitors and locals alike with sunny blue skies and snowcapped peaks. A complimentary transfer is provided to the tour hotel. At 6 p.m., gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at the hotel for a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Denver (Deluxe)
Day 2 DENVER - VAIL - ARCHES NATIONAL PARK - MOAB
Head toward the mountains this morning as you ascend into the foothills of the Rockies and cross the Continental Divide on your way to the elegant resort destination of Vail. Founded in 1966 at the base of the largest ski mountain in the United States, this pretty alpine village maintains an old-world feel that attracts outdoor enthusiasts among the rich and famous. Follow the Colorado River to magnificent Arches National Park. Here, the wind and rain have eroded the sandstone into more than 2,000 natural arches; wander through a kaleidoscope of geologic time as you watch the light play upon the ancient, multicolored stone. End your day's journey at your riverside lodge. Tonight is at your leisure - perhaps opt for taking in the sunset over the red cliffs and a western barbecue dinner right at your ranch-style lodge. Or if you're in the mood for more excitement, opt for a thrilling jetboat ride along the mighty Colorado, with a Cowboy Barbecue dinner included as well.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Red Cliffs Lodge (F)
Day 3 MOAB - MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK - KAYENTA
Travel south this morning through a mesmerizing landscape dotted with natural arches and rock formations, framed by the jagged Rockies in the distance. Crossing into Colorado, skirt the edge of the San Juan National Forest before arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mesa Verde National Park. Between A.D. 600 and 1300, the Ancestral Puebloan people carved houses and entire cities out of the sandstone of the canyon walls. Explore some of the cliff-top buildings and look down at the massive Cliff House, the largest cliff dwelling in the world; then spend some time in the museum learning about the culture and traditions of this once-great civilization. Continue on to the small town of Kayenta, located in the heart of the Navajo Nation.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel: Hampton Inn Kayenta (MF)
Day 4 KAYENTA - MONUMENT VALLEY - GRAND CANYON
You might experience a feeling of deja vu when you enter the wide-open expanse of Monument Valley - this scenic location has been preserved forever in classic films such as Stagecoach and The Searchers. Get up close and personal with this magnificent landscape of towering sandstone buttes and lovely desert vistas in special open-air vehicles accompanied by a local guide. Then wind your way through the ancestral home of the Navajo people, stopping at Cameron Trading Post to browse through handicrafts and maybe enjoy some tasty fry bread. This afternoon, cruise scenic Desert View Drive before arriving at the Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in the stunning panoramic views from the South Rim. Then meet with a local expert who walks you through the geologic life of the canyon -- you'll become a rock expert yourself as you examine the multicolored rocks from different eras of the canyon's formation. This evening, gather to watch the sunset, the fading light gilding the canyon and casting enchanting shadows, and enjoy a Highlight Dinner inside the park. Before retiring for the night, do some stargazing and commune with the forces of nature that shaped this wonder of the world.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast/Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: National Park Lodges (NP)
Day 5 GRAND CANYON - LAS VEGAS (2 NIGHTS)
Rise early to catch the first rays of light as they illuminate the canyon. If you like, take an optional helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flightseeing trip to see the canyon from the sky. Hit the road again, stopping along famed Route 66 hot spots in Seligman and Kingman. Driving through these desert oases is like cruising back in time to see the classic motels, diners and gas stations of a simpler time. Then, it's full speed ahead to glittering Las Vegas where you bid farewell to your Tour Director. The afternoon and evening are yours to hit the Strip, catch a show or try your luck at the one-armed bandits - the slot machines, that is.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Tropicana Las Vegas (F)
Day 6 LAS VEGAS FREE TIME
Today, you are on your own but the day is yours and the choices are endless: hit the casinos, do some shopping or play a round of golf at one of the city's championship courses. Perhaps join an optional excursion to marvel at the engineering feat that is the Hoover Dam? Why not lounge awhile by the hotel pool or visit a spa for a rejuvenating massage? Be sure to leave some energy for a last night in Sin City - dine at one of the elegant restaurants that have put Vegas on the culinary map, see the latest Cirque du Soleil spectacular or make a name for yourself at a glitzy poker tournament.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Day 7 DEPART LAS VEGAS
Bid farewell to Las Vegas as your vacation comes to an end. A complimentary transfer is provided to Las Vegas International Airport.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
What's Included:
Sightseeing Highlights:
Denver - Stay in the heart of America's Mile High City.
Vail - Stretch your legs in this charming alpine village.
Arches National Park - View amazing natural sandstone arches, balancing rocks and unusual rock formations.
Mesa Verde National Park - Learn about the ancestral Pueblo people that lived for 600 years in these precarious cliff dwellings.
Monument Valley - Join a local guide and board an open-air vehicle to tour these iconic buttes and mesas made famous in America's favorite Westerns .
Grand Canyon National Park - Marvel at the sights from the South Rim.
Las Vegas - Spend two nights in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Dining Highlights:
Welcome Reception with your Tour Director in Denver.
6 full breakfasts.
1 three-course dinner.
Highlight Dinner with wine at the Grand Canyon.
First Class Travel Highlights:
Includes all First Class features.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 7.
Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location.
DEPARTURE DATES May - October
PRICES From approx $1,375 US per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price
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