Canyons & Indian Lands
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 7 days | PNPCZ |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 13 people | |
| Minimum Age | |
| 18 | |
Countries Visited |
|
| United States | |
Start City |
End City |
| Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
Leave the bright lights of Vegas for the eternal magic of Zion, Monument Vallet and the Grand Canyon. This is the perfect comnination of some of the best national parks and Native American lands America's southwest has to offer.
Why we love it:
- We head to dynamic Zion National Park, with its high cliffs and cascading waterfalls. There are many walking trails to choose from and plenty of opportunities to explore
- ‘Mysterious’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘out of this world’ best describes Bryce Canyon National Park. Wherever we walk, we encounter a kaleidoscope of colours and a fantasyland of rock spires that will leave us awe-struck
- Monument Valley is the ancestral home of the Navajo people and a perfect setting to witness incredible sunsets and sunrises
- Grand Canyon National Park is certainly one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders
- We end our adventure amidst the bright lights and glamour of Las Vegas
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Las Vegas - Zion National Park
Travel time: approx. 3 hours (260 km or 160 miles)
Accommodation: Alexis Park or similar, Las Vegas
Activities:
- Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Alexis Park Resort Hotel in Las Vegas. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour.
- After leaving Las Vegas, we drive northeast for just over three hours into the State of Utah and our destination - Zion National Park.
- Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their ‘promised land’. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge.
- With an early arrival today and two nights here, we will have plenty of time to explore. We stay at either Pioneer Lodge, Zion Lodge or in a similar standard of accommodation.
Day 2: Zion National Park
Accommodation: Pioneer Lodge Zion or similar, Zion NP
Activities:
- We have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. There are various hikes to chose from, ranging from easy to strenuous.
- We warm up our legs by taking a short hike from the valley floor to view the magical Emerald Pools.
- We can also cool off from the summer sun by exploring the Riverside Walk.
- The challenging option is to ascend 760 metres (2500 feet) to experience unbeatable panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing.
- If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows.
- There is also a chance to partake in some horse riding.
Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park
Travel time: approx. 1½ hours (140 km or 90 miles)
Accommodation: Pioneer Lodge Zion or similar, Zion NP
Activities:
- Leaving Zion National Park we climb in elevation to almost 2438 metres (8000 feet) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Bryce Canyon is a fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as ‘hoodoos’. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty.
- The Navajo or Peek-a-Boo Loop trails will enable us to hike right in amongst these unique rock formations.
- Remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing shadows and hues as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky.
Day 4: Monument Valley
Travel time: approx. 5½-6 hours (450 km or 280 miles)
Accommodation: BW Bryce Grand Hotel or similar, Bryce Canyon NP
Activities:
- Today we travel southeast and past Vermillion Cliffs along the border of Utah and Arizona on our way to Lake Powell and Page, Arizona. Weather and time permitting, we may have a chance to do some sightseeing and have a swim in the lake.
- In the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is sacred land to those who call it home. The red sandstone monoliths have been the backdrop to countless ‘westerns’ featuring cowboys riding off into the sunset.
- Explore the incredible array of rock formations on an optional guided 4WD tour and learn the magic and myth of the rich Native American culture.
Day 5-6: Grand Canyon National Park
Travel time: approx. 3 hours (280 km or 180 miles)
Accommodation: Kayenta Mon Val Inn or similar, Monument Valley
Activities:
- Leaving Monument Valley we travel south through the Navajo Reservation to the Cameron Trading Post to browse and shop for local jewellery, crafts and cultural souvenirs.
- We traverse the eastern entrance of Grand Canyon and catch our first glimpse of it at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states.
- Included is a session at the IMAX Theater which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed.
- In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer perspectives that you cannot see by just visiting on foot.
- There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy to moderate ones.
Day 7: Historic Route 66 - Hoover Dam - Las Vegas
Travel time: approx. 5½-6 hours (450 km or 280 miles)
Accommodation: Canyon Plaza Grand Canyon or similar, Grand Canyon NP
Activities:
- From Grand Canyon we travel south to Williams and west to Seligman and stop for an optional lunch at the Snow Cap Diner along the iconic Route 66.
- We then continue on and stop to look at Hoover Dam.
- We complete our journey back in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of North America – home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place! Nowhere else in the world will you find as many casinos, clubs and all-you-can-eat buffets.
- Our tour concludes upon arrival at our gateway hotel at approximately 5 pm. Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our gateway hotel - the Alexis Park Resort Hotel. Please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of Las Vegas tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs).
Your Trip
What's Included
- The services of a professional tour leader
- Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon IMAX Theater
- Transport in a customised vehicle
Non-included Meals
Most meals are included on your trip (except for North America trips - please refer to your day-to-day itinerary). However, sometimes we think you'll benefit from getting out and discovering the local cuisine. So when a meal is not included, it's a great opportunity to try something new. For group trips, ask your leader for tips on where to get the best meal, or you might decide to dine out as a group and experience the fun together.
Not Included
- International flights
- Airport transfers
- Airport departure taxes
- Visas
- Insurance
- Meals
- Any optional tours and activities
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature
- Daily budget
Optional Extras
We have chosen some great optional activities to enhance your travel experience. You will need to cover any additional costs yourself. For group trips, speak to your leader if you are interested in any of the following:
- Bryce River Canyon - Western horseback riding
US$45-US$115 - Grand Canyon scenic flight
US$234 (25 min) or US$264 (40 min) - Monument Valley - Navajo Guided Jeep tour
US$50-US$95 - Scenic walks and hikes
Free
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
United States
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met. Under the VWP, time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands counts towards the maximum of 90 days stay allowed under the program. You will be required to complete an online visa waiver prior to travelling (at a cost of US$14). This can be done at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
United StatesThe Air-Conditioned Nightmare (1945) - Henry Miller
Coast to Coast (1956) - Jan Morris
On the Road (1957) - Jack Kerouac
Travels with Charley (1962) - John Steinbeck
Blue Highways (1982) - William Least Heat-Moon
On the Rez (2000) - Ian Frazer
The Great Gatsby (1925) - F.Scott Fitzgerald
The Grapes of Wrath (1939) - John Steinbeck
The Catcher in the Rye (1951) - J.D.Salinger
The Call of the Wild (1903) - Jack London
Important Information
Peregrine Adventures and Grand American Adventures
This trip is operated by our partners, Grand American Adventures, a US based company with nearly 40 years experience in adventure travel. They also share our ethos for offering unique holiday adventures. As this is a code-shared departure you can expect there to be both Grand American Adventures and Peregrine travellers on your trip.
In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call Grand American Adventures' toll free* 24-hour emergency contact number.
Toll-Free (*in the US): 1 (800) 345 - 8777
International: 001 (310) 719 - 9877
Possible Itinerary Amendments
Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, our stated itinerary should be used as a guideline. All travelling times quoted in the itinerary are also estimates only and can vary substantially due to unscheduled stops and traffic or weather conditions.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
8 February 2013