Southwest Adventures | Venture into the Wilderness

Days 1-2

Las Vegas

Fly into Las Vegas, make your way to hotel to relax or get a head start exploring the “city that never sleeps”.  You will have two nights here to give you time to get over the jet lag before the real adventure begins. Use your time to enjoy the vibes of Las Vegas, take in a show, go out for dinner and perhaps a flutter or two in the casinos.

2 nights Las Vegas, Nevada

Days 3-4

Las Vegas to Zion National Park

Collect your car and leave the lights and sounds of Las Vegas behind for the serenity of the Mojave Desert. Your first impression of the wonders yet to come will be the “Virgin River Gorge”, where Interstate 15 winds its way through the canyons created by the force of Virgin River. Today’s destination is Zion National Park. Experience one of the many hikes and let the majestic of the canyon walls put your life back in prospective! In the evening take a stroll through the quaint little town of Springdale with its many restaurants and shops or take in the beauty of Zion NP at sunset.

2 nights Zion National Park, Utah

Day 5

Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park

Serpentine your way through the park to higher ground, before you descend into a scenery that has been the background for many Western movies. You are on your way to Bryce Canyon National Park, not really a “canyon”, but a collection of amphitheatres. Thousands of greys, amber and reddish rocks in all sizes and shapes create the impression of palaces, churches, bridges, spirals and gates. The Mormon cowboy Ebenezer Bryce, after whom this park was named, was less poetical. He exclaimed at first sight:  “A hell of a place to lose a cow!  But don’t worry you won’t get lost in wonderland carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, where erosion has shaped colourful Clarion limestone’s, sandstone’s, and mudstones into thousands of spires, fins, pinnacles, and mazes.

1 night Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Days 6-7

Bryce Canyon National Park to Boulder

You’ll see more grandeur and beauty than you can imagine on your visit to Bryce Canyon Lodge National Park! Like an exciting trip back through the eons of time…a close-up look at beautiful rock formations thousands of years in the making. Formations on which wind & rain are forever working their handicraft of sculpture. Your Adventure Package includes a half-day trail ride to explore the beauty of the canyon firsthand followed by a drive along one of the most beautiful stretches of highway which, amazingly enough, is only travelled by a few: the “Boulder Highway”. It takes you through one of America’s newest protected land, the Grand Staircase National Monument. Here the hike out to Calf Creek Falls is certainly worth the effort!

Spend a day exploring the less-visited Capitol Reef National Park. Enjoy the broad, sweeping vista of some of the earth’s most breathtaking geological wonders including massive natural arches, deep sandstone canyons, towering rock pillars and the dazzling monoliths of Cathedral Valley.

2 nights Boulder, Utah

Days 8-9

Boulder to Moab

On your way to Moab, stop at the Anasazi State Park Museum to explore an ancestral Puebloan village  first inhabited nearly 1000 years ago.  Moab, the gateway to the Southwest, is known as the mountain biking capital of the world, with two beautiful National Parks at its doorsteps: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. In the evening check out the shops, galleries and restaurants of this unique little Western town, maybe even go out and join the locals at the local pub practicing the latest line-dance craze!

Your adventure begins with a 4X4-vehicle expedition into Canyonlands National Park. Cross the Colorado River and follow the scenic route along the river. Stop to view ancient Anasazi rock art and dinosaur tracks. Your guide will discuss the ancient cultures, history and geology of the area throughout your trip. Continuing by Jug Handle Arch and on to the White Rim Trail of Canyonlands National Park. Enjoy spectacular views of the Colorado River, as it carves its route through the steep sandstone canyon walls. Climb the Shafer Trail to the rim of the Island in the Sky region and return to Moab passing the rock formations of the Monitor and Merrimac.
Arriving back in Moab at 11:45 AM you will meet the bus that takes you to the rafts on the Colorado River. The afternoon will be on splashy rapids and beautiful calm sections of the river. At the rafts, after a short safety orientation you will continue down river to a location where the guides will prepare lunch. After lunch raft the rapids of the Colorado River through Professor Valley.

2 nights Moab, Utah

Day 10

Moab to Monument Valley

Who else knows more inside information about beautiful Monument Valley than the people that are born and raised there, the people that call it their Motherland? The family’s Great great-grandfather, Mr. Grey Whiskers, has left a legacy to his children, who to this day still live in Monument Valley. His knowledge and understanding have been respectfully shared from generation to generation, making it possible for different nationalities from all over the world who visit this wonderful and beautiful ‘eighth Wonder of the World’, to experience Monument Valley in the purest way. As children, they played hide-and-seek among these huge rocks, explored, uncovered many amazing things and learned what beauty is me as the eyes beheld the inspiring views. These were moments in which they realized the presence of the omnipotent forces of Nature among them. Now they gladly invite you to come share their great-great grandfather’s legacy with them.
After a guided tour of Monument Valley your host will share and let you experiences the original Navajo culture, traditions and their precious heritage. Sitting at a campfire (subject to weather) enjoy a Navajo meal.
A complete package of 30+ miles secluded off-roads lets you discover the restricted area in the backcountry of Monument Valley. This land is a notable sacred site for the Dineh – the Navajos who are the Keepers of Monument Valley – a sacred unforgettable homeland and motherland to them. The special character of the area is further strengthened by the history of the Anasazis, the “Ancient Ones”, and well known for their imaginative ability, by way of concealed or secret illustration, such as, petroglyphs, pictographs and ruins known as cliff dwellings. The “Off the Beaten Track” tour starting in time to enjoy the sunset emphasising the colour of the delicate, breathtaking arches that withstand the contrasting, massive buttes. You will also visit the famous places in Monument Valley that once served as real-life backdrops for numerous movies, especially Westerns. For example, Stagecoach, The Searchers, How the West Was Won, Back to The Future- Part 3, Thelma and Louise and much, much more.

1 night Monument Valley, Utah

Days 11-12

Monument Valley to Grand Canyon National Park

Travel to yet another highlight of your trip through the Southwest: the awesome Grand Canyon (South Rim)! Words cannot describe the beauty of this wonder, so we leave it to you to experience it.  If you wish, we can prebook a Grand Canyon Rafting adventure or a helicopter flight above the Canyon.  If not you can explore on your own, there are plenty of excellent hiking trails.

 2 nights Grand Canyon National Park

Day 13

Grand Canyon National Park to Las Vegas

About 4 ½ hours’ drive will get you back into the 20th century! Hit the casinos, take in a show, and contrast the architectural wonders this city has to offer with what you have been seeing!

1 night Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 14

Las Vegas

Time to return home or onward to another adventure.