424 kilometres

5 1/4 hours

We'll pick you up at your Las Vegas Strip hotel at about 7.30 a.m. and head north up interstate 15, crossing into the desolate Arizona Strip, before heading up the Virgin River Gorge and into Utah.  There will be stops along the way, to admire the views, take photographs, stretch your legs and grab a quick snack.  Shortly after the small town of St. George, close to the Utah/Arizona border, we'll branch off the interstate, and cross back into Arizona.  Right at the border between the two states, you'll see the twin polygamous towns of Hilldale and Colorado City, where an extreme Mormon sect still indulges in the old  Latter Day Saint practice of multiple wives!

The scenery on this leg of the trip is interesting, almost all the way from Las Vegas.  After dropping back into Arizona and traveling past scrub land and desert, we'll enter the Kaibab National Forest, as we start climbing up to the North Rim.  This part of the Grand Canyon is over 8000 feet, and it can be cold there outside the height of the summer, so please bring the appropriate clothing.  We'll drive through some magnificent groves of Ponderosa pines, and sweeping wide open meadows that are filled with deer at sunrise and sunset, before entering the gates of the Grand Canyon. 

You can count the number of companies running scheduled tours to the North Rim - as opposed to the South - almost on the fingers of one finger, and we're one of them!  It's a little more difficult to get to the North Rim, and you also cannot get rid of guests by having them ride the Park Service shuttles at the North Rim, the way you can at the South.  Here's why we like going to the North Rim.  Once you're off the interstate, you're in wild and deserted country almost all the time.  Only about 10% of the people who visit the Grand Canyon come to the North Rim, so it is not like walking through Disneyland at the height of summer.  Finally Cape Royal and Angel's Window - the most impressive sights at either Rim - are at the North Rim.

While you're enjoying the views, your guide will prepare a picnic.  After eating, you have a choice of either going to the main lodge area and the souvenir shop, or visiting Point Imperial.  We'll do whatever most of the group prefers. 

135 km

2 hour

61 km

1 hour

16 km

20 minutes

162 km

2 hours

Kayenta

Spend the night

Kayenta to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

51 km

3/4 hour

Travel to Monument Valley

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is not really a valley, but a relatively flat plain, surrounded by red cliffs.  Unlike out other shared tour to the southwest, this one is designed to spend a little more time exploring the back roads of the area.  Buttes, sandstone formations and remnants of ancient volcanoes rise from the surface, creating a flashback to visions of the Old West. In fact, many western movies were made here. 

You'll take a 3 1/2 hour off road tour in a specially converted pick up truck, driven by a Navajo guide. Amongst the sites you generally see are Anasazi ruins, petroglyphs, movie locations and 1000 feet high monoliths.  The tour explores all the famous monuments, plus visits the restricted area, which contains many rock windows and arches. 

At the end of the tour, our guide will be waiting with a picnic or barbeque, which you will enjoy at Monument Valley. Note that the supplies will have been bought yesterday in Page.  

Either on the way in or out, we'll stop at some small roadside stores, where you will have the opportunity to purchase Navajo fry bread, Navajo tacos and native Americans souvenirs.  

Monument Valley to Moab

250 km

2 3/4 hours

From Monument Valley we'll head for Moab, Utah's outdoor adventure capital.  The route goes past the unique tiny town of Mexican Hat, as well as the rock from which the town got its name.

Moab

Check into your hotel, perhaps have a quick stroll through the streets, and then meet the rest of the group at a local pizzeria for an all you can eat pizza buffet, which is included in the tour price (drinks are excluded). Spend the night in Moab.

Moab to Arches National Park

8 km

15 minutes

Travel to Arches National Park

Arches National Park
 

Arches National Park has the highest concentration of natural arches in the world.  It is home to well over 2000 sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations.  The incredible features of the park, including balanced rocks, spires, fins and pinnacles, are highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures.
 

Our trip starts at the Visitors' Center with a briefing from a ranger, to prepare you for the Fiery Furnace.  The hike is only about two miles long, but it will take approximately three hours, as you clamber up, over and down rocks, and through narrow slot canyons.  A ranger leads the tour, as it is too easy to get lost in the Furnace if you go on your own.  You don't have to do the Fiery Furnace tour if you don't want to, and our guide can drop you elsewhere in Arches for that time, if you choose.  A sack lunch is provided today.
 

There are numerous other arches, spires and fins to see, and, depending on time constraints, we'll take in a selection of the Windows arches, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch and Skyline Arch.  The second highlight of the day is a hike up to the top of the Delicate Arch, if you have the energy!  Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in the world, and Utah's state symbol.   At three miles round trip, this is not a particularly long hike, but it may not be for everyone.  There is a vertical altitude gain of 500 feet over the slickrock for which the area is famous, and it may be hot, but the view at the top makes up for the effort to get there. You are welcome to sit out the hike if you choose.
 

Moab to Salt Lake City and Park City

After an enjoyable stay in one of the world's most unique areas, it's time, unfortunately, to start heading back to Salt Lake City or Park City.  We can either drop you off at a Salt Lake airport or downtown hotel, or you're welcome to return with us to our home town of Park City.  Tomorrow another one of our Yellowstone tours starts, and, if you decide to take one of the four day tours, your lodging tonight is on us.

Thanks for joining us, and see you again soon!

• Park entry fees

• Accommodation for three nights.  Accommodation is described as moderate - clean and comfortable, but not fancy.  Luxury lodging is available in some areas at a surcharge.

• The Fiery Furnace Hike

• Off road tour at Monument Valley

• Antelope Canyon tour

• Lake Powell boat trip

• The following meals are included:  Picnic lunch on the first day, BBQ at Marble Canyon, picnic at Monument Valley, the pizza buffet in Moab, sack lunch on the final day.  We try and choose motels that have free continental breakfasts, but this is not always the case.

• Transportation and our guide services

• Lodging in Las Vegas and Salt Lake/Park City and Las Vegas.  Lodging in Park City will be included if you continue on with one of our Yellowstone tours. 
• Meals that are not specifically mentioned in the left hand column

Contact Grand Canyon Excursions

info@grandcanyonexcursions.com 

1 800 724 7767
(USA) 435 658 2227

Fax:  (435) 658 2227

PO Box 3441
Park City, UT 84060-3441