Utah Parks Circuit

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Learn about pioneer spirit as you hike through Utah's varied national parks, stopping to wash off the desert dust in lakes and streams
  • Camp beneath the towering Angel's Landing, and decide whether you'd like to tackle the the infamous trail to the top of the great rock formation
  • As well as the famous must-see attractions on this trip, visit some lesser-known but no less spectacular national parks, such as Dead Horse Point and Arches National Park
  • Learn about Navajo culture and history during a jeep tour of Monument Valley, where the landscape is as surreal as it is beautiful, before spending a unique night in a traditional hogan hut

The Utah Parks Circuit tour starts and ends in Las Vegas. The Utah Parks Circuit is an Explorer tour that takes 8 days taking you from Las Vegas, USA and through other destinations in North America.

It may only be the USA's thirteenth-largest state, but Utah packs more into its 200,000 square kilometres than most countries, let alone states, could ever dream of. Beginning in Las Vegas, leave Utah's noisy neighbour behind to discover the tranquility of the hidden gardens of Zion, the majestic spires of Bryce Canyon, the inspired desert scenery of Moab and the iconic Monument Valley. Get into the heart of this giant continent, discovering what makes the USA tick by exploring it's diverse and rugged scenery.

ITINERARY

Day 1:Las Vegas
Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm today. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. If you arrive early into the desert city of Las Vegas, there's plenty to see and do, even if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness. In the evening, perhaps feast on an 'all you can eat' buffet, check out one of the many shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Hotel
Day 2: Zion National Park
Today leave Nevada and drive for around three hours to Zion National Park. The park is home to stunning desert landscapes, sculpted sandstone formations, waterfalls and hanging gardens. There will be plenty of time on arrival to stretch your legs and have a good look around the park. The Emerald Pools trail, a two-hour stroll past a lush stream, is a good option for those who don't want anything too strenuous. If you are feeling adventurous and have a decent level of fitness (and aren't afraid of heights), you might want to tackle the famous Angel's Landing trail. At around six-hours and following a path with sheer drops on either side, this isn't for the faint of heart. However, the views from the top of the eponymous rock formation are spectacular. In the evening, set up camp for the night.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Camping (with facilities)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Zion National Park - Hiking - Free
Day 3:Bryce Canyon National Park
Drive for around two-and-a-half hours to Bryce Canyon. The canyon is famous for its 'hoodoos' – odd-shaped rock spires formed by centuries of erosion. You will have ample time to explore the park's extensive network of hiking trails, from the easy Rim Trail, to the moderate Queen's Garden Trail or the strenuous Peek-a-boo Loop. Wherever you walk, you'll encounter unique landscapes and a kaleidoscope of desert colours. If you're keen to live out a Wild West fantasy, chat to your leader about the horse riding optional activity.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Camping (with facilities)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking - Free -
  • Bryce Canyon - Horseback Riding - USD 60
Day 4: Moab
Continue on your journey this morning through the impressive landscape of Utah. Travel through the spectacular Capitol Reef National Park making a quick stop to appreciate its beauty before heading to Moab. Close to the incredible Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Moab is a small city in Utah that attracts hikers, mountain bikers and nature enthusiasts. Arches National Park is punctuated with spectacularly eroded sandstone formations, and contains the world's largest concentration of natural stone arches. Take a hike out to see famous sights such as Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. The total driving time today is approximately five-and-a-half hours. Once night falls, maybe grab a group and hit the local brewery.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Camping (with facilities)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Arches National Park - Hiking - Free
Day 5: Moab
On your second day in Moab, discover the red plateaus, cliffs and canyons of nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. Enjoy incredible views from Dead Horse Point. At 610 metres (2000 feet) above the ground, cowboys used to the point to round up wild mustangs in the 19th century. You might like to take an optional float down the Colorado River, or even hire a mountain bike to explore the area. Want to enjoy the scenery but need to give your weary muscles a rest? A Slickrock Hummer tour might be your thing – though keep in mind it's not exactly a smooth journey.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Camping (with facilities)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Moab - Float Trip on Colorado River - USD 45
  • Moab - Mountain Biking - USD 50
  • Moab - Slickrock Hummer tour - USD 100
Day 6: Monument Valley
Today drive through southern Utah to Monument Valley, so-named for the giant sandstone formations scattered across the desert. The backdrop for countless Westerns, the valley is part of a massive Navajo reservation and home to more than 200,000 Navajo people. Head out on an incredible guided jeep tour of the valley. Get your camera out and snap some photos of the spectacular landscape, which changes colour with the movement of the sun. Take in the stunning night skies and spend the night in a hogan, a traditional Navajo hut made of logs and earth. Total driving time today is approximately three hours.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Hogan
Day 7: Lake Powell
Drive through the unspoiled landscapes of the northern Arizona desert plateau to Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This enormous man-made lake was created from the building of the Glen Canyon Dam along the Colorado River. Explore hidden coves and canyons, take a dip in the fresh water or laze on the lake's sunny shores. You could even paddle around in a kayak. Total driving time today is around three-and-a-half hours.

ACCOMMODATION
  • Camping (with facilities)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Lake Powell - Antelope Canyon tour - USD 35
  • Glen Canyon - Dam Tour - USD 5
  • Lake Powell - Swimming - Free - USD 5
  • Lake Powell - Horseback ride - USD 64
Day 8: Las Vegas
Today drive across the border into Nevada and back to Las Vegas. The drive should take around five hours in total. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness. The trip finishes on arrival into Las Vegas and no accommodation is provided tonight. The arrival time depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 8 pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you are staying in town for the evening, perhaps feast on an 'all you can eat' buffet, check out one of the many shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub. If you do wish to spend extra time in Las Vegas we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Las Vegas - Helicopter Tour of The Strip - USD 110
  • Las Vegas - Limo (per group) - USD 300
  • Las Vegas - Big Apple Express roller coaster - USD 15
  • Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD 24
  • Las Vegas - Monorail - USD 5
  • Las Vegas - Fremont Street Experience - Free - USD 5
  • Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free - USD 5
  • Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD 20

WHAT’S INCLUDED

ACCOMMODATION
  • Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Hogan (1 night), Hotel (1 night)
MEALS
  • 1 Dinner
    • TRANSPORT
      • Private vehicle
      INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
      • Zion National Park
      • Bryce Canyon National Park
      • Arches National Park
      • Dead Horse Point State Park
      • Monument Valley - Jeep tour & overnight experience
      • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
      WHAT’S EXCLUDED International Flights
      • Any international flights to/from Las Vegas are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
      Travel Insurance
      • Travel insurance is not included in this Utah Parks Circuit tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.

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