Day 1
FLIGHT TO PHOENIX • SEDONA • DINNER:
We depart from
the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport this morning
on our flight to Phoenix, Arizona. Upon arriving in Phoenix,
we’re met by our deluxe motorcoach and begin our journey.
The sights along the way will be breathtaking! Watch for the
awe-inspiring red rock formations as we make our way north
to the beautiful town of Sedona, where we’ll spend our first
night. Sedona is located in the high southwestern desert at
the southern end of Oak Creek Canyon. Dinner is included
this evening. (D)
Day 2
OAK CREEK CANYON • GRAND CANYON:
From Sedona,
we travel through Oak Creek Canyon making picture stops
along the way and shopping with some of the Indian vendors.
We travel through Flagstaff and the Kaibab National Forest
to the Grand Canyon. We travel through spectacular red cliffs,
stands of aspen, cedar and oak, and abundant wildflowers
to reach the South Rim, which is 7000 feet above sea level.
Here, the canyon is a flat mile to the bottom. One of the most
spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world, Grand
Canyon is unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers to
visitors on the rim. Enjoy the sights of this natural wonder
with its exceptional views and photo opportunities!
Day 3
NAVAJO NATION INDIAN RESERVATION • MONUMENT
VALLEY • JEEP TOUR:
We leave the Grand Canyon this
morning traveling through the heart of Navajo Indian country.
We pass through Monument Valley. This area provides perhaps
the most enduring and definitive images of the American West.
We get off the beaten track on our guided jeep tour. We will
visit places that once served as real life backdrops for numerous
movies. Because of this, the area may seem quite familiar.
Our accommodations are in Moab for two nights.
Day 4
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK •
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK •
RED CLIFF COWBOY GRILL:
Today we
visit one of the jewels of the southwest,
Arches National Park, a rugged area
containing the largest number of natural
stone arches in the country. The arches
were formed by the weathering of
openings in vertical slabs of sandstone.
This timeless, natural grouping of
giant stone arches, pinnacles, spires,
fins and windows was once the bed of
an ancient sea. The power of erosion
has laid bare the skeletal structure of
the earth at this fascinating location.
Canyonlands National Park is the largest
national park in Utah. We witness
breathtaking views divided by massive
canyons of the Green and Colorado
Rivers. Tonight we enjoy a delicious
western-style dinner with magnificent
views of the Colorado River and the
red rock cliffs. We then return to the hotel for a relaxing
evening enjoying our beautiful surroundings. (D)
Day 5
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK • GRAND STAIRCASE -
ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT • DINNER:
We drive
through the San Rafael Desert to Capitol Reef National Park.
Here we see narrow canyons, ridges, arches, spires and domes.
The monument is so named because of the resemblance of
the many whitish sandstone domes to the US Capitol building;
the “Reef” refers to the high uplifted ridge running northsouth
along the fold which presented a considerable barrier
to early settlers. Our scenic drive continues through the
Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, which
covers 1.7 million mostly roadless acres and was established
in September, 1996, by presidential decree. We overnight
near Bryce Canyon, with dinner included. (D)
Day 6
BRYCE CANYON • ZION CANYON • LAS VEGAS:
Today we
tour Bryce Canyon National Park, which includes some
of the earth’s most colorful rock formations, fantastic wind
and water sculpted “hoodoos” tinted by various oxides which
give red, yellow, brown and lavender hues. After our tour and
ample time for picture-taking, we proceed to Zion National
Park and the amazing Zion Canyon. Desert terrain and huge,
sculpted rock formations coexist with waterfalls and hanging
gardens in this spectacular gorge carved through strangely
colored sandstone, shale and limestone. Later we travel to
Las Vegas for our overnight.
Day 7
LAS VEGAS • HOME:
Our vacation of wonders, comes to
Canyonlands/ John Fowler an end today. We depart Las Vegas to head back home.