Small Group Adventure Tour of Western US National Parks, Tours of the Canyonlands

Day 9: Durango - Mesa Verde National Park - 4-Corners Monument - Bluff
Today, we participate at a ranger led climb into the ancient cliff dwellings of Native Americans at Mesa Verde National Monument. Then, we stop at the Four-Corners-Monument where you can stand at the intersection of 4 states, munch on fry bred and find great-priced Native American art. The evening and night we stay in or near the town of Bluff, Utah.

Mesa Verde N.P.

Four Corners

Tag 10: Bluff - Valley of the Gods - Gooseneck State Park - Monument Valley
We  drive on to famous Monument Valley where many western movies have been filmed. On the way we explore seldom visited Valley of the Gods, then stop and walk at scenic Gooseneck State Park, where the San Juan River meanders around high sandstone cliffs. At Monument Valley we stop at the visitor center featuring a large collection of Native American art. Today's highlight is a Navajo guided tour through Monument Valley and a night spent in an authentic Native Hogan. Our Navajo hosts offer a campfire program, a traditional dinner and breakfast.  Enjoy the most spectacular sunset and sunrise in Monument Valley (except February departure).

Monument Valley
 

Navajo Hogan

Day 11: Monument Valley - Horseshoe Bend - optional Antelope Canyon tour - Lake Powell - Page
We drive to Page near Lake Powell. There, we take a short hike to see the fantastic view of Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River. We recommend an optional tour guided by a Navajo Native to the famous Antelope Canyon, a photograper's dream. Antelope Canyon's soft sandstone walls create natures art at its best. In the afternoon you can enjoy Lake Powell, sign up for an optional boat rental or do a boat tour. Night in Page, Arizona

Antelope Canyon

 
Lake Powell

Day 12: Page - Marble Canyon - Grand Canyon National Park - Kanab
In the early morning we leave for our great adventure at Grand Canyon National Park North Rim**. We shortly visit the area around scenic Marble Canyon and touch the water of the Colorado River before driving up to an elevation of 8800 feet at the Grand Canyon National Park. We explore the park on a hike and several walks along the rim, enjoying the incomparable marvelous views over the largest canyon in the world. Depending on timing, welisten to a ranger talk about this unique environment. Weather permitting, we enjoy the peaceful sunset at Grand Canyon. We stay for 2 nights in Kanab, a historic western movie town.
(** Winter and Spring Tours will visit Grand Canyon South Rim due to snow, spend one night in Cameron, Arizona instead of Kanab, Utah).
 

Marble Canyon

Grand Canyon

Day 13:  Kanab - Pipe Springs National Monument - Coral Pink Sand Dunes  
We enjoy a leisurely day,  visit nearby Pipe Springs National Monument, a Mormon Pioneer Settlement where we participate at a ranger guided tour and learn about the Kaibab-Paiute Natives.  We take a picnic and do a BBQ at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park with its awsome pink colored sand dunes inviting for a stroll after lunch.

Pipe Springs N.M.

Coral Pink Dunes

Day 14:  Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway - Zion National Park - Las Vegas
 A scenic drive on Mt. Carmel Highway leads to Zion National Park with its massive towering rocks and deep gorges colored in shades of creme, orange and red. We hike to a fantastic view point and then take a shuttle bus guided by a ranger through Zion Canyon. Here we go for an easy two hour hike and experience the unique natural area. In the evening we drive back to Las Vegas for the last night of the tour.

Zion N.P.

Zion N.P.

Day 15: End of Tour
Today, our tour ends. You can fly home or choose to extend your stay. We will gladly assist you with hotel reservations.