dossier

Canyonlands Hiking

Arrival:  The tour starts at the most convenient car rental collection point for you, normally Las Vegas airport. You then drive to your hotel in Las Vegas and perhaps spend some time looking at the sights and lights of this unique city. Directions to the hotel are given in the detailed route notes provided.

End of Tour: The tour ends when you return your rental car on day 15, the timing of this can be arranged to coincide with your airline check in time.

Level of Difficulty

Grade: Self-Select 

In the American national parks there are many trails to choose from. Our notes contain a selection of the best trails at different grades for each walking opportunity. The park trails are generally well maintained so the walking is not technically difficult but it can involve a fair amount of ascent if you choose the harder trails.

Fitness: High standard of fitness is not necessary but clients should be able to walk at a steady pace for up to 4 hours during a day to get the most from the tour.

Waymarking and Maps

Most trails are well marked and trail guides along with the detailed notes make for easy navigation in most places.

General Information

Ensuite Facilities: All rooms have ensuite facilities but may not have a bath, just a shower, wash basin and toilet.

Breakfast: Breakfasts are not included in the holiday price as the choice of menu in is usually quite extensive. You can opt for a more modest continental style breakfast or a full American breakfast in most hotels and pay accordingly. Where the hotels are close to the local shops and cafes/restaurants, you might opt to take breakfast away from the hotel. A couple of the hotels offer a complementary breakfast.

Single Supplements/ Multibedded Rooms: Single supplements on this trip are high because you will always be provided with a twin or double room for single occupancy. It is possible to book rooms for occupancy for 3 or 4 people, which may be of interest to families considering this trip. Please ask for a special quote if this is of interest to you.

Luggage: You are responsible for taking your own bags from the car to your room, or for paying/tipping those that assist you.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation is on a room only basis; no meals are included in the trip price. There is always somewhere to buy breakfast and an evening meal and the route notes give recommendations for lunch. The cost of meals varies considerably depending on the type of restaurant you choose.

q      Night 1: Las Vegas. A 3* hotel 3½ miles from the city center but close to the monorail station. Facilities include an outdoor pool, 24 hr slot casino and a cocktail lounge. Rooms are equipped with coffee/tea making facilities, fridge, hair dryer and safe.

q      Nights 2 & 3: Springdale/Zion National Park. A 3-4* deluxe accommodation conveniently located at the entrance to Zion Canyon. Every room features wonderful views. A short, two-mile drive from the hotel brings you to the entrance to Zion National Park. The hotel has a pool, steakhouse and Saloon.

q      Nights 4: Bryce Canyon. Here the 3* hotel has 2 restaurants, the aptly named Canyon Diner & Piccadilly Pizza and Cowboy's Buffet & Steak Room. The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools and a hot tub. Rooms have the usual tea making facilities. The park entrance is close by and it is just 3 ½ miles from the center of Bryce.

q      Night 5: Capitol Reef. Another 3* establishment but this one is built on a high desert mesa between the 11,000 ft towering plateaus of the Boulder and Thousand Lakes Mountains. The resort overlooks the domes and canyons of the national park providing a panoramic view of both mountains and deserts. The hotel has a covered pool and garden and its own restaurant.

q      Nights 6 & 7: Moab. This 3* hotel is nestled between the picturesque red rock cliffs and buttes of the Colorado River just two miles from Arches National Park and less than one mile from Moab's finest restaurants All rooms have microwave, fridge and Coffee Maker. There is a heated outdoor pool and hot tub.

q      Nights 8: Messa Verde. This 3* Hotel is within the park, a peaceful retreat perched on a high shoulder of the mesa and boasts being quiet enough to hear the hawks fly by. There are 2 restaurants and a café. Rooms have the normal facilities and feature hand crafted furniture.

q      Nights 9 & 10: Canyon de Chelly. The 3* hotel is located at the gateway to the Canyon de Chelly National Monument, just minutes from the 2nd largest canyon in the United States. The hotel has an outdoor pool.

q      Nights 11: Page/Lake Powell. Our 3* hotel is situated by a golf course and is conveniently on our route. Rooms have coffee making facilities, fridge etc. There is an outdoor heated pool and a restaurant.

q      Nights 12 & 13: Grand Canyon. The 3* hotel is conveniently located just one mile from the south entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, and seven miles to the famous South Rim. There is a restaurant on site or you can choose to eat in Grand Canyon Village. Rooms are well appointed with all the facilities that you have come to expect.

q      Nights 14: Laughlin. 3-4* hotel and definitely back to the bright lights and a casino! This hotel has a choice of restaurants, a pool and many other facilities for your last night before driving back to the airport next morning.

Extra nights

It is possible subject to availability to add extra nights in any of the hotels. Please ask if this is of interest.

Outline Itinerary

q      Day 1: Arrive Las Vegas. Collect your rental car (not included in tour price, call for rates) and follow direction in your notes to the hotel. Even if it is not really your scene it is worth cruising up and down ‘The Strip’ or maybe book a show or even chance you arm in a restrained way in a casino!

q      Day 2 & 3: In Zion, Utah's First National Park. Time for a half-day walk and a full day hike in the midst of massive canyon walls ascending toward a brilliant blue sky. To experience Zion, you need to walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in a small narrow canyon. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons. The drive is 250km (158 miles). Once at Zion check in to the hotel then take the short drive to the trailheads and choose from the selection of trails described.

q      Day 4: Just 150km (91 miles) to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park for almost a whole day in the park. This park is a scientist's laboratory and a child's playground. Because Bryce transcends 2000 feet (650 m) of elevation, the park exists in three distinct climatic zones: spruce/fir forest, Ponderosa Pine forest, and Pinyon Pine/juniper forest. Here at Bryce, you can spot over 100 species of birds, dozens of mammals, and more than a thousand plant species.
It is the uniqueness of the rocks that caused Bryce Canyon to be designated as a national park. These famous spires, called "hoodoos," are formed when ice and rainwater wear away the weak limestone that makes up the Claron Formation. However, the hoodoos' geologic story is also closely tied to the rest of the Grand Staircase region and the Cedar and Black Mountains volcanic complex. In short, Bryce has enough fascinating geology to fill a textbook. If this all sounds far too technical, just stroll along enjoying this unique fairyland of rock formations.

q      Day 5: A fascinating drive along highway 12 for approx 200km (120 miles) with plenty to see on the way. The road crosses petrified sand dunes with vast views into the desert. Stop along the way for some exploration before arriving at Capitol Reef. Capitol Reef is the scenic portion of the Waterpocket Fold, found near the Fremont River, is known as Capitol Reef: capitol for the white domes of Navajo Sandstone that resemble capitol building domes, and reef for the rocky cliffs which are a barrier to travel, like a coral reef.

q      Day 6: A drive to Canyonlands National Park and on to Moab for 2 nights. 240km (150 miles). Canyonlands preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration. Squeeze through slot canyons or hike among the arches and cliffs of Island in the Sky.

q      Day 7: : A full day to discover Arches National Park from Moab. There are many trails so choosing which to walk will not be easy. The park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.

q      Day 8: Not so much walking today but a long scenic drive via the San Juan Mountains to explore the southwestern section of Colorado. This part of the Rockies is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful mountains areas of the US. Options along the way include a dip in hot springs in Ouray and a ghost town before continuing on the Million Dollar Highway to Mesa Verde. Total distance 420km (265 miles).

q      Day 9: Start the day exploring Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. Although not included and not strictly necessary we recommend a ranger led walk to make the most of the day and to see the most spectacular sites.
In the late afternoon drive the 225km (140 miles) to Canyon de Chelly National Park.

q      Day 10: Canyon de Chelly National Monument is on the Navajo Reservation and is one of the less often visited. Canyon de Chelly is unique among National Park service units, as it is comprised entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land that remains home to the canyon community of Navajo people, who are connected to a landscape of great historical and spiritual significance. NPS works in partnership with the Navajo Nation to manage park resources and sustain the living Navajo community. The park protects two deep canyons full of cliff dwellings and outstanding rock art. For a superb walk you will need to take a local guide (not included) or alternatively cover more ground on a guided jeep tour.

q      Day 11: : Drive to Monument Valley where a jeep tour is recommended to see more of the valley. Continue later in the day to Page on Lake Powell. Total driving distance 320km (200 miles).

q      Day 12: Start the day with exploration of the incredible Antelope Canyon. Of all the canyons, Antelope Slot Canyon must be one of the most amazing sights. Walk in the upper and/or lower canyon, both are great for some unusual photographs. There is an entrance fee of approx $20 to enter Antelope Canyon which is not included in the holiday price. Tear yourself away to drive the 230km (143 miles) to Grand Canyon National Park, arriving in time to witness the wonderful spectacle of sunset over the canyon.

q      Day 13 You have all day to explore and walk the trails of the south rim of one of the world’s most amazing sights: the Grand Canyon. This powerful and inspiring landscape, overwhelms your senses through its immense size. Unique combinations of geologic colour and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep.

q      Day 14: : Morning for further exploration or excursion around the Grand Canyon before setting off for the 320km (200 mile) drive along the famous Route 66 as far as Laughlin for your last night of the tour. This is about 1 hour south of Las Vegas and convenient for the airport for your return flight.

q      Day 15: Drive to Las Vegas airport for departure. 150km (90 miles).

Entrance Fees, Guided Walks and Jeep Tours

Non of these costs are included in the holiday price as they are optional. We do recommend the following to get the most from your trip and see as much as possible.
Ouray Hot Srings – entrance $10
Mesa Verde Ranger Walk - $3
Canyon de Chelly – ½ day guided walk $60 per group
- 3 hr jeep tour $50
Monument Valley - 2 ½ hour jeep tour $45
Antelope Canyon - entrance $20

Car Rental

Car Rental is not included in the holiday price. Our office can make a reservation for you or you can choose to book independently. There are a number of rental companies available at La Vegas airport. Prices will vary with the number of days hire required (measured in blocks of 24 hours from pick up time, so if your flight timings are unfavorable this can add a day to your hire period), the size of vehicle required and the number of drivers. As a rough guide a small car for 15 days with one driver should be in the region of $400