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Americas Canyonlands
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A Deserts and Canyons of Americas South West |
Ref: EX-DWA
13 days
from £0 (minimum 8 passengers)
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Destination:
USA
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Go Back
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In the south-west corner of the United States lie the fabled red rock deserts and canyons of the Colorado Plateau. Shaped from red, pink, purple and yellow sandstone are the classic landscapes of the West; carved canyons, sheer rock towers, delicate stone hoodoos and vast mesas. So extraordinary is this vast area that much of the landscape is protected in parks and reserves. The most famous of course is the Grand Canyon, but there are natural wonders just to the north in Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands and Monument Valley. Arches and Bryce have breathtaking scenery, and the areas between the parks have their own attractions, such as the beautiful drive over petrified sand dunes on the little-known Highway 12. Boulder Mountain provides us with lush aspen forests offering unforgettable views, while the painted desert shimmers in all colors on our way to the Grand Canyon. The parks themselves are best explored on foot using some of the many trails: we select the best walks in the best scenery at the best time of day.
Extend your stay: extra nights can be booked at the Quinta Hotel in Las Vegas at £48 per single room and £52 for double, on a Bed and Breakfast basis. There is a £5 booking fee in each case.
Further Information
Special equipment required: walking boots, waterproof/windproof jacket.
Extra Expenses:
allow around £200 for meals not included. Optional extra activities include 1/2 hour Grand Canyon helicopter flight $120 and 1/2 day easy rafting in Moab $35. Allow extra for tips, soft drinks etc.
Meals Included:
all breakfasts, 8 lunches and 3 dinners.
Transport:
we use a private maxi-van for transport, allowing access to many routes off the beaten track.
Children:
children under 16 cannot join the group departures but private departures can be arranged for families
Joining locally:
the local joining point is La Quinta Hotel, Las Vegas. There is a free airport shuttle; alternatively a taxi costs $7-10.
Group & Staff:
Min. 8 , max. 13 plus leader/driver
Accommodation:
In Las Vegas we stay at the well-appointed and comfortable 3-star La Quinta Inn on Paradise, about 1 mile from the busy strip and casinos, and with many good restaurants close by. The hotel offers no gambling and has large, comfortable rooms with all modern facilities, clustered around a courtyard with a pool. At Bryce Canyon N.P. we stay at the 3-star Bryce View Lodge Motel, located at the entrance to the park. The hotel has access to several indoor and outdoor pools and jacuzzis. The rooms are large and comfortable, with television and telephones, and there are several restaurants within walking distance. In Moab we stay at the new Microtel Inn, located close to the town centre and restaurants. The hotel has comfortable rooms with television and telephones, and a large outdoor pool and hot tub. At the Grand Canyon we stay at the luxurious Quality Inn in the small rural town of Tusayan, at the entrance to the National Park. The hotel has a beautiful light-filled atrium with indoor hot tub, outdoor pool and an excellent restaurant. There are other restaurants within walking distance.
Food:
American cuisine is known for its freshness and large portions. If you like steak you will be more than happy, but a wide selection of chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes is always offered. There are also many ethnic restaurants, offering Italian, Chinese, and other Asian food. The local wine is outstanding, as California ranks among the top wine producers in the world. We get a chance to try out the locally-grown dessert wines. Las Vegas and Moab offer a wide selection of restaurants and outstanding food; the choice in Bryce and Grand Canyon parks is more limited due to their remoteness. Breakfasts can either be continental or American (eggs, bacon, toast).
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Day 1 | Depart London Gatwick on the flight to Las Vegas. Meet the leader and transfer to the hotel. You may choose to explore the city tonight on your own or catch up on some sleep. Those with land-only arrangements can join in the afternoon or evening. | Day 2 | Morning drive to Zion National Park. Explore the deep canyon of the Virgin River, which offers fantastic photo opportunities. We follow the Riverside Walk past hanging fern gardens and peek at the impossibly tight “Narrows”. In the evening we continue to Bryce Canyon National Park. The day includes over 5 hours of travel. | Day 3 | Sunrise will find us at the rim of Bryce Canyon, a fabulous canyon full of delicately eroded formations glowing in hues of red, purple and pink. We will spend most of the day exploring the trails through the formations, another great place for photos. | Day 4 | The morning is free to relax by the pool or take a self guided walk along the canyon’s rim. In the afternoon we visit the excellent visitor centre and take a stroll through an ancient pine forest. We wait for sunset at one of the famous view points. | Day 5 | Drive to Moabover petrified sand dunes on a small country road high above the desert. Explore Capitol Reef, a giant fold in the earth’s crust, an historic Mormon town, see ancient Indian rock art and pass through vast badlands of ancient volcanic ash. Moab is a green oasis on the shore of the mighty Colorado River. (5-6 hrs of travel.) | Day 6 | Morning walk at Arches National Park. Over 2000 stone arches are cut from sheer rock walls by frost erosion. A true highlight is the ascent to Delicate Arch, a fabulous free standing arch. (4-5 hrs of walking). Free afternoon to relax by the pool. | Day 7 | Free morning to relax or for individual exploration. In the afternoon we visit Canyonlands National Park, a huge park protecting the amazing canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. See sights such as Mesa Arch and the dizzying views from Grandview Point. We watch the setting sun paint the canyons in ever-changing colours while enjoying an outdoor picnic dinner. | Day 8 | Continuing south we reach Monument Valley, home of the Navajo Indians and take a jeep tour with a desert lunch. Continue to the Grand Canyon. Total travel time 5-6hrs. | Day 9 | We have two full days to explore the grandest of all the canyons. We walk along the stunning Rim Trail to the remote Hermit’s Rest, which offers fantastic views into the canyon. Then we await an unforgettable sunset at the rim. The next day is a day at leisure. You can descend into the canyon, or you may choose to explore the many interesting shops along the rim, or relax by the pool. A sumptuous buffet dinner is included on the last night here. | Day 10 | As above | Day 11 | We follow Route 66 to Las Vegas. As we descend into the desert the vegetation changes to mesquite and yucca. We reach our hotel by early afternoon, journey time 5-6 hrs. Sightseeing on 'The Strip' with the leader. | Day 12 | Depart Las Vegas on the overnight flight to London. Those with land only arrangements will end the trip at the hotel in Las Vegas. | Day 13 | Arrive London. |
Departures Between | Price from | Price TBA | *£0 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment US$140 (approx. £90)
Single room supplement £295
Insurance £77
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Americas Canyonlands
A Deserts and Canyons of Americas South West
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