Compare Grand Canyon North Rim Adventure by Walking Connection vs Utah's National Parks from Las Vegas by Tours of Distinction
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 4 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 398 | $ 4,305 |
| Price Per Day | $ 100 | $ 538 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
1 Continental Breakfast |
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| Description |
Our Grand Canyon North Rim Adventure offer walks and hikes on some of the best trails in the entire Park. It’s sometimes referred to as the “other” Grand Canyon, because of the 6,000,000+ people who visit the park, less than 10% of them come here. Though that is an amazing percentage, The Walking Connection will take you to places where less than 1% of the visitors to the Park ever set foot! The trails we walk and hike are far different that anywhere else in Grand Canyon National Park. Though rugged and sometimes challenging (only if you want), they offer peaceful, spectacular and scenic views seen no where else on Earth. Your first short walk from your cabin downhill to Bright Angel Point offers one of the most spectacular views in the entire park! A warmup walk along the Transept Trail from the main lodge to the campground store not only offers close up views of the Canyon, it can end with an soft ice cream cone if you chose. We feature longer hikes on Widforss and Uncle Jim's Trail, and for those seeking more adventure, a hike down the North Kaibab Trail will challenge even the most well-seasoned outdoors enthusiasts. |
Marvel at the surreal tableau of unforgettable landscapes exploring Utah’s mighty five National Parks… cruise Route 66, take leisurely cruise on scenic Lake Powell, experience Navajo culture, step into a painting at Antelope Canyon and unwind at a BBQ under the stars… experience the west on this tour like never before. |
Day 1: Check In, Welcome Group Walk & Pizza Party
After checking into your quaint cabin at the Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim, gather for a late afternoon Welcome Walk along the Transept Trail with great canyon views. As an introduction to the North Rim, this is a casual walk to meet fellow travelers joining us for the weekend. The walk will be followed by a welcome pizza party reception hosted by Gene and Jo Ann Taylor!
The Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim, is the only lodging inside the National Park on the North Rim. Located at Bright Angel Point, the Lodge was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Here you can enjoy the quiet serenity of the North Rim while enjoying comfortable cabins.
This weekend getaway is yours to enjoy as you wish – walk as much or as little as you like! It’s a great time to meet other like-minded walkers from across the US and Canada.
Day 2: Widforss Trail, Small Group Hike
Morning – Widforss Trail. A great trail that we never tire of! We have chosen it because there is great interpretation along the way for new guests joining us. Because it is an out and back trail that follows the canyon rim everyone can do as much (up to 10 miles) or as little as you like turning around at any point. We will have walkers of all abilities joining us so even if you are traveling solo there is always someone to walk with!
Widforss Trail offers stunning views of Transept Canyon as it winds along the rim. It transitions into a peaceful coniferous forest with towering Ponderosa Pines, aspen tree leaves floating on the high altitude breezes and beds of forest ferns line the path. It opens to a stunning view of the main gorge of Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Great Hikes, Social Gathering Under The Stars At The Taylor’s!
Depending on your interests, there are a variety of trails to choose from including the Uncle Jim Trail (a perennial favorite), an extension along the Ken Patrick Trail and The North Kaibab trail for those who are up for a serious hiking challenge. The choice is yours!
This evening join us for a social gathering under the stars! Great conversation with friends old and new. We will share stories and images from walking trips around the world and the Taylor’s will host a special event celebrating the 25th year of The Walking Connection.
Day 4: One Last View of the Grand Canyon
One last view, one last walk! It’s time to go home…or enjoy one more night. Limited number of cabins available for extended stay. First come first served.
Day 1 - Arrive Las Vegas, NV
Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Las Vegas. Upon our arrival, we transfer to our hotel on the Las Vegas strip. This evening, there is a Tours of Distinction exclusive welcome reception with the remainder of the evening free to explore the vibrant nightlife that is Vegas.
Day 2 - Grand Canyon Village, AZ
After breakfast, we depart Las Vegas and travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as we enter Arizona. We stop in Kingman to tour the Route 66 Museum, which highlights the glory days of cross country automobile travel. We travel Route 66 heading east through northern Arizona. This afternoon, we will see “One of the Wonders of the World,” Grand Canyon National Park. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. We will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty at all the best view points along the South Rim, including Grand Canyon Village. After, we check into our hotel just outside of the park. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 3 - Lake Powell, UT
Breakfast is included this morning before we make one more pass along the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. We include a stop at Desert View before exiting the park. Then, enter the Navajo Nation with a rest stop at Cameron Trading Post with time to explore the amazing gift shop. Next travel past the Vermillion Cliffs as you make your way to Page for an included lunch. Then take a spectacular tour through Antelope Canyon. The mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon awaits the adventurous traveler who seeks to discover one of the most spectacular attractions of the Lake Powell area. A tour to this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers alike. An optional short hike to Horseshoe Bend for a stunning view of the Colorado River is available. Arrive Lake Powell Resort with the evening free to explore and have dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Monument Valley
The morning starts with breakfast and a scenic cruise on Lake Powell. The contrast of the red rock walls and emerald blue waters are a stunning sight as we glide through the canyons. After, there is time for lunch, on own. This afternoon, we depart Lake Powell and travel to famed Monument Valley, a sacred place to the Navajo. We will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the ‘Dineh’ people. Their arts, music and livelihood are all closely tied to the dramatic desert landscape that is their home. After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Navajo guide and board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a scenic tour of Monument Valley; location for scores of famous western films, television programs and commercials. As we travel through the valley and visit famous locations, such as John Ford Point, Artist Point and The Totem Pole, we will also learn more of the Navajo traditions and way of life. This evening, we experience Navajo culture, food and entertainment at a Navajo Cookout. After a wonderful day, we settle into our hotel.
Day 5 - Arches National Park
After breakfast, we depart Monument Valley and head north, arriving at Dead Horse Point State Park for a picnic lunch and one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. We have the chance to see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. From here, we are off to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitor center (with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary) will introduce us to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. We visit all of the park’s highlights including: Park Avenue, Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch. In the late afternoon, we embark on a fabulous experience, as we take a Jet Boat Ride on the mighty Colorado River through spectacular red rock canyons. As the sun dips in the west, the canyon colors come to life while we learn about the river’s ecosystem, geology and history. After the thrilling ride, we enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner served on the banks of the Colorado River. We later arrive at the beautiful Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge which is located on the bank of the mighty Colorado, and check in for a two night stay. This area has been the site of numerous classic western movies including Rio Grande with John Wayne.
Day 6 - Canyonlands National Park
Our day starts after breakfast by meeting our professional driver guide and board 4x4 vehicles for a Jeep Tour of Canyonlands National Park. The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is the focus of this outstanding tour. Set 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, we descend from the top of the mesa via the famous Shafer Trail. Using switchbacks, the tour will take us from atop the mesa to the meandering river corridor below. Throughout the tour, our guide will provide information on the Park and the scenery. What an exciting morning in Canyonlands! Enjoy free time in Moab to have lunch on own, and to do some shopping and exploring. This afternoon, we return to Red Cliffs where we have the rest of the day free to relax and soak in the scenery. There is time to visit the Utah Movie Museum and the Castle Creek Winery, both included, at your leisure. Dinner, this evening, will be served outside with the quintessential western scenery of Castle Valley in full view.
Day 7 - Bryce Canyon National Park
From breakfast, we depart Moab for Capitol Reef National Park. We pass through the town of Green River and the San Rafael Swell. We will see ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. We will drive scenic Highway 12, designated as an ‘All American Road,’ through Grand Staircase ~ Escalante National Monument, before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. Later, we check into our hotel for the evening. This evening is free to enjoy dinner, on own.
Day 8 - Zion National Park - Depart Las Vegas
We depart after breakfast on a short drive to see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. There will be time for lunch on own before crossing the desert returning to the glitz and glam of Las Vegas. After an amazing trip through some of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, we enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.
