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Trip	Ancient Puebloans: Mesas, Monuments, Canyons and More by Road Scholar 4.5 \| Great 284 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Customize	Wonders of the American West by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 10402 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve

Duration	9 days	11 days
Price From	$ 1,749	$ 4,395
Price Per Day	$ 194	$ 400
Highlights	Accompanied by an archaeologist, address how regional climate, geology and agriculture influenced the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans At each spectacular site, learn how these indigenous people faced the challenges which presented themselves in each region, study their unique connection to the land and learn about the development of Puebloan cultural groups View the remains of an incredibly complex civilization and gain perspective on how Native Americans retain ancestral traditions while adapting to the present-day	Choose between two carefully selected activities Grand Canyon National Park: Join your Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for an informative talk about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. With over seven years of experience in geology, you'll learn about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formation and its current impact. You'll also discover the local flora and fauna, and find out where you might be able to spot elk, mule deer, coyotes, grey foxes, bobcats and mountain lions. Grand Canyon: Join your Travel Director for a relaxed hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometres) roundtrip, this scenic hike will provide spectacular views of the canyon's unique geology. : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. Monument Valley: Take a journey through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal park, meeting Navajo Local Experts on a guided journey across tribal land. Learn about Navajo history, culture and heritage, plus the careful balance maintained here between the tribes and the land. : "It’s magical to see how a group of guests come together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that’s happening because they start planning their own ‘post-arrival’ activities before the travel day has finished." Las Vegas: At 18:00, join your Travel Director and companions for a Welcome Dinner with wine at the Bacchanal Buffet, with an award-winning spread that spans over 25,000 square feet where you can indulge on flavors from around the globe. Moab: Enjoy a Dine-Around evening as you choose from a hand-picked selection of mouthwatering restaurants. Bryce Canyon National Park: Get together with your new friends for a memorable Celebration Dinner within the park's beautiful surroundings. Dining Summary: 5 Dinner with Wine (DW), 9 Breakfast (B), and 1 Lunch (L) Grand Canyon National Park: Join your Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for an informative talk about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. With over seven years of experience in geology, you'll learn about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formation and its current impact. You'll also discover the local flora and fauna, and find out where you might be able to spot elk, mule deer, coyotes, grey foxes, bobcats and mountain lions. Glen Canyon Dam: Later today, you’ll stop by the Glen Canyon Dam where you’ll learn about its history and impact on the Colorado River. Mesa Verde National Park: Make your way to Mesa Verde National Park, See the ancient pueblo cliff dwellings, known as the Cliff Palace. As the day draws to a close, your lodge awaits you inside the park. Be in awe of the sweeping vistas that surround and reach into three states. Monument Valley: Meet your Navajo Local Experts and board all-terrain vehicles (waiver required) with open sides for a private, off-the-beaten path exploration of this magical valley. Learn about Navajo history, culture and heritage from your expert as you travel deeper in the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Mesa Verde National Park: See the ancient pueblo cliff dwellings, known as the Cliff Palace. Arches National Park: Enjoy views of the natural formations, including the iconic Delicate Arch. Canyonlands National Park: Venture to Canyonlands National Park for a drive onto the Island in the Sky - a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 metres) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations. Capitol Reef National Park: Join your Travel Director to see the natural sights along Capitol Reef's Waterpocket Fold, known as “a geological wrinkle on earth”. The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. Admire petroglyphs and the domed shaped sandstone walls along the canyon. Bryce Canyon National Park: Head to the sandstone cliffs of Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah. Here you will be met by pine trees and red rock pillars. Take a leisurely walk along Sunset Point while you view the great amphitheatres of the odd-shaped monoliths, known as hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park: The Park is home to the most spectacular collection of hoodoos - tall skinny shafts of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins. While hoodoos are scattered throughout these areas, they are most abundant in the northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park. Zion National Park: See the grandeur and natural features of the canyon in total comfort while traveling via private open-air tram with live on-board commentary. Grand Canyon: Join your Travel Director for a relaxed hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometres) roundtrip, this scenic hike will provide spectacular views of the canyon's unique geology. Monument Valley: Experience true authentic dining as you explore Monument Valley with a traditional Navajo cookout. Prepared by Navajo women in their tribal lands, this experience demonstrates their culture and supports the community. Dine on delicious steak and tasty Navajo Tacos, or try the or veggie option, all served with fried bread, corn on the cob and beans.
Trip Style	Group tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Standard	Premium
Physical Level	1- Very easy	0- Wheelchair accessible
Travel Themes	50 plus Education / Learning	Cultural 50 plus
Countries Visited	United States	United States
Cities and Attractions	Albuquerque Mesa Verde	Bryce Canyon National Park Grand Canyon Lake Powell Las Vegas Mesa Verde Monument Valley
Flights & Transport	Ground transport included	Airfare included
Activities	N/A	Culture
Meals Included	21 Meals 8 Breakfasts 7 Lunches 6 Dinners The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Low Salt, Low Fat, Gluten Free	N/A
Description	Delve into the history of the Ancestral Puebloans as you learn about prehistoric villages, explore the region’s National Parks and visit important sites with an archaeologist.	See the best of the American West on this 10-Day guided tour. Join a Local Expert at Grand Canyon National Park for a one-of-a-kind experience: Allow the expert to guide you through the park while teaching you about how this national treasure was formed. On the way to picturesque Lake Powell, stop at the Glen Canyon Dam, then lounge at the pool of your hotel. In Page, enjoy a Navajo inspired taco buffet dinner and performance. Meet a Navajo guide in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where you will board ATVs, explore the valley and learn about the tribe’s history. Later, eat a traditional Navajo lunch amid the valley’s beautiful buttes and mesas. In Moab, see the ancient pueblo dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, where the Ancestral Pueblo people once lived. Travel to Bryce Canyon National Park to explore its rock pillars and natural amphitheaters — then feast with your fellow travelers overlooking the park’s iconic orange rock formations.

Itinerary: Ancient Puebloans: Mesas, Monuments, Canyons and More

Day 1
Check In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Albuquerque D DoubleTree by Hilton Albuquerque
Activity note: Hotel check in from 3:00 p.m. The activity level for this program is "Let's Go!" Participants must be able to hike up to three miles daily over varied terrain.

Afternoon: Program Registration 3:00-5:00 p.m.: After you have your room assignment., come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, to get your welcome packet containing your up-to-date schedule and other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet at the front desk when you check in. Orientation at 5:30 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Plated meal or buffet in our hotel meeting room includes soup or salad, selection of entrées, dessert, coffee, tea and water (additional beverages available for purchase.)

Evening: Take the rest of the evening to continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.

Day 2
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Petroglyph National Monument
Albuquerque B,L,D DoubleTree by Hilton Albuquerque
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling approximately 20 miles over the course of the day; walking up to a mile on paved trails with inclines; standing up to an hour.

Breakfast: In our meeting room, the continental breakfast buffet includes choices such as waffles, pastries, yogurt, oatmeal, and a seasonal fruit bowl, plus coffee, juice, water.

Morning: Our Study Guide, an experienced archaeologist, will introduce us to the archaeology and anthropology of Ancestral Puebloans. After class, we’ll board the motorcoach and depart for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Lunch: At the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, order a plated meal from a limited menu, plus coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: Docent-led exploration of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The IPCC preserves and perpetuates Pueblo culture through tribally curated exhibits. The museum on the lower level showcases the history, culture and arts of the Pueblo people of New Mexico in two permanent exhibitions. Next, we'll ride to Petroglyph National Monument, one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. Four-to-seven centuries ago, the Rio Grande's Pueblo people carved symbols and images into the boulders along the volcanic escarpment known as the West Mesa. Later, Spanish and American settlers followed suit, and depictions of crosses and horses lie side-by-side with those of suns, spirals, birds, animals and figures of hump-backed flute players.

Dinner: Plated meal from a local restaurant.

Evening: Our Study Guide will introduce us to the topic of archaeoastronomy. Sometimes called the anthropology of astronomy, archaeoastronomy is the study of astronomical practices and related legends and lore including religious beliefs and world views in ancient cultures. The Ancestral Pueblo people of northwestern New Mexico studied the heavens and incorporated celestial events into their lives a thousand years ago. These Puebloans had a comprehension of geometry in relation to solar and lunar cycles that helped them orient their constructions to record equinoxes and solstices.

Day 3
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Farmington, NM B,L,D Hampton Inn & Suites Farmington
Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 230 miles for 4 1/2 hours over the course of the day; hiking up to 3 miles on paved, unpaved, sometimes uneven terrain with some elevation gains. Bring water bottle, sunscreen, hat, walking sticks if needed.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. We’ll also pick up box lunches.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we'll depart for Nageezi, NM, 135 miles northwest of Albuquerque. In Nageezi, we'll transfer from our coach to a school bus for the 24-mile ride into Chaco Culture National Historical Park. On arrival at the Visitor Center we'll view the exhibits, then depart to explore some of the stacked-stone ruins with our Study Guide. Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves one of North America's most significant and fascinating cultural and historic areas. Chaco was a major center of Ancestral Puebloan culture between 850 and 1150 CE. It was a hub of ceremony, trade, and administration for the prehistoric Four Corners area. It is remarkable for its monumental public and ceremonial buildings. Construction of the buildings, roads, ramps, dams and mounds required a great deal of well-organized and skillful planning, designing and resource gathering. The Chacoan people combined pre-planned architectural designs, astronomical alignments, geometry, landscaping, and engineering to create an ancient urban center of spectacular public architecture that continues to amaze us a thousand years later.

Lunch: In the park, we’ll eat our boxed lunches.

Afternoon: Our exploration of Chaco Canyon continues for most of the afternoon, followed by departure for Farmington, New Mexico, and check in for our overnight stay.

Dinner: Plated meal from a select menu at a local bistro includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Return to the hotel and free evening.

Day 4
Aztec National Monument, Chimney Rock, Mesa Verde Nat. Park
Mesa Verde National Park B,L,D Far View Lodge
Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling approximately 100 miles for 2 1/2 hours over the course of the day; hiking up to 2 miles on paved, unpaved, sometimes uneven terrain with some elevation gains. Hike at Chimney Rock is 2/3 mile round-trip over a rough, steep, rocky, unimproved trail on a narrow causeway with cliffs on both sides; 200-foot elevation gain, no shade.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we'll ride to Aztec Ruins National Monument where we will view the ancient ruins with our Study Guide. Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves structures and artifacts of Ancestral Pueblo people from the 1100s through the 1200s. Although it used to be considered a Chacoan outlier, recent research indicates it may have been the second Chacoan "capitol," established and occupied after the abandonment of Chaco Canyon in the 1150s. Aztec itself was abandoned about 1275 CE, probably as a result of a prolonged drought. Some Southwestern archeologists believe the Chacoan "elites" then moved south and established Paquime, another immense site in northern Mexico. The monument was established in 1923 with the excavation and reconstruction of Aztec West by Earl Morris and designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. From Aztec, we'll continue to the Chimney Rock archaeological area.

Lunch: At Chimney Rock, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: We will explore the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area, the northeastern-most Chacoan outlier. We’ll have the opportunity to see a great kiva, pit house, and an Ancestral Puebloan dwelling before continuing on to Mesa Verde National Park. On arrival at Mesa Verde we'll check into our accommodations.

Dinner: In the Metate Room at the Lodge, enjoy a plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Mesa Verde National Park Full-Day Field Trip
Mesa Verde National Park B,L Far View Lodge
Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling about 30 miles over the course of the day; hiking up to 2 miles over varied terrain. with inclines.

Breakfast: At Far View Lodge, enjoy a buffet including a build-your-own-burrito and omelet station, yogurt bar, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: Today's full-day field trip in Mesa Verde National Park includes site visits as determined by the Group Leader. Mesa Verde, Spanish for “green table,” has a rich past going back at least 13.000 years. By 775 CE, Ancestral Puebloans lived in small villages on the mesa top. By the mid-to-late 1100s, they had moved into stone masonry houses situated in alcoves on the canyon walls, commonly known as “cliff dwellings.” In the late 1200s, within the span of one or two generations, they left their homes and moved away. The archeological sites found in Mesa Verde are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States, offering visitors a look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Twenty-four Native American tribes in the southwest have an ancestral affiliation with the sites at Mesa Verde.

Lunch: At Mesa Verde’s Spruce Tree Terrace Café, enjoy cafeteria-style dining offering a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, tacos, and desserts, plus coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: Our exploration of Mesa Verde continues. We’ll then return to the lodge with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. You may choose to make a reservation at the Metate Room or take a short walk down to the Far View Terrace for dinner.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Anasazi Heritage Center, Hovenweep National Monument
Cortez, CO B,L,D Baymont Inn & Suites Cortez
Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 120 miles for 3 hours over the course of the day; hiking up to 2 miles on paved and unpaved trails at Hovenweep.

Breakfast: Lodge buffet.

Morning: After checking out of the Lodge, we'll depart for a full-day field trip to the Canyon of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum and Hovenweep National Monument. The Canyon of the Ancients Visitor Center, southwest Colorado’s leading archaeological museum, preserves and displays artifacts from Ancestral Puebloans of the Four Corners area. Outstanding permanent exhibits focus on archaeology, local history, and Native American cultures. There are two 12th-century archaeological sites, a research library of archaeology and anthropology resources, and a collection of more than three million artifacts and records. We’ll enjoy a self-led exploration of the museum before continuing on to Hovenweep National Monument.

Lunch: Boxed lunches at Hovenweep.

Afternoon: We'll visit select sites within the National Monument. Located on Cajon Mesa about 40 miles west of Mesa Verde, Hovenweep National Monument is one of the most intriguing prehistoric settlements in the Southwest. Most of the tower-kiva complexes and D-shaped structures we will see were built between 1235 and 1240 CE and used for only 70 years. By 1281, Hovenweep was abandoned. Known for its six major villages, archaeologists have found more than 300 additional sites within the National Monument. Square Tower Unit, located at the Visitors Center, covers more than 400 acres alone. The other five villages are Cajon, Holly, Horseshoe, Hackberry, and Cutthroat. Travel to Cortez after viewing the ruins.

Dinner: At a popular local brewpub, enjoy a plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7
Canyon de Chelly
Chinle, AZ B,L Thunderbird Lodge
Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling approximately 200 miles for 3 1/2 hours over the course of the day; short walks at overlooks.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we'll board our motorcoach and depart for Canyon de Chelly. On arrival we'll drive along the north rim stopping at overlooks with commentary by our Study Guide. At the base of sheer red cliffs and in canyon wall caves are ruins of Puebloan villages built between 350 and 1300 CE. Canyon de Chelly National Monument offers visitors the chance to learn about Southwestern Indian history from the earliest basket makers to the Navajo who live and farm here today.

Lunch: Plated meal at a restaurant in Chinle.

Afternoon: Our field trip continues along the south rim of Canyon de Chelly. We’ll then proceed to our hotel for check-in.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like at the lodge cafeteria.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
White House Ruin Hike, Travel to Albuquerque, Program Close
Albuquerque B,L,D DoubleTree by Hilton Albuquerque
Activity note: Traveling 230 miles for 4 1/2 hours over the course of the day; hiking 2 1/2 miles round-trip, approximately 2-3 hours with a 600-foot elevation loss/gain on the way; walking sticks recommended. Bring water bottle, sunscreen, hat.

Breakfast: Lodge cafeteria buffet.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel and loading our luggage onto the motorcoach, we'll depart for the White House Ruin trailhead. With our Study Guide we'll hike into the canyon where we will have one of the best vantage points to see the ruins. This is the only trail into the canyon. The so-called White House Ruin is one of the most impressive early Puebloan cliff dwellings.

Lunch: Buffet at the Thunderbird Lodge cafeteria.

Afternoon: We’ll depart early afternoon and travel to Ganado where we'll stop at the historical Hubbell Trading Post. John Lorenzo Hubbell purchased the trading post in 1878 after the return of the Navajo from 5 years of exile at the Bosque Redondo, Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. During the time spent at Bosque Redondo, they had been introduced to items such as flour, sugar, coffee, and cloth. Trading posts like the one Hubbell ran supplied those items after they returned home. Hubbell had an enormous influence on Navajo rug weaving and silversmithing, as he demanded and promoted quality workmanship. Hubbell family members operated the trading post until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1967. The trading post is still active, operated by the non-profit Western National Parks Association. Continue on to Albuquerque, where we expect to arrive at about 6:00 p.m.

Dinner: In the hotel meeting room, enjoy a buffet meal, plus coffee, tea, water.

Evening: We’ll gather once more as a group for a wrap-up session in our hotel meeting room where we'll share our experiences and exchange farewells. Then prepare for departure in the morning.

Day 9
Program Concludes
Albuquerque B
Activity note: Hotel check out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Morning: If you are departing from the hotel, please check out no later than 12:00 p.m.

Itinerary: Wonders of the American West

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas

Welcome to glittering Las Vegas. On arrival at Las Vegas International Airport, your transfer will take you to your hotel. At 18:00, join your Travel Director and companions for a Welcome Dinner with wine at the award-winning Bacchanal Buffet.

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: The Wonders of the Grand Canyon

Journey on to Grand Canyon National Park. Choose to hike along the scenic Rim Trail with your Travel Director. Alternatively join a Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for a fascinating discussion on the wonders of this natural phenomenon, and learn about the local flora and fauna, and find out how you might be able to spot the local wildlife.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodge

Breakfast

Day 3: Grand Canyon and Lake Powell

Wake up to the backdrop of the Grand Canyon and enjoy some peace and tranquility before the day trippers arrive. You may take an optional flight-seeing helicopter ride for stunning views over the Grand Canyon before departing for the majesty of Lake Powell. Stop at Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at your lakefront resort. Check in to your room and enjoy the evening at leisure. Watch the sunset as you dine or relax by the pool.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.

Breakfast

Day 4: A Leisurely day at Lake Powell Relaxed Start

Spend the day doing entirely as you please. Perhaps join an optional float trip (signed liability waiver required) down one of the most scenic stretches of the Colorado River or take to the skies and see the sights of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and Horseshoe Bend with a 20 Minute landing on Tower Butte. The incredible 360-degree panoramic view this high is unlike any other. In the evening, enjoy an authentic dinner and performance at Red Heritage, a Navajo owned and operated performing arts theatre.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: Monument Valley and the Navajo Nation

Journey on through the barren beauty of the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where you will MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. Board a Jeep 4x4 to explore the valley with your Navajo guide. These sturdy all-terrain vehicles offer open sides for spectacular views and a roof to protect you from the sun. Learn about Navajo history from your guide and more about life on their beautiful land. The area is also the backdrop for many Western Hollywood hits, including "Stagecoach" and "Fort Apache." Inspired by these iconic movies, you’ll find “John Wayne’s cabin” at nearby Goulding’s Lodge. This small structure was used for exterior shots in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," starring Wayne himself. The venue also holds a cinema dedicated to Wayne and his impressive movie portfolio. Enjoy a Navajo cookout Highlight Lunch amid the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape before making your way to Mesa Verde National Park, where the day draws to a close. Your lodge inside the park offers sweeping vistas reaching into three states.

Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Day 6: Mesa Verde and Moab

Enjoy a comprehensive visit to the fascinating Mesa Verde National Park. View the ancient pueblo dwellings known as Cliff Palace. Settle in for a relaxing stay at your modern hotel superbly located on the charming Main Street. Later, enjoy a Dine-Around evening and choose from a hand-picked selection of excellent restaurants.

Homewood Suites, Moab.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Delve into Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

In the morning, visit Arches National Park, housing the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Stop and take a short hike to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint to view the iconic arch. Then it's on to Canyonlands National Park for a drive onto the Island in the Sky, a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 metres) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations. Back at the hotel, your evening is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy the outdoors or relax in this beautiful natural setting.

Homewood Suites, Moab.

Breakfast

Day 8: Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Magnificent scenery awaits at Capitol Reef National Park, best known for its Waterpocket Fold, a 100- mile-long (160 kilometre) warp in the earth's crust. Journey along scenic Byway 12 - one of the most beautiful roads in the world, winding through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. End the night at The Lodge inside Bryce Canyon National Park. Officially designated as a Dark Sky Park, brightly hued sunsets and starry nights are likely to be found here.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Breakfast

Day 9: Whimsical Bryce Canyon National Park Relaxed Start

Start the day traveling through Bryce Canyon National Park, the great natural Amphitheatre. These whimsical eroded rock formations that characterize this Utah National Park are some of most unusual shapes imaginable, having an abstract artistic feel to them. Learn how wind, erosion and iron oxidation created the spellbinding hoodoos with your Travel Director. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner set overlooking the park's vivacious orange and red rock formations.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Zion National Park, back to Las Vegas

Enjoy a last look at Bryce Canyon, glowing in the early morning light. Head on to Zion National Park - one of the most scenic canyons in the United States. Here, join a guided tour by a private Zion Canyon Shuttle, with live commentary, and views of the park's best sites. Your journey ends with a departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport, arriving at 16:00.

Breakfast