Native American Lands

Day 1: Las Vegas - Zion National Park

Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Alexis Park Resort Hotel in Las Vegas. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. After leaving Las Vegas, we drive northeast through the Mojave Desert for just over three hours into the State of Utah and our destination - Zion National Park. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their ‘promised land’. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With an early arrival today and two nights here, we will have plenty of time to explore. Meals included: 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 2: Zion National Park

We have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. There are various hikes to chose from, ranging from easy to strenuous ones. We warm up our legs by walking on one of an assortment of short and beautiful trails such as from the valley floor to view the magical Emerald Pools. We can also cool off from the summer sun by exploring the Riverside Walk. The challenging option is to ascend 760 metres (2500 feet) to experience unbeatable panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows. There is also a chance to partake in some horse-riding. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

Driving out of Zion National Park we climb in elevation to almost 2438 metres (8000 feet) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as ‘hoodoos’. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The Navajo Loop or Peek-a-Boo Loop trails enable us to hike right in amongst these unique rock formations. Some of us may prefer to remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing shadows and hues as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4 & 5: Western Ranch in Utah

Our next stop is a very special one as we spend a couple of days checking out life on an authentic Western Ranch nestled in the secluded high country of central Utah. We spend two nights in ranch house cabin-style accommodation, set amidst stunning mountain scenery. Whether you’re an experienced horse-rider or a novice, this is certainly the place to get on a horse and take a ride around the wide expanses and absorb the beauty of the great outdoors. As the sun go down, we get the chance to huddle around a camp fire and exchange stories like the cowboys have done so all those years. Country-style hospitality and sumptuous home-cooked meals are all included during our stay at our home on the range. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 6 & 7: Moab - Arches National Park

After our stay on the ranch we continue on to the town of Moab. Named after a biblical place on the east side of the River Jordan in what is now the country Jordan, this Moab offers a great base for exploring Arches National Park and the less-visited Canyonlands National Park. Arches National Park is located just a few kilometres outside the town of Moab, Utah. Stunning red sandstone arches have been created by a million years of wind whipping down the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The park offers leisurely hikes through spectacular sandstone landscapes with colourful names like the Devil's Garden. Many of the incredible arches are known by descriptive names such as Landscape Arch and the famous Delicate Arch. Alternatively some of us may choose to spend the afternoon ‘off the trail’ by floating on the nearby Colorado River or experiencing the charms of Moab - the small eclectic town that serves as the gateway to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. One of our afternoon hikes can end with a visit to Dead Horse Point for tremendous views of the canyons and, with a little bit of luck, another picture-perfect sunset. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 8: Moab - Canyonlands National Park

Today is devoted to visiting Canyonlands National Park. This spectacular park centres on the Colorado River and the Green River and all the canyons and formations that surround these two great waterways. We get to explore the Needles section of the park and view Newspaper Rock. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 9: Mesa Verde National Park

Crossing over the border into south-western Colorado we make our way to Mesa Verde National Park, which rewards visitors with close-up views of the ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings. The Anasazi people lived in this area between 550 AD and 1300 AD and were renowned for their weaving and their pottery. Some of the artefacts recovered have told us about the lives of these people. Around the late 1100s they started building houses on the cliffs, creating the unique features that make Mesa Verde such a special place today. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 10: Monument Valley

Today we travel southeast on to the Navajo Nation's greatest treasure - Monument Valley, which is sacred land to those who call it home. The red sandstone monoliths have been the backdrop to countless 'westerns’ featuring cowboys riding off into the sunset. After preparing camp, we set out on a spectacular, backcountry, 4-wheel drive tour, deep into the heart of the valley. After stops to photograph both the famous and lesser-known sights in the park, we come to ‘the end of the road'. Our local Navajo guide will then lead us even deeper into the park to a trail's end, where we visit places that very few non-Native Americans ever to get to go to. We finish our day with yet another unforgettable sunset in the valley and spend our night in a comfortable hotel. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 11: Canyon de Chelly

We head to Arizona and make our way to a place that is well off the normal tourist trail. The Canyon de Chelly National Monument offers stunning natural beauty and a rarely-seen glimpse of pre-historic Native American existence. It consists of a series of canyons located within the Navajo Nation and contains ruins that were built by the Anasazi people as well as the Navajo. It was established as a ‘national monument’ in 1931, but because it is not on federal land, it is not gazetted national park. We spend our night in a nearby hotel.

Day 12 & 13: Grand Canyon National Park

On to Grand Canyon National Park, one of those rare places that no one yet has adequately described, painted or photographed in its entirety. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states. We watch the sunset on the first night and attempt to comprehend this canyon’s staggering dimensions and power. There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy walks to moderate ones, as well as the park ranger's guided nature walk or you may just wish to sit in quiet contemplation on the edge of this natural wonder. In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer perspectives that you cannot see by just visiting on foot. NOTE: Grand Canyon National Park regulations limit group size and do not allow guided hikes. Our tour leaders will provide briefings, directions and maps, but are not permitted by the National Park Service to walk with you on the trails. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 14: Las Vegas

From Grand Canyon we complete our journey by travelling back to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of North America – home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place! Nowhere else in the world will you find as many casinos, clubs and all-you-can-eat buffets. Our tour concludes upon arrival at our gateway hotel at approximately between 5 pm and 6 pm. Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our gateway hotel - the Alexis Park Resort Hotel. Please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of Las Vegas tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs). Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch