Cowboys & Indians Discovery (Family)

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 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. We stay at the Pioneer Lodge or in a similar standard of accommodation.

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. We warm up our legs by taking a short hike 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.

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

Leaving 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 or Peek-a-Boo Loop trails will 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.

Day 4: Western Ranch in Utah

Our next stop is a very special one as we spend a day checking out life on an authentic Western Ranch nestled in the secluded high country of central Utah. We spend a night 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: 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5: Monument Valley

Today we travel southeast and past Vermillion Cliffs along the border of Utah and Arizona on our way to Lake Powell and Page, Arizona. Weather and time permitting, we may have a chance to do some sightseeing and have a swim in the lake before carrying on to Monument Valley. In the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley 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. Explore the incredible array of rock formations on an optional guided 4x4 tour and learn the magic and myth of the rich Native American culture. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 6 & 7: Lake Powell

Located on the border of Utah and Arizona and created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Powell has a shoreline that stretches longer than the western coast of the USA! Many say that Glen Canyon was even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon before the dam was built. Now the lake is a haven for watersports or just relaxing in one of the many sandstone coves. An ideal spot for a family holiday, we enjoy our days of fun in the sun and stay a couple of nights in a hotel near this beautiful lake.

Day 8 & 9: Grand Canyon National Park

Leaving Monument Valley we travel south through the Navajo Reservation to the Cameron Trading Post to browse and shop for local jewellery, crafts and cultural souvenirs. Then we traverse the eastern entrance of Grand Canyon and catch our first glimpse of it at Desert View. 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 include a session at the IMAX Theatre, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer perspectives that you cannot see by visiting on foot. There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy to moderate ones.

Day 10: 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. 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).