Best of the Canyonlands
Best of the Canyonlands
$2825
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of the Canyonlands" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of the American Southwest. Begin your adventure in Denver, exploring its vibrant culture before heading to the majestic landscapes of the Rockies. Discover the breathtaking beauty of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and delve into the rich history of Mesa Verde's ancient cliff dwellings. Experience the iconic Monument Valley with a Navajo guide, and marvel at the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy unique cultural encounters, including a visit to an organic farm in Palisade and a stay at the historic Goulding's Lodge. Conclude your journey amidst the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, with memories of awe-inspiring natural wonders and cultural insights. This tour offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, cultural immersion, and relaxation, ensuring an unforgettable experience. ...more ...less
Must-see Highlights
- Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon
- Discover Denver, Moab and Las Vegas
- Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Cameron Trading Post and Grand Canyon National Park
- See Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
- Scenic Drive along Desert View Drive along parts of Route 66
- View the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, Desert Viewpoint
Make Travel Matter®
Grand Canyon: At Desert Viewpoint Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site learn about the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities. Discover Native crafts watching a carpet weaving demonstration, or you may enjoy traditional song and dance performances. Your visit and donation provide a continuous source of funding for the on-going development of the Cultural Heritage Site while allowing guests to engage directly with Indigenous community members. The experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 11: Responsible Production and Consumption.
Monument Valley: Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Navajo people journeying through the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Get a feel for the land and its people climbing aboard an open-air, all-terrain vehicle to explore the valley with your Navajo guide as you pass its towering sandstone buttes and mesas, many of which have been featured in prominent Western films including John Wayne’s ‘Stagecoach’. Your exclusive Navajo Tribal Park tour with a Navajo guide helps preserve the integrity of the land and culture. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities.
Be My Guest
Palisade: Unlock the local secrets of the land over a meet-and-greet at Field to Fork, an organic fruit and vegetable farm that cultivates 10 acres for vegetable production in addition to a fruit orchard of rare heritage stone and pomme fruit. Welcomed by owners Jessica and Scott, you’ll learn about the farm, its history and Jessica and Scott’s passion and expertise for organic farming. Then, take a walking tour of the farm discovering horticulture and how they grow organic fruits and vegetables, including a greenhouse and barn tour. Cap off your experience with a meal of crudité, salad, pizza topped with local ingredients and dessert featuring local seasonal fruit.
Trafalgar Difference
Denver: The Slate Hotel was once the site of the original Emily Griffith Technical College. In the early 1900s, Emily Griffith founded a school designed to offer education to individuals of all backgrounds and ages, providing opportunities to improve their lives. Initially, the college offered programs in skills like typing and industrial millinery, especially before WWII. Today, the college continues to evolve, meeting the demands of modern technology. As the college moved to a larger campus, The Slate Hotel embraced its role in honoring Emily Griffith’s profound impact on Denver’s history and the lasting legacy she left on education in the community.
Monument Valley: Explore an iconic part of the Western USA on this Stays with Stories experience. Feel like you’re stepping back in time to when the lodge was founded in the 1920's. Then imagine you’re stepping onto a movie set -- Goulding's Lodge was made famous by Hollywood movies filmed here. In addition to waking up to watch the daybreak over Monument Valley, you’ll also love how the hotel has supported the local Diné (Navajo) community.
Itinerary
Day 1: Discover Denver
Location: Denver
Accommodation Name: The Slate Hotel Denver Downtown, Tapestry by Hilton
Meals Included: Dinner
Channel your inner pioneer as you embark on an epic encounter with the peaks, canyons and deserts of what was once the treacherous Wild West. Kick-start your expedition in Denver, exploring the Mile High City, known for its thriving coffeehouse and brewery scene, at your leisure before meeting your Travel Director and fellow expeditioners at dinner this evening. ...more ...less
Day 2: Roam the Rockies
Location: Vail, Moab, Canyonlands National Park
Accommodation: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Kick off your day in Vail, an alpine village and one of Colorado's great playgrounds known for its epic powder-filled basins that have attracted skiers since the 1960s. Then discover local organic products and meet local farmers over a one-of-a-kind Be My Guest Experience at Field to Fork, a four-season organic farm and boutique fruit stand, growing and celebrating the flavors of every season. You’ll love learning the local secrets of organic farming over a tour from the owners followed by a meal of farm-fresh ingredients. This evening in Moab, opt for an exhilarating Optional Experience flying over Canyonlands National Park during sunset.
Day 3: Explore Utah’s Arches and Canyons
Location: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky, Moab
Accommodation: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get ready to gasp. Arches National Park is packed with striking natural arches. On your jaw-dropping exploration, learn how these 2,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind on this guided visit led by your knowledgeable Travel Director. From one stunning landscape to the next in Canyon Country, see how the power of the Colorado River carves through the rocky red landscape at Canyonlands National Park. Drive onto the Island in the Sky - a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the countryside offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations. Take your experience to the next level with an Optional Canyonlands by Night light show, complete with a lip-smacking cowboy-style Dutch Oven Dinner and a trip on the Moab Queen II jet boat cruising by the lit-up canyon walls.
Day 4: Pioneer Through Monument Valley
Location: Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley
Accommodation: Goulding's Lodge
Accommodation Name: Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Within UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park, admire some of the over 600 ancient cliff dwellings carved in the sandstone of the canyon walls. Established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906, the Park protects some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United States. Deepen your connection with the First Nations people of this land heading toward Monument Valley, home to the Navajo Nation and the backdrop of many famous Hollywood Western movies.
Day 5: Tour The Remarkable Grand Canyon Make Travel Matter
Location: Monument Valley, Grand Canyon
Accommodation: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Accommodation Name: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your big day of bucket list sites on your US National Park tour begins in Monument Valley. Enjoy a unique exploration with a Local Specialist driving in an open-air vehicle past its towering sandstone buttes and mesas that rise from the barren landscape on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Continue through the ancestral home of the Navajo, winding along Desert View Drive, surrounded by mesmerizing multi-colored canyons. Stop at Desert Intertribal Cultural Heritage and explore the exhibits that highlight the stories, traditions, and knowledge of local tribes. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the profound bond between the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities and the canyon, along with its surrounding lands. We've saved the best for last: the Grand Canyon. Get a unique perspective from geological expert Canyon Tim who reveals the geological wonders on a private nature talk. Join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner toasting to America’s National Parks at your accommodations inside Grand Canyon National Park.
Day 6: A Scenic Journey to Las Vegas
Location: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas
Accommodation Name: Horseshoe Las Vegas
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise early to catch the first rays of light as they illuminate the canyon. Consider an optional helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flightseeing tour to view this feat of nature from the sky or enjoy a leisurely morning, before you journey to Sin City. Canyon views give way to a desert oasis as you travel back in time past motels, diners and gas stations towards the dazzling lights of Las Vegas.
Day 7: End Your Journey in Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your exhilarating adventure through the canyonlands has come to an end. Grab some breakfast as you prepare to say farewell to your friends, or consider extending your stay at Horseshoe, Las Vegas. Depart at your leisure to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
What's Included
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Expert Travel Director and Professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included to ensure a smooth and informative journey.
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Cherry-picked Hotels
Stay in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted for quality and comfort.
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Porterage and Restaurant Gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included, so you don't have to worry about tipping.
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Hotel Tips, Charges, and Local Taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour package.
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Must-see Sightseeing and Surprise Extras
Experience must-see sightseeing and surprise extras as part of the tour.
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Audio Headsets for Flexible Sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing, ensuring you don't miss any details.
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All Transport and Transfers
All transport and transfers as shown in the itinerary are included.
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Luxury Air-conditioned Coach
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi or alternative transportation like rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and Free Time
Optional experiences and free time are available for you to explore at your own pace.
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Alternative Hotel Options
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized to ensure quality accommodation.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and experiences not listed in the inclusions are not included.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim’s fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Mode of Transport
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi, ensuring comfort and connectivity as you explore the stunning landscapes of the Canyonlands, with all transport and transfers included in the itinerary.
Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels like The Slate Hotel in Denver, Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn in Moab, Goulding's Lodge in Monument Valley, and National Park Lodges Grand Canyon, ensuring quality and comfort throughout your journey.
Dive into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim’s fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Iconic Experience
- Vail: Welcome to one of Colorado's great playgrounds. While the winter attracts the ski crowds, the summer draws in guests to the European-style Vail Village. Surrounded by towering Rocky Mountain peaks, the pedestrian village offers a unique mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. Feel the friendly local vibe that makes Vail cosmopolitan and unpretentious.
- Arches National Park: Nature's creations spring to life at Arches National Park, home to the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Some 2,000 natural sandstone arches can be found within the boundaries of the national park. On your visit, unlock all the science and history of how these 6,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind. Take in the sights of Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock while admiring the ever-changing landscapes as you traverse the park.
- Canyonlands National Park: There’s no better spot to witness the power of the Colorado River carving through rocky red landscapes than at Canyonlands National Park. Take in the views from the Green River Overlook, and be inspired by the vast expanse of high desert canyons at Grand Viewpoint.
- Mesa Verde National Park: There’s no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
- Grand Canyon National Park: One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the second most visited national park in the United States. Explore the Visitor Center and get familiar with the history of the Grand Canyon, grab a coffee at a local café and take a walk along the Rim Trail. Keep your camera on-hand as you explore some of the 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent canyonlands at one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world with unmatched vistas along its rim.
- Las Vegas: Go sightseeing in the largest city in Nevada and one of the world's greatest resort cities, Las Vegas.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a Be My Guest experience at Field to Fork, an organic farm, where you will learn about organic farming and enjoy a meal made from farm-fresh ingredients. Additionally, there is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience in Monument Valley with a Navajo guide, and a cultural visit to the Desert Intertribal Cultural Heritage Site at the Grand Canyon. ...more ...less
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, or alternative transportation such as rail journeys. All transport and transfers as shown in the itinerary are included.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals. Additionally, there is a special meal at Field to Fork farm and a Farewell Dinner at the Grand Canyon.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will stay in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted for quality and comfort. On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized to ensure quality accommodation.
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What is the significance of the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences on this tour?
The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences are designed to support local communities and promote sustainable tourism. For example, the visit to the Desert Intertribal Cultural Heritage Site at the Grand Canyon supports the development of the site and allows guests to engage with Indigenous community members, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ...more ...less
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include an exhilarating flight over Canyonlands National Park during sunset, a Canyonlands by Night light show with a cowboy-style Dutch Oven Dinner, and an optional helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Best of the Canyonlands
7 Days Starting in Denver, USA and ending in Las Vegas, USA
Visiting: Denver, Vail, Moab, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Island in the Sky, Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DBOCZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided