On this unforgettable family vacation through Utah and Arizona, the sights will never cease to amaze. Impressive sunsets and sunrises, a 4-wheel-drive tour, and horseback riding are just a few of the marvelous things you will see and do.Your trip begins in Scottsdale. Travel north to Sedona for a 4x4 Jeep tour highlighting Sedona’s amazing red-rock formations before arriving at the Grand Canyon for sightseeing along the rim, time for hiking, and the opportunity to take in a spectacular sunset. Then admire the stunning rock formations of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, and enjoy a 4-wheel-drive tour of Monument Valley with a knowledgeable Navajo guide. Travel to Lake Powell for an Antelope Canyon slot tour, where you’ll walk along the canyon floor surrounded by sandstone formations as high as 130 feet.Next, head to Bryce Canyon National Park with its magnificent contrasts of bright red, yellow, and pink pillars called “hoodoos.” Here, enjoy a horseback ride with an experienced wrangler, retracing the trails taken by the notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy. Then travel to Zion National Park for hiking amongst the massive canyon walls.This year, redefine what a family vacation means and enjoy awe-inspiring scenery and thrilling adventures on this journey through spectacular canyon country.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Scottsdale. Welcome to sunny Scottsdale, the “West’s Most Western Town!” This evening, your Tour Director kicks off your adventure with a 6:30 pm WELCOME PARTY & DINNER, where you can mix and mingle with your traveling companions in the Old West. (D)
Day #2 Sonoran Desert & 4x4 Jeep Adventure. This morning, it’s off through the wild and woolly landscapes of the vast Sonoran Desert. Although the area only gets about seven inches of rain per year, the plant and animal life here are diverse and abundant! Watch for bighorn sheep, mule deer, jackrabbits, coyotes, a large variety of lizards, and 350 bird species, including turkey vultures, hawks, doves, and hummingbirds. This is also home to the famed saguaro cactus—the only place in the world where it grows wild. Arrive in Sedona, Arizona’s “Red Rock Country,” where you’ll zoom off on a scenic 4x4 JEEP TOUR to the top of Mogollon Rim to admire the impressive red rock formations and rugged lowland desert. Then, enjoy one of America’s most beautiful drives as you journey through Oak Creek Canyon, home to colorful cliffs and rugged sandstone spires. This afternoon, arrive at the GRAND CANYON, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The stunning beauty of this famous attraction draws more than 5 million visitors a year from around the globe. This evening, don’t miss the spectacular sunset. (B,D)SPECIAL FEATURE:Your hotel for the next two nights is located near the rim of the Grand Canyon, a rare opportunity for great views—a significant benefit when traveling with Globus.
Day #3 Grand Canyon Sightseeing & Hiking. Early birds can greet the day with a brilliant sunrise at the canyon’s rim, or take an optional flightseeing trip over the Grand Canyon. Later, a guided tour teaches you about the Grand Canyon’s geology and how it was carved by nature over the course of nearly 2 billion years. Take scenic Hermit Road, with stops along the way revealing extraordinary views of the deep inner gorge and numerous red buttes and ravines. This afternoon is free for exploring on your own. Maybe take a leisurely hike down part of Bright Angel Trail or join a ranger-led nature walk to learn about the area flora and fauna. (B)
Day #4 Off-Road Monument Valley Adventure. This morning you’ll feel like you’ve stepped on to the movie set of an American Western as you head to MONUMENT VALLEY NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK. Here, the incredible power of wind and water carved the area’s oddly shaped monoliths, buttes, and red sandstone spires that rise hundreds of feet above the valley floor. Enjoy a 4-WHEEL-DRIVE TOUR of Monument Valley with a knowledgeable Navajo guide who shares their Native American culture and how it is influenced by the surroundings. See where movie greats like John Wayne and John Ford left their footprints, then enjoy a [LF] NAVAJO COOKOUT lunch. Don’t forget your dancing shoes so you can join in some of the Native American dances performed for you at lunch. Next up: the sparkling blue waters and towering red-rock canyon walls of Lake Powell. Its nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline is longer than the entire West Coast of the continental United States! (B,L)
Day #5 Slot Canyons & Lake Powell. Experience the raw beauty of Mother Nature on a guided ANTELOPE CANYON SLOT TOUR. Take a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to the canyon entrance, where you will walk through the spectacularly petrified sand dunes sculpted by wind and water. As you walk along the canyon floor surrounded by sandstone formations as high as 130 feet, admire the geological masterpieces formed over millions of years. During free time this afternoon, relax by the resort’s pool before this evening’s poolside PIZZA PARTY. (B,D)
Day #6 Horseback Riding in Bryce Canyon. Say your goodbyes to Lake Powell and head northwest to Utah’s BRYCE CANYON with its colorful red, yellow, and pink “hoodoos.” Years of erosion have carved the sandstone here into thousands of spires, arches, and mazes for an unforgettable sight. Stop and saddle up, then head into Bryce on [LF] HORSEBACK with an experienced wrangler, retracing trails taken by notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy. Discover the hidden secrets of Red Canyon, as well as the peaceful solitude of the Old West. Tonight, grab your cowboy hat and head over to the corral for the BRYCE CANYON COUNTRY RODEO, complete with mutton bustin’ and bull ridin’. (B,D)NOTE:Children aged 6 and under are not able to participate in the horseback ride due to age restrictions. If children cannot participate, your Tour Director will refund the amount of the missed activity.
Day #7 Hike in Zion National Park. Continue to nearby ZION NATIONAL PARK, a spectacle of massive stone formations whose colors change with the light of the day and the season. To Mormon pioneers, it was a haven of beauty resembling natural temples and cathedrals, and they called it “Little Zion.” Spend time exploring the unique geology within the park that has evolved over the past 150 million years. Later, leave the wonders of nature behind for the bright neon lights of Las Vegas, one of America’s most popular vacation destinations. Your hotel is located in the heart of the “Strip” for easy access to all the casino resorts and amusement parks. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a SEND-OFF CELEBRATION DINNER at a local restaurant followed by the FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE. See where Las Vegas started 100 years ago with a stroll down Fremont Street, vintage Vegas, the perfect finale to your vacation. (B,D)
Day #8 Las Vegas. The vacation ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Las Vegas McCarran Airport. (B)
Hotels:
SCOTTSDALE Marriott at McDowell Mountains (SF)
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Grand Canyon Lodges (NP)
LAKE POWELL Lake Powell Resort (F)
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Best Western Ruby’s Inn (F)
LAS VEGAS Treasure Island (MD)