America's Magnificent National Parks Escorted Tour

Welcome to Arizona, famous for its scenic road trips, towering Monument Valley, and of course the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. At 18:00, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner at Zuzu, where you will have the opportunity to mingle and get to know one another.

Hotel: Valley Ho

Travel through world-renowned Red Country along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, one of only 20 designated All-American Roads nationwide. Explore bohemian Sedona with its shops and galleries, or simply take in the exceptional beauty of Red Rock Country before you make your way to the Grand Canyon. Follow Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Byway through Coconino National Forest, a breath-taking stretch of road recognized by Rand McNally as one of the Top Five Most Scenic Drives in America.
On arrival, you can take an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. Whether you prefer a helicopter or a fixed-wing plane, you'll enjoy magnificent scenery with aerial views from above. Meet your Local Expert, Tim at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to discover its wonders. You'll learn all about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formations and the human impact on this natural masterpiece. He'll also talk to you about the local flora and fauna, and where you might be able to spot them.

Hotel: Grand Canyon National Park Lodge

Early risers will take advantage of the lodge location to witness one of Mother Nature's grandest shows on earth: a sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Skirting the South Rim of the canyon we make several stops then make our way towards Navajo and Hopi Indian lands towards Monument Valley Tribal Park, where we join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience meeting with a Navajo Local Experts and board all-terrain vehicles for an off-the-beaten path exploration of this valley. Learn about Navajo history, culture, and heritage as we travel deeper into the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Enjoy a Navajo cookout amid the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lakefront resort. The following day at Lake Powell is at your leisure to do as you please.

Hotel: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas

Today is entirely yours to do as you please. Partake in one of our popular optional experiences, explore on your own, or simply relax by the resort swimming pool with views of Lake Powell. As an optional activity this morning, let yourself be tempted by a gentle float trip down the Colorado River. Calmly float down the Colorado, past some of the most awe-inspiring sites, like the iconic Horseshoe Bend and Petroglyph Beach. In the evening, enjoy dinner with wine at the Red Heritage as you get the opportunity to watch local dancers talented in colourful powwow dancing, flute playing, and live drum music and enjoy a traditional dinner at this Navajo owned Native American Performing Arts Theatre.

Hotel: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas

After a leisurely breakfast and a Relaxed Start, we will tour the canyon aboard a privately chartered open-air vehicle, with live commentary from a Local Expert to show you the many scenic highlights of the canyon such as the weeping rock, the hanging garden and the fauna and flora of the park.
Then choose between a Travel Director guided hike to the Emerald Pools for beautiful scenery of the canyon, waterfalls and green pools surrounded by red sandstone or visit the Zion Nature Center at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. The afternoon is free after that. In the evening enjoy a Celebration Dinner hosted at the lodge, and a last chance to share travel memories with your new friends.

Hotel: Zion National Park Lodge

After a leisurely breakfast and a Relaxed Start, we will tour the canyon aboard a privately chartered open-air vehicle, with live commentary from a Local Expert to show you the many scenic highlights of the canyon such as the weeping rock, the hanging garden and the fauna and flora of the park. Then choose between a Travel Director guided hike to the Emerald Pools for beautiful scenery of the canyon, waterfalls and green pools surrounded by red sandstone or visit the Zion Nature Center at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. The afternoon is free after that. In the evening enjoy a Celebration Dinner hosted at the lodge, and a last chance to share travel memories with your new friends.

Hotel: Zion National Park Lodge

This morning you make your way out of Zion National Park and will transfer to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Your hotel is a short walk away from Temple Square, which is the headquarters of the Mormon church. In the evening join for a dinner with wine at the hotel.

Hotel Hilton Salt Lake City Centre

Before leaving Salt Lake City, take in the State Capitol building. Drive along the scenic Logan Canyon, over the Wasatch Mountain Range, and up to the Bear Lake Summit. Stop for lunch at Garden City, while enjoying views of the beautiful turquoise waters of Bear Lake. You will then head north across the Oregon Trail to historic Jackson. Have your cameras ready for the famous elk antlers the central square, while eager shoppers will find several charming traditional boutique galleries to browse. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with your hotel located only a short walk away from Jackson's Town Square.

Hotel Elk Country Inn

Wake up to a mountainous view like no other and witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) from the valley floor. This morning, you have the opportunity to partake in an optional scenic float down the Snake River (signed waiver required) inside Grand Teton National Park. In keeping with today’s rustic country charm, you’ll enter Yellowstone, the world’s first National Park. Known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife, you’ll experience Wyoming in all its glory. Keep an eye out for black bears or wolves. Tonight you’ll stay in the National Park Lodges, allowing you to experience the park after hours, in its natural habitat.

Hotel Yellowstone National Park Lodge

Savour the surreal surroundings of Yellowstone with a relaxed start. Walk among the rainbow tinted hot springs and watch the erupting geysers as you take in the history of the park on an informative stroll with your Travel Director. Catch the renowned colourful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 meters) into the air. In the afternoon, enjoy the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as you take in stunning natural wonders. While driving through Hayden Valley, famous for its wildlife, keep an eye out for wolves, bears, elk and hundreds of bison. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to relax.

Hotel Yellowstone National Park Lodge

Set off on your travels through the stark Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains, leading you to the Wild West Town of Cody. Learn more about America’s great Western legends at the Buffalo Bill Center, known for its Western art collection, firearms, and natural history. Travel through the Bighorn National Forest to the Ranch at UCross. Take in the rustic charm as you're hosted at a traditional Wyoming Family ranch. Start off the evening with a cocktail hour in the historic Ranch House bar. After a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a fire pit with live entertainment, including country, folk and bluegrass music.

Hotel Ranch at UCross

Live the American frontier dream and begin your day with a scenic country horseback ride (waiver required) accompanied by a Ranch Hand. If playing cowboy isn’t your thing, perhaps go fishing or merely relax and take in your beautiful surroundings, the choice is yours. Make your way to Devils Tower, an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the surrounding the Black Hills. This symbolic landmark is considered sacred to the Lakota and other tribes. Experience Spearfish Canyon, a favoured spot among wildlife enthusiasts and one famous for its elvish woodland beauty. The limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon itself.

Hotel Spearfish Canyon Lodge

A day for those looking to explore the Wild West, as you cross the great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We visit Badlands National Park in South Dakota, 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. The unique beauty of the Badlands landscape is like no other. Continue to Custer State Park, renowned for its beautiful landscape and abundant wildlife. 

Hotel State Game Lodge

Travel to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Here, carvings of Presidents Washington, overlook the landscape. Next, head to Crazy Horse Memorial, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians. An exclusive Insight Experience awaits as you are taken up to stand face-to-face with this impressive sculpture. At 641 feet (195 meters) long and 563 feet (172 meters) tall the piece takes the record for the world’s largest mountain carving.
Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a Celebration Dinner with wine, as you reflect on your adventure across the wide-open spaces of America's national parks.

Hotel State Game Lodge

Travel south from Custer State Park where your trip ends on arrival in Denver.
A transfer is available to Denver International Airport.
Airport arrival in Denver will be at 16:30.