Canyonlands

Experience overnight stays in three national parks (Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion) and one national recreational area (Glen Canyon, overlooking Lake Powell). Red spires, painted pinnacles, jagged peaks, mysterious buttes, forested mountains, dramatic deserts and unique wildlife - all images that create memories to last a lifetime! Tauck's most popular journey anywhere in the world!
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Full Itinerary

1. Arrive Scottsdale
Tour begins: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess at 5:30 PM. Take a private transfer from the airport to your luxury resort, where the afternoon is spent enjoying amenities such as three swimming pools, tennis, and golf. We invite you to join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner. Meals D

2. Montezuma Castle
See Montezuma Castle National Monument, the deserted cliff dwellings of one of the oldest known civilizations. Journey to Sedona, a town surrounded by towering red rock formations. Wind through intriguing Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff, arriving at the magnificent Grand Canyon. Over one mile deep and many miles long, it is one of nature's most spectacular examples of erosion. Spend the night near the breathtaking rim of the Canyon. Meals BD

3. Grand Canyon National Park
It is easy to be mesmerized by the Grand Canyon's grandeur and chameleon-like colors. Spend the morning amidst the majesty of this natural wonder, exploring the canyon rim and Canyon Village. Travel through a Navajo Reservation en route to Page, Arizona, for two nights at the Wahweap Lodge. Meals BD

4. Lake Powell / Rainbow Bridge
Glen Canyon Dam transformed the mighty Colorado River into Lake Powell, a massive lake that is 186 miles long – fringed by fjord-like canyons, there is no lake like it on earth! To see the "hidden" sites of Lake Powell, Tauck includes sightseeing today by air, by water and by jeep. There is no better way to enjoy the majesty of the region than by taking an early morning 30-minute flight over remote reaches of the lake. Colorful patterns of water are surrounded by many unusual red rock formations, including Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural "arch," or bridge. Resembling the "arc" of a rainbow, this amazing rock arch spans 275 ft. across the river, rising 309 ft. in the air – approximately the height of the Statue of Liberty! Rainbow Bridge is of great historical importance, as for centuries it has been a sacred site to local American Indian tribes. Until the formation of Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge and much of the surrounding area were virtually unaccessible; this sightseeing journey offers in-depth insights. Later you have a choice of sightseeing – take a boat excursion to remote lake areas, or travel on a four-wheel-drive jeep adventure to Antelope Canyon. A "hidden" canyon to most visitors, the narrow sandstone walls of this "Corkscrew" slot canyon appear to be sculpted. A mesmerizing experience ensues when mysterious oranges, reds, and yellows appear with the passing sun. Or, you may choose an opportunity to take an optional four-hour flightseeing excursion and tour from the Grand Canyon to the incredible desert landscapes of Monument Valley (at an additional cost). Explore one of America's most scenic, and most photographed, regions with a Navajo guide; it is resplendent with colorful mesas, buttes and spires (see information below). Meals BD

5. Glen Canyon / Bryce Canyon
Enjoy the excitement of a float trip through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, featuring colorful sandstone canyons and an array of wildlife habitats. Navajo sandstone cliffs create a dramatic backdrop of red-and-buff cliffs against a blue southwestern sky. Continue by motor coach to Kanab, Utah, a town that is truly the quintessential image of "the West." Bryce Canyon National Park is a land of pines and pinnacles, an immense semi-circular rock amphitheatre where timeless erosion has created oddly sculptured rock formations resembling the towers of fairy tale castles and cities of stone cathedrals. Travel the rim road, where before you lie magnificent spires carved by nature's chisel, tinted with shades of pink, orange and red. An abundance of wildlife residing in the park includes elk, coyotes, marmots, prairie dogs and wildflowers. Your accommodation this evening, Bryce Canyon Lodge, is nestled in a lush forest of towering ponderosa pine trees. The historic lodge has been renovated to its 1920's rustic elegance, and is listed on the National Historic Register. Meals BLD

6. Bryce Canyon / Zion
Morning's light brings a different palette of brilliantly vivid colors to Bryce Canyon. The morning is spent at your leisure, with the whimsical "hoodoos" and intricately carved pillars of rock just a short walk from your lodge. Bryce Canyon is renowned for hiking trails, which provide an opportunity to observe the great variety of bird species, beautiful wildflowers and unique wildlife. This afternoon, travel to Zion National Park, where your accommodation is Zion Lodge, the only "in-the-park" accommodation at Zion National Park. The rustic decor of the lodge complements the incredible scenery of the park, which is awe-inspiring. Colorful sandstone walls rise one-half mile above the lush greenery of the canyon floor; odd geologic formations, a complex desert ecological system and mighty canyons splashed with vivid colors are compelling. Verdant vegetation includes Cottonwood trees, wildflowers, and dry desert plants; wildlife ranges from mule deer to hundreds of bird species. Meals BLD

7. Zion / St. George / Las Vegas
Today you'll discover the majestic sights of Zion, including its narrow gorges, dramatic canyons and colorful mesa scenery; travel between great red precipices that lead into a beautiful valley. Depart this magnificent park for the journey to Las Vegas, traveling through St. George, a rich historic town that was once called "Little Dixie" due to the region's cotton-raising. St. George was the winter home of Brigham Young, who brought the Mormon Church to Utah; see the impressive St. George Temple, dedicated in 1877 as the first Mormon Temple. Arrive in the glamorous city of Las Vegas, enticing visitors with neon-lined boulevards sparkling with "glitter" and themed casinos. Your introduction is a drive along the famous Las Vegas Strip, where you'll see the incredible architectural wonders of the self-proclaimed "Entertainment Capital of the World." We invite you to join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner. Meals BLD

8. Journey Home
Tour ends: Las Vegas. Fly out anytime; check-out time is 12:00 noon. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in. Meals B

Monument Valley Option - $190

Explore a world of sandstone monoliths that truly is the essence of the American West. This aerial sightseeing adventure takes you from Page, Arizona to lovely Monument Valley, viewing sights that can only best be appreciated by air. Land at Monument Valley, where a Navajo guide takes you through an incredible landscape of colorful buttes, mesas and spires. Fly back to Page for the afternoon.