On arrival into Las Vegas International Airport, collect your bags and you car before heading towards the bright lights of the famous Las Vegas strip.

From the fantastic live shows to the excitement of the huge casinos, it’s time to explore the city that never sleeps. Stroll down ‘The Strip’ to visit the famous Caesars Palace, MGM Grand and The Venetian, and make sure you get a good spot outside the Bellagio to watch the majestic dancing fountains.

Optional Experience – Vegas Helicopter Flight
Enjoy the best possible view of the Las Vegas strip.

Planet Hollywood Resort or similar

Begin today’s journey by visiting the Hoover Dam, located about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas. This engineering marvel spans the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona and you can take a guided tour to learn about the dam’s history and construction.

If you’re interested in exploring the western rim of the Grand Canyon, consider visiting Grand Canyon West, home to the Skywalk glass bridge. Note that Grand Canyon West is managed by the Hualapai Tribe and requires a separate entrance fee.

Continue to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, the most visited section of the park. Stop at the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre to obtain maps and information before taking advantage of the numerous scenic overlooks along Desert View Drive, which runs east to west along the South Rim.

Optional Experience – Grand Canyon Skywalk
Take in views of the Grand Canyon from a U-shaped glass walkway that extends out more than 70 feet from the canyon’s west rim.

Las Vegas > Grand Canyon | 279 miles

Yavapai Lodge or similar

For an unforgettable and awe-inspiring sight, catch the sunrise this morning at the Grand Canyon; witness the spectacle of colours as the sunlight bathes the red cliff walls in hues only nature can produce. 

As you leave the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, consider making a stop at Navajo Bridge, which spans the Colorado River near Marble Canyon. The original bridge, now designated for pedestrians, offers fantastic views of the river and surrounding canyon walls.

Pass through Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, known for its striking red sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations and on to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, home of the impressive Lake Powell.

You may wish to take the short detour to Horseshoe Bend, a picturesque meander of the Colorado River located just before you reach the town of Page.

Grand Canyon > Lake Powell | 145 miles

Lake Powell Resort or similar

Enjoy the day here at Lake Powell.

Consider joining a guided tour to explore Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, two slot canyons known for their stunning rock formations and light-play. Marvel at the narrow passageways, swirling sandstone walls, and shafts of light that illuminate the canyon interiors.

You may also consider visiting Rainbow Bridge National Monument. This natural sandstone arch, one of the largest in the world, is accessible via a scenic boat ride on Lake Powell. You could choose to rent a boat to explore at your leisure if you wish.

Those who prefer to explore on land can also make use of the many hiking trails around Lake Powell. Popular hiking destinations include Horseshoe Bend, Hanging Gardens, and the Wahweap Hoodoos.

Lake Powell Resort or similar

Bid farewell to Lake Powell, following Highway 98 towards Monument Valley & Cortez.

Located near the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is famous for its iconic sandstone buttes and mesas, which have been featured in numerous western films and commercials. You can take a scenic drive along the Valley Drive Loop or join a guided tour to explore the area’s breathtaking vistas and Navajo cultural sites.

Just north of Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods offers similar scenery on a smaller scale, with towering rock formations and winding red dirt roads. Take a scenic drive through the valley amidst the stunning desert landscape.

As you approach Cortez, Colorado, consider visiting Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archaeological sites. You may like to take a ranger guided tour to explore the ancient cliff dwellings such as Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House, or just take a hike on one of the park’s scenic trails. (You will also have time to return to the National Park tomorrow).

Lake Powell > Cortez/ Mesa Verde | 247 miles

Far View Lodge Mesa Verde or similar

This morning, you have plenty of time to explore Mesa Verde National Park, which protects over 4000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings of the ancient Anasazi people. To enter the cliff dwellings you must join a range led tour, typically available mid-May to late October. Advance booking with National Park Service is recommended.

In addition to Mesa Verde, the region is home to numerous other  Puebloan archaeological sites and ruins. You may like to take some time to explore these lesser-known sites, such as Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and Ute Mountain Tribal Park.

As you travel from Cortez to Durango, consider taking the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, a designated National Scenic Byway known for its stunning mountain scenery, alpine forests, and historic mining towns. Highlights along the route include Mancos, Rico and Telluride. Although stunning, taking this route will add significant time and 150 miles to your route.

Mesa Verde > Durango | 50 miles (direct)

Historic Strater Hotel or similar

Today is yours to enjoy Durango.

Explore downtown Durango’s charming streets lined with Victorian-era buildings, boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants then take a leisurely stroll along the Animas River Trail.

Alternatively, embark on a historic journey aboard the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Enjoy a scenic train ride through the San Juan Mountains, following the Animas River gorge to the historic mining town of Silverton.

Optional Experience – Durango & Silverton Railway
With views of the San Juan National Forest and the steep sides of the Animas River Gorge, this historic railroad passes through beautiful Colorado scenery.

Historic Strater Hotel or similar

Cross the state line into Utah and head towards Canyonlands National Park.

Just outside of Moab, Canyonlands National Park offers expansive vistas, deep canyons, and stunning rock formations. Explore the park’s four distinct districts, each offering unique landscapes:

The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands offers expansive vistas from atop a massive mesa. Highlights include the Mesa Arch, an iconic sunrise spot offering breathtaking views over the canyon below, and Grand View Point, which provides panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. Scenic drives, short hikes, and ranger-led programs are popular activities in this area.

The Needles district features colorful sandstone spires, deep canyons, and ancient rock art. Notable attractions include the Chesler Park Loop Trail, which winds through a scenic canyon filled with towering sandstone formations, and the Slickrock Foot Trail, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The Maze is the most remote and rugged district of Canyonlands, accessible only by high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. It offers unparalleled solitude and stunning views of deep canyons and towering mesas.

The Rivers district encompasses the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, where these mighty waterways have carved deep canyons and sculpted the landscape over millions of years. Scenic viewing areas such as the Green River Overlook and the Shafer Canyon Viewpoint offer breathtaking views of the river canyons below.

Durango > Moab | 228 miles

Red Cliff Lodge Moab or similar

A day in Arches National Park offers the opportunity to explore some of the most breathtaking natural features in the American Southwest.

Follow the Arches Scenic Drive, which winds through the park, providing access to numerous viewpoints and overlooks, as well as trails that lead right through some of these unique natural sculptures.

Delicate Arch is one of the most famous and photogenic arches in the park. It is reached my a moderate hike, but the views of the arch with a backdrop of the La Sal Mountains is well worth the effort.

The ‘Windows Section’ has a number of impressive arches clustered together, including the North and South Windows, as well as Turret Arch.

In the northern end of the park, the Devil’s Garden area offers the chance to walk through a maze of towering arches, fins and cliffs. It is here that you can view the Landscape Arch, that spans an incredible 300 feet.

You can stop at Balanced Rock to view the sits on top of a narrow pedestal, before ending the day at Sunset Point. This is the perfect place to watch the disappearing sun cast shadows across the park’s sandstone formations.

Red Cliff Lodge Moab or similar

Even though you are leaving Moab this morning, the stunning scenery doesn’t stop. Today’s route takes you along Scenic Byway 12, one of the most dramatic and scenic drives in America.

Begin your day by driving through Green River, and then follow Highway 24 towards Capitol Reef National Park. Make the brief detour to visit Capitol Reef National Park where you can explore a landscape of colourful cliffs, domes, and canyons. Drive along the park’s main road to see highlights like the Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Gorge, and scenic viewpoints.

Continue along Scenic Byway 12 through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Take in the vast and rugged wilderness area on both sides of your vehicle as you pass through. You may like to stop for a walk to Calf Creek Falls, a desert oasis within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The trail leads to a stunning 126-foot waterfall.

Drive along Scenic Byway 12 all the way to Bryce Canyon. You may wish to take a first glimpse of Bryce Canyon as the sun sets, creating a red glow amongst the canyon.

Moab > Bryce Canyon | 268 miles

Best Western PlusRuby’s Inn or similar

Enjoy a day at leisure within the wonderful Bryce Canyon National Park.

You may like to get up early to catch the spectacular sunrise over the rock hoodoos, from the aptly named, Sunrise Point. Then take a leisurely drive, or hop on the park’s shuttle bus, to explore the main viewpoints along Bryce Canyon’s scenic drive. Highlights along this route include Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, and Rainbow Point, each offering differing perspectives of the park’s other-worldly landscape.

The best way to view some of the hoodoos up close is to follow one of the signposted trails down into the canyon. The Queens Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail combination is a popular choice, offering stunning views of hoodoos and rock formations. For a longer hike, consider the Fairyland Loop Trail or the Peekaboo Loop Trail. We recommend taking plenty of water and packed lunch so that you can relax and refuel in the canyon, before continuing to explore.

In the afternoon you could choose to join a ranger-led program or guided hike to learn more about the park’s geology, wildlife, and cultural history. End your day with another awe-inspiring sunset experience, this time at Sunset Point. Watch as the sun casts long shadows across the hoodoos, creating a magical scene that’s perfect for photographs.

Best Western PlusRuby’s Inn or similar

After a last glimpse at Bryce Canyon this morning, continue on Scenic Byway 12, before heading west to complete Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks with a visit to Zion National Park.

Enter Zion National Park and drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which offers impressive views of Zion Canyon. We recommend stopping at the Zion Canyon Visitor Centre to get information about the park’s trails, shuttle system, and any ranger-led programs available during the day.

Follow the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (which is only accessible by park shuttle during peak season) to enjoy stunning views of the towering sandstone cliffs, the Virgin River, and iconic landmarks like the Great White Throne and the Court of the Patriarchs.

You may also like to make stops at Weeping Rock and the Emerald Pools, where you can see hanging gardens, lush vegetation, and cascading waterfalls tucked into the canyon walls.

As you leave Zion National Park, keep an eye out for Checkerboard Mesa, a distinctive rock formation with a unique pattern of horizontal and vertical lines etched into its surface.

From Zion, continue through the towns of Springdale and Rockville, before heading back towards Las Vegas. Just before reaching Las Vegas, you can follow the signs to Valley of Fire State Park. Famous for vibrant red sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs. Highlights include the Fire Wave, White Domes, and Elephant Rock.

End your day by checking-in to your Las Vegas hotel and enjoy the entertainment on your doorstep.

Bryce Canyon > Las Vegas | 278 miles

Planet Hollywood Resort or similar

You could choose to stay longer in Las Vegas, but if not, enjoy your last morning at leisure. Check out of your hotel and return your car at Las Vegas International Airport, in time to check-in for your flight home or onward to your next destination.

Las Vegas > Airport | 13 miles