Utah & Arizona
Canyons & wildlife... in the land of the Navajo!

Sunday 30 September - Wednesday 10 October 2012 (11 days)
Navajo & Hopi Lands Extension to Monday 15 October 2012 (5 days)

Join us for a fantastic journey through some of the most astounding landscapes in the USA, on a wonderful and unique tour of birdwatching, wildlife, and Native American history. Renew your spirits in the mountains and beautiful red rock canyons of Utah and Arizona: the land of the Navajo!



We begin our tour at the Grand Canyon itself. Here we can dine overlooking the rim and hope that the reintroduced California Condors sail past.

We drive to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, with their incredible coloured rocks, and on to Lake Powell, in Navajo country, learning about the prehistory of the area and seeing some fine examples of rock art

The Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks are all internationally renowned national parks. In addition to these gems, we also visit a few treasured, but lesser-known sites such as Antelope Canyon and plan an all day boat excursion on Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge. Navajos called this sacred site the 'rainbow of stone,' and it truly is one of the wonders of the world.

Our extension continues on to Monument Valley - everyone's idea of the Wild West, where fans of western movies will instantly recognise the scenery. Local guides join us to share their history, customs and landscapes and at the dramatic Canyon de Chelly we can ride in jeeps with the Navajo!

The tour is again devised by Peg Abbott, and will be run in conjunction with her company, Naturalist Journeys, and the group will include some of her US clients.

Accommodation: We stay in hotels or motels with all rooms en suite.

Principal Leader: Gail Richardson

Numbers: Max. 12 clients



Prices:
Main tour £ 2,995
Extension £ 1,395

Single supps*.:
Main tour £ 620
Extension £ 295

Deposit: £ 500 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights from London - Phoenix, airport taxes, transportation as described below, accommodation, most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), admissions, local taxes, and the services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, meals not mentioned above (allow $30 per dinner and $15 for lunch), optional tips to local guides, drinks, and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Naturalist Journeys of the USA

*single supps depend on availability

Please note that we require full payment 18 weeks before departure on all USA tours.

Utah map

Outline Itinerary
Day 1We take a scheduled flight from London to Phoenix. Depending on flights we may overnight in Phoenix or arrive early on Day 2. Overnight Phoenix (B)
Day 2We take a flight to Flagstaff Arizona, from where we drive toward the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in time for dinner and sunset. Overnight at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (D)
Day 3We have the full day to explore various viewpoints and vistas of the Grand Canyon. Overnight at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (B,L,D)
Day 4Today we drive to Zion National Park. Overnight Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale (B,L,D)
Day 5Today we explore some more remote sections of Zion National Park, venturing higher in elevation to lush Ponderosa Pine forests. Overnight Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale (B,L)
Day 6We depart from Zion National Park on to Bryce Canyon. Overnight Bryce Canyon National Park. (L,D)
Day 7Bryce Canyon, established in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt, is often the favourite of the parks among our participants as it is small, intimate and presents a real playground of light. Overnight Bryce Canyon National Park. (L,D)
Day 8By dinner time we reach our lodge on the edge of Lake Powell. Two nights Lake Powell Overnight Wahweap Lodge on Lake Powell (B,L)
Day 9We embark on an all-day scenic 7.5 hour boat trip to Forbidding Canyon and Rainbow Bridge, which includes lunch, a walk to the bridge and time to explore this extraordinary place. Overnight Wahweap Lodge on Lake Powell (B,L,D)
Day 10After breakfast, we drive back to Flagstaff and then connect in Phoenix with our flight home, arriving on Day 11
Navajo & Hopi Lands Extension
Please also see our Arizona tour, to which this can be added as a pre-tour extension!
Day 10Morning at leisure in Page. After lunch we travel east to visit Navajo National Monument. Overnight near Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (D)
Day 11Today we venture by jeep on an extensive tour of Monument Valley. Overnight Goulding's Lodge, Monument Valley (B,L,D)
Day 12This morning we leave Monument Valley and head south and east to Chinle and nearby Canyon de Chelly. Overnight Thunderbird Lodge, Canyon de Chelly (B,L,D)
Day 13Today we ride with the Navajo (in jeeps)! Our guides expertly crisscross the riverbed at the bottom of the spectacular Canyon de Chelly. Overnight Thunderbird Lodge, Canyon de Chelly (B,L,D)
Day 14Today we visit Hopi pueblos, meeting our local guide mid-day at the Hopi Cultural Center, on Second Mesa. Overnight Hopi Cultural Center (B,L,D)
Day 15 After breakfast, we drive back to Phoenix for our flight home, arriving on Day 16.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary