America’s Canyonlands

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Phoenix, Arizona. Upon arrival, transfer independently to the Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale at Troon North. Scottsdale is the ideal place to start to relax and acclimatise before the start of your Tauck vacation.

This morning you set out to the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, renowned for its stunning array of red sandstone formations which glow orange at dawn and sunset. Enjoy a guided walk taking you back in time in this intriguing town shaped by early settlers, cowboys, artists and Hollywood celebrities, a favourite with artisans. Later, your journey continues through Oak Creek Canyon en route to Grand Canyon National Park. Arrive at your lodge on the South Rim of the amazing Grand Canyon, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurants on the canyon’s rim at El Tovar, the Arizona Room or Bright Angel Café.

Take advantage of your lodge’s ideal location on the South Rim by waking early enough to watch the spectacular sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Learn about the geology and wildlife of the region from a local geology expert and no exploring the canyon rim and Canyon Village at your leisure, witnessing the rugged landscape’s vast grandeur and changing colours as the sun climbs in the sky. Travel through the Navajo Reservation en route to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, for a two-night stay. Tonight, take a private Lake Powell dinner cruise aboard the sleek double-decked yacht ‘Canyon Princess’.

See the remote corners of the 186-mile-long Lake Powell – created from the Colorado River by the Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s – from a variety of perspectives. First take an early morning flight to see the unusual red-rock formations reflecting in the lake and see Rainbow Bridge, the world’s largest natural arch. Later, take a private boat cruise and guided tour past some of the incredible sandstone slot canyons in the Navajo Nation, among the most beautiful in the Southwest.

This morning’s float trip on the Colorado River takes you through Glen Canyon. Your experienced river adventure guide imparts a wealth of knowledge about the canyon as you glide past colourful walls of Navajo sandstone. Utah’s iconic landscapes have served as ideal locations for movie and TV westerns over the years, which you can view on an afternoon drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon hosts a wondrous land of pines, pinnacles and oddly sculpted formations known as hoodoos, resembling the towers of fairy-tale castles. Magnificent spires, tinted with shades of pink, orange and red, put on a captivating show as the light changes throughout the day. Keep an eye open for the park’s abundant wildlife, including elk, coyotes, marmots, and prairie dogs, as you explore the park from your sought-after accommodations at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon. Listed on the National Historic Register, The Lodge is nestled in a forest of towering ponderosa pines in the heart of the park.

Wake up early this morning and be rewarded with an awe-inspiring Bryce Canyon sunrise, as the light of dawn slowly spreads across the hoodoos and other unique geological features of the park. Take time to explore the park’s renowned hiking trails to observe a great variety of bird species, beautiful wildflowers and diverse wildlife. After lunch, travel across southwestern Utah to Zion National Park, where colourful sandstone canyons and 3,000-foot-high palisades tower above the lush greenery of the canyon floor. The park’s shuttle system and network of hiking trails afford access to its key geologic features. The thriving vegetation includes cottonwood trees and dry desert plants and wildlife ranges from mule deer to hundreds of bird species.

Today is a day of contrasts. Zion is noted for narrow canyons and colourful mesa scenery. Wind deep into the canyon and diverse geological features, from dramatic peaks and cliffs, odd geologic formations, desert oases featuring abundant pools to waterfalls and mighty canyons splashed with vivid colours. Depart Zion for a memorable journey across the vast, colourful vistas of the northeastern Mojave Desert. Although a contrast from the rest of the tour, Las Vegas is the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’. See the casinos and drive the length of the Las Vegas ‘Strip’. This evening you are invited to a farewell reception and dinner.

Following check-out, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay in Las Vegas!