Snow Canyon & Dinosaur Prints

8 AM: Your tour leader will meet you in the hotel for the orientation meeting. Leaving Las Vegas we soon ascend to the Colorado Plateau through the Virgin River Gorge. Today we enjoy the spectacular scenery of Snow Canyon State Park, where we walk over petrified sand dunes. Then we are on to see the impressive collection of dinosaur footprints (entrance included). Our hotel is centrally located in St. George. Hotel Ramada, St. George (3-star), 2 nights
Drive time: 120 miles / 200 km or 2hrs

Explore Bryce Canyon National Park

Leaving early we soon reach Bryce Canyon NP. For many, Bryce is the most beautiful of the American National Parks. Hiking paths wind through radiant red and pink towers of stone, which contrast beautifully with blue skies and green pines. At sundown, be awed by an unforgettable color play on the formations. Those wanting can take a horseback ride through Bryce's rock formations (approx. $65, not included) or hike with the group on the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. In summer, enjoy a Western Cowboy dinner show (not included). Hotel Bryce View Lodge, (3-star), 1 night

Drive time: 140 miles / 220 km or 2.5 hrs

Monument Valley with Indians

It is a short drive to the famous Monument Valley. Giant red towers of stone rise out of the valley and offer fantastic photographic motifs. For decades, this area has been used as a backdrop for the cameras of Hollywood. We recommend an unforgettable Jeep tour through the valley led by the local Navajo Indians (starting at $70, not included), where secluded views of the panoramas of Ear of the Wind and Big Hogan await. In the afternoon, a two and a half hour trip returns us to the Grand Canyon via its eastern entrance. With luck, we arrive in time for a stunning sunset. Our hotel is at the entrance of the national park. Red Feather Lodge (3-star), or similar, 2 nights.
Drive time: 300 miles / 450 km or 4.5 hrs

Route 66 and Las Vegas

In the early afternoon, we head back towards Las Vegas along the famous Route 66 (drive time 4-5 hours). Our hotel is centrally located. Golden Nugget Casino (3-star), or similar, 1 night.
Drive time: 265 miles / 430 km or 4-5 hrs

Explore Mono Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows, looking for bears

In the morning, we encounter Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes on Earth, known for its bizarre white limestone “tufa tower” formation. Over the breathtaking Tioga Pass and the sheer cliffs of the Sierra Nevada ridge, we reach 10,000 feet. Our hotel is in the heart of Yosemite Valley, the rustic Curry Village Tent cabins, where we will spend one night (communal bathrooms). The evening is reserved for wildlife watching, and enjoying an amazing sunset in Yosemite Valley. With a little luck we will see deer, coyote and bear. Curry Village Tent Cabins (1-star), or similar, 1 night.
Drive time: 120 miles / 200 km or 2 hrs

Giant Sequoias of Calaveras Big Tree State Park, ghost town of Columbia State Park, wine tasting

A full day to enjoy the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. We spend the morning hiking among a hidden grove of Giant Sequoia, at the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Few tourists are found here and we enjoy solitude among the giant trees. Then we continue to Columbia State Park to enjoy a living history museum dedicated to the ghost town and gold rush area. In the afternoon we have time to enjoy wine tasting (not included) and shopping. Why not stop in at the hotel where Mark Twain stayed?
Drive Time approx.. 125 miles / 200 km – 2 hours
Walks: 5 miles / 8 km, +/- 100m

Tour Over Departure

Departure is on your own. An airport shuttle costs approximately $15 and is not included.