Compare 7 Day Southwest Highlights (From Las Vegas) by Bindlestiff Tours vs Hiking Utah's National Parks by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Zion National Park

Leaving the bright lights of Las Vegas behind us for a while we head out to Utah’s finest National Park. Massive canyon walls and red sandstone cliffs ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. Challenge yourself to what’s considered the best half day hike in the southwest by hiking a narrow ridge line to Angels Landing.

Take it easy exploring the pristine Emerald pools or enjoy a river hike deep in the narrows before enjoying a BBQ back at camp this evening.

Hotel option if booked 3 stars – Bumbleberry Inn

Day 2: Bryce National Park

A short drive today takes us to an elevation of 8000 ft into Bryce National Park. Take a stroll along the rim and marvel at the unique sandstone spires (hoodoos) that rise dramatically from the natural amphitheater. Hike down into the hoodoos for an up close and personal experience with this fascinating landscape.

A soak in the outdoor hot tub back at camp will ease those hiking muscles and a night around the campfire will end this day nicely.

Hotel option if booked 3 stars – Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn

Day 3-4: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Explore this stunning landscape in a guided sunset hummer tour or hang of a sandstone cliff on one of our optional canyoneering adventures! Visit Arches National Park home to over 2000 arches for a hike up to Delicate Arch. Enjoy walks in Canyonlands National Park where the Green river meets the Colorado in some of the most spectacular scenery the southwest has to offer. Swap tales of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who used the canyons to hide from the law in the late 1800’s, visit the local town and enjoy Utah’s greatest adventure capital.

Hotel option if booked 3 stars – Moab Valley Inn (includes breakfast). 2 nights.

Day 5: Monument Valley

Headed south we wind our way through more of USA Southwest’s spectacular scenery to one of the most iconic locations on the planet. The background for many famous western movies and home to the Navajo Indians you are in for a real treat today. Hop on board a 4X4 jeep and enjoy an included Navajo guided tour of Monument Valley. Camp right along the rim, get ready to gaze up at the amazing starry skies and bag your front row seat to a magnificent sun rise.

Hotel option if booked 3 stars – Goulding’s Historic Lodge

Day 6: The Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

Enjoy an optional visit to the world’s most famous slot canyon- Antelope Canyon this morning followed by a scenic walk to view Horseshoe Bend before heading to the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.

Saving the best for last! After a brief visit to a Navajo trading post we follow the mighty Colorado River through the painted desert to one of the seven natural wonders of the world! Take in a bird’s eye view on an optional helicopter ride, stroll along the rim at sunset, take a hike into the one of the deepest and most diverse canyons on earth or simply relax in one of the rim cafés and admire the view before one last cookout and campfire.

Day 7: Las Vegas

We get our kicks at Route 66 and arrive back in Sin City at approx 5pm.

Day 1 Las Vegas

Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada! This glitzy city may be a gambler’s paradise, but if the tables aren't your thing, there's still plenty to discover in this neon metropolis. Maybe wander along the famous strip, past impersonators, billboards and hotels to the choreographed Bellagio Fountain show. Hit the chain stores or lose all sense of time exploring the gaudy interiors of hotels like The Venetian, Caesars Palace and New York-New York. Your trip starts at 6 pm tonight with a welcome meeting. After, why not join your fellow travellers for an optional dinner and indulge in some nightlife? 

Day 2 Zion National Park

You’ll be up bright and early this morning for the drive to Zion National Park. Arrive in Springdale, your base for the next two nights, and check into your accommodation before heading to the park for your first hike, the famous Virgin River Narrows. Your hike begins with a stroll down the paved River Trail, buttressed by water on our left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on the right. After walking along hanging gardens and under the dappled shade of cottonwoods, the sidewalk ends and you will enter the river. Hiking in moving water can be a new and exciting experience so you will have time to get your “stream legs” before walking another 1.5 miles upriver to the turnaround point at Orderville Canyon. Before heading back downstream, get a few more photos of the Narrows’ beauty. Tonight we'll head out on an included group dinner at a local restaurant in Springdale.

Day 3 Zion National Park

Today after breakfast, head out nice and early for another, longer hike in Zion National Park. This is one of Zion’s most iconic walks – the famous half-day Angel's Landing hike up to Scout Lookout. The stunning views of Zion Canyon's 270-million-year-old rock layers will take you back in time to the Triassic period when this section of the Colorado Plateau was just a flat basin at sea level. Just a heads up, this is a steep hike, but don’t worry, we'll take plenty of breaks. Anyone in good physical condition can make this trek.

Day 4 Bryce Canyon National Park

After breakfast this morning, drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, where wind and water erosion have formed the park's crimson hoodoos – uniquely shaped rock spires rising out of the desert. The park’s main road leads past the expansive Bryce Amphitheatre – a hoodoo-filled depression below the Rim Trail hiking path. It overlooks Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. After checking into your accommodation, you’ll hike the iconic Navajo Loop Trail, which begins and ends at Sunset Point. Travelling by switchbacks between narrow walls of colourful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees, this trail takes you to the park's most famous hoodoo – Thor's Hammer. This trail has two sides, Two Bridges and Wall Street, so the trip out and back is different, with unique scenery on each side of the loop.

Day 5 Moab

After breakfast today, you’ll hit the road for Moab. On the way, stop in Capitol Reef National Park to hike to the impressive Hickman Bridge – a natural sandstone bridge spanning 41 m (133 feet). You'll get high desert views along the way and ascend through a sandstone side canyon before emerging under the bridge. Along with incredible views of the vast rock formations, look out for rare desert plants and wildlife along the trail. Tonight, you have a free evening in Moab to rest and recharge.

Day 6 Moab

Today you’ll head to Canyonlands National Park and head out on the Island in the Sky hike – resting on sheer sandstone cliffs, the Island in the Sky lookout point, Grandview Point Overlook, has spectacular sweeping views of the park. Take in the landscape below of the canyons and winding streams and then head to Arches National Park – home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, rock formations and giant, balancing rocks. Head out on a sunset hike to visit the Delicate Arch – a stone icon of the park that has become the unofficial symbol of the State of Utah! Along this trail, you’ll see the Wolfe Ranch cabin and Ute Indian petroglyphs, too. Watch the landscape change colours as you enjoy a picnic dinner, then head back to your hotel in Moab.

Day 7 Bluff

Travel south to Bluff, stopping for a very special experience along the way – a guided walk with an expert Navajo guide. Explore the beautiful country of Butler Wash, filled with abundant native plants, animals, incredible geologic features and archaeology and learn some of the fascinating Indigenous stories and history of the area.

Day 8 Page

This morning after breakfast, head to Monument Valley, where a Navajo leader – one of the Keepers of Monument Valley – will take you around their lands on a hike off the beaten track. Learn about the history of the Anasazis (the Ancient Ones), as you take in the beauty of Monument Valley’s famous arches and learn about the history and culture of the Navajo peoples. For lunch, you’ll enjoy a picnic with your group. Tonight is the last night of your trip, so you might like to head out and celebrate your incredible Utah adventure with a night out with your group.

Day 9 Las Vegas

Today after breakfast, you’ll head back to Las Vegas. On the way, you have an option to book a visit to Antelope Canyon, before stopping for one last hike to Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River is the perfect place to wrap up your trip. There will be unlimited options for incredible photos, so make sure you squeeze the most out of every last moment. Arrive in Las Vegas at around 5 pm, where your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to stay in Las Vegas for longer, just speak to your booking agent.