Compare Exploring America's National Parks by Cosmos vs Wild Southwest USA by Culture Trip

Day 1: LAS VEGAS

Welcome to exciting Las Vegas, also known as “Sin City!” Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2: LAS VEGAS–WILLIAMS–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Depart the glittering lights of Las Vegas for one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park. Journey across the old Mojave gold-strike country, passing through Williams on historic Route 66, and Kaibab National Forest. Arrive at the Grand Canyon by mid-afternoon and marvel at the breathtaking views. Accommodations this evening are inside the National Park.

Day 3: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–MONUMENT VALLEY–KAYENTA

If you miss the sunset over the canyon, sunrise is just as impressive! You may want to join an exciting helicopter flight over the canyon for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,000 feet into the Colorado River. Continue across Arizona and into the Navajo Nation. Situated on the Arizona/Utah border, Monument Valley’s scenic desert vistas and iconic buttes have appeared in countless classic Western films. See the massive formations on a memorable 4-wheel-drive tour. Your knowledgeable Navajo guide will show you some of the valley’s most incredible scenery and share local legends and lore. This evening, join the optional Navajo cookout for dinner surrounded by the red-rock canyons of Monument Valley.

Day 4: KAYENTA–MOAB–ARCHES NATIONAL PARK–GRAND JUNCTION

We head north for Moab. Visit the magnificent Arches National Park, where you’ll discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms, and textures unlike anything else in the world. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you. A late arrival into Grand Junction, surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty and the dramatic red-rock landscape of the Colorado National Monument.

Day 5: GRAND JUNCTION–COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT–DENVER AREA

This morning, visit Colorado National Monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. Experience sheer-walled, red-rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. We then journey east across the Rocky Mountains to the “Mile High City” of Denver.

Day 6: DENVER AREA–CUSTER

Today, travel across the windswept landscape of Wyoming and into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Spend the next two nights in Custer, in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest, and gateway to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Memorial.

Day 7: CUSTER. EXCURSION TO CUSTER STATE PARK, MOUNT RUSHMORE & CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

At Custer State Park, enjoy a scenic drive along Wildlife Loop Road with spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife, like the herd of 1,300 bison that roam freely throughout the park. Afterward, visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which stands as a shrine to democracy with the stunning granite faces of four great American presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Then, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument carved out of a mountain to honor the great Native American hero, Crazy Horse. (CBreakfast)

Day 8: CUSTER–DEVILS TOWER–CODY

This morning, head through high country, where open-range cattle kings made war on the homesteaders in the 1890s. Next, make a photo stop at Devils Tower National Monument, established as America’s first national monument by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. Overnight in Buffalo Bill’s Western town of Cody. (CBreakfast)

Day 9: CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

This morning, join the optional outing and visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which celebrates the spirit of the American West. This afternoon, make your way into America’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park. Spend the next two nights inside the park.

NOTES:
Accommodations used by Cosmos in Yellowstone National Park are typically open from late May through mid-September. Departures before or after these opening dates will stay in West Yellowstone. Routing and areas visited in Yellowstone National Park are always subject to favorable weather, gate access, and road conditions; therefore, routings may be adjusted.

Day 10: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Spend the day exploring all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. See world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Fountain Paint Pots. Keep a lookout for some of the park’s wildlife that can include moose, bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolf, bear, fox, coyote, and beaver.

Day 11: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON–ALPINE

Head south into magnificent Grand Teton National Park, home to massive mountains, pristine lakes and rivers and abundant wildlife. Its 13,770-foot-high ridges are crested with snow most of the year. Stroll along the shores of beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake before arriving in the Wild West town of Jackson with its wooden sidewalks and swinging-door saloons. Overnight in Alpine located on the banks of the Snake River.

Day 12: ALPINE–SALT LAKE CITY

Travel to Salt Lake City, Utah’s vibrant capital. Set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, this center of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, “This is the place.” An orientation tour offers a glimpse of Temple Square, the Capitol Building, and the downtown area. (CBreakfast)

Day 13: SALT LAKE CITY–BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Today’s highlight is a visit to unique Bryce Canyon National Park with its 20 miles of sandstone cliffs and ever-changing colors. See some of Earth’s most brilliant shades of rock, sculpted by nature into pillars called “hoodoos.” (Breakfast)

Day 14: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK–ZION NATIONAL PARK–LAS VEGAS

First stop today is Zion National Park with its landscape carved over millions of years by rushing streams. Steep canyons, stone towers, and verdant vegetation form the scenery of Zion. See fantastic rock structures and some unbelievable scenic beauty. We then return to Las Vegas. (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 15: LAS VEGAS

Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Las Vegas further.

DAY 1

Welcome to Denver, Colorado

On arrival in Denver, you’ll be greeted by our Local Insider who will accompany you throughout the trip. Meet your fellow travellers at 6pm and spend the evening mingling at an authentic Denver brewpub, where dinner and a selection of local beers will be served.

ACCOMMODATION

• The Curtis

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Welcome dinner

DAY 2

Transforming landscapes and hiking in Arches National Park, Utah

The adventure really begins on Day 2, as you journey from the American plains and across the Colorado Rockies, where you’ll stop off for wine tasting in Grand Junction. Continuing on, watch the landscape transform from sky-grazing granite peaks into the canyonlands of Utah. You’ll be staying in Moab, gateway to the Arches National Park. Spend the afternoon hiking to the Delicate Arch, where you’ll tuck into burritos as you watch the sun set over the desert. Bed down in a hotel overlooking the Colorado River later that evening.

ACCOMMODATION

• Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Wine tasting
• Arches Park Avenue walk
• Delicate Arch sunset hike

DAY 3

Rafting the Colorado River and off-roading in Moab

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, you’ll spend the morning rafting the Colorado River. There are no rapids in this part of the waterway, so expect a calm trip with ample time to marvel at the red-rock scenery. Following a river swim, you can opt between hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and canyoneering back in the national park or exploring downtown Moab instead. Come nightfall, take an off-road Hummer tour through the surrounding slickrock to really experience Utah.

ACCOMMODATION

• Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Rafting on the Colorado River

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Sunset Hummer tour
• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Horse riding
• Canyoneering

DAY 4

Devil’s Garden and Dead Horse Point State Park

Receive a sunrise wake-up call to beat the desert heat on your early hike in Arches National Park. You’ll be taking the Devil’s Garden route, which leads past the Landscape Arch, the longest naturally formed stone arch in the world. There will also be a chance to go wild swimming here. After exploring, you’ll head back to Moab for downtime in the hotel pool and hot tub before driving to Dead Horse Point State Park. Watch the sun set over Canyonlands National Park, a bucket list-worthy sight.

ACCOMMODATION

• Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Devil’s Garden sunrise hike
• Dead Horse Point State Park sunset hike

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Horseback ride

DAY 5

Steamboat Springs and soaking under the stars

It’s back over the border to Colorado today; the pretty alpine village of Steamboat Springs is your destination. On the way, you’ll stop for lunch in the quiet town of Rifle before continuing into the Colorado Rockies. Take some time to explore downtown Steamboat before heading into the mountains for a soak at Strawberry Hot Springs. Tucked amid a pine forest, these natural thermal pools are the perfect vantage point to stargaze come nightfall.

ACCOMMODATION

• Residence Inn

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Strawberry Hot Springs entry

DAY 6

Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

You’ll be making your way into the Rocky Mountain National Park this morning, traversing the Trail Ridge Road which stretches up to 12,000ft (3,658m) above sea level. Expect magnificent vistas along this route – and keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, elk and black bears on the way. Inhale fresh mountain air while enjoying a picnic lunch, combined with a short walk along the Tundra Communities Trail. You’ll then continue on to the mountain town of Estes Park, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Estes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Trail Ridge Road scenic drive

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Guided Tundra Communities Trail hike

DAY 7

Swimming in Bear Lake and cocktails at Stanley Hotel

Your last full day sees you hike the Bear Lake trailhead, which is dotted with picturesque waterfalls. There are easy, moderate and challenging routes from which to choose – and don’t forget your swimsuit as there might be an alpine lake you can’t resist along the way. Later, movie buffs will be in their element as cocktails are served at the supposedly haunted Stanley Hotel, famous for its appearance in the film The Shining (1980). Dinner tonight comes courtesy of the food trucks at The Barrel; regulars include a lobster shack, waffle lab and wood-fired pizza van.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Estes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Guided hike from Bear Lake trailhead
• Farewell dinner

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Cocktails at Stanley Hotel

DAY 8

Return to Denver with a Boulder detour

There’s a short drive back to Denver today, but not before stopping at the mountain community of Boulder for lunch. Here, you’ll have a few hours of free time to visit one of the best farmer’s markets in the United States, pop into a local brewery and browse shops along historic Pearl Street. You’ll also swing by the famed Red Rock Amphitheatre – which has seen the Beatles, Stevie Nicks and U2 grace its stage – before returning to Denver and saying your final goodbyes to the group at 4pm.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Red Rock Amphitheatre visit