Compare Cameras + Canyons Arizona by Damesly vs Utah's National Parks from Las Vegas by Tours of Distinction

Day 1:

 Hello! Today you’ll arrive to Flagstaff, either via Flagstaff Airport, or flying to Phoenix Airport and taking the shuttle north. For those who arrive earlier than 2 p.m., we will have the options of things to see and explore within the Flagstaff area.

In the evening over dinner we will begin our photography workshops will you will learn basics of photographing, framing, editing and how to take photos manually on your DSLR in any light. You will build on the training throughout the weekend.

Day 2: Grand Canyon Tour

Explore one of the 7 wonders of the world today: the Grand Canyon. Our professional Grand Canyon Guide will take us through the beauty of the Grand Canyon and ensure that we don’t miss a thing, covering nearly 25 miles of the South Rim, entering from the south and exiting the eastern end of Grand Canyon.

We will cover all of the best Grand Canyon views, as well as the famous historic buildings and ancient Anasazi Ruins.

Wake up early to have breakfast at the hotel.

Pickup at Flagstaff hotel around 8:30 am.

Travel approximately 1 hour to Sedona.

Spend an afternoon lunch in the Sedona area with view of famous red rocks before heading to Grand Canyon.

Stops at 6-8 of the best scenic viewpoints along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Sunset toast at the Grand Canyon

Optional stop at a Navajo trading post on return to Flagstaff

Drop off at Flagstaff hotel at around 8:00 pm.

Options for dinner after the Grand Canyon will be presented, and we can decide independently as a group or as an individual what you’d prefer. Dinner is at your own expense.

Day 3:

Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest – Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! This Lower Antelope Canyon tour takes you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world.

Afterwards, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where you can peer off the edge at the mighty Colorado River and grab some truly incredible photographs.

Wake up to have breakfast in the hotel.

Pickup is at 8 a.m. from the hotel.

Travel time is roughly 2 hours to reach the Arizona/ Utah border to visit the Lower Antelope Canyon. With the the help of our Navajo Partner Guides we will spend 90 minutes walking around through the Lower Canyon. **

From here, travel a few miles to the Glen Canyon Dam visitors center for a picnic lunch with views of Lake Powell.

Spend an hour at the famous Horseshoe Bend overlook

Return to Hotel at 6 pm.

** Note, due to canyon restrictions, tripods are not allowed within the canyon. **

After the tour, we will return to the hotel and discuss dinner options. Dinner is at your own expense.

Day 4:

Today is the saddest day — the day you will choose to leave us! Let us know about your flight details, we will do airport drop offs. Choose to fly out of PHX or FLG.

What to Bring:

Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses

Camera

Small backpack for personal items

Gratuity for guide (industry recommendation is 10-20%)

Day 1 - Arrive Las Vegas, NV

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Las Vegas. Upon our arrival, we transfer to our hotel on the Las Vegas strip. This evening, there is a Tours of Distinction exclusive welcome reception with the remainder of the evening free to explore the vibrant nightlife that is Vegas.

Day 2 - Grand Canyon Village, AZ

After breakfast, we depart Las Vegas and travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as we enter Arizona. We stop in Kingman to tour the Route 66 Museum, which highlights the glory days of cross country automobile travel. We travel Route 66 heading east through northern Arizona. This afternoon, we will see “One of the Wonders of the World,” Grand Canyon National Park. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. We will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty at all the best view points along the South Rim, including Grand Canyon Village. After, we check into our hotel just outside of the park. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 3 - Lake Powell, UT

Breakfast is included this morning before we make one more pass along the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. We include a stop at Desert View before exiting the park. Then, enter the Navajo Nation with a rest stop at Cameron Trading Post with time to explore the amazing gift shop.  Next travel past the Vermillion Cliffs as you make your way to Page for an included lunch.  Then take a spectacular tour through Antelope Canyon.  The mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon awaits the adventurous traveler who seeks to discover one of the most spectacular attractions of the Lake Powell area.  A tour to this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers alike.  An optional short hike to Horseshoe Bend for a stunning view of the Colorado River is available.  Arrive Lake Powell Resort with the evening free to explore and have dinner on your own.

Day 4 - Monument Valley

The morning starts with breakfast and a scenic cruise on Lake Powell. The contrast of the red rock walls and emerald blue waters are a stunning sight as we glide through the canyons. After, there is time for lunch, on own. This afternoon, we depart Lake Powell and travel to famed Monument Valley, a sacred place to the Navajo. We will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the ‘Dineh’ people. Their arts, music and livelihood are all closely tied to the dramatic desert landscape that is their home. After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Navajo guide and board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a scenic tour of Monument Valley; location for scores of famous western films, television programs and commercials. As we travel through the valley and visit famous locations, such as John Ford Point, Artist Point and The Totem Pole, we will also learn more of the Navajo traditions and way of life. This evening, we experience Navajo culture, food and entertainment at a Navajo Cookout. After a wonderful day, we settle into our hotel.

Day 5 - Arches National Park

After breakfast, we depart Monument Valley and head north, arriving at Dead Horse Point State Park for a picnic lunch and one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. We have the chance to see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. From here, we are off to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitor center (with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary) will introduce us to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. We visit all of the park’s highlights including: Park Avenue, Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch. In the late afternoon, we embark on a fabulous experience, as we take a Jet Boat Ride on the mighty Colorado River through spectacular red rock canyons. As the sun dips in the west, the canyon colors come to life while we learn about the river’s ecosystem, geology and history. After the thrilling ride, we enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner served on the banks of the Colorado River. We later arrive at the beautiful Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge which is located on the bank of the mighty Colorado, and check in for a two night stay. This area has been the site of numerous classic western movies including Rio Grande with John Wayne.

Day 6 - Canyonlands National Park

Our day starts after breakfast by meeting our professional driver guide and board 4x4 vehicles for a Jeep Tour of Canyonlands National Park. The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is the focus of this outstanding tour. Set 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, we descend from the top of the mesa via the famous Shafer Trail. Using switchbacks, the tour will take us from atop the mesa to the meandering river corridor below. Throughout the tour, our guide will provide information on the Park and the scenery. What an exciting morning in Canyonlands! Enjoy free time in Moab to have lunch on own, and to do some shopping and exploring. This afternoon, we return to Red Cliffs where we have the rest of the day free to relax and soak in the scenery. There is time to visit the Utah Movie Museum and the Castle Creek Winery, both included, at your leisure. Dinner, this evening, will be served outside with the quintessential western scenery of Castle Valley in full view.

Day 7 - Bryce Canyon National Park

From breakfast, we depart Moab for Capitol Reef National Park. We pass through the town of Green River and the San Rafael Swell. We will see ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. We will drive scenic Highway 12, designated as an ‘All American Road,’ through Grand Staircase ~ Escalante National Monument, before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. Later, we check into our hotel for the evening. This evening is free to enjoy dinner, on own.

Day 8 - Zion National Park - Depart Las Vegas

We depart after breakfast on a short drive to see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. There will be time for lunch on own before crossing the desert returning to the glitz and glam of Las Vegas. After an amazing trip through some of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, we enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.