Compare Best of America by Edelweiss Bike Travel vs Wild Southwest USA by Culture Trip
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 5,250 | $ 3,499 |
| Price Per Day | $ 477 | $ 437 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | Seven breakfasts, two dinners |
| Description |
If you want to see the best of the Southwest in less than two weeks, then this is the tour for you! We have packed the blue-green Pacific, the red-brown desert and the clear blue sky into one great trip. From bustling California, with its beautiful coast and palm trees, we ride east into some of the best scenery on the planet. National parks like the Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce and Zion are the highlights of this tour, but riding the famous Route 66 and seeing the lights of Las Vegas sparkle in the distance are just as memorable. You will also find great and twisty motorcycle roads with turns perfect for every taste! |
The lush granite mountains of Colorado and the mighty red-rock deserts of Utah: there is arguably no other state divide in the US where two more remarkable landscapes converge. On this eight-day trip, you’ll hike through the Moab canyonlands, bike down dusty trails in Arches National Park and go rafting on the Colorado River. You’ll also visit quaint alpine towns, soak in hot springs, and – with any luck – spot a black bear or two in the Colorado Rockies. Designed with thrill-seekers in mind, this trip brings you non-stop adventure, combining both Moab and the Rocky Mountains in a single trip. Foodies and culture fiends won’t be disappointed either, with cocktails at the hotel from The Shining (1980) and wine tasting at Grand Junction. |
Day 1:
Arrival in Santa Monica
Day 2:
Santa Monica - Big Bear Lake
Day 3:
Big Bear Lake - Lake Havasu
Day 4:
Lake Havasu - Tusayan
Day 5:
Tusayan - Kayenta
Day 6:
Kayenta - Moab
Day 7:
Moab
Day 8:
Moab - Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 9:
Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park
Day 10:
Zion - Las Vegas
Day 11:
Departure from Las Vegas
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
