Compare Best of America by Edelweiss Bike Travel vs Wonders of the American West by Insight Vacations

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Trip	Best of America by Edelweiss Bike Travel 5 \| Excellent 21 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Customize	Wonders of the American West by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 10649 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve

Duration	11 days	11 days
Price From	$ 5,250	$ 4,395
Price Per Day	$ 477	$ 400
Highlights	Ride Angeles Crest Highway Visit to Joshua Tree National Park Explore Grand Canyon See Monument Valley and Visit to Arches National Park Discover Bryce Canyon National Park Visit to Zion National Park Explore Valley of Fire State Park See Death Valley National Park	Choose between two carefully selected activities Grand Canyon National Park: Join your Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for an informative talk about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. With over seven years of experience in geology, you'll learn about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formation and its current impact. You'll also discover the local flora and fauna, and find out where you might be able to spot elk, mule deer, coyotes, grey foxes, bobcats and mountain lions. Grand Canyon: Join your Travel Director for a relaxed hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometres) roundtrip, this scenic hike will provide spectacular views of the canyon's unique geology. : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. Monument Valley: Take a journey through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal park, meeting Navajo Local Experts on a guided journey across tribal land. Learn about Navajo history, culture and heritage, plus the careful balance maintained here between the tribes and the land. : "It’s magical to see how a group of guests come together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that’s happening because they start planning their own ‘post-arrival’ activities before the travel day has finished." Las Vegas: At 18:00, join your Travel Director and companions for a Welcome Dinner with wine at the Bacchanal Buffet, with an award-winning spread that spans over 25,000 square feet where you can indulge on flavors from around the globe. Moab: Enjoy a Dine-Around evening as you choose from a hand-picked selection of mouthwatering restaurants. Bryce Canyon National Park: Get together with your new friends for a memorable Celebration Dinner within the park's beautiful surroundings. Dining Summary: 5 Dinner with Wine (DW), 9 Breakfast (B), and 1 Lunch (L) Grand Canyon National Park: Join your Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for an informative talk about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. With over seven years of experience in geology, you'll learn about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formation and its current impact. You'll also discover the local flora and fauna, and find out where you might be able to spot elk, mule deer, coyotes, grey foxes, bobcats and mountain lions. Glen Canyon Dam: Later today, you’ll stop by the Glen Canyon Dam where you’ll learn about its history and impact on the Colorado River. Mesa Verde National Park: Make your way to Mesa Verde National Park, See the ancient pueblo cliff dwellings, known as the Cliff Palace. As the day draws to a close, your lodge awaits you inside the park. Be in awe of the sweeping vistas that surround and reach into three states. Monument Valley: Meet your Navajo Local Experts and board all-terrain vehicles (waiver required) with open sides for a private, off-the-beaten path exploration of this magical valley. Learn about Navajo history, culture and heritage from your expert as you travel deeper in the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Mesa Verde National Park: See the ancient pueblo cliff dwellings, known as the Cliff Palace. Arches National Park: Enjoy views of the natural formations, including the iconic Delicate Arch. Canyonlands National Park: Venture to Canyonlands National Park for a drive onto the Island in the Sky - a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 metres) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations. Capitol Reef National Park: Join your Travel Director to see the natural sights along Capitol Reef's Waterpocket Fold, known as “a geological wrinkle on earth”. The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. Admire petroglyphs and the domed shaped sandstone walls along the canyon. Bryce Canyon National Park: Head to the sandstone cliffs of Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah. Here you will be met by pine trees and red rock pillars. Take a leisurely walk along Sunset Point while you view the great amphitheatres of the odd-shaped monoliths, known as hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park: The Park is home to the most spectacular collection of hoodoos - tall skinny shafts of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins. While hoodoos are scattered throughout these areas, they are most abundant in the northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park. Zion National Park: See the grandeur and natural features of the canyon in total comfort while traveling via private open-air tram with live on-board commentary. Grand Canyon: Join your Travel Director for a relaxed hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometres) roundtrip, this scenic hike will provide spectacular views of the canyon's unique geology. Monument Valley: Experience true authentic dining as you explore Monument Valley with a traditional Navajo cookout. Prepared by Navajo women in their tribal lands, this experience demonstrates their culture and supports the community. Dine on delicious steak and tasty Navajo Tacos, or try the or veggie option, all served with fried bread, corn on the cob and beans.
Trip Style	Small group tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Premium	Premium
Physical Level	2- Easy	0- Wheelchair accessible
Travel Themes	Cycling & Biking High Adventure	Cultural 50 plus
Countries Visited	United States	United States
Cities and Attractions	Arches National Park Arizona Bryce Canyon National Park California Death Valley National Park Grand Canyon Las Vegas Los Angeles Moab Monument Valley Sierra Nevada Zion National Park	Bryce Canyon National Park Grand Canyon Lake Powell Las Vegas Mesa Verde Monument Valley
Flights & Transport	Ground transport included	Airfare included
Activities	Adventure & Adrenaline Mountain Biking Nature	Culture
Meals Included	N/A	N/A
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!	See the best of the American West on this 10-Day guided tour. Join a Local Expert at Grand Canyon National Park for a one-of-a-kind experience: Allow the expert to guide you through the park while teaching you about how this national treasure was formed. On the way to picturesque Lake Powell, stop at the Glen Canyon Dam, then lounge at the pool of your hotel. In Page, enjoy a Navajo inspired taco buffet dinner and performance. Meet a Navajo guide in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where you will board ATVs, explore the valley and learn about the tribe’s history. Later, eat a traditional Navajo lunch amid the valley’s beautiful buttes and mesas. In Moab, see the ancient pueblo dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, where the Ancestral Pueblo people once lived. Travel to Bryce Canyon National Park to explore its rock pillars and natural amphitheaters — then feast with your fellow travelers overlooking the park’s iconic orange rock formations.

Itinerary: Best of America

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

Itinerary: Wonders of the American West

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas

Welcome to glittering Las Vegas. On arrival at Las Vegas International Airport, your transfer will take you to your hotel. At 18:00, join your Travel Director and companions for a Welcome Dinner with wine at the award-winning Bacchanal Buffet.

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: The Wonders of the Grand Canyon

Journey on to Grand Canyon National Park. Choose to hike along the scenic Rim Trail with your Travel Director. Alternatively join a Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for a fascinating discussion on the wonders of this natural phenomenon, and learn about the local flora and fauna, and find out how you might be able to spot the local wildlife.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodge

Breakfast

Day 3: Grand Canyon and Lake Powell

Wake up to the backdrop of the Grand Canyon and enjoy some peace and tranquility before the day trippers arrive. You may take an optional flight-seeing helicopter ride for stunning views over the Grand Canyon before departing for the majesty of Lake Powell. Stop at Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at your lakefront resort. Check in to your room and enjoy the evening at leisure. Watch the sunset as you dine or relax by the pool.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.

Breakfast

Day 4: A Leisurely day at Lake Powell Relaxed Start

Spend the day doing entirely as you please. Perhaps join an optional float trip (signed liability waiver required) down one of the most scenic stretches of the Colorado River or take to the skies and see the sights of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and Horseshoe Bend with a 20 Minute landing on Tower Butte. The incredible 360-degree panoramic view this high is unlike any other. In the evening, enjoy an authentic dinner and performance at Red Heritage, a Navajo owned and operated performing arts theatre.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: Monument Valley and the Navajo Nation

Journey on through the barren beauty of the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where you will MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. Board a Jeep 4x4 to explore the valley with your Navajo guide. These sturdy all-terrain vehicles offer open sides for spectacular views and a roof to protect you from the sun. Learn about Navajo history from your guide and more about life on their beautiful land. The area is also the backdrop for many Western Hollywood hits, including "Stagecoach" and "Fort Apache." Inspired by these iconic movies, you’ll find “John Wayne’s cabin” at nearby Goulding’s Lodge. This small structure was used for exterior shots in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," starring Wayne himself. The venue also holds a cinema dedicated to Wayne and his impressive movie portfolio. Enjoy a Navajo cookout Highlight Lunch amid the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape before making your way to Mesa Verde National Park, where the day draws to a close. Your lodge inside the park offers sweeping vistas reaching into three states.

Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Day 6: Mesa Verde and Moab

Enjoy a comprehensive visit to the fascinating Mesa Verde National Park. View the ancient pueblo dwellings known as Cliff Palace. Settle in for a relaxing stay at your modern hotel superbly located on the charming Main Street. Later, enjoy a Dine-Around evening and choose from a hand-picked selection of excellent restaurants.

Homewood Suites, Moab.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Delve into Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

In the morning, visit Arches National Park, housing the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Stop and take a short hike to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint to view the iconic arch. Then it's on to Canyonlands National Park for a drive onto the Island in the Sky, a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 metres) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations. Back at the hotel, your evening is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy the outdoors or relax in this beautiful natural setting.

Homewood Suites, Moab.

Breakfast

Day 8: Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Magnificent scenery awaits at Capitol Reef National Park, best known for its Waterpocket Fold, a 100- mile-long (160 kilometre) warp in the earth's crust. Journey along scenic Byway 12 - one of the most beautiful roads in the world, winding through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. End the night at The Lodge inside Bryce Canyon National Park. Officially designated as a Dark Sky Park, brightly hued sunsets and starry nights are likely to be found here.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Breakfast

Day 9: Whimsical Bryce Canyon National Park Relaxed Start

Start the day traveling through Bryce Canyon National Park, the great natural Amphitheatre. These whimsical eroded rock formations that characterize this Utah National Park are some of most unusual shapes imaginable, having an abstract artistic feel to them. Learn how wind, erosion and iron oxidation created the spellbinding hoodoos with your Travel Director. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner set overlooking the park's vivacious orange and red rock formations.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Zion National Park, back to Las Vegas

Enjoy a last look at Bryce Canyon, glowing in the early morning light. Head on to Zion National Park - one of the most scenic canyons in the United States. Here, join a guided tour by a private Zion Canyon Shuttle, with live commentary, and views of the park's best sites. Your journey ends with a departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport, arriving at 16:00.

Breakfast