Compare Discover American Canyonlands by G Adventures vs Arizona by Senior Discovery Tours
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,974 | $ 5,397 |
| Price Per Day | $ 372 | $ 600 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches |
Full Breakfast daily, 5 Dinners and 3 Lunches |
| Description |
Sandstone spires, crimson plateaus, and 2,000-year-old rock art—the canyonlands of the American Southwest encompass a geological playground millions of years in the making. Discover the natural treasures of this fascinating region alongside scientists and local experts, embarking on thrilling walks in Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Antelope Canyon. Hike past cascading hanging gardens and colourful hoodoos, splash your way through the Narrows slot canyon, and gaze out over incredible abysses carved by the mighty Colorado River. |
For 2017 we offer a choice of 2 hotels, a First Class hotel in Phoenix and a moderate hotel in nearby Mesa (Arizona’s 3rd largest city). Both hotels are located within a half hour drive of Old Town Scottsdale. The Arizona Golf Resort in Mesa is so named because it is located beside a tranquil man-made lake and a championship Golf Course (although the hotel itself is much more than a golf resort). There are two types of accommodation (all at ground level) at this moderate hotel. For the January 5 and February 28 tours we will stay in Casitas – small bungalows with a separate living room, private bedroom, walkout patio and a full kitchen. For the February 20 tour we will stay in Studios with kitchenettes. There are a number of onsite restaurants, a seasonal Day Spa, pools, whirlpools, musical entertainment twice weekly and free Wi-Fi. The resort is within walking distance of the Superstition Springs Mall which boasts great shopping and dining, and there is a strip mall directly across the street. A courtesy van will be available for transfers within the local area. |
Day 1 Las Vegas
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities today until the evening welcome meeting, so check out the strip or get tickets to a show for this evening.
Day 2 Las Vegas/Zion National Park
Depart for the sandstone slot canyons of Zion, Utah's oldest national park, where monumental cliffs of cream, pink, and red pierce the sky. In the afternoon we get our first glimpse of the park as we hike along The Watchman Trail. This unpaved trail climbs 368 ft (112 m) to a magnificent viewpoint of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale.
Day 3 Zion National Park
Set out on an unforgettable guided hike to the famed Narrows. Splash, wade, and swim in the cool water of the river that cuts through this stunning slot canyon. Soak up the beauty of the high plateaus, towers, temples, mesas, and some of the planet’s tallest sheer sandstone walls.
The canyon is narrow, and the river covers the bottom in many places, which means you will have to wade or swim to proceed. Prepare to get wet but the cool water makes this hike particularly pleasant during the hot summer months. During the cooler months, there are available gear rentals including Gore-Tex dry pants, canyon shoes, and neoprene socks. Hiking poles are available for rent year-round. Hiking is not permitted when the river is high from runoff or flash flooding. Runoff mostly occurs in April and early May. Late summer thunderstorms can occasionally produce flooding. If the hike is not possible due to weather, it will be replaced with another activity.
This is a moderate level hike of 4 to 5 hours, during which you are wading through water which could be ankle or waist deep, depending on local conditions. As well, the terrain is often rocky and uneven. We recommend bringing water shoes with a hiking tread. Should you choose to not do the hike, you can stay and relax at the lodge or discuss with your CEO other optional activities that may be available (at additional cost).
Day 4 Zion National Park/Page
This morning, hike through Bryce Canyon National Park, famed for its maze of multi-coloured rock pinnacles called hoodoo. Keep your camera at the ready to snap shots of these spectacular natural towers that cover the canyon floor. Continue on to Page, Arizona, the gateway to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the beautiful Lake Powell.
Day 5 Page/Grand Canyon National Park
Join a local Navajo guide for a thrilling exploration of Antelope Canyon, a stunning natural sandstone cathedral located on Navajo land and accessible only with an authorized guide. Later, go on a short hike to Horseshoe Bend, and stand on steep vermillion cliffs overlooking a spectacular natural bend in the Colorado River. Enjoy lunch at a family-owned Navajo food truck, a G Adventures–supported project, before continuing on to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.
Marvel as the Grand Canyon unfolds before you but don't get too close. The land drops almost straight down for more than 1,000m (3,280 ft) into the serpentine canyons below! The gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words defy. This is truly one of the most magnificent sights on earth.
Day 6 Grand Canyon National Park
Spend the day exploring this ancient gorge with an expert from the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute. Set out on foot along the South Rim and gain insights on the unique geology and botany of this geological phenomenon, as well as the local human history. After, view iconic park structures at the Historic Village District, then descend below the canyon rim along the Bright Angel Trail to see 2,000-year-old rock art and 250-million-year-old fossils.
Day 7 Grand Canyon National Park/Las Vegas
Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Lowell Observatory to see the giant telescopes and learn about the study of astronomy, as well as enjoy a lecture on Mars. Return to Las Vegas, by way of Seligman, Arizona—the birthplace of Route 66. Check out the historic general store and original motels as you discover the legacy of the U.S.’s early transcontinental highway system.
Day 8 Las Vegas
Depart at any time.
Want to spend more time in Sin City? Ask your GCO or Travel Agent about booking post-tour accommodation in the 'Entertainment Capital of the World'.
Day 1:
An orientation tour of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Admire the natural beauty of the desert with its mountain formations playfully called Camelback, Lookout and Echo (to name a few) while we discover the local history and architecture - including the beautiful campus of Arizona State University. We finish with a walking tour of Old Town Scottsdale with its pedestrian streets, art galleries, boutiques and cafes, as well as original buildings like the Little Red Schoolhouse, Blacksmith Shop and Saloon.
Day 2:
A guided “Desert Discovery Tour” of the Desert Botanical Gardens. We explore the great diversity of form, texture and colour found in the wondrous array of the Sonora Desert’s 400 plants. Includes lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 3:
A day of spectacular scenery as we drive along the Apache Trail into the Superstition Mountains for an old-fashioned boat ride on Canyon Lake. View the interesting rock formations resembling people and animals, and listen to the salty riverboat captain's fascinating yarns of the area and its legends. Dinner is at the Mining Camp Restaurant.
Day 4:
A visit to the Musical Instrument Museum (the world’s only global musical instrument museum) allows you (with state-of-the-art technology) to hear and feel the sounds of more than 10,000 instruments from all over the world. Lunch follows.
Day 5:
A visit to one of the largest Flea Markets in the Southwest, followed by a stroll through Mesa’s sculpture-laden town centre.
Day 6:
A visit to the internationally acclaimed Heard Museum of the rich Native heritage of the Southwest Lunch is included at the famous “Organ Grinder”, with its mighty Wurlitzer!
Day 7:
A dinner and show at the Arizona Opry Dinner Theatre.
Day 8:
An evening at the Arizona Broadway Theatre, including dinner and a top Broadway show (tentatively scheduled for the winter - “Camelot” or “Menopause - The Musical”).
Day 9:
A barbecue feast at Rustler’s Rooste with live country and western music.
