Utah Parks Circuit
8 Days Starting and ending in Las Vegas
Visiting: Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Monument Valley, Moab, Bryce Canyon National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SSRI
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
1-12
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Utah packs a lot into 200,000 square kilometres – more than many countries, let alone states, could ever imagine. Hit the road and head into the vast desert on this eight-day adventure. Leave Vegas behind to discover the tranquillity of the hidden gardens of Zion, iconic Monument Valley, the inspiring scenery of Moab and the majestic spires of Bryce Canyon. Find the heart of this giant continent on a journey to some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring parts of the USA.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Las Vegas! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm today. If you arrive early in the desert city, there's plenty to see and do, even if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller-coaster or simply stroll along the extravagance of the Strip, walking through the casinos and past the desert palms. In the evening, perhaps feast in one of Vegas’ restaurants or buffets, check out one of the large array of stage shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub.
Day 2: Zion National Park
Location: Zion National Park
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Today, leave Nevada and drive to Zion National Park. The park is home to stunning desert landscapes, sculpted sandstone formations, waterfalls and hanging gardens. There will be plenty of time on arrival to stretch your legs and have a good look around the park. The Emerald Pools trail, a two-hour stroll past a lush stream, is a good option for those who don't want anything too strenuous. In the evening, set up camp for the night.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Zion National Park
Location: Zion National Park
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
You’ll have a full day to explore what you missed yesterday in Zion. It would be the ideal time to head on a longer hike, potentially to admire the beauty of the flowing streams along The Narrows. If you are feeling adventurous and have a decent level of fitness (plus aren't afraid of heights), you might want to tackle the trail to Scout Lookout. This isn't for the faint of heart. However, the views from the top of the rock formation are spectacular. The national park can also be discovered via shuttle or an optional float trip, giving your feet a well-deserved rest. At night, don’t forget to look up at the dazzling night skies while camping and enjoy and try your luck at stargazing – quite perfectly combined with some s’mores around the campfire.
Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Monument Valley
Location: Monument Valley
Accommodation: Hogan (multishare)
Meals Included: dinner
Drive through southern Utah to Monument Valley, so-named for the giant sandstone formations scattered across the desert. Passing by stunning lookouts and by Forrest Gump’s desert running scene, make sure to also check out the Navajo roadside stalls for some authentic goods, and if you’re lucky, some fried bread. The backdrop for countless Westerns, the valley is part of a massive Navajo reservation, and there’s no better way than heading out on an incredible guided jeep tour. Get your camera out and snap some photos of the spectacular landscape, which changes colour with the setting of the sun. Take in the stunning night skies and spend the night in a hogan, a traditional Navajo hut made of logs and earth.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Moab
Location: Moab
Accommodation: Cabin (multishare)
Continue on your journey this morning through the impressive landscape of Utah. On the way north to Moab, you’re going to see some incredible scenery, including Goosenecks State Park overlook, Muley Point and Moki Dugway. Moab is a small city in Utah that attracts hikers, mountain bikers and nature enthusiasts to the incredible Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Arches National Park is punctuated with spectacularly eroded sandstone formations and contains the world's largest concentration of natural stone arches. Take a group hike at sunset to see famous sights such as Delicate Arch.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Moab
Location: Moab
Accommodation: Cabin (multishare)
Experience Moab for a second day, filled with towering rock formations, winding trails and never-ending horizons. Hopefully there will be time to take a group hike in the Arches in the morning before the day gets too hot. Perhaps book yourself into a raft float trip down the Colorado River, or test your balance with some stand-up paddleboarding. If you need to give your weary muscles a rest, a Slickrock Hummer tour might be your thing – though keep in mind it’s not exactly a smooth journey. At nightfall, maybe head into town and hit the local brewery.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)
Bryce Canyon National Park is next on the list. On the way, you’ll stop and admire the golden sandstone of Capitol Reef, and refuel at the unique Kiva Koffeehouse, which overlooks the expanse of the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument. Once arrived, there is a chance to hike a section of Bryce Canyon: from the easy Rim Trail, to the moderate Queen's Garden Trail or the strenuous Peek-a-boo Loop. The canyon is famous for its 'hoodoos' – odd-shaped rock spires formed by centuries of erosion. Wherever you walk, there are unique landscapes and a kaleidoscope of desert colours, especially at sunset. If you're keen to live out a Wild West fantasy, chat to the group leader about a horse-riding optional activity.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 8: Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas
Today, drive across the border into Nevada and back to Las Vegas, where your trip ends on arrival. No accommodation is provided for tonight, however, if you do wish to spend extra time in Las Vegas, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Capitol Reef National Park
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Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
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Dead Horse Point State Park
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Monument Valley - Jeep tour & overnight experience
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Arches National Park
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Delicate Arch sunset hike
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Bryce Canyon National Park
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Arches National Park - Sunrise hike
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Meals
1 dinners
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Accommodation
Hotel (1 night), multishare cabin (2 nights), hogan (1 night), camping with facilities (3 nights)
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
- Monument Valley - Jeep tour & overnight experience
- Delicate Arch sunset hike
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
Transport
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
- We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
- The vans we use for this itinerary are equipped with USB-2 style charging ports. If you would like to charge your phone on the road, please ensure you are able to connect to a USB-2 style port.
Accommodation
- NORTH AMERICA CAMPING
- The campsites that we use are selected for either their scenic beauty, their convenient location to places of interest and/or the facilities available. We aim to offer you a selection of different types of campsites.
- If you've never camped before - no problem! We provide a complete set of camping and cooking equipment. This includes roomy easy-to-pitch tents, which are shared by only two people and are equipped with thin foam rubber sleping mats and vinyl floors. Your leader will show you how to pitch a tent on the first day. On many trips we also spend a few nights in reasonably priced hotels/motels/hostels (as per the itinerary).
- Remember that sleeping bags and a pillow are not provided. Check out the Packing section for more information.
- You'll find the necessary facilities - toilets and in most cases showers, washing machines and dryers - at our campsites. The showers at some campsites may require a payment (usually no more than US$1-$3 for a quick shower). This is payable locally and is a contribution towards the cost of a limited water supply. Rarely, a campsite may only have cold water available for showers.
- In all campsites there are strict quiet hours when no loud noise is allowed, typically from 10pm to 7am. This means that all music, singing and noisy group gatherings must stop. We request that all our travellers respect these campsite rules.
- For trips where there are lodges/cabins used, couples travelling together may be separated when our rooming arrangements are based on single gender, however in some accommodations the group will be in mixed gender rooms.
- Our high-quality camping equipment (including tents) can be affected by bad weather conditions. This can result in some wet and cold conditions inside the tent. Your spirit of adventure and flexibility will help make your adventure trip an exciting and unforgettable experience. On nights where the group is camping, and weather conditions are extreme (such as snow or heavy rain), there may be an opportunity for the group (if everyone agrees) to stay at an alternative location such as a nearby hostel or hotel. When this is the case the upgrade is at your own expense.
Important Information
- 1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in Las Vegas and finishes on arrival into Las Vegas at approximately 5pm on Day 8. Please do not book a flight before 8 pm on the departure day to allow enough time to get to the airport.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 4 (Monument Valley), 5 and 6 (Moab) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 3. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
- 4. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
Check out our Q&As
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Is this trip right for you
This trip involves a partial camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity plus the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!
That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 10 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. This kitty saves you worrying about stuff like where to get food or what exactly sales tax is, and actually helps keep your costs down. Instead of paying individually as you go, it means we can bulk purchase items and cook our own food – though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional pizza night! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
The desert areas of Utah can be very hot and dry, especially in summer. Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Keep in mind that while the desert can be hot during the day it can get quite chilly at night, so pack accordingly.
You'll be travelling in a van with your group, so conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s simply the best way to get around, and you might even make some long-term friends. -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions