Days 1 – 4 (4^th to 7^th October)

Depart Auckland Saturday October 4^th, connecting to Phoenix.

We overnight and begin our travels heading south to Tuscon.  The warm dry atmosphere of Arizona is both balmy and relaxing which creates an enjoyable start to our itinerary.

Desert Gardens discoveries, ginormous Saguaro Cactus walks,  a featured loop walk in the Santa Catalina Mountains with incredible views over the Sonoran.  We visit San Xavier del Bac Mission referred to as the “White Dove of the Desert,” built in 1783, the finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the United States.

Days 5 – 7 (8^th to 10^th October)

Enjoy the famous Western town of Prescott, where Wyatt Earp, Jessie James and Billy the Kid enjoyed regular shoot ups!   Dinner can be enjoyed in one of the famous period bars complete with staff in costume. Visit Jerome an old mining town offering more scandal and intrigue, now America’s largest ghost town.  A spectacular drive down into the scorched landscape of Sedona delivers a wow factor of 10.  We’ll walk several iconic loop trails close to town offering surround colours and stunning valley views.

Days 8 – 10 (11^th to 13^th October)

Onward to the mighty Grand Canyon via Williams, an original Route 66 town where tumbleweeds still roll!  We have the exceptional convenience of staying within the GC National Park close to the South Rim of the canyon making it very easy to step out and enjoy sunsets and sunrises over the canyon expanse.   A full day to walk a range of short (or long) walks down into the canyon.  A lunch stop at the famous Cameron Trading Post and a walk into the incredible Antelope Canyon with Chief Tsosie.

Days 11 – 14 (14^th to 17^th October)

Monument Valley is a place to enjoy a nice moderate hike showcasing the West and East Mitten Buttes. These monoliths are picture postcard stuff, you get to view them up close from every angle.  Be ready for a red dust hike to remember!  Bluff  is a tiny settlement with a big story of epic pioneering by Mormon families of the 1880’s.  We tackle a number of the magnificent walks in the Canyonland National Park and enjoy an extended stay in Moab at the hub of this and Arches National Park right on the doorstep.

Days 15– 18 (18^th to 21st October)

After our rest day from hiking we are back into it, with Goblin State Park for more surprising features and a short visit to a tight Slot Canyon.  A lovely stop in the town of Torrey on the edge of Capitol Reef National Park.  We walk the length of a towering gorge, enjoy the autumn colours of a prolific orchard over 100 years old and hopefully farmhouse pumpkin pie and ice cream.  We continue to Bryce Canyon National Park with its sculptured canyon walls and multi-colored rock spires, Bryce Canyon is one of the most visually spectacular features on our whole tour!

Days 19 – 20  (22^nd to 23^rd October)

Our Grand Finale is Zion National Park.  By now you will be wondering if things can get any better….well yes, they do!

Springdale is a magnificent setting to end our stay in Utah and with close proximity to Zion we have free and easy access to some very grand walks over 2 days to conclude our tour.

Day 21 (24^th October)

On day 20 we depart Springdale and head into the Nevada Desert and the iconic Oasis known as Las Vegas.  We’ll find a nice Buffett Lunch to indulge in before our airport drop off around 2pm.   Our flights home are via a connection in San Francisco and link with our flight to Auckland. We depart Las Vegas Friday October 24th and arrive in Auckland in the early morning of Sunday October 26th. (October 25 is lost crossing the International Date Line).