Wonders of the American West

The amazing tour covers places of interest and scenic highlights of the great Colorado Plateau that stretches between Denver and Las Vegas. You’ll discover some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, including starkly beautiful deserts, plateaus and canyons.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVE DENVER.

Use your complimentary transfer to the hotel where your Tour Director will greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the Sheraton Denver hotel.

DAY 2 - DENVER - MOAB.

We stop at the resort of Vail and wander through its pedestrianised streets before motoring west through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains into the state of Utah. Take time to settle in at your ranch-style lodge, superbly located under lofty red rock cliffs on the banks of the Colorado River. Bring a hearty appetite with you, because in the evening you will enjoy a huge BBQ in the grounds of the Red Cliffs Lodge.

DAY 3 - MOAB EXCURSION.

We explore Canyonlands National Park with its colourful landscape of canyons, mesas and buttes. The rest of the day is free to pursue your own interests. Maybe an optional 4WD excursion through Moab’s backcountry or an exciting sunset jet boat ride on the mighty Colorado River? It’s up to you!

DAY 4 - MOAB - MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK.

We start the day with a visit to Arches National Park and then head south and re-enter Colorado. In Dolores, we join a private guided tour of the Anasazi Heritage Center and learn about the history and culture of the Puebloans. We end the day at Mesa Verde National Park, where your inside-the-park lodge offers sweeping vistas covering three states. In the evening enjoy a gourmet dinner inspired by Native American flavours at the attractive Far View Lodge. (B,HD)

DAY 5 - MESA VERDE - MONUMENT VALLEY.

We join a local guide for an in-depth visit of this fascinating area, descending into a canyon for a guided visit to the impressive Spruce Tree House, an amazing dwelling built into a natural alcove containing 130 rooms. We continue to the spectacular Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, location for virtually all the famous John Ford western movies. In the evening enjoy a Navajo Cookout amidst the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape, with traditional Navajo storytelling and music before retiring to Goulding’s Lodge hotel.

DAY 6 - MONUMENT VALLEY - LAKE POWELL.

We board all-terrain vehicles for a closer view of the valley floor and visit some of the legendary film locations where John Wayne got on his horse! Be prepared for a dramatic change of scenery as we head to Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the United States. Take a ferry at Hall’s Crossing and cross to Bullfrog Marina and your lodge - Defiance House Lodge - where the views of Bullfrog Bay will take your breath away.

DAY 7 - LAKE POWELL - BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK.

Magnificent scenery awaits us at Capitol Reef National Park, then we journey along Scenic Byway 12, winding through stunning Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, to arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park. Explore the length of this great natural amphitheatre learning how wind, erosion and iron oxidation created the extraordinary formations called “hoodoos.” See Bryce Canyon at sunset, when the light is at its best, before retiring to Bryce Canyon Lodge hotel.

DAY 8 - BRYCE CANYON - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK.

We head for Zion National Park early in the morning and join a guided tour by private shuttle and view the park’s best sites. Later we head south into Arizona to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. In the evening watch the colours change by the minute as the sun sets on the canyon from the comfort of your room in the Grand Canyon Lodge hotel.

DAY 9 - GRAND CANYON SIGHTSEEING.

After a leisurely breakfast journey along the winding Cape Royal Scenic Drive to Point Imperial and Cape Royal for dazzling panoramas over the Grand Canyon, your afternoon is free. Maybe take a self-guided nature walk along one of the many trails, or simply relax at the lodge. In the evening join us for a farewell dinner in the lodge’s magnificent dining room with superb views over the Grand Canyon.

DAY 10 - GRAND CANYON - DEPART LAS VEGAS.

Your tour ends with a complimentary transfer to Las Vegas International Airport and the Insight hotel on the famous Strip for guests extending their stay in Las Vegas.

Inclusive Tour Highlights

Drive to the “Island in the Sky” at Canyonlands National Park and visit the Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde. Board all-terrain vehicles for a guided tour of the valley floor at Monument Valley and take in the magnificent scenery of Capitol Reef National Park. Enjoy all the major sights of Zion National Park on your private shuttle tour and journey along the Grand Canyon’s Cape Royal Scenic Drive to Point Imperial & Cape Royal. Join a private guided tour of the Anasazi Heritage Center and explore the alpine village of Vail. Journey along Colorado’s Interstate 70 with the best views of the Rocky Mountains and marvel at the breathtaking views over Bullfrog Marina and Lake Powell from your hotel. Journey through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument along the All American Road and drive along the Zion National Park Scenic Byway, one of the top 10 US Scenic Drives.

Insight's First Class Service

We offer the best levels of service as an inclusive part of your tour, including airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day, tours escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people, luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities on board, first-class hotels and accommodation with all service charges, taxes and porterage included and quality dining with 9 Full Breakfasts, 1 Hotel Dinner, 3 Highlight Dinners in Moab, Mesa Verde and Monument Valley.

Departure Dates & Prices

Starts Denver	Ends Las Vegas	Tour + Air
May 30 2009	Jun 08 2009	€2339
Jun 13 2009	Jun 22 2009	€2339
Jun 27 2009	Jul 06 2009	€2339
Jul 11 2009	Jul 20 2009	€2459
Jul 25 2009	Aug 03 2009	€2459
Aug 15 2009	Aug 24 2009	€2459
Aug 29 2009	Sep 07 2009	€2459
Sep 12 2009	Sep 21 2009	€2387
Sep 26 2009	Oct 05 2009	€2387

The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.