Operated by Collette

Painted Canyons of the West

From

CAD 4,949

Duration

9 days

Countries

United States

Activity

moderate

Rating

4.8 · 187 reviewsvia Collette

The adventure

Trek across the Southwest as you take in the sienna-colored canyons, towering spires, and desert landscapes found in Utah’s five national parks. The backdrop of Denver’s Rocky Mountains is the starting point of your journey. In Colorado’s wine country, dine with new friends and enjoy a tasting at a family-run winery. Among vistas that evoke the spirit of the Old West, marvel at the unspoiled beauty of Utah’s five national parks. Make your way from Arches and Canyonlands to Capitol Reef, Zion, and Bryce National Park. Discover the bright lights and glitz of Vegas. Explore the kaleidoscope of colours found in America’s rocky western landscapes.

At a glance

Duration

9 days

Route

→

Countries

United States

Activity level

moderate

Style

Food & Drink, National Parks & Wilderness, Trekking & Hiking

Group size

Day by day

Explore the breathtaking rock formations and winding river of Smith Rock State Park on a sunny summer day.

Your journey through

United States

Showing Days 1-7

9-day itinerary

Day 1Denver, ColoradoTrek across the Southwest as you take in the sienna-colored canyons, towering spires and desert landscapes found in Utah’s five national parks. Your journey begins in the mile-high city of Denver – an urban gateway to America’s natural beauty. As travelers' arrival times vary greatly, there are no scheduled activities today. Following a welcome briefing, you’ll have the evening free to enjoy dinner on your own and explore at your leisure.

Trek across the Southwest as you take in the sienna-colored canyons, towering spires and desert landscapes found in Utah’s five national parks. Your journey begins in the mile-high city of Denver – an urban gateway to America’s natural beauty. As travelers' arrival times vary greatly, there are no scheduled activities today. Following a welcome briefing, you’ll have the evening free to enjoy dinner on your own and explore at your leisure.

Day 2Denver - Grand JunctionThe Rocky Mountains are your travelling companions on the drive to Grand Junction. Look out at the natural scenery as you pass by Glenwood Canyon, a product of the Colorado River, carved more than 3 million years ago. Dine together at a family-owned vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting in the midst of Colorado wine country.

Denver

The Rocky Mountains are your travelling companions on the drive to Grand Junction. Look out at the natural scenery as you pass by Glenwood Canyon, a product of the Colorado River, carved more than 3 million years ago. Dine together at a family-owned vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting in the midst of Colorado wine country.

Day 3Grand Junction - Colorado National Monument - Moab, UtahSet out to explore the Colorado National Monument this morning along Rim Rock Drive. Make your way to Utah on the Upper Colorado Byway, known by the locals as “River Road.” As the iconic Fisher Towers loom over breathtaking mesas, make your way to Moab, Utah’s outdoor adventure centre.

Grand Junction

Set out to explore the Colorado National Monument this morning along Rim Rock Drive. Make your way to Utah on the Upper Colorado Byway, known by the locals as “River Road.” As the iconic Fisher Towers loom over breathtaking mesas, make your way to Moab, Utah’s outdoor adventure centre.

Day 4Moab - Arches - Canyonlands - Dead Horse Point - MoabJourney through the otherworldly oases of two national parks. Hike* along red rock features as you make your way through Arches National Park. Continue to Canyonlands National Park, resting in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, and discover a world of mesas and canyons. Close by, at the Island in the Sky, look out over a landscape of ethereal valleys and dreamy horizons. Today’s park pilgrimage ends atop the sheer sandstone cliffs of Dead Horse Point State Park.

Explore the breathtaking rock formations at Arches National Park under a clear blue sky.

Moab

Journey through the otherworldly oases of two national parks. Hike* along red rock features as you make your way through Arches National Park. Continue to Canyonlands National Park, resting in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, and discover a world of mesas and canyons. Close by, at the Island in the Sky, look out over a landscape of ethereal valleys and dreamy horizons. Today’s park pilgrimage ends atop the sheer sandstone cliffs of Dead Horse Point State Park.

Day 5Moab - Capitol Reef National Park - BryceTravel through the dramatic Utah desert on Scenic Byway 24. Visit Capitol Reef National Park, named for the curved white walls that resemble the U.S. Capitol building. On the Million Dollar Road, take in views of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where layers of warm reds and oranges melt into smooth sided peaks. Spend the night in Bryce, your jumping-off point to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Stunning view of a massive red rock formation in Utah's Arches National Park under a clear blue sky.

Moab

Travel through the dramatic Utah desert on Scenic Byway 24. Visit Capitol Reef National Park, named for the curved white walls that resemble the U.S. Capitol building. On the Million Dollar Road, take in views of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where layers of warm reds and oranges melt into smooth sided peaks. Spend the night in Bryce, your jumping-off point to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Day 6Bryce Canyon National Park - Springdale (Zion)Spend the morning in Bryce Canyon National Park and see the famous hoodoos – vibrant rock formations likened to fairy chimneys. Perhaps you’ll start your morning with a hike,* getting up-close and personal with the graceful geology. Take in the sprawling vistas as you walk along Sunset Point, leading into Sunrise Point Rim Trail. As the day draws to a close, settle into Springdale, a small town perched just outside of Zion National Park.

Stunning panoramic view of Bryce Canyon in winter with snow-covered hoodoos and clear blue skies.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Spend the morning in Bryce Canyon National Park and see the famous hoodoos – vibrant rock formations likened to fairy chimneys. Perhaps you’ll start your morning with a hike,* getting up-close and personal with the graceful geology. Take in the sprawling vistas as you walk along Sunset Point, leading into Sunrise Point Rim Trail. As the day draws to a close, settle into Springdale, a small town perched just outside of Zion National Park.

Day 7Springdale - Zion National Park - SpringdaleThere are few places on earth that match the beauty of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Zion. Make the most of an entire day exploring this rock-ridden paradise. On Zion’s open-air tram, wind along the Virgin River through the 2,400-foot deep, half-mile wide Zion Canyon. This afternoon, continue to enjoy time in the great outdoors exploring the park independently.

Stunning view of the sandstone cliffs in Zion National Park, Utah, under a clear blue sky.

Springdale

There are few places on earth that match the beauty of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Zion. Make the most of an entire day exploring this rock-ridden paradise. On Zion’s open-air tram, wind along the Virgin River through the 2,400-foot deep, half-mile wide Zion Canyon. This afternoon, continue to enjoy time in the great outdoors exploring the park independently.