Transfer to Zion National Park and explore The Narrows.
Our trip begins today in Las Vegas (Henderson), Nevada at 7am at the Homewood Suites. Our guides will briefly talk us through the basics before we hop in the van to set out for Zion National Park. Making our way into Utah on this 3-hour drive, the mountains and mesas of Zion appear in the distance and rise to meet us. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch before continuing to Zion. Once there, we’ll leave our van and take the park shuttle all the way through the canyon to our trailhead for the classic Narrows hike. Feet will get wet on this amazing hike! We follow the river, marveling at the hanging gardens and beautiful geology before returning downriver. After our hike we return via shuttle to our van and complete the drive to our private REI Signature Camp. At camp we'll settle in, enjoy appetizers and drinks together while we get oriented to the site. Then enjoy an abundant dinner spread as evening sets in. Lunch and dinner included.
Hiking: up to 5 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 200’. Transportation inside Zion NP is via National Park shuttle.
Hike Angels Landing then play in the river.
Wake to the song of canyon wrens and the smell of freshly brewed coffee as we enjoy breakfast in camp before embarking upon one of the most thrilling and famous hikes in the Southwest: Angels Landing. This long, steady climb culminates in an exhilarating half-mile of hiking along an exposed sandstone ridge.
Rewards at the top are the feeling of accomplishment and the stunning views of the canyon below making this challenging hike worth all the effort. After our hike, a refreshing swim in the Virgin River caps an unforgettable day! Back at camp, look forward to another relaxing evening filled with great food with new friends. All meals included.
Hiking: Up to 5.4 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 1,488’. Transportation within Zion NP is via National Park shuttle.
Depart Zion for our Bryce Signature Camp and hike a few classic routes.
Our Zion camp host bids farewell this morning with a delicious breakfast spread while our gear is loaded and we prepare to depart Zion for Bryce Canyon National Park to begin the next chapter of our adventure. Our van transfer today takes less than two hours, and the scenic drive traverses Red Canyon, providing just a glimpse of the grandeur that awaits us at Bryce. After a bountiful picnic lunch to fuel our bodies, we'll arrive at Fairyland Point to our first dramatic views of Bryce Canyon National Park. This chain of natural amphitheaters, formed by erosion, is packed with thousands of brightly colored spires or "hoodoos" banded in red, orange and white, some standing more than 200' tall, all steeped in the mythology of the ancient Paiute people. After donning our hiking boots and daypacks, we hike down into the canyon to walk among the hoodoos. We'll explore the incredible Fairyland Loop Trail, taking in the well-known landmarks of Sinking Ship, Tower Bridge, and the Chinese Wall. After our hike, we transfer by van to our exclusive Bryce Canyon Signature Camp where our host will welcome us in style as we arrive to find everything in its place for another night of camping perfection. All meals included.
Hiking: 6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 1,900'.
Visit Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
The smell of pinion pine and juniper mingled with fresh coffee and steaming hot breakfast begins a new day. Within an hour drive from our camp, Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the gems of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, a lesser-known but equally spectacular wilderness area in southern Utah. We hike three miles along a river, passing Native American pictographs and granaries as we explore deeper into the canyon. Enjoy a relaxing lunch and swim at the base of the incredible 126’ waterfall. After refueling and refreshing we'll hike back through canyon country to the trailhead. Tonight, we'll enjoy a final relaxing evening in our Signature Camp, complete with a farewell dinner and celebration. All meals included.
Hiking: 6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 370'
Hike through Bryce Canyon's famed hoodoos before returning to Las Vegas.
This morning we transfer to the rim of Bryce Canyon where we enjoy a spectacular sunrise before starting on our final classic hike. We descend through the famed skyscraper hoodoos of Wall Street and past the walls of Bristlecone Ridge as we admire the changing light illuminating the canyon. We emerge from the park at Tropic Trailhead, where our camp host will meet us. A ten-minute drive takes us back to camp, where we have time to pack up and eat a tasty brunch before departure. Loading the van, we start the 4.5 hour drive to Las Vegas. En route, we make stops to stretch our legs, enjoy a short hike and savor our last picnic lunch together. We plan to arrive in Las Vegas between 5 and 6pm. Departing flights must be scheduled for 8pm or later. Breakfast and lunch provided.
Hiking: 4.6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 1342'