Scenic Parks Explorer
15 Days from $4,350 per person
Your iconic and unexpected journey, culminating at the Grand Canyon, takes you past mystical chimneys, imposing mesas in Monument Valley and the rock-hewn faces of former Presidents.
Overview
Your iconic and unexpected journey, culminating at the Grand Canyon, takes you past mystical chimneys, imposing mesas in Monument Valley and the rock-hewn faces of former Presidents.
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Day 1: Arrive Las Vegas
The desert playground of Las Vegas launches our encounter with the soul-stirring natural landscapes of America's most beloved national parks. This evening, we join our Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception.
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Day 2: Las Vegas – Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
Stampede through the landscapes of Sedona for your choice sightseeing, traversing Red Rock Country by jeep or Red Rock Magic Trolley. Then on through Oak Creek Canyon to Williams, where we'll Connect with Locals and enjoy a Be My Guest dinner hosted by DSPA Day.
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Day 3: Bryce Canyon – Salt Lake City
Travel north to Utah's capital to see its Mormon center - Temple Square - and discover the basic beliefs and history of the Mormon pioneers. This evening, choose to enjoy an optional dinner at the Roof Restaurant, Utah's premier gourmet dining location.
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Day 4: Salt Lake City – Montpelier – Jackson
Imagine a time when brave pioneers traveled West in search of a better life as you cross the Oregon Trail, stopping in Montpelier at the Oregon Trail Center. Enjoy lunch at a covered wagon-themed restaurant before departing to scenic Jackson, which stands in the shadows of the icy peaks of the Teton Range. Enjoy an evening at leisure.
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Day 5: Jackson – Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks (2 Nights)
Cross the alpine landscapes of Grand Teton National Park en route to Yellowstone's geothermal wonderland. We overnight at one of the lodges within the national park.
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Day 6: Yellowstone National Park Sightseeing
Enjoy a full day to explore the natural splendor of one of the world's oldest national parks. See the rusting walls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, then join your Travel Director to explore the park's bubbling hot springs, mud paint pots and Old Faithful as its waters shoot impressively up into the air.
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Day 7: Yellowstone – Cody – Billings
Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum complex to gain a deeper understanding of the “Spirit of the American West”. Connect with Locals in an effortless delivered authentic encounter at a Be My Guest dinner with true Western hospitality mayor.
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Day 8: Billings – Little Bighorn – Rapid City (2 Nights)
Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum complex to gain a deeper understanding of the “Spirit of the American West”. Connect with Locals in an effortless delivered authentic encounter at a Be My Guest dinner with true Western hospitality.mayor.
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Day 9: Black Hills Excursion
Venture into the Black Hills of South Dakota as you make your way to the base of Crazy Horse Memorial. As you gaze at the colossal carved face of this famous war leader, learn how your visit Makes a Difference by preserving Native American Culture. We continue to Mount Rushmore to view the faces of former American presidents etched into the granite rock-face, then Dive into Culture with Stephen Yellowhawk, who will regale you with stories of his tribe's history during a festive dinner.
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Day 10: Rapid City – Denver
Travel south through the expansive prairies of Wyoming to Denver, the Mile High City, where you'll enjoy an evening at leisure.
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Day 11: Denver – Vail – Moab (2 Nights)
Ascend into the foothills of the Rockies and cross the Continental Divide en route to the alpine village of Vail, renowned for its epic powder-filled alpine basins that have attracted skiers since the 1960s. We continue to Moab for an evening on your terms.
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Day 12: Canyonlands and Arches National Parks Excursion
Our national park journey takes us to Canyon Country, where we see first-hand the power of the Colorado River carving its way through the rocky red landscape at Canyonlands National Park. Next up, the Arches National Park provides an insightful encounter with thousands of natural sandstone arches formed by rain and wind where you may choose to take a short hike to iconic Delicate Arch view point.
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Day 13: Moab – Mesa Verde National Park – Monument Valley
Admire the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people, carved out of the sandstone of the canyon walls at the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park. Our connection with the first nations of this land continues as we enjoy a cookout Regional Meal in Monument Valley.
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Day 14: Monument Valley – Grand Canyon National Park
Explore the red valley floor of Monument Valley in a special open-air vehicle, accompanied by a Local Specialist. Visit the land of the Navajo people, stopping at the historic Cameron Trading Post, before arriving at the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon where you'll meet a Local Specialist. Gain a deeper understanding of into how this immense canyon came to be and why, as Theodore Roosevelt once proclaimed, "it is beyond comparison-beyond description". Toast to the Trafalgar Highlights of America's national parks and enjoy a Farewell Dinner with new friends inside the park.
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Day 15: Grand Canyon – Depart Las Vegas
Consider an optional helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flightseeing trip over the canyon before hitting the road again. End your journey in Las Vegas where a transfer is provided to Las Vegas International Airport or to the Tropicana Las Vegas for guests extending their stay. Airport arrival will be at 4 pm, please be aware when booking your flights.
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Definite Departure
| Start Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 19 | 7 Jul 19 |
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$4,495pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 27 Jun 19 | 11 Jul 19 |
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$4,495pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 30 Jun 19 | 14 Jul 19 |
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$4,495pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 21 Jul 19 | 4 Aug 19 |
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$4,450pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 5 Aug 19 | 19 Aug 19 |
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$4,450pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 13 Aug 19 | 27 Aug 19 |
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$4,450pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 18 Aug 19 | 1 Sep 19 |
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$4,450pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 25 Aug 19 | 8 Sep 19 |
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$4,450pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 28 Aug 19 | 11 Sep 19 |
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$4,450pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 1 Sep 19 | 15 Sep 19 |
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$4,475pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 24 Sep 19 | 8 Oct 19 |
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$4,375pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 26 Sep 19 | 10 Oct 19 |
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$4,375pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote | ||
| 10 Oct 19 | 24 Oct 19 |
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$4,350pp | AARP members save an additional $100 | Request Quote |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $2,075.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $170 per person.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
Meal Summary
22 meals: 14 full breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners.
Included Highlights
Connect with Locals
- Experience true Western hospitality in Montana's Big Sky Country
Dive into Culture
- Meet Stephen Yellowhawk and discover the history of his tribe during a festive evening of dance and song
Local Specialist
- In Monument Valley and at the Grand Canyon for included sightseeing.
Sightseeing Highlights
- Orientation of Salt Lake City
- See iconic Delicate Arch
- Visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Arches, Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon National Parks, Jackson, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, the Mile High City of Denver, Monument Valley, Las Vegas
- View Crazy Horse Memorial, iconic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
- Scenic drive along Desert View Drive
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Reviews
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Gratuity
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend $4-5 per person/per day for your driver and $6-7 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 dollars per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Salt Lake City
The Roof Restaurant
Enjoy dinner at The Roof Restaurant- Utah’s premier gourmet buffet located on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where you can take in breathtaking views of Temple Square and Downtown Salt Lake City.
Adult Price: $56
Garden Tour and The Roof Restaurant
Visit the world-renowned gardens surrounding Temple Square, the 35-acre headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These gardens include 250 flower beds, more than 165,000 bedding plants and over 700 varieties of plants from all over the world. After, enjoy dinner at The Roof Restaurant- Utah’s premier gourmet buffet located on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where you can take in breathtaking views of Temple Square and Downtown Salt Lake City. Approx. duration: 2 hours
Adult Price: $55
Grand Teton
Snake River Float Trip Through Grand Teton National Park
This gentle 10-mile float trip runs entirely within Grand Teton National Park, and covers the most scenic stretch of the Snake River in the Jackson Hole Valley. The Snake River is a lifeline to the park’s bison, elk, moose, beaver, pronghorn, deer, bear and 300 different species of birds, including osprey and eagles. Your experienced guide offers in-depth information on the geology of the Grand Tetons and the habitats of the animals you may see. Although we can’t guarantee multiple animal sightings, your chances of spotting wildlife on the Snake River – with its lush willows to feed on and deep-water pools for animals to swim in – are greater here than anywhere else in the park. Operates late May – mid Sep, subject to weather conditions. Approx. duration: 3 hours
Adult Price: $89
Black Hills
Badlands National Park Excursion
Badlands National Park in southwest South Dakota preserves 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. Without a doubt, a hidden gem in the national park system, the unique beauty of the Badlands landscape is like no other. Sightseers as well as scholarly scientists are attracted to the area for its astounding beauty and the opportunity to peek into an ancient world. And no trip to the Badlands would be complete without a stop at famous Wall Drug. An establishment which became known for offering free ice water to thirsty travelers in the 1930s is today one of the top roadside attractions in the country. Approx. duration: 3 hours
Adult Price: $40
Rapid City
Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony
Join a park ranger at Mount Rushmore’s outdoor amphitheater for this moving patriotic program and sculpture lighting ceremony. The program begins with a short inspirational talk, focusing on the presidents, patriotism and the nation’s history, and is followed by a 20 minute film, “Freedom: America’s Lasting Legacy.” Watch in wonder as the evening culminates in the slow exposure of light to the monument until it is fully illuminated. Be sure to bundle up as the evenings can be cool. Approx. duration: 1 hour
Adult Price: $25
Grand Canyon
North Canyon Tour Helicopter Flight
Your tour takes you over the Kaibab National Forest and into the deepest portion of the Grand Canyon, through the Dragon Corridor, and continues to the North Rim, where you view the incredible geological differences between the North and South Rims. During your return to the South Rim, enjoy breathtaking views of temples, shrines and rock formations sculpted by time while flying above the widest portion of the mighty Colorado River. Subject to weather conditions. Flight duration: 25-30 minutes.
Adult Price: $219
North Canyon Tour Helicopter Flight, Bell Aircraft (April 1 - October 31)
Your tour takes you over the Kaibab National Forest and into the deepest portion of the Grand Canyon, through the Dragon Corridor, and continues to the North Rim, where you view the incredible geological differences between the North and South Rims. During your return to the South Rim, enjoy breathtaking views of temples, shrines and rock formations sculpted by time while flying above the widest portion of the mighty Colorado River. Subject to weather conditions. Flight duration: 25-30 min
Adult Price: $220
Grand Kingdom EcoStar Helicopter Flight
Fly the EC 130, the “newest and quietest” helicopters in the Grand Canyon with larger windows, and all seats facing forward. Embark on this 45-50 minute tour of the Eastern Grand Canyon that combines with the renowned beauty of The North Canyon tour. Enjoy spectacular views of the Painted Desert and Colorado River. Subject to weather conditions. Flight duration: 40-50 minutes.
Adult Price: $310
Grand Discovery South Rim Airplane Tour
The original air tour of the Grand Canyon and the best value! Board an ultra-quiet small aircraft for a 40-45 minute Grand Discovery flight over the Grand Canyon. The Vistaliner airplanes feature oversize windows that make every seat the best seat and allows for post card quality pictures! This tour covers the most famous and beautiful parts of the Grand Canyon including the Eastern Zuni Corridor, the Confluence and the North Rim and returns through the Western Dragon Corridor. Subject to weather conditions. Flight duration: 40-50 minutes.
Adult Price: $160
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
