Hiking holiday in America
| country: | USA |
| location: | Grand Canyon, Grand Circle, National Parks of America |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays, a small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 18 Jul, 8 Aug, 12 Sep, 3 Oct, 31 Oct, 5 Dec 2009: 2 Jan, 6 Feb, 6 Mar |
| price: | From £682 - £899 (10 days) excluding flights. All winter season departures (Nov-Mar) are lodging with all accommodation included. From Apr to Oct this is a camping based tour with all fees included. |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Leaving from Las Vegas, we begin this trip with a short drive through the Mojave Desert into Utah, where we get as close to the soul of Zion National Park as the soles of your shoes will allow.
Choose from an assortment of short and beautiful trails to warm up your legs (Emerald Pools, Canyon Overlook, Gateway to the Narrows) or indulge in a longer hike to Angel's Landing, which rewards you with an overwhelmingly amazing vista. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows itself.
In Bryce Canyon National Park, walk the Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop trail, where the countless spires, pinnacles and hoodoos of this spectacular canyon make an indelible impression on the mind. Arches National Park offers leisurely hikes through spectacular sandstone landscapes with colourful names like the Fiery Furnace and Devil’s Garden.
In summer, some may choose to spend the afternoon "off the trail" floating on the nearby Colorado River, while winter visitors may want to experience the charms of Moab - the small eclectic town that serves as the gateway to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The next day is devoted to visiting Canyonlands National Park. Our afternoon hike ends with a visit to Dead Horse Point for tremendous canyon views and another picture perfect sunset.
Then, on to the Navajo Nation's greatest treasure, Monument Valley. After setting up camp within view of the famous 'monuments', set out on a spectacular, backcountry, 4-wheel drive and hiking tour deep into the heart of the Valley. Stop and photograph both the famous and lesser known sights in the Park, before coming to the end of the 'road'.
Our local Navajo guide will then lead us even deeper into the park to trail’s end, visiting sights where non-Native Americans rarely go - finishing our day with yet another forgettable sunset.
On to Grand Canyon National Park, one of those rare places that no one yet has adequately described, painted or photographed. Watch the sunset on the first night and attempt to comprehend this canyon's staggering dimensions and power. Then hike the many trails, catch a bird's-eye view from the awesome perspective of a helicopter, take a park ranger's guided nature walk, or sit in quiet contemplation on the edge of this natural wonder. This incredible experience comes to an end when we untie our shoelaces after returning to Las Vegas in the evening.
N.B. Grand Canyon National Park regulations limit group size and do not allow guided hikes. The tour leaders will provide briefings, directions, and maps, but are not permitted by the National Park Service to walk with you on the trails.
Choose from an assortment of short and beautiful trails to warm up your legs (Emerald Pools, Canyon Overlook, Gateway to the Narrows) or indulge in a longer hike to Angel's Landing, which rewards you with an overwhelmingly amazing vista. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows itself.
In Bryce Canyon National Park, walk the Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop trail, where the countless spires, pinnacles and hoodoos of this spectacular canyon make an indelible impression on the mind. Arches National Park offers leisurely hikes through spectacular sandstone landscapes with colourful names like the Fiery Furnace and Devil’s Garden.
In summer, some may choose to spend the afternoon "off the trail" floating on the nearby Colorado River, while winter visitors may want to experience the charms of Moab - the small eclectic town that serves as the gateway to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The next day is devoted to visiting Canyonlands National Park. Our afternoon hike ends with a visit to Dead Horse Point for tremendous canyon views and another picture perfect sunset.
Then, on to the Navajo Nation's greatest treasure, Monument Valley. After setting up camp within view of the famous 'monuments', set out on a spectacular, backcountry, 4-wheel drive and hiking tour deep into the heart of the Valley. Stop and photograph both the famous and lesser known sights in the Park, before coming to the end of the 'road'.
Our local Navajo guide will then lead us even deeper into the park to trail’s end, visiting sights where non-Native Americans rarely go - finishing our day with yet another forgettable sunset.
On to Grand Canyon National Park, one of those rare places that no one yet has adequately described, painted or photographed. Watch the sunset on the first night and attempt to comprehend this canyon's staggering dimensions and power. Then hike the many trails, catch a bird's-eye view from the awesome perspective of a helicopter, take a park ranger's guided nature walk, or sit in quiet contemplation on the edge of this natural wonder. This incredible experience comes to an end when we untie our shoelaces after returning to Las Vegas in the evening.
N.B. Grand Canyon National Park regulations limit group size and do not allow guided hikes. The tour leaders will provide briefings, directions, and maps, but are not permitted by the National Park Service to walk with you on the trails.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Zion National Park. |
| Day 3: | Bryce Canyon Nattional Park. |
| Day 4-5: | Moab/Arches National Park. |
| Day 6: | Moab/Canyonlands National Park. |
| Day 7: | Monument Valley. |
| Day 8-9: | Grand Canyon National Park. |
| Day 10: | Las Vegas. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip is designed for those who enjoy walking/hiking, want to explore the Southwest United States’ natural beauty and discover why visitors are so passionate about this beautiful region. We travel in small, intimate groups (maximum of 13 passengers) and have the benefit of a professionally trained local guide who knows the best places in the national parks, national monuments and wilderness areas to respectfully observe wildlife, to enjoy fun, adventurous activities and appreciate the flavours of the local culture.
This tour is camping based from April through October and lodging based for the rest of the year. We will overnight in state/national/private owned campgrounds or in locally owned 2-3 star hotels and lodges. When camping, our group is self sufficient as we provide camping gear and portable kitchen. When lodging, we eat our meals in locally owned restaurants. Throughout the trip we utilize established local suppliers for activities en route that help support local business and keep money in the community. We have over 12 years of experience operating small-group adventure tours (13 client maximum) throughout North/Central/South America that foster understanding, appreciation and conservation of the cultures and environments we visit. We are committed to working with our clients and the peoples of our host destinations to ensure direct economic benefits at a community level. Whether we visit Grand Canyon National Park or Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Lands, we aim to operate beyond best practice guidelines and to provide a tour programme that creates a positive impact on the lands that we visit and a lasting impression for those who travel with us. The tour is led by one of our fully trained local guides. Prior to leading our groups, guides must successfully complete our pre-season intensive training programme which lasts approximately 4 weeks. During this time we support the guides with accommodation, activities and supplemental salary. We utilize private vehicle and local suppliers for accommodation and activities throughout to ensure the economic benefit stays in the local community. This includes working with local operators and lodging in locally owned hotels/lodges whenever possible. Also, we offer an included Navajo guided hiking and Jeep tour in Monument Valley. When this is a lodging based tour, we endeavour to eat our meals in locally owned, family run restaurants which supports local business, as well as allows passengers to experience local flavour and mix with local people when appropriate. When this is a camping based tour, we utilize state/national/private owned campgrounds and our group is self sufficient as we provide camping gear and portable kitchen to our passengers. We shop locally and prepare nearly all of our meals (when camping) together, which supports local business, as well as allows passengers to experience local flavour and mix with local people when appropriate. On this tour, we include visits and entry admission to all national parks and monuments listed in the itinerary. Fees support park upkeep and conservation projects, and we encourage our clients to visit the visitor centres for additional information about the region. Our published traveller’s code of conduct is further promoted by our leaders throughout the tour, and particularly in the first night’s orientation talk. Our RT policy or traveller’s code of conduct is made available to all travellers prior to departure. This includes policies on the following: We partner with Climate Care to encourage clients to off-set domestic/international flights. We are committed to off-set vehicles’ emissions and as such, we match client contributions up to £5000 per year. 100% of our UK corporate headquarters’ power is green (renewable). We contribute to local charities and projects such as “Tourism Cares for America” (of which we are a founding member), “Friends of Big Bend” and the “Mojave Desert Land Trust”- organizations dedicated to improving and/or expanding national parks. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |