SOUTHWEST NATIONAL PARKS

Day 1

EN ROUTE TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA (D)

We'll rendezvous today in Phoenix, the capital of Arizona and the start of our Southwest National Parks Adventure. Because travelers will be arriving throughout the day, no group activities are planned except for a “Get Acquainted” dinner this evening.

Day 2

PHOENIX-TUCSON, ARIZONA (B)
Phoenix, Arizona State Capitol Walk 10 km, rated 1+

Following breakfast, our first walk in the sunny Southwest explores the area of downtown Phoenix around the State Capitol, Chase Field, and Arizona Center's shops and restaurants. After the walk, we'll head south for Tucson and the renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Here, on 21 acres of desert, over 300 live desert animals-including mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, hawks, and bighorn sheep-are housed in outdoor exhibits. We'll get our first taste of the real Southwest while strolling the grounds among the more than 1,300 species of plants indigenous to the Sonora Desert region.

Day 3

TUCSON-DEMING, NEW MEXICO (B)
Saguaro National Park Cactus Walk 10 km, rated 3

Our first activity today is a fascinating stroll through the desert in Saguaro National Park, home to an amazing variety of dry-weather flora including the fabled, human-shaped saguaro cactus. This afternoon we'll drop deep into the bowels of the Arizona desert at Kartchner Caverns State Park, one of the most recent cave finds on the planet, and open to the public only since 1999.

Day 4

DEMING-SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (B)
Las Cruces Billy the Kid Walk 11 km, rated 2

Today begins with a walk in Las Cruces. We'll see the sights of historic Mesilla, where the signing of the Gadsden Purchase added a strategic slice of Mexican land (southern New Mexico and Arizona) to the map of the United States. The trail also passes one of the jails used to constrain the infamous Billy the Kid. Following the walk, we'll motor north through the wide-open spaces of New Mexico to Santa Fe, the state capital, and one of the oldest settlements in the country.

Day 5

ACTIVITIES IN SANTA FE (B)
Santa Fe Spanish Heritage Walk 10 km, rated 2+

This morning's walk features charming Santa Fe, chosen as the provincial capital by the Spanish governor in 1609. The Plaza area of old town remains essentially intact, providing an authentic Spanish-American atmosphere. You'll enjoy the delightful southwest flavor of Santa Fe, having the balance of the day to explore the shops and museums in this unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and American influences.

Day 6

SANTA FE-DURANGO, COLORADO (B)
Bandalier National Monument Walk 10 km, rated 3

From Santa Fe, we'll head west to Bandalier National Monument where we'll enjoy a nature walk featuring towering mesas, sheer-walled canyons, pine forests, and numerous remains of ancient Pueblo dwellings. Following a scenic drive north, our final destination today is across the state line in the old western town of Durango, Colorado.

Day 7

ACTIVITIES FROM DURANGO (B)
Mesa Verde National Park Walk 10 km, rated 3+

Mesa Verde National Park is the only American national park dedicated specifically to human endeavors. Our walk in the park will introduce us to the Pueblo Indians who first arrived in this area more than 1,000 years ago. The walk route will highlight the natural beauty of the park, exploring several of the impressive Pueblo cliff dwellings for which the park was established.

Day 8

DURANGO-MOAB, UTAH (B)

Our final day in Colorado begins with an historic journey aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (contingent upon train schedules not yet available). The train follows the Animas River into the beautiful San Juan National Forest and the mountain village of Silverton. From Silverton, our coach will take the scenic route to the picturesque alpine town of Ouray. After a lunch break in Ouray, we'll continue to Utah and check into our hotel in Moab-the heart of the Utah red rock country. You're invited to join us tonight for some authentic Old West fun at the Bar M Chuckwagon dinner show. Cost: $25 per person.

Day 9

MOAB-TORREY, UTAH (B)
Arches National Park Walk 10 km, rated 3+

The reddish sandstone of Arches National Park has eroded into incredible sculptures, pinnacles, windows, and giant arches. Today's walk takes us by several of these fascinating formations, including the massive, yet intricately sculpted Delicate Arch, the signature formation of Arches National Park. From Arches, we continue deeper into Utah's interior, completing a day of exploring bizarre landscapes with an intriguing drive through Capitol Reef National Park.

Day 10

TORREY-BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UTAH (B)
Bryce Canyon National Park Walk 10 km, rated 3+/4

This morning we'll drive through the Aspen groves of Dixie National Forest to Bryce Canyon National Park. After a break for lunch, we'll embark on an unforgettable trek along the canyon rim. Spread out below us will be a surreal stone forest of spires, spindles, and sheer cliffs, with landmarks bearing names like Fairyland Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point. As one early rancher put it, Bryce Canyon is “one heckova place to lose a cow!”

Day 11

BRYCE CANYON-KANAB, UTAH (B)

After a short drive to the southwest corner of Utah, we'll spend the balance of the day enjoying the wonders of majestic Zion National Park. The park service offers a continuous shuttle loop of the 6-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, with several stops offering opportunities for short walks to places like Lower Emerald Pool, Weeping Rock, and Hidden Canyon.

Day 12

KANAB-GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA (B)
Grand Canyon National Park Walk 10 km, rated 3+

The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, one of the world's most breathtaking spectacles, is our destination for today. Options for this afternoon include a stop at the visitor's center, watching the mule teams depart for the canyon floor, taking a fixed wing or helicopter flight over the Canyon, or simply enjoying a stroll along the rim. We recommend splitting our Grand Canyon walk route in half and coordinating the start time of the first half with a once-in-a-lifetime sunset viewing along the rim of the Canyon. The second part of the walk can then be synchronized to start at sunrise tomorrow morning.

Day 13

ACTIVITIES IN GRAND CANYON (B,D)

Our day begins with the second half of a memorable walk along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You'll be treated to non-stop views of some of the most inspirational vistas in the world. After lunch, you're invited to join us for a short coach ride to the Grand Canyon IMAX, a presentation of the Canyon's history, including a fascinating account of John Powell's perilous and unprecedented 1869 expedition through the Canyon via the Colorado River. Join us later this evening at a Farewell Dinner to reminisce about our Adventure amidst the unique ambiance of the Grand Canyon.

Day 14

GRAND CANYON-PHOENIX, ARIZONA (B)

We depart bright and early for Phoenix this morning, arriving at the airport shortly after noon. We'll return home with fond memories of the riveting history, unique scenery, and numerous fascinating cultures of the National Parks of the American Southwest!