Visit some of the most dramatic scenery in the country and enjoy a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure on this luxury holiday to Arizona and Utah.
Sedona
Red Rocks and Relaxation (Days 1-3)
After a direct flight into Phoenix collect your car and make the short drive to your base for the next few days, one of Arizona’s standout hotels hidden among the stunning red rock landscapes of Sedona.
With two full days here you’ll have plenty of time to explore the surrounding area as well as take full advantage of the beautiful setting and comfort of Enchantment Resort. Spend a morning exploring secluded red rock canyons by jeep and take an afternoon to visit the spectacular Montezuma Castle, a one thousand year old dwelling carved out of the cliffs.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World (Days 4-5)
Leaving Sedona, the road winds its way up through the idyllic Oak Creek Canyon with aspen trees lining the banks of the clear river below. As you climb higher you’ll enter the vast Coconino Forest, the largest stand of ponderosa pine in the country. Your route will take you through meadows and juniper grasslands with beautiful views of the Painted Desert and include visits to two national monuments on your way north, the ancient ruins at Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano.
Arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon by mid-afternoon will give you plenty of time to check into your hotel before making your way to the rim of the canyon to watch the sunset. It’s a sight that you won’t forget in a hurry!
Bright and early next morning you’ll be met by your guide for a hike beneath the rim of the canyon where you’ll gain a completely different perspective of this magnificent landscape. Each corner of the trail will reveal a subtly different view seemingly more breathtaking than the last and your guide will be on hand to explain the diversity of plant life, incredible geology and cultural history of the Grand Canyon.
After a day on the trail enjoy a well earned dinner in the historic dining room at El Tovar.
Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
Serene Luxury in Canyon Country (Days 6, 7 & 8)
Leaving the Grand Canyon, continue northwards towards Lake Powell and the Utah border. Here the deep trenches of Glen Canyon and the Colorado River are replaced by the clear blue waters of the lake. Stop for lunch at a remote and historic trading post, fantastic food in a stunningly remote location. You’ll pass the famous Horseshoe Bend where a short trail will take you down to a fantastic viewpoint overlooking a huge curve in the deep canyons of the Colorado River. For photographers, walking through the narrow swirling sandstone fissures of Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide is an unforgettable experience.
After a busy day there will be no better feeling than your arrival at Amangiri, one of the most remarkable luxury hotels in America if not the world. Built around the base of towering sandstone cliffs and with spectacular views of the colorful, stratified rock of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, your time at Amangiri can be as relaxed or as active as you choose. Explore the multiple trails that surround the property, saddle up for a sunset horse ride with a Navajo elder, take to the skies in a hot air balloon or access twisted slot canyons and hanging gardens by private boat on Lake Powell. If you are anything like us, it will be hard to drag yourself away from the serene beauty of Amangiri itself.
Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon
National Park Adventures in Utah (Days 9, 10 & 11)
Finish your Southwest road trip extravaganza in Southern Utah and two of the state’s most striking national parks, Zion and Bryce. From your base at one of several boutique hotels in the pretty town of Springdale. you’ll have a full day to explore the magnificent Zion Canyon. Our outfitter will supply you with the right gear to experience two of the highlights of a road trip through the Southwest, the river walk up the magnificent Narrows and the hike to Angel’s Landing. One an adventurous wade through the narrow canyon of the Virgin River, the second a challenging hike that rewards you with elevated 360 degree views of Zion Canyon.
Nearby Bryce Canyon is equally as enchanting but very different from Zion. At a higher altitude, the sandstone of Zion Canyon is replaced primarily by limestone. The resulting hoodoos, an army of surreal rock columns that frame sweeping views of the Colorado Plateau, are breathtaking. There are multiple ways to enjoy the scenery depending on your appetite for adventure and we’ll tailor your time to suit you.
Return to Las Vegas for a night of R & R before your flight home.
