Cultures & Canyons of Western USA Self-Drive
Overview
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Itinerary
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Santa Fe. Make your way from Santa Fe airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring this historic Spanish colonial city.
Enjoy a day in Santa Fe, home to a number of magnificent 16th and 17th century Spanish buildings, including the Palace of the Governors and the central Plaza. You may also wish to take one of the many hiking trails into the Santa Fe Forest or visit one of the city's renowned art museums.
Today your five hour drive takes you through the heart of New Mexico and into southern Colorado and the magnificent scenery of Mesa Verde National Park. Along the way you pass hills covered in Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Engleman spruce and juniper trees. Leaving the...
Spend the day exploring Mesa Verde National Park. The park is home to ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings expertly carved into the rock face. A remarkable reminder of an earlier culture, you can visit some of them with a guide and learn more about the Puebloan way of life.
Depart Mesa Verde today and travel through the Ute Mountain Indian Reserve, which is also home to cliff dwellings, including the 80-room Lion House and the Eagle's Nest Cliff, perched in a cavernous natural alcove. You then cross the border into Navajo (Native American) territory and the otherworldly landscape of Monument Valley. The journey takes around four hours (not including stops).
Spend your day exploring the fascinating scenery and Navajo culture in Monument Valley, perhaps visiting more cliff dwellings including the exceptionally preserved Betatakin site, a 135-room dwelling carved halfway up a steep cliff face. We recommend taking a sunset tour of the park to avoid the midday heat and to marvel at the beauty of the valley as the light fades.
Depart Monument Valley at your leisure and make your way to the calm waters of Lake Powell around two hours away. Close to the town of Page, the lake's sandy beach is a great place to relax. Alternatively, fuel an adrenaline rush with one of the many water sports on offer on the lake, including scuba diving, snorkelling and water skiing.
Today you depart Page and drive for three hours through the arid desert lands of northern Arizona before passing Marble Canyon and entering the Kaibab National Forest. Continue onwards through the forest to the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon. With far fewer visitors than the South Rim, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the canyon.
Spend a day at the Grand Canyon. There are some spectacular views from the North Rim, as well as many scenic walking trails where you can spot deer and watch eagles soar overhead. Visit Point Imperial, the highest point on the North Rim at over 2,500 m (8,800 ft) and ...
Drive for two and a half hours from the Grand Canyon's North Rim to the red rock formations of Zion National Park, passing through the stark landscape of the Kaibab Plateau before entering the state of Utah. The afternoon is free to take a walking tour through the park's magnificent mountain scenery.
Spend the day exploring Zion National Park, where the rugged canyons, tumbling rivers and spectacular rock formations provide a breathtaking backdrop in which to enjoy walking, canyoning and climbing.
The final big drive of your trip takes you the three hours from the peaceful beauty of Zion to the glittering lights of Las Vegas. As you approach the city, its distinctive skyline rises up out of the Nevada Desert like a mirage. Once checked in, you can enjoy your hotel's facilities, try your luck in the casinos or take a wander down the vibrant Strip.
Spend a full day in Las Vegas. You could have a day of relaxation by the pool, indulge in some shopping or visit one of the city's many attractions, from the Titanic Museum in the Luxor Hotel to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Hotel. In the evening, take in a world-class show or visit the city's bars and restaurants.
Today you may have time to do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing before dropping your car off at the depot and heading to the airport in time for your flight home.
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Audley Travel Reviews
Another brilliant trip
Third holiday with Audley and the best yet. They really know the countries and work with you to put together the perfect itinerary. They think of everything. They ar...
I wanted to take my son away for his…
I wanted to take my son away for his 21st birthday to New Orleans and Memphis over Halloween My agent was Stacey Lockhart She actually listened to my requests, pa...
Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia We recently returned from a trip from…
We recently returned from a trip from Vietnam and Cambodia and it was a trip of a lifetime. We had help planning our trip from our region specialist Matthew who is v...
Tour Operator
Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.
We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.
Our flexibility promise
As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.
Our flexibility promise
Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure
We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.
Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.
Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home
14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean
We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.
Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.
Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment
Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.
It's easy to arrange
- Book a video appointment (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
- One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
- Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
- Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations