Neon to Nature – A National Parks & Las Vegas Adventure

Day 1 – Welcome to Las Vegas!

We set off from our departure points this morning aboard a deluxe motorcoach for Las Vegas! After a stop for lunch on your own we’ll arrive in “Sin City” this afternoon to begin an overnight stay in the heart of the Las Vegas “Strip” at Treasure Island Las Vegas. This upscale, centrally located hotel is connected to The Mirage by a tram, the Venetian, Palazzo and Fashion Show mall by a pedestrian walkway and is adjacent to Wynn, Encore and Caesars Palace. The Treasure Island features a variety of casual and fine dining options, numerous bars and lounges, an expanded outdoor pool deck, a 95,000 square foot casino and spacious rooms that feature floor-to-ceiling windows and pillow-top beds. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure.

Day 2 – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon’s North Rim

This morning we’ll travel north through southern Utah’s spectacular Virgin River Gorge and into Utah’s Dixie Country as we enjoy “the road less traveled” towards the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. We’ll enjoy an included lunch at the Jacob Lake Inn, the beloved family-owned and operated inn that just celebrated its 100-year anniversary! Situated 8,000 feet above sea level, Grand Canyon’s North Rim is 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim, making this an ideal time to visit. Due to its remote location, the North Rim is visited by only 10% of all park visitors. In addition to being much less crowded then the South Rim, the “other side” of the Grand Canyon offers a different perspective – including views of the South Rim 11 miles across the canyon! We’ll enjoy a two-night stay at Grand Canyon Lodge – the only lodging at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, this hidden gem situated on the edge of the canyon is one of the crown jewels of the national parks. Your Western Cabin accommodations feature a spacious bedroom, full bathroom and a private front porch with rocking chairs for unsurpassed star gazing. These historic cabins built in the 1920s are situated amongst the lush trees and are just a short walk to the main lodge and canyon edge. Enjoy time at leisure exploring the canyon viewpoints and relaxing in a rocking chair while admiring the sunset over the canyon, perhaps while sipping a margarita from the Roughrider Saloon. This evening, enjoy an included dinner in the lodge’s historic dining room, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows providing impressive views of the Grand Canyon. While this historic and rustic national park lodge has a location and views that are unsurpassed, it may lack some of the amenities you’ve come to expect from more modern hotels. While your Western Cabin will not have a television, wi-fi, or air conditioning, it will be clean and comfortable, have a ceiling fan and mini refrigerator, and provide for a nostalgic and memorable experience. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 – Grand Canyon National Park

Enjoy an entire day at leisure within Grand Canyon National Park to immerse yourself in the most awesome landscape that no postcard could ever do justice. Visit the North Rim Visitor Center adjacent to the lodge where you’ll find ranger programs, exhibits and a Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store. Take a leisurely stroll from the lodge to Bright Angel Point along the Bright Angel Point Trail, a scenic, half-mile paved trail that provides dramatic views of the Grand Canyon. Take advantage of an optional Grand Canyon Mule Ride for an additional fee. Rides are for all ages and with ex- perienced guides and mules that are selected for their gentle temperament and sure-footedness. The one-hour Rim of the Grand Canyon mule ride is available for an additional $60 per person (rider maximum weight limit of 220 pounds; payable with your tour payment; limited space available) and offers a relaxing ride through the Kaibab Forest and along the canyon rim. The three-hour Ride to Supai Tunnel mule ride is available for an additional $120 per person (rider maximum weight limit of 200 pounds; payable with your tour payment; limited space available) and offers the opportunity to descend into the Grand Canyon to the Supai Tunnel along the North Kaibab Trail. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Zion National Park

This morning we’ll travel north into Zion National Park and pass through the colorful Checkerboard Mesa – sandstone hills with an unusual crack pattern that resemble a grid like you would see on a checkerboard. We’ll travel through the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, the 5,000-foot long en- gineering marvel that was constructed in the 1920s. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the Zion National Park Visitor Center where we’ll board the Zion Canyon Shuttle and continue into Zion Canyon – a dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs. As we travel along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, we’ll marvel at the massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink and red that soar over 2,500 feet high into a brilliant blue sky. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own at the Zion Park Lodge, and exploration in Zion Canyon, including a stop at the Temple of Sinawava where you can take a short stroll along the banks of the Virgin River. This evening we’ll check into our hotel located just outside the park’s entrance with dinner on your own at one of the nearby restaurants. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Zion National Park to Las Vegas

This morning we’ll travel south to Las Vegas where we’ll enjoy time at leisure in downtown Las Vegas, featuring the vibrant Fremont Street Experience. This five-block long pedestrian area with a pulsating energy and dynamic atmosphere features an iconic overhead canopy with dynamic imagery – providing a unique immersive experience. This afternoon we’ll check-in to the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, the award-winning, upscale downtown Las Vegas. The hotel’s vibrant architectural style, befits its extravagant surroundings – an exciting world of opulence and decadence! The deluxe hotel rooms feature marble tubs and pillow-top mattresses while the resort features a bustling casino, three-story outdoor pool with shark tank in the center, full-service spa, live entertainment, and a variety of casual and fine-dining restaurants. Enjoy the evening at leisure with an eclectic variety of restaurants and casinos within walking distance. (Breakfast)

Day 6 – Journey Home

This morning we’ll begin our journey home, making a rest stop and a stop for lunch on your own enroute. We’ll arrive back in Southern California this evening with many fond memories of our exploration of the natural wonders and neon lights in Nevada, Arizona and Utah. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.