This holiday is the perfect blend of the beauty of the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque and the amazing National Parks in the Southwest. Explore six National Parks on this incredible journey, enjoy a float trip on the Colorado River, and take a scenic cruise on Lake Powell.
Day
1 Arrive in Utah
Welcome to Salt Lake City, Utah. Meet your Tour Manager at 6:00
p.m. for dinner with your traveling companions.
Meal: D
Day
2 Salt Lake City and Dead Horse Point State Park
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Salt Lake City, founded by Mormon settlers more than 150 years ago. Then, venture into Dead Horse Point State Park with its amazing views of the Colorado River as it snakes its way through the massive sandstone walls, colorful canyons, mesas and buttes of the area. Later, continue to Moab and your hotel.
Meal: B
Day
3 Arches National Park & Colorado River Float Trip
Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of stone arches in the world. A local guide shows you the massive sandstone arches and describes the culture of those that have occupied the region.
Enjoy lunch before boarding a raft for a float trip on the Colorado River. During the leisurely ride your oarsman will tell tales of the area as you explore river passages with names like Fisher Towers and Professor Valley.
Meals: B, L
Day
4 Capitol Reef National Park & Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
A morning scenic drive brings you to impressive Capitol Reef National Park, where white sandstone “domes” cap massive reef-like cliffs. Then, travel along Utah’s incredible Highway 12 Scenic Byway as you wind your way through spectacular Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument.
Meal: B
Day
5 Bryce Canyon National Park
Today, visit Bryce Canyon National Park with spectacular views of the cavernous canyons. The Park is named for just one of the many canyons that form a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters on the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Erosion has carved colorful limestone into thousands of spires, arches and mazes.
Meals: B, D
Day
6 Zion National Park & Lake Powell Cruise
Today’s sightseeing features awe-inspiring Zion National Park,
where the Virgin River has cut a dramatic rugged gorge through multi-hued sandstone, shale and limestone. Look up at the towering rock walls surrounding this incredible natural wonder aboard open-air sightseeing trams.
This afternoon, take a boat tour on Lake Powell. Dinner tonight is in the Rainbow Room at the Lake Powell Resort.
Meal: B
Day
7 Glen Canyon Dam & Navajo Bridge
Touring today includes a visit to the 710-feet high Glen Canyon
Dam followed by a scenic drive along Vermilion Cliffs National
Monument to see the impressive Colorado River Gorge at Navajo
Bridge.
Meals: B, D
Day
8 Grand Canyon South Rim
Entering through the east gate, arrive at Grand Canyon National Park’s amazing south rim. World-renowned for its remarkable beauty and diverse range of rock layers, the Grand Canyon offers visitors an unmatched display of scenic wonders and breathtaking views.
Meal: B
Day
9 Petrified Forest National Park & Painted Desert
Drive through one of the world’s largest concentrations of petrified wood at Petrified Forest National Park and see the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert.
Meals: B, D
Day
10 Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascension & Evening Balloon Glow
It’s an early start today at the Fiesta Grounds for the “Mass Ascension” of over 600 specially shaped balloons as they lift off at sunrise. Later, a local guide joins you for a tour of Albuquerque to learn about the history of the area.
Just before dusk, the burners of nearly 500 balloons are ignited and the evening sky fills with a kaleidoscope of brilliant, luminous color at the Balloon Glow, followed by a vivid fireworks display.
Meal: B
Day
11 Indian Pueblo Cultural Center & Sandia Peak
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was designed to preserve
and perpetuate Pueblo culture and features original artwork,
exhibits and theater presenting the accomplishments of the
people of New Mexico.
Later, take a thrilling ride aboard the
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for incredible views of the Rio
Grande Valley. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your
Tour Manager.
Meals: B, D
Day
12 Depart for Home
Transfer to Albuquerque’s Sunport Airport for flights home departing after 12:00 p.m.
Meal: B