Visit three awe-inspiring national parks in Southwest USA
This eight-day tour to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas visits the best national parks and Native American lands in Southwest USA. Travel along the Grand Staircase taking in the red sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park and the supernatural hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. Enjoy a two-night stop at the Grand Canyon, an unrivalled natural wonder. Visit the spiritual heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley, where a Navajo guide takes us on a 4×4 journey into the backcountry to learn how the landscape shaped Native American myths and hear Navajo legends.
From 1 January 2026, this adventure is only available as a private departure. Contact us to find out more.
Highlights
Explore three national parks
Enjoy a Navajo-guided backroads tour in Monument Valley and traditional dinner
Discover ancient cliff dwellings at Navajo National Monument
Gaze over the Grand Canyon at sunrise or sunset
Take in sandstone cliffs of Zion and rock hoodoos of Bryce Canyon
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
No departures found.
Itinerary
Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Fly to Las Vegas, transfer to hotel
Those on the group flight will be met at Las Vegas International Airport and transferred to our hotel. Welcome to the neon city in the Nevada desert, Las Vegas. This brash, iconic destination offers you the chance to explore over-the-top casinos, see a show, shop or simply watch the world pass.
The welcome briefing will usually take place in the morning of Day 2.
Accommodation: Alexis Park Resort (or similar)
Day
1
Start Las Vegas
Welcome to the neon city in the Nevada desert, Las Vegas. This brash, iconic destination offers you the chance to explore over-the-top casinos, see a show, shop or simply watch the world pass.
The welcome briefing will usually be held in the morning of Day 2, so today is free for you to explore the city and see the neon lights in all their glory.
Accommodation: Alexis Park Resort (or similar)
Day
2
Las Vegas to Zion National Park
After leaving Las Vegas, we drive through desert landscapes before arriving in the state of Utah and our destination for today, Zion National Park. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their ‘promised land’. On arrival, we head to the Zion Human History Museum, which focuses on the rich human history of the area now known as Zion National Park. Several exhibits explain the geology, plant life and human survival in Zion Canyon throughout history.
Today is all about exploring Zion National Park and its vast network of trails. Some of the best hiking in the desert terrain of Southwest USA is here, in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge, and today we follow the Watchman Trail. It is a steady uphill climb until you reach the viewpoint, which has stunning views of Watchman Peak. In the afternoon, we recommend a walk beside the Virgin River or (if weather conditions permit) you may choose to hike deep into the Narrows, a water channel where you’ll witness outstanding scenery. Staying dry is not an option as you wade through the Virgin River between towering walls. The cool waters and the shadow of the canyon can provide a much-needed respite from the scorching sun.
Leaving Zion, we climb in elevation to almost 8,296ft (2,528m) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. ‘Mysterious’, ‘breath-taking’ and ‘out of this world’ are just a few of the descriptions offered by past visitors to describe this fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as hoodoos.
There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The Navajo or Peek-a-Boo Loop trails will enable you to hike right among these unique rock formations. Wherever you walk, you’ll encounter a mesmerising kaleidoscope of colours and a fantasy land of rock spires. Photographers may prefer to remain on the rim and capture the ever-changing shadows and colours as the sun travels across the open sky.
Optional activities:
Western horse riding: US$80-US$100
Accommodation: Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
5
Monument Valley
Today we travel southeast along the Utah-Arizona border and stop at the immense Glen Canyon Dam en route to Monument Valley in the heart of the Navajo Nation. This is sacred land to those who call it home and the red sandstone monoliths and spectacular sunsets and sunrises have been the backdrop to countless Westerns. Explore the incredible array of rock formations on a guided backroads tour, led by a local Navajo guide, to learn the magic and myth of this Native American culture, then indulge in an included traditional Navajo dinner.
Accommodation: Kayenta Monument Valley Inn (or similar)
Meals included: Dinner
Day
6
Navajo National Monument; to the Grand Canyon National Park
Head west through the Navajo Reservation to the Navajo National Monument, high up on the Shonto plateau. Here, we discover cliff dwellings dating back to around 1250, which were inhabited by Ancestral Puebloans (descendants of Native American hunter-gatherers). Our Navajo journey continues at the Explore Navajo Museum, where we can see a traditional Navajo hogan (traditional dwelling) and learn about the Navajo stories of creation, before a stop at the Cameron Trading Post to shop for local jewellery, crafts and cultural souvenirs.
In the late afternoon, we approach the eastern entrance of the mighty Grand Canyon, where we catch our first glimpse of it at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this natural wonder is 277mi (445km) long, up to 18mi (29km) wide and more than 1mi (1.6km) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 1,450mi (2,330km) through seven US states and two Mexican states.
Accommodation: Red Feather Lodge (or similar)
Day
7
Grand Canyon - choice of walks
There is a whole host of rim trail walks that you can enjoy using the park transport, as well as the park ranger’s guided nature walk, or you may just wish to sit in quiet contemplation on the edge of this natural wonder. However, we highly recommend lacing up your hiking boots and walking the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh-Ahh Point for spectacular views across the canyon. For more of a challenge, you may choose to continue the hike as far as Cedar Ridge.
In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic helicopter flight over the canyon, offering perspectives you simply can’t see on foot. Alternatively, stroll the easy meandering South Rim Trail, hike your way down the more challenging trail to Plateau Point, or simply relax at the canyon edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the most fantastic natural wonders in the world.
Optional activities:
Grand Canyon Helicopter flight: US$369 (starting rate, price varies according to demand)
Please note: Grand Canyon National Park regulations limit group size and do not allow guided hikes. Your tour leader will provide briefings, directions and maps, but is not permitted by the National Park Service to walk with you on the trails.
Accommodation: Red Feather Lodge (or similar)
Day
8
Route 66 - Las Vegas
From the epic Grand Canyon, we travel onto Seligman, where we stop for an optional lunch at the Snow Cap Diner along a section of Route 66. Prepare to be dazzled all over again by the bright lights of Las Vegas, a memorable end to a fantastic eight days.
This tour ends in Las Vegas at approximately 5pm. If you would like to extend your stay to experience the bright lights of Las Vegas, please speak to your sales representative.
To Las Vegas along Route 66; transfer to Las Vegas International Airport
This morning, we begin our journey back to the desert city of Las Vegas. En route, we drive along a section of the original Route 66, stopping at the town of Seligman, which is filled to the brim with pure Americana. This stop makes for some wacky photos but also echoes back to a time when the Mother Road was the main highway to cross America.
This incredible adventure comes to an end as we transfer back to Las Vegas International Airport.
Arrive London
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This tour has been graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This cultural tour is designed for active adults and offers a well-paced mix of cultural visits with walks for all fitness levels. Most walks are of leisurely-to-moderate difficulty and up to four hours’ long, however there are often shorter walks available for those who prefer to take in the views at a slower pace. For the more adventurous, there are sometimes optional moderate-to-strenuous hikes up to eight hours’ long. Your tour leader will organise these for you and you can pay locally in cash. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour.
The tour includes some long days as there is so much to see! Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility needed and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key, and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, weather and time of year.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Alexis Park Resort, 375 E Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169 Phone: +1 702-796-3300 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. The welcome briefing usually takes place in the morning of Day 2
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves.
Make your own way
You are free to arrive any time on Day 1. Due to the late arrival time of the group flight from London, UK, it is likely that the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of Day 2. Details on the time and specific location of your meeting will be available by midday on Day 1. During the welcome meeting, you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation to the meeting.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Arrival complications
Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost – please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Las Vegas Location end: Las Vegas
Vaccinations and Health
USA
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Visa
USA
Travellers from the UK and most EU countries can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provided they have registered for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – which costs US$21 – and are in possession of an onward air ticket and machine-readable passport when entering the US. Visas are required for some nationalities and requirements often change; it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and fulfil any requirements for this trip. We recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Please note, regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011 (or has dual nationality of Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria) may no longer qualify for the VWP. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021, you will not be eligible for the VWP and should instead apply for a visa to travel to, or transit via, the USA.
Food & Drink
There are two breakfasts and one dinner included on this trip.
Most meals will be taken in local restaurants.
To help you budget for these meals, average costs are:
Hotel breakfasts: US$15-US$25
Lunches: US$15-US$30
Dinners: US$20-US$40, not including alcoholic beverages
Drinks cost on average:
Wine: US$10-US$15 per glass
Beer: US$6-US$9 per bottle
A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.
Your tour leader may offer your group the option to operate a lunch-only food kitty; this has proven a popular alternative to three daily restaurant meals. Leaders will explain this option on your tour, and the whole group will have to agree for this system to run.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this trip, please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared. We do all we can to accommodate various other dietary requirements but in certain parts of North America certain food types can be limited.
Weather
The West has very dry weather and blue, sunny skies in spring, summer and autumn. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on the elevation. Generally, the higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature. Outside of summer, it can be very cold in the morning (below freezing) in some locations, so you should bring thermals and thick gloves with you.
Spring and autumn have perfect hiking days in the deserts and cooler days at higher elevations.
In summer, Bryce and the Grand Canyon offer pleasant temperatures, ideal for hiking, whereas some of the deserts might experience hotter temperatures. On warmer days, the leader will opt for early morning and late afternoon walks, leaving time for mid-day rest.
Please note, the hottest time of day in the deserts is 3pm. Most nights will be mild to warm. In summer, prepare for afternoon thunderstorms. Spring has stunning displays of desert wildflowers, summer has mountain wildflowers and in autumn the tree colours are beautiful.
Hotels
Accommodation is in clean hotels chosen for their friendly atmosphere and proximity to the highlights of the region. You room with a fellow passenger of the same sex on a twin-share basis (two people per room) unless you are travelling as a couple.
There are no compulsory single supplements on our tours; however, if you’d like your own space, you can request a single room for an additional fee.
A great mix of cultural activities and stunning walks in the most incredible scenery
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to pick just one! But my first view of the Grand Canyon and then walking down into it the following day, seeing the stunning Bryce hoodoos at sunset, and walking the Narrows in the river at Zion were my highlights. But every activity was superb.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jay was excellent, his knowledge was impressive, and he ensured everyone in the group got what they wanted from the trip. He had a great sense of humour, and having such a friendly and experienced leader added to the overall enjoyment of the trip
Advice for Potential Travellers
In November it’s very cold, so I’d suggest bringing thermals, gloves, over-trousers, down jacket and a warm hat! Can highly recommend the Narrows river walk (waterproof kit rented from local store) and the South Kaibab trail. We also did an extra day in Las Vegas, essential if you want time to explore this vibrant city.