This journey of exploration will transport you to Utah's well-kept secrets.
As an introduction, nothing better than visiting the Utah Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City which presents the geological history of the region. You will perhaps understand a little better during your trip why Nature is capable of creating so many natural wonders…
Utah is renowned for having a wide variety of this type of canyon on its territory... But also on site rocky peaks, dizzying cliffs, colorful hills... During this trip you will discover no less than 5 national parks, the "Mighty Utah's Five: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches National Park.
The Virgin River has carved canyons, like “The Narrows” in the heart of Zion National Park, an aquatic hike that leaves an unforgettable memory. The one to discover “Delicate Arch” at sunset also leaves you speechless.
Beyond its national parks, Utah is rich in numerous National Monuments and state parks. As on the Grand Staircase Plateau, sublime and unjustly forgotten by classic itineraries, where we invite you to explore “slot canyons”: deep and narrow canyons formed by the flow of water in the heart of the rock.
Finally, this immersion trip will allow you, if you wish, to explore with a guide the largest “slot canyon” in the world: Buckskin Gulch. Throughout your journey to the heart of the parks, we offer you atypical, glamping-type accommodation for a true immersion in nature: cottages, yurts, deluxe safari tents, etc.
This journey ends in the bustling city of Las Vegas, a veritable urban jungle after all these desert landscapes which also often leave an impression with their extravagance.
Program
Day 1: France / Salt Lake City
International flight to Salt Lake City. Pick-up for your rental vehicle. Installation at the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Utah Museum of Natural History, which provides an excellent introduction to the geological and anthropological heritage of the entire Colorado Plateau region.
Day 2: Salt Lake City/Bryce Canyon National Park
This morning, visit the Utah Museum of Natural History if you didn't have time yesterday, then head towards the great National Parks of southern Utah. Bryce Canyon welcomes you to the heart of tens of thousands of multicolored fairy chimneys soaring towards the sky! The more experienced will choose the Peek-a-Boo Loop route, the more casual walkers will opt for Navajo Loop and Queens Garden. In both cases, the landscapes will live up to the reputation of Bryce Canyon National Park!
Bryce Canyon DMITRY VINOGRADOV / lucky-photo - stock.adobe.com
Day 3: Bryce Canyon national Park / Grand Staircase Escalante
Today, you take Highway 12 heading south to Escalante, ranked among the 10 most beautiful roads in the United States, the first road to receive the distinction of “All American Road”. The spectacular views this route offers are memorable, especially at sunset. You will discover a territory as grandiose as it is little-known, the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, a vast mineral area of more than 7,600 square km, preserved in 1996 by President Bill Clinton for generations to come. Slot canyons, rocky peaks, dizzying cliffs, hills colored like so many painters' palettes, are some of the treasures that this immense region of Utah conceals. Numerous hiking possibilities are available to you.
Escalante Bjoern Alberts / Björn Alberts - stock.adobe.com
Day 4: Grand Staircase Escalante / Capitol Reef National Park
Road towards Torrey. Take advantage of the afternoon to take a first walk in the Capitol Reef National Park; several viewpoints are particularly appreciated for admiring the sunset. Explore some of the park's most spectacular areas, including Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon.
Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park / Moab
This morning, you will take the road towards the north and the small town of Moab, a favorite place for outdoor activities in Utah, and gateway to 2 mythical National Parks of the American West: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. A sunset over Delicate Arch will undoubtedly remain one of the highlights of your trip! Moab is full of small restaurants, saloons, steak houses and shops selling outdoor activities.
Day 6: Moab (Arches and Canyonland National Park)
A whole day is what you will need to discover a small part of the wonders of the Moab region. Several options are available to you to enhance your stay: boat trip on the Colorado River, 4X4 tour in Canyonlands Park, hiking in Arches National Park, mountain bike ride along the Colorado, etc. At sunset, head to Dead Horse Point State Park for a spectacular bird's eye view of the Colorado River canyons.
Canyonlands-Utah
Beboy - stock.adobe.com
Day 7: Moab / Bluff San Juan County
This day will be an opportunity to explore San Juan County, with the program to discover the Native American heritage of the Colorado Plateau: Monument Valley, the Edge of the Cedars Native American pottery museum, the Hovenweep National Monument, as well as the spectacular Valley of the Gods and Goosenecks State Park.
Day 8 * Monument Valley / Lake Powell
At the end of the morning, you will reach the majestic Lake Powell. Take advantage of your afternoon to sail on the navy blue waters of this legendary lake in the American West, made up of hundreds of canyons flooded by the Colorado River following the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. Several boat excursions will be offered to you, unless you prefer to opt for a canoe or kayak trip?
Buckskin Gulch slot canyon
aiisha - stock.adobe.com
Days 9 and 10: Lake Powell / Kanab
You will then take the road towards the town of Kanab, also known as Little Hollywood, because it is here that some of the first western films were filmed. We invite you to discover the region of the Vermillion Cliffs and the Paria River Canyon, a magnificent range of colors on reliefs sculpted by erosion over millions of years. Several guided excursions can allow you to explore the largest slot canyon in the world – Buckskin Gulch – as well as the White Pocket. Get your flashcards ready!
Day 11: Kanab / Zion National Park
On the way to Zion, take the opportunity to stop at the astonishing Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, superb fine sand dunes, colored by the iron oxide that composes them. Then you will continue your way south to reach Zion National Park. If time permits, stop at Kolob Canyon, in the northern part of Zion National Park, easily accessible by car from I-15.
Day 12: Zion National Park
This day will be entirely devoted to Zion National Park, and the choice of activities and walks is inexhaustible! Weather permitting, hike up the Virgin River that formed Zion Canyon and walk through the cool water, surrounded by the spectacular red sandstone cliffs, a part of the canyon known as the Narrows, an unforgettable experience! Unless you prefer to challenge some of the hiking routes that lead to breathtaking panoramic viewpoints, such as Angel's Landing or Observation Point.
Angels Landing Trail - Zion national park
maislam - stock.adobe.com
Day 13: Zion National Park / Las Vegas
Walking enthusiasts will take advantage of this morning to explore one of Zion's many hiking trails. You will then take the road towards Las Vegas, the city of lights in the middle of the desert, its casinos, its hotels, its excess…
Day 14: Las Vegas / France
Take advantage of this morning to make your final purchases, depending on the take-off time of your flight to France. Handing over your rental vehicle at the airport. Flight to France.
The price includes
The international flight
Air taxes
Intermediate category car rental for the duration of the stay
13 nights of accommodation: yurts, cottages, luxury tents
Our French-speaking Concierge 7/7