Southwest National Parks

Join alumni and friends on a journey to the exceptional national parks and monuments of the Southwest from May 1 – 9, 2024. Travel to Grand Canyon National Park for awe-inspiring views from the park’s rim. Admire the beauty of light striking Antelope Canyon’s narrow sandstone walls. Share a peaceful evening with Navajo storytellers, and ponder cultures past and present at a petroglyph site during a river raft ride down Glen Canyon. Continue to Utah where you’ll spend enjoyable time at Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks—viewing rock formations and otherworldly landscapes that must be seen to be believed.

With the guidance of an expert Expedition Leader and the comforts of a private motor coach, there is no better way to visit our national parks. PLUS: Kick off your adventure in the Southwest by joining the optional pre-tour, Denver to Moab aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy nature’s wondrous scenery in comfort and style during two days of rail travel in premium SilverLeaf class. After arriving in Moab, delight in guided touring at Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park for two additional areas to explore.

Shared with participants from cosponsoring associations, space is sure to fill quickly. Request a reservation today, or please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details.

Dates & Rates

Trip Dates: May 1 – 9, 2024

Rates: $4,995 per person based upon double occupancy. A limited number of places are offered for single travelers at $6,695 per person. Please contact us regarding single space availability prior to sending in a reservation.

Trip Status: Open for reservations. Reserve My Spot

Itinerary

May 1: Arrive in Phoenix, AZ / Scottsdale

Settle at the hotel before meeting fellow travel companions and your Orbridge Expedition Leader for a welcome reception.

Overnight: Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains (R)

May 2: Scottsdale / Sedona / Grand Canyon National Park

After breakfast, travel north through the cactus-studded Sonoran Desert, arriving in Sedona for a brief stop. This picturesque town is a haven for artists and photographers who are dazzled by the landscape filled with remarkable red sandstone cliffs. Continue to the Grand Canyon National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—to marvel at the impressive views that make the park one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Wander along the canyon rim and admire the West’s famous Colorado River below. This afternoon, join a ranger-led program or relax and bask in the park’s offerings at leisure. Confirmed by the National Park Service, tonight and tomorrow night you’ll stay at one of the following Grand Canyon properties: Maswik Lodge, Kachina Lodge, or Thunderbird Lodge. Each offers comfortable lodging and modern amenities.

Overnight: Grand Canyon property (B,D)

May 3: Grand Canyon National Park


Following breakfast, spend free time exploring the park or take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly over the heart of the Grand Canyon during an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion. (You may purchase this optional excursion in advance from our Guest Services team. Reserve early for best availability as space is limited.)
Grand Canyon National Park is enormous, with thousands of acres of land appealing to travelers’ different interests. Walking/hiking and taking photographs are popular activities, and a great way to keep memories of the adventure vibrant.  Visit well-known viewpoints, such as Mather Point and Desert View; take a guided program that explains the geologic and human history of the canyon; or walk the rim at sunset. Other potential options for enjoying the park include strolling the trail of time, learning about the history and formation of the Grand Canyon at the Yavapai Museum of Geology, and/or visiting the historic Kolb studio to learn about the art of the Grand Canyon.

Overnight: Grand Canyon property (B)

May 4: Grand Canyon National Park / Monument Valley, UT


After breakfast, delight in a coach ride through the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, stopping at Navajo National Monument for the opportunity to take a short hike to an overlook to view Ancient Puebloan ruins. Continue to a lodge that’s famous for its role in dozens of Old West movies, trade, and Navajo territory culture. Settle in and explore the collection of movie memorabilia and Native American artifacts in the Goulding’s Museum and Trading Post. Tonight, retreat to an authentic Navajo cookout and storytelling presentation focused on Navajo legend, songs, and history.

Overnight: Goulding’s Lodge (B,D)

May 5: Monument Valley / Lake Powell, AZ


After breakfast, board a 4×4 open-air vehicle to explore the magnificent Monument Valley alongside a Navajo guide, viewing and listening to stories about the unique sandstone formations.
Savor lunch on your own at Goulding’s Lodge before enjoying Lake Powell and a guided tour of Antelope Canyon. Have a camera ready to capture the otherworldly passageways of red-orange rock, created by water erosion, which appear to be “flowing” and reflect light in the most stunning ways. Next head to Lake Powell Resort for dinner. The evening is at leisure to relax and relish the property’s amenities.

Overnight: Lake Powell Resort (B,D)

May 6: Lake Powell / Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Today’s adventures include a raft trip down the Colorado River through nearby Glen Canyon. As you gaze at the 700- to 1,400-foot red rock cliffs overhead, watch for the California Condor. Stop to view 6,000-year-old petroglyphs, believed to have been carved by Ancestral Puebloans. Later, view the slow erosion of ages in Bryce Canyon National Park. Resembling castle towers and cathedral spires, the unique hoodoos rock formations are unforgettable. Watch the natural amphitheaters and canyons glow while wandering the rim.

Overnight: Ruby’s Inn (B,L)

May 7: Bryce Canyon National Park / Zion National Park

Today start the day with more touring of Bryce Canyon before heading to Zion National Park for a riverside walk.

Overnight: Zion Park Lodge (B,D)

May 8: Zion National Park / Las Vegas, NV


Hike to the Emerald Pools at Zion and spend the morning. Take a ranger-led program, or listen to one of many ranger talks at the Zion Human History Museum. Lunch is on your own before departing for Las Vegas and the farewell reception.

Overnight: The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa (B,R)

May 9: Depart Las Vegas


After breakfast, guests departing during the suggested times take a complimentary transfer to Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International) for flights home. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch , D = Dinner, R = Reception

Activity Level: Moderate
The majority of the program’s activities will take place outdoors, and a fair amount of walking on varying terrain is to be expected. Many of the parks have dirt trails—but they are usually fairly smooth for walking—and some do have paved pathways and boardwalks. It is our expectation that guests on this program are able to walk up and down a flight of stairs, and get in and out of a motor coach without assistance. If you are able to walk a mile at a moderate pace, you will be able to enjoy all of the excursions. Also keep in mind that you will experience varying altitudes, rising up to 9,000 feet, to which you may not be accustomed. Guests should also have the ability to embark and disembark a scenic raft, have proper fit into a life jacket, and be able to remain seated and balanced in the craft.

What’s Included:

◦ 8 nights accommodations
◦ A welcome and farewell reception, 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 4 dinners
◦ Full guiding services of a professional Expedition Leader as well as expert local guides
◦ Admission and park fees throughout
◦ All activities as described in the 9-day itinerary, unless noted otherwise
◦ Private deluxe motor coach with air conditioning and comfortable seating
◦ Luggage porterage
◦ Gratuities to  Expedition Leader, local guides, drivers, and porters
◦ Airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times

What’s not included:
Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance;  baggage charges on aircraft;  airfare, transfers and baggage handling to/from hotel on day of arrival and/or departure i if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure.

 

Accommodations:

Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains
Delight in the well-appointed comforts of this modern hotel, featuring breathtaking mountain views. Cool off in the outdoor pool, take advantage of the fitness center, or relax outside on the picturesque patio. Room Amenities: Individual climate control, sofa, writing desk, flat-screen cable/satellite TV, Wi-Fi (additional fee), phone, clock, coffee and tea maker, minibar, mini-fridge, robes, iron and ironing board, and marble bathroom with sundries and hair dryer.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodging
Confirmed by the National Park Service, you’ll stay at one of the following Grand Canyon properties: Maswik Lodge, Kachina Lodge, or Thunderbird Lodge. Each offers comfortable lodging and modern amenities.

Goulding’s Lodge
Relax and savor the spectacular views of Monument Valley at Goulding’s Lodge, a popular locale for Old West movies. Be sure to check out Goulding’s Trading Post Museum, showcasing artifacts, artwork, and film memorabilia. Note: The lodge does not have an elevator. Room Amenities: Individual climate control, flat screen television with satellite, complimentary Wi-Fi (in most areas), mini-fridge, coffee maker, and en suite bathroom with sundries and hair dryer.

Lake Powell Resort
Located in Page, Arizona, the Lake Powell Resort offers comfortable lodging and first-rate dining. The property’s lake-view rooms with Native American flair are an ideal retreat after a day full of adventurous fun. Sit back and take in views of Wahweap Bay, Lone Rock, Castle Rock, and breathtaking sunsets. Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby or lounge.
Room Amenities: Individual climate control, cable TV, phone, mini-fridge, coffee and tea maker, and en suite bathroom with sundries and hair dryer.

Ruby’s Inn
Ruby’s Inn at Bryce Canyon has been serving guests since 1916. The closest lodging to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, it is in an ideal location to base exploration of a beautiful area. An indoor swimming pool, business center, and gym are available, as well as a large gift shop and general store.
Room Amenities: Individual climate control, writing desk and chair, cable/satellite television, complimentary high-speed wireless internet, alarm clock, phone, coffee and tea maker, refrigerator, microwave, iron and ironing board, and en suite bathroom with sundries and hair dryer.

Zion Park Lodge
The only in-park lodging at Zion National Park, the Zion Park Lodge is serenely nestled among towering red rock cliffs. Each guest room provides a warm, comfortable atmosphere, ensuring a memorable stay. Room Amenities: Individual climate control, complimentary Wi-Fi, phone, radio/MP3 compatible alarm clock, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, and en suite bathroom with shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and hair dryer. (Guest rooms do not include a TV.)

The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa
Welcome to the City of Lights! This stylish hotel —just off the Las Vegas Strip—features a non-smoking environment, modern guest rooms, outdoor heated pool, fitness studio, lobby lounge, and 24-hour bistro. Room Amenities: Individual climate control, Heavenly® Bed, 42″ flat-screen LCD cable TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, phone, coffee maker, safe, and en suite bathroom with deluxe Heavenly® Bath sundries and hair dryer.