Southwest Road Trip: Zion, the Grand Canyon & Santa Monica Sunsets

7 Days
From CAD $1,493 Was CAD $1,659
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(2 reviews)

Experience Overview

An American Southwest Special, this trip encompasses some of the absolute best spots in the United States. Featuring deserts, canyons, hoodoos and beaches, this seven-day adventure takes you through four National Parks as you soak up nature at its very finest. Swap stories around the campfire, hike legendary trails with equally epic views, and have a drink under the stars as you experience the beautifully bizarre Santa Monica Pier. If this sounds like your perfect week, you came to the right trip.

Highlights

  • Hike and camp your way through four iconic U.S. National Parks
  • Marvel at the towering cliffs of Zion National Park
  • Hike along the zig zagging paths in Bryce Canyon
  • Embrace the views along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon
  • Drive along Route 66
  • Share laughs and stories under the California stars
  • Hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash as you walk along the Santa Monica Pier

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 2579

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Basic

TransportTransport: Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Travel StylesTravel Styles: 18 - 35 Year Olds Only

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: NUVCHW

StartStarts: Las Vegas, United States

FinishFinishes: Los Angeles, United States

DurationDuration: 7 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Average

Includes

Activities

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Visit
  • Zion National Park Visit
  • Horseshoe Bend Hike
  • Grand Canyon South Rim Visit
  • Visit Route 66
  • Joshua Tree National Park Visit
  • Free time in Santa Monica
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

  • Camping (5 nts) & hostel (1 nt).
  • 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

  • Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.

Group Leader

  • 1 CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1493 (CAD $213 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park

Meet your group at 8:00 AM for a quick Welcome Meeting, then hop in the van for about 3 hours and head to Bryce Canyon National Park. Around 1:00 pm (we lose 1 hour at the Utah border-but don't worry, we'll get it back soon), stop in Cedar City where you'll have time to grab lunch on your own. Arrive to Bryce Canyon in the early afternoon and spend a few hours hiking, exploring and gazing at the crazy rock formations known as hoodoos. Hike the Navajo Loop & Queens Garden trail to get more up close with these cool geological features. Pitch your tent and make dinner at camp with your fellow Roamies.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Today, the adventure begins. Be sure to arrive in time to meet your group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your trip. The group will meet at 8:30 AM on day 1 before beginning the journey to Zion National Park via Bryce Canyon.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. Stop in Cedar City to break up the drive. Stretch those legs and opt to grab some lunch at a place of your choosing.Activity - See a sight like no other at this giant forest of stone made up of collection of massive natural amphitheaters. This park contains hundreds of thousands of eroded spires, pinnacles, and other shapes as far as the eye can see.Activity - Trek through the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon to see its famous hoodoos - tall, thin spires of rock that seem to magically balance upon their dusty, red rock base. Begin your hike at Sunrise Point and make your way toward Queen Victoria, the trail's namesake rock formation. Continue through the amphitheater on Navajo Loop past Wall Street or Thor's Hammer, depending on trail conditions. Exit at Sunset Point before walking the Rim Trail back to our starting point. Soak in the views one last time - you'll want to take it all in. Hiking distance: 4.6km (2.9 mi) Elevation change: 183m (600 ft).Accommodation - Ruby's Inn RV Park & Campground

2

Day 2: Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park

Wake up with the birds chirping and make breakfast at camp. Pack a lunch for the day then drive to Zion National Park. Once there it's time to explore! You'll board the national park shuttle to take you into the park and explore your heart out. There are a couple different trail options, the main ones being The Emerald Pools, The Narrows, Scouts Lookout and Watchman Trail. Grab your hiking books, your new best buddy and get out there! Enjoy your packed lunch whenever you choose! Later, travel back to East Zion for a chill evening with your fellow Roamies at the camp site. Once it gets dark, get ready to sit around the campfire, roast some marshmallows and stare up at the stars. First one to see a shooting star wins an extra s'more!

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Admire monumental sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that tower into the sky. Experience diverse plant and animal life, and wade through water in a narrow slot canyon as the park transitions from desert to forest. Gaze at the awe-inspiring beauty of the high plateaus, striking towers, temples, mesas, and the earth's tallest-known sheer sandstone walls.Free_time - Spend a full day exploring the wonders of Zion. Sit down and enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, and then opt to check out various trails like, the Emerald Pools, the famous Narrows, Scouts Lookout, or Watchman Trails.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle on the drive back to camp in East Zion. Dinner will be on your own this evening, and there are serval meal choices available at the campground restaurant.Accommodation - Zion Ponderosa Ranch

3

Day 3: Zion National Park/Grand Canyon National Park

If you stayed up late with your new friends, you can sleep in the van. Today we wake up early to drive to Grand Canyon National Park, with a couple awesome pit stops along the way. The first stop is at Horseshoe Bend. This geological masterpiece was sculpted by the Colorado River. Go on and walk to the overlook, hike along the rim and stare down into the flowing river far below. Snap some photos with your friends and just enjoy the moment. Continue onwards to our next national park of the trip. En route, stop for lunch at a Navajo-inspired restaurant and trading post. Arrive at the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon—one of the world's Natural Wonders— and set up camp for the next two nights just in time for a spectacular sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Take a short hike to this spectacular horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River. Stand atop steep orange-coloured sandstone cliffs and look out at Horseshoe Bend. Peer down more than 300m (1,000 ft) at the emerald river below.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Mather Campground

4

Day 4: Grand Canyon National Park

After having breakfast and packing a lunch, get those water bottles ready because today is dedicated to the Grand Canyon. Starting from the South Rim, there are so many hikes to choose from that will take you deeper into the canyon where you can really appreciate the size and depth of this national park. Choose whichever trail you wish or do short bursts of multiple hikes, just make sure you bring plenty of water and take your time. You got this! Sit down for a picnic lunch in the park then maybe choose to rent a bike, or if you're feeling really adventurous, opt to take a legendary helicopter ride over the canyon. The choice is yours! After a full day in the park, sit down for an unforgettable pizza dinner along the rim of the Grand Canyon as the setting sun lights the sky.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the south rim of the canyon for a great first impression. Marvel as the Grand Canyon unfolds before you. Don't get too close. The land drops almost straight down for more than 1,000m (3,280 ft) into the serpentine canyons below! The gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words defy. This is truly one of the most magnificent sights on earth.Activity - Opt to hike along the rim or down into the canyon. Experience breathtaking scenery with spectacular views. Bring lots of water, a hat and plenty of energy. Remember -- hiking down is optional, hiking back up is mandatory! Activity - Find a spot to sit and dig in to the most scenic dinner you've ver had! Enjoy some pizza as the sun sets over the Grand Canyon offering breathtaking views while the canyon walls glow red and orange in the fading light. This is truly one of the great wonders. Enjoy the moment.Accommodation - Mather Campground

5

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park/Joshua Tree National Park

Road trip! Get your kicks, because its time to drive along one of the most famous roads in history: Route 66. After you eat breakfast and break down camp, we head out and cruise south west toward Joshua Tree National Park. We'll stop in Seligman along Route 66 and then continue to Kingman, where you will have free time to grab lunch on your own. Throughout the drive, we will take short stops to admire the Mojave Desert, and the funky dessert trees that gave Joshua Tree it's name. Arrive to the camp site in the early evening and after setting up, you will have the night free to explore Pioneer Town. Watch the sky light up in flames during an incredible desert sunset and maybe throw down a blanket to watch for shooting stars tonight in one of California's clearest skies.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Travel the historic Route 66 through the southwest.Activity - Discover the rugged rock formations and iconic Joshua trees that gave this National Park it's name. Go for a hike, keep a sharp eye out for desert wildlife, and take in the incredible scenery.Accommodation - Joshua Tree Lake Rv & Campground

6

Day 6: Joshua Tree National Park/Santa Monica

After another night under the stars, pack away your camping gear, have some breakfast at camp, and drive to one of the LA's most famous beaches for a day of fun. You'll have the entire afternoon free to explore Santa Monica and do whatever you please with your fellow Roamies. Opt to lounge on the beach, have some of the worlds best ice cream, take a ride on the pier, or just people watch with a spicy margarita at an open air bar. Whatever you choose, make it count! Tonight we'll stay at an awesome, hip hostel in Santa Monica.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Make a stop at Santa Monica where you can choose to lounge in the sand, rollerblade on the sidewalks, bicycle along the waterfront, or take a walk down the pier. The choice is yours during your afternoon here.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Joshua Tree Lake Rv & Campground

7

Day 7: Santa Monica/Los Angeles

Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

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Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

Reviews

 

Brent   -  Traveled, August 2024

Great time and experience

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/11/2024

 

Robin  -  Traveled, July 2024

I like to being able to see both the national parks and some cities. They appreciated that it was the best of California and not just one section. However, I think it would’ve been nice to spend a little more time in the cities as it seemed like we didn’t get enough of time there. There’s only one thing I really didn’t like, which was the fact that we had to buy all of our lunches, with the exception of the two that were provided. Did with another company all the meals were provided for. Which means we paid for them upfront, didn’t have to worry about buying them every day.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/04/2024

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