BRYCE, GRAND CANYON & ZION

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BRYCE, GRAND CANYON & ZION America's Finest National Parks

D A I LY I T I N E R A R Y BRYCE, GRAND CANYON & ZION | AMERICA'S FINEST NATIONAL PARKS | MULTISPORT


Three American Adventures in One

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.” Travel + Leisure

Even as adults we play the pioneer game every time we visit this monumental trio of national parks. It goes like this: Imagine cresting the hill in your Conestoga wagon to behold these sights. How would you have reacted to canyons so deep, rock this red, bridges of stone and boulders poised on slender spires? These days, many visitors miss that sense of wonder as they RV past major points of interest. The Classic Journeys approach is different. We partner you with our knowledgeable guides who interpret what you see. (Did you know, for example, that the original Grand Canyon may have been created cataclysmically by the sudden draining of an inland sea?) We'll make sure you get to less visited areas and experience the richness of the area's geologic and human history. Yet we do it all without undue exertion. We've found easy trails—not to mention gracious lodges—to make certain that that this journey of discovery is memorable in every way.



DAY 1

GRAND CANYON • Meet in St. George • Picnic lunch with panoramic views • Marvel at the colors of the Grand Canyon during sunset

We meet in St. George, located in the southwest corner of Utah. Rich with pioneer history, the town is surrounded by colorful sandstone cliffs. From here, we set out for the Grand Canyon. Stately ponderosa pine forests welcome us to the Grand Canyon where we stay on the lookout for Condors that tend to nest here. We get our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon as we approach the lodge that offers several amazing views while our guide talks about the geologic events that created this natural wonder. A short walk takes us to our guide's favorite vista point overlooking Roaring Springs, Bright Angel Canyon and the South Rim. Along the way, we also have the chance to do some birding. Swifts and swallows can often be seen along cliff faces, and, with luck, we may even see a bald eagle or willow flycatcher. Before dinner, you have the choice to enjoy a glass of wine on the lodge's veranda with spectacular views as far as the eye can see, take a short sunset walk along the rim or join one of the ranger- led activities highlighting the natural history of this magnificent chasm. OVERNIGHT: GRAND CANYON MEALS: L, D

DAY 2

GRAND CANYON/BRYCE • Join a sunrise walk option for early risers • Relax during the scenic drive to Bryce Canyon

A memorable sunrise walk along the rim of the Grand Canyon allows early risers to enjoy the vibrant colors as they reflect off the canyon walls. After breakfast, we take a guided walk along the Transept Trail following the rim of a side canyon through quaking aspens and ponderosa pines. Following our hike we bid farewell to the Grand Canyon and journey to Bryce Canyon National Park. Have your camera ready during our scenic drive out of the park; we often see a variety of wildlife such as the rare Kaibab squirrel, found only on the Kaibab Plateau. We arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park where nature has shaped colorful limestone, and sandstone into thousands of spires, fins, pinnacles and mazes, called hoodoos. Take time to relax at our rustic lodge, completely renovated to its 1930s elegance-down to replicas of the lodge's original hickory furniture. After a festive dinner of homemade western specialties, enjoy a relaxing evening under a blanket of stars that light up the enormous Utah sky. OVERNIGHT: BRYCE MEALS: B, D

DAY 3

BRYCE • Enjoy a morning exploration of Bryce Canyon on foot • Marvel at the incredibly- shaped hoodoos • Experience a mule ride into Bryce Canyon

Our scenic morning walk ventures below the rim into the heart of Bryce Canyon along gentle switchbacks and through Wall Street, appropriately named for its walls of red rock looming on either side. We continue to the canyon floor for an up-close exploration of the hoodoos, the ancient rose-colored pillars of sand and stone that resemble a city of spires and minarets. As we walk among the natural formations, it's fascinating to imagine the castle turrets, windows, bridges, domes and other architectural features created by the natural erosion of the rocks. Along the way, our guide points out specific hoodoos, like Thor's Hammer, named to reflect their form and grandeur. This afternoon, experience Bryce Canyon on mule back, or enjoy an afternoon walk on a trail that offers a spectacular viewpoint, where it's possible to see over 120 miles! On our return to the lodge, we find photo opportunities at several viewpoints, including our favorite natural bridge, which isn't a bridge at all, but rather a picturesque red rock arch. OVERNIGHT: BRYCE MEALS: B, D

DAY 4

BRYCE / ZION • Walk past coral colored dunes and red sandstone cliffs • Visit to the home of a highly regarded painter • Enjoy the pool or hot tub at our fantastic riverside hotel

An optional sunrise walk follows our favorite portion of the Rim Trail overlooking the Bryce Amphitheater. Views of the cliff walls and rock formations come to life with vibrant gold colors as the sun rises in the distance. After breakfast, we embark to Zion National Park. Along the way, we make a stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for a walk through stunning, coral-colored dune fields surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, blue skies and juniper and pinyon forests. En route to Zion National Park, we make an interesting stop at the Maynard Dixon summer home and studio. Dixon was a well-known painter of Southwestern U.S. landscapes and native peoples during the first half of the 20th century. We enjoy a private tour of his log home and grounds, and a picnic lunch outside the studio. Later in the afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Springdale, a riverside oasis where sun- hued stucco, timbers reclaimed from old railroad trestles, and native stone grace this beautifully landscaped property adjacent to Zion National Park. Relax at the hotel with an opportunity to swim in the pool before dinner. OVERNIGHT: ZION MEALS: B, L, D

DAY 5

ZION • Riverside walk past hanging gardens of wildflowers • Enjoy a night on the town in Springdale

Zion National Park is characterized by a range of colorful canyons, sandstone cliffs, rocky deserts and cool forested plateaus. Our theme for today is water, as we first set off together to the Temple of Sinawava for a shaded riverside



walk along the Virgin River and upstream to Zion Canyon Narrows. The walk is adorned with beautiful hanging gardens of wildflowers in the spring and summer, and vibrant foliage in the fall months. Everyone enjoys getting their feet wet on explorations up the famous Zion Narrows, a slot gorge 20 feet across at its narrowest point with canyon walls that extend up to 2000 feet above. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch among some of the most beautiful scenery in the southwest. Tonight, enjoy a night on the town in Springdale. OVERNIGHT: ZION MEALS: B, L, D

DAY 6

ZION • Explore the Emerald Pools •Art gallery exploration •Part company in St. George

This morning, join your guide for an exploration of the beautiful Emerald Pools trail. Emerald Pools is a Zion classic: an oasis in the middle of the desert. The walk is a collection of short trails that meander past a small, lushly-vegetated stream that rolls down from the cliffs and forms several interesting pools. Returning to Springdale late morning, spend a couple of leisurely hours exploring the local shops and art galleries, showcasing photography, ceramics, jewelry and Native American art created by local artists and inspired by the beauty of Zion. Later this afternoon, a short drive brings us back to St. George where we part company in time for dinner and return shuttles to Las Vegas. MEALS: B



Tour Hotels

Grand Canyon Lodge (North Rim) The Grand Canyon Lodge is warm and welcoming, with limestone walls and timbered ceilings that complement the North Rim's rugged beauty. The lodge’s terrace, with rustic wooden rocking chairs, is the ideal setting for a glass of wine at sunset. OVERNIGHT: NORTH RIM | NIGHTS: 1

Bryce Canyon Lodge Located inside the National Park near the canyon’s rim, the Bryce Canyon Lodge is on the National Historic Register. Its grand lobby has been restored to its original rustic 1920s elegance. Relax by the fireplace after a full day of exploration. OVERNIGHT: BRYCE CANYON | NIGHTS: 2

Desert Pearl Inn A riverside oasis of sun hued stucco, old railroad timbers and native stone grace this beautiful property. Rooms feature private terraces or balconies and Adirondack chairs. Relax at the end of the day in the heated outdoor swimming pool or hot tub. OVERNIGHT: SPRINGDALE | NIGHTS: 2



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Tour Dates & Prices

Tour Dates Price per Person Double Occupancy

Price per Person Single Occupancy

May 24-29, 2020 $3,395 $3,890 June 14-19, 2020 $3,495 $3,990 July 12-17, 2020 $3,395 $3,890 September 6-11, 2020 $3,495 $3,990 May 23-28, 2021 $3,495 $3,990 June 13-18, 2021 $3,595 $4,090 July 11-16, 2021 $3,495 $3,990 September 5-10, 2021 $3,495 $3,990

Want a different date? Or your own date? Visit CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM/PRIVATE to learn more about private journeys.

Trip Essentials

TRIP LENGTH: 6 Days, 5 Nights

START: 9:00 AM Lobby of Inn on the Cliff, St. George, Utah

END: 3:30 PM St. George city center, St. George, Utah

TERRAIN: Easy to moderate on national park trails. An average of 2 - 4 hours of walking per day.

What’s Included • Memorable accommodations for 5 nights

• All breakfasts, 3 lunches and all dinners

• Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip and handle behind-the-scenes logistics

• Admissions to scheduled events as noted in the detailed daily itinerary

• Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage

• All land transportation during the trip

Above & Beyond Benefits • Invisible Check-In

• Privileged Access Events

TRAVEL WORRY-FREE! It’s easy with insurance from Travel Guard. Your policy can cover trip cancellation, travel delays, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and more. If you are traveling with kids, add them to your policy at no extra cost. Click here or call 800-826-4919 for details.

AMBASSADOR CLUB As a Classic Journeys guest, you are invited to join the Ambassador Club after your first Classic Journeys tour. As a member, you’ll have access to a whole suite of Ambassador benefits you can use immediately and as often as you like.

ENJOY THE UNEXPECTED When you travel with Classic Journeys, you can expect handcrafted surprises built into every trip, but some things just can’t be anticipated. Unusual weather, a once-a-year festival or an unscheduled site closing will inspire us and your local guide to improvise and modify this itinerary. Likewise, the hotels named here are used on the majority of our trips, but occasionally one of them can’t accommodate us. If that happens, you can count on us to let you know before departure and make sure you’re in a hotel of equal or better quality. It’s our goal to make your trip exceptional! **Any discount offered cannot be combined with other offers, and only applies to published (regularly scheduled pubic) departure dates in our catalogs or on our website.

You’ll enjoy these handcrafted travel experiences in Bryce, Grand Canyon and Zion...

• Getting your feet wet in the 2,000 foot deep Zion Narrows slot gorge

• Watching sunrise during a walk on a remote trail along the north rim of the Grand Canyon

• Exploring Bryce Canyon's natural gallery of red rock fins, spires, arches and mazes

• Marveling at the red rock towering over your private terrace at The Desert Pearl Inn

• Learning all about the interesting history and unique stories of the natural wonders around you from your expert local guides

“It's difficult to choose our favorite aspect of the trip. The scenery was magnificent, the guide perfect and the

group very congenial. A great trip!” —Bert and Jo Ann E.

THE Classic Journeys

Difference

You can expect the highest standards:

Included Activities: You’ll never be surprised with add-on fees on your activities that include snorkeling to cooking lessons. Small Group Travel: With an average of just 10-12 guests, it’s a small footprint that guarantees you access that’s off-limits to larger groups. Unmatched Value: “Excellent value” and “unbeatable access” are two of the reasons that Travel + Leisure has consistently voted us a World’s Best Tour Operator.

Luxurious Lodgings: Ours include coveted properties that appear in “World’s Best” and “Gold List” rankings. Local Guides: Your guides are locals who are always at your side like well-connected friends. Amazing Cuisine: From Michelin-starred restaurants to lunch in a farmhouse kitchen, you’ll have a seat for the region’s signature dishes.

HANDCRAFTING TRIPS OF A LIFETIME. At the end of the day, we fundamentally believe that every guest on every departure of every trip should have a trip of a lifetime. We’re fortunate to play the role of well-connected friend, linking our guests with amazing guides, artisans, winemakers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, naturalists, and too many others to list here. That’s what motivates me and our team — in our La Jolla HQ and around the world — every day. Join Us!

President & Founder

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DEEPLY

TRY A NEW TWIST ON A HERITAGE TRAVEL EXPERIENCEIN BRYCE, ZION AND THE GRAND CANYON.

AMERICANLet’s hear it for the red rock, white and blue! A vacation that dips and winds through the amazing canyons of our premier national parks is about as all-American as you can get. Leisure travelers have visited the Grand Canyon since the 1890s. Bryce and Zion opened their gates not long after. If you’re of the generation that remembers making a too hot, too long minivan trek to these parks (“It’ll be fun,” Dad insisted), you can rest assured that

that’s one travel tradition Classic Journeys has put to rest.

First, get it out of your head that if you’ve seen one canyon, you’ve seen them all. Not true … and it’s why a well-coordinated visit to these three natural wonders is a major revelation. Immersive explorations with an expert local guide put you in touch with areas most visitors miss because they don’t stray far from the car park. As Marcia, one of our guides, loves to say, “It’s all about erosion, but I promise it won’t wear you down!”

Bryce, for example, is famous for its hoodoos. They’re those spindly needles of sandstone with boulders balanced on top that tended to cause a lot of trouble for Wile E. Coyote. Sighting one of them would be enough to knock your socks off, but there are hundreds and hundreds tightly clustered in a canyon that looks like the set for a high-speed Star Wars chase. Wandering among them is one of the most inspiring walks you’ll ever take.

The Zion Canyon Narrows couldn’t be more different. Known as a slot canyon, it’s slender, smooth and sinuous. At the narrowest point, it’s only about 20 feet from wall to wall, but it’s 1,300 straight up to the narrow slit of sky you can see. Where Bryce overwhelms with wind-carved complexity, Zion is a streamlined canyon sliced deep by the Virgin River.

The Grand Canyon has a river, too. But in many spots the Colorado flows so far below that it barely registers as a thread of silver. The rim’s the place to be to enjoy the technicolor show that plays all day from sunrise until the last drop of purple and red disappear at nightfall. The trails are wonderful, and it’s not too shabby that you can enjoy this particular canyon from the terrace of your lodge with your beverage of choice in hand.

Along the way and at ground level, you’ll also walk (or if you’d like better yet, sand surf) in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. And one of your trails offers a look at Ancestral Puebloan ruins that are more than 950 years old.

These canyons are as deeply carved in the American spirit as they are in the rusty red rock of our continent. For a vacation that’s closer to home and near and dear to our homegrown traditions, you can’t do better than Bryce, Zion and the Grand Canyon.

BRYCE, GRAND CANYON & ZION

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