In Bryce Canyon in America’s rocky Southwest, erosion has sculpted limestone, mudstone, and sandstone into spires and cones, fins and pinnacles, mazes and amphitheaters. Called “hoodoos”, children think these beautiful formations have a funny-sounding name. It adds to the mystic of this place for them. And although the name makes them laugh, they still stand in awe of the fantastic-looking shapes that appear to be a page out of their fantasy books. The hoodoos won’t last forever. The same processes that made them are slowly taking them apart. The average rate of erosion is two to four feet every 100 years. Bryce Canyon, within the next two generations, will not always look like this. You children won’t either, and that’s the real beauty of coming here now.
Tour Details
Duration
8 Days
Location
Southern Utah and Arizona
Season
Summer
Tour Type
Fully Guided
Nearest City
St. George, Utah
Physical Condition Required
Fair
Destination(s)
Arizona, United States Utah, United States
Guest Capacity
16
Accommodations
Completely renovated to its original rustic 1920s elegance, Bryce Canyon Lodge is a beautiful “in-the-park” lodge on the National Historic Register. At Flanigan’s Inn, at the south entrance to Zion National Park, you will have the opportunity to relax amidst hand crafted wood beams and fine patios. Accommodations consist of one king or two queen-sized beds. At Grand Canyon Lodge on the more remote north rim of the canyon, beautifully rustic limestone walls and timbered ceilings complement the North Rim’s exquisite beauty. Perched atop the canyon, this National Historic Landmark offers guests seclusion, peace and comfort against a stunning backdrop. Both lodges offer a variety of accommodation types and you will be assigned specific rooms based upon availability.
Rates
$1,995.00 - $3,990.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: St. George, Utah Meet in St. George, Utah, on the outskirts of Zion National Park.
Days 2-3: Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon is an especially fun place for kids. Exploring the hoodoos is like wandering through a giant maze. The journey into the otherworldly mystique of Bryce Canyon National Park reveals natural amphitheaters, rock spires, and giant sandstone monoliths. Narrow canyon walls reach 200 feet in height, and countless rows of colorful hoodoos (sandstone spires rising hundreds of feet in the air that were carved by millions of years of erosion) cast shadows. Accommodations are at the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge, one of the few accommodations located within the park itself. Set amid ponderosa pines and perched along the rim of the canyon, the hotel is a member of the National Historic Register. It has been restored to its original 1920s splendor, right down to the replicas of the lodge’s original hickory furniture.
Days 4-5: Zion National Park Zion National Park is a wonderful outdoor classroom, featuring stunning scenery, sandstone cliffs that are among the world’s highest, diverse plant and animal life, and ancestral Puebloan, Paiute, and Mormon pioneer history. Multicolored canyons and sheer red-and-white sandstone cliffs reach upward 2,500 feet into the desert sky. Explore the banks of the Virgin River and marvel at the sandstone domes, each carefully carved by water over millions of years. Wander the trails as birdlife unique to the American West presents itself. You may encounter the haunting cries of canyon wrens, golden eagles and prairie falcons, as well as find American dippers and black and Say’s phoebes along the willow-fringed river. At Flanigan’s Inn, relax in comfort and reflect on the day as night falls on one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Storytelling by campfire provides an opportunity to learn about the early inhabitants of this area.
Days 6-7: Grand Canyon, North Rim No trip to the American West would be complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon. In order to avoid the crowds, you’ll travel to the less-visited North Rim of the canyon. After absorbing the views, walk or hike to Bright Angel Point or Roaring Springs. As you explore this ancient sea floor, search for fossils and learn about dinosaurs and other ancient creatures that once roamed the Earth. Stay at the wonderfully situated Grand Canyon Lodge. Its limestone walls and timbered ceilings complement the North Rim’s rustic beauty. For those who are interested, there is an optional mule ride into the canyon (minimum age is 10).
Day 8: St. George / Home Bid farewell to the canyons of the American West. You’ll arrive back in St. George in time for an afternoon flight home (1:30pm or later).
This Package Includes
Accommodations
Meals from Dinner on Day 1 through Breakfast on the Final Day
All Land Transportation as per Itinerary
All Permits and Park Fees
Services of NHA’s Expedition Leader & Youth Coordinator
COMPLIMENTARY VISITOR GUIDES
Click on any visitor guide below to request a free copy.
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