National Park Explorer

Spend your time in Las Vegas soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Visit local attractions such as the Volcano at the Mirage, learn about the impact of organized crime on the city on a tour of the Mob Museum and stroll the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, taking in the spectacular designs. Come evening, walk the bright streets, with the sky lit up by glowing signs and glittering buildings, and book yourself in for a poker class before putting your game to the test in one of the casinos. For those who love to shop, head to The Forum, which houses the biggest names in fashion (over 160 of them to be precise) and make sure to catch one of the best shows in town; from Cirque to Soleil to Britney to Jersey Boys, we can book your tickets in advance.

Pick up your hire car today and swap the lights of Vegas for the wilds of Zion National Park. Your journey will take three hours and you will be greeted by the beauty of mountains and scenic landscapes. You will be spending the next two nights of your trip at a charming lodge, conveniently located at the entrance to the park. Spend your time here enjoying guided hikes in the park, tailored to your experience level, and take in the breath-taking views of the dramatic red cliffs and lush forests. We can arrange for you to visit the Zion mountaineering school for some expert instruction in mountain climbing, or – if it’s an adrenaline hit you’re after - go river tubing along the Virgin River.

Load up the car and set your satnav for Torrey, a small village at the edge of Capitol Reef National Park. It’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive, so we recommend breaking up the journey with a stop-off at Bryce Canyon National Park. Here, you can stretch your legs on a hike along the Rim Trail which takes you past dramatic Hoodoos, pillars of rocks which have been formed by wind, ice and water erosion. As you explore these natural amphitheaters, look out for wildlife including peregrine falcons, which can be seen swooping between the pillars, and 59 species of mammals, including antelope and Unita chipmunks.

Your next stop is Moab, a four-hour drive away and the longest journey of the trip. On your arrival, settle into your luxurious lodge which will be your base for the next three nights. Boasting jaw-dropping views of dramatic red cliffs and the Colorado River, it is the ultimate nature retreat. During your stay, hike through Arches National Park to discover its impressive stone arches - with unusual names such as Marching Men, Tower Arch and Whale Eye - and venture into Canyonlands to see ancient dinosaur footprints, petroglyphs, pictograms, red rocks and immense arches. If it’s adventure you’re after, we can also arrange for you to go whitewater rafting along the Colorado River, an activity that is sure to get your blood pumping.

Today you'll head to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a two-hour-and-40-minute drive away. The park straddles the border of Arizona and Utah and is easily one of the most photographed national parks in the US, with its deep red mesas and sandstone towers, some reaching the heady heights of 1,000ft. After checking into your hotel and refueling with a late lunch, we recommend a hike along The Wildcat Trail which begins at the hotel and takes you past immense sand dunes, deep valleys and dried stream beds.

This morning you will swap desert for water as you drive two hours to the man-made Lake Powell, formed in 1963 when the Glen Canyon Dam held back the water of the Colorado River, creating a vast blue lake surrounded by red-hued sandstone walls. The whole national park encompasses over a million acres, so there is plenty of space to roam, though the stunning lake takes centre stage, with most travellers taking advantage of the many water sports on offer here. Check into your hotel at the lake’s edge and spend the next few days here enjoying the sublime scenery. We can arrange for you enjoy a scenic boat tour of the lake - either during the day or at sunset – and go on a guided hike through Antelope Canyon, a narrow gorge carved by erosion and wind.

Continue on to your final stop, a cosy lodge located a few miles from the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, where you will be spending the next two nights. Measuring 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles wide and over a mile deep in parts, the best way to take in the sheer scale and incredible beauty of the Grand Canyon is from the skies. You will be collected from your lodge and taken to the helicopter terminal to begin your aerial tour. Once back on the ground, you can also head to one of many lookouts around the canyon rim that will provide that perfect panorama to complete your experience.