Day 1 : Moab
Welcome to the dramatic desert landscapes of Utah. Your expedition begins in Moab, a vibrant red-rock oasis. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel to unpack and unwind. As evening falls, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert, and fellow travellers for an engaging welcome meeting. Afterwards, raise a glass and celebrate the beginning of this remarkable path of discovery over a delicious welcome dinner.
Arrival Transfer
Grand Junction Regional Airport - Moab 1h45m - 2h 183km
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Moab 1h
Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.
Acommodation
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Acommodation
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Day 2 : Moab
Let the sounds of the river engulf you as you embark on a half-day float trip along the Green River in Gray Canyon, stopping for a delicious lunch along the riverbanks. Afterwards, enjoy a private visit and presentation at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. Step inside to explore historic watercraft, vivid photography, and the River Runners Hall of Fame. The museum's Curator brings the daring exploration history of the Colorado and Green Rivers to life. The remainder of your evening is yours, to relax at your own pace or explore the charming town and soak in the atmosphere.
Private Vehicle
Moab - Green River 1h 85km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Tour of the John Wesley Powell River History Museum
Green River 2h
Join a specialist from the museum for a private visit to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, which will open exclusively for the group. The gallery chronicles the daring 1869 expedition that mapped the American West. Powell's historic journeys directly inspired modern exploration, leading him to become a founding member of the National Geographic Society in 1888. The museum's historic watercraft and regional fossils perfectly connect the area's deep geological history with the desert landscapes that you have been experiencing firsthand.
Private Vehicle
Green River - Moab 1h 85km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Rafting on the Green River
Green River 4h - 4h30m
Set off on a half-day whitewater rafting trip along the Green River. Drive to the put-in point and drift down a gentle 2-mile stretch of river before about a 4-mile stretch of mellow level 1-2 rapids. Offering just the right mix of excitement and ease, allowing the opportunity to soak in the breathtaking scenery while enjoying a touch of adventure along the way.
Acommodation
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Acommodation
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 3 : Moab
Marvel at the sheer scale of Moab’s physical geography this morning in Canyonlands National Park. Take in the sweeping panoramic vistas from Grand Viewpoint, Green River Overlook, and the dramatic cliffs of Dead Horse Point. After darkness falls, leave the city lights behind and head toward Arches National Park for a stargazing experience just outside the park along the Colorado River. Beneath one of the world's most pristine dark skies, look up to see a brilliant canopy of stars and the Milky Way stretching across the seemingly endless desert.
Canyonlands National Park
Moab 4h30m - 5h 180km
Uncover a wilderness of endless canyons and striking buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Four distinct districts make up this National Park, preserving a colourful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their tributaries. Make stops at Grand Viewpoint, Green River Overlook and Dead Horse State Park before returning to Moab.
Night Sky Excursion
Moab 2h
When night falls, venture beyond the city lights to the edge of Arches National Park. Beneath one of the world's most pristine dark sky sanctuaries, look up to behold a brilliant canopy of stars and the pale river of the Milky Way stretching across the vast desert sky.
Acommodation
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Acommodation
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 4 : Moab/Lake Powell
Depart as the morning light stretches across the desert, driving south toward the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum to view the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery in the region. Step outside to explore the ruins of a Chacoan Settlement and the great house. Continue into the heart of Monument Valley for a private tour in an open-air vehicle. Feel the warm breeze as you navigate between towering, iconic red monoliths on sacred Navajo land. Savour a delicious Navajo barbecue lunch in the Valley before leaving for the late afternoon drive toward Lake Powell where you check in and enjoy dinner.
Private Vehicle
Moab - Blanding 1h30m 120km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
Blanding 0h45m - 1h
Step into the quiet galleries of Edge of the Cedars to admire the Four Corners region’s most extensive collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery, where intricately painted earthen vessels reflect the skill and spirit of ancient artisans. Step outside to tread quietly among the weathered masonry of an authentic Puebloan village, walking the very ground where a vibrant community once gathered beneath the open desert sky.
Private Vehicle
Blanding - Monument Valley 1h30m 120km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Monument Valley Open Air Vehicle Excursion and Barbecue Lunch
Monument Valley 2h30m - 3h
Explore this magical and sacred place on a private, open-air jeep tour. See magnificent colours, miles of mesas, buttes, and pinnacles that make Monument Valley a truly wondrous experience. Cap off the experience with a delicious barbecue lunch of steak and Navajo tacos before continuing on to Page in the afternoon.
Private Vehicle
Monument Valley - Lake Powell 2h15m - 2h30m 225km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5 : Lake Powell
Board a boat for a morning cruise into the sheer, sun-baked walls of Navajo Canyon. Look up at towering sandstone formations rising hundreds of feet above the water, admiring the dark streaks of desert varnish coating the vibrant rock faces. After lunch, slow down and soak in the views of Lake Powell from the resort, go for a swim or open a good book. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.
Navajo Canyon Boat Tour
Lake Powell 3h
Set off by boat to explore the natural beauty of Navajo Canyon and the surrounding area. See the enormous Glen Canyon Dam, the second largest concrete arch dam in the United States and view towering Navajo sandstone geological formations with stunning red and burnt orange rocks. Once in Navajo Canyon itself, the walls are 600 feet above the water and you will see "desert varnish", also known as Navajo Tapestry, on the sandstone walls. See also the "50/50 Wall," where as high as the rock is above you, it is equally deep below you.
Free time:
Lake Powell Afternoon
Take advantage of free time to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening by the lake or at the resort.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 6 : Lake Powell/Grand Canyon
After breakfast, experience a spectacular off-road excursion to Secret Antelope Canyon. Located on Navajo land, this hidden gem allows you to wander through swirling, light-infused sandstone corridors away from the crowded trails. Conclude with private access to a secluded overlook of Horseshoe Bend, feeling the absolute stillness as you gaze down at the Colorado River looping far below the desert cliffs. Imagine the original expedition seeing this for the first time. Later, travel toward the crown jewel of the Southwest: The Grand Canyon. Stop at Desert View and Grandview Point to gaze in awe and capture photographs of the immense, multi-layered gorge. Check into your lodge in the park, enjoy dinner at leisure.
Secret Antelope Canyon
Lake Powell 1h30m
Escape the crowds with an exclusive tour of Secret Antelope Canyon, a hidden gem on Navajo land.
Horseshoe Bend Secluded Overlook
Lake Powell 1h30m
Enjoy private access to a secluded viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend, away from the busy tourist areas. This adventure includes a peaceful off-road ride, offering stunning views of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes.
Private Vehicle
Lake Powell - Grand Canyon 2h 180km
Drive south from Lake Powell through the desert landscapes to the Grand Canyon, with stops at Desert View and Grand View Points.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7 : Grand Canyon
Spend the day uncovering the secrets of one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Begin the morning with an inspiring walk along the rim trail alongside your National Geographic Expedition Leader, listening to the gentle rustle of the pines. Soak in sweeping views and the breathtaking, raw beauty of this colossal geological phenomenon. In the afternoon, take advantage of free time to further explore the canyon rim or relax at your hotel, letting the tranquil high-desert breeze ease your senses. Tonight, cap off your extraordinary expedition as you watch the fading sun paint the ancient rock layers in brilliant shades of violet and gold before gathering with your fellow travellers for a memorable farewell dinner.
Grand Canyon South Rim Walk
Grand Canyon 3h30m - 4h 1km
Set off on a walk along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Marvel at how the land drops almost straight down more than 1000m (3280 ft) into the canyon below. The walk along the rim is approximately 4.5km with regular shuttle buses passing frequently at various points for any wishing to return earlier.
Free time:
Grand Canyon Afternoon
Enjoy a free afternoon to further explore the canyon rim or to relax.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 8 : Grand Canyon/Flagstaff
Greet the morning with a sunrise walk along the canyon rim, watching the first light pierce the shadows of the deep abyss. After breakfast, transfer through the scenic ponderosa pine forests to the airport in Flagstaff. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers as your exploration of the American Southwest’s iconic landscapes and indigenous cultures comes to an end.
Private Vehicle
Grand Canyon - Flagstaff 2h 150km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
