Cliffs and Canyons of the American Southwest

9 days from $3,900 (Self Drive)

Discover the highlights of the American Southwest from the gorges of Zion to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, exploring national parks and natural treasures.

Highlights

� Explore Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks on guided hikes of your choice.

� Join a Navajo guide to learn about flora, fauna, and local lore on a tour of Monument Valley.

� Venture to ancient cliff dwellings tucked into the canyons of Arizona and Utah.

� Set off on a thrilling 4x4 adventure to discover the hidden gems of Sedona’s red-rock country.

The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you.

Day 1 – Las Vegas and Zion National Park, Utah

Fly into Las Vegas and pick up your rental car. Wind your way towards Zion National Park and settle into your hotel in Springdale, set within view of Zion’s striped red-rock peaks.

Day 2 – Zion National Park

Spend a full day discovering Zion National Park. You can see the highlights of the park on a six-mile scenic drive, but we recommend trying out some of the park’s walking and hiking trails. Venture into the Narrows on a leisurely hike with a private guide and admire Zion’s towering sandstone walls from the Virgin River. More strenuous hikes are also available.

Day 3 – Lake Powell, Arizona

Travel to Page, Arizona, on the shores of Lake Powell. During a free afternoon, consider taking a boat tour on Lake Powell to see its spectacular flooded canyons and sandstone formations. Alternatively, go snorkeling or sea kayaking, or just relax on the beach.

Days 4 & 5 – Monument Valley and Grand Canyon National Park

Continue east to iconic Monument Valley, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore this desert and its vertical sandstone buttes. Tour the valley with a Navajo guide the next morning. Visit ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and enjoy a Navajo perspective on the history, geology, flora, and fauna of Monument Valley. This afternoon, follow the Colorado River on your way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Day 6 – Grand Canyon National Park

Explore Grand Canyon National Park with a private guide today. Choose from a variety of trails, from easy walks to a rigorous trek to the canyon floor. Late this afternoon, find a good spot to witness the sunset illuminating the canyon’s mile-high cliffs.

Days 7–9 – Sedona

Drive to the red rock region of Sedona, stopping at Flagstaff en route if you wish. Head into red-rock country on a 4x4 adventure the next day, discovering deep gorges and impossibly narrow pinnacles. This afternoon, relax at the hotel or continue your explorations with a visit to the well-preserved ancient cliff dwellings of Boynton Canyon, birthplace of the Yavapai Apache. Spend your last evening gazing at the sensuous colors of the cliffs and mesas of red-rock country at sunset.

Where To Stay

Cliffrose Lodge – An upscale lodge set in the heart of Zion Canyon, with a heated pool, hot tubs, and a riverside beach.

Lake Powell Resort – A full-service resort on Lake Powell, with lots of outdoor activities that can be arranged.

Gouldings Lodge – A former 1920s trading post, now a destination lodge with sweeping views of the buttes of Monument Valley.

Best Western Premier Squire Inn – A large hotel located in Tusayan, just two miles from the South Rim gate.

Orchards Inn – A secluded oasis near Sedona with views of the cliffs and mesas.

Where To Stay

Springhill Suites

Fairbanks

A comfortable hotel with spacious suites that feature separate sitting areas, located next to the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks.

Kantishna Roadhouse

A historic log-cabin lodge in the heart of Denali that offers a true backcountry experience, with hiking, biking, fishing, dogsled demonstrations, and insight into local Athabascan culture.

Hotel Captain Cook

A celebrated hotel in downtown Anchorage offering views of the Cook Inlet or the Chugach Mountains from every room.