Western USA Family Holiday

Welcome to the Wild West! Your family adventure begins in Las Vegas, where you will meet your local leader for a 10am briefing with the other families. From here, you’ll make the drive to Springdale (approximately 3 hours), which is situated on the eastern border of Zion National Park in Utah. Make a pit stop at a deserted ghost town and take a short walk to find your feet in Zion National Park. Here you’ll pick up your junior ranger booklets so the kids can get ready to become junior rangers tomorrow. Arrive at the hotel in the mid-afternoon and take some time to explore the grounds. There’s so much to discover! Tonight you will join your group for an included dinner and look forward to the adventure that lies ahead!

Wake up to the peaceful sound of birds singing, ready for an exciting day ahead. Today, you’ll make your way into the park and walk one of Zion National Park’s eye-catching trails. The initial ascent is a little steep but the trail is then fairly easy going, bringing you to expansive views of main Zion Canyon below. With a paved path and plenty of shade you can soak up the stunning scenery that surprises you at every turn whilst looking out for deer and birds. Enjoy soaking in the spectacular surroundings, including Zion’s iconic hanging gardens, before returning to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure.

After breakfast you will make a short drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, which sits at an elevation of 8000 ft, to explore its magnificent landscapes. Take a stroll around the rim of the canyon and marvel at the epic collection of unique sandstone spires known as hoodoos. The name may sound funny, but these otherworldly geological features are truly striking, and Bryce Canyon National Park is undoubtedly the best place in the world to see them. Hike down to the hoodoos for a closer look at the weird and wonderful anomalies. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon where you and the kids can relax before enjoying an included group dinner. 

Head south this morning, winding through more of the Southwest’s celebrated scenery before arriving at Horseshoe Bend for a gentle walk to take in the beautiful views. At Lake Powell you will board a boat to explore the incredible scenery from a unique perspective whilst learning about the incredible history and geology of the area. Tonight, you will have free time to explore the town of Page, where you’ll be spending the night.

This morning we hit the road to visit Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley, one of the most iconic sights in the world. This unforgettable landscape is the native land of the Navajo, dotted with towering sandstone buttes. Monument Valley has been the filming location for many famous Western films, so don’t be surprised if something looks familiar. Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy a Navajo-guided tour of the Valley from a 4WD vehicle to learn about the rich culture and history of the Navajo. After dinner you’ll be entertained with folk tale stories around the campfire and some Navajo singing and dancing before spending the night in a hogan, a traditional Navajo hut made of logs and earth. An experience the kids won’t forget.

Today you head west to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (approximately 4 hours) but don’t worry, there will be stops along the way to stretch your legs! Upon reaching Desert View your family will get their first sweeping views of this gotta-see-it-to-believe-it iconic landmark. There will be plenty of time to soak in the dramatic landscape of the Grand Canyon and find the perfect spot for a family photo as well as make a stop at the visitor centre to learn about the junior ranger program. Then as the sun sets over the canyon, slowly dipping behind sandstone cliffs, your family will be treated to a sunset picnic dinner. A memorable experience that your family will be sure to treasure. 

After breakfast, we take the famous Route 66 back to Las Vegas, making a stop along the way to explore the quirky and kitschy town of Seligman and its Americana gift shops and diners with a blast-from-the-past aesthetic. After lunch at a classic American diner (complete with milkshakes of course), take some free time to explore with the kids and check out some of the colourful shops before continuing the journey back to Las Vegas. You will arrive at your Las Vegas accommodation in the late afternoon. Kick back and relax or if you’re feeling adventurous you may like to fly along Fremont Street by zipline to take in the city lights from a unique perspective (additional cost). This evening join your group for an optional group dinner where you can toast to your incredible adventure with new friends.

With no activities planned today your whirlwind American adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to stay longer in Las Vegas, just speak to your booking agent who can help arrange this for you.