From the extensive collections of the Denver Art Museum to the tranquil greenery of Denver Botanic Gardens, this cosmopolitan city has plenty to offer travellers of all kinds.
Rise and shine for a brief morning tour of Denver’s highlights, including a visit to the dazzling gold-dome State Capitol. Here you’ll find the Mile-High Steps, marking the point at which stands one mile above sea level. Then continue out of the city in search of your first national park.
Through the summer resort town of Estes Park, you’ll cross into the untamed lands of Rocky Mountain National Park. With its immediately recognisable snowy peaks and scenic alpine lakes, the Rockies are a testament to the undeniable allure of the great outdoors.
Take a moment to appreciate the towering grandeur of these awe-inspiring mountains, then continue on to the Wyoming capital of Cheyenne, named for the Indigenous people of the Great Plains.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Greet the day with a morning departure for Fort Laramie, the historic 19th-century fur-trading station that was acquired by the US Army in 1849. Throughout its long and complex history, Fort Laramie has played a significant role in the story of America, from the tumultuous events surrounding the emigration of gold prospectors to the signing of the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie and the Sioux Treaty of 1868.
Upon arrival you’ll watch a short film unpacking the town’s story, then spend some time exploring this historic site. Later, cross from Wyoming into South Dakota and check into your Rapid City accommodation for a restful evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Today, witness the stunning stonemasonry that attracts countless travellers to Rapid City each year, starting with the gargantuan carved likeness of Crazy Horse Memorial. Standing at a staggering 172 metres tall, this Black Hills monument honours famed Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse and has been under construction for over 75 years. Take the time to learn about the region’s varied Sioux peoples and Crazy Horse’s pivotal role in their history.
Continue to the famous faces of Mount Rushmore. Hewn from the granite slopes of the mountain, these 18-metre-tall depictions of former US Presidents are an incredible demonstration of artistry on an enormous scale. Contemplate the thoughtful expressions of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, then return to your Rapid City hotel for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 90 minutes
Wave goodbye to South Dakota as you turn west towards one of Wyoming’s most mesmerising geological marvels: Devils Tower. Rising 264 metres from the surrounding hills, this eye-catching butte is an igneous rock dating back to the Triassic period and beyond, and America’s first official national monument. Long before Steven Spielberg filmed his famous ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ here, the local Northern Plains peoples told sacred stories of the rock tower known as Bear Lodge.
Continue onward to Buffalo, where you’ll check in for a relaxing stay at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Transfer this morning to the town of Cody, so named for infamous wild west showman William ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody. Upon arrival, perhaps choose to visit one of the town’s museums outlining the region’s history extending beyond the 1896 founding of Cody.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Set out this morning on the journey to Yellowstone National Park – the first to be founded in the United States. After a day of scenic driving, you’ll arrive to check in at your West Yellowstone accommodation, perched at the park’s western entrance, where the rest of your evening is spent at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Today is your chance to uncover the wild majesty of Yellowstone on a full-day guided tour through the park. Stand before the propulsive waters of Old Faithful, where the unusually predictable eruptions reach a staggering average height of 44 metres every hour, lasting up to five minutes.
Next, gaze at the mesmerising shore of Grand Prismatic Spring – the largest hot spring in the United States. While the blue centre approaches boiling temperatures, the edges of the pool cast a rainbow frame around the thermal waters thanks to microscopic organisms called thermophiles, gathering in their trillions to form colourful bands unlike anything else on earth.
Yellowstone is home to over half the world’s geysers, many of which can be found in West Thumb Geyser Basin. Meanwhile, at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, the rugged power of prehistoric waters pummels the rocks amid puffs of steam.
Along the way, watch for the park’s abundant wildlife, from meandering grizzly bears and watchful wolves to hardy herds of mighty bison. Your local guide will be sure to stop for every thrilling sighting.
Leaving Yellowstone behind, you’ll travel south today through Grand Teton National Park. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the jagged Teton Range, this lush park is home to wandering moose, industrious beavers and both grizzly and black bears. Whether its unparalleled views over Jenny Lake from the aptly named Inspiration Point or the tranquil trails along the shoreline, Grand Teton is sure to deliver some truly picture-perfect vistas.
This evening, arrive in charming Jackson and check into your lodgings for the night.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Continue your travels south as you enter Utah today. Known for its ‘Mighty 5’ national parks – illustrative of the state’s diverse array of landscapes – Utah is a nature lover’s dream. Arrive in Salt Lake City, famously home to the Mormon community’s headquarters. Near to the shores of Great Salt Lake – the largest freshwater lake in the Americas – this remote city boasts an impressive mountain backdrop and easy access to the region’s natural delights.
Join a guided tour to familiarise yourself with the city’s most important sites, then check in at your hotel with time at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Today, discover one of Utah’s most beloved national parks. With more than 2,000 naturally formed arches, cast in orange sandstone, the incomparable Arches National Park is a humbling experience of the untamed west. The trail up to Delicate Arch is moderately difficult but worth the reward – it’s the park’s crowning glory and one of the most famous rock arches in the world, perched high atop sloping hills.
In the evening, check in at your Moab hotel for a well-earned rest.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Make the most of a full-day freely exploring Moab and its scenic surrounds. Whether you choose to stroll the enchanting shops of artisan southwest wares, pay a visit to the town’s renowned microbreweries or step out on your own for a visit to Canyonlands National Park, the charms of Moab have you covered for an enjoyable day in the Arizona sun.
Take the short drive to breathtaking Bryce Canyon National Park for an afternoon adventure among the hoodoos. Reaching an elevation of almost 2,500 metres above sea level, the easy Rim Trail takes you on a journey through the changing light as the sun casts curious shadows through Bryce Canyon’s renowned hoodoos – unique rock formations carved by frost and water erosion.
These eerie spires command your attention with their unusual, patterned pillars. Walk through the natural amphitheatre to weave between these rocky skyscrapers, then rejoin your group and check in at your hotel for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Today, set your sights on Zion National Park, home to jaw-dropping red sandstone chasms, rolling unending into brilliant desert skies. Choose to step out on the trail for the chance to explore the enchanting Emerald Pools or explore the narrows of the canyons.
Later, arrive at your hotel in the quaint town of Kanab for a restful evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Cross from Utah into sunny Arizona today as you ascend through ponderosa pines to the city of Flagstaff, situated at over 2,000 metres above sea level, where you’ll spend the next two nights.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours
Your final stop is the one and only Grand Canyon. One of the largest canyons on the planet, this gargantuan monument was carved over countless years by the steady and powerful flow of the Colorado River. Making the list of Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon stands at almost 450 kilometres long.
Whether you choose to hike into the humbling depths, experience the canyon from a new vantage point at the visitor centre’s IMAX theatre or wander the rim by the dazzling light of the setting sun, this is your chance to witness something truly spectacular, going beyond even the most picture-perfect expectations.
Later, return to Flagstaff for one final evening to contemplate your incredible travels.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After checking out of your hotel, take a few final hours to explore Flagstaff before it’s time to go. At 1.30pm, board your coach and transfer to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Wave goodbye to your fellow travellers as your tour concludes, ready for your onward journey.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 11am. Please book your flights to depart from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) after 7pm. Airport transfers are included on the last day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport.