And you’re off! Assuming a flight into Grand Junction, Colorado, you will secure a rental car and make your way south towards Moab, Utah where you will begin your southwest adventure. Spending three nights at a superb guest ranch along the Colorado River, you are perfectly primed to explore this diverse and stunning landscape. I have suggested activities including exploring Arches National Park with a private guide, an evening of stargazing over this incredible desert landscape and taking in the sights from Dead Horse State Park on your own with the help of your customized Journey Guidebook.

Half-day privately guided hiking and exploring in Arches National Park –

A great option for your time in the area would be a half-day of exploring in Arches National Park with a long-time guide friend of ours. You would meet and after some discussion of of the options for the day with your guide, you would travel into the park. Throughout your experience, your guide would lead you to far-off places and interesting locations within the park, all the while tailoring the outing to your specific interests and abilities.

Evening Stargazing –

I would suggest taking advantage of the lack of light pollution in this remote area and head out for an evening of stargazing! Depending on the weather conditions and the moon during your stay, Moab is an excellent location for viewing the Milky Way and constellations with the guidance of an expert.

Transferring from Moab to the south-central area of Utah, you will drive through Capitol Reef National Park on the scenic highway 12 and settle for two nights in the backcountry town of Boulder, Utah. For two nights you will immerse and enjoy these remote lands while staying at a cozy, unique lodge. While in the area we suggest utilizing the expertise of a great local guide to explore the Grand Staircase National Monument.

Private guided full day exploring in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument –

We would arrange for a meet-up with a wonderful guide to explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument area. The landscape offers beautiful geographic variations including cliffs, canyons, and high plateaus. Your day of exploring and hiking through this magnificent national treasure would be tailored to your interests by your capable guide.

Moving on from the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, you will arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park where you will lodge for two nights at another favored inn. We have suggested joining a great guide for a wonderful experience in Bryce Canyon National Park during your full-day in the area.

Private naturalist-led half-day hiking and exploring in Bryce Canyon National Park –

We would arrange for a meet-up with a wonderful guide in Bryce Canyon National Park. Your guide would connect with you and introduce you to some of the intriguing areas of this high-elevation National Park unit. The landscape in Bryce Canyon is quite a sight to behold and your guide would tailor your time to your interests and the best options available in the area.

Welcome to Zion National Park! Staying in the small, park-entrance town of Springdale located just outside the entrance to the park, you are perfectly primed to enjoy your next few days exploring this national gem. Zion Canyon, which has been chiseled out by the Virgin River over time, is filled with massive stone formations, hidden slot canyons, stunning overlooks, and absolutely jaw-dropping landscapes. During your time in the area, we suggest some fantastic photography excursions to experience the area through the eyes of a professional photographer who will help you hone your skill.

Half Day Photography Tour –

Experience The Golden Hour at Zion National Park, where sunrise and sunset illuminate the dramatic landscape drawing out the most vibrant colors. On a half-day photo tour you will explore either sunrise or sunset, receive one-on-one instruction from a local professional photographer who will assist you in creating your own stunning images.

Night Photography Tour –

During your time in Zion National Park, we suggest a night photography tour. Experience the quiet nights in this impressive desert setting and learn how to photograph the Milky Way and create star trails, all while taking in the intimate nocturnal side of Zion not experienced by many. For this tour, a wide angle lens (at least 14mm for crop sensor cameras, 24mm or wider for full frame cameras) and cameras capable of shooting at ISO 6400 or greater are recommended. Without these, it will be hard to capture the full potential of nighttime images.

Rise this morning and continue along your journey to the one-and-only Amangiri, where we would suggest capping your trip perfectly with a focused immersion at this world-class resort. Enjoy!

Note: There are some excellent off-property experiences in this area and we would be happy to discuss them if you have an interest.

Enjoy the day at leisure to enjoy Amangiri.

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Return home, taking with you the sights, sounds, and memories of an incredible vacation!