America's Spectacular National Parks Tour

Depart from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic on our direct flight to Las Vegas. Flights from Manchester via Atlanta, and from Edinburgh via New York, are available at no additional cost. On arrival, we meet our Tour Manager and transfer to Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa. Tucked away in a tranquil, Mediterranean-style village on the edge of the Mojave Desert, this peaceful resort offers a relaxing retreat to ease into our American adventure.

Following a leisurely morning, we meet with our fellow travellers for an afternoon of sightseeing. Our first stop is the legendary "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, perfect for capturing a classic Vegas photo. From there, we travel down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, taking in the dazzling sights and vibrant atmosphere. We visit The Sphere, a revolutionary entertainment venue, where we take our seats for our show “Postcards from Earth”. We enjoy some free time before finishing our Las Vegas experience at the Fountains of Bellagio show. Set against the iconic backdrop of the Strip, more than a thousand fountains dance in perfect harmony.

After breakfast, we begin our journey into the heart of Arizona. Our adventure takes us along the world-renowned Route 66, before arriving in Williams, a nostalgic town and gateway to Grand Canyon National Park. Early 20th-century shopfronts and diners offer a taste of vintage America before we continue to the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre. We make our way to Mather Point for our first view of this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following our visit, we continue to our hotel for the next two nights, Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon, BW Signature Collection, located just a mile from the South Rim entrance.

Tour Highlight

The majestic Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Stretching 277 miles from end to end, and over a mile deep in places, its vast scale leaves a lasting impression. This morning, for those who wish, there is the unforgettable opportunity (weather permitting) to take an optional helicopter flight over the canyon. Later, we join our Tour Manager for an easy walk along the paved Rim Trail, revealing panoramic viewpoints that showcase the canyon’s depth and grandeur. We return via Grand Canyon Village, where we take time to view some of the village's landmarks, including El Tovar Hotel and Mary Colter's Hopi House. The remainder of the day is free to explore at leisure. Walk further along the Rim Trail, or perhaps descend partway into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail.

We Recommend - Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride

Take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon for a bird's eye view of this spectacular natural wonder.

Following breakfast, we journey to Desert View Watchtower – a beautifully designed stone lookout, offering some of the Grand Canyon’s most breathtaking views. From here, we travel through the Navajo Indian Reservation to the historic Cameron Trading Post, where Native American artisans display traditional crafts. We continue to the awe-inspiring Horseshoe Bend where we are met with a dramatic view of the Colorado River curving through the desert in a perfect horseshoe-shaped meander. We arrive in Springdale, a charming town nestled at the entrance of Zion National Park. Our home for the next two nights is The Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

Today we are at leisure to explore the dramatic landscapes of Zion National Park. To help preserve the canyon’s pristine beauty, private vehicles are not permitted within Zion Canyon itself. Instead, a convenient park shuttle loops through several key stops, offering access to scenic viewpoints and a variety of walking trails. Our Tour Manager accompanies us into the park, sharing insights and suggestions to ensure we experience everything Zion has to offer. One of the most popular walks begins at the Temple of Sinawava, following a peaceful riverside path along the Virgin River. Whether you choose to explore the canyon’s trails or return early to enjoy the charm of Springdale, enjoy your day.

Departing Springdale early this morning, we journey across the Colorado Plateau to the surreal landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park. Known for its vibrant colours and whimsical rock formations, Bryce’s distinctive hoodoos, the tall and thin spires of eroded stone, create an almost otherworldly panorama. Our first stop is the Bryce Canyon Visitor Centre, where we gain insight into the park’s unique geology. We visit Sunrise Point, one of the park's most iconic viewpoints. Overlooking the Bryce Amphitheatre – a natural bowl filled with rows of hoodoos that glow in shades of red, pink, and gold, it is a mesmerising sight to behold. There is time to perhaps enjoy a short walk along the rim. Departing Bryce, we take National Scenic Byway Highway 12, along a series of breath-taking viewpoints, each revealing a new perspective of the red and white sandstone formations, sculpted by time. We arrive into Torrey and the Red Sands Hotel & Spa for our overnight stay.

Our adventure continues this morning as we leave Torrey and travel through Capitol Reef National Park, a hidden gem of towering cliffs, winding canyons, and expansive desert landscapes. Following our journey along the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, we continue to Hanksville, before travelling on to the enchanting Goblin Valley State Park. Here, thousands of whimsical hoodoos and mushroom-shaped rock formations create a surreal, otherworldly landscape. Surrounded by these natural sculptures, we enjoy a picnic lunch amid the shaded areas of the park, soaking in the extraordinary setting. We continue to Moab, where we spend the next two nights in the Element Moab Hotel. This evening, there is the opportunity to join a jetboat excursion on the Colorado River, complete with a cowboy-style BBQ dinner.

This morning, we explore Arches National Park, a striking landscape of over 2,000 natural stone arches shaped by wind and time. Highlights include Balanced Rock, Double Arch, and the iconic Delicate Arch – Utah’s most photographed landmark. There’s time to walk among these awe-inspiring formations and experience their scale up close. We continue to Canyonlands National Park, where the sweeping vistas allow for spanning views of rock formations as far as the eye can see, all carved by the mighty Colorado River, the same river that carved the Grand Canyon. The sweeping views here are some of the most dramatic in the American Southwest. We return to Moab in the late afternoon, with time to relax or enjoy the town at leisure.

Following breakfast, our journey continues across Utah’s ever-changing landscapes. Passing near the rugged San Rafael Swell, a vast stretch of desert, canyons, and striking rock formations, we make a brief stop in Price, before continuing to Provo, where there’s time to enjoy lunch at leisure. We continue to ‘This Is the Place Heritage Park’, home to the National Pony Express Monument. This dramatic sculpture captures the spirit of the legendary riders who once carried vital messages across the American frontier. We arrive at the charming mountain town of Park City and our hotel for the next two nights, the stylish AC Hotel Park City, ideally located for exploring the town and its scenic surroundings.

Today is at leisure to enjoy Park City at your own pace. Choose to wander this charming alpine village or take a guided wilderness photography tour. For spectacular scenery, consider a scenic chairlift ride or a vintage train journey along the shores of Deer Creek Reservoir, offering incredible vistas of the Wasatch Mountains and Heber Valley. Alternatively, unwind with a swim or snorkel in the warm geothermal waters of the Homestead Crater. However you choose to spend it, today promises a perfect blend of history, scenery, and relaxation.

We Recommend - Deer Creek Reservoir

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of Deer Creek Reservoir. Take a scenic chairlift, or a vintage train journey and enjoy the incredible vistas.

This morning, we head north into the wide-open landscapes of Wyoming. We travel through Evanston, a mountain town framed by the Bear River, before following the western shores of Bear Lake, often called the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’ due to its vivid blue waters. We stop in the small town of Afton, founded by pioneer settlers in 1885, where there is free time to explore before continuing to Jackson, where rugged cowboy charm meets stunning Western scenery. There is free time to explore the historic town square or perhaps visit the legendary Million Dollar Cowboy Bar – a true Wyoming institution since 1937. Our journey finishes in Grand Teton National Park and our home for the next two nights, the Jackson Lake Lodge. Located within the park itself, it offers sweeping views over Jackson Lake and the dramatic Teton Range.

Tour Highlight

Following breakfast, we explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of Grand Teton National Park, where jagged peaks rise above glistening lakes and wildlife roams freely across the valleys. Sharing an ecosystem with Yellowstone, the park is home to grizzly bears, bison, wolves, and a remarkable variety of birdlife. Our first stop is the rustic Chapel of the Transfiguration, a favourite among photographers for its dramatic framing of the Teton Range. We continue to Jenny Lake, nestled at the base of the mountains, where easy walking trails offer stunning views of the water and surrounding peaks. Our morning ends at Mormon Row, famed for its historic barns set against the backdrop of the Grand Tetons – a truly spectacular scene. Returning to Jackson Lake Lodge, the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the magnificent surroundings.

Tour Highlight

Today we journey into Yellowstone National Park – America’s first and most iconic national park. Home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, moose, coyotes, wolves, and bears, it also features some of the world’s most extraordinary geothermal features. Our day begins with a stop at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel, set on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, a perfect spot for photos, before continuing to the bubbling Mud Volcano. Our journey then takes us to Artist Point, offering spectacular views over the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – a breathtaking landscape of rugged cliffs and plunging waterfalls. We pause briefly at the Upper Falls before stopping at Canyon Village. Throughout the day, we keep a keen eye out for Yellowstone’s famed wildlife as we make our way to the park’s most celebrated feature – the Old Faithful geyser. Erupting around 20 times a day, this natural wonder sends thousands of gallons of steaming water skyward in a spectacular show. After a full day of exploration, we cross into Montana and arrive at the 320 Guest Ranch. Nestled along the Gallatin River, this working ranch is our home for the next two nights.

A day at leisure to enjoy Montana’s wide-open skies and rugged landscapes. Wander the scenic trails that weave through the property, join an optional horse-riding adventure, or try your hand at fly-fishing with a casting lesson. Or for those wanting to explore further, there’s the option to visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Centre, home to rescued grizzly bears, wolves, birds of prey, and river otters. As the sun begins to set, we gather for a traditional western Chuckwagon BBQ. A short wagon ride takes us along the ranch’s trails to a stunning riverside setting, where a hearty country-style feast awaits under the vast Big Sky of Montana.

We Recommend - Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Centre

Learn about the conservation projects supporting Grizzly bears, wolves, birds of prey and otters.

Leaving Big Sky country behind, we travel south through open farmland into Idaho, making a brief stop at the picturesque Mesa Falls. We continue through the historic frontier town of Idaho Falls, where there is time to explore the charming high street. Late afternoon, we arrive in Salt Lake City, Utah’s vibrant capital, for our final night. Our hotel is either the Hyatt Regency or Le Méridien Salt Lake City Downtown.

Following a leisurely morning, we visit historic Temple Square, where a docent-led tour offers insight into the square’s beautiful gardens and rich pioneer heritage. We take in the commanding views of the city from Capitol Hill before arriving at Lion House Pantry for lunch. This former residence of religious leader, Brigham Young, offers a taste of traditional home-style cooking in a historic setting. Later, we transfer to the airport to begin our journey home. Travellers to London Heathrow will enjoy a direct service with Virgin Atlantic, while those returning to Manchester or Edinburgh will connect via Amsterdam.

We arrive back in the UK this morning, bringing our adventure to a close.