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U.S. National Parks: The Grand Canyon to Zion

with Las Vegas extension

Duration: 9 or 11 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 17

Seek out the landscapes carved by wind and water for centuries.

Discover the southwest corner of the U.S., defined by its in proud Native American history and the sun-soaked sandstone of its iconic national parks. Marvel at the rock formations outside Sedona, step out onto the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, take in the kaleidoscopic colors at Zion National Park—it all must be seen to be believed.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
6 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Montezuma Castle National Monument
Sedona
the Grand Canyon
Lake Powell
Zion National Park

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Day-by-day itinerary

Phoenix Region1 night

Day 1: Arrival in Phoenix Region

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Arizona! Arrive in Phoenix and transfer to your hotel. Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Grand Canyon2 nights

Day 2: Sedona visit & Grand Canyon sunset

Included meal: Breakfast

Start your exploration of the Southwest among the landscapes of Arizona.

• Stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument to view cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans, an ancient culture with ties to the Hopi and Yavapai tribes

• Make photo stops at the majestic rock formations surrounding Sedona, including Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte

• Visit Sedona, a city known for its festive art scene, and enjoy free time to shop, eat, and explore the many galleries

• Continue on to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for your first glimpse at the legendary fissure and admire its colorful rock walls

Day 3: Free day at Grand Canyon National Park

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day at Grand Canyon National Park. You may choose to explore with your Tour Director, head out on your own, or add an excursion.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride

Excursion (additional cost)

Lake Powell2 nights

Day 4: Lake Powell via Cameron Trading Post & Tuba City

Included meal: Breakfast

Continue on to the Lake Powell region, making stops along the way.

• Visit the Cameron Trading Post for a chance to browse the selection of Native American crafts

• Visit the Navajo Code Talkers Museum to learn about the World War II Code Talkers

Later, enjoy a free evening in the Lake Powell region or add an excursion.

Upper Antelope Canyon & Navajo Nation

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 5: Free day in the Lake Powell Region

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in the Lake Powell region or add an excursion.

Monument Valley Jeep Ride

Excursion (additional cost)

Zion National Park, Utah2 nights

Day 6: Zion National Park

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way through scenic southwestern Utah to tour Zion National Park, which is located at the intersection of the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateaus, and the Mojave Desert.

• View the yellow- and orange-hued rocks during an open-air tram ride

• Hear commentary on the surrounding landscape from a local guide

Then, continue on to your hotel near Zion National Park and sit down for an included dinner.

Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, explore Bryce Canyon National Park by bus and on foot.

• Take in up-close views of the distinctive pink limestone and sandstone formations

• See the awe-inspiring arches, bridges, and pinnacles known as hoodoos

Las Vegas1 night

Day 8: Las Vegas via Valley of Fire State Park

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stop in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s first state park, before continuing on to Las Vegas to celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 9: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Extension to Las Vegas

Nevada’s Mojave Desert is home to one of the world’s most renowned resort cities: Las Vegas. It’s here in “Sin City” that the infamous Las Vegas Strip lights up in a dazzling array of colors every evening and iconic hotels and casinos anchor the skyline. Pay a visit to try your luck and soak in the excitement that this gaming hub has become known for.

Las Vegas2 nights

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Las Vegas

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, join your Tour Director for a guided tour of the legendary Las Vegas Strip.

• Pass by replicas of the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower and view the gold MGM lion statue

• Admire the Venetian and the Bellagio, two of Las Vegas’ most iconic casinos and hotels

• View the Luxor Sphinx before continuing to the old section of Las Vegas for a short walking tour on Fremont Street, a famous gaming street

Later, enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Las Vegas or add an excursion.

Hoover Dam & Lake Mead

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Free day in Las Vegas

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day to explore Las Vegas on your own.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.5 average

Great Fun & Amazing Scenery

11/26/2018 by 5th time traveler Cathy W.

We really loved this trip. The Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, the Valley of Fire & the other spots were breathtaking. Our guide, Christina, was very knowledgeable of the area, and she did an outstanding job of meeting the needs of our group. She was down to earth & fun, and she helped our trip overa...

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Great Concept, Poor Execution

07/11/2018 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

The tour director, Phil, and bus driver, Trevor, did an excellent job on the National Parks Tour. With the exception of two hotels, the accommodations were disappointing. In one hotel, the HVAC system was unplugged and the room sweltering. Once plugged in, it made very loud noises. There was a m...

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Very Average Tour -- Not Up to Standard

07/11/2018 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

This could be an excellent tour (and the itinerary, tour director and bus driver met that description), but the hotels (mediocre), the food (poor to ordinary), and especially the travel arrangements made by the EF GoAhead Travel Department spoiled the experience. We were booked on a 5:37 am departu...

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06/26/2018 by 3rd time traveler Amanda F.

We absolutely loved our tour from Grand Canyon to Zion! Our tour director, Phil Pesch, was outstanding. Phil made sure that we had an enjoyable trip, but also taught us so much about the formation of the canyons that were highlighted in this tour. We had wonderful travel companions and have managed ...

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National Parks

06/05/2018 by 3rd time traveler Claudia G.

This tour was so much fun. The parks of the Colorado plateau are amazing. So beautiful. Our tour guide Christina was very knowledgeable about the area, and shared lots of information.

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Scottsdale Marriott Suites Old Town

This cozy hotel is located in the heart of Old Town. Guests enjoy a pool, fire pits, and on-room balconies. Nearby, you’ll find Scottsdale Stadium, Fa...

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Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn

This modern lodge hotel is located near The Grand Canyon. Guests enjoy a bowling center, indoor and outdoor pools, billiards, and an arcade. Nearby, y...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within the United States.
In order to enter the United States, Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please be sure to have any additional required identification with you as well.

Tour Pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved trails and dirt paths, with some hills. Some activities will take place at high altitudes.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Phoenix, Arizona and depart from Las Vegas, Nevada. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to this region.
Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and personal travel requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 6,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
During the summer months, take proper care with sun exposure and heat.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

The cuisine of the American southwest combines influences from Spanish colonial settlers, Mexican staples, and Native American tradition. Expect dishes spiced with chili peppers, like enchiladas, tacos, and chili con carne.

Electricity & air conditioning

All of North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Some of the hotels on this tour will provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed for hotels in more remote locations.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Arizona, Utah, and Nevada are on Mountain Time (MT), which is two hours behind Eastern Time (ET). Please note that Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time and is on Pacific Time (PT) from March through October.
When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 10am on tour.

Currency

The U.S. dollar is the currency you will be using on this tour.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your purchases for fraudulent charges.
Many banks and businesses now primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for puchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.