At a Glance
Where every trail reveals a window into the remarkable wonders of nature and geology, from spectacular hoodoos and spires to breathtaking canyons and sandstone cliffs. Discover the different wonders of Canyon Country as you immerse yourself in this 6-day adventure packed trip exploring Utah’s Bryce and Zion National Parks.
Your adventure begins in St. George, where you will shuttle to saunter the red petrified sands of the astonishing Snow Canyon State Park. Escape into a bewildering paradise of spectacular slot canyons, sprawling sand dunes, burnt orange and white Navajo sandstone that create the microcosm of Utah’s awe-inspiring essence. Adore the stunning panorama of the Cable Mountain and Great White Throne as you hike up to Walter’s Wiggles. Go on a thrilling hike through “the Narrows”, Zion’s most popular hike. Take on ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals as specified
- Hiking and sightseeing as stated in the itinerary
- Brief orientation in St. George on Day 1
- 5 nights accommodation in hotels on a twin share basis
- Professional guiding: two support vans, 6:1 guest to leader ratio on average
- All luggage, airport, hotel transfers and shuttle transfers
- Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Park and other entry fees
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Itinerary
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TWO HIKING OPTIONS: On the first day, meet with your tour leaders at the lobby of the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn at 10 am. You are expected to arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring along a daypack with your rain gear and anything else you may want for today’s hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s accommodation. After a brief welcome greeting with your tour leaders and fellow adventurers at St. George, we then shuttle down to the Snow Canyon State Park. Despite its relatively small size, it offers an astonishing breadth of geologic features such as slot canyons, sprawling sand dunes, ancient lava, burnt orange and white Navajo sandstone, all of which combine to create the microcosm of Utah’s awe-inspiring essence. We then venture out on foot towards one of the most photographed features in the park. Move along the red petrified sand dunes rising in layered mounds from the canyon floor. We end our trek at the Snow Canyon Picnic Area. |
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Enjoy a delicious lunch before a shuttle to your home for the next three nights, the modern Desert Pearl Inn. A beautiful hotel nestled within the mighty Zion cliffs beside the Virgin River offering stunning views of its surroundings. Enjoy a nice dip in the outdoor pool or take some alone time and relax at your private balcony with stunning red cliff views. In the evening, we gather for a short welcome reception at the hotel, Desert Pearl Inn, before we head out to the street for dinner at a favourite restaurant.
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Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale,
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
TWO HIKING OPTIONS: After a hearty breakfast, we prepare for a spectacular journey to Angels Landing. Our hike begins with a steep ascent above the river to Refrigerator Canyon followed by a challenging but rewarding climb to Walter’s Wiggles, a series of switchbacks carved into the cliff that takes us to Scout Lookout. Adore the stunning panorama of Cable Mountain and Great White Throne rock walls. After the ascent, you can choose to continue on to the soaring Angels Landing or descend back to the valley floor. After reaching the valley floor, we make a stop at Zion Lodge to enjoy a flavourful lunch under a 100 year old magnificent cottonwood tree. After, you can opt to wander along the Pa’rus trail for a bird's eye view of the soaring rock faces and the large abyss of Zion Canyon. This afternoon, there’s plenty of time to take advantage of the deluxe amenities of our dazzling hotel. Cool-off in the shimmering waters of the swimming pool, de-stress in the hot tub or maybe a massage at the spa to pamper your muscles might do the trick. Tonight’s dinner will be served at the famous Lively Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon. Delight your taste buds with Mexican & Southwestern fare. |
Desert Pearl Inn, SpringdaleBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
TWO HIKING OPTIONS: Today, a thrilling adventure awaits as you journey through the Narrows, a narrow trail between towering canyons where a river runs through. For this challenging hike, you will get wet. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes with good treads that you don’t mind getting soaked. (Note: if water levels are high or there is a threat of flash floods, the park service may close the trail for safety reasons). Your tour leaders will inform you of useful tips about walking through the Narrows, before you venture into the shallow rocky water and make your way into the inner gorge of the Virgin River. After the hike, we shuttle back to the hotel. You can choose to relax with a soothing drink by the pool and kick your feet up or browse through the quaint town of Springdale, visit its cafés, galleries, shops and perhaps grab a souvenir or two. In the evening, you get to enjoy dinner on your own at a restaurant you’re keen to try or one recommended to you. |
Desert Pearl Inn, SpringdaleBreakfast, Lunch |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: This morning, we make our way to Bryce Canyon National Park. As we journey, we get to watch the desert land give way to the green meadows of the Sevier River Valley. On our way, we make a stop at the Maynard Dixon Living History Museum in Mt. Carmel where we learn about the life of Dixon and his wife, Edith, their creations and history. After exploring the grounds, we make the rest of our journey towards Bryce Canyon National Park. The park’s namesake Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce deemed this region "a hell of a place to lose a cow." You'll understand why when you take a look at the amphitheater's maze of spires, hoodoos, windows, walls, and pinnacles. Absorb the distant views of the Grand Staircase and Escalante before going down into the canyon through the Fairyland Loop, a less-traversed section of Bryce Canyon National Park flush with colourful hoodoos. Along the trail, relish the views of Boat Mesa, rising above the tops of hoodoos. Pass by the Sinking Ship, a rock formation floating in the distance. The expansive China Wall, a fortification of hoodoos and rock sticking out from Bryce's Pink Cliffs guides us through the canyon before we make our way back to the rim. We spend the next two nights at the picturesque, remote and rustic Lodge at Bryce Canyon, a perfect personification of its tranquil atmosphere. After settling into your room, we gather at the lodge for a delicious dinner. Cap off a magical day stargazing where Bryce's elevation and distance from civilisation make it possible to see thousands of bright stars with the naked eye! |
Lodge at Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon National ParkBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
TWO HIKING OPTIONS: We begin the day by traversing the Queen's Garden with sights of Bryce's most famed hoodoos, the totem pole-shaped rock steeples that flood the park. Walk into the canyon, where eccentrically shaped rock formations crowd beneath the Queen Victoria hoodoo. Feel the ethereal essence of this beautiful location. From the Queen's Garden, connect to the Navajo Loop Trail and walk through Wall Street, a spectacular canyon with overhanging walls. Be prepared for a steep climb up to the rim at Sunset Point, or take a byway on Peek-a-Boo Loop, a fairly gruelling trail with a lot of ups and downs, but with amazing views of Fairy Castle, the Alligator, the Silent City, and the Wall of Windows. Alternatively, explore the canyon on horseback for a different yet exciting perspective (at an additional cost). In the afternoon, you could opt for a stroll and enjoy the stunning scenery, or relax at the lodge. Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner in the lodge's dining room and enjoy the flavours of classic Western cuisine over a convivial affair. |
Lodge at Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon National ParkBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Level 1 Approx. 5km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 61m (200 ft) Join your tour leaders for a morning hike at the highest point of the Bryce Amphitheater and delve in spontaneous views as the morning light hits the hoodoos at the right angle to create beautiful shades of colour as you hike along the rim back to the lodge. Enjoy breakfast before bidding farewell to Bryce Canyon National Park. Then, we make our way to St. George as we shuttle through Red Canyon and then across Paunsaugunt Plateau, while simultaneously adoring unreal hoodoos. We climb to Navajo Lake and then pass by the edge of Cedar Breaks National Monument on our way to Cedar City to savour a final delicious lunch together. After lunch, we return to St. George, where our adventure ends. Bid farewell to your tour leaders, newfound friends and continue your journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is St George, Utah.
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to St George. The nearest airport is St. George Municipal Airport and is 24km (15 miles) from the centre of Saint George, Utah. The closest international airport is Las Vegas McCarran International Airport which is 208km (129 miles).
The only rule about weather in canyon country is that there is no rule! Please be prepared for varied climates on this trip. Because the changes in elevation as we travel are substantial, you may experience a wide range of weather conditions in a single day. You may awake to a chilly frost-dusted landscape, but be baking in the heat of the desert sun by mid-afternoon. (Keep in mind that it's dry heat, which is generally more comfortable than humid heat.) Although most of the areas we visit are considered arid, afternoon thunderstorms are always possible, and occasionally it rains all day. We strongly suggest bringing quality waterproof rain gear made of a breathable material. Temperatures 10–20 degrees outside the following "normal" ranges are not uncommon! There is also a slight possibility of snow at higher elevations (7,500 feet and above) in late May/early June and late September/early October. This is a rare occurrence, however, and the snow usually melts when it hits the ground.
The routes on this trip are rated Levels 2-4.
Level 1, 2-5 hours, 3-8km (2-5 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 244m (800 ft)
Level 2, 2-4 hours, 6-11km (4-7 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 396m (1300 ft)
Level 3, 3-5 hours, 8-14km (5-9 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 610m (2000 ft)
Level 4, 4-6 hours, 10-18km(6-11 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 914m (3000 ft)
Level 5, 5-7 hours, 11-21+ km (7-13+ miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 1219m (4000+ ft)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
