We sat down with our Regional Director of Operations for U.S. & Canada, Kevin, to get the scoop behind creating our new tour, U.S. National Parks: The Grand Canyon to Zion, and why travelers will love it.
“This new tour is so great because it visits three of the most well-known U.S. National Parks: Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce,” Kevin explains. “We saw the success of our first U.S. National Parks tour, which covers a lot of ground, so we wanted to create another more regionalized itinerary.”
This nine-day tour is perfect for travelers with less vacation time or those who want a shorter version of the original U.S. National Parks tour. “With this itinerary, there’s less bus and travel time overall, which makes it perfect for those who are looking for a shorter tour,” Kevin offers. “We also saw the opportunity for this itinerary to include a visit to Sedona, which is an arts-inspired town we felt our travelers would really enjoy. You’ll get to explore the vibrant arts community, walk the streets and visit local galleries; it’s really quaint.”
After visiting Sedona and spending two nights in the Grand Canyon, you’ll have the option to explore Monument Valley, Utah, a popular destination for travelers visiting the Southwest. “We offer a full-day excursion to Monument Valley, which is really cool,” Kevin says. “You get to take a 4×4 (Jeep ride) for some off-roading. It’s a huge draw.”
Additionally, this tour overnights in Lake Powell, another differentiator from our U.S. National Parks: The Grand Canyon to Yellowstone tour. “We stay right on the lake, as opposed to in the surrounding area, which a lot of other companies do.” Kevin emphasizes the beauty of Lake Powell, saying it adds a tranquil, serene environment to an otherwise fast-paced tour. Kevin recommends adding the optional Lake Powell Cruise & Dinner excursion to take advantage of the scenic views. “It’s the best way to experience the lake,” he says.
One of the major reasons that Kevin and our Product Development team created this new itinerary was to give travelers the opportunity to spend more time in Zion National Park. “We heard overwhelmingly that Zion was such a customer favorite,” Kevin explains.” On this trip, you get a full day to explore Zion and experience some of the best views in the U.S.. You start with an open-air tram ride in the morning, then have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the park.”
At the end of the tour, you’ll make a stop at the Valley of Fire State Park, the oldest state park in Nevada. “It’s a hidden gem that often gets overlooked among the other national parks.” While not necessarily at the top of travelers’ must-see lists, the Valley of Fire State Park offers some incredible views of red sandstone rocks and Native American petroglyphs.
For those interested, U.S. National Parks: The Grand Canyon to Zion ends with an extension in Las Vegas, so anyone who’s looking to try their luck can extend their stay to take advantage of the city’s bustling scene.
As Kevin says, “This is the perfect tour for someone who wants to see the highlights of the southwest’s natural beauty, including three of the most well-known and popular U.S. National Parks.”
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