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Southwest Adventure: Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon & Beyond (Sep 3‑23, 2025)

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Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas – September 3

Morning: Arrive at McCarran International Airport and check into the Bellagio Hotel. Refresh with a quick snack at the hotel’s lobby café.

Afternoon: Explore the Las Vegas Strip on foot, stopping at the iconic Bellagio Fountain and the panoramic view from the High Roller observation wheel.

Evening: Dinner at Giada – The Cromwell with views of the Strip, followed by a relaxed walk through the vibrant Fremont Street Experience.

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Day 2: Desert Wonderland – September 4

Morning: Drive to Red Rock Canyon for a gentle hike on the Calico Hills Trail, taking in spectacular rock formations.

Afternoon: Visit Hoover Dam for a guided tour of the massive power plant and lake vista.

Evening: Return to Vegas, enjoy a relaxed dinner at Lotus of Siam (renowned Thai cuisine) and a show at the Cirque du Soleil on the Strip.

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Day 3: Eagles Concert – September 5

Morning: Leisurely brunch at The Peppermill, followed by a stroll in the Arts District exploring galleries.

Afternoon: Relax at the hotel pool; optional visit to The Neon Museum to see historic signage.

Evening: Eagles Concert at the Allegro, plus a post‑show dinner at Carnevino for a celebratory steak dinner.

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Day 4: Journey to Death Valley – September 6

Morning: Drive 2 hours to Death Valley National Park, stopping at Furnace Creek and Badwater Basin (the lowest point in the U.S.).

Afternoon: Hike the Golden Canyon loop and explore Artist’s Palette for vivid colors.

Evening: Dinner under the stars at the Stargazer Café near the park’s ranger station.

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Day 5: Death Valley to Joshua Tree – September 7

Morning: Sunrise at Zabriskie Point followed by a short trek to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Afternoon: Travel to Joshua Tree National Park, check into a desert‑style lodge near Phoenix Town.

Evening: Evening walk to see the iconic Joshua Trees and enjoy dinner at Crossroads Café.

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Day 6: Joshua Tree – September 8

Morning: Hike the Hidden Valley Loop (moderate) and visit the Cholla Canyon viewpoint.

Afternoon: Explore the Joshua Tree Visitor Center and the historic Joshua Tree National Park Museum.

Evening: Sunset at Keys View, followed by a dinner at La Copine in nearby Yucca Valley.

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Day 7: Travel to Grand Canyon – September 9

Morning: Drive to the Grand Canyon (South Rim), checking in at El Tovar Hotel.

Afternoon: Walk the Rim Trail from Yavapai Point for breathtaking views.

Evening: Dinner at El Tovar Dining Room; watch the sunset over **Mather Point**.

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Day 8: Grand Canyon Rafting – September 10

Morning: Meet the rafting team, board the boat for the three‑day raft.

Afternoon: Begin rafting downstream from River Mile 0 and enjoy the rugged canyon walls.

Evening: Evening camp on the riverbank with a campfire dinner prepared by the guide.

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Day 9: Grand Canyon Rafting – September 11

Morning: Continue the exhilarating rapids of the Colorado River, spotting the Vermilion Rapids.

Afternoon: Stop at a secluded canyon for a scenic hike to the hidden Cavern.

Evening: Night under the stars, stories from the guide, and a hearty meal at the river camp.

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Day 10: Grand Canyon Rafting – September 12

Morning: Last day of rafting; paddle through Crystal Rapids and reach the take‑out point.

Afternoon: Transfer to Grand Canyon North Rim for a short hike to Bright Angel Trail viewpoint.

Evening: Return to hotel; dinner at Bright Angel Lodge with local cuisine.

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Day 11: Grand Canyon to Monument Valley – September 13

Morning: Drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, stop en route at Parashant National Monument.

Afternoon: Guided tour of the **Maya** and **Navajo** villages, then hike to Yei Tse Koh (Navajo Rock).

Evening: Sunset dinner at the **Monument Valley Safari** restaurant.

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Day 12: Monument Valley to Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend – September 14

Morning: Head to Page, AZ. Guided boat tour of Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower).

Afternoon: Walk to Horseshoe Bend for a photo‑op of the iconic river curve.

Evening: Dinner at **Big John’s** in Page and nighttime stargazing.

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Day 13: Mesa Verde & Montezuma Castle – September 15

Morning: Drive to Mesa Verde (Colorado) for a historic guided tour of the cliff dwellings.

Afternoon: Continue to Montezuma Castle (Arizona) for a brief scenic walk.

Evening: Dinner in **Cottonwood**, enjoying the local cuisine at **Old Town Café**.

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Day 14: Travel to Arizona’s Sedona – September 16

Morning: Drive to Sedona, check in at Enchantment Resort.

Afternoon: Hike the **Cathedral Rock** trail (moderate) and see the famous red rock formations.

Evening: Sunset dinner at **The Hudson** with panoramic vista.

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Day 15: Sedona – September 17

Morning: Guided jeep tour through the **Bell Rock** and **Beehive** regions, stopping at a local winery for tasting.

Afternoon: Light lunch at **The Secret Garden Café**, then a gentle walk along **Oak Creek Canyon**.

Evening: Relaxed evening at the resort’s spa and dinner at **Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill**.

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Day 16: Jerome & Prescott – September 18

Morning: Drive to historic mining town Jerome, explore the Jerome State Historic Park and its art galleries.

Afternoon: Continue to the **Historic Downtown Prescott**, stroll through the **Whiskey Row** and stop at **Pioneer Museum**.

Evening: Dinner at **The Raven Café** (Jerome) and stay at a boutique inn.

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Day 17: Joshua Trees to Great Basin – September 19

Morning: Depart early to Great Basin National Park (Nevada) and check in at **Bristow Campground**.

Afternoon: Hike to **Lehman Caves** guided tour, plus a quick visit to **Wheeler Peak** views.

Evening: Campfire dinner, star‑gazing at one of the darkest skies in the U.S.

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Day 18: Great Basin to Arches & Canyonlands – September 20

Morning: Drive to **Arches National Park** (Utah), hike the **Delicate Arch** trail.

Afternoon: Visit **The Windows** and the **Double Arch**; lunch at the **Arches Visitor Center Café**.

Evening: Sunset at **Dead Horse Point** (Canyonlands) followed by dinner at **Canyonlands Lodge**.

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Day 19: Canyonlands & Moab – September 21

Morning: Explore **Canyonlands**’ **Island in the Sky**; hike to **Grand View Point**.

Afternoon: Return to **Moab**, enjoy a bike ride on the **Slickrock Trail** or rent a quad for a short adventure.

Evening: Meal at **The Moab Brewery**, and a night stroll along the **Colorado River** walkway.

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Day 20: Return to Las Vegas – September 22

Morning: Drive back to **Las Vegas**, stopping at **Tule Springs Fossil Beds** for a brief stop at the museum.

Afternoon: Visit **Mojave National Preserve** for a short desert walk and a picnic.

Evening: Return to the hotel; dinner at **Estiatorio Milos** for a farewell seafood feast.

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Day 21: Departure – September 23

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely brunch at **The Buffet at Wynn**, then relax at the hotel pool.

Afternoon: Return rental car, check‑out, and head to McCarran for the flight home.

Evening: Fly out of Las Vegas with wonderful memories.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Bellagio Hotel – 2 days – $450 (room & taxes)
  • High Roller – 1 hour – $35 per ticket
  • Red Rock Canyon – 3 hours – $15 park entry
  • Hoho Dam – 2 hours – $30 guided tour
  • Furnace Creek, Death Valley – 4 hours – $20 entry
  • Golden Canyon Hike – 2 hours – free
  • Joshua Tree Park – 3 days – $30 entry
  • Catalyst – 2 hours – free
  • Grand Canyon – South Rim – 4 days – $120 accommodations
  • Grand Canyon Rafting (3‑day) – 3 days – $1,450 per person
  • Monument Valley Navajo Park – 2 hours – $20 per vehicle
  • Antelope Canyon – 2 hours – $85 per person (guided)
  • Horseshoe Bend – 1 hour – $0 (parking $5)
  • Mesa Verde – 2 hours – $10 entrance
  • Montezuma Castle – 1 hour – $10 entry
  • Red Rock Canyon (repeat) – 2 hours – $15
  • Great Basin Park – 2 days – $20 entry
  • Lehman Caves – 2 hours – $15
  • Arches National Park – 2 hours – $30
  • Dead Horse Point – 1 hour – $30
  • Moab Bike Rental – 2 hours – $50
  • Tule Springs Fossil Bed – 1 hour – $10
  • Mojave National Preserve – 2 hours – $10
  • Restaurant meals and miscellaneous – $1,200
  • Total Estimate$4,877

Tips

To shorten the trip, consider dropping the round‑trip to Monument Valley and reducing the stay in Great Basin, which can cut five days while still covering the main national parks. If you have extra time, extend the Sedona segment with a day‑trip to **Oak Creek Canyon** for a longer hike or add a day at **Sedona’s Vortex sites**. For more relaxed days, consider swapping the intense rafting trip for a scenic river float in the Colorado River near Grand Canyon.

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