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Southwest USA Adventure – September 3 – September 23

Viewed by 70 travelers

Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas

Morning: Arrive at McCarran International Airport and transfer to your downtown hotel. Check‑in and freshen up before heading out for a light brunch at Mon Ami Gabi.

Afternoon: Stroll along the Las Vegas Strip, taking in iconic sights like the Bellagio fountains and the towering Stratosphere. Take a short break at a casino lounge for a beverage.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Chateau d’Ane followed by a night walk through the illuminated Fremont Street Experience.

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Day 2: Las Vegas – Eagles Concert

Morning: Relax with a poolside brunch at the Bellagio Buffet and explore the Neon Museum for a taste of Vegas history.

Afternoon: Visit the Hoover Dam and take a short guided tour, then return to the city for a quick snack.

Evening: Attend the Eagles concert at the Allegiant Stadium—arrive early to soak in the pre‑show atmosphere.

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Day 3: Red Rock Canyon & Travel to Mojave National Preserve

Morning: Drive to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for a scenic drive and a brief hike to the Calico Hills trail.

Afternoon: Continue south to the Mojave National Preserve for a desert landscape photography session.

Evening: Camp under the stars at the Hole-in-the‑Rock campground and enjoy a simple campfire dinner.

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Day 4: Mojave National Preserve to Joshua Tree

Morning: Explore the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center and hike the Hidden Valley loop.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Joshua Tree town for lunch at Pappy & Harriet’s before exploring the local art galleries.

Evening: Return to Las Vegas for a comfortable night at a boutique hotel.

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Day 5: Travel to Death Valley

Morning: Depart early for Death Valley National Park, stopping at the Stovepipe Wells roadhouse for breakfast.

Afternoon: Hike the Golden Canyon trail and drive the scenic Artist’s Palette viewpoint.

Evening: Sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, followed by dinner at the historic Furnace Creek Ranch.

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Day 6: Exploration in Death Valley

Morning: Explore the Badwater Basin salt flats followed by a short hike to Zabriskie Point.

Afternoon: Drive to Ubehebe Crater for a quick hike, then head toward the Rodeo Drive of the desert.

Evening: Relax at the Stove Pipe Oasis and enjoy stargazing with a ranger‑led program.

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Day 7: Travel to Grand Canyon (North Rim)

Morning: Depart early for Grand Canyon National Park – North Rim via scenic Highway 9.

Afternoon: Hike the Bright Angel Trail down to the Canyon floor (partial). Stop at Grand Canyon Visitor Center for a short talk.

Evening: Return to North Rim Lodge for dinner and a twilight view from the Bright Angel Lodge terrace.

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Day 8: Grand Canyon South Rim

Morning: Sunrise viewpoint at Mather Point, followed by a hike on the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Grand Canyon Village and the El Tovar Dining Room for lunch.

Evening: Sunset at Yavapai Point and dinner at the Arizona Room in the village.

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Day 9: Monument Valley & Navajo Tribal Park

Morning: Depart for Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park with a guided Jeep tour of iconic buttes.

Afternoon: Short hike to the John Ford’s Point and photograph the famed Mittens rock formation.

Evening: Overnight at Monument Valley Resort and enjoy a Navajo cultural dinner.

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Day 10: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

Morning: Guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, capturing the swirling light beams.

Afternoon: Hike to the breathtaking Horseshoe Bend viewpoint and watch the river turn.

Evening: Return to Page, AZ, for dinner at Bonkers Restaurant and rest.

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Day 11: Travel to Sed Sedona

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

Afternoon: Continue to Prescott for a quick visit to the Prescott Courthouse Plaza and lunch at The Palace Restaurant & Saloon.

Evening: Arrive in Sedona for a sunset dinner at Mariposa and night walk at the Red Rock Trail viewpoint.

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Day 12: Sedona Hiking

Morning: Hike the Cathedral Rock trail with breathtaking red rock vistas.

Afternoon: explore the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the art galleries on Uptown Sedona.

Evening: Dinner at The Hudson with a view of the sunset spires.

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Day 13: Flagstaff & Route 66

Morning: Drive to Flagstaff, explore the Lowell Observatory and the historic Route‑66 downtown.

Afternoon: Grab lunch at Dusty’s and hike the Walnut Canyon trail.

Evening: Dine at Citizens of the USA and stay at a boutique hotel.

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Day 14: Travel to Grand Canyon (South Rim) – Grand Canyon Railway

Morning: Travel south to the **Grand Canyon Railway** for a scenic train ride to the **South Rim** with an optional lunch at the **Grand Canyon Railway Hotel**.

Afternoon: Explore the **Grand Canyon Village** and attend a Ranger talk on geology.

Evening: Sunset at **Grandview Point** (short walk), dinner at **Bright Angel Grill**.

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Day 15: Visit Grand Canyon (South Rim) – Leisure Day

Morning: Take a sunrise helicopter flight over the canyon (optional).

Afternoon: Leisurely walk along the **Rim Trail**, with stops at **Mather Point** and **Grand Canyon Skywalk**.

Evening: Dinner at **El Tovar** and stargazing.

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Day 16: Travel to Mesa Verde via Great Basin

Morning: Drive to Great Basin National Park, visit the **Lehman Caves** and view the **Alpine Lakes**.

Afternoon: Hike the **Bristlecone Pine** trail and admire the ancient trees.

Evening: Stay overnight at **Lone Pine Guest House** near the park.

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Day 17: Great Basin to Arches

Morning: Depart for **Arches National Park**, stop at **Dead Horse Point State Park** for scenic views.

Afternoon: Hike to **Delicate Arch** and explore the **Windows Section**.

Evening: Sunset from **Balanced Rock** followed by dinner at **Moab Brewery**.

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Day 18: Canyonlands & Monument Valley

Morning: Explore **Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky**, taking the **Mesa Arch** sunrise walk.

Afternoon: Hike **Grand View Point** and drive to **Montezuma Castle** for a short historic visit.

Evening: Return to **Moab** for dinner at **The Desert Bistro**, night rest.

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Day 19: Petrified Forest National Park

Morning: Drive to **Petrified Forest National Park**, start at the **Petrified Forest Visitor Center**.

Afternoon: Walk the **Blue Mesa** and **Rainbow Forest** trails.

Evening: Evening in **Gallup** for dinner at **The Copper Cactus**.

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Day 20: Return to Las Vegas

Morning: Drive back to **Las Vegas**, stopping at **Ute Peak** for a final photo stop.

Afternoon: Relax at the hotel pool and enjoy a last massage before departure.

Evening: Farewell dinner at **Eiffel Tower Restaurant** with a view of the Strip.

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Day 21: Departure

Morning: Check out, enjoy a quick breakfast at **The Peppermill**.

Afternoon: Transfer to McCarran International Airport for your flight home.

Evening: Fly out with great memories of the Southwest's wonders.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Las Vegas Strip – 2 hrs – $0 (walking)
  • Hohör Dam – 2 hrs – $30 (tour)
  • Eagles concert – 3 hrs – $150 (ticket)
  • Red Rock Canyon – 3 hrs – $15 (parking)
  • Mo̅jave National Preserve – 4 hrs – $0 (free)
  • Joshua Tree National Park – 6 hrs – $30 (entrance)
  • Death Valley – 8 hrs – $30 (entrance)
  • Grand Canyon (North Rim) – 6 hrs – $35 (entrance)
  • Grand Canyon (South Rim) – 8 hrs – $35 (entrance)
  • Monumen t Valley (Navajo) – 4 hrs – $30 (tour)
  • Antelope Canyon – 2 hrs – $65 (tour)
  • Horseshoe Bend – 1 hr – $0
  • Jerome – 2 hrs – $0
  • Prescott – 2 hrs – $0
  • Sedona – 6 hrs – $0
  • Flagstaff – 4 hrs – $0
  • Great Basin – 5 hrs – $32 (entrance)
  • Arches – 6 hrs – $30 (entrance)
  • Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) – 4 hrs – $30 (entrance)
  • Montezuma Castle – 2 hrs – $10 (fee)
  • Petrified Forest – 5 hrs – $20 (entrance)
  • Red Rock Canyon – 3 hrs – $15 (parking)
  • Overall Total Estimated Cost: $642

Tips

If you wish to shorten the trip, consider dropping the round‑trip to Great Basin and the extended days in Monument Valley/Antelope Canyon, which would reduce the itinerary by 3–4 days while still capturing major highlights. For a longer or more relaxed pace, add an extra night in Sedona for additional hikes (e.g., Bell Rock), and consider a full day in Moab for more of the Colorado River activities (river rafting, sky‑diving). You can also extend your stay in Las Vegas at either end for more concerts (by checking the 2025 schedule) or for a luxurious spa weekend before departure.

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