Desert Gems
About the Trip
Experience some of the United States’ most iconic sites on this nine-day trip through the Southwest. Start in Las Vegas and head to Springdale, passing by the striking cliffs of Zion National Park along the way. Next, visit Bryce Canyon for a guided hike through the earth’s most spectacular collection of ocher-coloured hoodoos (rock sculptures created through erosion). Take a Jeep Safari for a day trip to the red sands of Monument Valley and learn about Navajo culture. Then, head to Williams – stopping by Glen Canyon and Horseshoe Bend – to board the heritage Grand Canyon Railway. Return to Las Vegas via historic Route 66, then have your Extraordinary Experience: Hands-on magic workshop with an expert magician.
Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your Tour. Details of this Experience is listed below:
Magic Workshop
Imagine yourself in an intimate and friendly environment, receiving hands-on assistance and guidance from one of the best teachers in the world of magic. You will receive a special gift for training materials, magic tricks, and other surprise.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Las Vegas
- Return first-class Grand Canyon Train excursion from Williams
- 1+2-night stay in deluxe-class accommodation in Las Vegas
- 1-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Springdale
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Page
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Williams
- Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Local English-speaking guides
- Hotel porterage of 1 suitcase per person
- Destination transfers
Desert Gems: Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon
Activity Level: Moderate. Experience Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and many more iconic sites on this journey through the legendary Southwest.
Day 1
Las Vegas – Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Day 2
Springdale – Transfer to Springdale via Zion National Park and experience beautiful views along the way, including towers of cut rock, craggy peaks, wooded valleys and spectacular waterfalls. B/D
Day 3
Page – Depart for Bryce Canyon, where you’ll take a guided hike to see the hoodoos, ocher-coloured sculptures formed over millions of years of erosion. B/D
Day 4
Page – Enjoy a day excursion through the iconic Monument Valley, where you’ll take a Jeep Safari and learn about Navajo culture. B/L/D
Day 5
Williams – Take a sightseeing journey around Lake Powell, including Glen Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Transfer to Williams in the afternoon. B/D
Day 6
Williams – Experience a journey on the legendary Grand Canyon Railway. See panoramic views and take a walk along the South Rim. B/L/D
Day 7
Las Vegas – Discover Williams in the morning then head to Las Vegas via famous Route 66, while enjoying historic sites along the way. B/L
Day 8
Las Vegas – Enjoy Las Vegas at leisure, then enjoy your Extraordinary Experience: Hands-on magic workshop with a magician. B
Day 9
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. B
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2023. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking. Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Toronto or Winnipeg to Las Vegas
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg to Las Vegas. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a 1-night stay. Balance of your day at leisure.
Day 2
Zion National Park
Departure from Las Vegas towards Zion National Park.
On the way, pass through St George. At the outlet of the Virgin River canyon, St George is only 870 metres above sea level. Among Utah's large cities, it is the lowest and its climate is known to be milder than that of most of its neighbours. Stop in front of the temple. Continue to Zion, which takes its name from the first Mormon settlers, and be amazed by the spectacular natural architecture where you can admire real towers cut in the rock, cliffs and craggy peaks, wooded valleys and waterfalls. Covering an area of 593 km², the park is famous for its deep canyons carved out by the Virgin River. (B/D)
Day 3
Page
Depart for Bryce Canyon. Hidden deep in a remote area of southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon is named after Ebenezer Bryce, an 1870s Mormon pioneer who unsuccessfully tried to make his fortune in the area. No river has shaped the landscape, so technically it is not a canyon. A veritable amphitheater of ocher-colored sculptures, which years and erosion have transformed into columns of various shapes. Hike with your guide and discover two magnificent viewpoints of the needles and the stone towers of the amphitheater located below. For those who wish it, walk on foot to the bottom of the canyon where you will be able to circulate in the middle of these superb fairy chimneys that the shadows of the sun will make seem even more imposing. (B/D)
Day 4
Page
Excursion to Monument Valley
Explore the natural features of Monument Valley. Travel through the tribal park to see red rock formations and other sites such as the Big Hogan, John Ford's Point and the Ear of the Wind. Plus, see a bit of Navajo culture as you visit a traditional hogan (dwelling) and watch a rug-weaving demonstration. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Williams
This morning, discover Lake Powell and Page, a typical small town in Arizona, founded during the construction of the Glenn Canyon Dam, which retains the waters of the Colorado and the San Juan River. This gigantic water reservoir (300 km long with 136 km of shoreline) forms Lake Powell. A wonder in the American West, its blue waters penetrate sandy coves and deep indentations dominated by imposing rock cliffs. Beyond the edifying figures attached to this artificial water reserve, the lake impresses with its incredibly jagged shape and the dozens of protected bays and gorges that result from the flooding of the canyons.
Horseshoe bend Walking Tour: Overlooking the “Horseshoe Curve” which is a superb bend in the Colorado River located south of Page and the Glen Canyon Dam. (B/D)
Day 6
Williams
Take a legendary journey to an extraordinary place! The Grand Canyon Railway has enchanted millions of people from around the world since 1901. Enjoy an unforgettable ride and hear folklore and tales from a crew who are still mesmerized by their spectacular surroundings. Be entertained by authentic characters and musicians who bring the Old West to life. Lose yourself in the magnificence that is Grand Canyon National Park. Walk along the South Rim to see one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring wonders of the world.
The Grand Canyon is the result of millions of years of wind and water erosion. It’s an endless expanse of shapes, colours and impenetrable shadows. The Colorado River flows over a mile below the canyon rim. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Las Vegas
The morning is at your leisure to discover Williams, “on the Route 66”. Williams was founded in 1881 and is located 2,106 metres above sea level. Its name comes from Old Bill Williams, a 19th century trapper who explored the Rocky Mountains. This small Arizona village has recreated the atmosphere of the legendary Route 66 in its main street. After a lunch, depart for Las Vegas. On the way, stop at Seligman which symbolizes the rebirth of “Route 66”. Many stores were transformed into souvenir shops where all kinds of objects bearing the effigy of Route 66 are found. On Main Street, painted cars stand alongside a life-size Elvis, James Dean proudly posing next to old gas pumps and references to movies, whose action took place on the legendary Mother Road. Time permitting, make a second stop in Kingman. Arrive in Las Vegas in the late afternoon and check-in to your hotel for 2-night stay. (B/L)
Day 8
Las Vegas
Magic Workshop – Magician Jeff McBride
Imagine yourself in an intimate and friendly environment, receiving hands-on assistance and guidance from Jeff McBride, one of the best teachers in the world of magic! You will receive a special gift of training materials, magic tricks and another surprise. (B)
Day 9
Toronto or Winnipeg
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner