Colourful Trails of the Southwest
From CAD $6825
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(20 reviews)
On this tour, each day is a cultural and natural adventure. You’ll stay inside Grand Canyon National Park, view ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park and natural arches near Moab, and ride a 4x4 through Monument Valley’s landscapes with a member of the Navajo Nation.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Grand Canyon National Park: Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience at Shash Dine Eco Retreat on the Navajo Nation. Meet your hosts Baya and Paul for an under-the-stars, traditional meal of mutton stew, frybread, vegetables, melon, coffee and Navajo tea. Your local dining experience is enhanced by Navajo storytelling by storyteller and award-winning Diné recording artist Eli Secody, whose fun and fascinating stories are steeped in his Dine’ roots. Cap off the evening walking up to a remarkable vista on the very land where Baya can trace her lineage back over 20 generations.
Iconic Experience
- Grand Canyon National Park: One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the second most visited national park in the United States. Explore the Visitor Center and get familiar with the history of the Grand Canyon, grab a coffee at a local cafe and take a walk along the Rim Trail. Keep your camera on-hand as you explore some of the 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent canyonlands at one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world with unmatched vistas along its rim.
- Oak Creek Canyon: Drive through Coconino National Forest on one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., offering a picture perfect view of the surrounding red-rock and Ponderosa Pine forest between Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim’s fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
- Glen Canyon Dam: Enjoy a walk to the rim of Glen Canyon where you will get the chance to visit Horseshoe Bend.
- Monument Valley: Board a 4x4 vehicle and navigate the iconic red valley landscape guided by a member of the Navajo Nation and Local Specialist.
- Arches National Park: Nature's creations spring to life at Arches National Park, home to the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Some 2,000 natural sandstone arches can be found within the boundaries of the national park. On your visit, unlock all the science and history of how these 6,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind. Take in the sights of Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock while admiring the ever-changing landscapes as you traverse the park.
- Canyonlands National Park: There’s no better spot to witness the power of the Colorado River carving through rocky red landscapes than at Canyonlands National Park. Take in the views from the Green River Overlook, and be inspired by the vast expanse of high desert canyons at Grand Viewpoint.
- Mesa Verde National Park: There’s no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
- Taos: Visit Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World's Heritage Center as well as a National Historic Landmark and one the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the country. Best known for is iconic, multi-storied adobe buildings, built roughly 1,000 years ago. About 150 Puebloans live within the pueblo full time. The Taos Tribal Council, which owns the pueblo, does not allow any modern convenience inside the pueblo, such as running water or electricity.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Monument Valley: Travel to Monument Valley for a cookout lunch with members of the Navajo Nation. Take off-road vehicles to the cookout site where you’ll enjoy a delicious steak and chicken dinner with a chance to try traditional Diné (Navajo) tacos and fry-bread. This experience advances UN Global Goal 10: Reduce Inequalities.
- Monument Valley: Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Navajo people journeying through the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Get a feel for the land and its people climbing aboard an open-air, all-terrain vehicle to explore the valley with your Navajo guide as you pass its towering sandstone buttes and mesas, many of which have been featured in prominent Western films including John Wayne’s ‘Stagecoach’. Your exclusive Navajo Tribal Park tour with a Navajo guide helps preserve the integrity of the land and culture. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities.
- Taos: Explore Taos Pueblo with Local Specialists who call Taos Pueblo home. Gain insight into the history of the pueblo and what it is like to live there today. Your visit supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, and Taos Pueblo
- Visit Scottsdale, Cameron Trading Post, Horseshoe Bend Lookout, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Santa Fe
- Scenic Drive through Sedona's Red Rock Country, Oak Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park's Desert View Drive, Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway, the High Road Scenic Byway from Taos to Santa Fe
- View Cliff Palace dwelling at Mesa Verde National Park, Desert Viewpoint
Trafalgar Difference
- Durango: Stay at The Strater Hotel, adorned with beautiful handcrafted woodwork, housing the largest collection of American Victorian walnut antiques. It's Durango's Historic Landmark Hotel, showcasing stories of the old west and mining times.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34363
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Adventure, Budget
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 767.1115B
Starts: Phoenix (AZ), United States Of America
Finishes: Santa Fe (NM), United States Of America
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6825 ($682 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive in sun-kissed Phoenix and transfer to Scottsdale at your leisure. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a dinner.
Accommodation: Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
Meals: Dinner
Your first stop today is in the artists' enclave of Sedona – surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. You’ll travel through Oak Creek Canyon next, with its rocky red cliffs, then venture to the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon National Park, where a Local Specialist will share the canyon’s many geological marvels. Tonight, you’ll have an opportunity to overnight at one of the lodges inside the park.
Accommodation: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Meals: Breakfast
Rise early for an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon and then trace the scenic South Rim of the Grand Canyon along Desert View Drive. Take in sweeping views of the Grand Canyon's eastern edge from Desert Viewpoint. Finally, admire one of Arizona's most iconic natural wonders, Horseshoe Bend. Take a walk to the canyon's rim for unforgettable views as the Colorado River winds its way through the dramatic cliffs below. Finish the day connecting to the soul of the land over a Be My Guest experience on the Navajo Nation.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart Page for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience tour in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, then savor an outdoor MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience set among the iconic buttes and mesas, prepared by Diné (Navajo) tribe members who share stories of their people and their deep connection to the land. Then, continue to Moab on a scenic drive where you can sit back and enjoy desert views of the Southwest. The evening is yours to explore Moab's Main Street.
Accommodation: Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, discover how the forces of wind and rain have shaped the enchanting landscape of Arches National Park in the stunning formations that they are, with countless perfect photo opportunities. Later, journey to Canyonlands National Park to connect with nature even more. We visit the Island in the Sky - a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations.
Accommodation: Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive in the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park to delve into the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Explore their beautifully preserved sandstone dwellings. This evening, in Durango, your Stay with Stories is historic Strater Hotel. You’ll have the evening at leisure to explore the historic town of Durango.
Accommodation: Strater
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy free time in Durango today, or you may take a scenic drive along the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray and Silverton. If you’re lucky, enjoy a truly unforgettable step back in time, on a ride aboard the coal-fired, steam-powered narrow-gauge train (booked independently). The train chugs along rails that were originally laid at the end of the 19th century, winding through a spectacular wilderness which would be inaccessible by car. If you're feeling more adventurous, opt for a white-water rafting trip on the Animas River.
Accommodation: Strater
Meals: Breakfast
The journey continues along the High Road – Santa Fe Scenic Byway, a picturesque route in Northern New Mexico that stretches approximately 56 miles from Santa Fe to Taos. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit one of the greatest Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the Southwest. Be immersed in the fascinating adobe dwellings and take a walk through Taos Pueblo, a Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for the last 1,000 years. Meet your Taos tribal resident guide and explore the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. Later, arrive at the hotel, ideally located two short blocks from Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza.
Accommodation: Piñon Court By La Fonda
Meals: Breakfast
Today, you'll have a full free day to explore Santa Fe at your leisure. Perhaps visit the iconic Georgia O'Keeffe Museum on your terms or explore one of the many chocolate shops and art galleries just steps away from your hotel. This evening, savor dinner in town.
Accommodation: Piñon Court By La Fonda
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your journey through desert landscapes comes to an end with an included drop off at Santa Fe Municipal Airport, or continue to Albuquerque.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, June 2020
Our Tour Director *********** and our driver Shawn Elder were amazing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/22/2020
Victoria Catalanotto - Traveled, June 2020
Knowledgeable tour guide and excellent itinerary. We could not have been more pleased! Colorful Trails of the Southwest was a great tip. The hotels were wonderful The National parks(Grand Canyon and Arches) unbelievably beautiful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, June 2020
Very knowledgeable tour director, also very well organized. All I had to do was sit back and relax, everything else was taken care of. Saw amazing sights I never thought I would see. Beautiful, Had a great time. We saw so many different sites it was amazing. We kept up a good pace and traveled many miles, but with the frequent stops it was a very comfortable trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2020
Dianna Kight - Traveled, June 2020
So ready to do it again. Our fourth Trafalgar trip and I am ready to go again. This trip was especially wonderful because the group was so friendly and fun, including all that was involved in the journey. Our tour director was mindful of the needs of the passengers, the driver was fun, except while driving up the Million Dollar Highway, at which time his eyes never left the road and we all appreciated that. Hotel staff, dining servers, etc., etc., made us feel special, which is why we continue to choose Trafalgar, I would only advise anyone looking at a tour to look at the itinerary carefully before you choose. If the itinerary calls for a lot of walking, choose something else if you do not enjoy walking. (My husband and I amazed ourselves by "rock climbing" in Arches National Park.) Our tour guide, however, did remind us that it was always ok to do something else if you wanted to, and some of our companions chose a few alternatives, as did we, and had great stories to tell. If your schedule calls for a late dinner and you're tired and not hungry enough for a big meal, get a carry-out and go to your ( really, really nice) room and watch some tv or read. You can catch up with everybody at breakfast. Overall, we enjoyed this experience, probably the most, because everyone was so much fun. The itinerary was well thought out, the coach was comfy and very clean, and the hotels were not run-of-the mill chains.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/27/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, May 2020
Excellent, knowledgeable tour director; very competent bus driver; starkly beautiful part of our country!! Trip delivered travel experience as advertised!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/19/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, May 2020
Great travels! Well planned and informed by director for every event and site. Service and accommodations were excellent except at Grand Canyon Park.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/16/2020
Norman Madoian - Traveled, March 2020
A lot to see in a short amount of time! Great food, excellent hotels, the best driver and tour guide. First class bus too. Pleasantly surprised! Jammed packed with good stuff.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/20/2020
Russell Gordon - Traveled, February 2020
Wonderful introduction to the world of coach touring. All you have to do is show up on time for the start of the tour and the rest is seamlessly simple. Our Tour Director (***********) was extremely well prepared and knowledgeable and made of an all around wonderful experience. We’re glad we chose Trafalgar! Our travel consultant (Penny Dumas of AAA Worcester MA) made our first coach tour roaring success. She preempted almost all of our questions which prepared us well for what was to come. We’re grateful for the team of nameless people behind the scenes who made this all possible. Thank you one and all.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/17/2020
Donald Davis - Traveled, January 2020
We saw many many beautiful locations and important cultural and historical sites in a 7-day period. It would have been hard to do that on our own. The tour was well organized and our tour director, ***********, was great. We traveled in comfort. All in all, we had a great time. The itinerary, coach and hotels were excellent. The tour director was great. Good value for money. I would have liked to have had more expert local guides. Apart from the geologist who spoke to us at the Grand Canyon I don't think the local guides provided us as much information as I would have liked.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/21/2020
Cheryl Wiggins - Traveled, January 2020
Happy Southwest travelers! I have already recommended this tour to friends. We saw a lot in a little over a week but never felt rushed. The hotels were perfect. Each one added to the experience of the location we were in. Our guide and driver were friendly, patient and knowledgeable. Our favorite meal was the cookout in Monument Valley! Besides the delicious food, cooked by the Navajos, the setting was incredible. If you want to see the Southwest in a week, this is a great tour. It's a busy week, active week. We felt like we got a taste of the Southwest and we hope to return. The helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon was amazing! We loved every place we visited!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/15/2020
Terrence Fletcher - Traveled, November 2019
Our Tour Guide and Bus driver were excellent some of the drives seemed too long, especially the train ride.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2019
Julie Trayhurn - Traveled, November 2019
Wonderful experience, lovely group of fellow travellers, stunning scenery. We would recommend Trafalgar again for a coach touring holiday, no doubt. The coach was clean and comfortable, good emergency toilet onboard, excellent and really friendly driver, and the tour director was very good at his job, friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and efficient. The only downside for me on a personal level was the fact that, although the breakfasts were included on this tour, no alternatives to dairy were available and as I am lactose intolerant, a fact I had made known before travel, I had to go completely without any food at all on two different mornings, whilst on tour, which was not at all recommended. I will add that on one of those mornings, as Gordon became aware of this, he did get me two bananas which I could eat on that morning, but on the other morning, I went hungry. We saw a wonderful range of stunning scenery and our fellow travellers were a great bunch to be with. The itinerary took us to so many places in a short space of time, so it was a bit hectic, but well worth it to see these lovely locations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2019
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2019
Excellent in all respects - tour director, driver, hotels, meals and venues. Tour director Gordon S. and driver Mark M. were excellent - as were the hotels, meals, venues visited and special dinners. Great overview of the Southwest US. The road and or train from Colorado to Durango is most scenic. Also, step on tour orators - Tim at Grand Canyon and the tour guide in Santa Fey were both exceptional.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2019
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2019
The pace and itinerary were very good. Never too long on the bus and worthwhile stops. Accomodation was very good, with some being outstanding. Optional activities were well selected and good alternatives were also provided. This trip gave a very good overview of the Southwest. Highlights were Grand Canyon (particularly the helicopter flight), Monument Valley, Arches NP, Red River Ranch and Santa Fe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
Sheila Daniels - Traveled, March 2019
Wonderful Southwest Tour. ***************, was an excellent travel director. Our Coach Driver , Tammy got us through all kinds of weather conditions. The itinerary was very full of wonderful things to see and do. The hotels were all first rate. We had a new coach.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2019
Trusted Customer - Traveled, February 2019
Great way to see Southwest USA. Good pace, interesting stops, excellent accommodation. No pressure to add experiences but the ones offered water excellent. The Moab and Santa Fe accommodation were particularly excellent. New, comfortable bus. Highlights were Grand Canyon, Arches NP, Monument Valley and Santa Fe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2019
Rosemary Gibson - Traveled, March 2019
Great driver and guide. Stayed in good hotels, especially Red Cliff in Moab. Wonderful scenery and the trip was amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2019
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
A MUST Bucket List Trip! There were no issues at all with the lodging or meals; in fact, they were very nice. Our driver was spectacular. We saw many places/things in a short time and loved every minute of it. Our tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was stellar. He made sure we saw everything possible; he is very knowledgeable with the areas we visited; he's an avid reader and kept this trip more interesting with his knowledge and stories. When planning our next trip, we will definitely use Trafalgar and hopefully *Personal information removed by Feefo* will be our tour director once again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/17/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, June 2024
Trafalgar Tour of the West! Travel Director *Personal information removed by Feefo* ( i think) was superb, personable, knowledgeable. driver was fantastic. Navajo cook out in Monument Valley - Navajo people great. no problems with hotel staff all friendly. it did not end Alburquerque it ended Santa Fe and I had to pay a transfer of $160 to Alburquerque where i had booked a hotel for the night myself. this was not made clear when I booked the tour, it was stating choose where you want to end either Santa Fe or Alburquerque and it took Trafalgar weeks to get back to my travel agent regarding transfer details and the exorbitant cost. I had already paid insurance and deposit. At the start of the tour I had to pay $140 transfer to Gainey Ranch hotel from Phoenix airport. None of this was made obvious in the brochure or online. Had I known this I would not have booked this tour - as a single traveller it was an expensive tour. Also, I did not like staying at the Strater Hotel Durango which is haunted, I had a ghostly experience in my room and did not sleep for two nights. the bed was uncomfortable too. My major complaint is that someone got on with covid and it went through the bus, I had anxiety attacks every day las one-by-one started coughing - no one tested, and few wore masks, I wore a mask but delayed the inevitable and tested positive for covid on the last day as I brought test kits with me. It took me months to recover from this. No-one was informed to take tests or that someone left the tour due to covid, all kept a secret. So, take a bus tour at your own risk as no procedures in place to try to prevent it, no testing etc. Most people were 60 plus including me so therefore vulnerable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2024
Leroy Martella - Traveled, April 2019
Great service and gave lots of info on all of the places we saw and visited. Very well organized.. Fast paced, with not much time for looking around, by the time you get out of the bathroom it's back on the bus...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2019
Download a personalized trip brochure!
