cliff palace mesa verde national park

Day 1	LOS ANGELES
Arrive in Los Angeles and proceed to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Whether it's Universal Studios or Disneyland, the beach or Beverly Hills, there is much to see and do in the 'City of Angels'

Day 2	LOS ANGELES » DISNEYLAND » SAN DIEGO (128 mi / 206 km)
Depart Los Angeles for the short drive to Anaheim, home to Mickey Mouse and the original Disneyland. You may explore this fantasyland of magic before continuing south to sunny San Diego. Upon arrival discover some of the sites for which this city is known such as Balboa Park, the Gas Lamp District, and Seaport Village. If time permits visit the world famous San Diego Zoo or see Shamu at SeaWorld

Day 3	SAN DIEGO » TEMECULA » PALM SPRINGS (135 mi / 217 km)
Leave the Pacific behind as you cross the coastal mountains, through the Temecula wine region and enter the vast Colorado Desert of eastern California. Anza Borrego Desert Park offers an unspoiled view of the eerie lunar landscape along the old Butterfield Stage route. Arrive in Palm Springs located in the heart of the Coachella Valley.

Day 4	PALM SPRINGS » JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK » LAUGHLIN (265 mi / 424 km)
Depart this morning for an unforgettable visit to Joshua Tree National Park. Hike along trails through desert vegetation of cacti, Mojave Yucca and of course Joshua Trees. Continue east for a late afternoon arrival in Laughlin, Nevada on the shores of the mighty Colorado River.

Day 5	LAUGHLIN » ROUTE 66 » GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (205 mi / 330 km)
Cross the Colorado River and enter Arizona. Stray from the main highway for a truly memorable drive on one of the longest remaining original sections of Historic Route 66. The terrain changes to pine forest as you reach northern Arizona’s natural marvel the Grand Canyon. There’s still plenty of time to wander the many miles of pathways along the southern rim of this geological masterpiece

Day 6	GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK » MONUMENT VALLEY / KAYENTA (200 mi / 320 km)
Depart the high Coconino Plateau and travel to Monument Valley, whose breathtaking views have provided the setting for many classic Western movies. Visit the fantastic rock formations, isolated monoliths of red sandstone, as high as 1,000 ft (305 m) above the valley floor. Return to Kayenta located in the heart of the Navajo Nation.

Day 7

MONUMENT VALLEY / KAYENTA » MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK / CORTEZ (167 mi / 269 km)

The road heads east through the Four Corners area and into Colorado. Although the state is best known for the Rocky Mountains, it is also rich in ancient and modern American Indian culture. The highlight of the day, Mesa Verde National Park, is one of America’s major archeological treasures. Take time to hike the canyons and participate in guided ranger talks explaining the ritualistic habits of Mesa Verde’s ancient inhabitants

Day 8

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK / CORTEZ » CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK » MOAB / ARCHES NATIONAL PARK (140 mi / 224 km)

Enjoy an early sunrise over a landscape little changed since its original natives populated the region in the 8th century. Continue north into southern Utah, best known as a land of colorful red rock spires and majestic canyons. Visit Canyonlands National Park, which preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Arrive in Moab, outfitting center for exploring Arches National Park with its natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations

Day 9	MOAB
Today is a day at leisure. Moab is a great starting point for jeep, plane, whitewater rafting, hiking or canoeing trips in the surrounding parks: Arches National Park, with over 2,000 natural sandstone arches; Canyonlands National Park, with its canyons, arches, spires, buttes and mesas; and Dead Horse Point State Park, with fantastic shapes of precipitous bluffs and towering spires.

Day 10

MOAB / ARCHES NATIONAL PARK » CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK » BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK (266 mi / 429 km )

Pass through scenic Utah’s Grand Staircase and stop in Capitol Reef National Park, characterized by sandstone formations, multicolored cliffs, narrow canyons, ridges, arches, spires, domes and a 100-mile long bulge in the earth's crust called the Waterpocket Fold. During the late afternoon arrive in a "land of hoodoos" known as Bryce Canyon National Park. There are easy walks offered along the rim or make an excursion down into the spires of enchanting Bryce Canyon

Day 11

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK » ZION NATIONAL PARK » LAS VEGAS (238 mi / 384 km)

If time permits, take a side trip on the road south towards Zion National Park to see the rock formations and vivid colors of Cedar Breaks National Monument. From there, continue to Zion, a monument of time carved by wind and water and well-known for geological features with names like The Three Patriarchs, Bridge Mountain and White Throne. After visiting the park, leave Utah behind and continue through the Virgin River Gorge to arrive in the glittering man-made miracle in the desert, Las Vegas.

Day 12	LAS VEGAS
This is a day at leisure. Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps. The “Strip” will mesmerize you with its dazzling lights, casino action and opulent hotels with their lavish shows and headline performers. Try your hand with “Lady Luck” or see one of the famous shows. Take the time to visit the well known resorts with their individual themes and a myriad of attractions or just relax poolside

Day 13

LAS VEGAS » DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK (187 mi / 301 km)

Depart westward into the desert and Death Valley National Park. This area of unexpected contrasts offers eerie sites of barren desolation including the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and mountains over 11,000 ft (3,353 m). Make a photo stop at Badwater, which is 282 ft (86 m) below sea level or hike to Zabriskie Point for impressive views of the valley. Drive along colorful formations before visiting the oasis of Furnace Creek Ranch, located in the center of the expansive valley

Day 14

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK » LOS ANGELES (287 mi / 462 km)

Continue through the great Mojave Desert and contemplate the impression this harsh land made on the first immigrants migrating to California. On the way, pass the city of Mojave, home to the world record holding, experimental aircraft Voyager. Not far away is Edwards Air Force Base, the Air Force Flight Test Center site where “Chuck” Yeager first broke the sound barrier in 1947. Arrive in the megalopolis of Los Angeles and proceed to the airport for your departure