Tour Code: 26USNP
Tour Manager: Martin Dale-Hench
Group Size: 10
Activity level: Moderate

This tour will be a road trip that touches 6 national parks in just 2 weeks. Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, we will meander through all 5 of Utah’s Big Five National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, as well as numerous side trips on the way. We will have our grand finale by watching the sun rise and set at Grand Canyon, Arizona, before moving south to Phoenix for your return flight.

Thursday, September 24
Arrive at Salt Lake City airport (SLC). Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Have an orientation and welcome dinner. Overnight in SLC. 

Friday, September 25
Drive to Moab. Scour the Arches National Park, seeing the Landscape Arch, and Balanced Rock. At sunset, see the sun fall over the red rocks in the Windows area.  Stay in Moab for 2 nights. 

Saturday, September 26
Visit the Canyonlands National Park, seeing the Mesa Arch and Grand View Point. Lunch by the Upheaveal Rock. Check out the White Rim Overlook in the afternoon. Explore Moab in the evening.

Sunday, September 27
Drive Capitol Reef National Park. On the way, stop by the Goblin Valley. Walk the Grand Wash. See some petroglyphs. Eat pie at the Gifford House. Enjoy the Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef. Stay in Torrey for 1 night. 

Monday, September 28
Move to the Tropic and Cannonville area near Bryce Canyon. See the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Walk the Rim trail at Bryce Canyon National Park. If you're feeling strong, go down the Navajo Loop. Stay in Tropic/Cannonville for 1 night. 

Tuesday, September 29
Drive to Zion National Park. On the way, stop by the Cedar Breaks and see the highest part of the Colorado Plateau. At Zion, visit the Kolob Canyon for a short, easy hike. Rest at Springdale. Stay in Springdale for 2 nights. 

Wednesday, September 30
All day at Zion National Park. Visit the Temple of Sinawava. If you're feeling brave, wade the river to the Narrows. Lunch at Zion Lodge. Hike the Lower Emerald Pool Trail. Free time in the afternoon/evening to explore more of Zion and Springdale.

Thursday, October 1
Go towards the Grand Canyon. On the way, stop by the Pipe Spring to learn about the history of conflict in the area between the Paiutes, Mormons, and the US government. Drink a milkshake and eat cookies at Jacob Lake Inn. Go to Grand Canyon stay at the lodge. Sunset at Cape Royal. Stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge for 2 nights. 

Friday, October 2
All day at Grand Canyon. Optional: Mule ride down and up a trail. Sunrise: Cape Imperial.

Saturday, October 3
Travel to Page, Arizona. See the Lee's Ferry on the way. Visit the Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page for 2 nights.

Sunday, October 4
Visit the Antelope Canyons.

Monday, October 5
Drive to Monument Valley for a tour around the monuments. Go south to Flagstaff. Stay in Flagstaff for one night.

Tuesday, October 6
Drive south to Sedona to buy some souvenirs at Tlaquepaque Arts Village. Visit the legendary 800-year-old Montezuma Castle, carved into a ledge. Drive to Phoenix for our farewell dinner. Overnight in Phoenix. 

Wednesday, October 7
After breakfast, transfer to the Phoenix (PHX) airport.

Martin Dale-Hench has been a resident of Japan since 2013, and he currently splits his time between Washington DC and Tokyo as he pursues a PhD degree in Linguistics at Gallaudet University. He is originally from Michigan, but he has been struck with wanderlust since he was a child and travels all around the world constantly. He enjoys learning languages, reading history, meeting new people, and learning trivia. He currently works as a Certified Deaf Interpreter and a translator of ASL, JSL, Japanese, and English. 

• 13 nights in 3-star accommodations.  

• 15 meals:  Breakfast (13), Dinner (2)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins in Salt Lake City, USA and ends in Phoenix, USA.

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required

• Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required

• Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected

• Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: martin@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.