Explore six spectacular National Parks across the Southwest’s stunning Red Rock Country, including the Grand Canyon. You’ll discover the towering sandstone arches of Arches National Park and the dramatic canyon landscapes of Zion. You’ll also tour Bryce Canyon National Park and get up close to the radiant cliffs at Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
- Discover Six National Parks: Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches
- Experience WWII’s famed “Code Talkers”
- Enjoy home cooked meal with Jenifer and Shannon Steed
- NEW in 2026! Ride the Grand Canyon Railway
DAY 1: WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS!
This evening, meet your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner as your Southwest adventure begins. D
DAY 2: LAS VEGAS TOUR, ROUTE 66
This morning, after breakfast, visit the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign before enjoying a guided tour of Las Vegas. Then, travel along historic Route 66 and stop for lunch at a local favorite. Later, visit the Route 66 Museum, featuring vintage cars, detailed dioramas, and fascinating stories from the glory days of America’s most iconic highway. Tonight, settle into the historic Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, AZ, where the spirit of classic rail travel comes to life. B, L
DAY 3: GRAND CANYON RAILWAY, SOUTH RIM OF GRAND
After breakfast, board the Grand Canyon Railway and travel in a beautifully restored vintage railcar to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This unforgettable journey brings the spirit of the Old West to life as spectacular desert scenery unfolds outside your window. Keep your eyes out for authentic characters and musicians who may entertain you along the way. Upon arrival at the South Rim, enjoy lunch followed by free time to explore the Grand Canyon at your own pace. Relax and take in the breathtaking views or stroll one of the easy walking paths along the rim. Tonight, check into your hotel in the Navajo Nation and enjoy dinner together. B, L, D
DAY 4: WWII “CODE TALKER”, BLUFF FORT HISTORIC PARK, MOAB
This morning after breakfast, learn about the WWII “Code Talkers” and the important role they played in military communications. Then, travel through the iconic landscapes of Monument Valley, where postcard-worthy views stretch in every direction. After lunch, visit Bluff Fort Historic Park and explore the restored 1880s pioneer village. Tour covered wagons, visit a blacksmith shop, and step inside a Navajo hogan and Ute tepee. Tonight, settle into your hotel in Moab for a two- night stay. Enjoy dinner on your own and time to explore downtown Moab. B, L
DAY 5: ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARKS, DEAD HORSE STATE
Today, embark on a guided tour of Arches National Park, home to more than 1,500 natural sandstone arches. This remarkable landscape offers endless opportunities to photograph towering rock formations and sweeping desert scenery. Later, continue to Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, where dramatic red rock canyons and breathtaking views of the Colorado River await. B, L
DAY 6: CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARKS, ANASAZI INDIAN VILLAGE, COWBOY
This morning, admire the radiant red cliffs and striking rock formations of Capitol Reef National Park. Continue through landscapes filled with towering mesas, buttes, and dramatic pinnacles before exploring a replica six-room Anasazi dwelling dating back to 1,000 A.D. This afternoon, join Jenifer and Shannon Steed in the desert town of Escalante, where they’ll share the area’s unique history over a home-cooked lunch and Cowboy Poetry performance. Tonight, check into your hotel for a two-night stay near Bryce Canyon National Park. B, L
DAY 7: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Discover the remarkable landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park, where pinnacles of limestone, sandstone, and mudstone rise toward the sky in extraordinary formations. Enjoy free time exploring Bryce Canyon at your own pace before returning to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a BBQ dinner and live country music show near Bryce Canyon. B, D
DAY 8: ZION NATIONAL PARK
Today, visit Utah’s spectacular Zion National Park and experience its dramatic combination of plunging canyons, soaring sandstone cliffs, and wide-open plateaus. Relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery during a guided tour along Zion’s scenic drive. B, L, D
DAY 9: HOME
This morning, say farewell to the Southwest’s rugged beauty as you travel home with unforgettable memories of Red Rock Country. B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip South, Las Vegas, NV
Night 2: Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Williams, AZ
Night 3: Cameron Trading Post, Cameron, AZ
Nights 4-5: Holiday Inn Express, Moab, UT
Nights 6-7: Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Canyon City, UT
Night 8: Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip South, Las Vegas, NV
Departure Cities:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
- Springfield, MO
Depart: September 26, 2027
Return: October 4, 2026
Price Per Person:
- Double $3,759
- Triple/Quad $3,419
- Single $4,769
Price includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI/SGF. Call for other gateway cities.
Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable walking and standing at scenic overlooks, historic sites and national park visitor areas. Surfaces may include pavement, gravel, packed dirt, sand, inclines and uneven natural terrain. Many overlooks are located near parking areas, but optional walks along the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon rims may add distance. Some viewpoints have unguarded drop-offs, so guests should remain on designated paths and follow guide instructions.
Average Temps
Las Vegas: Daytime 78–83°F; Overnight 55–60°F
Grand Canyon and Williams: Daytime 55–65°F; Overnight 25–35°F
Moab: Daytime 68–75°F; Overnight 38–45°F
Bryce Canyon: Daytime 48–58°F; Overnight 22–32°F
Zion: Daytime 68–75°F; Overnight 40–48°F
April weather can vary significantly throughout the tour, and snow is still possible at the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
Elevation
Las Vegas: Approximately 2,000 feet
Moab and Arches National Park: Approximately 4,000–5,600 feet
Grand Canyon South Rim: Approximately 7,000 feet
Bryce Canyon: Approximately 8,000 feet
Walking may feel more strenuous at the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon because of the elevation. Guests should stay hydrated, pace themselves and allow extra time when walking uphill.
Time Zone
Las Vegas and most of Arizona will be on the same time during the April departure. Clocks move one hour ahead when the tour enters Utah.
Packing Tips
Pack sturdy walking shoes with good traction, sunscreen, sunglasses, a brimmed hat and a refillable water bottle. Removable layers are essential because temperatures may change by more than 40°F between warm desert afternoons and cold high-elevation mornings. Bring a warm jacket, gloves and a hat for the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, along with a compact rain jacket.
Hotel Note
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is located beside the historic Williams Depot, allowing guests to walk directly from the hotel to the train without transferring luggage or traveling to another departure point. Downtown Williams and historic Route 66 are also within easy walking distance. The hotel offers an indoor pool and hot tub.
Cameron Trading Post has welcomed travelers in the Navajo Nation since 1916. The property grew from an early trading post where Navajo and Hopi residents exchanged wool, blankets and livestock for supplies, and Native artwork and craftsmanship remain central to the experience today.
The Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is located approximately one mile from Bryce Canyon National Park, minimizing travel time between the hotel and the park’s overlooks.
Notes on Highlights
The Grand Canyon Railway follows a route that first carried passengers to the South Rim in 1901. Arriving by train recreates the way many early visitors experienced the canyon while avoiding the traffic and parking associated with driving into the park.
The Grand Canyon South Rim sits approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, while the Colorado River lies thousands of feet below. Guests standing at the rim are looking across rock layers that preserve nearly two billion years of Earth’s history.
Arches National Park contains more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches, the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. The park’s formations continue to change as freezing water, wind and erosion gradually widen cracks in the sandstone.
Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon are linked geologically through the Colorado Plateau. Their rock layers form part of the Grand Staircase, a sequence of cliffs and plateaus stretching from the Grand Canyon toward Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Bryce Canyon is not technically a canyon carved by a river. Its amphitheaters are filled with hoodoos created as repeated freezing and thawing slowly fractures and reshapes the rock.
At Zion, the Virgin River continues to carve through Navajo sandstone, creating the park’s narrow canyons, sheer cliffs and hanging gardens. Some canyon walls rise approximately 2,000 feet above the river.
The included visits with the Navajo Code Talker program and the Steed family provide personal perspectives that travelers would not receive from scenic touring alone. These experiences connect the region’s landscapes with its Native, pioneer and ranching histories.
Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:
- Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
- Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
- Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.
Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.
Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:
- A professional Sunrise Tour Director
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Local step-on guides, including gratuities
- International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
- Admission to activities and events as indicated
- Airfare from designated airports
- Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
- Luggage handling at hotels when available
Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.
Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.
Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.
TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.
Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.
Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.