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Day 1
ARRIVE PHOENIX - SCOTTSDALE
Welcome to the Valley of the Sun! Check into your hotel, get acquainted and spend some time relaxing upon your arrival. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 2
SCOTTSDALE - SEDONA - GRAND CANYON
Leaving behind the Saguaro cactus of the Sonoran desert, ascend into the stunning red rock formations announcing your entrance to the artists' enclave of Sedona. Trade your motorcoach for a rough-and-ready jeep on an adventure into Red Rock Country. Get a taste of the old cowboy days in Dry Creek Basin where you'll see some stunning landscapes and make a stop at the old Van Deren cabin, a pioneer homestead constructed out of Arizona cypress. Travel onward and be sure to have your camera ready as you near Oak Creek Canyon with its towering red cliffs and crystal pools. Arrive in the town of Tusayan, just outside the Grand Canyon, then meet a Local Expert who walks you through the geologic life of the canyon.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 3
GRAND CANYON - MONUMENT VALLEY
Rise early for an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon or spend more time in the National Park. You might experience a feeling of deja vu when you enter the wide-open expanse of Monument Valley—this scenic location has been preserved forever in classic films such as Stagecoach and The Searchers. Get up close and personal with the magnificent landscape of towering sandstone buttes and lovely desert vistas in special open-air vehicles accompanied by a guide. This evening, enjoy a unique Navajo cookout Highlight Dinner on the floor of Monument Valley; dine on tasty traditional cuisine as the stars begin to twinkle in the great sky above you.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 4
MONUMENT VALLEY - MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK - MOAB (2 NIGHTS)
Travel east this morning through a mesmerizing desert landscape before arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mesa Verde National Park at the edge of the San Juan National Forest. Between AD 600 and 1300, the Ancestral Puebloan people carved houses and entire communities out of the sandstone along the canyon walls. Tour some of the cliff-top buildings and look down at the massive Cliff House, the largest cliff dwelling in the world; then spend some time in the museum learning about the culture and traditions of this once-great civilisation. End your day's journey in the outdoor mecca of Moab and dig in to a succulent cowboy barbecue dinner with your travelling companions.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 5
MOAB - ARCHES NATIONAL PARK - FREE TIME
In magnificent Arches National Park, the wind and rain have eroded the sandstone into more than 2,000 natural arches; wander through a kaleidoscope of geologic time as you watch the morning light play upon the ancient, multi-coloured stone. Explore the shops and outfitters in Moab before returning to your lodge overlooking the river. Enjoy the rest of your day on your own—lounge by the river, play some horseshoes, take a hike, go horse-back riding—and relax as the sun sets, lighting up the red cliffs outside your window.
Day 6
MOAB - OURAY - SILVERTON - DURANGO
Depart America's outdoor recreation capital for the "Switzerland of America;" friendly Ouray boasts classic Victorian architecture, awe-inspiring views and a homey, small-town vibe. Then it's time to take to the highway—the Million-Dollar Highway, that is—with its priceless views of snowcapped peaks and shimmering alpine lakes. Stake your claim in Silverton, a former silver mining camp that now occupies a spot on the National Registry of Historic Landmark Districts. Stroll the pleasant streets, seeing well-preserved Victorian homes, the pretty city hall and the Grand Imperial Hotel. This afternoon, take a ride from Silverton to Durango on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which operates coal-fired steam engines through the San Juan National Forest.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 7
DURANGO - TAOS - SANTA FE (2 NIGHTS)
Head south to the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years. Learn about the traditional lifestyle and beliefs of the Pueblo Indians and visit the striking adobe chapel of San Geronimo. Continue travelling along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rockies, to the colourful artists' mecca of Santa Fe. Your evening is free to visit some of the many galleries, sample the renowned Southwest cuisine or just admire the adobe architecture on the vibrant plaza.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 8
SANTA FE SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Embark on a private trolley tour to see the sights of Santa Fe and soak up the atmosphere of one of the West's most interesting towns—unparalleled in richness of history, heritage, arts and culture. Then, visit a local artist's studio and learn how this Local Expert captures the Southwest's magical light in his landscapes. Enjoy the afternoon on your own to explore old downtown, including the Eldorado Hotel, Loretto Chapel and St. Francis Cathedral. Perhaps do some shopping at a local gallery, follow in the footsteps of Kit Carson on a walking tour or pamper yourself in one of Santa Fe's elegant spas. This evening, gather with your Travel Director and travelling companions for a festive Farewell Dinner.
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Day 9
SANTA FE - DEPART ALBUQUERQUE
After breakfast this morning, bid farewell to your travelling companions. A complimentary transfer is provided to Albuquerque Airport or to the hotel in Albuquerque for guests extending their stay. Please do not schedule any flights before 1 p.m.