Canyon Country Showcase

An entertainment oasis surrounded by desert, with a reputation almost as big as the fortunes many have made (and lost) here, Sin City is a place unlike any other. The entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas is famed for its glittering casinos, all-you-can-eat buffets and shotgun weddings ordained by none other than Elvis himself! After settling into your hotel and meeting with your Travel Director this afternoon, the bright lights and lively antics of Vegas will undoubtedly lure you in. Take a walk through the downtown Fremont District, or head to The Strip, where the city's finest hotels and casinos can be found.

Kick off your first full day visiting Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Learn about the park's 250-million-year-old geological history at the Visitor Centre before embarking on the Scenic Loop Drive. Then get your kicks on Route 66. Heading east, you'll take your place in road tripping history as you cruise down the most iconic road in the United States. Along the way, you'll stop off in the famous towns of Kingman and Seligman, known as the ''Birthplace of Historic Route 66,'' for a glimpse of all things Americana, complete with classic motels, kitsch petrol pumps and steaming slices of apple pie. Arrive in Flagstaff and rest up before tomorrow's full-day excursion to see the extraordinary landscapes of the Grand Canyon.

Nothing can quite prepare you for your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. One of the world's 7 natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it's estimated to be around 2 billion years old, with a layer of rock at the bottom of the canyon said to be some of the oldest exposed rock on the planet. Take your time exploring the incredible geology of the land, or to make your visit extra special, why not treat yourself to a Choice Experience that could see you flying in an aircraft over the north and south rims. Feeling distinctly in awe you'll then visit the Grand Canyon Village, which boasts some impressive national historic landmarks and historical buildings.

This morning before you depart your Flagstaff hotel, enjoy an Iconic Breakfast at Charly's Pub and Grill in the historic Weatherford Hotel, a location that hosted many famous guests, including William Randolph Hearst, in the early 1900s. Continue to Wupatki National Monument, a landscape dotted with over 2,700 pueblo ruins built by the ancestors of the Hopi, Zuni and Navajo people. After a stop at Cameron Trading Post, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience exploring Monument Valley in an open-air vehicle with a local Navajo guide. Immortalised as the setting for countless movies and TV shows, Monument Valley is an emblem of the Wild West, with its rusty red spindles and grand buttes.

Wake in Page with the chance to join an optional helicopter flight that combines remarkable views of Horseshoe Bend from the air with an exclusive Tower Butte landing. Alternatively, choose to explore Rattlesnake and Owl Slot Canyons on foot.  Afterwards, lace up your shoes for Horseshoe Bend, a horseshoe-shaped sandstone cliff formed over 5 million years ago. The 2.4 km round-trip walk to the overlook will bring you to the top of the 305-metre-deep canyon, offering dramatic views of the Colorado River and sweeping canyon vistas.

Have we saved the best until (almost) last? That will be the question on everyone's lips as you venture into Bryce Canyon National Park, where repeated freezes and thaws of the park's landscape over millions of years have created fascinating formations. Stand in amazement in front of the multicoloured ‘hoodoos' and vast amphitheatres, then take a stroll along one of the many juniper-lined trails to the viewpoints hugging the rim of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Choose to join an optional horseback ride into Dixie National Forest where you may spot 1,500-year-old Bristlecone Pine trees along the way. Then opt for a fun evening at Ebenezer's Bar & Grill where you’ll enjoy a hearty barbecue dinner with all the fixin’s while taking in live music from the local Bryce Canyon Wranglers.

Travelling back to Vegas today, you'll make one final stop at Zion National Park. Marvel at the soaring red and white cliffs and vast canyons that stand in stark contrast to the soft wildflower meadows and hanging gardens than can also be found here as a result of the park's lower elevation compared to the others. Continue along the Virgin River Gorge for your final drive, reflecting on the incredible sights and experiences you've witnessed over the past seven days. Your trip ends at Harry Reid International Airport at 5:00 PM, or at the Costsaver post hotel for those extending their stay in Sin City.