Day 1: Las Vegas / Arrival
Arrive in Las Vegas. Transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free.
Day 2: Las Vegas
To get a different perspective on Las Vegas you might want to take a helicopter flight at night, or go gambling in one of the famous casinos on the Strip. You could also venture out into the area around Las Vegas and visit Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
Day 3: Las Vegas – Grand Canyon
You will travel along one of the longest remaining segments of the historic Route 66. Through the desert crossing over into the state of Arizona to the Grand Canyon, certainly one of the highlights of your trip. A walk along the South Rim offers new impressions of this majestic canyon from every viewpoint. Apx. 440 km/275 mi
Day 4: Grand Canyon
You will be in awe of the overwhelming landscape of the Grand Canyon. Over the course of centuries, the Colorado River has milled a huge gap into the rocks. At the rim of the canyon, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the steep cliffs and plateaus. You may want to take a helicopter flight to see more breathtaking details of this spectacular canyon formation.
Day 5: Grand Canyon – Sedona
Along the way visit Flagstaff make sure to visit Montezuma’s castle or the impressive Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument before continuing to the scenic resort town of Sedona with its red rocks. The Oak Creek Canyon is known for its spectacular white -, yellow - and red-colored cliffs, where individual pines, cypress and juniper grow. In addition, rocky gorges and unusually shaped rocks make the location interesting. Apx. 180 km/112 mi
Day 6: Sedona – Tucson
Drive past Phoenix to reach Tucson. In the South of the city, you will find the San Xavier De Bac Mission. The snow-white building is visible from afar and is located within the Papago Indian reservation. The current building was built between 1783 and 1797 and is called the "White Dove of the Desert". Further north you will find Saguaro National Monument West. The saguaro cactus can be found only in the region of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, in California along the Colorado River, and in Mexico in the State of Sonora. Apx. 370 km/231 mi
Day 7: Tucson – Alamogordo
Continue across Arizona to make you way to New Mexico. Before reaching Alamogordo, stop at the White Sands NP. It is the largest gypsum dune field in the world, an ocean of wavy sand dunes comprised of 777 km² (300 miles²) of fine, white sand. Surprisingly, the apparently lifeless dunes are home to many interesting plants and animals such as kangaroo rats and snakes. Apx. 570 km/356 mi
Day 8: Alamogordo – Santa Fe
Drive north until you reach the state capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe. The city is dominated by unique Southwestern Pueblo architecture. Visit the colorful local Indian crafts market held daily in front of the Palace of the Governors, walk around the gallery-lined town square or visit the History Museum. Apx. 350 km/219 mi
Day 9: Santa Fe
Enjoy an excursion to Taos Pueblo, the ancient pueblo of a Northern Tiwa speaking Native American tribe of Pueblo people that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1000 years.
Day 10: Santa Fe – Durango
Drive to Durango, the commercial center of the southwestern corner of Colorado. On the main street you will find many houses built in the turn-of-the-century style, with pubs, restaurants and shops. Apx 345 km/216 mi
Day 11: Durango – Mesa Verde Np
Just a short drive west of Durango is Mesa Verde NP. The Anasazi (Indians of earlier times) lived here in 550 A.D., protected by the canyons that run through this plateau. Spectacular cliff dwellings include the Cliff Palace, a complete, multi-floor cliff dwelling with 200 rooms and 23 kivas (chambers for religious ceremonies). Apx. 90 km/56 mi
Day 12: Mesa Verde Np – Kayenta/Monument Valley
Continue on to Monument Valley which consists of beautiful table mountains in all shades of red, towering up to 300 meters above the Colorado Plateau and is home to the Navajo Indians. Apx. 270 km/170 mi
Day 13: Kayenta/Monument Valley – Page/Lake Powell
Page, founded in 1957, is a very young town that owes its existence to the nearby reservoir of Lake Powell. On the lake, which is embedded in a red Sandstone formation, contrasting with the deep blue of the lake, you may enjoy a boat tour. Apx. 160 km/100 mi
Day 14: Page – Zion Np
Today you drive to Zion NP which offers you many hiking possibilities. See its desert terrain and huge sculpted rock formations, which coexist with hanging gardens. Apx. 190 km/119 mi
Day 15: Zion Np – Las Vegas / Departure
Your trip ends with the rental car return and flight back home. Apx. 265 km/166 mi
