Zion, Bryce, & Grand Canyon (North Rim) (Oct 1 - Oct 6)
Capitol Reef, Arches, & Canyonlands (Oct 8 - Oct 12)
Ron Kay's Grand Circle Tour (Oct 15 - Oct 24)
Valley of Fire, Death Valley, & Lake Mead (Oct 29 - Nov 3; Nov 12 - Nov 17)
Death Valley & Joshua Tree National Parks (Nov 5 - Nov 9)
Holiday Stress Relief Tour: A Five Star Retreat (Dec 10 - Dec 16)
National Parks Walking & History Tours with Ron Kay
Please call us for prices and reservations: 888 404-8687
Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon (North Rim) National Parks
6 Day Tour: October 1 - October 6, 2007
The Colorado Plateau of the American southwest spans 130,000 square miles of "color country" and contains more National Parks than any region in the US. Venture into its heart to Zion, Bryce and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with naturalist Ron Kay to discover their dynamic geologic past, fascinating natural and human histories and inspirational beauty. Enjoy field trips to matchless vistas and daily walking (options to hike) in all parks with narrated scenic journeys between parks. From continental collisions and earthquakes to the erosive power of wind and water, follow the forces that created these awe-inspiring landforms. From 2,000 foot sandstone cliffs and the "Narrows" of Zion to magical "hoodoos" of Bryce and the magnificence of a Grand Canyon sunset, see why these parks are among America's national treasures.
Itinerary
Zion National Park, 2 nights; Bryce Canyon National Park, 2 nights; North Rim Grand Canyon, 1 night; to St. George, 1 night; independent departures.
Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks
6 Day Tour: October 8 - October 12, 2007
Hike, discover, and adventure through mesas, rock amphitheaters, domes, natural arches and bridges of Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks. Walks and hikes on trails offer encounters with wildlife and formations in a world of stone. View rock art left by a past Indian culture and relive the trials and triumphs of pioneer settlers. Drink in this enchanting area with naturalist Ron Kay and get an insider's look at these incredible areas. This is an amazing opportunity to walk/hike in the most diverse yet concentrated geology in the world!
Capitol Reef National Park
This geologically unique area was called the ³Land of the Sleeping Rainbow² by the Navajo because of the brilliantly colored canyon walls, though a line of white, dome-shaped rocks informs the park's official name.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. In some areas, faulting has exposed millions of years of geologic history, highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park preserves a colorful landscape of sedimentary sandstones eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries.
Itinerary
Capitol Reef 2 nights; Moab (Arches,Canyonlands) 3 nights, to St. George, 1 night; independent departures.
Grand Circle Tour with Ron Kay
10 Day Tour: October 15 - October 24, 2007
Explore the world's greatest concentration of national parks and monuments, known as the "Grand Circle", with naturalist Ron Kay. This journey includes Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Lake Powell, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Dead Horse Point, Monument Valley and Rainbow Bridge. Venture through this breathtaking region and learn about earth history through common themes of sedimentary rocks, uplift and erosion. Examine geological formations such as hoodoos, arches, mesas, buttes, towering cliffs, pinnacles and peaks. Float along calm sections of the Colorado River and cruise Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge - one of the natural wonders of the world. The Grand Circle overflows with natural wonders ready for your exploration!
Easy to moderate walks on uneven terrain.
Itinerary
Zion National Park, 2 nights; (Bryce Canyon), 1 night; (Capitol Reef), 2 nights; (Arches and Canyonlands), 2 nights; Wahweap Resort (Lake Powell), 2 nights; St. George, 1 night. Depart St. George.
Valley of Fire, Death Valley, and Lake Mead
6 Day Tour:
October 29 - November 3, 2007
November 12 - November 17, 2007
The vistas and majestic backdrops of this timeless landscape fill your mind with nature's transcendent beauty and diversity! Begin in Las Vegas with an excursion to Valley of Fire State Park. On to Death Valley, a place nothing like its name, a world of rippling sand dunes, rugged canyons and landscapes carved from primeval rock. Hike and explore the unique landscape and experience the incredible scenery of Death Valley. We will also visit Artist's Palette, the Sand Dunes, Badwater (the lowest place in the northern hemisphere), Ubehebe Crater and Scotty's Castle. Then we'll head back to Las Vegas for an excursion to Hoover Dam, a Lake Mead lunch cruise and a Colorado River flat water float trip through Black Canyon.
Itinerary
Arrive Las Vegas, 2 nights; to Death Valley, 2 nights, to Las Vegas, 1 night, independent departures.
Back to top
Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks
6 Day Tour: November 5 - November 9, 2007
The vistas and majestic backdrops of this timeless landscape fill your mind with nature's transcendent beauty and diversity! Begin in Las Vegas and on to Death Valley National Park, a place nothing like its name, a world of rippling sand dunes, rugged canyons and landscapes carved from primeval rock. Hike and explore the unique landscape and experience the incredible scenery of Death Valley. We will also visit Artist's Palette, the Sand Dunes, Badwater (the lowest place in the northern hemisphere), Ubehebe Crater, and Scotty's Castle. Then we head to Joshua Tree National Monument, where you can bask in the sun while exploring some amazing desert scenery. Here deserts at two different altitudes meet - the high Mojave and the low Colorado - resulting in nearly 800,000 acres of spectacular sights. The park gets its name from the spiky, crooked, and very dramatic "praying plant", one of the most spectacular plants found in the Southwest. The Joshua tree can grow as high as 40 feet. We will visit the Desert Queen Ranch, built in the early 1900s, a historical site that has been restored. The grounds include the house, a small school, a store, workshop and a re-planted orchard. The 90-minute, ranger-led walking tour covers about a mile and we learn the meaning of the word "oasis" with a visit to one of Joshua Tree's five lush spots, the Lost Palms Oasis, a 3.7 mile trek to the park's largest oasis, a perfect picnic destination.
Itinerary
Arrive Las Vegas, 1 night; to Death Valley, 2 nights, to Joshua Tree National Monument, 2 nights, to Las Vegas, independent departures.
Ron Kay's Holiday Stress Relief Tour: A Five Star Retreat to Death Valley and Palm Springs
6 Day Tour: December 10 - December 16, 2007
I don't know about you, but just before Christmas is the time of year I could use a little bit of relaxation from the holiday hustle and bustle. Join me on a great holiday stress reducer where the temperatures are warm and the atmosphere is pure relaxation.
Our adventure begins as we travel from Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park and check into the beautifully decorated Furnace Creek Inn for a three night stay.
Hotel: Furnace Creek Inn
The jewel of Death Valley, the Inn offers luxury and timeless elegance. Nestled against the Funeral Mountains and overlooking the desert salt pans and majestic Panamint Mountains, the Inn offers 66 newly redecorated rooms including suites, fine dining, a spring-fed swimming pool, tennis courts, gift shop, conference rooms, massage therapy and a world renowned oasis garden laden with towering palm trees and meandering streams.
The vistas and majestic backdrops of this timeless landscape fill your mind with nature's transcendent beauty and diversity! Death Valley National Park is a place nothing like its name, a world of rippling sand dunes, rugged canyons and landscapes carved from primeval rock. Join Ron and explore the unique landscape and experience the incredible scenery of Death Valley. We will also visit Artist's Palette, the Sand Dunes, Badwater (the lowest place in the northern hemisphere), Ubehebe Crater, and Scotty's Castle. You can relax by the pool, play some golf, attend afternoon tea, or join Ron for some great hiking.
From Death Valley we will travel to Palm Springs, on our way we will stop at the charming Calico Ghost Town for lunch so you can experience a ghost town at Christmas.
Calico Ghost Town
Today, Calico is one of the few remaining original mining towns of the western United States, thanks to the help of Mr. Walter Knott, founder of Knott's Berry Farm. Knott bought the town in 1951 and started restoring it from old photographs. Five of Calico's businesses are in original buildings like "Lil's" Saloon and Lane's General Store. Others like the school house are exact replicas on exiting foundations. See Calico dressed for the Yuletide celebration. Enjoy the holiday decorations and shop for gifts for family and friends.
Following our lunch stop we travel to Palm Springs where we will arrive just in time for the weekly street festival and a two night stay at the incredible Andalusian Court.
Hotel: The Andalusian Court
A charming Spanish Revival Inn, nestled in the heart of Palm Springs' historical Tennis Club District. Step back in time to turn-of-the-century Spain and experience the beauty and romance of a Spanish courtyard villa, just steps from downtown's finest shopping, restaurants and entertainment. This historic hotel is an eclectic composition of materials and finishes that have been artistically woven together to form Palm Springs' most unique, most exclusive romantic retreat.
The villas offer dramatic mountain or courtyard views with private outdoor whirlpool tubs and fire pits. The furnishings and décor have been tastefully selected and are complimentary to the 1920s Spanish Revival and Arts & Crafts period. Each villa is appointed with a bedroom, a marble or stone-enhanced bathroom, a complete kitchen, dining and living room with fireplace and private patios.
Journey through the lavish gardens to find your ideal spot for relaxing or daydreaming. Enjoy the soothing sounds of the many water features and the friendly glow of the large fire pits as you wander throughout the property. You may find yourself drawn to the exquisitely landscaped courtyard pool where you can bask in the rays of the desert sun, relax in the shade of our poolside cabana, or refresh yourself in the waves of the heated pool.
A specialty breakfast is prepared and brought to your door each morning. All rooms are serviced daily.
Our stay in Palm Springs will include a visit to The Living Desert and a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for dinner at Peaks Restaurant, 2 miles above Palm Springs.
The Living Desert
The tour of The Living Desert and the deserts of the world you are about to embark on will show you how language has misled everyone into thinking of the desert as a surly, outlaw landscape instead of a fragile, interesting ecosystem. You'll see remarkable plants, animals, places and natural phenomena associated with deserts and learn how The Living Desert is helping to interpret and protect them.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Ascend two and one half miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the world's largest rotating tram cars.
Final Day
We head back to Las Vegas with a drive through Joshua Tree National Park.
Please call for reservations and pricing: 888 404-8687.
We reserve the right to cancel or change tours and schedules without prior notice as weather and other conditions may dictate.
