Canyons and Navajo Lands

• Travel by private minibus
• Variety of walks to suit all abilities
• Some long journeys
• Group normally 6 to 13, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
• Five nights in comfortable hotels and two lodge nights included

The West has very dry weather and blue, sunny skies in spring, summer and autumn. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on the elevation. Generally, the higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature. Spring and autumn have perfect hiking days in the deserts and cooler days at higher elevations. In summer, Bryce and the Grand Canyon offer pleasant temperatures ideal for hiking whereas some of the deserts might experience hotter temperatures. On warmer days, the leader will opt for early morning and late afternoon walks, leaving time for mid-day rest. Please note, the hottest time of day in the deserts is 3pm. Most nights will be mild to warm. In summer, prepare for afternoon thunderstorms. Spring has stunning displays of desert wildflowers, summer has mountain wildflowers and in autumn the tree colours are beautiful.

This tour has been graded Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate).

This walking tour is designed for active adults and offers a well-paced mix of walks for all fitness levels. Most walks are of moderate difficulty and up to four hours’ long. For the more adventurous, there are often optional moderate-to-strenuous hikes up to eight hours’ long. Your tour leader will organise these for you and you can pay locally in cash. Find the main optional activities under each day’s description in the itinerary, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour.

Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, weather and time of year.

Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park

During the itinerary, we have time in Zion National Park, where one of the more strenuous and popular hikes is Angels Landing. In response to concerns about congestion on the trail, the National Park Service announced that everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs a permit. Permits cannot be booked by a tour operator, so all guests who wish to attempt this hike are responsible for applying.

Permits are released via a lottery system; unfortunately, there is no guarantee of securing a permit.

The lottery system comes in two forms:

Seasonal Lottery: You can apply for a permit one to three months before your trekking date

Day-Before Lottery: You can apply for a permit the day before your planned hike

Zion is renowned for hiking and there are many excellent trails with wonderful views, such as the Watchman Trail or The Narrows. Our group takes these alternative trails. Anyone who is successful in securing their permit can hike Angels Landing while the group completes an alternative trail. For more on Angels Landing permits, such as application dates and prices, visit the National Park Service page here.