Moab Adventure

Welcome to Utah! You’ll need to make sure you arrive into Salt Lake City bright and early (or perhaps the night before), so you can meet your leader at 8 am to kick off your tour. Once we’ve all gathered, sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic drive of approximately 4 hours to Moab, home to some of the most striking red rock formations in the world. Once we arrive, you’ll have time to freshen up at the hotel before we head to Dead Horse Point State Park, located high above the Colorado River. You’ll enjoy a sunset picnic overlooking the majestic cliffs of Canyonlands National Park – what a way to start your Utah adventure! In the evening, you’re free to explore the local nightlife in the town of Moab.

It’s an early morning with a wake-up before dawn and a trip to Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, rock formations and giant, balancing rocks. Our rugged, half-day hike takes you through this famous US landmark, along a trail marked by cairns. Eventually, you’ll wind our way around a rock wall to view a magnificent natural arch just as the sun is rising. After you come down from our viewpoint, you’ll work our feet a bit more with some additional hiking throughout this stunning area. The hike is a 2-mile loop which enables you to see different arches, including the largest rock arch on the planet, Landscape Arch. There are also shorter options if you prefer to take a slower pace. Back in Moab, the afternoon is yours to enjoy. You can take a swim in the pool, walk around this artsy town or book an optional evening tour.

You’ll enjoy a full day today exploring the wonder of Canyonlands National Park. Start with an easy trail to discover one of the finest panoramic overlooks anywhere in the Southwest USA. At the southern tip of this breathtaking plateau known as Island in the Sky, you can see the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, as well as vast areas of red rock cliffs and the incredible maize district. After lunch, we’ll head to our accommodation with enough time to enjoy the late afternoon weather and watch the sunset from our lodge on the shores of the Colorado River. Perched on the river and framed by majestic, 2,000-foot red cliffs, the Ranch puts the unmatched natural beauty of Utah at your feet.

This morning you'll enjoy a leisurely drive to a local winery that specialises in single-vineyard estate-bottled wines. The vineyard dates back to 1979 as a Utah State University agricultural project to determine what industries could replace the waning uranium mining industry. After a tour and tasting, head back to the Ranch for a free afternoon. Perhaps take a swim in the pool or book one of the optional activities the lodge has to offer.

After breakfast, make your way back to Salt Lake City. But before your tour comes to an end, your leader will take you on a tour of Lake City, where you will learn about the Mormon Pioneer history. Enjoy the magnificent Salt Lake Mormon Temple and see the State Capital Building and founder Brigham Young’s Territorial Governor’s Mansion. The tour wraps up by 5 pm and you are free to depart any time after that.