ADULT ONLY

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure

  • 6 Days
  • Avg Group Size: 12
  • Activity Level 2
    • Activity Level 2

      Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Grand Junction
  • Trip End: Grand Junction
arches canyonlands

Utah’s finest geologic wonders and world-renowned beauty await your discovery on our Arches & Canyonlands Adventure

In just 6-days, explore the jaw-dropping landscapes of Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, and see for yourself why Utah is known across the globe as an adventurer's paradise. 

Starting and finishing in Grand Junction, there’s no doubt you’ll be mind-blown by the variety of landscapes you’ll explore on foot, on two wheels and with a paddle in hand in under one week. Raft the narrow Black Granite Gorge, bike alongside the Colorado River on Potash Road, witness the famous Mesa Arch and Delicate Arch and take an exciting Hummer Tour through Moab. With the same accommodation all trip, you can unpack your bags and settle into a marvellous adventure with expert local guides taking care of every detail. 

Allow your senses to come alive as you bike, hike and raft through Utah’s expansive landscapes. Let our Arches & Canyonlands National Parks tour lead the way.

Download Our Handy Trip Itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDF

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Grand Junction Trip End: Grand Junction

Download our Handy Trip itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip

  • Day 1Meet the group in Grand Junction, Rafting the Colorado River

  • Day 2Bike Canyonlands National Park

  • Day 3Hike The Needles District in Canyonlands National Park

  • Day 4Hummer Tour and Bike Ride

  • Day 5Hike to Delicate Arch, explore Arches National Park

  • Day 6Hike Fish Towers, transfer to Grand Junction and say goodbyes

  • Day 1

    Meet the group in Grand Junction, Rafting the Colorado River

    #62093

    Begin your trip with early-morning pickups in Grand Junction, followed by a welcome meeting. After a short shuttle to the banks of the Colorado River, you'll spend the day paddling through ever-deepening sandstone monuments into the narrow Black Granite Gorge. Totally isolated from modern civilization, you'll soak up serene solitude as you raft amid the red sandstone spires.

    Enjoy a picnic on the banks of the river before setting out again. After an adventure-filled day in Colorado, it’s a quick trip to your home base for the week, The Canyonlands Inn. Located in the heart of downtown Moab, this property is within easy walking distance of many restaurants and shops. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your fellow adventurers and discuss the upcoming days playing in red rock country.
    Accommodation: Canyonlands Inn
    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

    Rafting: All day, class IIII-IV 

  • Day 2

    Bike Canyonlands National Park

    #62094

    Start the morning with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before continuing south into Canyonlands National Park. Mount up at Grand View Point and bike to your first stop, Mesa Arch, for a short hike. Continue north by bike along the Island in the Sky route. A picnic lunch at Dead Horse Point Overlook gives us a chance to experience the vastness of the park. Catch a ride in the van to the “top of the hill” and then ride an exhilarating 10 miles to the Colorado River.

    Head back to the Inn for an afternoon to relax or walk the streets of Moab before dinner in town with the group.
    Accommodation: Canyonlands Inn
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Biking: 15-20 miles (24-32 kilometers)

  • Day 3

    Hike The Needles District in Canyonlands National Park

    #62095

    Today, you'll head out on an all-day excursion to Canyonlands National Park and experience the best that the Needles District has to offer. On the drive out, you'll stop at Newspaper Rock to check out its countless petroglyphs.

    Today’s main hike begins at the Elephant Hill Trailhead, passing through fascinating desert scenery and eventually arriving at the monolithic red rock towers of the Chesler Park Viewpoint. Along the way, your guides will find a shady spot to stop and enjoy a delicious trailside lunch.

    The evening is yours to enjoy on your own. Your hotel is perfectly situated in downtown Moab with many restaurants within walking distance.
    Accommodation: Canyonlands Inn
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch

    Hiking: 6 miles (10 kilometers)

  • Day 4

    Hummer Tour and Bike Ride

    #62096

    After a hearty breakfast, jump in a Hummer and explore the amazing slick rock of Moab on an adrenaline-filled adventure. After a picnic lunch you’ll hop on your bike for a ride south of Moab with beautiful rock red scenery all around you. Enjoy dinner at a favorite local restaurant with your group.
    Accommodation: Canyonlands Inn 
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Biking: 15-20 miles (24-32 kilometers), rolling hills

  • Day 5

    Hike to Delicate Arch, explore Arches National Park

    #62097

    Replenish your energy this morning with breakfast at your hotel. This morning’s hike offers many stunning views, but none as amazing as the view of the iconic Delicate Arch that will greet you at the end of your hike.

    Next, explore more of the fiery reds and breathtaking blues of Arches National Park. Hike to Landscape Arch, the planet’s largest natural rock arch. After a delicious sack lunch, you’ll hike to Window, Turret, and Double Arch.

    This evening’s farewell dinner is sure to be a hit as you dine at the charming Desert Bistro.
    Accommodation: Canyonlands Inn
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Hiking: 5-6 miles (8-10 kilometers)

  • Day 6

    Hike Fish Towers, transfer to Grand Junction and say goodbyes

    #62098

    This morning you’ll have time for one more great hike before heading home. Stretch your legs and soak in the views of the picturesque Fisher Towers before heading back to Grand Junction to say goodbyes and depart for home.
    Accommodation: Not applicable
    Meals:
    Breakfast

    Hiking: 3 miles (5 kilometers)

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure Departure Dates

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What's Included

  • Our own highly experienced guides, with you from start to finish
  • Industry-leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
  • Your own ‘Account’, an online space with everything required for your trip
  • Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
  • Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
  • All accommodations for the duration of your trip 
  • All meals except where indicated in the itinerary
  • Unlimited snacks to keep you fueled
  • Special ‘Wow!’ moments you'll never forget
  • All activities outlined in the itinerary
  • All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
  • All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and activities 
  • All park and other entry fees 
  • Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable!

What Our Guests Say

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Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here.

*Terms & conditions apply – read more here

 

Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are the Holiday Inn Hotel Grand Junction Airport at 7:30am or the Courtyard by Marriott at 7:45am. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at either of these hotels directly or any other hotel in Grand Junction, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Grand Junction Airport at 12pm in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Grand Junction around 12:30pm.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Grand Junction the night before the trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing Grand Junction after 2pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

We have selected the accommodation on your trip for the stunning settings, unique character and adventuresome feel – it’s not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels in Utah. We prefer to stay in accommodations close to the park and our activities for the day that are comfortable after a full day of exploration.

While there are laundry facilities at some locations, they may not be convenient or there may only be one machine to service your entire group. We recommend bringing enough clothing to not have to do laundry during your trip. If needed the best time will be in Moab after the days activities on Day 4.

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness for this trip though you’ll be hiking on gentle to moderate trails and can still enjoy the scenery and relaxation. Typically, hikes range between two and four hours to complete, more, or less hiking is available too.

Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

What should I bring with me on the first day?

When you speak with your guides the night before your trip, they will give you a detailed description of what to bring with you on Day 1. Typically, this includes a day pack with your rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, camera, etc. Anything you want easy access to during the day should go in your day pack as the rest of your luggage will go in the locked cargo trailer pulled behind the van. Your guides will provide you with a water bottle on the first morning of your trip and will always have water available for refills. There will be snacks available at all times in the van. Your guides will also have bug spray and sunscreen accessible for you to use.

Will I have contact with my guides before the trip starts?

Your guides will call your cell phone the night before your trip begins to touch base on the first day’s plan. If they don’t get through to you, they will leave a voicemail on your cell phone with all the details you need to plan for your first morning.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size). We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 120 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement.

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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Your Expert Local Guides