A Grand Time in the Canyons of the Southwest

The American Southwest is a fabulous region to explore that isn’t a million miles away and still provides otherworldly views. Set off with our friends at EXP Journeys on this 7-night exploration of the Canyons of the Southwest to explore this region like never before.

(Photo credit: EXP Journeys)

Our friends at EXP Journeys create stunning and adventurous itineraries in North America, South America, and Antarctica. We like working with them because they challenge themselves to travel far from the norm to deliver once-in-a-lifetime trips to you, our dear client. Additionally, we love that they work with us at Poe Travel to execute every part of your journey in-house, meaning you never have to worry about the finer details of your trip being outsourced to someone you aren’t familiar with.

They have no shortage of incredible itineraries, and we may very well share more with you later, but we wanted to start with a fabulous 7-night adventure in the canyons of the American Southwest. Expect hiking, national parks, luxury glamping, and a stay at the Southwest’s most luxe hotel.

Day 1
Arrival Day

Today, you’ll fly to the St. George Regional Airport in Utah, where you will be met and transferred an hour and a half to your accommodations. After your day of travel, enjoy the rest of the day relaxing and settling in at Zion Mountain Ranch.

Hotel Spotlight: Zion Mountain Ranch
2 nights

Zion Mountain Ranch is located in a spectacular scenic setting just outside of Zion National Park. In fact, it is the closest lodging option to the east gate of the park. It’s not just Zion you’ll enjoy from here, though. You can also enjoy views of Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, and more. The lodges are surrounded by 2,700 acres of high mountain meadows and forests, where you may be able to spot the Ranch’s buffalo herd grazing and roaming. Relaxing by the campfire here or admiring the stars from your private porch will be a lovely way to settle in on your first day and an even better way to wind down after a full-day exploring the surrounding national parks.

Zion Mountain Ranch (photo credit: EXP Journeys)

We recommend Lodge 128, the Ranch’s largest and most luxurious private lodge. Complete with a private massage room and sauna, this cabin is the ultimate in relaxing accommodations. You’ll feel as close as possible to Utah’s natural wonders as you gaze out of large windows or relax on the cabin’s massive deck.

Bryce Canyon National Park (photo credit: EXP Journeys)

Day 2
Bryce Canyon National Park

Meet your private guide this morning to set out to Bryce Canyon National Park for a privately guided half-day hike. You’ll explore the two largest amphitheaters in Bryce Canyon, hiking into the maze of hoodoos that make this national park an unforgettable experience. Your guide will walk you through the different trail options on the day, and you can choose based on everyone’s energy levels and whether you want an easy or more strenuous hike. You’ll hike two to six miles and then take in some splendid views along the 17-mile scenic drive further south on the Paunsaugunt Plateau, including Bryce Point, Sunrise Point, and Sunset Point. At the end of the day, your guide will return you back to the Lodge, where you can spend the evening relaxing.

Day 3
Zion National Park

This morning, meet your private guide to head out on the trek of a lifetime, navigating between thousand-foot-high canyon walls through the Virgin River. While water levels fluctuate greatly, you can definitely expect to have fun getting your feet (and possibly even your knees and waist) wet.

The Narrows is, unsurprisingly, the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. The area has a rich geological history, and your knowledgeable guide is ready to tell you about many of the special moments in the 18-million-year timeline of The Narrows. You will regret it if you don’t bring a camera today. Even if you’re not a professional photographer, you won’t be able to resist snapping a few pictures of your unreal surroundings. At the end of your day of touring, your guide will take you to your luxury camp, which is home for the next two nights.

Glamping Spotlight: Grand Canyon North Rim Luxury Camp
2 nights

A stay at the North Rim Luxury Camp is sure to deliver a serene and enthralling Grand Canyon experience. This area is more remote and less developed than the South Rim, which means it attracts far fewer tourists and allows you more time and space to connect with your surroundings. The camp was set up for those who want to experience the wild outdoors without giving up a few creature comforts. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guides with cold refreshments, perfect after a day exploring the parks. The camp features a lounge area, perfect for relaxing with a good book, and your guides will prepare your meals with fresh, seasonal ingredients according to a menu designed by award-winning Chef Shon Foster. In the evening, a telescope will be set up for stargazing near the campfire.

North Rim Luxury Camp (photo credit: EXP Journeys)

Your 150-square-foot canvas-walled tents are furnished with queen, twin, or bunk beds, soft down comforters, and bedside tables with lamps. You will have fresh towels, private en-suite toilets, hot showers, a hand-washing station, and plenty of shade to comfortably spend your day at camp. 

Day 4
Grand Canyon National Park

Your private guide will meet you this morning to set out on your exploration of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You can choose from several short hikes that offer incredible views including Cape Royal and Angels Window. Cape Royal is a short hike (only about a half-mile), offering a viewpoint at Angels Window, which is a natural arch in the canyon, before ending at Cape Royal.

Additional hikes include the Widforss Trail, which follows the canyon rim for approximately 2.5 miles before heading into the forest to emerge at Widforss Point, a distance of 5 miles one way. This hike is longer and more strenuous but definitely worth it!

Finally, the North Kaibab Trail is the primary access point into the Canyon. It is the least visited by most difficult of the three maintained trails. Almost a thousand feet higher at the trailhead than the South Rim trails, hikers on this trail pass through every ecosystem to be found between Canada and Mexico, a true showcase of the diversity of the area’s makeup. At the rim, catch a glimpse of Bright Angel Canyon through fir trees, aspen, ferns, and wildflowers. As the trail descends through the Redwall Limestone, you’ll see that the trail is blasted directly into the cliff. Your guide will end your day back at camp.

(Photo credit: EXP Journeys)

Day 5
Wire Pass Canyon

You’ll say farewell to your camp this morning and set out with your private guide for an hour and a half drive to the Wire Pass Canyon trailhead. Begin your privately guided hike down an incredible trail toward the famous Buckskin Gulch Gorge, the longest continuous slot canyon in the United States.

The first mile of your walk is along a wide, meandering stream bed between low, reddish cliffs and over soft sand that makes progress quite difficult. As you journey on, the cliffs will grow higher and closer together, and the last half mile includes two good stretches of narrows. At the end of the second slot, the cliffs open suddenly and dramatically at the confluence with Buckskin Gulch, the sun illuminating the curving sandstone walls. After today’s hike, your guide will take you on an additional 40-minute drive to Amangiri, your luxurious home for the next three nights.

Hotel Spotlight: Amangiri
3 nights

Amangiri is a luxe desert oasis that we are big fans of at Poe Travel. In fact, it wasn’t very long ago that we did a full-length feature on Amangiri, which you can check out here for lots of information on this fabulous property. Just as Amangiri has slotted itself perfectly into its surroundings, the hotel also slots perfectly into this fabulous itinerary by EXP Journeys, and of course we will make sure all of your Poe Perks are included.

Amangiri (photo credit: Aman)

Day 6
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

Meet your guide this morning and make a short, 10-minute drive for your UTV excursion. This tour will lead you off into the desert for an epic off-road experience. Vermillion Cliffs is located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau and is unlike anywhere else on Earth, offering an incredible concentration of varied geologic phenomena.

Sometimes described as a miniature Grand Canyon, the Paria Overlook is a must-see mixture of trail that traverses sandy washes, sand dunes, and red rock sandstone. The colors layered along the sandstone cliffs and views of Lake Powell are sure to stun you. You may also be surprised to see the occasional animal, as this area is home to foxes, coyotes, antelopes, and bighorn sheep. If you’re really lucky, you may spot a California Condor soaring overhead, and you’re sure to be wowed by their wingspan, which averages nearly ten feet. After amazing views along the rim, work your way back toward Big Water, enjoying more great trails and scenery along the way.

Day 7
Lake Powell

Make the most of your final day as you head with your private guide to Antelope Point Marina to board a privately chartered boat on Lake Powell. Once on the water, you’ll have five hours to explore this unparalleled lake. We have a fact that is about to blow your mind: Lake Powell has more coastline than the entire coast of the State of California. What?!?!

(Photo credit: EXP Journeys)

Lake Powell is renowned for its slot canyons and hidden canyons, offering hikers a chance to explore deep into these areas formed by the wear of water rushing through rock over the years. Open-seat kayaks and stand-up paddleboards will be staged up-lake for you, and the boat is also equipped with skis, wakeboards, and tubes, so there is no shortage of choice as to how you want to spend your day. At the end of your day of adventure on the lake, your guide will return you to Amangiri for your last night.

Day 8
Departure Day

Today, you will be transferred 25 minutes to Page Airport for your flight home, and we don’t think you will forget the incredible sights you’ve seen on this journey for a long, long time.

If you would like to go away to the Canyons of the Southwest (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us, and we will set you on your way.