Small Group Expedition-Max 14       

Discover the breathtaking beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultures of the American Southwest on this unforgettable journey of a lifetime. From towering red rock formations that glow at sunrise and sunset to winding scenic byways carved through canyons and cliffs, every mile reveals a new masterpiece of nature.

Your adventure begins with a truly rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to step inside the Salt Lake Temple during its limited-time open house, offering a meaningful and unforgettable experience inside this magnificent landmark.

From there, stand in awe beneath the natural wonders of Arches National Park, gaze across the colorful hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, and experience the towering cliffs of Zion National Park. Enjoy the quieter beauty of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, where fewer crowds create a more peaceful and personal experience.

Along the way, immerse yourself in rich cultural traditions with a Navajo-guided tour of Monument Valley and a visit to Acoma Pueblo—North America’s oldest continuously inhabited community.

From scenic drives and a relaxing Lake Powell cruise to unforgettable dining and entertainment, every moment of this journey is designed to inspire, connect, and amaze.

Activity Level: 2 – Moderate – This trip includes a moderate amount of walking, some uneven terrain in national parks, and periods of standing. Guests should be comfortable walking at a relaxed pace and navigating steps and shuttle boarding with minimal assistance.

Pickup Locations

Meijer – 1801 Marketplace Dr Caledonia (M-6 & Kalamazoo Ave)
Pickup Time: TBD (based on flight schedule)

Includes roundtrip airport transfers to Grand Rapids Airport (GRR)

✔ Roundtrip airfare
✔ Airport transfers from Caledonia Meijer
✔ Deluxe motorcoach transportation
✔ 7 nights hotel accommodations
✔ 11 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners)
✔ Professional Tour Director
✔ All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
✔ Canyonlands Dinner Cruise & Sound/Light Show
✔ Lake Powell Boat Cruise
✔ Monument Valley Navajo-guided tour
✔ Acoma Pueblo guided experience

Registration & Confirmation

Once online registration is completed, guests will receive a confirmation email. A valid email address is required at the time of booking, as most trip-related communication is sent electronically. For certain overnight trips, select trip materials may also be sent by postal mail.

Office- Assisted Registration

Guests who prefer to have the Spectrum Tours office complete their registration must provide a completed sign-up form, a working email address and cell phone number, and a deposit payment. Banking information will be securely entered for future automatic payments.

Payment Information

Payments are automatically withdrawn using the payment method provided at registration. Guests will receive an email notification 3–4 days prior to each scheduled withdrawal. Guests who prefer to pay by check must ensure payment is received at least 45 days prior to the final payment due date in order to stop automatic withdrawal.

There are no processing fees for payments made by checking account. A 2.99% processing fee applies to all credit card payments.

By booking, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to Spectrum Tours’ Booking & Payment Policy.

Arrive at the Salt Lake Airport today and meet your local Southwest Adventure Tours tour director. Depart the airport and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City. You will also have a once in a generation opportunity as you attend the Salt Lake Temple Open House. As you walk inside this magnificent structure, you will learn about its wonderful architecture, history and purpose during the open house event after an extensive 5-year renovation. This evening, join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

TBA- Arrive Salt Lake Airport, meet your local tour director

TBA - Transfer to Salt Lake City Downtown for sightseeing and the Salt Lake Temple Open House

TBA - Salt Lake Temple Open House

5:30PM Arrive hotel for check in

6:30PM Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant

(D)

Depart Salt Lake City and travel south along the western slope of the Rockies. Then pass through Castle Country with a rest stop in Price. Continue south and enter into the red-rock country of the Colorado Plateau taking a scenic drive to Dead Horse Point State Park for a picnic lunch and one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. You will see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. Then you are off to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitors center will introduce you to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary. Visit all the park highlights including Park Avenue, Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch View Point. In the late afternoon, arrive in Moab and check into your hotel with a little time to relax.  Then join the group for a dinner and boat tour on the Colorado River called Canyonlands by Night Sound and Light Show. You will be served a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner in a dining room overlooking the Colorado River. After dinner, board a flat-bottomed boat and head upriver with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide who will highlight interesting things and ignite your imagination.  Once darkness settles in, the formal part of the evening begins with 40,000 watts of natural light illuminating the canyon wall. Lights, shadows, music, and narration make the stories of the canyon’s formation, creation, and history come to life on the walls above the river.  (350mls) 

(B,L,D)

This morning depart Moab and travel west through the San Rafael Swell. Then arrive at Capitol Reef National Park for sightseeing of ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. Next enjoy a drive on one of America’s most spectacular roads. Scenic Highway 12 has been designated as an “All American Road,” the crown jewel of the Scenic Byways system. Drive up and over Boulder Mountain reaching altitudes over 9,000 feet with incredible views of Capitol Reef, the Circle Cliffs and the Henry Mountains. Then travel through Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument, with vast expanses of cream and rose colored Navajo sandstone. There are dramatic cliffs, high mesas, beautiful streams and deep canyons in multi-hued colors across the 1.9 million acre monument. In the late afternoon, arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. The hues and intricate shapes of Bryce Canyon carry even the most mature adult away into a fairyland fantasy. The Paiute Indians used a word to describe Bryce that translates into, "red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon." Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce, for whom the canyon was named, described it as "a hell of a place to lose a cow." Check into your hotel located just outside the park, then join the group for some wonderful western food and entertainment at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill.

(B,L,D)

This morning return to Bryce Canyon National Park for a morning view. Then take a short drive to see Utah's oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. An early Mormon settler described the park's massive formations as "temples built by hands, not of man." The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. After an included lunch, there will be time to explore Zion Canyon, a brilliant green canyon set against the backdrop of sheer red cliffs, with an occasional lacy waterfall fanning out from the rocks. The shuttle system will allow everyone to explore at their own pace. In the late afternoon, depart Zion for a short drive to the small town of Kanab, also known as “Little Hollywood” due to the many movies and television shows filmed in the area. Evening free for dinner on own.

(B,L)

Depart Kanab and travel across the Arizona Strip before climbing the beautiful Kaibab Plateau. Reaching elevations over 8,000 feet, the Kaibab was a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt and is home to a rich variety of wildlife including elk, deer, turkey and the unique white tailed Kaibab Squirrel. Then enter Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, *A UNESCO World Heritage Site, for sightseeing. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. You will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty. The North Rim receives one tenth the number of visitors compared with the more developed South Rim and thus provides a much quieter and more natural Grand Canyon experience. You will also have time to enjoy lunch on own with a view at Grand Canyon Lodge. In the afternoon, return north and stop along the way at Jacob Lake Lodge, an old fashion family run lodge started in 1923, for a rest stop and a presentation on Navajo Arts & Crafts. In the late afternoon, arrive at Lake Powell National Recreation Area and enjoy a Scenic Cruise on Lake Powell. A combination of emerald waters, towering red rock cliffs and blue skies creates a unique and breathtaking scene. Then check into your lakeside hotel with the evening free.

*Please Note* The North Rim of the Grand Canyon experienced significant wildfires in 2025. Work is progressing for access to some sights in 2026, and hopefully more in 2027. There is currently no guarantee as to what will be open by May of 2027. Sightseeing at Grand Canyon North Rim is subject to change based on what is available in May of 2027. If the North Rim is not accessible, we will substitute a walking tour of Antelope Canyon in Page.

This morning depart Lake Powell and travel to famed Monument Valley, a sacred place to the Navajo. Today you will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the “Dineh” people. Arrive at historic Goulding’s Lodge, meet your Navajo guide and board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a scenic tour of Monument Valley, location for scores of famous western films, television programs and commercials. As you travel through the valley and visit famous locations such as John Ford Point, Artist Point and The Totem Pole, you will also learn more of the Navajo traditions and way of life. After an amazing tour, enjoy an included lunch at Goulding’s Lodge where you can try a Navajo Taco or traditional Navajo Stew. In the afternoon, continue across Navajo Country on your way to the small town of Chinle for a rim tour of Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Enjoy unobstructed views of a curving red rock canyon and magnificent giant monoliths, stopping for photographs and viewing ruins. Your hotel is just outside the park and dinner is on own at the hotel.

(B,L)

Depart Chinle and take your journey south leaving the Navajo Nation behind and enter the “Land of Enchantment,” New Mexico, as you travel to Acoma Pueblo Sky City. There will be time for an included lunch at the culture center and to explore the Haaku Museum. Then meet your local guide for a tour of the ancient pueblo. Acoma Pueblo is built atop a sheer-walled, 367-foot sandstone bluff in a valley studded with sacred, towering monoliths. Since 1150 A.D., Acoma Pueblo has earned the reputation as the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America. The mesa-top settlement is known worldwide for its unique art and rich culture. This afternoon, travel eastward to Albuquerque and enjoy exploring Old Town.  This evening, join the group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

(B,L,D)

We will be departing for home after breakfast