Exploring Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde		2013 DEPARTURES 5/12-5/17, 5/26-5/31, 9/1-9/6, 9/29-10/4 Click on a date to reserve your space
Trip Length	6 days/5 nights
Group Size	4-16
Arrive/Depart	Durango, Colorado
Price	From $2,595 to $2,995
	If you have questions about this journey or would like to receive a detailed trip brochure, call 800-445-2995 or click here.
	*Price varies depending upon departure's group size.

Territories Desert Southwest Deep Southwest Sojourn Itinerary And Map : Itinerary & Map

Day 1 (Moab and Arches National Park) Today you explore the wonders of Arches National Park, which contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches as well as other unusual rock formations. Walks include the Windows, Devil’s Garden, and Landscape Arch. All in all, you will see over 20 arches, and will view the famous Delicate Arch from the overlook.
Day 2 (Colorado River and Island in the Sky) Spend an easy morning rafting a stretch of the Colorado River past the awesome Fisher Towers, a series of free-standing rock formations. You get spectacular scenery on your 13-mile run, and a little bit of bobbing on some fun Class I and II rapids. After your time on the river, it’s off to visit a section of the Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park.
Day 3 (Canyonlands National Park and Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument) Get your morning news at Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument, which features a flat rock with one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs. The guide may lead you to yet more rock art down a primitive, off the beaten path trail. Moving on to the Needles and Islands in the Sky Districts of Canyonlands National Park, explore more intricate trails through this bizarre rock world. Hikes might include Cave Springs and Elephant Hill.
Day 4 (Monument Valley) You’ll recognize Monument Valley from old John Wayne westerns. The red mesas and free-standing rock formations, reaching up to 1,000 feet tall, are some of the most enduring and definitive images of the American West. The valley lies within the Navajo Nation, and you will be joined by a local Navajo guide, who will lead the group on a six-hour jeep tour deep into the landscape. A number of iconic formations are on the route of this photo safari, including the Mittens, Elephant Butte, Camel Butte, and the North Window. There may even be a chance to go to the guide’s grandmother’s hogan for a weaving demonstration.
Day 5 (Mesa Verde National Park) This will be a terrific day, with plenty of time to explore and experience the incredible Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloan people who lived here for a period of over 700 years, from 600 A.D. to 1300 A.D. You’ll see some of the most notable and best preserved Puebloan ruins in the United States. Your guide will introduce you to this exceptional trove of Ancestral Puebloan history and present the mystery of this sophisticated culture. The largest dwelling at Mesa Verde is Cliff Palace, with 150 rooms and 75 open areas. You arrive in Durango around 5 p.m., and have time to check into your room and freshen up before enjoying an exceptional farewell dinner at the wonderful Seasons Rotisserie & Grill in the heart of historic Durango. Strater Hotel
Day 6 (Durango for flights home) Gather your memories of the week, absorb the ambience of this beautiful place one more time, and head to the airport for your connections home.