North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Lake Powell Dinner Cruise - Zion National Park - Utah Shakespearean Festival
6 Days - departs
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Nowhere is
the natural scenery more spectacular than in the high desert of Arizona and Utah.
The Western United States has some of the most beautiful scenery and
interesting formations in the world. On this six-day trip we’ll see many of
them and have a great time while we are at it. Your comfort is assured on our
motor coach and your friendly tour director will make the trip most interesting
and informative. Every day brings us to another equally spectacular area.
Travel
aboard our deluxe motor coach through the scenic California desert to the
ponderosa pine forests of Flagstaff (elevation 6,905’). Rest and refreshment
stops are scheduled every two to three hours during the travel day. Upon
arrival in Flagstaff, we check in to the luxurious Little America Hotel.
This beautifully landscaped resort on 500 acres features many amenities
including an outdoor swimming pool and hiking trails. Join your traveling
companions at a get-acquainted dinner at the Black Bart Steakhouse Saloon.
Named for a famous stagecoach robber of the 1870’s, this cowboy palace is pure
1890s Arizona! A live musical revue adds a Western feel to the meal which
consists of cowboy-style steaks, ribs and chicken.
Flagstaff to Lake Powell
The
dramatic shapes of the brilliantly colored cliffs are breathtaking as we drive
north through Navajo and Hopi Indian land. We begin our day with a morning
visit to Wupatki National Monument’s twelfth-century
ancestral Sinagua dwellings. The area was a melting
pot for early cultures who farmed the cinder covered topsoil after the eruption
of nearby Sunset Crater in A.D.1064. We stop for lunch at an Indian trading
post in Cameron before arriving at the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. The Glen
Canyon Dam, one of the highest dams in the country, generates hydroelectric
power that is distributed to cities throughout the west. On a guided tour of
the Carl Hayden Visitors Center we view exhibits, tour the dam, and learn about
the mighty Colorado River. Then we top the day off with a 2 hour Lake Powell
dinner cruise. Overnight at the Lake Powell Resort (3-Diamond
rated) overlooking the lake and Wahweap Marina.
Lake Powell to Grand
Canyon North Rim
Day 3 - Saturday, June 27th, Includes
Dinner
With an
early morning departure, we drive through the thick forest of the Kaibab
National Forest to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (elevation 8,000’). The
drive is one of the loveliest in the state. The North Rim is remote. We become
aware of the sound of the wind rushing through the trees. We don‘t hear the
sound of neither traffic nor visitors as we did on the South Rim. We are now
higher than the South Rim at 13,000’. Accommodations at the North Rim are limited to modest one bedroom and bath cabins. But the
dining lodge, perched on the rim of the canyon, is worth the trip to the area.
Our North Rim visit includes a sightseeing tour with a local guide and a fun
cook-out in a delightful setting “under the stars”.
Grand Canyon North
Rim to Zion
Day 4 - Sunday, June 28th
Morning on
your own to hike, join a ranger program or just relax in the dining lodge
perched on the rim of the canyon. Early afternoon departure
for Springdale, Utah. Stop at the Zion National Park Visitors Center
before checking into our hotel, the 3 diamond Majestic View Lodge. The
lodge, located near the entrance to the park, has a rustic charm with rooms
that have balconies overlooking the spectacular scenery. Here you can just
relax and enjoy the lodge facilities - swim in the pool or visit the trading post
wildlife museum. Dine on your own at the lodge or take the shuttle into
Springdale or Zion National Park (the shuttle runs until late evening).
Springdale, Arizona
to Utah
Day 5 - Monday, June 29th, Dinner
Included
You’ll have
time to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area or join your tour director for a
hike along the Virgin River Zion before our afternoon departure. A short one
hour drive takes us to Cedar City. Nestled in the red rock country of Southern
Utah, it is noted for its astounding beauty and award winning festivals. Before
visiting the Utah Shakespearean Festival, we join our traveling companions for
a farewell dinner at the Garden House Restaurant. Then it’s off to nearby Adams
Theater, a replica of the open-air Globe Theater in London. The performance of
Williams Shakespeare‘s “Comedy of Errors” provides an evening of comedic
theater. Late evening drive south takes us to St. George where we overnight at
Best Western Abby Inn.
Travel Home
Day 6 - Tuesday, June 30th, Includes
Breakfast
After a
delicious breakfast at the hotel, we board our motor coach. Enjoy the stunning
scenery and brilliant red cliffs of Southern Utah on the drive home to
California.
From $1,200 double occupancy, From $1,400 single occupancy
Tour Price includes:
·
Escorted Motor Coach Tour with Refreshments Served on
the Coach
·
Services of a Professional Tour Director
·
Local Guide at the North Rim Grand Canyon
·
5 Nights Accommodations at 3-Diamond Hotels or Best
Available (Day 3)
·
Luggage
Handling Throughout (One Bag per Person)
·
Five Meals, (4
Dinners & 1 Breakfast) and Lake Powell cruise
·
Full day tours
of Albuquerque and Santa Fe with local guide
·
National Park
Entrance Fees
·
Admission to Wupakati and Carl Hayden Visitors Center
·
Tickets to
performance of “Comedy of Errors” (Center Orchestra Section)
·
Sightseeing throughout
Price does
not include: meals, unless listed, incidentals, and gratuities (for Tour
Director, $5 per person per day is customary, for the Motorcoach Driver $3-$5
per person per day, and for the Grand Canyon Guide $3 per person.)
DEPARTURES AND PARKING:
Glendale
College Campus
Upper
Parking Lot at Mountain Street & the SR-2 Glendale Freeway
Orange
County at Saddleback College
Mission
Viejo Lot #1, enter on Avery Boulevard.
Ventura
Museum of
Ventura County
or Holiday Inn Express, Ventura Marina , Harbor Blvd
Contact Information, for Reservations or
Questions
Glendale
College 818-240-1000 X 5015
Saddleback
College 949-582-4646
Museum of Ventura
County 805-641-1876 Ext 305
Email
Loretta at lorettadubois@gmail.com
Phone
Loretta at 805-641-3131
Mail
Loretta at:
Loretta
DuBois
California
Discovery Tours
1015
Belfast Lane
Ventura CA
93001
Payment Due Date:
April 1,
2009 for reservations made directly with Loretta
Or see
group itinerary, college program, or museum newsletter.
Cancellations:
Refunds for
cancellations (less a processing fee) will be given if your space can be
resold. For trip cancellation and emergency medical insurance see the
information on travel insurance at www.californiadiscovery.com
Clothing:
Casual
clothes and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Days may be moderate but
evenings and the motor coach travel will be cool and warrant a jacket. Don't
forget a camera and plenty of film or memory cards for the outstanding scenery
you will see. A flashlight for evening strolls and binoculars add a great
dimension to sightseeing!
Wheelchairs and Health Issues - Please
Read Carefully:
Travel may
require participation in excursions that can, by their nature, be physically
demanding. Higher elevations, walking tours, traveling a long distance on a
motor coach with limited access to your luggage, in addition to weather
changes, are a few experiences you may encounter on tours. Medical attention
may be hours to a day away in case of emergency. You should only participate in
these outings if you are free of any physical disability that would limit your
participation. If you have any doubt about your ability to safely participate
in the activities you should consult your physician. It is important that you
notify us if you will be bringing a wheelchair or require any special
assistance. Participants needing assistance must have an attendant companion to
take full responsibility for them and must provide their own wheelchair.
Responsibility:
Loretta
DuBois, California Discovery Tours, or Loretta DuBois
Tours, Museum of Ventura County, Glendale Community College CSE and Saddleback
College Community Education act strictly as agents for travel arrangements and
are not responsible for any damages a customer may suffer due to the negligence
of any individual entrusted with service. We shall not be held liable for
personal injury, property damages, or delays due to mechanical difficulties,
weather conditions or any circumstances beyond our control and reserve the
right to cancel any tour without notice and/or to substitute services provided
when deemed necessary. Tours are based on a minimum of 30 persons in a 55
passenger coach.