Land Journey

Spirit of the Desert: The National Parks of the Southwest

Ken Burns American Journeys
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Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

Days
10
From (per Person)
$8,690 USD
Journey Type
Land
Time of Year
May - Jun, Aug - Oct
Cities & Landmarks
Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Las Vegas, Moab, Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon hoodoos, Utah

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Overview

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

 

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan share their own personal stories and tell the stories of those who shaped the creation & preservation of the six national parks

 

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

 

On the ground or by air, explore Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks – more than any other Tauck trip

 

Two Flightseeing Adventures! Fly over the extraordinary remote reaches of the Capitol Reef National Park and see the Grand Canyon from the air

 

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Activity

2
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On some days, walking extends to 2–3.5 miles (~4,000–7,000 steps), with occasional stairs, hills, or uneven surfaces. Standing periods may last up to 90 minutes, but this level still includes breaks and lower-effort days.

Pace

3
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Full days with little downtime. Select days may offer opt-out opportunities or lighter alternatives. Ideal for travelers who want to stay engaged, but with some room to pace themselves.

View Full Itinerary

Legendary Journeys and Adventures

Stunning landscapes so arresting that they'll live forever in your mind's eye… impossible red rock arches opening before you like grand entryways, offering a sense of endless possibility… canyons and immense cliffs, seemingly carved by a giant to form an island in the sky… fanciful hoodoos come alive while gods and legends linger everywhere… how the human spirit is cheered and fortified by the spirit of the desert.

On the ground or by air, explore Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks. Fly over the remote reaches of Capitol Reef and see the Grand Canyon from the air... Explore the North Rim of the Grand Canyon... Enjoy independent sunrise and sunset spirit-of-the-moment experiences in the national parks… and gain insights through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, sharing their own personal stories and of those who shaped the creation of the national parks. Read Less

Float trip on the Colorado River

Float trip on the Colorado River

A gently float along the Colorado River reveals a landscape shaped by time and light. Towering rock formations rise all around, their rich hues reflected in the water below, creating near-perfect mirror images. It's a quiet, unhurried way to take in the canyon's beauty from an entirely new perspective.

Picnic at Dead Horse Point State Park

Day 3

Sunset picnic dinner at Dead Horse Point State Park overlooking Canyonlands

Perched some 2,000 feet directly above a dramatic horseshoe bend in the Colorado River, Utah's Dead Horse Point State Park offers a spectacular panoramic view overlooking the sculptured pinnacles, mesas and buttes of the adjacent Canyonlands National Park. And it's a perfectly breathtaking – and breathtakingly perfect – spot for a private Tauck picnic dinner at sunset that's nothing short of inspirational.

Experience six national parks, each revealing a different face of the Southwest

Six national parks, each with its own story

Stand beneath Arches' soaring spans, gaze into the Grand Canyon's timeless depths, and wander among Bryce Canyon's whimsical hoodoos. In Zion, sandstone cliffs rise over tranquil valleys, while Canyonlands stretches wide where rivers meet stone. At Capitol Reef, colorful domes and hidden canyons reveal a wild, untouched beauty. Each park tells its own story and together, they redefine awe.

Highlights from three of the parks you'll visit

Red Cliffs Lodge

Nights 1, 2 and 3

Among red-rock cliffs on the banks of the Colorado

Situated near Moab, Utah, at the foot of dramatic red-rock cliffs beside the Colorado River's best white-water rapids, Red Cliffs Lodge occupies a classic, rugged Western landscape worthy of Hollywood – and was in fact the location of numerous movies, including "Rio Grande" with John Wayne. Red Cliffs Lodge is also home to the Moab Movie Museum, which chronicles the rich history of filmmaking in the region; a spacious deck to take in the scenic views; and the Ember Restaurant, where bold flavors, desert spirit, and rustic elegance come together.

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Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

 

About Booking This Tour

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COVID-19 Travel Requirements

The below provides an overview of Tauck's requirements and those of the countries we visit, along with our supplier partners who have implemented their own Covid policies that may go beyond Tauck's requirements. The trip-specific guidelines are for U.S. travelers.

Up-to-date destination entry requirements will be posted 60 days prior to the first seasonal departure for each tour or cruise series. For journeys not yet posted below, please visit our Travel Requirements page. As entry requirement change frequently, please check often.

 

Tauck 2024 Covid Policy

For 2024 tours and cruises, Tauck has no remaining Covid requirements. There is no vaccination requirement or travel pledge to be signed. This 2024 policy could change if there is a surge in infection rates or other factors that could impact the safety of our guests and employees.

Tauck 2023 Covid Policy

  • Vaccination Requirement: All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid.
  • Requirements for Minors: Though highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
  • Tauck Travel Agreement: Tauck requires all guests to sign our Travel Well Pledge. Your Tauck Director will provide this document for your signature on the first day of your trip, and will check your proof of vaccination and booster/or proof of recovery. Additional information can be found at here.

To ensure the safety of your fellow travelers and the communities we visit, all guests must follow health and safety protocols when necessitated by local health guidance or our supplier partners. Your Tauck Director will keep you informed of these local requirements.

Although not required by Tauck, some countries may require a pre-travel Covid test. It is important that you carefully check the most recent entry requirements (listed below) for your tour or cruise. 

Additional Destination Requirements

Your health and safety remain our number one priority while you are traveling with us. The below requirements are mandated by the US National Park Service and are applicable to all Tauck guests without exception:

  • All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid. Although highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
  • For entry to National Park Service Facilities:

    • There are no specific Covid destination requirements for this tour.

    If You Have To Cancel

    If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

    Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

    If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

    Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

     

    Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

    Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

     

    Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

    60 days or more before departure = $525 per person

    59-8 days before departure = $925 per person

    7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

     

    Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

    In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

    Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico. 

    Travel Terms and Conditions

    Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

    Trip Prep & Essentials

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    The Tauck Experience

    Why Tauck?

    Leave Your Worries At Home

    One Upfront Price – No Hidden Costs

    Tauck Directors – Simply The Best

    Never Settle For Ordinary

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    Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

    Discover The World

    Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

    Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

    Discover The World

    Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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