10 wonderful days by road and rail departing Wednesday June 22 2016
This fully escorted vacation includes breakfast each day along with four suppers & 1 picnic lunch, all hotels,
transportation, touring & all taxes. We travel through some of the most beautiful scenery this country has to
offer…
Colorado National Monument is near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. Spectacular canyons cut deep into
sandstone and even granite–gneiss–schist rock formations in some areas. We will visit Arches and discover a
landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world. The park has over 2,000
natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. This
red rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its
sunsets.
Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab and preserves a colorful
landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes...Zion is Utah's First National Park and we will
follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of
cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant
you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures.
Bryce Canyon National is a national park located in southwestern Utah. The major feature of the park is Bryce
Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the
eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos,
formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks.
The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce sits at a much
higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Rapid City to Denver
This morning we embark on our journey south towards Denver. Comfort and meal stops will be made en-route
with an estimated arrival time of 4.30pm.
Overnight Denver, CO – Supper included
Day 2 - Denver to Grand Junction by Amtrak train
We leave the hotel at 7am for the short journey to Union Station where you board the Californian Zephyr Train
(Coach Class) which winds its way through the Rocky Mountains – what a spectacular sight! Some 8 hours
later, Amtrak arrives in Grand Junction where you will be met and taken to the hotel for overnight.
Overnight Grand Junction, CO – Breakfast included
Day 3 - Grand Junction to Moab via Colorado National Monument - 150 miles
Our journey today takes us on a spectacular drive… Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand
landscapes of the American West but this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist
within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. Experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and
turns of Rim Rock Drive, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. On arrival we check into our
hotel and visit a local restaurant for supper
Overnight Moab – Breakfast & Supper included
Day 4 - Moab to Green River - A full day exploring Arches National Park and Canyonlands
After breakfast we embark on a full day tour of Canyonlands & Arches National Park. Arches National Park is
a geological wonderland. Set in the high desert of southeastern Utah, it is home to the largest concentration of
sandstone arches in the world, some 2,000 in all. That the simple actions of erosion over tens of thousands of
years could produce what appear to be purposefully sculpted formations is endlessly fascinating to behold.
Canyonlands National Park is wild, remote, inhospitable and terribly beautiful. It is home to an immense
expanse of deep orange-red canyons and a wonderful array of superlative red rock formations.
Overnight Green River, UT – Breakfast & Picnic lunch included
Day 5 - Green River, UT to Springdale & Zion NP - 290 miles
An early departure this morning and then we head to Zion NP…Truly Spectacular! Zion is often said to be the
most beautiful place in America. "Spectacular" is uttered time and time again as eyes raise to view the vast
monoliths of the best of Utah's National Parks. Zion National Park unveils its eight layers of sandstone,
displaying what has taken two-hundred-million years to carve and mold. This spectacular corner of Utah is a
masterpiece of towering cliffs, deep red canyons, mesas, buttes and massive monoliths.
Overnight Springdale – Breakfast included
Day 6 - Springdale, UT to Bryce Canyon, UT
After breakfast this morning we head north to Bryce Canyon. Bryce is famous for its worldly unique geology,
consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt
Plateau. The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful
limestone rock of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes, including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires
called "hoodoos".
Overnight Bryce Canyon Area – Breakfast included
Day 7 - Bryce Canyon to Palisade, CO - 339 miles
After breakfast we leave the hotel and head for the town of Palisade, CO. Known as the Peach and Wine
capital of Colorado, Palisade is perfectly nestled along the Colorado River as it emerges from DeBeque
Canyon and wedged between magnificent mountains and vistas offering breathtaking views every direction
you turn. Here, high country breezes funnel through the canyon, creating a temperate climate and ideal
growing conditions. But while award winning fruit and wine are at the heart of Palisade, its soul is in its people,
its energy, and the experiences it offers to residents and visitors alike. A stroll down Main Street and around
will delight your senses. Friendly "hellos" from locals, mouth-watering aromas from the quaint little restaurants
and coffee shops with welcoming wine barrels and containers full of seasonal flowers, antique and artisan
shops, music on the plaza and so much more.
Overnight Palisade – Breakfast & Supper included
Day 8 - Palisade, CO to Vail, CO - 126 miles
A morning to explore the Vineyards, a Meadery and an Orchard before heading out to Vail. For over forty
years, the name "Vail" has been synonymous with the American alpine experience. Situated high up in the
Gore Valley and surrounded by the White River National Forest, our community is ideally located in proximity
to all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer. The founders of Vail decided to model the town after a European
style alpine village. Today hand painted floral exteriors on several lodges creates a charming atmosphere for
families and couples. Vail is the most spectacular valley in Colorado.
Overnight Vail – Breakfast included
Day 9 - Vail to Estes Park - 126 miles
Less than a 2 hour drive we arrive in Estes Park whose first resident was a pioneer by the name of Joel Estes
who settled in the area in 1865. Although Joel and his wife only stayed in the valley for a couple of years they
opened the path to discovery of the area by white settlers. The Estes', however had not been the valley's first
human occupants. The native Ute and Arapahoe had lived and hunted in the area for centuries before. As
white settlers filtered into the valley they tried to establish ranching and farming enterprises but soon learned
that the only prosperous livelihood was through tourism. We have time to explore this little town before
checking in our hotel. Tonight we enjoy a farewell supper.
Breakfast & Supper included
Day 10 - Estes Park to Rapid City - 395 miles
After a leisurely breakfast our last leg of this amazing adventure takes us back home to the Black Hills of South
Dakota. Comfort and meal breaks will be made en-route and our expected arrival will be late afternoon.
Breakfast included
Itinerary at a glance
Price: $2,595 (pp based on double occupancy)
Single: add $795
Starts: Wednesday June 22 2016
Ends: Friday July 1 2016
What's included?







Breakfast each day along with 4 suppers & 1picnic lunch, all hotels, transportation, touring & all taxes
Transportation from Rapid City throughout
We tour the world renowned Arches National Park in Utah, Canyonlands National Park, UT and the
breathtaking Colorado National Monument, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon & Estes Park
The picturesque City of Vail, CO
All entrance & touring fees
Baggage Handling
All taxes
How to book


Deposit due of $500 per person
Balance due by April 1st 2016
What you'll need


Passport is not required for traveling on this trip
A camera is essential for this tour!
Weather
The weather in Colorado & Utah is normally pleasant at this time of year - refer to weather.com for average
temperatures.
Travel Advice
Please visit the travel advice section of this site for further information and government advisories and
warnings.
1-888-788-6777
abstravelgroup.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABS Travel Group | 945 Enchantment Road, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701, USA
1-605-343-6000 | 1-888-788-6777 | 1-605-791-2520
Fax 605-791-2618