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Hiking the Best of Moab: Arches and Canyonlands

Hiking the Best of Moab: Arches and Canyonlands

From $ 5,355 AUD

Description

Explore the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks outside of Moab, Utah on this five-day hiking trip. Trek through two of the most famous national parks in Utah’s Canyon Country and be dwarfed by towering sandstone spires, arches and canyons. As one of the most scenic landscapes in the state, you’ll catch glimpses of the Colorado River as it makes its way around the iconic arches. In the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains frame this extraordinary part of the country. Indulge in local food each night and relax in comfortable river side lodge accommodation, feeling rested and refreshed before setting out on more adventures each day!

Trip Name
Hiking the Best of Moab: Arches and Canyonlands
Last Updated
2024-04-30
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Spend five days exploring two national parks, Arches and Canyonlands, and their surroundings on this lodge-based hiking trip.
  • See some of Utah’s most iconic natural structures, including Landscape Arch, the Windows and Delicate Arch.
  • Hike through the desert of eastern Utah, exploring the foothills of towering cliffs, looking up at spires reaching for the sky and wandering through an endless array of natural stone arches.
  • Experience the power of the Colorado River – one of the longest rivers in the United States – catching glimpses of it as it winds through the national parks.
  • Relax and recoup at comfortable lodge accommodations each night, enjoying local food and kicking your feet up before tackling more hikes each day.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. In order to travel on this trip, you: 1. Must be able to understand and recognize the risks and hazards inherent in the activities of the trip, must be able to decide to assume those risks and hazards and must actually and voluntarily assume those risks and hazards. 2. Must be able to withstand exposure to the outdoors including exposure to diverse climactic conditions during the trip, including temperatures ranging from below freezing to +100 degrees F, potentially rapidly changing precipitative conditions from dry conditions to precipitation including monsoons and flash floods, for the duration of the Program. 3. Must be able to monitor and evaluate changes in personal health condition including the onset of dehydration, hyponatremia, heat illness or stroke or hypothermia and must be able to communicate any changes in personal health condition or safety concerns to the guide(s). 4. Must be able to participate in all activities at the time scheduled for each activity; e.g. to beat the heat, guest pick-up and hike start times during summer months may range between 3-6 a.m. 5. Must be able to manage all personal care and mobility during extended periods of exertion of 10-plus hours per day, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 6. Must be able to enter and exit a multi-passenger vehicle either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 7. Must be able to withstand up to eight hours as a passenger in a multi-passenger vehicle, transporting up to 14 passengers at a time, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 8. Must be able to immediately comprehend and follow verbal instructions either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 9. Must be able to traverse wet and dry, sandy, rocky, uneven and/or unstable ground over a distance of 10-plus miles per day including elevation differential (gain and/or loss) of +3,000 feet per day, for a period of up to 10 hours per day, while carrying: a) BACKPACKING/BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS- a backpack weighing 25-50 pounds, b) FRONTCOUNTRY/LODGE, BASECAMP AND INN-BASED TRIPS - a fully loaded backpack weighing 10-15 pounds, either independently or with an assistance companion or an approved assistive device. 10. Must be able to self-manage and self-navigate unsupervised while in the designated camp area either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 11. Must be able to perform basic camping activities including sleeping on the ground, consuming water from back country sources, consuming food prepared in a backcountry setting and maintaining personal health and hygiene in accordance with guide directives either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. The use of an assistive device to meet any element of the essential eligibility criteria must be approved in advance by Intrepid Travel.

Day 1 - Moab / Arches National Park
Welcome to Utah! Today you’ll jump into your transport and head off on a drive through the Arches National Park, catching the first glimpses of the terrain you’ll be exploring over the next few days. Reaching the Devil’s Garden trailhead, get stuck right in with your first hike — the Devil’s Garden loop. Along this track you’ll see plenty of what the park is most famous for. With giant rock arches, fins and slickrock, there will be tonnes to see, including one of the largest natural rock arches on Earth – Landscape Arch. After your hike, head to your accommodation where you can relax and refresh before a group dinner.
Day 2 - Moab / Canyonlands National Park
Today takes you through Canyonlands National Park on a selection of shorter hikes that take you past some of the most remarkable landscapes in the area. Your first viewpoint for the day is high above the Colorado River, as it winds its way through the canyons and valleys below Dead Horse Point. Head out on your second hike, taking you past the lookout at Island in the Sky, stopping to look over the red rock vista. Then, continue through Canyonlands, stopping along the way to admire the varied colours around you.
Day 3 - Moab / Canyonlands National Park
Make your way out to the remote Needles District of Canyonlands National Park this morning. Explore the red rock environment on your hike, making your way to an overlook at Chesler Park where you’ll find a meadow full of lush grass surrounded by the sandstone spires that inspired the name of this area. Enjoy the serenity before heading back to Moab and your accommodation for dinner.
Day 4 - Moab / Arches National Park
Return to Arches National Park this morning. Today’s hike features one of the area's most famous landmarks – Delicate Arch. With over 2,000 stone arches is this park, Delicate Arch is one of the most popular and has become a symbol of the state of Utah. During your hike today, you’ll also stop by other popular arches including Double Arch and the Windows. After a packed day of arch spotting, head back to your lodge to wind down and relax.
Day 5 - Moab
Today, you’ll explore the surrounding areas outside of the national parks, taking in all that the regions around Moab have to offer. With a trailhead that starts by the Colorado River, you’ll begin in the shadow of a group of rock spires, winding up to a viewpoint over Castle Valley. Enjoy the expansive views of the La Sal Mountains that surround you and the winding river below. Spend your day wandering this incredible land before heading back to Moab where you’ll say your goodbyes to the group.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-05-202417-05-2024AUD $ 5,355-
22-05-202426-05-2024AUD $ 5,355-
16-09-202420-09-2024AUD $ 5,355-
07-10-202411-10-2024AUD $ 5,355-
21-10-202425-10-2024AUD $ 5,355-
29-10-202402-11-2024AUD $ 5,355-

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map