National Parks with Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta

Hotel Accommodation
Day 1: Embassy Suites, Salt Lake City, Utah
Day 2 - 3: Ramada Hotel, Moab, Utah
Day 4: Best Western Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon City, Utah
Day 5: Best Western Zion Park Inn, Springdale, Utah
Day 6 - 7: Lake Powell Resort, Page, Arizona
Day 8: Holiday Inn Express, Flagstaff, Arizona
Day 9 - 11: Doubletree Hotel, Albuquerque,New Mexico

Meals
11 Breakfasts
1 Lunch
5 Dinners

Round trip airport transfers

$60 in Mayflower Money

Day 1 – Arrive in Utah
Welcome to Salt Lake City, Utah. Meet your Tour Manager at 6 p.m. for dinner with your traveling companions.

Day 2 – Salt Lake City and Dead Horse Point State Park
A local guide joins us to explore Salt Lake City’s historic Temple Square and walk in the footsteps of the Mormon settlers who founded this city more than 150 years ago. Then, we venture into Dead Horse Point State Park with its amazing views of the Colorado River as it snakes its way through the massive sandstone walls, colorful canyons, mesas and buttes of the area. Later, we continue to Moab and our hotel.

Day 3 – Arches National Park and Colorado River Float Trip
Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of stone arches in the world. A local guide shows us the massive sandstone arches and describes the culture of those that have occupied the region. Enjoy lunch before boarding a raft for a float trip on the Colorado River. During the leisurely ride our oarsman will tell tales of the area as we explore river passages with names like Fisher Towers and Professor Valley.

Day 4 – Capital Reef and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
A morning scenic drive brings us to impressive Capitol Reef National Park, where white sandstone "domes" cap massive reef-like cliffs. Then we travel along Utah's incredible Highway 12 Scenic Byway as we wind our way through spectacular Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument.

Day 5 – Bryce Canyon National Park
Today a guide joins us at the famed "Pink Cliffs" of Bryce Canyon National Park. The natural orange and red hues that color these formations called Hoodoos and are the result of iron oxidizing within the rock. Bryce Canyon National Park is truly one of the most spectacular scenic wonders in the world.

Day 6 – Zion National Park
Today features awe-inspiring Zion National Park, where the Virgin River has cut a dramatic rugged gorge through multi-hued sandstone, shale and limestone. We’ll look up at the towering rock walls surrounding us on all sides as we tour this incredible natural wonder aboard open-air sightseeing trams. Later, enjoy time for exploring on your own or shopping in picturesque Springdale.

Day 7 – Glen Canyon Lake Powell Cruise and Glen Canyon Dam
A scenic drive along Vermilion Cliffs National Monument brings us to the impressive Colorado River Gorge at Navajo Bridge. Near Page we visit Glen Canyon Dam before our Antelope Canyon cruise on sky-blue Lake Powell. Dinner tonight has been arranged in the Rainbow Room at the Lake Powell Resort.

Day 8 – Grand Canyon South Rim
Entering through the east gate, we arrive at Grand Canyon National Park’s amazing south rim. World-renowned for its remarkable beauty and diverse range of rock layers, the Grand Canyon offers visitors an unmatched display of scenic wonders and breathtaking views.

Day 9 – Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert
Today we drive through one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood at Petrified Forrest National Park and see the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, in this surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science.

Day 10 – Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
It’s an early start today as we depart for the Fiesta Grounds and the Opening Ceremonies. Founded in 1972, the Fiesta began with 13 balloons and has grown to more than 600 balloons from all over the world. We view the “mass ascension” of these specially shaped balloons as they lift off at sunrise. Later a local guide joins us for a tour of Albuquerque to learn about the history of the area. Just before dusk, the burners of nearly 500 balloons are ignited and the evening sky fills with a kaleidoscope of brilliant, luminous color at the Balloon Glow, followed by a vivid fireworks display.

Day 11 – Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Sandia Peak
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was designed to preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and features original artwork, exhibits and theater presenting the accomplishments of the people of New Mexico. Later, take a thrilling ride aboard the world's longest passenger aerial tramway, the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. You will be transported above the deep canyons and breathtaking terrains for an incredible view of the Rio Grande Valley. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at Sandiago’s Restaurant.

Day 12 – Depart for Home
Transfer to Albuquerque’s Sunport Airport for flights home departing after 12:00PM.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/27/2012 - 10/8/2012	$2,449
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Enjoy the best of the Balloon Fiesta including the Opening Ceremonies, evening Balloon Glow and spectacular fireworks display

Marvel at the “Mass Ascension” of the balloons and watch as the sky above Albuquerque fills with color in a spectacular display of sight and sound

Ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway and enjoy dinner atop Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest

Tour Arches National Park with a local guide and embark on a scenic float trip with a picnic lunch along the Colorado River

Explore Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim with a local guide

Touring in Bryce Canyon National Park to see the multi-hued spires and cliffs set inside a natural amphitheater

Embark on a narrated tour of Zion National Park with its sheer cliffs and painted sandstone walls

Spend 2 nights in Moab, a green, verdant valley at the heart of Utah’s canyon country

Visit Dead Horse Point State Park, with its breathtaking panorama of the Canyonland’s sculpted pinnacles and buttes

Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Powell and visit Glen Canyon Dam

Travel Utah’s scenic Highway 12 through Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument and visit Capitol Reef National Park

Prices Per Person
Single Room Add $999
Triple Room Deduct $22

Call for air rates from your city to Salt Lake City, Utah and from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rooms for the night before and after the tour are available. Cost for a room in Salt Lake City is $159 and in Albuquerque is $219, tax included.

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