Edmonton/Calgary to Arizona/New Mexico
15 Day Luxury Bus Tour  March 31, 2009
$1,499dlb. occ  Price Includes:   all travel, hotels & applicable taxes


Day-1     Alberta to Helena, Montana.
Pick-ups in Edmonton in front of Wendy's at Northtown Mall and in front of Sears at Southgate Centre. Pick ups in Red Deer at Bower Place Shopping Centre in front of Zellers. Pick up in Calgary at Days Inn South (previously the Stampeder Inn) at 3828 MacLeod Trail South. Pick ups also at High River, Fort MacLeod and Lethbridge where we also have a coffee/breakfast stop.

After stopping for some Duty Free shopping at the Border, we will commence through USA customs and enjoy scenic Montana, with Lunch at Great Falls, Montana before finally arriving in Helena, Montana's State Capital.
Day-2     Helena to Salt Lake City, Utah.

After your free continental breakfast we have a beautiful drive today through Montana, Idaho and finally to our nights destination of Salt Lake City, Utah. The city was founded in 1847 by a group of Mormon pioneers and the highest mountaintop visible from Salt Lake City is Twin Peaks, which reaches 3,502 m or 11,489 feet

Salt Lake City is also famous for the Great Salt Lake which resides West-North/West of the city and holds numerous land speed records.
Day-3      Salt Lake City to Zion National Park area.

We depart Salt Lake City and take a scenic ride to our two night destination of the very scenic town of Springdale, Utah, just minutes from the gates of Zion National Park.

Springdale is a fun little town and is ideally situated for our next days tour of Zion and Bryce National Parks. Lots of gift stores and photo opportunities in Springdale just steps from your lodging.
Day-4     Day Tour of Bryce and Zion National Parks

This morning starts the fun with tour highlights just beginning with the first drive to Bryce Canyon National Park which is 90 very scenic miles from Springdale, going through Mount Carmel, Orderville, Long Valley Junction and Hatch before arriving at the gates of Bryce National Park.

Bryce Canyon is famous for its unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah.
..cont
it is the uniqueness of the rocks that caused Bryce Canyon to be designated as a national park. These famous spires, called "hoodoos," are formed when ice and rainwater wear away the weak limestone that makes up the Claron Formation.

Bryce Canyon National Park has an arid climate, colorful geology, and is a study in contrasts. The contrasts are a story of climate change. The wildlife and flowers living here now are very different from those whose fossils are exposed in the colorful layers of rock.
..cont

after Bryce Canyon, we head back to Zion National Park and enter the gates for another majestic tour of Zion's geographical highlights. Massive canyon walls ascend toward the sky at Zion.

These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons and park gate is only minutes from your lodging in Springdale.
Day-5     Zion National Park to Sedona, Arizona

We travel to Sedona, Arizona today for a 3 night stay in this famous little town with absolutely spectacular red rock surroundings.  Sedona's main attraction is its stunning array of red sandstone formations, the Red Rocks of Sedona.

The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The Red Rocks form a breathtaking backdrop for everything from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails. .......many have called Sedona the most beautiful place in America.
...  we stop at Grand Canyon for 5 hours too

Before we arrive in Sedona, we will make a 5 hour stop at Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim. South Rim is 3.5 hours drive from Springdale, Utah and gazing at the beautiful views of the canyon from the various vista points is the number one activity for most people.

Nearly five million people see Grand Canyon each year. Most of them see it from their car at overlooks along the South Rim (this includes Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest, and Desert View).
...cont.

Just a short distance from the South Entrance is Grand Canyon Village and is also the center of the most popular viewpoints.

Grand Canyon Village contains numerous landmark buildings and is itself a National Historic Landmark District, designated for its outstanding implementation of town design.  Sedona is only 2 hours south of Grand Canyon.
Day-6     Free day in Sedona, Arizona
Many of Hollywood's classic westerns were filmed in or near Sedona. The red rock mountains and desert landscape provided a striking setting for these films. Most notably is 1950’s Broken Arrow, starring James Stewart. A number of its shooting locations can still be visited via off-road trails. An intricate chase scene in the Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin comedy Midnight Run was filmed on the trails surrounding Sedona.

Now is the time to take a relaxed nature trail walk right behind your lodging or visit the many Art Galleries, Gift/Craft stores and restaurants that Sedona has to offer.
Day-7     Side tour of Sedona and surrounding area
At 9:00am we have a free and optional side tour planned today highlighting the surrounding areas of Sedona which also includes a visit to the town of Jerome, Red Rock Crossing, the most photographed area around Sedona and Montezuma's Castle, a prehistoric Indian ruin nestled into a towering limestone cliff.  Jerome is a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450. It includes a unique blend of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords. Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona and produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month.  Today the mines are silent, and Jerome has become the largest ghost town in America.
Day-8     Sedona, Arizona to Santa Fe, New Mexico

We say farewell to lovely Sedona this morning and move North Eastwards towards our 3 night destination of Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Our lodging in Santa Fe is ideally located just minutes from the famed Santa Fe Plaza where there is a variety of activities, unique craft and gifts stores, restuarants and much more to entice your wandering spirit for discovery.  It is a 6 hour drive excluding food stops from Sedona to Santa Fe with unique and varied desert scenery to behold and enjoy.
Day-9     Free day in Santa Fe. A free buffet breakfast awaits you this morning at your Hotel. Most likely you will spend all day at the Santa Fe Plaza, which is also a National Historic Landmark. The Plaza or "city-square" is the center gathering place in town, or as many know it "the heart of Santa Fe." The landmark has since grown into a playground for many tourists interested in Spanish, Indian, and Mexican cultures including music, design, jewelry, art and dance. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Plaza consists of a central park lined with grass, trees, and benches, which add to the cultural scenery, especially at Christmas time when the Plaza streets and buildings glow with farolitos and the trees with lights. Included in the park is an Indian War Memorial monument and a performing arts stage as well.
Day-10     Albuquerque Casino and scenic tour
For those of you who are interested, today we have a free and optional side trip planned to city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, just an hours drive from Santa Fe to the Sandia Resort Casino at the foothills of the majestic Sandia Mountains for some gaming fun and relaxation.

This Mega Casino Resort Complex is unique and majestic and will be a fun addition for your tour. We will stay 2 hours at the Casino as well as have an Albuquerque and Santa Fe points of interest drive by.
Day-11     Santa Fe to Laughlin.
We depart Santa Fe for Laughlin today. You will be staying two nights in Laughlin at the River Palms Resort Casino on the Colorado River. From it's Bermuda Themed Resort to it's multiple entertainment venues, there's always something happening at the River Palms. Whether you're into water sports, sight-seeing, or just want to relax the day away at it's pool or Spa & Salon, the River Palms boasts something for every visitor.

River Palms has a 72,000 sq. ft. casino, 300 seat Bingo Hall, Keno lounge, all your favourite table games, 1,200 slots, Video Poker and a 60 seat Poker room that grows to 300 seats during tournaments. Upon arrival, you will receive coupons for 1 more buffet.
Day-12     .... free day in Laughlin.

A free buffet is included in your stat today and now is the time to discover Laughlin at your leisure. Being right on the banks of the Colorado River, nothing is more relaxing than taking a stroll along Laughlins famous River Board Walk, adorned with Palm Trees and flowers, it is the life line that connects most of Laughlin's hotel/casinos to eachother.

Don't forget to make your regular stops along the river to spot the many fish that always seem to show themselves along each and every stop.
Day-13     Laughlin to Wendover.

We say farewell to Laughlin today and journey back to Wendover for a nights stay at the Nugget Hotel Casino. You will be in upgraded Deluxe rooms in Wendover on this tour.

Will make the usual breakfast and lunch stops along the way before arriving in Wendover. You will recieve a free all you can eat dinner buffet and $7 USD in free slot play in Wendover as well.
Day-14     Wendover to Helena, Montana.
     We say farewell to West Wendover, Nevada this morning for our last nights stay for this tour in Butte or Helena, Montana. We again pass the Great Salt Lake in Utah on our way back to Montana as well as passing Salt Lake City. We stop in Ogden, Utah for breakfast and Idaho Falls, Idaho for lunch.

Now is the time to just sit back, relax and reflect on all that you have seen and done on this tour as so many special moments and memories will continuously arise in your mind to create a wonderful smile that sums up a tour that has covered many miles, many states and so much history.
Day-15  Helena to Calgary and Edmonton

Today is our last day of the tour.  We will be leaving Butte or Helena early in the morning and making our way northwards to our final destination of Edmonton with drop offs in Lethbridge, Calgary and Red Deer as well.  Before we cross the border, we will make a 30 minute stop at the Duty Free Store for your last minute shopping needs.
Please book EARLY if you intend to go on this tour as hotels often sell out and halt further bookings.
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