Bundu Bashers

2009 Three day Grand Canyon and more tour Las Vegas
From Bundu Bashers

Choose A Month:



Click to Enlarge

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Las Vegas to Hoover Dam - 33 mi / 53 km - 1/2 hour
You will be picked up at your Las Vegas Strip hotel at about 6.15 a.m. and travel south from Las Vegas. If you are not staying on the Strip, please take a taxi or bus there, and you will be reimbursed a maximum of $10 against your receipt.

Like all Bundu Bashers tours, this is a small group trip. The average number of people last year was only eight. Please be aware that the guides are very knowledgeable about the areas you travel through, as well as the geology, traditions and customs of the local people. Feel free to ask any and all questions!

The route to the Grand Canyon takes you past Lake Mead and over Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam - Brief photo stop
Hoover Dam is a man made marvel, and there is a stop there to take photographs and admire the views. Please note that national security concerns in the USA may sometimes prevent the tour from going over the dam wall, and, if that is the case, an alternate route will be taken.

Hoover Dam to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon - 244 mi / 391 km - About 4 hours
Leaving Hoover Dam you will travel through the desert, before arriving in the small Arizona town of Kingman, where the route follows the freeway towards the Grand Canyon. At Williams, Arizona, you will head north for about 50 miles (80 kilometres), towards the South Rim.

A tiny town called Tusayan borders the Grand Canyon, and the small local airport is just to the south hereof. The tour offers an option of taking a helicopter tour.

Grand Canyon airport
Although expensive, a helicopter is really the best way to see as much of the Grand Canyon as possible in a short period of time. The trip you can take is the North Canyon helicopter tour. You fly over the deepest and widest parts of the Grand Canyon, through the Dragon Corridor, and on to the North Rim, where you can view the geological differences between the two rims. On the way back to the South Rim you will take in breathtaking views of temples, shrines and other rock formations. The tour is about half an hour long, and must be ordered ahead of time, preferably when you order the main tour itself. If you choose not to do the helicopter tour your guide will take you into the Grand Canyon earlier.

Grand Canyon - 2 1/2 to three hours
At the Grand Canyon you will be taken to several of the main viewpoints, including Mather Point and Bright Angel Lodge, as well as the Visitor Center. Your skilled guide will give you an overview of the layout of the South Rim, and then leave you on your own to explore for a while.

You can stroll around the canyon, take pictures, admire the views, buy souvenirs, or get something to eat.

Grand Canyon to Lake Powell/Page - 138 mi / 221 km - About 2 1/2 hours
The route you will take out of the Grand Canyon travels along the seldom seen east part of the South Rim. On the way there is a stop at the Desert View Watchtower, a unique building constructed from rocks brought up from the bottom of the Canyon. The inside of the tower is full of artwork by Hopi (Indian) artists.

You will start dropping down from the South Rim, to the desert that is Navajo Nation land below. On the way, time permitting, there is a stop at the Cameron Trading Post, one of the best purveyors of southwestern souvenirs and Native American art and jewelry.

Climbing up to a plateau once again, the tour gets to Page, on the shores of Lake Powell. The first order of business is to check in at your hotel, which is the Quality Inn (www.qualityinnpage.com). After check in you are invited to join your guide for a hike to Horseshoe Bend.

Page area - Rest of the evening
Horseshoe Bend is a spectacular Colorado River overlook, viewed through the canyon walls far below, and the trailhead is a short distance outside town. Please bring a good pair of walking shoes with you.

The hike is a little less than half a mile or .65 of a kilometre. There is a fairly steep uphill section over loose sand to start the hike, and on the way back you have to go up the other side of the hill to return to the vehicle. Bottles of water are provided, so please grab one or two as it is almost always hot.

After the hike you are on your own for dinner, and the night is spent at the Quality Inn.

Day 2 - Breakfast and options for the morning - Half day
A free, hot breakfast buffet is available at your hotel this morning, after which you have the option of going on a flat water float trip. Please book this as early as possible, preferably at the same time as you book the tour itself.

If you do not take the float trip you can possibly go for a cruise on Lake Powell, an air tour of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell or Monument Valley from the small airport, just stroll around town, or swim at the hotel's pool.

Colorado River - Half Day
The Colorado River flows from Lake Powell out of Glen Canyon Dam, towards Lee's Ferry, the official starting point of raft trips through the Grand Canyon. Today you'll be taking a float trip down the Colorado. The adventure begins with an unusual ride down the two mile long Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel. At river level, with the dam soaring almost 600 feet above you, you will board a comfortable, motorized pontoon raft for your journey downstream.

For the next fifteen miles, you will experience one of the most dramatic stretches of river in the western United States. Your experienced guide will tell the story of the area’s soaring sandstone cliffs, crystal blue-green waters, abundant wildlife, exploration by Major John Wesley Powell (after whom Lake Powell is named) and others, and the river's modern role in the Southwest’s water and power delivery system.

A stop to view an impressive set of ancient petroglyphs will offer you a chance to stretch your legs while bearing witness to the area’s former inhabitance by ancient native cultures. If you choose, you may also refresh yourself by wading in the cold, clear river.

The river portion of your trip ends at historic Lees Ferry, gateway to the Grand Canyon, after which you will be taken back to Page. .

Page to Monument Valley - 132 mi / 211 km - 2 1/2 hours
Leaving one wonder behind, you now travel to another, as you make for Monument Valley. On the way you will start to see the mesas and buttes for which the area is so well known.

Monument Valley - 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Up next is a 1 1/2 to 2 hour tour of Monument Valley, conducted by a Navajo guide. Visitors love to see the buttes, mesas and other sandstone formations that are so prevalent in the Monument Valley area. Monument Valley is actually not really a valley at all, but a relatively flat plain surrounded by red cliffs, with the buttes, as well as the remnants of ancient volcanoes, towering from the earth.

For fans of old western movies, Monument Valley is the epicenter of the west, with many great cowboys and Indians films having been shot in the area. The familiar rock shapes can be seen from many miles away, with the really great scenery to be seen on the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which straddles the Utah/Arizona border.

Amongst the sites that your tour will likely take in are Anasazi ruins, petroglyphs, movie locations, 1000 foot monoliths, rug weaving and Indian hogans. The famous monuments are visited.

Return to Page - 132 mi / 211 km - 2 1/2 hours
You will return to Page, and spend the night at the same motel. You are on your own for dinner, and a free breakfast is once again available tomorrow.

Day 3 - Antelope Canyon - About 1 1/2 hours
There is an early start this morning, as there is so much to do! After breakfast the first activity is an off road tour to Antelope Canyon, one of the most striking slot canyons known to man. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon sliced through a mesa by the forces of nature. Some canyons measure less than a yard across at the top, but drop a hundred feet or more from the rim to the bottom. Slots are cut and scoured by water and wind, with the striations of the sandstone becoming almost incandescent.

From within you will see a palette of colors transmuted by light filtering down from above and bouncing from wall to wall. Antelope Canyon can only be visited using the services of an authorized Navajo Nation guide, and you will tour the Canyon in a specially converted off road vehicle, driven by your Navajo guide.

Page to Bryce Canyon - 154 mi / 247 km - 2 3/4 hours
Leaving Page you will travel over the Glen Canyon Dam Wall. A short distance up the road is a little known dirt trail which leads to spectacular views over Lake Powell. If the road is in reasonable condition there will be a detour, to take a very brief look at the spectacular golden canyons, partially submerged under the blue waters of Lake Powell.

The road to the small town of Kanab leads past Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Kanab itself has been the setting for many western movies. From Kanab you will travel along a picturesque Utah back road, through some tiny towns, before arriving at Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon - About 3 hours
Many who have seen both Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon will tell you that Bryce is far more spectacular. You will marvel at the weirdly shaped hoodoos, in an amazing array of colorful hues.

Bryce is not really a canyon, but a large amphitheater carved out of a variety of rock types. You will have the opportunity to take a stroll from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point, if you choose, and can also check out Bryce Point, the most spectacular view at Bryce, and perhaps Inspiration Point, if there is time.

At Bryce you have a choice of spending additional time in the park, going for a horseback ride, or heading out for an ATV (all terrain vehicle) ride. There is only time to do one of the three. Both of the rides take about an hour.

If you choose an ATV ride, you will first get a few pointers from an experienced guide, and then hop onto your ATV, to go chasing over 14 miles (22 kilometres) of dirt road through the Dixie National Forest surrounding Bryce Canyon. Please note that you will get dusty!

The horseback riding is more sedate, but also a lot of fun. You will visit an area of Bryce Canyon viewed only by this horseback ride. The trail follows a 3 1/2 mile loop through the Dixie National Forest to the rim of Bryce Canyon. From the rim you will view the hidden Water Canyon Amphitheater, before returning.

Please be aware that both itineraries may change, and that one or both may be unavailable at certain times of the year due to weather, lack of daylight, or time. Both of the rides need to be booked ahead of time, preferably when you book the tour itself.

Bryce Canyon
You now have a choice of either going south to tour Zion National Park and then back to Las Vegas, or taking one of Bundu Bashers’ other vehicles north to Salt Lake City, to do one of the Yellowstone tours (http://www.bundubashers.com/listing.php?id=16&title=Yellowstone+tours+from+Salt+Lake+City).

Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park - 71 mi / 113 km - 1 1/2 hours
If you are continuing on to Zion and Las Vegas you will take a particularly scenic Utah back road, following first the Sevier River and then the Virgin River, towards Zion National Park.

Zion - About 1 1/2 hours
Zion is Utah's most popular National Park, and its story is one of rock and water. The massive white and red Navajo sandstone cliffs tower up to the skies.

You will tour leisurely through the park, stopping frequently to take photographs and enjoy the scenery. The first stop is Checkerboard Mesa, just inside the park. A highlight for many is a drive through an amazing, mile long tunnel that was blasted into the Navajo sandstone almost 100 years ago. Emerging on the other side, the road goes past the Great Arch of Zion, which is a natural photo stop.

Zion to Las Vegas - 159 mi / 254 km - 2 1/2 hours
From Zion the tour winds its way back to Interstate 15 and the main road back to Las Vegas. All too soon you will start to see the Strip, and the tour will be over.

Please note the following...
• The entry fees to all parks are included.
• The off road tours at Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon are included.
• Two nights' accommodation is included at the Page Quality Inn (www.qualityinnpage.com).
• Prices are based on double occupancy. A single surcharge of $84 is applicable, or an attempt can be made to match singles. If you want to have three or four to a room, you will get a lower price.
• The price includes the services of a guide/driver and transportation.
• The continental breakfasts are the only meals included. There are plenty of places along the way to buy food.
• The tour itinerary may change without notice. Factors that may cause a change include, but are not limited to, the weather, vendors and road conditions.
• A minimum of two people may be required for a tour to depart.
• This tour runs every Monday, Thursday and Saturday from the spring through the fall.
• This tour only picks up and drops off on the Strip. If you are staying elsewhere please keep your taxi or bus receipt. You will be reimbursed a maximum of $10 towards the cost of your taxi or bus against the receipt.
• The tour may be run in reverse, and WILL be run in reverse on Mondays.
• Be careful about making any show or air bookings for the date this tour returns. No responsibility will be taken for late arrivals into Las Vegas.
• National security concerns may prevent the vehicle from traveling over Hoover Dam.

Tour Search...

Our Price Promise

lowest prices guaranteed

Tour Itinerary