Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1. Hiking in Arches National Park
Our group assembles at the Moab Valley Inn in Moab, Utah at 8:30 a.m.  Following introductions, we set off for Arches National Park, a fantasyland of balanced rocks, natural arches, and surrealistic sculptures carved through the ages by wind and water.  The park contains the world's largest concentration of sandstone arches, numbering more than 2,000.    We begin our day with an audio/video orientation at the Visitor’s Center followed by a hike across open slickrock to Delicate Arch, considered by many to be the most picturesque arch in the park and the one depicted on the Utah license plate.    After a relaxing lunch among the sandstone fins and buttes of Devil’s Garden, we explore mysterious Fiery Furnace, a labyrinth of sandstone fins and spires, named for its brilliant deep red reflective rock.  The path winds through slickrock grottoes and narrow crevices hundreds of feet deep as needle-like pinnacles frame an incredibly blue sky.  Endless in its color palette, form and texture, the Fiery Furnace is a photographer's dream.    Our home away from home for the first three evenings of the trip will be the Gonzo Inn. Offering Moab’s most luxurious lodging a couple of blocks from the heart of downtown, enjoy deluxe rooms and an outdoor swimming  pool and spa.  Tonight we dine at one of Moab’s many fine restaurants.
• Delicate Arch hike [3 miles, 500' of elevation gain / loss] 
• Fiery Furnace hike [2 miles, 250' of elevation gain/loss]

Day 2. Hiking in Chesler Park, Canyonlands National Park
After a light breakfast we head to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.  We stop to stretch our legs en route at Newspaper Rock State Park to view a renowned panel of rock art that spans several different ancient cultures, with some writings dating back more than a thousand years.  Lacing up our hiking boots, we stride through the beautiful and colorful sandstone features of Elephant Canyon.  The canyon opens onto the grassy meadow of Chesler Park, a pastoral amphitheater enclosed by walls of colorfully banded sandstone "needles" and spires.   With time permitting, the more adventurous can give it a go on the Joint Trail, a hiking experience that can be found in few other places in the country.  The trail follows a long stretch of connecting "joints" and deep, narrow crevices in a massive rock expanse.  Some of the passages are no more than two to three feet wide.
• Chesler Park hike [9 miles round trip; numerous ups and downs totaling about 1500’]  
• Moderately strenuous option [up to 11.3 miles round trip, same as above plus the addition of the  Joint Trail] 
Day 3. Hiking in Cohab Canyon to Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef National Park
We shuttle this morning through the beautiful desert landscape of the San Rafael Swell and the Fremont River valley on our way to Capitol Reef National Park. Preserving a jumble of colorful cliffs, massive domes, soaring spires, stark monoliths, twisting canyons and graceful arches, the park is spectacular.  The cliffs of the Waterpocket Fold--a giant, sinuous wrinkle in the Earth’s crust--stretch for over 100 miles and slice through the park’s epicenter. While lunch is being prepared, explore Fruita, the historic Mormon settlement dating from the 19th century.  You can visit the restored one-room schoolhouse, examine the petroglyphs of the Fremont Indians or stroll through the orchards of apple, peach, cherry, pear and apricot trees.    After lunch, we’ll climb into Cohab Canyon and traverse the Frying Pan Trail.  Our destination is the incredible Cassidy Arch where Butch Cassidy and his gang are said to have hidden.  We’ll conclude our hike at the head of Grand Wash, one of the few pathways through the Waterpocket Fold.    Our home away from home for the next two evenings is the Lodge at Red River Ranch, located in the Fremont River valley beneath towering red sandstone cliffs.
• Cohab Canyon to Frying Pan Trail, with a side trip to Cassidy Arch, and down to Grand Wash [6 miles, 1200 feet of elevation gain, 1200 feet of elevation loss with some moderate to strenuous sections] 

Day 4.  Hiking in Sulphur Creek or Spring Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park
We venture back into Capitol Reef National Park to explore at the guide’s option either Sulphur Creek or Spring Canyon, the longest and deepest canyon in the park.    Sulphur Creek is an entertaining river hike through a marvelous slot canyon.  Everyone will enjoy splashing down the river and admiring the breathtaking landscape.  Sulphur Creek drains the high slopes of Thousand Lake Mountain, which provides for the perennial stream and the three enchanting waterfalls we encounter.  You may want to wear sandals as your feet will get wet on this delightful romp in a narrow canyon.  We hike in ankle deep water with the occasional knee deep plunge pool.  We have ample time this afternoon to relax and enjoy the spectacular setting of our ranch accommodations.  Or, if we choose the much longer Spring Canyon, after some steep but short switchbacks, we’ll walk through a dry wash beneath 700 foot-high walls of red Navajo sandstone painted with desert varnish.  We’re likely to see more turkey vultures and ravens than human beings on this unmarked, unmaintained trail of exploration.  We’ll experience some wonderful narrows, a short slot canyon leading to a dry waterfall, scattered pieces of petrified wood and many majestic and twisted cottonwood trees.  The hike concludes at the Fremont River, where we’ll either wade through the knee-deep waters or cross on a fallen cottonwood.    We’ll have time late this afternoon to relax and enjoy the spectacular setting of our ranch accomodations.
• Sulphur Creek hike [5.5 miles, 500 feet of very gradual elevation loss, walking at times in the river and climbing down the side of three waterfalls as we wind through a narrow slot canyon]
• Spring Canyon from Chimney Rock to the Fremont River [9 miles, with a steep climb up switchbacks for the first ¾ mile, then all gently downhill to the river] 

Day 5.  Hiking in Phipps Wash in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
We shuttle this morning over the Boulder Mountains and crest above 9,000 feet among the aspen forests.  Today’s destination, Grand Staircase-Escalante, America’s newest and second largest national monument, is an area of plateaus, sandstone canyons, unique rock formations and precipitous cliffs.  Exploring the geologic marvels of Grand-Staircase Escalante will put you in touch with some of the purest wilderness solitude still to be found in the lower 48 states. Today, we hike down into Phipps Wash with an option to explore massive Phipps Arch, located high atop the canyon wall.  We conclude our hike with a stroll up the Escalante River that will involve a few shallow river crossings.  So roll up your pant legs and prepare to enjoy the cool waters of the Escalante. 
• Phipps Wash [approximately 6 miles], with an option up to Phipps Arch [additional ½ mile, with some exposed rock to navigate]

Day 6.  Hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Scenic Flight to Moab
For our final day in this canyon country paradise, we re-enter the awesome and mysterious Escalante Canyons, as we hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls.  We follow the clear waters of Calf Creek into a box canyon where one of the highest waterfalls in Utah cascades down the canyon wall.  The myriad of colors—from the white water of the falls to the intensity of the blue sky to the rust-colored mineral stains in the canyon wall—will take your breath away.  We’ll also see pictographs painted centuries ago as we hike to and from the falls.  We conclude our hike with lunch beneath a grove of scrub oak trees alongside Calf Creek.  Our canyon country adventure concludes at approximately 4.30 p.m. following a scenic flight back to Moab.  We’ll experience a unique perspective as we fly at 9,000 feet over much of the landscape that we have seen during the course of the week by foot and by shuttle.
• Lower Calf Creek Falls hike [5.5 miles roundtrip distance with minimal elevation change]

-- itinerary subject to change --

Southwestern luxury in the heart of Moab defines the Gonzo Inn with its spacious rooms and welcoming pool and spa. The Lodge at Red River Ranch in Torrey was built on the grand scale of the great western lodges, with rustic log construction and elegant furnishings. The three-story Great Room features open-beam construction with a massive floor-to-ceiling Anasazi-style fireplace. You'll also enjoy the tranquility of Boulder Mountain Lodge, southern Utah's best luxury eco-lodge, with views over the adjacent wetlands.

Day 1 and 2:  Gonzo Inn
Day 3 and 4:  The Lodge at Red River Ranch
Day 5:            Boulder Mountain Lodge

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.