Utah's Mighty Five From Salt Lake City - 8 days

8 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
14 peopleMaximum group size
18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Moderate
Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Highlights

Salt Lake City - Begin and end your Utah journey in the state capital, with free time to explore

Zion National Park - Admire stunning desert views, choose from a variety of hiking options and explore the park on the hop-on, hop-off shuttle (seasonal)

Arches National Park - Uncover one of Utah's treasures early, before the crowds descend, with time to admire the unusual rock formations here

Bryce Canyon National Park - Opt to watch the sunrise from Bryce Point and choose a hike or trek to suit your own preference and fitness level

Canyonlands National Park - See the famous Mesa Arch, admire the panoramas from the Grand Viewpoint and take in candlestick Tower

Capitol Reef National Park - Cross the 133-foot natural Hickman Bridge, see Chimney Rock and Cohab Canyon, plus lots more

Itinerary

Utah’s mighty national parks take center stage on this expertly guided 8-day tour, launching from Salt Lake City. Perfect for travelers who crave a blend of activity and awe, this sightseeing tour is tailored for active seniors and those with a zest for adventure. Experience the grandeur of Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef National Parks. Each day brings opportunities for scenic hikes amidst towering red rock formations, hoodoos, and sweeping canyons. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife—spotting bighorn sheep among the rugged cliffs is a real treat. Beyond the iconic parks, you’ll explore charming gateway towns like Springdale, enjoying local hospitality and comfort. With accommodations, transportation, and meals all arranged, you’re free to focus on the landscapes and the stories they tell. The true highlight of this tour package is its comprehensive itinerary covering all of Utah’s main national parks, offering both adventure and tranquility to experienced explorers eager to savor the region’s natural wonders.

day 1 - Welcome to Utah

Arrive in Salt Lake City and make your own way to our hotel. The rest of today is at leisure for you to settle in and head out to explore Utah's capital. Salt Lake City is known for its Mormon history and for its location on the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

Please note: This tour involves extensive hiking on uneven terrain, covering an average of 5 to 8 kilometres at a time, but sometimes more. Elevation changes range from 50 to 1,000 feet, and both touring and overnight locations are situated at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. Due to the physical demands of this itinerary, participants should be prepared for significant activity.

OverNight:Salt Lake City

day 2 - Canyonlands National Park

Salt Lake City - Canyonlands National Park - Moab. Our day starts at 7:00 as we make the four hour drive through the majestic Wasatch Mountains, crossing Soldier Summit and passing through Utah's Dinosaur Capital on our way to Canyonlands National Park, the first of our mighty five. Our first destination is the Island in the Sky district, where we can marvel at a wilderness of countless canyons, buttes, mesas, and other geological features sculpted over millions of years by the Colorado and Green Rivers.

We can hike along the rims of the canyon, visit the iconic Mesa Arch, and explore trails leading to Grandview Point, Murphy Point, or Upheaval Dome. We then make our way to the town of Moab for the evening.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
OverNight:Moab

day 3 - Arches National Park

Moab - Arches National Park - Moab. Today's excursion takes us to Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 arches as well as a diverse array of geological formations, including fault lines, petrified sand dunes, arches, bridges, balanced rocks, and spires.

Our day starts with a visit to Delicate Arch at sunrise to beat the crowds. Afterwards, we venture deeper into the park to explore areas like Park Avenue, Windows Section, Balanced Rock, Courthouse Wash, and other sites along the southern front of the park. Landscape Arch, and Double Arch are all must-see formations. If time permits, we'll also have the chance to explore Cove of Caves, Garden of Eden, Petrified Sand Dunes, Fiery Furnace Viewpoint, Double O Arch, and more.

We take a scenic drive and hike along the Colorado River to discover the remarkable Petroglyph Panels, dinosaur tracks, and various geological formations just outside the park. After a day of hiking, soaking up incredible views and taking in many of the park's best landmarks, we return to Moab for the evening.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
OverNight:Moab

day 4 - Exploring Capitol Reef National Park

Moab - Capitol Reef National Park - Torrey. Leaving Moab, we enjoy a brief visit to see the unique rock formations at Goblin Valley State Park.

Then it's onwards to Capitol Reef National Park, a landscape of cliffs, canyons, domes, bridges, petrified wood, geodes, and fruit orchards. Nestled in the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile geologic monocline exposed by erosion, the park offers a glimpse into 15+ unique rock layers, from the top layers of the Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde, all within a compact area.

Our guide will share fascinating stories about the settlers and Native Americans who inhabited this region for thousands of years, and we can see some of the ancient petroglyphs and historic buildings from past inhabitants. The final stops for the day include Sulphur Creek Overlook and Panoramic Point. Our day concludes in Torrey.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Torrey

day 5 - Bryce Canyon National Park

Torrey - Capitol Reef National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce City. Opt to rise early and enjoy a mesmerizing sunrise from your hotel balcony. We then head back to Capitol Reef National Park for a morning of hiking and exploration. Today's options include Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch, Grand Wash, Cohab Canyon, Chimney Rock, and Sulphur Creek, each offering unique experiences with diverse rock formations.

We then make the 3-4 hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park via Scenic Route 12, stopping to traverse the Canyons of Escalante and hike a short section of the Burr Trail. On arrival, we take a short hike to Mossy Cave along the East Fork of the Sevier River. Then it's on to our accommodation in Bryce City.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Bryce Canyon City

day 6 - Bryce Canyon sunrise & Zion National Park

Bryce City - Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park - Springdale. We rise early once more, venturing back into the national park to enjoy the sunrise from the rim of Bryce Canyon. We then enjoy a comfortable walk along the rim or you can opt for hikes like the Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop trail or Fairyland Loop trail. Besides hiking, we have the opportunity to spot pronghorns, antelope, deer, and other mammals native to this high plateau.

Around lunchtime, we head to Zion National Park, a drive of around 2 hours. Entering Zion National Park through its east entrance, we are greeted by remnants of the world's largest sand dunes. Bighorn sheep scaling cliffs, ponderosa pines rooted in sheer rock faces, and ancient layers of sand shaped over millions of years await.

After brief stops at Checkerboard Mesa and other prime photo spots, we hike up to Canyon Overlook with a view extending 2,500 feet down to Pine Creek and Zion Canyon. Traversing the historic 1.1-mile tunnel, we descend into the main canyon, experiencing the sacred landscape valued by Native Americans for millennia.

We then make our way to Springdale, where the evening is at leisure to rest and recharge.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
OverNight:Springdale

day 7 - Return to Salt Lake City

Springdale - Zion National Park - Salt Lake City. You can choose to lie in this morning or wake early to explore. Options for adventure include hiking the Virgin River Narrows, traversing Angels Landing, walking to the Emerald Pools, or tackling the East Rim Trail to reach Cable Mountain.

At noon, we leave Zion National Park for our journey back to Salt Lake City, a 4.5-hour drive. En route, we stop for lunch in historic Cedar City and take another break in Fillmore. Our route will also take us along the Hurricane and Wasatch Fault lines. We aim to arrive in Salt Lake City in the early evening, and you can head out for an evening in the city.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
OverNight:Salt Lake City

day 8 - Salt Lake City

Our tour comes to an end this morning, after a final breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals:1 Breakfast
Utah's Mighty Five From Salt Lake City - 8 days

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What's Included

Accommodation
7 nights 3 star hotels
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 2 dinners
Transport
Comfortable Transportation in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van
Guide
Escorted by a knowledgeable local tour guide
Others
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go
Entrance
All national park entrance fees

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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Smooth, Scenic, and Superbly Organized I joined a 6-Day Marangu Route hike with Kilisa Tours, and the whole experience was seamless. The accommodations in the mountain huts were cozy, and the support staff made sure we were always comfortable. Our guide shared fascinating stories about the mountain s history and wildlife. Everything ran perfectly on schedule, and the company s attention to detail was impressive. I ve done many treks before, but Kilisa Tours stands out for their genuine care and world-class service. Couldn t have asked for more!
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