Colorado & Utah: Mesa Verde, Arches & Canyonlands

Walking in this breathtaking region of canyon cliffs and fascinating rock formations is like entering
an otherworldly sanctuary—one where eons of natural history are sculpted into the landscape, and
trailblazing Western adventure beckons.
         The journey begins in Mesa Verde National Park where you wander the mesa verde, literally the “green table,” along canyon rims and cliffside paths. Along the way you may encounter such indigenous species as elk, deer, and diverse birdlife. The petroglyph panel at Petroglyph Point inspires close examination, firing the imagination about the passage of geological time recorded in this extraordinary destination. Visits to Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings recall human civilization reaching back more than one thousand years. In Arches National Park, you travel to notable rock formations, such as the renowned Delicate Arch, and in Canyonlands National Park, you explore the Island in the Sky mesa overlooking a dramatic canyon more than 2,000 feet deep. In more remote canyons you wind through a colorful palette of earthen brown trails, crystal-blue rivers, and wind-burnished pink stone. You delight in daylight shimmering off red cliff walls, and celebrate in a river-rafting excursion down the mighty Colorado River.
         Superb accommodations showcase the regions spectacular scenery, offering riverside and canyon views from patios and comfortable rooms. While one lodge, nestled in the heart of a National Park, offers immediate access to walking trails, another property features riverfront deluxe cabins complete with private decks and fireplaces. After a day of walking you are treated to meals inspired by Native American and Western cuisine—all with lovely sunset views.