Combing luxurious camping and great day hiking in two of the most famous parks in the world.  Exceptional vistas, ancient ruins and unique geology are some of the highlights that make this trip a memorable one.    

Type of Trip:  Day Hiking from a Base Camp w/ Support Vehicle
Dates:  March - November
Number of Days: 4 (add an extra day to make the most of this great trip!)
Total Miles:  Hikes range 3.5 to 14 miles in a single day. (Usually 30 miles in 4 days)
Elevation Gain Loss: Average 1000ft
Difficulty:  Moderately Strenuous
Orientation Time:  8am the day of the hike
Orientation Location:  La Quinta – Moab
Trip Departure: 9am
Trip Return:  4pm 

(B) = Breakfast   (L) = Lunch   (D) = Dinner

Cost: 
4 Days - $955 per person
5 Days - $1225 per person

** This trip can be customized around different itineraries, starting point and times. **

The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone. The district’s extensive trail system provides many opportunities for long day hikes and overnight trips.  Foot trails and four-wheel-drive roads lead to such features as Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook, Elephant Hill, the Joint Trail, and Chesler Park.

The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective of Canyonlands’ spectacular landscape. The Island is the easiest district to visit in a short period of time, offering many pullouts with spectacular views.

Itinerary* - The final itinerary may change due to weather or any unforeseen circumstance(s).

Day 1 Arches.
Meet at the La Quinta in Moab (this trip can start in Flagstaff as well) at 7am; make sure you eat and have your hiking boots on, ready to go. We will depart for the trailhead after a short orientation.  Arches National Park contains more than 1,500 sandstone arches -- the world's largest concentration. Here we hike through precariously balanced rocks and natural arches. We also trek along slickrock to Delicate Arch and onward to the unearthly formations of the Fiery Furnace.  Finish the day camping under the stars.  About 5 miles of hiking – (L) (D).

Day 2 Canyonlands.
We depart camp early for Canyonlands National Park where we hike into the wilds of the seldom-visited Needles District. Soaring monuments and slot canyons lead us to the banded sandstone pinnacles called the "needles."  Deep inside the rugged Needles District of Canyonlands lies an unexpected refuge of gentle grassland called Chesler Park, today’s adventure.  High on the rim above Elephant Canyon, with nothing but blue sky behind it, stands the stately, chiseled profile of Druid Arch. The ancient arch reminds many people of Stonehenge in southern England; hence its name. (The Druids are the people who built Stonehenge.)   (B) (L) (D)

Day 3 Canyonlands. 
Today’s hike brings us to a section of the Green River located in Labyrinth Canyon.  We will explore the ancient life that once lived here, as well as some ruins left behind by the cowboy’s that once ruled the Wild West.  This hike also offers some incredible view of the Green River as it make a 230 degree turn around the western end of Big Horn Mesa.   
(B) (L) (D)

Day 4 Canyonlands. 
Canyonlands, the largest of Utah’s five national parks, is neatly split into thirds by the intersection of the Green and the Colorado Rivers. Both rivers have carved thousand-foot-deep canyons through the high surrounding desert, and the view of their confluence at the center of the park is one of Canyonlands’ most impressive sights. (B) (L)

Adding a 5th day allows one enough time to explore Devil’s Garden (Arches National Park), whitewater raft a day stretch of the Colorado River outside Moab, or enter the seldom seen Maze District (Canyonlands National Park).