Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Snow Canyon

& Desert 4x4 Adventure

​

With Geologist & Historian Darrell McMahon

​

Nature set Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon ablaze with copper-hued chasms and theatrical formations. Explore through the diverse symphony of forest, desert, plateau and canyon in this spectacular combination of national parks. No postcard can possibly prepare you for the chiseled vastness of the Grand Canyon, the monolithic oddities of Bryce Canyon or the stunning cliffs of Zion. 

 

Explore the wonders of America's Southwest known as Color Country. Through the eons, the wind and water's harsh power has created the red-rock formations, deep canyons, and towering cliffs that have become many of the world's most famous natural attractions. Here, an enormous geological playground, plus nature's intricate forms and brilliant colors combine to offer a Western landscape getaway of incredible diversity and some of the most exhilarating outdoor adventures on earth. Activities include national park walking, bus, hiking and jeep tours, outdoor nature & wildlife evening programming, desert 4x4 adventures, plus much more! 

​

Our tour program is perfect for every activity and ability level. On touring days clients can choose from 2 levels of walks / hikes in the National Parks.

 

1. Moderate: Easy walks and or park bus tours with guided interpretation perfect for all ability levels

2. Adventure: More adventurous hikes with guided interpretation over varying terrain and elevation gain.

 

Education & Guiding: All tours are accompanied by our full-time naturalists and educators who bring to life the natural wonders, geology, ecology, Native American history and so much more! 

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1 (Su) Arrival Abbey Inn, St George, Utah: Hotel check-in from 2:30p.   

 

Afternoon: Snow Canyon Park intro to the National Parks hike, evening orientation & lecture. 

 

Evening "wildlife experience" lecture & demonstration: Local naturalist and educators will give a hands-on demonstration on local wildlife and geology. Here guests have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of these world-famous national parks and its environments.​ 

​

Day 2 (Mo): Hiking and exploration of Bryce National Park, evening Astronomy Adventure 

  

Morning & Afternoon: Bryce National Park (approximately 2hr 45 min drive) 

 

Evening Astronomy Adventure: Have you ever seen the rings of Saturn or the bands of Jupiter and its moons? On our evening astronomy adventure now, you will have that chance. Led by local university astronomers you will learn about our solar system then head out to a secluded desert spot far from the city lights where we peer through high-powered telescopes searching out the wonders of our solar system and the galaxy! 

 

Day 3 (Tu): Hiking & Exploring Zion National Park Back Country Jeep Safari, evening Live Birds of Prey Program ​ 

 

Morning & Afternoon: Zion National Park Canyon Rim Jeep Safari: Zion National Park contains some of earth’s most spectacular scenery, yet the vast majority of its three million annual visitors will never experience Zion beyond a few feet of the pavement. Those who do know that nature’s best kept secrets are reserved for those who venture beyond the well-worn trail.  Our private Zion Jeep adventure makes it easy to experience many of southern Utah’s hidden treasures. We take the road less traveled to show you places that most visitors see only in photographs, including stunning panoramas and breathtaking overlooks that have remained unchanged for a million years. See thousand-year-old Native American rock art, maybe an authentic ghost town that became a Hollywood favorite, or wildlife that doesn’t behave like it lives in a zoo.  Our goal is to give you an experience that takes you away from the crowds within Zion’s Scenic Canyon Drive. 

 

Evening: Birds of Prey Program: During this exciting educational program, the audience enjoys an up-close experience with wild raptors while our Master Falconer and “Bird Whisperer” teach us about these majestic birds. Identification, hunting, nesting behaviors and our shared environment are among the topics discussed during the presentation. A golden eagle named Scout is just one of the raptors accompanying our educator in these live birds of prey program. 

 

 

Day 4 (We): Hiking & Exploring Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, evening Moonlight & Star Hike: 

​ 

Morning & Afternoon: Grand Canyon (approximately 2hr 45 min drive) 

 

Evening Astronomy Adventure: Have you ever seen the rings of Saturn or the bands of Jupiter and its moons? On our evening astronomy adventure now, you will have that chance. Led by local university astronomers you will learn about our solar system then head out to a secluded desert spot farm from the city lights where we peer through high-powered telescopes searching out the wonders of our solar system and the galaxy! 

​

Day 5 (Th): Choose your Morning Adventure: 4x4 Desert Adventure or Snow Canyon Park Lava Tubes hike and exploration, afternoon transfer to Las Vegas, dinner and overnight Las Vegas Resort & Casino 

  

Afternoon: We return by bus to Las Vegas for dinner and check into our casino resort for our final night. 

​ 

**Early Departure Option (Thursday Night): Guests have the option of taking late night return flights. There are numerous late-night flights both to the east & west costs for those interested in returning home earlier. Those not interested in the last night's hotel in Las Vegas due to early departure, a discount of -$200 per room would be applied. 

 

Day 6 (Fr): Depart or optional Shabbat in Las Vegas

*Shabbat pre or post extension Las Vegas: Clients have the option of beginning or ending their tour with a pre or post Shabbat in Las Vegas. We provide 2 options / recommendations with contact details where guest can make the necessary arrangements on their own. (We are able to make full arrangements for custom groups of 20 or more participants)

 

1. Off The Las Vegas Strip: We recommend the Young Israel Aish Las Vegas shul and staying at the La Quinta Hotel next door. Aish is located about 6 miles from the Las Vegas strip with kosher markets located conveniently across the street. Aish also has catering options available for smaller and larger groups. Click here for their website and additional information.

2. On the Las Vegas Strip: If you are interested in staying at a resort hotel on the Las Vegas Strip for Shabbat there are unfortunately no shuls, minyonim or kosher food options in the area in walking distance. You have the option of having your kosher meals delivered to your hotel room from a local kosher caterer / restaurant. Please call us for details and we will supply you with the necessary information and contacts.

 

Explore The National Parks & Adventure

 

Bryce Canyon National Park:

 

Thousands of delicately carved spires rise in brilliant color from the amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park. Millions of years of wind, water and geologic mayhem have shaped and etched the pink cliffs at Bryce, which isn't actually a canyon but the eastern slope of the Paunsaguant Plateau. Your first view of Bryce Canyon is dramatic, as rows of pine trees veil the color and grandeur of the canyon until you reach the rim. Here the brilliant hues come alive - especially with the rising and setting of the sun. Visitors may take a 37-mile round-trip drive to Bryce Canyon's most famous viewpoints, dizzying in scope, including Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa, and Inspiration Points.

 

Click here for more information about Bryce Canyon National Park

 

Zion National Park:

 

Zion National Park is often said to be the most beautiful place in America. "Spectacular" is uttered time and time again as eyes are raised to view the vast monoliths of the best of Utah's National Parks. Zion unveils its eight layers of sandstone, displaying what has taken two-hundred-million years to carve and mold. This spectacular corner of Southern Utah is a masterpiece of towering cliffs, deep red canyons, mesas, buttes and massive monoliths. Zion's fame is due to more than its beauty, but also its incredible geology, hiking, backpacking and scenic drives.

 

Like the Grand Canyon to its south, Zion has grandeur, and like Bryce Canyon to its northeast, Zion has delicately sculpted rock. Plus, within the park's 229 square miles lies a spectacular cliff-and-canyon playground. Sharp sandstone cliffs soar 2,000 feet above a labyrinth of narrow canyons cut through the soft sandstone by the Virgin River. In places, the deep canyons are barely 40 feet wide. Zion's complexion changes with the seasons, from the cascades of snowmelt pouring over cliff walls in spring, to the lush green and colorful wildflowers of early summer, to the technicolor wonder of autumn—and the deep snow covered winter silence.

 

Click here for more information about Zion National Park

 

Grand Canyon: 

 

This majestic chasm of vermillion cliffs, purple abysses, golden temples and rushing waters ranks among the most astonishing landscapes on earth. The reaction of people when they look over the Canyon's edge runs from fear to awe to reverie to delight. Designated a national park on February 26, 1919, the Grand Canyon is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Since only about 10% of the Grand Canyon's annual 4 million visitors come to the North Rim, this side is far less congested than its southern counterpart. The Grand Canyon North Rim averages 1,000 to 1,500 feet higher that the South Rim, offering spectacular views from several easily accessible points, including Cape Royal (7,685 ft. elevation), Point Imperial (8,803 ft. elevation) and Bright Angel Point (8,255 ft. elevation). Bright Angel is also the location of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center.

 

Click here for more information about Grand Canyon National Park

 

Snow Canyon:

 

Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre scenic park quietly tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs in a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment. Majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls evoke strong emotional responses from visitors. Transported by wind more than 183 million years ago, tiny grains of quartzite sand covered much of what we now call Utah. These sand dunes, up to 2,500 feet thick, eventually were cemented into stone. Burnt orange to creamy white in color, Navajo sandstone, the predominant rock in the park, is what remains of the ancient desert sand sea. Over time, water has cut and shaped the sandstone to form canyons. Approximately 1.4 million years ago, and as recently as 27,000 years ago, nearby cinder cones erupted, causing lava to flow down these canyons, filling them with basalt.

 

Click here for more information about Snow Canyon State Park

 

Desert Adventure:

 

Get ready for a desert adventure like no other as you experience Southern Utah's scenic backcountry up close and personal on an Razor Quad Runner. Explore this unique landscape within site of the majestic formations of Zion National Park and close to our base in St. George Utah.

 

Experienced guides take you on an adventure of a lifetime; all are ASI Certified and are extremely knowledgeable in local history as well as geography. The Razors are the easiest and safest to operate, even riders with no prior experience can operate. Machines have automatic transmissions so you don’t have to worry about shifting, just enjoy the ride. Minimum age for the Razors is 6 and up.  We drive in and around gorgeous red rock monuments highlighted by orange sand and intense blue skys as we watch for hawks, eagles, and other raptors as they search for prey on the desert floor, perfect of all ages!

 

What our past participants have to say about their National Parks Expedition

 

"The Kosher X Tour of Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon is a perfect tour for those who want to see these fantastic places and not bother with the hassle of carrying packaged kosher food and doing many, many hours of tedious driving. One can do them yourself, but the convenience of having hot fresh, delicious food cooked on site as well as a daily minyan is worth the extra cost if manageable. The parks are definitely worth seeing and are awesome. The tour’s naturalist and guide is exceptional, informative and entertaining. The food is very good, plentiful and varied. The single hotel which serves as base camp is excellent as well, with clean modern rooms and free Wi-Fi. The tour gets its own dining room, davening area and kitchen which the caterer kashers. A first class touring bus with bathroom makes the 1 to 3 hour daily trips pleasant. The last day which involves desert jeeping is loads of fun and was done by young and old with gusto. The trip ends with a night at a first class Las Vegas hotel and dinner in a kosher restaurant. The organizers don’t scrimp and provide your money’s worth. People who can walk several blocks at a time will get the most out of the trip. There are both light and more challenging trails, each with its own guide. This was an enjoyable and memorable experience.  

E. Burns - Fresh Meadows, NY

 

David and Darryl (our Naturalist / Guide) were great. I learned so much on the trip. The food was very good.”

G. Lockman – Baltimore, MD

 

“Wonderful people on the tour with an excellent guide.”

K. Mazurek – Great Neck, NY

 

“Overall experience was great. Very nice people in group. Staff very friendly. Guide great. Scenery of course was phenomenal.”

W. Weiss – Englewood, NJ

 

“The highlights of the trip were the awesome national parks and the fellow travelers. I'm grateful to KE for putting the trip together.”

D. Sales – Northbrook, IL

​