Tue, May 11: Depart Indianapolis for Grand Junction, Colorado. Visit Colorado National Monument for a guided tour. Located high on the Colorado Plateau, it is the perfect vantage point to take in the breathtaking views. Keep your eyes open, you may be lucky enough to spot a bighorn sheep or soaring eagles! After checking in to your conveniently located downtown hotel, enjoy a group Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (Meal: Dinner)

Wed, May 12: After breakfast transfer by motorcoach to Moab, Utah and enjoy free time to explore the town of Moab and grab lunch before a guided tour of Arches National Park. See the famous Balanced Rock, Courthouse Towers, La Sal Mountains, Petrified Dunes, and Panorama Point. Check in to your hotel and have the afternoon at leisure. Rent a bike or take a nature walk, explore the shops, galleries and local cuisine in downtown Moab, or consider a visit to the Moab Museum to dive into the cultural and natural history of the local area. Join the group for an included dinner at the hotel tonight. (B,D) 

Thu, May 13: Begin today’s adventure with a guided tour into Canyonlands National Park. Stop to see geological wonders, historical sites, prehistoric Native American ruins, and magnificent scenery. A scenic drive up from the river valley takes you past rock bridges, pinnacles, and precariously balanced rocks to the top of the Island in the Sky, a spectacular mesa in Canyonlands National Park. Set 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, descend from the top of the mesa to the meandering river corridor below via the winding switchbacks of the famous Shafer Trail. Enjoy a picnic lunch in Dead Horse Point State Park. Throughout the day, your knowledgeable guide will provide information on the history, archeology, and geology of the area. Dinner is included in Moab before returning to the lodge for the rest of the evening at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Fri, May 14: Depart Moab in the morning and cross another of America’s natural wonders off your bucket list—Capitol Reef National Park. One of the lesser visited parks, Capitol Reef is known for the peace and serenity of its seemingly limitless sky and desert sandstone. Stop at the visitor center for interactive exhibits and souvenir shopping before a scenic drive takes you to see the dramatic landscape from the comfort of the motorcoach. After a stop for lunch in nearby Torrey, continue to our next stop, Bryce Canyon. Keep your eyes peeled as we traverse Scenic Byway 12, designated as an “All-American Road” due to the unique features that you will find nowhere else, such as Grand Staircase-Escalante. Arrive in Bryce Canyon City in the evening and check in at your hotel, located directly outside of park boundaries with easy access to shops and restaurants as well as the park shuttle route. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel. (B,D)

Sat, May 15: This morning, embark on a narrated tour of Bryce Canyon National Park. Along the way, take in views of Thor’s Hammer and see Bryce Point, offering stunning views of the Silent City, an assemblage of rock spires resembling figures frozen in the rock. In addition, there is a great view of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Visit Sunrise and Sunset Points, and by far the most iconic section of the park, the Bryce Amphitheater—a bowl-shaped area formed by the drainage of seasonal rains and melting snow home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (hoodoos) found anywhere on earth. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish enjoying the park. Hop around on the shuttle, attend a ranger program, or take a hike—Hat Top Trail, Peek-A-Boo Loop, and others await your exploration. Horseback rides or ATV excursions may also be booked with local outfitters as an option. Gather this evening for a one-of-a-kind dinner with fellow travelers. A scrumptious buffet with steak and salmon precedes stellar entertainment from the Bryce Canyon Wranglers. Their voices will carry you through their “timeless” concert, a tribute to eternal hits and classic songs from iconic artists. Hear songs from artists like Alabama, Randy Travis, Taylor Swift and more, reminding you of the musical threads that bind us together. If it is a clear night, be sure to gaze at the stars twinkling in the dark sky before turning in. (B,D)

Sun, May 16: After breakfast at the hotel, pack up and take in the scenic drive from Bryce to Zion. The intensity of the colors, the vivid ruby of the rocks, the clear sapphire of the sky, and the emerald of the trees make Zion National Park a true treasure of the western US. Reconnect with nature and the wilderness as you embark on a narrated tram tour in the park. A perfect introduction to some of the most beloved spots in the park! Afterward, have lunch and free time before checking into your final hotel in Springdale. Tonight, the group will reconvene for a private stargazing experience! All five parks in Utah have designations as International Dark Sky Parks. Depart for a secluded observation site then relax in your zero-gravity lounge chair as your guide provides a night sky orientation. Once the group has become acquainted with the sky and twilight has officially set in, the lead astronomer will begin to discuss topics such as the solar system, constellations, nebulae, galaxies, and more. They will share the history of astronomy and other stories from ancient civilizations. Marvel at the deep space grandeur, view objects through telescopes, and chat with the astronomer while you sip hot beverages. (B,L)

Mon, May 17: Spend a full day at leisure discovering the spectacular network of colorful canyons, forested mesas, and striking deserts of Zion National Park. The parks shuttle system provides easy access to all the sites, including the Zion Human History Museum, Zion Scenic Drive, Weeping Rock, and Canyon Junction, just to name a few. Have a final meal with the group to celebrate a fantastic adventure! (B,D)

Tue, May 18: Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Las Vegas to fly home. (B)