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America's Canyonlands

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Year, Departure Type

Select small group (averaging 24 Tauck guests), smaller group (averaging 15 Tauck guests) or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Hear insider stories about the national parks during filmed narratives by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Champagne welcome & private yacht dinner cruise on stunning Lake Powell

Inside-the-park accommodations at three national parks – Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Flightseeing over Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Insights into the Grand Canyon's ecology from a geology expert

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Legendary Journeys and Adventures

Dreamers, visionaries, and unsung heroes shaped the preservation of three great national parks of the American West – Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion – so all who came after would experience their magnificence and relish the moment... 

Four seasons resort scottsdale at troon north, inside-the-park stays in the national parks.

Days 2, 5 and 6

Experience the great national parks of the West at inside-the-park lodges

Experience the great national parks of the West as a true insider, exploring from sought-after, classic national park lodges (several on the National Register of Historic Places) inside the hearts of Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. Kachina Lodge in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona; The Lodge at Bryce Canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah; and Zion Lodge in Zion National Park, Utah – authentic, rustic and perfectly located – are often sold out a year in advance. (Exception dates do apply; see specific tour departure date for more information.)

Flightseeing Lake Powell and Monument Valley

Explore three national parks on one journey, tauck exclusive – champagne cruise on lake powell, private cruising on lake powell.

When Charlton Heston and fellow astronauts crash land in the 1960s movie "Planet of the Apes," the filming location was the stunning blue waters of Lake Powell… although Heston's character guesses that they are "light years from Earth on an unnamed planet." Man-made Lake Powell was created by the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River – and it boasts crystal-clear waters, red-rock grottoes, waterfalls and secluded beaches. Enjoy a private dinner cruise under the stars aboard the yacht Canyon Princess… toasting the canyons with a glass of champagne... as well as a day cruise to discover one of named-planet Earth's great landscapes.

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All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

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Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Scottsdale, Arizona

Kachina Lodge

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Lake Powell Resort

Page, Arizona

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Zion National Park, Utah

Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Your Journey

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

America's Canyonlands begins and ends in the U.S.

Real ID Act - Effective May 7, 2025

Beginning in May 2025, some state IDs will no longer permit you to board a domestic flight. Currently, some states are compliant, some have received extensions, and some are not compliant.  Click here  to see the status of your state. If your state license is not compliant, you can use a passport in lieu of a valid state ID. 

Please Note:  The federal government has extended the deadline to May 7, 2025 for domestic airline passengers to secure a Real ID driver's license for use as identification at the airport. Travelers without a verified license or ID card will also have the option of showing other identity documents, such as a passport or military ID to board a plane.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally,   you should contact an embassy or consulate of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation is necessary. You may also log on to the U.S. State Department's Internet site by clicking  here.

If you are traveling by air to join and/or depart from this tour within the U.S ., please read the section entitled Airline Security Measures under Additional Information to determine what travel documentation is required.

If you are a citizen of the U.S. or Canada who travels frequently between the two countries , you may benefit from the NEXUS program, which is a joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at several airports, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet website by clicking here . Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

Note: For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk; a signed liability waiver will be required.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $350 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement for up to $5,000 to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $349  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPDOM .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

60 days or more before departure = $350 per person

59-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

Time of cancellation  will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control,  Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your other flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly. 

The very active America's Canyonlands journey across 866 miles (1,393 km) leads you from the southwestern U.S. high desert to the mountain heights of the U.S. national parks. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.

Some of the excursions on this tour are:

• A 2½ hour float trip on the Colorado River using a 22-foot (6.7 meter) pontoon raft that carries 15 passengers over 15 miles.
• A private Lake Powell dinner cruise aboard the double-decked yacht Canyon Princess .
• A flight-seeing adventure over Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (and another optional adventure to Monument Valley) in an 18-seater twin-Otter aircraft or single engine 4-or 5-seater Cessna. The planes are not pressurized and there is no oxygen on board. Since they fly at less than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), most guests experience no problem.

Children under 4 years of age are not permitted on the float trip; children under 11 years of age must wear life jackets on the raft.

Although the hotels and lodges do have rooms that are handicap accessible, if you are traveling with a wheelchair or portable oxygen, Tauck strongly recommends that you consult with your physician to determine whether this tour is appropriate for you.

Strenuous exercise at high elevations should be avoided.

PLEASE NOTE: We regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

In Phoenix, the sun shines more than 330 days a year. From May through September, temperatures routinely exceed 100°F (38°C). Short-lived, late-day thunderstorms, often accompanied by high winds, occur from July through mid-September. In Bryce Canyon, spring and fall weather is highly variable often with days of strong sun, wind and moderate temperatures. Las Vegas is located in the Mojave Desert and the weather in the spring and fall is sunny, warm and dry. To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here .

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

The weather you will encounter on this journey ranges from hot and dry in Arizona and Nevada to cool and dry at the higher elevations in the national parks. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your tour of America's Canyonlands :

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Windbreaker for the raft trip
• A small flashlight
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Telephoto lens
• Backpack or belt-pack
• Reusable water bottle
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

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• Tauck Tours

Spirit of the Desert: Southwest National Parks

Stories by Ken Burns

The Spirit of the Desert: Southwest National Parks tour is a 10 day Tauck World Discovery tour bringing you to Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. Author and famed filmmaker Daytona Duncan removes the mystery of the West on this tour.

The Spirit of the Desert: Southwest National Parks tour begins in Grand Junction before heading on a float trip down the Colorado River. This luxury tour is full of exclusives only Tauck tours can offer as you visit places like Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon and of course the ultimate location in this part of the United States, the Grand Canyon. You’ll get your fill of the wildlife, flora and fauna of these national parks before wrapping up your tour in Las Vegas.

10 Days • fr. $7,590

• TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
• PRICES BY DEPARTURE DATE
• TERMS & CONDITIONS

Tour Includes

• Exclusive to Tauck! Filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan share their own personal stories and tell the stories of those who shaped the creation & preservation of the national parks
• Six National Parks! On the ground or by air, explore Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks – more than any other Tauck trip
• Two Flightseeing Adventures! Fly over the extraordinary remote reaches of Capitol Reef National Park and see the Grand Canyon from the air en route to Las Vegas
• Two Nights on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon provide a fresh, “new” perspective of the park; you’ll have a privileged, less conventional national park experience that is enjoyed by fewer than 10% of all park visitors
• Local experts associated with Ken Burns's documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, give special talks and lectures
• Dawn Patrol & Sunset Scouts – independent sunrise and sunset spirit-of-the-moment experiences in the national parks, taking place at the best times of the day, for a rich and emotional connection
• Insights and perspectives by a member of the Navajo Nation
• Mild-to-moderate float trip on the Colorado River
• Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as detailed
• All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.

Not Included

• The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
• All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, dry cleaning, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
• Airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included.
• All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.

Meal Inclusions

• 9 breakfasts

Hotel Details

• Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah (3 nights)
• The Lodge at Bryce Canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (1 night)
• Zion Lodge in Zion National Park, Utah (2 nights)
• Grand Canyon Lodge - North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (2 nights)
• Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada (1 night)

An amazing week begins in Grand Junction Location Information Description

Moab, United States

Tour begins: Red Cliffs Lodge, 5:30 PM. A transfer is included from Grand Junction Regional Airport to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah. The "Spirit of the Desert" defies just one single definition. It's the spirit of the moment, a mood, a feeling harmonious with nature yet transcendent of earth and sky. It moves the senses to create, the mind and soul to soar, adventurers to be bold. And, starting tonight, you will become part of its amazing story.

Learn about the days ahead through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, who explains: "If you really want to witness the national parks when they're most beautiful, you want to see them at sunrise and sunset - the times when we typically shot most of the footage for our film. Nothing quite compares to those parts of the day. From 10 am to 3 pm, standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon is certainly awe-inspiring; but standing on the rim as the first rays of light hit the canyon, or when the last rays of a sinking sun move through it, is an experience beyond words." In the vignette, Dayton introduces the “Dawn Patrol” and “Sunset Scouts,” independent explorations that take place at these optimum times of the day; mostly optional, they create an emotional connection to the parks that deepens your appreciation of all they offer.

Following pre-dinner drinks featuring hot and cold canapés, join us for a "cowboy cookout" dinner at Red Cliffs Lodge as Tauck's comprehensive national parks featuring the Grand Canyon vacation begins.

RED CLIFFS LODGE

Arches National Park & a Colorado River float trip Location Information Description

Rise early for a memorable journey to Arches National Park. You won’t believe your eyes – over 2,000 arches comprise the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. National park status didn’t come easily... first declared a national monument in 1929, it took 40+ years to achieve. You’re sure to recognize Delicate Arch, the amazing Balanced Rock, and a variety of sensational geological formations during guided sightseeing before returning to the lodge for lunch.

Get set for adventure this afternoon when you depart on a scenic float trip along on the Colorado River* – rock towers, colors and light reflect upon the water like mirror images. There is an optional Sunset Scouts walk, then the evening is spent at the lodge, where you dine at your leisure and are steeped in the authenticity of an architectural style that defines the West. And your Arches National Park to Grand Canyon vacation crafted by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan begins...

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Navajo perspective & Canyonlands Nat'l Park Location Information Description

You have the option this morning of joining your Tauck Director for a trip to enjoy spectacular views of Book Cliffs, Arches National Park, Colorado, and the La Salle Mountains... and perhaps see some dinosaur tracks! A lecture by a local Navajo connects you to the sacredness of the desert, to the ancient spiritual life that transcends today’s world.

Depart for the fun little town of Moab, then on to Canyonlands National Park, whose countless canyons, mesas and buttes shadow the Colorado River and the Green River. These rivers divide the park into four districts – today you’ll explore the northern section, Island in the Sky, where among other formations you’ll see a famed pothole arch, Mesa Arch, overlooking Buck Canyon. There is no better way to experience Canyonlands than at sunset – and the setting sun, during a picnic dinner at Dead Horse Point overlooking the U-turn in the Colorado River, is nothing short of inspirational.

Breakfast, Dinner

Flying over Capitol Reef & on to Bryce Canyon Location Information Description

Enjoy some free time this morning – go on an optional Dawn Patrol or visit the Film Museum at the Lodge (both on your own). For the past 70 years, many of the most famous western movies were filmed in and around Moab – learn about the filming locations and the stars who brought them to life.

Vignettes today include Dayton Duncan’s insights on the best way to access the major sights in the national parks; some are available at a turnout, while others are inaccessible and require back-country hiking or an aerial overview – and that is exactly how you’ll tour Capitol Reef National Park today. Cross the Waterpocket Fold, which is sort of a “warp” in the Earth’s crust that runs nearly 100 miles, and see Strike Valley, the spectacular sandstone Capitol Domes that give the park its name, colorful cliffs, soaring spires and of course the odd monoliths.

Location Information Description

Bryce Canyon, United States

Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, home to some of Earth’s more whimsical geologic formations; spend some time at the Visitor's Center and enjoy some free time before dinner – there is an optional Sunset Scouts this evening.

THE LODGE AT BRYCE CANYON

Bryce's hoodoos & a talk on "singaways" at Zion Location Information Description

Another independent Dawn Patrol is available this morning – a hike along the rim of Bryce Canyon to catch the shocking array of colors illuminated by the first rays of light on the hoodoos below. More of a series of horseshoe “amphitheatres” than a canyon, morning walks reveal millions of pinnacles positively glowing.

Zions Park, United States

This afternoon, depart for Zion National Park; en route you’ll learn about the park’s complicated creation via a film vignette by Ken Burns, who shares his favorite memories of the park. Upon arrival, Ryan Paul, Curator of Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (formerly Iron Mission State Park), entertains with a lecture on “singaways” and the contribution of the Union Pacific Railroad to the story of the national parks. There is an independent Sunset Scouts opportunity tonight to the historic Virgin River bridge located at the mouth of the canyon.

A full day in Zion National Park Location Information Description

“I was so impressed by the red cliffs and wilderness surroundings of Zion Canyon that I determined we should... have it made a national park.” The words of conservationist Horace Albright set the stage for the expansion of national park designations in the Southwest, and the creation of Zion National Park in 1919. Zion’s most striking images are unique sandstone cliffs that range from towering monoliths to narrow canyons, changing in color from light cream to pink to red. Tour the park by tram through Zion Valley, with walks to Weeping Rock and the Court of the Patriarchs, then have some free time to explore as you please.

Late afternoon, internationally acclaimed environmental historian and author Alfred Runte gives a talk on the history of the railroad in the national parks; he was on the team advising Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan during production of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, and appeared in every episode. Those who wish a little time for personal reflection this evening might do an independent Sunset Scouts’ visit to the Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River that earned the designation “wild and scenic.” Tomorrow – we'll travel to the last of our six national parks for some Grand Canyon vacation memories!

Pipe Spring Nat'l Monument & the Grand Canyon Location Information Description

Grand Canyon, United States

A film vignette by Dayton Duncan tells the story of Grand Canyon National Park, and how it exemplified the struggle that often occurred when creating a new national park. Leave Zion, and en route to Grand Canyon National Park get a guided tour of fascinating Pipe Spring National Monument to learn about Paiute Indian and Mormon pioneer history. Drive to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, a place more intimate and less crowded than the South Rim, with fewer than 10% of the park’s total annual visitors. Following lunch, explore the North Rim, including the vistas from Point Imperial (absolutely awesome). Dinner tonight is at your North Rim lodge – a great start to Tauck's Grand Canyon vacation days.

GRAND CANYON LODGE - NORTH RIM

Grand Canyon National Park as you please Location Information Description

A Dawn Patrol takes in the fantastic North Rim – and remember, sunrise comes pretty early! Naturalist John Muir remarked: “The dawn, as in all the pure, dry desert country is ineffably beautiful; and when the first level sunbeams sting the domes and spires, with what a burst of power the big, wild days begin.” The day is free to explore “your park” as you please; optional activities include additional ranger talks about history, geology, etc., and mule rides. Or, you just might want to sit for a spell in the Adirondack chairs on the porch of the lodge with a nice refreshing drink in hand – and gaze at one of the most fantastic views on Earth. It's a Grand Canyon vacation memory to treasure...

Flightseeing from the Grand Canyon to Vegas Location Information Description

A final Dawn Patrol takes in the spectacular sunrise, at your own pace, from the North Rim of the canyon. The last of our vignettes features reflections by Ken Burns about our own private memories of the national parks – these memories are not about the “views,” but instead they are the memories of those you shared the views with. Dayton Duncan’s vignette explains how the parks belong to all of us, and the need to continue to help to protect them for future generations. The most fitting farewell to the Southwest and this Grand Canyon vacation is a flightseeing trip from Kanab over the western regions of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas for your return home. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at your Four Seasons hotel.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LAS VEGAS

Journey home Location Information Description

Las Vegas, United States

Your Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon vacation ends: Las Vegas. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Checkout time is 12:00 noon. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.

• All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.

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• 60 days or more before departure: $525.00 per person
• 59-8 days before departure: $925.00 per person
• 7-1 days before departure: $1500.00 per person
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price
• Any changes or cancellations to airline reservations made through Tauck either before or after departure are subject to the cancellation / change policies of the individual airlines. In n some instances these cancellation / change fees may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
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Spirit of the Desert The National Parks of the Southwest

Escorted tour details, a 10-day tauck tours tour starting from $7,590.00.

Dates & Prices

• What's Included

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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.

Escorted Tour Highlights

National Parks, United States

See Description

Sightseeing Highlights

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan share their own personal stories and tell the stories of those who shaped the creation & preservation of the six national parks

Experience six national parks over the course of 10 days as you explore the American Southwest. With feelings that evoke the haunting spirit of the desert – view the inspiring natural beauty, hear the stories of the spirit of the people, and feel the spiritual connection we all share with their special sites are at the heart of this vacation.

Stunning landscapes so arresting that they'll live forever in your mind's eye… impossible red rock arches opening before you like grand entryways, offering a sense of endless possibility… canyons and immense cliffs, seemingly carved by a giant to form an island in the sky… fanciful hoodoos come alive while gods and legends linger everywhere… how the human spirit is cheered and fortified by the spirit of the desert. On the ground or by air, explore Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks. Fly over the remote reaches of Capitol Reef and see the Grand Canyon from the air en route to Las Vegas. Spend two nights on the Grand Canyon's North Rim for a fresh, "new" perspective of the park, enjoyed by fewer than 10% of park visitors. Enjoy independent sunrise and sunset spirit-of-the-moment experiences in the national parks… and gain insights through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, sharing their own personal stories and of those who shaped the creation of the national parks.

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Tour begins: 5:30 PM,  Red Cliffs Lodge.  A transfer is included from Grand Junction Regional Airport to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah. The "Spirit of the Desert" defies just one single definition. It's the spirit of the moment, a mood, a feeling harmonious with nature yet transcendent of earth and sky. It moves the senses to create, the mind and soul to soar, adventurers to be bold. And, starting tonight, you will become part of its amazing story. Learn about the days ahead through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, who explains:

"If you really want to witness the national parks when they're most beautiful, you want to see them at sunrise and sunset - the times when we typically shot most of the footage for our film. Nothing quite compares to those parts of the day. From 10 am to 3 pm, standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon is certainly awe-inspiring; but standing on the rim as the first rays of light hit the canyon, or when the last rays of a sinking sun move through it, is an experience beyond words."

In the vignette, Dayton introduces the "Dawn Patrol" and "Sunset Scouts," independent explorations that take place at these optimum times of the day; optional, they create an emotional connection to the parks that deepens your appreciation of all they offer. Following pre-dinner drinks featuring hot and cold canapés, join us for a "cowboy cookout" dinner at Red Cliffs Lodge as Tauck's  Spirit of the Desert begins.

A tour this morning of Arches National Park provides many unexpected sights. You won't believe your eyes as you travel through the park – there are more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches here, the world's largest concentration. You'll find several varieties of arches as well as pinnacles that absolutely soar skyward, tafoni, and wildlife that has acclimated to the desert landscape. The land was declared a national monument in 1929, taking 40+ years to achieve national park status. You're sure to recognize Balanced Rock along with a variety of other sensational geological formations during guided sightseeing before a visit to the fun little town of Moab for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at your Colorado River lodge, where activities such as horseback riding can be arranged individually (additional cost). You may wish to take a walk before dinner; your evening is spent at the lodge, which is steeped in the authenticity of its architectural style that truly defines what "the West" is all about.

Join your Tauck Director for a different type of exploring – a scenic float trip along the Colorado River* where rock towers, colors and light reflect upon the water like mirror images. Depart for the fun little town of Moab, then on to Canyonlands National Park, whose countless canyons, mesas and buttes shadow the Colorado River and the Green River. These rivers divide the park into four districts – and today you'll explore the northern section, Island in the Sky. There is no better way to experience Canyonlands than at sunset – and the setting sun, during a picnic dinner at Dead Horse Point overlooking the U-turn in the Colorado River, is nothing short of inspirational.

Enjoy some free time this morning – you might want to rise early and catch a beautiful sunrise, or explore the Film Museum at the Lodge. For the past 70 years, many of the most famous western movies were filmed in and around Moab – learn about the filming locations and the stars who brought them to life. Vignettes today include Dayton Duncan's insights on the best way to access the major sights in the national parks; some are available at a turnout, while others require back-country hiking or an aerial overview... like the way you'll see Capitol Reef National Park today, on a flightseeing excursion. Cross the Waterpocket Fold, which is sort of a "warp" in the Earth's crust that runs nearly 100 miles, and see Strike Valley, the spectacular sandstone Capitol Domes, colorful cliffs, soaring spires, odd monoliths and more. Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, home to some of Earth's more whimsical geologic formations; spend some time at the Visitor's Center and enjoy some free time before dinner.

You may want to rise early this morning to catch the shocking array of colors illuminated by the first rays of light throughout the park. More of a series of horseshoe "amphitheatres" than a canyon, morning walks reveal millions of pinnacles positively glowing... This afternoon, depart for Zion National Park; en route you'll learn about the park's complicated creation via a film vignette by Ken Burns, who shares his favorite memories of the park. Tour the park by narrated tram through Zion Valley, traveling to the Temple of Sinawava and the Great White Throne, then have some free time to explore as you please. 

" I was so impressed by the red cliffs and wilderness surroundings of Zion Canyon that I determined we should... have it made a national park. " The words of conservationist Horace Albright set the stage for the expansion of national park designations in the Southwest, and the creation of Zion National Park in 1919. Zion's most striking images are unique sandstone cliffs that range from towering monoliths to narrow canyons, changing in color from light cream to pink to red. Today you are free to do as you wish; walk the trails to the Emerald Pools and the Court of the Patriarchs, perhaps do some hiking, or pursue other activities that interest you – there are a lot of possibilities within Zion including the Virgin River, which is a tributary of the Colorado River that earned the designation "wild and scenic." And the night sky is most memorable.

A film vignette by Dayton Duncan tells the story of Grand Canyon National Park, and how it exemplified the struggle that often occurred when creating a new national park. Leave Zion, and en route to Grand Canyon National Park get a guided tour of fascinating Pipe Spring National Monument to learn about Paiute Indian and Mormon pioneer history. Following lunch, drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park; more remote, it is less crowded than the South Rim – with fewer than 10% of the park's total annual visitors. Dinner tonight is at your lodge, North Rim Lodge, situated on the rim of the canyon; the amazing views from the deck are truly panoramic.

The North Rim is special at sunrise – well worth viewing (but remember, it comes pretty early)! Naturalist John Muir remarked: " The dawn, as in all the pure, dry desert country is ineffably beautiful; and when the first level sunbeams sting the domes and spires, with what a burst of power the big, wild days begin ." Join us for a tour today that takes in some of the magnificent North Rim views, including Cape Royal and Point Imperial. Enjoy some free time today to explore the park as you please; optional activities include additional ranger talks, mule rides and more. Whatever your choice, your days in the national parks create memories to treasure.

Today is your final day to view a spectacular sunrise, this time from the North Rim of the canyon. The last of our vignettes features reflections by Ken Burns about our own private memories of the national parks – these memories are not about the "views," but instead they are the memories of those you shared the views with. Dayton Duncan's vignette explains how the parks belong to all of us, and the need to continue to help to protect them for future generations. The most fitting farewell to the Southwest and the Spirit of the Desert is a flightseeing trip from Kanab over the western regions of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas for your return home. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at your Four Seasons hotel.

Tour ends: Las Vegas. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Checkout time is 12:00 noon. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.

Tauck Tours

On the ground or by air, explore Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks – more than any other Tauck trip

Two Flightseeing Adventures! Fly over the extraordinary remote reaches of the Capitol Reef National Park and see the Grand Canyon from the air en route to Las Vegas

Overnight on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a fresh, "new" perspective of the park enjoyed by fewer than 10% of all park visitors

Mild-to-moderate float trip on the Colorado River

Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted

23 meals; service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage

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Spirit of the Desert: The National Parks of the Southwest

Tour description:.

Stunning landscapes so arresting that they'll live forever in your mind's eye… impossible red rock arches opening before you like grand entryways, offering a sense of endless possibility… canyons and immense cliffs, seemingly carved by a giant to form an island in the sky… fanciful hoodoos come alive while gods and legends linger everywhere… how the human spirit is cheered and fortified by the spirit of the desert. On the ground or by air, explore Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks. Fly over the remote reaches of Capitol Reef and see the Grand Canyon from the air en route to Las Vegas. Spend two nights on the Grand Canyon's North Rim for a fresh, "new" perspective of the park, enjoyed by fewer than 10% of park visitors. Enjoy independent sunrise and sunset spirit-of-the-moment experiences in the national parks… and gain insights through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, sharing their own personal stories and of those who shaped the creation of the national parks.

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• TAUCK EXCLUSIVE dinner at the Sky City Restaurant in Seattle; guided behind-the-scenes tour of Seattle's Pike Place Market; flightseeing by floatplane from The Butchart Gardens to Vancouver's Coal Harbour; 'treetop adventure' above a British Columbia river gorge; cider tasting at a British Columbia ciderhouse; guided tour through Vancouver's Granville Public Market

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• Touring enhanced by audio listening devices in many locations Fantastic flightseeing by floatplane, from The Butchart Gardens to Vancouver's Coal Harbour TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - dinner at Seattle's Sky City Restaurant with 360° city views Culinary walking tour at Pike Place Market & small-group neighborhood exploring in Seattle An overnight stay at the Hotel Grand Pacific on the waterfront in Victoria, British Columbia Treetop & cliff walk adventures above a British Columbia river gorge in Vancouver Cider tasting & food pairings served with ocean views at an "agri-chic" cidery Small Group Departures, averaging 24 Tauck guests, are available on select departures; specially priced from $3790 per person double plus on-tour air, specific dates apply - ask at booking for details Special Solo Traveler Savings - save $200 on the single room price of select departure dates; specific dates apply - ask at booking Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as detailed 15 meals, service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage

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Tour begins: 5:00 PM, The Westin Portland. A transfer is included from Portland International Airport to The Westin Portland, a boutique hotel a short stroll away from the trendy Pearl District and quaint Nob Hill. Join us for a welcome reception at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant.

LODGING : The Westin Portland

PORTOFCALL : Portland, Oregon

Tour ends: Vancouver, BC. Fly home anytime. Transfers from Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver are included to Vancouver International Airport, or the train station. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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Flying With Dogs or Cats? These Are Airlines’ Pet Policies

American recently relaxed its rules for pets traveling inside the cabin with their owners. Here’s what the major U.S. airlines require to travel with a pet.

By Jesus Jiménez

Flying with a pet can be expensive and confusing, with fees, weight limits, carrier size rules and the need to make sure there’s no loud barking (or meowing) on board.

Recently, American Airlines relaxed its pet policy to allow passengers to bring a carry-on bag in addition to a pet in a carrier, and more private flight options have been emerging in recent years for pet owners who can afford them.

Still, flying with large or medium-size dogs can be tricky, and many travelers are wary of leaving a pet in the plane’s cargo hold.

For those traveling on the major carriers with their pets as carry-ons, here’s what to know about each major domestic airline’s policy.

Southwest Airlines

On Southwest, a Dallas-based carrier, two checked bags can fly at no cost, but not pets. Southwest charges $125 per pet carrier on its flights.

Dogs or cats are allowed to travel below a seat in an approved carrier — up to 18.5 inches long by 8.5 inches high and 13.5 inches wide — according to the airline .

Southwest has a few caveats for those traveling with pets: The pet must stay in its carrier during the flight, and the carrier is considered a personal item or carry-on bag.

Up to six pets are allowed on Southwest flights. Once six pets are booked onto a flight, no further customers may add a pet companion to their booking.

United Airlines

United Airlines has no weight or breed restrictions for cats and dogs as long as they are in an approved hard or soft-sided carrier, measuring 17.5 inches long by 9 inches tall and 12 inches wide for a hard carrier, or 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide for a soft carrier.

United charges $125 each way for travel with pets. There is no fee for service animals on United flights, but some forms are required before the flight.

The carrier must fit under a seat, and where a passenger is allowed to sit can vary according to the type of aircraft. For example, people traveling with pets cannot sit in emergency rows. If you’re traveling with two pets (the maximum allotted), you are required to book two seats.

Delta Air Lines

Small dogs and cats can travel on Delta Air Lines flights as long as they can fit inside a carrier stored below the seat. The size of the carrier depends on the aircraft, but in general the airline recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide.

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and small enough to have some room to move around in the carrier, which must have ventilation openings on three sides.

Delta charges $95 for pets traveling as carry-on companions, and the passenger can bring only one personal item along with the pet. Certain seats cannot be booked for travel with an animal, such as those in an emergency exit row.

American Airlines

American Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in a carry-on container, which must remain under the seat in front of the pet owner throughout the flight. The airline recommends a soft-sided carrier that measures 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide.

The fee for a carry-on pet on a domestic American Airlines flight is $150.

Flights are limited to seven carry-on pets, not including service animals, and American Eagle flights are limited to five carry-on pets, with one in first class. There is no charge for service animals flying on American flight, but the airline requires forms to be filled out in advance.

The airline said in a statement that it had recently changed its cabin pet policy to allow customers with a pet to also bring either a personal item or carry-on bag stowed in the overhead bin (but not both).

“We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American,” the airline said.

Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier and Alaska

Spirit allows dogs and cats on its flights in a carrier no larger than 18 inches long by 14 inches wide and 9 inches tall for a fee of $125. The weight of the pet and the carrier cannot exceed 40 pounds, according to the airline .

Small dogs and cats can fly on JetBlue for fee of $125 each way , in an approved carrier. Up to six pets are allowed on JetBlue flights.

Frontier allows pets on board for a $99 fee each way, as long the pet fits in a carrier. Passengers can have only a personal item or carry-on in addition to their pet carrier.

Pets can travel in a carrier on Alaska Airlines flights for a fee of $100 each way. A passenger can travel with a pet carrier and a personal item, or a carrier and a carry-on bag.

Private or charter flights

Those who take their pets on private or charter flights, which can cost many thousands of dollars, have much more leeway. Dogs that weigh less than 150 pounds can sit on seats.

BarkAir, a charter operator tailored specifically for those flying with dogs, charges about $6,000 for a dog and its owner to travel, with flights between New York and Los Angeles and New York and London. Carriers are not required, and dogs can sit on laps, seats or beds.

Jesus Jiménez covers breaking news, online trends and other subjects. He is based in New York City. More about Jesus Jiménez

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A symbol of the Russian state and the seat of its President, one of the greatest architectural complexes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Moscow Kremlin is a real treasure house of magnificent historical relics and cultural monuments.

The word "Kremlin" means a fortress, typically a medieval citadel in the center of an medieval Russian city.

For centuries the Kremlin served as the residence of successive Russian heads of state and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church. During a private tour a guide will provide more information about the significance of each building to the rulers of Russia.

See the marvelous jewelry, fancy carriages and dresses along with arms and weapon in this museum, based on a tzars’ treasury in the Armoury , the best museum of Moscow.

The historical and architectural heart of Moscow, the UNESCO Heritage site, Red Square with its St. Basil’s cathedral, Lenin’s tomb and GUM shopping centre is the touristic “must”.

Moscow metro is not only another city transport, it is a real palace, faced with marble. Put into operation in the 1935 during Stalin’s ruling, it became the symbol of the new, workers’ country, where palaces were not only for riches, but for all. Your guide will show you several the most beautiful stations.

The Tretyakov Art Gallery is the largest and the most valuable collection of Russian art, starting from 12th century icons to early 20th century painting.

The elegant 19th century building (it is depicted on the Russian 100-rubles banknote), is a venue for world-class ballets and operas. The Theatre is just in 10 minutes walk from Red Square.

This breathtaking convent, located in a green area out of the city centre, used to be a place, where women from the royal family used to take on monastic vows.

This impressive, atmospheric cemetery, which is just next to Novodevichy convent, is the most prestigious one in the country. Visiting it gives a chance to learn more about the most prominent Russian people of the last century including Anton Chekhov, Stalin's wife Nadezhda Allilueva, Andrey Goromyko, Nikita Khrushev, Raisa Gorbacheva, Boris Yeltzin and many others.

This beautiful Estate used to be the favorite summer residence of the Russian tzars in the 16 th to 17th Centuries. Ancient apple orchards, walls and gates, Kazan Church and the UNESCO protected Church of the Ascension have all survived from this period. Your private guide will show you the wooden palace of Tzar Alexis has been recently rebuilt using the blueprints of the original Palace and give a real taste of how this Russian Tzar’s family lived.

This was a real shelter for the Soviet top commanders built soon after the WW2. In case of the beginning of a nuclear war, they could stay there, 60 meters below the ground level, for months. Ten years ago the bunker was turned into a museum, but a visitor can still feel scary thinking of how close we were to a nuclear catastrophe in the med 20th century.

VDNKh Exhibition Centre (now - The All Russia Exhibition Center) – This architectural ensemble was created by leading soviet architects, sculptors and other talented artists as the All-Union Exhibition of People's Economic Achievements. It represented every branch of industry and agriculture in the USSR. Today this exhibition centre with its magnificent buildings, huge open spaces and unique fountains can be deservedly described as a museum of socialist classic architecture (often referred to as Stalin’s Empire style).

The main cathedral of the country with an intricate destiny which vividly reflects the history of the whole country. Consecrated in the end of the 19th century, blown up in 1930ies and resurrected in 1990ies it will not leave you indifferent.

The Tsaritsino Estate is one of the significant monuments of 18 th century Imperial Russia. Empress Catherine the Great chose this site on the outskirts of Moscow for her summer residence during a visit to Moscow in 1775. The palace, built by the best Russian architects, has been recently restored.

The first satellite, the first animal flight into space, the first manned spaceflight, the first spacewalk… All these achievements were celebrated in the USSR as the private achievement of every Soviet. In the Space museum you can see the preserved remains of pioneer canine cosmonauts Belka and Strelka, Yuri Gagarin’s space suit, and a full-size replica of the Mir space station to pop into and learn about the challenges Russian cosmonauts faced during their early expeditions into space.

The largest fair of decorative and applied arts, handicrafts, souvenirs and antiques. The best place to buy nesting dolls – Russian matryoshka, shawls with traditional Russian pattern, fur hats, various items with soviet symbolics. Your guide will make you familiar with Russian traditions and help you to bargain.

Enjoy the traditional Russian black tea accompanied by bliny, caviar, pastries served in an exquisite interior of the historical Metropol Hotel. 

Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Catherine... To put in order all this names from Russian history in your head, to learn about how Russians lived during their more than 1000 years history, you are welcome to this museum, which is just on the Red Square. Please check our museums page for more details.

The Jewish museum continues telling stories of Russian Jews. You will have a chance to learn about the “attitude of Tsars to Jews and Jews to Tsars” in Russian Empire. The exposition shows why the Pale of Settlement appeared and how ideas of Zionism and Assimilation developed in late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum describes the active role of Jews in the Soviet revolution and in life of the USSR at its early stage; the heroism of Jews in the Red Army in WW2 and Holocaust on the territory of the USSR; life of Soviet Jews after creation of the state of Israel; repressions against Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee led by the popular actor Solomon Mikhoels and Jewish Doctors’ Plot; movement of Refuseniks and dissidents, when Zionism was called a risk to security of the Soviet state. And many other interesting stories!

The Jewish museum has a unique design. It has a lot of documentary movies on display, interviews with prominent personalities and eyewitnesses of different historic events.  

A tour of this popular museum will take you on a journey exploring the fascinating and, at times, controversial history of Russia over the past 150 years. You will leave with a real understanding of Russia's political development and of the impact it has had on its citizens.

What lead to the Russian Revolution? What caused the  Romanov tzar to abdicate the throne? How did the Soviets manage to build up their industry to such an extent in just ten years, and how did they defeat Nazi Germany? Beside this, you can also learn more about the Cold War, Perestoika, Gorbachev and the collapse of the USSR.

The branch of the Tretyakov gallery displayed Russian art of the 20th century. The collection represent three main trends of the era: vivid and wild Avant-garde, official Sovialistic Realism and underground Nonconformism.

A world-famous museum boasts a collection of ancient rarities and Western Europe painting - from Egyptian sculptures to canvases of Rembrandt, Rubens, Bouche, etc. Please check our museums page for more details.

See canvases of Monet, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso and other great artists. The splendid art collection, one of the best in the world, was gathered by two Russian art-lovers and contemporaries of these prominent impressionists and post-impressionists.

A place, where one must go, if admires jewelry. The Diamond Fund is a collection of precious stones, naturals nuggets and jewelry, exhibited in the Kremlin. Purest diamonds and largest nuggets of gold are on display, along with the breathtaking crowns of Russian emperors, covered with hundreds of sparkling gems.

What life did people live in Moscow 400 years ago? Learn about everyday life of Moscow nobles in the XVII century. The building, where the museum is, belonged to Romanov family, which became a last ruling family in Russia. According to the legend the first Romanov tsar, Mikhail Romanov, was born here.

Arbat street , which used to be one of the most prestigious residential areas in the XIX century Moscow, is a lively pedestrian zone now, packed with souvenir shops, street musicians and artists.

Moscow dwelling of the world-famous author of War and Peace.

A home for one of the gloriest monasteries in Russia and the nearest Golden Ring city. The Russians made pilgrimages there for centuries. Now you have a chance to make your own one, with a private guide and a driver. This trip takes about six hours.

This small town used to be one of major ones in old Russia 800 years ago. Now Suzdal is protected by UNESCO as an example of a medieval Russian town. Suzdal is 220 km away from Moscow, it takes about 4 hours to get there by car. This tour can be organized as an overnight one.

A open air museum 40 km from Moscow extremely popular among aircraft enthusiasts.

A former aristocrats' estate near Moscow, where Vladmir Lenin lived last years of his life. This is the right place to learn more about Lenin's personality and the cult of his personality in the USSR. Besides, there is a picturesque park. Interiors of the main house feature art-noveau style and were designed by the leading Russian architect Shechtel. It takes just about an hour to get there from Moscow by car.

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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3 | 12 | 24 | All --> Arts & Culture Tours

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery (usually being called Tretyakovka) is an art gallery in Moscow, specialized in Russian visual arts and it’s one of the world’s biggest collections. The Gallery is named after Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, Moscow merchant and patron of arts, and it’s been bearing his name with proud and gratitude for over a hundred years. In 1856 Tretyakov started his collection by acquiring two works by Russian artists, "Skirmish with Finnish Smugglers" by V.G. Khudyakov and "The Temptation" by N. G. Schilder.

Gallery of European and American Art of the 19th-20th Centuries

Moscow City Center - Tour Duration: 1 hour

The Art Gallery is a section of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. It's rooms  contain the artworks by masters  of the 19th and 20th centuries:  Art of Romanticism, Realism, Academic and Salon Art, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Avant-garde and artistic trends of the 19th century as well as the paintings of Ingres, Delacroix, Corot, Daumier, Courbet, Millet, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Chagall, Rodin, Maillol, Bourdelle and other masters of the 19th and 20th centuries.

About Me in Short

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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Innovation Center Skolkovo – Territory of the Future

Develompment of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, the modern scientific and technological innovative complex located in the Mozhaysky district of the Western Administrative District of Moscow of an area of approximately 400 hectares.

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Lights of Nikolskaya Street in Winter Twilight

People walking up and down Nikolskaya street in winter twilight decorated with LED creating a festive atmosphere in any season. The picture is taken near GUM building (at the right) and Red Square.

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