Gold Coast Hotel & Casino

4000 W. Flamingo Road

Las Vegas

Nevada 89103

Tel: +1-702-367-7111

Valley of Fire State Park - Red Canyon Dixie Forest – Panguitch/Bryce Canyon - We leave Las Vegas early in the morning and head towards Valley of Fire State Park, named after the fantastic red sandstone formations seen here. We explore this colourful landscape on a short hike. Later, at Red Canyon we take a scenic walk in this spectacular oasis of brilliant red rocks forming sandstone hoodoos in an arid desert landscape with extraordinary beauty at sunset. We overnight in comfortable log cabins close to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Kodachrome Basin State Park - Escalante Petrified Forest - Devil’s Garden Escalante - Torrey -  Kodachrome Basin State Park offers a spectacular view of sandstone chimneys, changing from gray and white to shades of red and orange. We will take a hike enjoying the unique desert beauty and solitude. We will drive along the remote and exhilarating Scenic Byway 12 in the heart of the American West through red rock canyons, valleys and plateaus with many breathtaking views. On the way we will stop at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park for a hike on the Petrified Forest Trail where large chunks of colourful petrified wood can be seen. Weather permitting we will do a three hour hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, a breathtaking desert waterfall or drive on a dirt road to Devil’s Garden, a hidden treasure with unique and beautiful rock formations. For the night we will stay in Torrey, a small western town close to Capitol Reef National Park.

Arches National Park - The morning in Moab is free to enjoy at your own leisure. White water rafting is a highly recommended optional activity for the morning. Or simply relax and stroll around Moab’s many art galleries and shops. In the afternoon we visit Arches National Park where over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and other out-of-this-world rock formations have been carved out of the landscape. We hike through this surreal, geological wonder which is without a doubt a major highlight of the tour. Come evening time, you can enjoy an optional chuckwagon dinner with cowboy food and music, the perfect end to a fun packed day.

Durango - Silverton - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was established in 1882 to haul silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains. It has been featured in many Wild West movies. With pre-reservation you can ride (optional) the steam-powered train to Silverton, a unique mining town or drive up into the beautiful Rocky Mountains to Silverton, Colorado on 9300 feet. On the way down to Durango we invited you to relax in natural hot mineral waters at Trimble Hot Springs in a nice park like setting (except February tour). Enjoy the evening browsing through galleries and shops in Durango, which offers great restaurants and shopping easily explored on foot.

Monument Valley - Today we head to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park which is perhaps the most classic and enduring example of the American West landscape made famous by those old John Wayne films. Giant, majestic sandstone mesas and buttes rise up to 300 metres (1,000 ft) into the air, surrounded by arid, red desert. We reach Monument Valley travelling via back roads highlighting the region's unique rock formations including a visit to Gooseneck State Park. Then to the Monument Valley visitor centre which has an impressive selection of Native American arts & craft (the park is still home to a small number of Navajo). We'll go on a jeep tour guided by Navajo Indians and spend the night in Monument Valley in a traditional Hogan. A Navajo dinner will be served while we will listen to legends and flute music. The next morning we will be treated to a Navajo breakfast. (Please note: our February departure does not include the jeep tour, a night in a Hogan, or the Navajo breakfast. The night is spent in a hotel in Page).

Marble Canyon – Lees Ferry - Grand Canyon North Rim - Today’s highlight is the Grand Canyon. Nothing can prepare you for the moment you set eyes on this powerful and inspiring landscape. It simply has to be seen to be believed! We will be exploring the lesser visited half of the canyon, the North Rim, (from February to May we visit the South Rim and stay one night in Cameron, Arizona instead of Kanab, Utah) on several walks and hiking trails including Bright Angel Point Trail which offers spectacular views. There are ample opportunities for amazing photos and we will also stop for a picnic lunch. A fantastic day spent in one of mother nature's greatest works of art. We will spend two nights in Kanab, the historic wild west movie town of Utah.

Zion National Park - Las Vegas - On a scenic drive to Zion valley we will stop at the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail and hike to a fantastic view point over the majestic sandstone cliffs. The Zion-Mt.Carmel tunnel will lead us to Zion National Park with its massive canyon walls and towering sandstone cliffs. Colourful monoliths range in colour from cream to pink to red. We take a ranger guided shuttle bus (except February tour – areas open to tour van) and hike through the park to some magnificent viewpoints. Hiking options include the Emerald Pools or the first part of the Zion Narrows, a majestic slot canyon with towering walls for which you might want an extra pair of shoes to wade the creek. We arrive back in Las Vegas in the evening and celebrate with a farewell dinner (not included). Our hotel is located a short distance from the Las Vegas Strip close to the airport, however a free shuttle bus is provided for easy access.

La Quinta Inn

3970 Paradise Road

Las Vegas

Nevada 89109

Tel: +1-702-796-9000

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your North America trip. The Kumuka website www.kumuka.com provides visa information, yet entry regulations can change without notice.  Further consultation with your Travel Agent or nearest Embassy is recommended.

Each client is solely responsible for obtaining all necessary visas and entry requirements before joining a tour. Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Important: If your travels involve entry into the United States, please read the following:

Beginning 1st August 2008, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be accessible via the internet for citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP.  The ESTA system becomes effective on 12th January 2009.  All VWP travellers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.  Full details are available at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov 

Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to one main backpack or suitcase, and one day bag. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, water, etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

In the United States tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars). Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.