Colorado geology exploration through Moab, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks: US

1 May 2026 – 5 days for US$4,995 per person 

Journey into the heart of the south-western US and witness how the power of deep time has sculpted some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth. Visit Arches and Canyonlands national parks, Dead Horse Point State Park and the Colorado National Monument. Explore towering sandstone arches, dramatic canyons and monolithic rock formations shaped over hundreds of millions of years.

Under towering natural arches and deep within labyrinthine canyons, Utah’s red rock country reveals its raw beauty. Wind, water and sun have sculpted a mesmerising landscape of colourful mesas and shadowy gorges, tall rock towers and shark-like stone fins.

Along the way, discover the adaptations of resilient plant and animal species that thrive in this high-altitude, arid ecosystem, revealing the intricate balance of life in one of the planet’s most extreme yet breathtakingly beautiful regions. Encounter ancient Indigenous rock art, petroglyphs and pictographs that provide glimpses into the lives and celestial traditions of early inhabitants. Stand atop breathtaking overlooks where vast desert landscapes stretch endlessly toward the horizon, offering unparalleled opportunities for stargazing in some of the darkest skies in the United States.

Your base while in Moab will be in a rustic yet luxurious lodge nestled along the serene banks of the Colorado river, a vital artery of life that sustains the diverse flora and fauna of this rugged, high-desert ecosystem. Surrounded by towering red-rock cliffs and sweeping desert vistas, this tranquil retreat offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and natural beauty. 

In partnership with Natural Habitat Adventures.

DAY 1: GRAND JUNCTION ARRIVAL, COLORADO 

Arrive in Grand Junction and make your own way to Hotel Maverick. 

A once-humble railroad hub and ranching outpost in western Colorado, Grand Junction has flourished into an agricultural centre and vibrant university town renowned for its farm-to-table fare, abundant microbreweries and nearby Palisade wines. It’s also a gateway to adventure, especially for the scenic Utah desert that lies nearby. 

If you arrive before 1pm, there will be the option to join an optional guided tour to the Colorado National Monument, one of the state’s best kept secrets. Although it is filled with stunning red rock canyons and monoliths like the better-known national parks in the region, the monument remains less visited than its more famous neighbours. Following the scenic 37-kilometre Rim Rock Drive, you will climb more than 600 metres in elevation. Completed in 1950, the winding two-lane road features three historical tunnels carved through solid rock, with scenic pullouts and commanding views of sweeping canyons, the lone sandstone tower of Independence Monument and the distant peaks of the Rocky mountains. 

Your adventure officially begins this evening with a welcome dinner with your expedition leaders and fellow travelers.  

DAY 2: MOAB, UTAH-KLONDIKE BLUFFS AND COLORADO RIVER FLOAT   

Today, you will delve farther into the Colorado Plateau, a vast landscape covering more than 330,000 square kilometres across parts of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The plateau is characterised by higher elevations (between 1500 and 2100 metres), an arid climate and its distinctive geology of canyons, flat-topped mesas and colourful rock formations. From Grand Junction, we continue west to Moab, less than 2 hours away.  

Your first destination is Klondike Bluffs, where you encounter ancient history etched into the rock. On a hike along the Dinosaur Stomping Grounds Trail, cross a rugged desert landscape of slickrock and juniper to reach a site where dinosaur tracks are preserved in the sandstone. These 190-million-year-old footprints, left by long-extinct creatures during the Jurassic Period, offer a tangible connection to the prehistoric world. As you trace their footsteps, you will have a sweeping view of Arches National Park – a preview for tomorrow.  

This afternoon, enjoy a scenic float on the famous Colorado river through Castle valley (weather permitting) before settling into your comfortable base at Red Cliffs Lodge, peacefully located well outside the busy adventure town of Moab. Perched on the edge of the Colorado river beneath imposing canyon walls, the lodge is your high-desert home for the next three nights. 

DAY 3: ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, PETROGLYPHS AND DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK 

Few geological phenomena are as emblematic of a place than the 2000-plus sandstone arches within Arches National Park. These rock formations are the physical evidence of the power of erosion, as wind, rain, sun and time converge to shape the malleable landscape. The Entrada Sandstone, which comprises most of the park’s arches, is particularly susceptible to erosion due to its composition. Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, breaking the rock apart, while wind carries away loose particles. The result is an intricate tableau of stone shapes that evoke wonder and whimsy at every turn. 

Your day dawns with sunrise in Arches National Park, where you will experience the wonder of first light transforming the landscape with a shifting palette of warm hues. The towering sandstone formations seem to glow from within, their red and orange tones deepened by the intesifying rays of the sun. Shadows stretch long across the desert floor, creating striking contrasts that highlight the textures and contours of the rugged terrain. The morning continues with a hike to Delicate Arch, the most recognisable arch in the park, perhaps the world. The play of light on rock highlights the natural beauty of the sandstone and surrounding landscape, showcasing nature's geological artistry in new and shifting perspectives. Witnessing this icon up close, we surely concur with essayist Edward Abbey, who wrote in Desert Solitaire: "If Delicate Arch has any significance, it lies, I will venture, in the power of the odd and unexpected to startle the senses and surprise the mind out of their ruts of habit, to compel us into a reawakened awareness of the wonderful—that which is full of wonder.” The remainder of the morning is devoted to exploring more of the park's natural arches and trails with your expedition leader. 

In the afternoon, stop to view ancient petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls by the Puebloan people who inhabited this region some 2000 years ago. These rock carvings offer insight into the lives and worldview of the area’s early inhabitants, depicting animals, human figures and geometric patterns. Continue to Dead Horse Point State Park, situated atop a plateau 600 metres above the Colorado river. Your view from the rim offers a comprehensive survey of the region’s geography, from the winding river below to the distant La Sal mountains. The vista from Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed in the world, capturing a dramatic bend in the Colorado river, held between vertical walls of stacked sandstone. Our vantage also includes vast stretches of Canyonlands National Park with its maze of canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires. As the sun begins to dip towards the horizon and day fades to dusk, the sky becomes a pastel melange of orange, purple, pink and ochre. 

DAY 4: CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, NEEDLES DISTRICT AND DARK SKY STARGAZING

Today is devoted to exploring Canyonlands National Park, a vast red-rock wilderness carved by the Colorado and Green rivers over millions of years. The park’s varied geography spans four distinct sectors, and we focus on the less-visited and more remote Needles District, named for its dramatic spires of Cedar Mesa sandstone – colourful, banded rock pinnacles that rise like sentinels on the landscape.  

On a hike, you will explore at closer range, following a winding trail across slickrock expanses and past ancient rock art, offering an intimate connection to the park's dramatic geology and cultural history. 

After a picnic lunch, continue deeper into the park on an off-road journey in our 4x4 adventure cruisers. Your destination offers a spectacular view of the Colorado river as it carves its way through the layers of sandstone comprising this landscape. As the day winds down, return to Red Cliffs Lodge in time for a sunset toast on the banks of the Colorado river. The fading light bathes the canyon walls in warm, golden tones, reflecting off the gleaming water as the desert transitions into twilight.  

After a last dinner together, head out to experience one of the region’s most awe-inspiring spectacles: the dark night sky. Far from city lights, the inky black tableau reveals a glittering expanse of stars, planets and the ethereal glow of the Milky Way, and your expedition leader will help us spot constellations rarely seen in more urban areas. With the silence of the desert as your backdrop, we spend meditative time taking in the grandeur of the cosmos, a timeless reminder of nature's vast beauty and mystery. 

DAY 5: SUNRISE OVER THE COLORADO RIVER, UPPER COLORADO RIVER AND GRAND JUNCTION 

Rise early to witness the sunrise this morning on a quiet walk along the Colorado river. Given your lodge’s optimal location, you don’t have to go far to experience this daily splendour.  

After breakfast, it is time to start making your way back to Grand Junction along the 70-kilometre Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, a winding two-lane road that traces the river’s path through a dramatic gorge. Passing through Castle Valley, look for the famous profiles of Castleton Tower and Fisher Towers, observing how the gleaming light of morning transforms them from maroon to vermillion, then rust and gold. The surrounding terrain has been featured in many movies, including famous westerns, which are remembered at the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage located at Red Cliffs Lodge.  

Cross the Colorado river at the site of Dewey Bridge, which was the original wooden span carrying Highway 128 over the river. Built in 1916, the famous suspension bridge was the second longest west of the Mississippi and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places until it was destroyed by a fire in 2008.  

Once you are back in Grand Junction, you may enjoy exploring this lively western town on your own if your flight schedule permits.