Depart Chicago on Amtrak's Southwest Chief to track the Santa Fe Trial in Arizona and New Mexico. The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon are just a few wonders you will see on Canyonlands Then, experience a man-made wonder and try your luck in Las Vegas. The Verde Canyon Railroad (optional tour activity) takes you through the Verde Canyon where you view Indian Ruins and unique wildlife. On your journey back to Chicago aboard the Southwest Chief you will have time to ponder and discuss the natural beauty of the America's Southwest.the land of Canyons.

The Grand Canyon • Lake Powell • Las Vegas • Sedona • Bryce & Oak Creek Canyons • Zion National Park • Valley Of Fire

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• The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is one of the world's outstanding spectacles. In form, size and flowing colors, it is unsurpassed.
• Bryce Canyon National Park includes some of Earth's most colorful rocks, which have been sculpted by erosion into pillars called "hoodoos."
• Zion National Park is one of the West's greatest treasures. You'll find desert terrain and huge, sculpted rock formations coexisting with waterfalls and hanging gardens.
• Valley of Fire State Park is relatively unknown among the West's major scenic attractions.
• During our full day in Las Vegas we'll visit a number of the spectacular; somewhat miraculous, hotel/casinos.
• Famous Oak Creek Canyon Road is known for its spectacularly colored yellow and red cliffs dotted with pine, cypress and juniper.
• Sedona is surrounded by beautiful red-rock mountains. It is a center for contemporary and traditional arts.
• 3300 miles of comfortable, scenic travel on Amtrak's Southwest Chief. Enjoy private-room sleeping accommodations, Sightseer Lounges and delicious dining car meals. Save with RailSmart.

• Round-trip transportation by rail and deluxe motor coach.
• Private Roomette bedroom sleeping accommodations on the Amtrak trains for two nights (a limited number of upgraded Bedrooms are available at an additional $723 per person). Reclining coach seat with leg rest for RailSmart Class.
• First-class hotel accommodations for seven nights.
• 20 Meals
• Sightseeing tours of all included National Parks. Admissions to all included attractions
• Baggage handling, taxes, tips, etc.
• Services of a professional Tour Director.

Day 1: En Route
Our Canyonlands tour members will meet the Tour Director in the Metropolitan Lounge of Chicago's Union Station. The Lounge will be our base in Chicago. The Sears Tower, the world's tallest building is close by. Other Chicago attractions are a brief cab ride away.

At 2:45 p.m. we'll board the Southwest Chief prior to its 3:15 p.m. departure. Relax in your private Roomette bedroom sleeping accommodations. Upgraded Bedrooms are available at an additional cost. Bottled water and coffee are available for Roomette bedroom and upgraded Bedroom occupants in their car. Enjoy a full-course dinner in the dining car.

You will want to spend time in the Sightseer Lounge where the glass windows rise from floor level to the ceiling. It is a great place to view the passing scenery. The Southwest Chief offers feature films in the Lounge car each evening. D

Day 2: En Route/Flagstaff
During the night we traveled across the state of Kansas. We will be near the Colorado border when you awaken. Today you will experience the excitement of the Santa Fe Trail as we cross New Mexico and Arizona. You will have time for a trainside walk when we arrive in Albuquerque at mid afternoon. Our arrival into Flagstaff, Arizona, is scheduled for 9:51 p.m. Upon arrival we'll transfer the short distance to the Hampton Inn East. B, L & D

Day 3: The Grand Canyon
After a Continental breakfast, we'll travel by deluxe motor coach to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is one of the world's outstanding specialties. In form, size, flowing color and geological significance, it is unsurpassed.

We will view the Canyon from several observation areas. Our first stop will be Watchtower where you will experience views of the River, the Canyon, the Painted Desert and Kaibab National Forest. We'll also spend time at the Yavapai Observation Station. Our travelers will return to the LaQuinta Inn for the night.

Tonight we're going to Black Bart's, one of Flagstaff's best and "liveliest" restaurants. In addition to the great food, the waiters will be singing familiar Broadway show tunes throughout the evening. CB & D

Day 4: Lake Powell
Following a Continental breakfast in our hotel, we'll reboard our motor coach and head north 132 miles to beautiful Lake Powell. The Glen Canyon Dam has formed Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the country. at noon, we'll embark on a luncheon cruise on Lake Powell (included). Following our cruise, we'll visit the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon. We'll continue on to Bryce, Utah, where we'll spend the night at the Best Western Ruby's Inn. You'll find the Inn to be afascinating destination with many attractions, including the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo, which is included this evening. Have dinner (included) at the Cowboy's Buffet and Steak Room. CB, L & D

Day 5: Bryce Canyon/Zion
Following an included breakfast, we'll transfer the short distance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon includes some of Earth's most colorful rocks, which have been sculpted by erosion into pillars called "hoodoos" and other fantastic forms. Iron oxides give red, yellow and brown tints to thelime stone, while manganese oxides lend a lavender hue.

Bryce is not a true canyon; but, a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved in the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau by tributaries of the Paria River.

We'll travel with a local guide on a 37-mile round trip on a road that follows the high rim to many major vantage points, such as Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point, Paria View, the Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point.

We'll complete our exciting day of spectacular scenery as we continue on 90 minutes to another of the West's great treasures, Zion National Park. You'll find desert terrain and huge, sculpted rock formations coexisting with waterfalls and hanging gardens. The gigantic stone masses of the West Temple and the Watchman guard the southern entrance to the park. From a multicolored stairway, the red-brown Watchman looms 2,555 feet above the canyon floor. The 7,810-foot West Temple is one of the most prominent formations in the southern section.

Just north of the southern entrance is the beginning of Zion Canyon, a spectacular gorge being carved through strangely-colored sandstone and shale by the Virgin River. About a half-mile deep and a half-mile wide at its mouth, the canyon narrows to about 300 feet at the Temple of Sinawava, the narrowest portion of the canyon accessible by car and about eight miles from the park entrance. We will take the tram ride in Zion.

Following our time at Zion National Park, we'll travel on 136 miles to Las Vegas where we'll arrive at mid evening. A stop for dinner (included) will be made en route. Our home for the next two nights will be the conveniently located Treasure Island Hotel. You're free this evening to begin to explore this magnificent oasis in the desert. B & D

Day 6: Las Vegas
A buffet breakfast is included this morning in our hotel. At mid morning we'll embarkon a tour of four of the most spectacular hotel/casinos including The Venetian, NewYork-New York, Excalibur and Luxor. Our tour will end at the breathtakingly beautiful Venetian where there is an extensive foodcourt.

This evening we'll transfer to original Las Vegas, now known as "downtown." What this part of the city has done to compete with the strip hotel/casinos is phenomenal. They have constructed a huge roof that covers Fremont Street. You'll view the "Fremont Street Experience." It's a ten-minute show in which over two million lights are utilized. There will be time to enjoy the many options of "downtown." B

Day 7: En Route/Sedona
We'll check out of our hotel this morning and head east across the desert. We will stopin Seligman, Arizona, a "Route 66" town. Enjoy an "on-your-own" lunch in this historic setting. Don't forget to buy Route 66 souvenirs.

Following lunch, we'll begin another "scenic spectacular" when we head south on State Route 89A. This is the famous Oak Creek Canyon road. About 16 miles long and rarely more than one mile wide, the canyon is known for its spectacularly colored white, yellow and red cliffs dotted with pine, cypress and juniper. Rocky gorges, unusual rock formations and buttes add interest to the drive.

By late afternoon we'll arrive in beautiful Sedona. At the southern end of Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona is acenter for contemporary and traditional arts and a relatively upscale retirement and tourism area. Galleries and boutiques are found throughout the city and in Tlaquepaque, a Mexican/Spanish-style village. Specialty shops feature pottery, sculptures, paintings, jewelry and imported wares.

Our hotel is the attractive Best Western Inn of Sedona, one of the town's finest hostelries. You'll enjoy agreat view of the awesome surrounding hills. Tonight we're off to the Blazing M Ranch for great chuckwagon food and Western entertainment (included). D

Day 8: Sedona/Flagstaff
You're free to enjoy all that this beautiful city has to offer. Sit on your veranda this morning and soak in all of the red-rock beauty that lies before you. Wander through the excellent shops and boutiques near our hotel. Several options are suggested. Embark on a gentle jeep ride into the scenic and historic Dry Creek Basin surrounded by seven majestic canyons. Relive the early cowboy days with the tales of murder and moonshine at the old log cabin. A variety of other jeep excursions into the red rock mountains and canyons surrounding Sedona are available.

Another option is the famous Verde Canyon Railroad excursion train. Enjoy the three-and-a-half-hour round-trip through Arizona's "other" Grand Canyon. You'll view Sinaqua Indian Ruins, unique and distinctive geology and a variety of wildlife and waterfowl. Live narration and music is performed throughout the trip. A box lunch will be served on board. You are encouraged to enroll on this attraction at the time you book this tour. The deadline is 30 days prior to your departure. (The price isapproximately $50 per person for rail only.)

Late this afternoon, we'll board our motor coach and travel north about 50 miles to Flagstaff. We'll return to the La Quinta for our overnight accommodations. The Tour Director will host a Farewell Dinner this evening (included). CB & D

Day 9: En Route
We'll transfer the short distance to the Flagstaff Amtrak station. We'll board Amtrak's famous Southwest Chief prior to its 5:01 a.m. departure for Chicago. You'll again enjoy private-room sleeping accommodations, all train meals and other amenities experienced on the westbound Southwest Chief. Breakfast will be served in the dining car following departure.

You'll want to take advantage of the fascinating scenery of Arizona and New Mexico our train will pass through during the day. B, L & D

Day 10: En Route
The Southwest Chief will roll across northeast Missouri, a corner of Iowa, and all of Illinois before our 3:20 p.m. arrival in Chicago. B & L

 Departure Dates:

• May 12 to May 21
• July 10 to July 19
• September 4 to September 13

 Per Person Rates:

• Twin $2,495
• Single add $915

 Per Person Sleeping Accommodation Upgrade Rates:

• Roomette Bedroom Included in Price
• Upgraded Bedroom $462*