Avid Life Women's Coaching Retreat: Wilder in Wicklow
Aug 13, 2023 - Aug 19, 2023
A personal development retreat for women in the Irish countryside
18 spots left
US Southwest National Parks
Come with us as we do the Great National Parks classic circle route, late summer of 2023. We’ll land in Phoenix, and immediately hit the road. First stop is Sedona where we’ll have a chance to view the incredible scenery and take an afternoon hike. From there we head on to the Grand Canyon. We’ll be staying in Grand Canyon Village along the South Rim. Again, we’ll have a chance to explore, take in the landscapes for multiple vantage points, and hike a bit into the canyon. From there we’ll head through Monument Valley, through Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Throughout we’ll stay at lodges and resorts that give us a feel for our environment. We’ll then move on to Bryce Canyon National Park, and finish our parks tour at Zion National Park. For our last 2 nights, we’ll stay in Las Vegas and take a leisurely pontoon ride on Lake Meade.
US National Parks
- Tours of each of the following National Parks or areas:
- Sedona
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Monument Valley
- Canyonlands National Park
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
- Lake Meade
- 9 nights accommodations near national scenic areas
America’s Canyon Lands
Day 1, Saturday September 23: Arrival and Transfer to Sedona
We fly to Phoenix, get in our private van, and drive 2 hours straight to Sedona. There we’ll check into our hotel, the Junipine Resort overlooking the majestic scenery of this area’s red rock formations. The rest of the day is yours to explore before meeting for an included group dinner that evening.
Day 2, Sunday: Sedona to the Grand Canyon
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a Sedona trolly tour to help us get our bearings, and to learn a bit about the history and culture of the area. We’ll then drive to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the side of a cliff. A moving site, with spectacular views. In the afternoon we’ll take a leisurely 1 to 3 mile hike, or longer depending on the group’s preferences. That evening we’ll enjoy dinner a the home of a local couple for an authentic Southwestern dinner. In the later afternoon we’ll drive two hours to our lodge in Grand Canyon Village on the south rim of the Canyon for 2 nights.
Day 3, Monday: Grand Canyon
After breakfast, we’ll take a several mile hike along the south rim that dips shallowly in the Canyon itself. After lunch, we’ll drive to Mather point for majestic views of the Canyon for miles in each direction. Then, we’re on a short walk to admire the majestic scenery. Before dinner we’ll tour the Grand Canyon history museum attached to our hotel, followed by dinner.
Day 4, Tuesday: Monument Valley to Canyonlands National Park
Today we take a ride through scenic Monument Valley, stopping often for photo opportunities. Then we’ll travel on and spend the balance of the day touring Canyonlands National Park. At the end of the day we’ll take the short ride to Moab, UT to spend the night at the Hyatt Place, Moab, for two nights.
Day 5, Wednesday: Arches National Park
After breakfast, we’ll head to Arches National Park to view the arches that still remain after millenniums of erosion. We’ll enjoy a guided tour by a naturalist, followed by some free time after lunch for a stroll and photos. In the evening we’ll return to Moab.
Day 6, Thursday: Bryce Canyon National Park
After breakfast we’ll head to Bryce Canyon National Park for another day of absolutely stunning scenery. We’ll then drive a short distance to Glendale, where we’ll spend the night for 2 nights.
Day 7, Thursday: Zion National Park
Today we visit stunning Zion National Park. We’ll take a trolly tour of the park, and talk to a naturalist. Then we’ll have free time to hike at our own pace. In the evening we’ll return to our hotel in Glendale.
Day 8, Friday: Las Vegas
After breakfast we drive to Las Vegas! After checking into our hotel, we’ll head out the short hop to Lake Meade for a relaxing cruise on a pontoon boat. We’ll have time to relax and view the changing landscape of the lake! We’ll have a chance to say our goodbuys. After returning to our hotel we’ll head to a local restaurant for an included farewell dinner.
Day 9, Saturday: Departure
Saturday morning we’ll take the shuttle to the airport for our flight home!
Pre-and Post-Trips
Some of us will be flying into Phoenix 2 days early. We’ll spend 2 nights in Scottsdale. No major itinerary other than to do a lot of hiking, and enjoying the outdoors.
After the trip, some will want to hang out longer in Las Vegas doing whatever people in Las Vegas do! Again, we’ll stay 2 extra nights.
Cost is simply the cost of the extra hotel nights. Exact hotels TBA.
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