Grand Canyon, Moab, & Arches

Introduction

Let’s visit some parks! 

If visiting national and local parks is your cup of tea, this trip has your name written all over it. Five parks are included in this trip, including the famous Grand Canyon and Arches National Park. You will get to see both popular and lesser known areas of all of these parks, and even take an overnight camping excursion to really immerse yourself in the Navajo backcountry.

What's Included

  • 8 days/7 nights accommodation in rustic hotels/motels and camping sites
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Entrance into Arches National Park
  • Entrance into Canyonlands National Park
  • Entrance into Deadhorse Point State Point
  • Entrance into Monument Valley Tribal Park
  • Entrance into Grand Canyon National Park
  • Entrance into Horseshoe Bend scenic area
  • Navajo backcountry jeep tour and backcountry overnight camping
  • Sunset wine and cheese at Grand Canyon Rim
  • Guided Hikes
  • Camping Equipment (tents, sleeping pad, cooking supplies)
  • Ground Transportation (private vehicle)
  • Under30Experiences Trip Leader
  • Free time to explore multiple national parks
  • Personal recommendations for optional activities
  • The chance to meet kick-ass people
  • Access to the Under30Experiences Community  


Travelers are responsible for transportation to Salt Lake City and from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Optional activities are not included.

Highlights

  • Explore Arches National Park 
  • Hike Canyonlands National Park
  • Experience Grand Canyon National Park
  • Take a Navajo backcountry jeep tour  
  • Camping overnight in the backcountry
  • Enjoy sunset wine and cheese at Grand Canyon Rim
  • Visit the Hoover Dam

Is this Trip for You?

If you want a bang for your hard earned buck and want to visit multiple parks in one trip, this is definitely the trip for you!

Within 8 days, you’ll visit five separate national, state, and tribal parks within the western United States! During this trip, you will spend most nights camping under the stars listening to the sounds of nature all around you. 

Age requirement: 21+

-Group size: 10-13

-Physical rating: Moderate. There will be some hikes of medium difficulty.

Travel Community

Travel connects us. Community keeps us connected.

Before your trip you'll have the opportunity to join a custom WhatsApp Group and connect with others members of your group. Many travelers meet in the airport, or for pre-trip drinks if they are from the same city. Others coordinate plans to stay in a location after their trip.

During your adventure, our Trip Leaders do their best to foster an open, supportive environment, where people feel safe to truly be themselves.

After your trip, you'll be an official U30X Alumni, and part of our large online Travel Community where you'll have access to our network of thousands of past travelers. We are constantly hosting meetups that range from simple happy hours to hikes, to outdoor movie nights.

More than 70% of our travelers come solo, but they all leave with friends.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Travel can be unpredictable. Our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience.

While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into it and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Meals

All meals are included while camping.

Most lunches will be pre-packed picnic lunches to allow for optimal time exploring in the National Parks. 

Dinners at camp will be cooked by your Trip Leader, but everyone will be asked to pitch in as a team preparing our meals! 

Most meal menus will be American-style cuisine with Mexican influences and several dining options for all tastes.

Sample Breakfast Menu:

  • Eggs, cereal, potato hash browns, fruit, toast, coffee, tea

Sample Dinner Menu:

  • Fajitas, burgers, salads, pasta

We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Some meals can be modified for special requests and food allergies.


Transportation

You will be traveling by private, locally-owned, ground transportation. There will be early departures on some days in order to optimize time.

  • Private ground transportation provided for all included activities.

Taxis and other public transportation are not included unless specified on the itinerary.

Accommodation

You will be staying in shared rustic hotel/motel rooms and shared double occupancy tents while camping.

Accommodations may vary but will be the same quality. 

Solo travelers are paired with someone of the same gender.

Private room options are available upon request and subject to hotel availability (for an extra charge).

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory in order to participate in any of our trips.

When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all travelers must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of $200,000 USD for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ensure that all the activities you plan on participating in are covered by your travel insurance.

We recommend using either Wanderwell or World Nomads to purchase your policy. The Wanderwell “Preferred Plan” or the World Nomads “Explorer Plan” will cover all included activities on U30X trips. Wanderwell donates at least one percent of your insurance purchase to Explore Austin, a sustainable youth outdoor education program, via 1% for the Planet, selected by Under30Experiences.

If you have travel insurance with your credit card we require proof of purchase of the trip in the form of a receipt or credit card statement on a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage, and emergency contact telephone number.

Cancellation Policy

Very Flexible.

Give us at least 30 days notice and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use.

If you have an emergency cancellation that is less than 30 days before your trip, please refer to your travel insurance company as they may cover you for some expenses. 

We are not able to transfer trips or hold experience credits within 30 days of the trip because we have already secured reservations on your behalf.

Trip Leader Expectations

All Under30Experiences trips are accompanied by experienced Trip Leaders.

The goal of the Trip Leader is to facilitate an awesome experience and help our travelers have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eateries, and introduce you to our local friends.

You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the regions visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

Packing List

Please be eco-friendly!

  • Bring a reusable water bottle to refill where clean water is available.
  • Bring a reusable straw to limit the amount of single-use plastic waste.
  • Use as little plastic as possible by declining straws and plastic bags at restaurants and when shopping.
  • Please avoid aerosol bug sprays as they negatively affect the environment. 

We recommend using a travel backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Below includes our staff picks of the best items on the market that we travel with!  All products selected are 3 ounces or less to comply with TSA carry-on size and organically inspired when possible.

Passport & Visas

Passports are not required for U.S. residents to visit Utah and Arizona. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please make sure you have an updated passport with you. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the last date of your trip.

Make sure there is no damage to your passport. Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing or torn out visa pages, a hole punch, or other injuries.

Health & Insurance

Check out our Travel Alerts Page for up-to-date COVID requirements.

The tap water in Utah and Arizona is safe to drink. Please bring a reusable water bottle and join us in our efforts to be environmentally friendly and keep North America beautiful. 

Our suggested travel insurance vendor is World Nomads and has a minimum of $200,000 USD coverage.

Please consult with your doctor before traveling regarding physical activity and vaccinations.

No inoculations are required to enter California if you are from the United States but the Center for Disease Control suggests routine vaccines for all travelers. Required vaccines should go through CDC, recommended vaccines should be through your doctor.

More specific health information for travelers to the United States can be found at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Money & Currency

The official currency in the United States is the US Dollar (USD).

We suggest bringing $200 USD in cash to be used at establishments that do not accept credit cards.

This is not a total cash amount that you should expect to spend on your trip. Please consider your own spending habits for additional expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities.

ATMs are available in the cities and towns we visit. Although you can withdraw cash from any ATM, it's a good idea to come with some local currency just in case.

Remember to call your bank and credit card company and let them know you'll be traveling.
For an up-to-date exchange rate, download the XE Currency Exchange App.

Safety & Security

Always carry a copy of your travel insurance, health insurance, and passport/photo ID/Real ID with you. A photo of these items on your phone is also a good backup.

Keep your passport and any valuables locked in your hotel room. Don’t leave valuables unattended.

Although most parts of North America are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering around any town at night, especially alone. We recommend staying in small groups when traveling at night.

Make sure you have the address of your hotel in the event that you're separated from your Trip Leader.

Weather

Temperatures during the day will be comfortable and warm, and evening will be chilly. Be sure to pack layers to accommodate temperature fluctuations.

During the  summer months, you can expect to enjoy highs in the upper 80s/low 90sand lows in the upper 40/low 50s.

cultural information

Grand Canyon National Park

Located in northwestern Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park was the 15th site in the United States to have been named an official national park (1919). The park's main feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979 and is often considered to be one of the Wonders of the World.

Visitor Guide to Grand Canyon National Park

Moab

Moab is a city in eastern Utah and serves as a gateway to the massive red rock formations found in Arches National Park. Southwest of Moab, you’ll find Canyonlands National Park, which features mesas and buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers. If you look closely, you’ll even spot some Native American rock art.

Arches National Park

Established in 1929, Arches National Park lies north of Moab in the state of Utah and is bordered by the Colorado River to the southeast. Arches National Park is best known as the site containing more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the red-hued Delicate Arch in the east and the long, thin Landscape Arch to the north in Devils Garden. Another formidable geological formation includes Balanced Rock, which towers over the desert landscape in the middle of the park.

Top Hikes in Arches National Park


Key Phrases in Utah:

They fell

  • They totally biffed it

St. George, Utah

  • St. Geezy

Snow

  • Powder

Putting off/ being lazy

  • Sluffing

Optional Activities

Backcountry sunset Hummer tour - $79 USD

Grand Canyon helicopter flight - $284 USD

While your Trip Leader will assist you with optional activities available, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of the Under30Experiences itinerary. We offer no guarantees on the safety or standard of the activity.

General Rules

Respect the people around you and the environment in which you’re traveling. This includes, but is not limited to fellow travelers, Trip Leaders, the local community, nature, wildlife, and yourself.

Do your best to keep yourself and fellow travelers out of harm’s way.

It’s important to obey local laws and customs while on our trips. This includes, but is not limited to wearing appropriate clothing while visiting certain communities, refraining from taking photos of people without asking, avoiding the use of illegal drugs, having weapons, and soliciting prostitution. If you’re not sure about something, take time to educate yourself, or ask.

Travel involves contact with new cultures. When confronted with a different way of living than you’re used to, do your best to understand that neither way is better or worse. They’re simply different ways of life.

Know your limits! This applies to physical ability, emotional space, social situations, and alcohol consumption. If you can’t participate in something, be upfront about it. If you need a break from people, take it. Stop drinking before you get too drunk.

Trip leaders are working in the travelers’ best interest. If they say something or ask you not to do something it’s not because they’re tyrants, but because they want you to have a good time!

Lying or withholding information about any physical or mental condition that might affect your ability to participate in any of the activities may be grounds for removal from your trip with no refund.

Staying longer or arriving early?

Check out some of these outdoor adventures around Las Vegas.

Explore more of Moab, Utah.

Top Hikes in Arches National Park

Still need to book your flight?

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U30X is such an amazing travel community. Once your trip is over, the experience is not. They keep in touch with their alumni & provide platforms for travel questions, personal development, & community connections in your own backyard! If you're a young person looking to travel I highly recommend U30X!

There are not enough ways for me to describe how amazing this company is. After my first trip I always told people, it wasn't about the location, but the experience that u30x gave me. I have some of the best experiences of my life with u30x, and now a passion for travel. Also, their alumni community and groups are awesome too!

Traveling with U30X has been life changing for me. I've made lifelong friends with both travelers and staff. I can't come up with enough good things to say about the company, the people, and the experiences I've had!

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