The Big Circle
 

Hello!! I need your help, I had already made my itinerary and hotel reservations, but I would like to have your opinion. We are 3 couples from Lisbon, Portugal and it's our first time in Southwest USA. Here is our itinerary
1st day - Lisbon - Las vegas - Flamingo Hotel
2nd day - Las Vegas
3d day - Las Vegas - Grand Canyon through Route 66 - Bright Angel Lodge
4th day - Grand Canyon
5th day - Grand Canyon - Lake Powell - Antelope Canyon Cruise - Lake Powell Resort
6th day - Lake Powell - Bryce - Bryce View Lodge
7th day - Bryce and Route 12 until Escalante
8th day - Bryce - zion - Zion Mountain Resort
9th day - Zion
10th day - Zion - Las Vegas MGM Hotel
11 th day - Las Vegas - Lisbon (Portugal)
Can you tell me if this is a good itinerary and please give me some informations about where to eat, what to see, and whatever you find interesting.
Thanks
Isabel

Hi Isabel,

Sounds fantastic! I have been to the GC before, and in a few weeks I am doing a Phoenix-Zion-Bryce-Capitoa Reef-Phoenix loop.

So, I can't help much yet, but look for my trip report in the middle of July to see if it helps.

At the GC, take the shuttle bus to all of the lookout points, get up to watch the sunrise at least once, watch the sunset, consider taking a guided hike into the canyon.

If you haven't already, visit the national parks official website, www.nps.gov, to see all the details about the parks, including hiking trails etc.

Aslo, at the GC, buy the National Parks pass for $50 instead of an individual parks pass - you can then use it at Bryce and Zion too.

When are you going?

Karen

Thanks Karen
We will arrive at the USA at the 27th August. We thought abou t going to Salt Lake City but it's too far away, so we'll keep it for another trip.

If you are going that route, have you considered a stop or overnight at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Just an idea . . . very different views, elevation, temps, etc. Only 10% of Grand Canyon tourists visit there so it's much less crowded. It'd be on your way to Bryce to make a planned stop.

Good luck with your planning!

Wonderful scenery. I think it sounds fine and you aren't over doing. I'm always interested when visitors to our country post their itineraries. With our country being so large it always interests me to see what draws people from other countries. What areas they come to see and what their interests are. I hope you have a wonderful visit. BTW, Bryce Canyon is my personal favorite so please give us a report after your visit.