A 10-Day Art-Focused Adventure, Exploring the American Southwest, accompanied by North Tahoe Arts and artist Karey Dodge

DATES: June 5–15

COST: $4,200 Small Group Tour (not including airfare, based on double occupancy); $915 for a single supplement room

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Exploring the red rock canyons of the American Southwest by jeep

• Private tour into Monument Valley, National Park

• Optional helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, National Park

• Visit the world renowned, Antelope Canyon

• Sunset Dinner Cruise along the endless coastlines of Lake Powell

• Daily creative prompts to encourage creativity and inspiration

This thoughtfully curated trip is designed for lovers of art, culture, food and travel. Join North Tahoe Arts for a one of a kind, adventure of the senses. We have partnered with Windigo Tours to offer a unique travel experience that blends the rich color pallet of the American Southwest with an opportunity to awaken your creative spirit. Karey Dodge, a North Tahoe based basket weaving artist and teacher will add creative prompts throughout the week encouraging exploration and inspiration. Participants are welcome to bring their medium of choice, to capture the Southwest’s charm through their own creative spirit. This trip has been cultivated for artists and those who love art. Flexibility has been built into the itinerary so that there is plenty of time for hiking, exploring, creating or just lounging by the pool. This 10 day tour begins in Phoenix, Arizona & departs from Las Vegas, Nevada. Prices are based on double occupancy.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 (6/5/2020) Arrive in Phoenix, AZ- First Fridays-Arts Market.
5:00 pm We will meet at the hotel lounge for a welcome drink- followed by an opportunity to explore Roosevelt Rows-First Friday Arts Market. This artist market is a cumulation of fine art, handmade crafts and culinary food trucks. Enjoy dinner in the open-air market or explore the many fine restaurants in the area.

Day 2 (6/6/2020) Phoenix, AZ- Explore local Art Museums.
Today is a day to immerse yourself in the art explosion that’s blooming across the Southwest’s largest city. Phoenix is full of life and culture. The day is yours to explore. You can visit the Heard History Museum, explore the shops and gallery’s on Roosevelt Row, hike around the Desert Botanical Garden or spend the afternoon at the Phoenix Art Museum, one of the largest of its kind in the southwest featuring over 1,800 works of art.

Day 3 (6/7/2020) Sedona, AZ- Montezuma’s Castle
On-route to our destination of Sedona, we will stop at Montezuma’s Castle. Here we can explore one of the best-preserved Native American dwelling in North America. We will have a picnic lunch with time to sketch or journal- The evening will be free to explore the art saturated town of Sedona, AZ.

Day 4 (6/8/2020) Sedona, AZ- Red Rock Jeep tour
We have a full day to delve into the magic and color of Sedona’s red rocks in West Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. We will take a 2-hour jeep tour to get a deeper look into the canyons and grottos that inspire so many artists across the world. The rest of the day is yours to explore galleries, find a magical place to paint, visit museums or just have a lovely dinner under the desert stars. Sedona is an art mecca that will leave a lasting impression.

Day 5 (6/9/2020) The Grand Canyon National Park, AZ- Hikes, Helicopter Rides and Epic Views.
Today we drive to Grand Canyon National Park. No matter how many times you visit this natural wonder, it is never the same twice. We will have a picnic lunch in the park then time to hike, visit the Hopi art museum or creatively capture the canyon’s majestic views with your medium of choice. Optional helicopter flight offered today followed by sunset on the south rim.

Day 6 (6/10/2020) Monument Valley, National Park, AZ -Cultural Navajo-Jeep Tour.
This morning we will drive along the south rim of the Grand Canyon with a last stop at Desert View. We continue on to the historic Cameron Trading Post for a lunch before driving to one of the most recognized natural landscapes in the southwest, Monument Valley, NP. We will board a jeep and journey deep within the heart of the Navajo Nation. Words cannot express the magic and mystery of these iconic red rock giants.

Day 7 (6/11/2020) Page, AZ, -Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Dinner Cruise, Glen Canyon Dam
We have a short drive this morning to Page AZ. With a quick stop and hike at Horseshoe Bend, one of the most photogenic spots on the mighty Colorado River. We continue on to Lake Powell. This afternoon you can relax on the shores of this stunning blue lake surrounded by deep pink sandstone cliffs. Pull out your paints or journal this afternoon or visit the architectural marvel, Glen Canyon Dam. Perhaps you simply want to relax on the shores of Lake Powell, which boasts about as much shoreline as the entire coast of California. We will meet for an evening sunset dinner cruise to top off your day.

Day 8 (6/12/2020) Zion National Park UT, -Visit the famous Antelope Canyon, Lunch at Zion Mountain Buffalo Ranch and onto Zion National Park.
After breakfast we meet our Navajo Guide and take a short jeep ride to one of the most photographed spots in the southwest, Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon was sculpted by years of water, rain and time. Its sandstone walls shimmer with color and light. We leave the Page area and cross into Utah for our next destination, Zion National Park. We will stop for lunch at the Zion Mountain Ranch and watch the buffalo graze while enjoying a cold drink. It’s a passport back into time. There is an opportunity here to create or just relax before heading into Zion NP. We will stop for a short hike at Canyon Overlook that will give you a glimpse from above, if we are lucky, we will spot a herd of big horn sheep or a California condor.

Day 9 (6/13/2020) Zion National Park UT, -Hike-Angels Landing or the Narrows. Time to create or relax by the Virgin river.
Today you are free to enjoy this picturesque National Park at your leisure. Whether you feel like painting next to the Virgin river that carved this canyon or challenge yourself with a hike up to Angels Landing, or venture up in the Virgin River to the heart of the Zion Narrows Canyon. There are a multitude of ways to spend your last day in red rock country.

Day 10 (6/14/2020) Las Vegas, NV Bellagio Art Gallery
We leave Zion NP behind today and work our way toward Las Vegas, NV. The landscape dramatically shifts as we cross through the Black Canyon leaving the Colorado Plateau behind and entering the Great Basin Desert.  For our last evening together, we will have an opportunity to visit the Bellagio Art Gallery and have a farewell happy hour as a group then hit the town. The evening is yours to enjoy a show or dinner on the Las Vegas strip.

Day 11 (6/15/2020) Las Vegas, NV-Depart for home at your leisure.

​WHAT’S INCLUDED: Tour transportation. Experienced Driver/Guide, National Park fees, 9 Breakfasts, 5 Picnic Lunches, 1 dinner and Welcome cocktail. Entrance to Montezuma’s Castel, 2-Hour Jeep tour-Sedona, Lake Powel Dinner Cruise, Sunset tour Monument Valley, Antelope canyon tour and entrance, Bellagio Art Gallery.

TRAVEL STYLE: Classic       

SERVICE LEVEL: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

PHYSICAL RATING: 2 – Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging unless you’d like to challenge yourself.

SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE: Max 13

AGE REQUIREMENT: 13+ All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

SINGLE ROOM REQUEST: During your tour, sometimes it’s just more convenient and comfortable to have- your own room. That’s why we offer the “Single Supplement” option – a single accommodation all to yourself. Please note that if you have booked this option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops at an additional fee.

DEPOSITS: At the time of booking, a non-refundable deposit 20% of the total trip cost, as applicable, per person per Tour is due to the Tour Operator. If the booking is made 90 days or less prior to departure, full payment is due at the time of booking. The non-refundable deposit should be sent to the Tour Operator or authorized agent, as applicable.

CONTACT: For questions regarding this trip please contact Heather Emerson at 530-414-6521