On arrival in Salt Lake City make your own way to your hotel where you will spend the next two nights. Admire the stunning Wasatch Mountains, the scenic backdrop to Salt Lake City, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or better known as the Mormon Church. Learn about the Mormon culture and way of life at Temple Square, admire the architectural beauty of Salt Lake Temple, and if your visit coincides on a Thursday, watch the phenomenal Tabernacle Choir rehearse free of charge. The city also has a great restaurant and bar scene and great shopping options.

After collecting your rental car, take the scenic journey south through Utah passing though Park City, home to the famous Sundance Film Festival and which held the winter Olympics in 2002. Continue pass the vast wilderness of Uinta National Forest to Moab, the gateway to the first of two Mighty Five national parks Arches and Canyonlands. Begin with a visit to Arches which is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches such as Delicate Arch, a great place to visit on a hike at sunrise or sunset. Canyonlands, Utah’s largest national park sits by the Colorado River with a landscape dotted with canyons, mesas, and buttes. Make sure to visit Dead Horse State Park, which has fabulous views over the Colorado River and was the actual filming location of the last scene of the film Thelma and Louise when the car drove off the edge of the cliff. Moab is known as the ‘adventure capital of Utah’ with lots of activities available including canyoneering, river rafting and off-road vehicle adventures.

Today head south to Monument Valley taking a slight detour to Natural Bridges Monument, home to the second largest bridge in the USA. Continue to Goosenecks State Park and get a photo overlooking the deep meander of the San Juan River, before arriving in Monument Valley, one of the most photographed attractions in the USA. The scenery at Monument Valley must be seen to be believed! Take a tour of this Navajo Tribal Park, either by jeep or horseback getting up close to the towering buttes and mesas that were the backdrop to many famous western movies.

A sunrise tour of Monument Valley’s gigantic sandstone masterpieces is highly recommended, before you leave for Kanab travelling west through desert landscape, stopping at Lake Powell, one of the most visited lakes in the USA. Time permitting take a boat tour on the lake to Rainbow Bridge, one of America’s largest natural bridges. Continue to Kanab and enjoy an evening in this classic western town, which has a sprinkle of Hollywood glamour and an eclectic dining scene.

Today decide to take one of the many tours (available locally) to the nearby jaw-dropping scenery of Peek-a-boo slot canyon and the stunning Grand Staircase Escalante. Or continue west for the short drive to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to see its mountains and hills of beautiful pink sands, before arriving in Springdale which is located just outside of Zion National Park. The following day spend the full day in the park and witness its huge canyon, sculpted rock formations and waterfalls and enjoy a memorable hike on one of the many hiking trails.

After a relatively short drive to Bryce, take the beautiful Zion Mount Carmel Scenic Byway, driving through the colourful sandstone tunnels of Red Rock Canyon as the road turns onto the All-American Road Scenic Byway 12. On arrival at Bryce Canyon, stop at the Visitor Centre to learn more about the park from the park rangers and see the video and exhibits that explain the history of the park. Stop at various vantage points throughout the park to see the immense red- and orange-coloured hoodoos, which are set in huge amphitheatres or hike one of the loop trails. Visit the park at sunset or sunrise for the most amazing photos!

A memorable day lies head today as we drive to our final Mighty Five National Park, Capitol Reef travelling along Scenic Byway 12, one of the most scenic byways in America. We recommend you allow a full day to drive to Capitol Reef taking in the unbelievable scenic overlooks, state parks, national monuments, and award-winning restaurants. Stay for two nights in Torrey, located just outside of the park and the following day enjoy a full day in the park to see its landscaped filled with colourful sandstone cliffs, monoliths, lush riverbanks, and the park’s own fruit orchards!

Head back to Salt Lake City airport today to drop off your car and board your homebound flight.