Zion, Bryce, Antelope, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas 6-Day Tour from SF

Six days takes you from San Francisco to a remarkable run of Southwest scenery: red cliffs in Zion, hoodoos at Bryce, arches near Moab, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. This is a high-mileage parks tour, not a slow road trip.

I like the sheer variety, and I like that national park admissions, five hotel nights, transportation, and three breakfasts are included. The careful timing can also pay off. One traveler said the group arrived early enough to receive bonus stops, while guide Alvin was praised for helping make the trip feel organized and clear.

The tradeoff is simple: you spend many hours on the road and only a short time at several parks. Optional costs also add up, especially for Lower Antelope Canyon, the Monument Valley Jeep ride, and the Grand Canyon helicopter flight.

The trip in five useful points

• Eight major Southwest sights in six days: Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.
• A true point-to-point journey: You start in San Francisco, spend nights across Utah and Arizona, and return to the Las Vegas and San Francisco area.
• Short park visits: Zion gets about 45 minutes, Bryce one hour, Canyonlands one hour, and Arches two hours.
• Optional highlights cost extra: Lower Antelope Canyon, the Monument Valley Jeep trip, the Grand Canyon helicopter ride, the Las Vegas night tour, and FlyOver Las Vegas are not included unless you select the related option.
• Large group potential: The tour can have up to 55 people, with the vehicle chosen according to the number booked that day.
• A practical fit for first-time Southwest visitors: You cover a great deal without planning hotels, park routes, or long-distance driving yourself.

What you are really buying for $1,139

At $1,139 per person, this tour is best judged as a bundled transportation and lodging plan, not as six relaxed days in the parks. You are paying for the driver-guide, five hotel nights, national park admissions, Monument Valley admission, Horseshoe Bend admission, and three breakfasts.

That can be good value if you want to see many famous places without renting a car. Fuel, parking, hotel planning, and route decisions are handled for you. The long distances are also easier when someone else is driving.

Still, check the option choices carefully before booking. The base price does not automatically include meals, gratuities, the Antelope Canyon visit, the Monument Valley Jeep ride, the Grand Canyon helicopter flight, the Las Vegas night tour, or FlyOver Las Vegas.

For 2026 departures, non-US residents age 16 and older may also face a $100 surcharge at each of 11 listed national parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon. The stated alternative is a $250 nonresident annual pass. This charge is separate from the tour price, so confirm the current rule and payment process before you go.

Day 1: San Francisco to Las Vegas, then a look at the Strip

The first day is mostly a transfer. You leave San Francisco in the morning and reach Las Vegas in the evening, with the listed overland journey taking about 10 hours.

The optional Las Vegas night tour gives you a quick introduction to the city after dark. It includes the Bellagio Fountains, the Mirage volcano, and Fremont Street Experience, where a huge LED canopy and powerful sound system cover several blocks of downtown.

Fremont is the most distinctive stop here. It feels older and more theatrical than the casino-lined Strip, and the overhead light show gives you a clear sense of Las Vegas spectacle without requiring a full evening of casino hopping.

This night tour is not included unless you select it. If you have never seen Las Vegas at night, it may be worth adding. If you are tired after the drive from San Francisco, you may prefer an early night, since the next day begins with another long road segment.

Day 2: Zion’s cliffs and Bryce’s hoodoos

Day two gives you two very different Utah parks. Zion is known for towering sandstone walls in cream, pink, and red. The scheduled stop is about 45 minutes, which is enough for a taste of the park but not enough for a serious hike or a broad exploration.

I would treat Zion as a scenic introduction. You can expect a short look at the canyon environment and time for photographs, but this is not a hiking day. Bring shoes that are comfortable for uneven ground, even if you plan to stay close to the main visitor areas.

The drive continues to Checkerboard Mesa, with about 25 minutes to see the unusual grid pattern cut into the sandstone. It is a small stop, but a useful one because it breaks up the road and adds a formation different from Zion’s tall canyon walls.

Bryce Canyon gets about an hour. Bryce is not a conventional river canyon. Its main attraction is a series of amphitheaters filled with slender rock towers called hoodoos. The red, orange, and white stone makes Bryce one of the most visually unusual stops on the trip.

An hour works well for a viewpoint and photographs. It does not leave much room for a longer walk along the rim or into the amphitheater. You stay overnight near Bryce, which helps keep the following day moving, but the schedule remains tight.

Day 3: Canyonlands and Arches near Moab

The third day is listed as a visit to Canyonlands and Arches, with about 10 hours of touring and driving. One section of the supplied schedule mentions Capitol Reef, but no Capitol Reef stop is described in the actual stop details. Do not assume that Capitol Reef is included unless the operator confirms it.

Canyonlands gets about an hour. The likely appeal is the Island in the Sky area, where paved roads and pullouts lead to wide views over canyons, mesas, and buttes shaped by the Colorado and Green rivers and their smaller branches.

This is a place where a short stop can still work. Several overlooks offer different views without requiring a long trail. You will not see the entire park, but you can get a strong sense of its scale and dry, open setting.

Arches receives about two hours, usually through a scenic drive and selected stops. The park contains more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, along with formations such as Balanced Rock and Landscape Arch. Delicate Arch is the famous image, but a brief visit may not allow the hike associated with it.

The value here is variety. Canyonlands gives you huge river-cut spaces, while Arches gives you concentrated red-rock forms. The drawback is that both parks deserve more time than this schedule allows. If you want several hikes, this six-day trip will feel rushed.

Day 4: Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon

Day four is one of the strongest scenic days. Monument Valley gives you the classic view of enormous sandstone buttes rising from a broad desert floor along the Utah and Arizona border.

You have about two hours there. The standard visit includes admission, while the Jeep option costs extra. The Jeep trip can provide a closer look at parts of the tribal park, but it is not included in the basic price. The listed additional cost is $65 per person.

Monument Valley has a strong connection to American western films, but the place is more than a movie backdrop. Its wide views and isolated buttes are among the most recognizable sights in the Southwest. Two hours lets you appreciate the main viewpoints, though the optional Jeep outing will use much of that time.

Next comes Horseshoe Bend, with about 75 minutes. A short walk leads to the famous curve of the Colorado River, where the water bends around a tall rock peninsula. The viewpoint is exposed, so carry water, wear sun protection, and take care near the edge.

Antelope Canyon is optional and costs extra. The listed visit to Lower Antelope Canyon takes about two hours, including the guided walk through its narrow sandstone passage. Guides explain geology, local culture, and the canyon’s formation as you move through the curving walls.

Because this is on Navajo land, the canyon visit is not something you simply explore alone. You need the arranged admission and guide. The slot canyon can be a highlight for photographers, but it also requires walking in a narrow, uneven setting.

The schedule includes a seasonal substitution. If Lower Antelope Canyon is closed during the stated January closure dates, the plan changes to Antelope Canyon X. Confirm the exact dates for your departure, since the supplied information gives two different closure date ranges.

You spend the night in Tuba, Arizona. This day packs three major sights into one route, so expect a full day rather than a leisurely series of stops.

Day 5: The Grand Canyon and the return to Las Vegas

The Grand Canyon gets about two and a half hours, with the route covering the East Rim and South Rim areas. That is enough for major viewpoints and photographs, but not for a long rim walk, a trail into the canyon, or a detailed visit to every area.

The canyon is vast, and short visits can feel surprisingly brief. I suggest deciding in advance whether your priority is viewpoints, the helicopter option, or simply time to walk and look. Trying to do everything may leave you feeling hurried.

The optional South Rim helicopter flight lasts about one hour and costs $259 per person, including children over age two at the listed rate. The helicopter operator sets a maximum passenger weight of 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms. Extra charges may apply above that limit, and boarding can be refused for safety reasons.

The itinerary also mentions Emerald Cove in the day description, but the detailed stop list does not include it. It does list Hoover Dam as a pass-by stop. Ask for confirmation if Emerald Cove matters to you, since it should not be treated as a guaranteed stop from the detailed schedule.

After the canyon, you return toward Las Vegas. Hoover Dam is seen in passing rather than as a full visit. You stay overnight in Las Vegas, which gives you a final city base before the trip back toward California.

Day 6: Las Vegas, the desert, and the return route

The listed San Francisco ending begins with the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, with about 20 to 30 minutes for photographs. The basic San Francisco ending includes the sign, then the long return journey to San Francisco.

The detailed day six section also describes a different route ending in Los Angeles. That version includes the Las Vegas sign, M&M’S Las Vegas, the Coca-Cola Store, optional FlyOver Las Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains, and two hours at the Outlets at Barstow.

This is an important point to clarify before paying. The tour title and one ending description point to San Francisco, while the extended stop list describes a Los Angeles finish. Ask the operator which ending applies to your booking and where you will be dropped off.

FlyOver Las Vegas is optional. It uses an immersive flight simulation with moving seats and large-screen imagery. Seven Magic Mountains is a free 30-minute photo stop south of Las Vegas, featuring tall stacks of brightly painted boulders.

The Barstow outlet stop lasts two hours. The description says the shops focus mainly on mid-range American brands rather than top luxury labels. If shopping does not interest you, that stop may feel long, but it can break up the drive.

Hotels, vehicles, and group size

Transportation depends on the number of people booked that day. The maximum group size is 55, so the feel may range from a smaller van group to a full coach-style departure.

The driver may also serve as the guide. That keeps the operation simple, but the quality of commentary can depend on the individual assigned. Guide Alvin is specifically associated with positive feedback about clear explanations and efficient timing, though you should not assume he will lead every departure.

Five hotel nights are included. Rooms hold two to four people and may have two full or double beds, or one king or queen bed, depending on availability. If you need separate rooms, or your party is larger than four, you must make separate bookings and provide the confirmation numbers if you want to remain on the same vehicle.

Breakfast is included on three mornings. Other food and drinks are not included, so carry water and budget for meals during long road days. Gratuities are also separate.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this trip if you want a broad first look at the Southwest and do not want to plan a complicated loop by car. It is especially useful for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who value efficient transport over long hikes.

You should be comfortable with early starts, long drives, fixed stop times, and changing vehicles or group sizes. The tour is not ideal if your main goal is hiking Zion, exploring Bryce at length, walking deep into the Grand Canyon, or spending several days around Moab.

Wear comfortable shoes and light, practical clothing. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and drinks are specifically recommended. Children under six need a booster seat under the stated state-law policy, and anyone under 18 must travel with an adult.

The cancellation rules are fairly strict. A full refund requires cancellation at least six full days before departure. Cancellation two to six days ahead receives 50 percent, while cancellation less than two full days ahead is not refunded. Weather or minimum-group cancellations may lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the greatest number of famous Southwest sights in the shortest practical time. The strongest parts are the broad route, included park admissions, hotel nights, and the chance to leave the driving to someone else.

Think twice if you want quiet mornings, long trails, or freedom to change plans. Before booking, confirm the final destination, the exact day six route, current nonresident park charges, and every optional activity you want. With those points settled, this is a strong sampler of the Southwest, provided you accept that the trip moves fast.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in San Francisco, with a listed start time of 6:30 am. You select a pickup hotel when booking and must provide or update that location at least three days before departure.

Where does the tour end?

The main description says the tour returns from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Another detailed section describes a Los Angeles ending with stops such as Seven Magic Mountains and Barstow Outlets. Confirm your selected ending with the operator before departure.

How many nights of hotels are included?

Five hotel nights are included. Rooms accommodate two to four people, with either two full or double beds or one king or queen bed, depending on hotel availability.

Are meals included?

Three breakfasts are included. Other meals, food, and beverages are not included.

Are the national park admissions included?

The listed national park admissions are included, along with Monument Valley and Horseshoe Bend admissions. Starting January 1, 2026, non-US residents age 16 and older may need to pay a separate surcharge at designated national parks.

Is Antelope Canyon included?

Lower Antelope Canyon is optional and not included unless you choose the related option. During the stated closure period, the itinerary changes to Antelope Canyon X.

How much does the Monument Valley Jeep ride cost?

The listed optional Jeep ride costs $65 per person. Monument Valley admission itself is included, but the Jeep visit is not included unless you select it.

How much does the Grand Canyon helicopter flight cost?

The listed South Rim helicopter flight costs $259 per person. Children over age two are charged the same listed price as adults.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least six full days before the experience start time. Cancellations two to six full days before departure receive a 50 percent refund, while cancellations less than two full days before departure are not refunded.