Escorted

Less Jurassic Park and more Discovery Channel, this all-out dinosaur adventure unearths the paleontologist in all of us.  Near Salt Lake City, Utah, situated in what must have been one of the preeminent dinosaur domains during prehistoric times, a variety of sites and attractions speaks to what lies beneath.  The Museum of ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point comprises one of the world’s larges dinosaur museums and encourages learning through a number of interactive exhibits.  At the College of Eastern Utah’s Fossil Lab, participants get their hands dirty working with actual fossils.  Nearby Cleveland Lloyd Quarry presents a fossil dig in action.  Later in the journey, in Moab, Utah, travelers explore Arches and Capitol Reef national parks.

Price Includes:
● 7 Nights accommodations
● 8 Day Car Rental (mid-size)
● 7 Breakfasts
● Museum of Ancient Life
●Dinosaur Dig, Museum & Lab Experience at CEU
●Trilobite Fossil Digging Experience
●2 Lodge Activities
●Tips for Bellmen and Included Meals

Note: Entrance fees to National Parks are not included.  Please check NPS website for detailed information regarding fees, etc.   http://www.nps.gov/

Limitations and Restrictions: *Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice.  Government taxes, service charges, fuel surcharges and gratuities are not always included in the price and, if not, are in addition to the stated prices. Member benefit is per person and applies to first and second traveler only.  Member benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice.  Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers’ policies.  Additional conditions and restrictions may apply.  We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication but reserve the right to correct errors.  AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Change and Cancellation penalties:
$50 per person administrative fee is charged if you cancel after you make your deposit unless your deposit is applied to another booking at that time.
76+ days prior to departure:  $50 per person
75-61 days prior to departure:  No Refund of initial deposit
60-31 days prior to departure:  50% of total fare
30-15 days prior to departure:  75% of total fare
14-0 days prior to departure, no shows, or tour interruptions en route:  100% of total fare.
Unused or partially used tour feature and components are non refundable.
Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Day 1: Arrive Salt Lake City

Arrive Salt Lake Airport; after picking up your rental car, travel to downtown Salt Lake City with the rest of the day free to explore this “Crossroads of the West.”
Salt Lake City Sheraton, or similar

Day 2: Salt Lake City - Museum of Ancient Life

This morning enjoy time to explore Salt Lake City; then travel a short distance to Thanksgiving Point and the Museum of Ancient Life which is the world’s largest Dinosaur museum for touring; your pass includes entrance to the museum and an Imax film; continue to Provo and your hotel for the night. (B)
Provo Hampton Inn, or similar

Day 3: Prehistoric Museum - Moab

Today travel to the town of Price and the College of Eastern Utah; first visit the Prehistoric Museum for touring and an orientation; then enjoy a special guided tour of the College of Eastern Utah’s Fossil Lab where you can have some hands on experience with the preparation of actual fossils; We also suggest a visit to the Cleveland Lloyd Quarry, one of the most productive dig sights in the west; in the late afternoon travel to Moab, Utah’s adventure capitol, for a 3 night stay; arrive at Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge located on the banks of the mighty Colorado River. (CB)
Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge, or similar – 3 nights

Day 4: Arches – Adventure

The next two days are yours to experience all the area and Red Cliffs Lodge has to offer, you have a choice of one lodge activity per day for the next two days which include – horseback riding, river rafting and a jeep tour; the rest of the time is yours to explore the sights and attractions in the area; we suggest a morning hike in Arches National Park to Delicate Arch; learn of the unique geology of the area which created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world with over 2,000 named arches within the park boundaries; the afternoon is free to enjoy a lodge activity and the many other options. (B)

Day 5: Red Cliffs – Moab

Today enjoy another lodge activity and then you are free to explore all that the area has to offer including Canyonlands National Park, Colorado River, Arches National Park, Moab, hiking, Hummer & Jeep tours, ATV tours, mountain biking, shopping, flight tours, jet boat tours, cowboy cookouts, etc. (B)

Day 6: Goblin Valley – Capitol Reef

Depart Moab and travel to Goblin Valley State Park, one of the most unique sights in the west, for hiking; a fantasyland of oddly shaped rock formations that at some points look like an army of goblins; then continue to Capitol Reef National Park for sightseeing and hiking; we suggest a picnic lunch as you explore the geology of the Water Pocket Fold; this 100 mile fold in the earths crust is an amazing display of the geologic forces that created the Colorado Plateau; erosion has since carved the spectacular cliffs and rock formations of Capitol Reef; spend the afternoon hiking to some of the famous sites in the park; after a full day, arrive at the hotel. (B)
Best Western Capitol Reef, or similar

Day 7: Trilobite Dig – Salt Lake

Today travel to a quarry west of Delta to enjoy a day of digging for Trilobites at U-Dig Fossil; the helpful staff will be happy to provide a brief lesson on digging for fossils and then you can dig on your own for the 250 million year old fossils which are plentiful here; everyone is guaranteed to unearth many fossils and they may take home any they find; a picnic lunch is suggested as there is no food or water on at the site; in the afternoon return to Salt Lake City and check into the hotel for a final night before the end of an amazing trip to Utah. (B)
Salt Lake City Sheraton, or similar

Day 8: Depart Salt Lake City

Check out of your hotel this morning and travel to Salt Lake Airport for your departure. (B)