USA 2014 - The Southwest

Tour facts

Hotel review

Date of the tour: End of September until end of October 2014
Start and end point: Denver
Flight: Munich - Reykjavik - Denver (Iceland Air)
Car: Booked SFAR (Standard SUV) with Alamo through the travel agency - we got a Dodge Journey
Duration of the tour: 28 days

*****
****
***
**
*

Very good, everything fit here
Good, we felt comfortable
Complies with the standard
Very simple but clean
Never again

Tour details

Tag Aktivität des Tages Bemerkungen zum Tag Accommodation -
Day 1
Arrival to Denver
The journey with Iceland Air was very efficient. In Reykjavik, the change was completely smooth without waiting time. The stop after 4 hours was very pleasant. So the long flight was interrupted and you could stretch your legs.
Quality Inn & Suites Denver International Airport***
20mi
Day 2
Nice first day. Since we were there after 5 pm, we were allowed to drive to Maroon Bells without a shuttle. That we are here over 3000m high, we notice already with the first steps on the parking lot. The air is already noticeably thinner. The adjustment probably takes a few days.
Quality Inn & Suites Glenwood Springs***
260mi
Day 3
If you pre-book a tour to Crystal Mill, you are out of luck if the weather is bad. We had to drive in the snow rain in an open jeep. There are nicer things.
Quality Inn & Suites Glenwood Springs***
220mi
Day 4
If the weather is bad, you have Hanging Lake to yourself even in the fall.
Inca Inn Moab****
256mi
Day 5
The False Kiva is a very nice location. Unfortunately, the trail to it has been closed since fall 2018 due to vandalism. Whether it will ever be reopened is written in the stars.
Inca Inn****
135mi
Day 6
There was a moth plague in the hotel. The whole rooms were full of moths. This was more than unpleasant. Unfortunately, there was no alternative accommodation for us in Monicello.
Inn at the Canyons Monticello*
196mi
Day 7
Even if you only hike to the Chesler Park Overlook, the hike is worth it.
Inn at the Canyons Monticello*
110mi
Day 8
All around great and relaxing day.
The View Hotel, Monument Valley****
145mi
Day 9
Also a quiet, beautiful and relaxing day.
Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Tusayan****
230mi
Day 10
Strenuous but beautiful hike.
Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Square Inn, Tusayan****
14mi
Day 11
We are very lucky and catch a small group for them hiking through Antelope Canyon. We are only 7 people in total.
Best Western Red Hills, Kanab***
234mi
Day 12
Unfortunately, we have no luck with the wave lottery. In Zion NP it is extremely crowded, nevertheless, we manage by a miracle to get a parking lot at the Visitor Center.
Best Western Red Hills, Kanab***
115mi
Day 13
Yay we win wave permits for the next day!!!!!
Best Western Red Hills, Kanab***
111mi
Day 14
Wow, there is nothing more to say.
Best Western Red Hills, Kanab***
96mi
Day 15
We are taking the tour with Paria Outpost.
Best Western Red Hills, Kanab***
85mi
Day 16
On the way we get delicious bread at Forscher in Orderville. A Dutchman who bakes and sells German bread.
Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel****
349mi
Day 17
Bryce Canyon is always worth a visit.
Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel****
44mi
Day 18
This was a day of driving with a little sightseeing.
Best Western Plus Tempe by the Mall, Phoenix***
444mi
Day 19
Beautiful quiet and relaxing day.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Willcox***
283mi
Day 20
Die Kombination aus folgenden Trailabschnitten sind wir gelaufen: Ed Riggs – Mushroom Rock – Big Balanced Rock – Heart of Rocks – Sarah Deming – Upper Rhyolite Canyon – Echo Canyon
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Willcox
88mi
Day 21
Highway 152 was unfortunately not open, but we still had time for the sunset at White Sands NM.
Hampton Inn, Alamogordo***
352mi
Day 22
We were in the park in the morning and evening.
Hampton Inn, Alamogordo***
121mi
Day 23
Santa Fe is always worth a trip, the Turquois Trail has disappointed us rather a bit.
Hampton Inn, Santa Fe***
315mi
Day 24
Churches in Nambé, Chimayo, Las Trampas, Ranchos de Taos. The day still leaves time for shopping or relaxing by the pool.
Hampton Inn, Taos***
94mi
Day 25
A day for Georgia O'Keefe fans.
Hampton Inn, Alamosa****
242mi
Day 26
Wanderung auf die High Dune – ein absolutes Highlight
Hampton Inn, Alamosa****
89mi
Day 27
Denver will not be our favorite city. The hotel was an imposition, unfortunately.
Best Western Plus Denver Hotel*
300mi
Day 28
Packing and return flight
Since the hotel is not really nice, we spend the waiting time until the return flight at Starbucks in the sun.
20mi