Ronni Hannaman: On the road to Utah’s parks and canyons

Southern Utah is known the world over for its amazing topography found nowhere else in the world. Whether you are an amateur geologist or just one who loves photographing amazing scenery carved by nature over millions of years, this Warther Tour featuring some of the most iconic scenery in the U.S. is for you.

Utah's topography is a visual history of the evolution of the world that today continues to evolve. You’ll see so many landforms created over millions of years when the area that is today called Utah had been covered by oceans, inland seas, and dry land.

When the once submerged land mass, today known as Utah, rose from the depth of the ocean, deep canyons, rocky deserts, and unique land formations were created. On this picturesque tour, we will see how time, the elements and sand has eroded the earlier formations creating a beauty all its own.

How Utah and most of the west went from once being submerged to rising thousands of feet above sea level is a fascinating tale. Today, Utah is an average of 6,100 feet above sea level, which is hard to fathom.

But all will be revealed on this Warther Tour that will take in the scenic national parks of Zion, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.

We’ll see a bit of Arizona while touring Antelope Canyon in Page, which is the most photographed canyon in the west because of the wave-like structure crafted by Mother Nature over eons. There are two nights here to enjoy the views and relax at Lake Powell Resort.

This exciting journey begins right here in Carson City where instead of us transporting you to the airport, we’ll be transporting you from our back door via luxury motorcoach to Las Vegas enjoying some iconic stops along the way in our great state.

Just think, no airport hassle! Your luggage will be with you every mile of the journey tucked safely in the hold of the motorcoach. You can sit back, read, sleep, chat and relax as the miles go by on solid ground. We concluded that with all the time needed at each airport and the actual flight time, we’d almost be in Las Vegas, but far less stressed!

The nine-day tour is between May 12-20, 2025, starting with two nights in Las Vegas, followed by one night near Zion, two nights at Lake Powell Resort, two nights in Moab, ending with the final night in Salt Lake City, all hotels are rated four-star.

There will be tours of Las Vegas with a stop at Hoover Dam – and we’ll tour Salt Lake City as well at the end of our tour – two very different cultures.

There will be plenty of unique on tour adventures to enjoy including a jeep tour of Monument Valley, a relaxing float boat ride on the Colorado River to explore Horseshoe Bend, a private tram tour of Zion, and a 20-mile sunset jet boat tour at Canyonlands.

The double per person cost is $3,595 to include eight nights hotel, breakfast daily, three lunches, five dinners, relaxing round-trip motorcoach transportation from the Carson City Chamber, free parking at the Chamber, professional tour conductor and guides, entrance to all parks and attractions, and all gratuities.

Everything is taken care of from beginning to end, assuring a memorable vacation. Those who have traveled on a Warther Tour previously know this is a first-class tour.

We’re so excited to be able to show you these national treasures. President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the gift of national parks to American citizens (and the world) stating, “There is nothing so American as our national parks. The fundamental idea behind the parks is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of us all.”

Come enjoy a bit of Americana to experience why travelers from all over the world marvel at the natural attractions so close to us. Experience why traveling by motorcoach is a lesson in embracing the journey, not just the destination.

This is considered a level two tour allowing walking as your own pace. Some of the parks offer trams for touring. For hikers, there will be opportunities to stretch those legs as well.

The Chamber is pleased to be working with the very experienced Warther Tours to embark on our first motorcoach tour to provide unique travel experiences for those who no longer wish to travel via airplane or drive.

Motorcoach travel allows you to just sit back and enjoy the rich experience and camaraderie of traveling with like-minded travelers.

For the complete itinerary and information, log on to the Chamber Travel Club page www.carsoncitychamber.com/spotlight/details/chamber_travel_club, stop by or call 775-882-1565. We anticipate this will be a sell-out tour.