Travel handbook
The American West
Utah, canyon to canyon
12 → 22 September · 10 days · 2 travelers
10
Days on the road
≈ 1,900
Kilometers
8
Major parks & sights
≈ 2,720 €
Budget per person
This is a complete travel handbook, exactly as we deliver it: the itinerary timed day by day, the route map, stays booked in your name, our favorite addresses and all the practical details. This one is an example; yours will start from what you dream of.
01
The route
A counterclockwise loop from Las Vegas: southern Utah's parks, Monument Valley, then Page before heading back.
Total distance : ≈ 1,900 km · 21 h of driving spread over 10 days
02
Your travel documents
Flights, car, activities: everything is booked in your names, and the confirmations and QR codes live in the handbook. At the airport, you open this page, and that's it.
Outbound
Friday 12 September
LUX
Luxembourg
11:20
KL 1742
1 h 15
AMS
Amsterdam
12:35
AMS
Amsterdam
14:30
KL 635
11 h 10
LAS
Las Vegas
16:40
Booking ref. V0Y4GE·17A · 17B
Return
Monday 22 September
LAS
Las Vegas
13:25
KL 636
10 h 10
AMS
Amsterdam
08:35 +1
AMS
Amsterdam
10:25
KL 1739
1 h 10
LUX
Luxembourg
11:35
Booking ref. V0Y4GE·22C · 22D
Your car
Booking LAS-88274-VY4×4 SUV · Toyota RAV4 or similar
- Pick-up
- Las Vegas Airport (LAS), Fri 12 Sept · 17:30
- Drop-off
- Las Vegas Airport (LAS), Mon 22 Sept · 11:00
- Full insurance, zero excess
- Second driver included
- Unlimited mileage
- CarPlay / Android Auto for the handbook's map
Booked activities
Lower Antelope Canyon · Navajo guide
Sunday 21 September · 11:10
2 travelers · 1 h 30 · departs from Page
Conf. ANT-2109-77
Angels Landing · permit lottery
Target: Sunday 14 September
Application filed in both draws (D-20 and D-2)
Recreation.gov · pending
03
Itinerary
Las Vegas, the arrival
- 16:40Land in Las Vegas (1 stopover from Luxembourg), pick up the SUV
- 18:30Check-in, a dip in the pool, your first American plate
- 21:00The Strip by night, one hour of glorious excess to set the tone
Onward to Zion
Today's drive : Las Vegas → Springdale · 260 km · 2 h 40
- 08:30Hit the road, detour through the Valley of Fire: Mouse's Tank Road, 1 h of red rock
- 13:00Arrive in Springdale, lunch at Oscar's Cafe
- 15:30Canyon Overlook Trail: 1 h round trip, the big view over Zion to warm up
- 19:00Dinner on a terrace facing the cliffs
Zion, the headline day
- 06:00First shuttle into the canyon (cars aren't allowed in)
- 07:00The Narrows: wading up the river between the walls, 3 to 4 h in the water
- 13:00Picnic at Zion Lodge, nap under the cottonwoods
- 16:00A quiet Riverside Walk, shuttle back
- 19:30Local beer at Zion Canyon Brew Pub
The tunnel, then Bryce
Today's drive : Springdale → Bryce Canyon · 118 km · 1 h 45
- 09:30Drive through the Mount Carmel tunnel, photo stop at Checkerboard Mesa
- 12:30Arrive at Bryce, settle in
- 14:30Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden: 2 h 30 in the middle of the hoodoos
- 19:15Sunset at Sunset Point, when the whole amphitheater catches fire
Scenic Byway 12
Today's drive : Bryce → Torrey · 190 km · 2 h 30 (without the stops)
- 06:30Sunrise at Sunrise Point, before the tour buses
- 09:00Set off on Byway 12, one of the most beautiful roads in the United States
- 11:00Coffee by the river in Escalante, viewpoints galore
- 14:00The Hogback stretch: one ridge, two drop-offs, zero guardrails
- 16:30Capitol Reef: the Fruita orchards in the evening light
Capitol Reef, then Moab
Today's drive : Torrey → Moab · 235 km · 2 h 30
- 08:00Hickman Bridge in the cool of the morning: 1 h 30 round trip to the natural arch
- 10:30The Scenic Drive and Capitol Gorge, then a slice of pie at the Gifford House before noon
- 13:00Drive to Moab on SR-24, then Interstate 70
- 16:00Arrive in Moab, the outdoor capital. Scout out the town center
- 19:00Cult burger at Milt's Stop & Eat, an institution since 1954
Arches, sunrise to sunset
- 06:30Enter the park before the crowds, and before the heat
- 07:15Devils Garden: Landscape Arch, the longest in North America (2 h)
- 10:30The Windows Section and Double Arch, the easy giants
- 13:00Back to Moab: lunch, pool, nap. It's hot out there
- 17:30Hike up to Delicate Arch (45 min) for sunset over Utah's icon
Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point
- 06:15Mesa Arch at sunrise: the arch glows like embers from below, a 10 min walk
- 08:30Island in the Sky: Grand View Point, a sea of canyons 600 m beneath your feet
- 12:00Lunch in Moab, free afternoon: rafting on the Colorado or the pool
- 18:30Dead Horse Point: the Colorado's great bend in the setting sun
Monument Valley
Today's drive : Moab → Monument Valley · 240 km · 2 h 30
- 09:00Drive due south, photo stop at Forrest Gump Point (US-163, mile 13)
- 13:00Arrive on Navajo land, frybread for lunch
- 15:30The 17-mile loop on your own: John Ford Point, the Mittens, Artist's Point
- 18:45Sunset over the Mittens, from the terrace of your room
Antelope, Horseshoe, and home
Today's drive : Monument Valley → Page → Las Vegas · 640 km · 6 h 15
- 08:00Drive to Page (2 h), heads up: the Navajo Nation changes clocks, Arizona doesn't
- 11:10Lower Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide, slot booked: the wave of light
- 13:30Horseshoe Bend: a 1.2 km walk, the Colorado 300 m below
- 15:00Final stretch to Las Vegas (4 h 15), Hoover Dam optional
- 21:00One last night or your return flight, depending on your plan
04
Where you'll sleep
Booked in your name before departure, cancellable. For every stop, the handbook keeps a backup option in case your dates shift.
Off-Strip hotel
Las Vegas
1 night
≈ 120 $
Away from the noise, 20 minutes from the airport: you land, you sleep, you go.
Conf. HLV-99231
Cable Mountain Lodge
Springdale, gateway to Zion
2 nights
≈ 240 $ / night
Zion's cliffs from the terrace, the park entrance on foot. The luxury here is the location.
Conf. CM-48213
Ruby's Inn
Bryce Canyon City
1 night
≈ 180 $
The historic institution 5 minutes from the viewpoints, perfect for both sunset and sunrise.
Conf. RB-77410
Cliff-view lodge
Torrey, Capitol Reef
1 night
≈ 160 $
A quiet stop midway along Byway 12, under a certified International Dark Sky.
Conf. TY-10583
Lodge on the banks of the Colorado
Moab
3 nights
≈ 210 $ / night
The ideal base between Arches and Canyonlands, with your feet in the Colorado after a day on the trails.
Conf. MB-33267
The View Hotel
Monument Valley
1 night
≈ 260 $
The only hotel inside the tribal park: the Mittens at first light, straight from your bed. Unforgettable.
Conf. TV-56102
05
Our addresses along the way
Springdale (Zion)
Oscar's Cafe
LunchPost-hike portions, terrace beneath the cliffs.
Deep Creek Coffee
CoffeeProper morning coffee before the 7 am shuttle.
Zion Canyon Brew Pub
EveningA brewpub at the park entrance, your reward after the Narrows.
Scenic Byway 12
Kiva Koffeehouse
CoffeeBuilt into the cliffside above the Escalante. The break that's worth the stop.
Gifford House
SnackFruit pies from the Fruita orchards, inside Capitol Reef. Before 5 pm.
Moab
Milt's Stop & Eat
BurgerMoab's oldest diner (1954), legendary burgers and milkshakes.
Moab Garage Co.
BrunchA converted old garage, well-crafted coffee and sandwiches to grab before the trail.
Antica Forma
DinnerWood-fired pizzas that could hold their own in Naples. Well, almost.
Monument Valley & Page
Frybread from the Navajo market
On the goThe traditional fried bread, sweet or savory, at the foot of the buttes.
Big John's Texas BBQ
DinnerBrisket smoked on site in Page, ranch atmosphere, generous portions.
06
The practical side, sorted in advance
Bookings, timed for you
Every dated slot is locked in at just the right moment, with confirmations and QR codes filed in the handbook. There's nothing for you to keep an eye on.
- D-150Flights Luxembourg ↔ Las Vegas locked in on the best schedule
- D-120The View Hotel: room facing the Mittens confirmed
- D-90SUV booked (free cancellation), hotels set along the whole route
- D-21Lower Antelope Canyon: 11:10 am slot with a Navajo guide
- D-20 · D-2Angels Landing lottery: application filed in both windows
- D-7Departure briefing by video call + final handbook on your phone
In the suitcase (specific to this trip)
- A proper warm layer: sunrises at Bryce (2,400 m) bite, even in September
- Hiking shoes already broken in, with soles that grip the slickrock
- 3 liters of water per person in the car, no matter what
- SPF 50 sunscreen and a hat: the desert shows no mercy at noon
- A power bank: GPS + photos + sunrises = long days
- US adapter (type A/B) and an international driving permit
- A swimsuit: motel pools after 25 km of trails, you'll have earned them
- The neoprene boots for the Narrows are rented on site, we've reserved your size
What if? The plan Bs, ready to go
A storm forecast over Bryce in the afternoon
The amphitheater happens at sunrise, and Byway 12 soaks up the rest of the day without losing a thing.
The Narrows closed (water running too high)
Angels Landing if you've drawn a permit, otherwise Observation Point via East Mesa: the finest view in the park, no vertigo required.
Over 35 °C in Moab
Parks at sunrise, pool from noon to 5 pm, Delicate Arch at sunset: the schedule already breathes that way.
Before you leave
- ESTA required (filed online, valid 2 years): we check your application before you buy the flights.
- Luxembourg and French licenses are accepted; an international permit is recommended, and we tell you how to get one.
- Luxembourg → Las Vegas flights with 1 stopover: 13 to 15 h of travel, 700 to 950 € depending on the season.
Dated reservations (we handle them)
- Arches: timed entry is paused for 2026; we keep an eye on whether it returns for your dates.
- Lower Antelope Canyon: Navajo-guided tour, slot booked 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
- The View Hotel: 3 to 4 months ahead for a room facing the Mittens.
- Angels Landing: permit lottery, we submit your application in both possible windows.
On the road
- National parks: since 2026, foreign visitors pay a surcharge in some parks (including Zion and Bryce). We work out the cheapest option for your dates, annual pass or individual entries.
- Monument Valley is on Navajo land: separate entrance fee (~10 $/person, plus the vehicle for the loop road), and the Nation observes daylight saving time, unlike the rest of Arizona.
- An SUV is recommended: the 17-mile loop and a few access roads are far more relaxed with high clearance.
- Fuel is easy: a station at every stop, though a full tank before Monument Valley buys peace of mind.
Climate & pace (September)
- 30 °C in the afternoon in Moab, 5 to 10 °C at sunrise in Bryce (2,400 m): layers are your best friend.
- Jet lag: -8 h in Utah, -9 h in Las Vegas and Page. The 6 am wake-ups happen all by themselves the first few days, and we put them to good use.
- Water: 3 liters per person in the car, always.
The real budget for this trip
- Flights Luxembourg ↔ Las Vegas (1 stopover)≈ 850 € / person
- SUV for 10 days + fuel + insurance≈ 210 € / person
- 9 nights (hotels listed here, double room basis)≈ 890 € / person
- Parks, non-resident surcharges, guided tours≈ 220 € / person
- Meals & extras (observed range)≈ 550 € / person
Based on 2 travelers, in September. Every line adjusts: that's exactly the point of tailor-made.
Now, your own travel handbook.
Utah, Norway, Bali or anywhere else: tell us what you're dreaming of, and we build the handbook. This one took a week of work; yours starts with a simple message.
Build my handbookSample handbook with illustrative content: times, prices and availability reflect a typical September trip and are recalculated for your dates.