Join us on our first tour featuring two days of volunteering with the animals at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Seated at the heart of the Golden Circle of national parks in southern Utah, resting on 33,000 breath-taking acres, Best Friends is home to approximately 1,700 dogs, cats and other animals who come from shelters and rescue groups around the country for special care they can only receive at Best Friends. Celebrating its 25th year in 2009, the mission of Best Friends is to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. Every year, over 30,000 people visit and volunteer to make a difference in the lives of the animals and now you can have a chance to do the same. This tour has it all - a chance to learn from the staff of Best Friends, volunteer with the animals and see Mother Nature at her best.
Day 1, Sunday, April 25 - Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, "Sin City" will be our starting and ending point for the tour. Take the free shuttle from the airport to the La Quinta Inn. It's just a short walk or take the hotel's free shuttle to "The Strip". The first corner you come to is the Bellagio with the famous fountains and Caesar's Palace, and this is just the start. Consider arriving a day or two early to experience the fun of Las Vegas.
Visit the La Quinta Inn Las Vegas Airport website.
Day 2 - Monday, April 26 - Kanab, UT
In the morning we meet in the hotel lobby and board our coach. After a stop for lunch we'll head straight for Kanab and have our first look at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Following an introductory video we will have a guided tour of the complete facility and even time in the gift shop. Our motel is centrally located in the middle of the town and after check in there will be plenty of time to explore the town of Kanab. (Breakfast)
Visit the Perry Lodge website.
Day 3 - Tuesday, April 27 - Best Friends
After breakfast we will spend the entire day with the animals at the sanctuary. Choose the animal area you would like to work with; dogs, cats, horses, birds, bunnies or even pot-bellied pigs. The staff will guide us in the care of the animals and offer many useful tips we can take with us when we return home. Lunch will be in the vegetarian cafeteria at the Sanctuary then we will continue to spend time with the animals before returning to the motel. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary website.
Day 4 - Wednesday, April 28 - Best Friends and Bryce Canyon
We will spend the majority of the day at the sanctuary before departing for Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon Lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is nestled in a forest of ponderosa pines - boasting a rustic elegance that's authentic right down to replicas of the Lodge's original 1920s hickory furnishings. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Visit the Bryce Canyon Lodge website.
Day 5 - Thursday, April 29 - Bryce Canyon and Zion
Early-risers will want to catch the unforgettable sight of a Bryce Canyon sunrise, the light of dawn slowly spreads across the park's unique geological features. Spend the morning at leisure, perhaps taking advantage of Bryce Canyon's renowned hiking trails to observe a great variety of bird species, beautiful wildflowers and diverse wildlife. We leave mid-afternoon and spend the night just outside the entrance to Zion. (Breakfast)
Visit the Bryce Canyon website. Bryce Canyon National Park - Photographs do not do it justice. We took this picture in the early morning as the sun was coming up. What a spectacular scene!
Day 6 - Friday, April 30 - Zion National Park
The Paiutes believed this place to be the home of their coyote spirit, Sinawava, while early Mormon visitors referred to it as "the natural temples of God" and you'll discover why. Sheer cliffs of colorful sandstome canyons and 3,000-foot high palisades tower above the lush greenery of the canyon floor. We will leave our hotel together for a guided tour to an area with hidden waterfalls and abundant wildlife. At the end of the tour you can return to the shops and restaurants of Springdale or hike in the midst of the wonders of nature in the canyons, creeks and meadows of the park. Join us this evening for our farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Visit the Zion National Park website.Zion National Park - Depending on the time of day the sun creates rainbows of color for the mighty cliffs.
Day 7 - Saturday, May 1 - Zion and Las Vegas
Revisit the park this morning via the free shuttle to explore Zion's diverse geological features at leisure. Highlights include a trio of peaks known as the Three Patriarchs; the Emerald Pools, fed by waterfalls cascading over the canyon wall; and the veil of spring water trickling over Weeping Rock. Or explore the galleries and shops of Springdale since we will be leaving in mid-afternoon. We plan to arrive in Las Vegas at the La Quinta Inn at approximately 6:00 PM. Please schedule your return flight after 9:00 PM. This would also be a perfect time to spend another night or two and explore the casinos, attend a show or splurge for dinner in one of many five star restaurants within an easy walk from the hotel.
Highlights of the Best Friends Tour 2010
Escorted by Mary and Jim Marks
Small tour group limited to only 26 people
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for two days
6 nights lodging in three star and better accommodations
Transportation via an air conditioned motor coach
6 Breakfasts, 2 lunches and farewell dinner
All baggage handling once we depart Las Vegas
Entrance fees to the National Parks
Trail maps for the national parks
Transfers from the airport to the La Quinta
Transfers from the La Quinta to "The Strip" and shopping centers
A donation to Best Friends in the name of each person traveling
Due to the high level of interest we have already received this tour is expected to sell out quickly since we are limited to the number of people that can volunteer at one time at the sanctuary. This tour is priced at $1,195 per person based on double occupancy and a single room supplement is $350. If you have questions or need additional information please email at ilove2explore@gmail.com.
Application
Click here for an application - please print, complete and return to the address at the bottom of the application.