10-Day Jan: Vegas to Moab and back - itinerary advice

Question

Hi, we are a middle aged couple used to driving and hiking going on a trip from Jan 9th to 18th.

We fly to and from Vegas, can't change that. Any long driving day must be day 1. We are thinking about four stops - Moab, MV, Page and GC. Any advice, critique, suggestion or correction to the tentative plan below will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

Day 0 - fly Sao Paulo - Vegas, overnight Vegas.

Day 1 - Drive Vegas - Moab (allow 10 hours). Need a hotel/motel for 3 nights

Days 2,3 - Two full days around Moab - Arches, Canyonlands, any other suggestions? more/less days?

Day 4 - Drive Moab - Monument Valley. Stay at The View (reserved w. free cancel)

Days 5, 6 - 2 full days at MVNP - need guide rec. more / less days?

Day 7 - Drive MV - Page. Overnight Page, need hotel rec.

Day 8 - Slot Canyon (prob. South Antelope, waiting for online res to open) and drive to GCNP - too much in a day?. 2 nights at Yavapay Lodge (reserved w/ free cancel)

Day 9 Full day at GC NP - can backtrack towards page if needed. 1 full day enough? any good hikes?

Day 10 Drive GC - Vegas in time for midnight flight (act. 1 AM the next day).

Answer

Your 10-day itinerary from Las Vegas to Moab, Monument Valley, Page, and the Grand Canyon in January is ambitious but doable, especially since you are experienced drivers and hikers. Here’s a detailed review and suggestions to optimize your plan.

Day 0 – Vegas: Overnight in Vegas is perfect to rest after your flight from Sao Paulo. Consider staying near the airport or Strip for convenience.

Day 1 – Vegas to Moab: This is a long driving day (~10 hours). Leave early, plan a few stops for rest, food, and photo ops (Zion National Park scenic viewpoints along the way could be a brief stop if daylight allows). Your plan to stay 3 nights in Moab is ideal.

Hotel/motel options: Moab has plenty of options; for comfort, consider places near Arches NP entrance or downtown Moab for easy access to dining.

Days 2-3 – Moab (Arches & Canyonlands): Two full days is reasonable. With two days, you can explore:

Arches National Park: Delicate Arch hike (moderate), Double Arch, Windows Section, Landscape Arch.
Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky district is ideal for shorter hikes and viewpoints like Mesa Arch and Grand View Point.
Optional: Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset photography.

If you want more relaxed pace or additional hikes, an extra half-day could be considered, but two days is sufficient.

Day 4 – Moab to Monument Valley: Drive is ~2.5-3 hours. Staying at The View is excellent for sunrise/sunset over the iconic mesas.

Days 5-6 – Monument Valley: Two full days gives you flexibility. Highlights:

Guided tours (recommend Navajo guides for iconic but less accessible areas). Companies like Goulding’s Tours or local Navajo guides get strong reviews.
Photography, short hikes, cultural experiences (Navajo storytelling, visitor center).

Two days is appropriate if you want to explore in depth and enjoy sunrise/sunset photography without rushing.

Day 7 – Monument Valley to Page: Drive ~2.5 hours. Overnight in Page. Hotel recommendations:

Lake Powell Resort, Best Western Plus at Lake Powell, or Hyatt Place Page for central location.

Day 8 – Slot Canyon + Grand Canyon: Slot canyon tour (South Antelope) in the morning is doable, but consider the time to drive to GCNP (~4 hours). This day is long, but feasible if you leave Page early. Alternatives:

Do Antelope Canyon tour in the morning, overnight another night in Page, then drive to GC the next morning for a more relaxed schedule.
If sticking to one night in GCNP, allow for limited exploration; sunset at GC can be beautiful if timing works.

Day 9 – Grand Canyon: One full day at GCNP is adequate for highlights along the South Rim. Hikes:

Bright Angel Trail (short segments down; easy/moderate)
Rim Trail for scenic overlooks and flat walking
Trail of Time for educational short walk

Day 10 – GCNP to Vegas: Drive ~4-5 hours. Departing GC mid-afternoon gives you ample time to return rental and catch your 1 AM flight.

Overall Suggestions:

Day 8 is your most ambitious day; consider breaking it into two for comfort and daylight safety in January.
Confirm road conditions for winter travel, especially near GC and high elevations.
January daylight is shorter; plan early departures and tours to maximize daylight.
Booking accommodations with free cancellation is wise given winter weather variability.

In summary, your plan is well-paced except for Day 8, which may feel rushed. Two nights in Page could reduce stress and allow a more relaxed GC arrival.

10-Day Jan: Vegas to Moab and back - itinerary advice

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