7 May 2027 – 5 days for $5,995 per person.
Register for 2028 and we will contact you when confirmed details including dates and prices are available.
Journey into the heart of the south-western US on a carefully timed adventure that coincides with the new moon, when the desert skies turn truly dark and the stars shine with exceptional clarity. By day, explore the immense power of deep time etched into the landscapes of Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park, and by night, join Â鶹´«Ã½'s Leah Crane for guided stargazing sessions and walking seminars that illuminate the desert sky, as she shares expert insights into astronomy, cosmic phenomena and the scientific stories behind the stars.
Along the journey, discover remarkable adaptations of plants and animals that thrive in this high-altitude, arid environment, revealing the delicate balance of life in one of Earth’s most extreme yet breathtakingly beautiful regions. From dramatic overlooks where desert landscapes stretch endlessly to the horizon, the sense of scale – both terrestrial and cosmic – is out of this world.
By day, your expert guide will lead in-depth exploration of the region’s geology, ecology and cultural history, revealing how deep time, climate and erosion have shaped the dramatic landscapes of the Colorado plateau. From ancient rock formations and resilient desert ecosystems to Indigenous rock art and long-standing relationships between land and sky, each day offers layered insight into this extraordinary environment. As night falls, the journey continues with Â鶹´«Ã½'s Leah Crane, who will guide evening stargazing sessions under new-moon skies, where the desert’s natural darkness reveals a spectacular view of the cosmos.
Your base in Moab is a rustic yet luxurious lodge set along the tranquil banks of the Colorado river, a vital lifeline through the high desert. Surrounded by towering red rock cliffs and expansive desert vistas, this peaceful retreat offers modern comfort by day and front-row access to pristine night skies – the perfect setting to end each evening beneath a canopy of stars.
In partnership with Natural Habitat Adventures.
Day 1: Arrive in Grand Junction and meet the group
Arrive in Grand Junction and make your own way to Hotel Maverick.
A once-humble railroad hub and ranching outpost in western Colorado, Grand Junction has flourished into an agricultural centre and vibrant university town renowned for its farm-to-table fare, abundant microbreweries and nearby Palisade wineries. It’s also a gateway to adventure, especially for the scenic Utah desert that lies nearby.
If you arrive before 1pm, there will be the opportunity to join an optional guided tour to Colorado National Monument, one of the state’s best kept secrets. Although it is filled with stunning red rock canyons and monoliths like the better-known national parks in the region, the monument remains less visited than its more famous neighbours. Following the scenic 37-kilometre Rim Rock Drive, you will climb more than 600 metres in elevation. Completed in 1950, the winding two-lane road features three historical tunnels carved through solid rock, with scenic pullouts and commanding views of sweeping canyons, the lone sandstone tower of Independence Monument and the distant peaks of the Rocky mountains.
Your adventure officially begins this evening with a welcome dinner with your expedition leaders and fellow travelers.
Day 2: Moab, Klondike Bluffs and Colorado river cruise
Today, you will delve further into the Colorado plateau, a vast landscape covering more than 330,000 square kilometres across parts of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The plateau is characterised by higher elevations (between 1500 and 2100 metres), an arid climate and its distinctive geology of canyons, flat-topped mesas and colourful rock formations. From Grand Junction, you will journey west to Moab, less than 2 hours away.
Your first destination is Klondike Bluffs, where you will encounter ancient history etched into the rock. On a hike along the Dinosaur Stomping Grounds Trail, cross a rugged desert landscape of slickrock and juniper to reach a site where dinosaur tracks are preserved in the sandstone. These 190-million-year-old footprints, left by long-extinct creatures during the Jurassic Period, offer a tangible connection to the prehistoric world. As you trace their footsteps, you will have a sweeping view of Arches National Park – a preview for tomorrow.
This afternoon, enjoy a cruise aboard an inflatable raft along the iconic Colorado river through Castle valley (weather permitting), a gentle and relaxing journey that lets you glide past dramatic red rock cliffs, towering canyon walls and striking desert landscapes while taking in the peaceful rhythm of the river. Afterwards, settle into your comfortable base at Red Cliffs Lodge, perched on the river’s edge beneath the canyon walls and set well outside the busy adventure hub of Moab, your serene high-desert home for the next three nights.
As night falls, gather for an expert-led stargazing session under the pristine new-moon skies. With minimal light pollution, you’ll explore constellations, planets and distant galaxies while the desert landscape fades into shadow, revealing the vastness of the cosmos above.
Day 3: Arches National Park, Petroglyphs and Dead Horse Point State Park
Few geological phenomena are as emblematic of a place than the 2000-plus sandstone arches within Arches National Park. These rock formations are the physical evidence of the power of erosion, as wind, rain, sun and time converge to shape the malleable landscape. The Entrada Sandstone, which comprises most of the park’s arches, is particularly susceptible to erosion due to its composition. Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, breaking the rock apart, while wind carries away loose particles. The result is an intricate tableau of stone shapes that evoke wonder and whimsy at every turn.
Your day dawns with sunrise in Arches National Park, where you will experience the wonder of first light transforming the landscape with a shifting palette of warm hues. The towering sandstone formations seem to glow from within, their red and orange tones deepened by the intesifying rays of the sun. Shadows stretch long across the desert floor, creating striking contrasts that highlight the textures and contours of the rugged terrain. The morning continues with a hike to Delicate Arch, the most recognisable arch in the park, perhaps the world. The play of light on rock highlights the natural beauty of the sandstone and surrounding landscape, showcasing nature's geological artistry in new and shifting perspectives. The remainder of the morning is devoted to exploring more of the park's natural arches and trails with your expedition leader.
In the afternoon, stop to view ancient petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls by the Puebloan people who inhabited this region some 2000 years ago. These rock carvings offer insight into the lives and worldview of the area’s early inhabitants, depicting animals, human figures and geometric patterns. Continue to Dead Horse Point State Park, situated atop a plateau 600 metres above the Colorado river. Your view from the rim offers a comprehensive survey of the region’s geography, from the winding river below to the distant La Sal mountains.
Enjoy an evening of guided stargazing under pristine desert skies.
Day 4: Canyonlands National Park, Needles District and dark sky stargazing
Today is devoted to exploring Canyonlands National Park, a vast red rock wilderness carved by the Colorado and Green rivers over millions of years. The park’s varied geography spans four distinct sectors, and we focus on the less-visited and more remote Needles District, named for its dramatic spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone – colourful, banded rock pinnacles that rise like sentinels on the landscape.
On a hike, you will explore at closer range, following a winding trail across slickrock expanses and past ancient rock art, offering an intimate connection to the park's dramatic geology and cultural history.
After a picnic lunch, continue deeper into the park on an off-road journey in 4x4 adventure cruisers. Your destination offers a spectacular view of the Colorado river as it carves its way through the layers of sandstone comprising this landscape. As the day winds down, return to Red Cliffs Lodge in time for a sunset toast on the banks of the Colorado river. The fading light bathes the canyon walls in warm, golden tones, reflecting off the gleaming water as the desert transitions into twilight.
After a last dinner together, head out to experience one of the region’s most awe-inspiring spectacles: the dark night sky. Far from city lights, the inky black tableau reveals a glittering expanse of stars, planets and the ethereal glow of the Milky Way, and your expedition leader will help you spot constellations rarely seen in more urban areas. With the silence of the desert as your backdrop, spend meditative time taking in the grandeur of the cosmos, a timeless reminder of nature's vast beauty and mystery.
Day 5: Sunrise over the Colorado River, explore the Upper Colorado River and return to Grand Junction for departure
Rise early to witness the sunrise this morning on a quiet walk along the Colorado river. Given your lodge’s optimal location, you don’t have to go far to experience this daily splendour.
After breakfast, it is time to start making your way back to Grand Junction along the 70-kilometre Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, a winding two-lane road that traces the river’s path through a dramatic gorge. Passing through Castle valley, look for the famous profiles of Castleton Tower and Fisher Towers, observing how the gleaming light of morning transforms them from maroon to vermillion, then rust and gold. The surrounding terrain has been featured in many movies, including famous westerns, which are remembered at the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage located at Red Cliffs Lodge.
Cross the Colorado river at the site of Dewey Bridge, which was the original wooden span carrying Highway 128 over the river. Built in 1916, the famous suspension bridge was the second longest bridge west of the Mississippi and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places until it was destroyed by a fire in 2008.
Once you are back in Grand Junction, you may enjoy exploring this lively western town on your own if your flight schedule permits.
