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Grand Circle 5-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Beyond hoodos 5-day road trip.

Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Sedona Itinerary - Beyond Hoodoos is the best way to see the top Grand Circle destinations as well as Bryce Canyon. You’ll start your road trip at Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim where you can drive, take the free shuttle buses, or hike to take in the spectacular views before heading to Kanab, UT for the night. After breakfast in Kanab, you’ll spend the day in Zion National Park enjoying the unparalleled scenery of Southern Utah and the Virgin River. Day three of your southwest itinerary includes a day exploring the incredibly colorful Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. Day four will bring you from Kanab to beautiful Lake Powell to enjoy the wonders of canyon country with a Jeep ride to Antelope Canyon, one of the world's most famous slot canyons. After exploring Antelope Canyon with your Navajo guide, set out on short self-guided hike to Horseshoe Bend to get a selfie with the Colorado River. You’ll end the night in historic Flagstaff, AZ. Day five will include one last day of adventure while you explore the red rocks of Sedona, AZ before heading home. This itinerary is best started from Tusayan, AZ or Grand Canyon Village and includes Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Sedona. Read the full five day itinerary below to learn more.

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Self-Guided Road Trip Details

Day 1 grand canyon south rim and lake powell:.

The best locations to begin this road trip from are Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan or Grand Canyon Village ( South Rim ). Once you're on the road and ready to explore head out to the South Rim, either on your own or select to take one of many exciting guided Grand Canyon tours . No matter how you choose to travel, awesome vistas, ancient ruins, and a time for a picnic lunch are all a part of a trip to Grand Canyon.

• Begin your South Rim exploration at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and enjoy a short walk to the first breathtaking view of the canyon at Mather Point.
• From there you can decide to take a leisurely walk along the rim to take in even more views along the way, or you can return to the Visitor Center and hop on the park’s free Kaibab/Orange shuttle bus route that will take you to more scenic views over the course of about two hours.
• You’ll continue along Hwy 64E and can make short stops at the ancient Tusayan Ruins and at the beautiful Desert View Watchtower that overlooks Grand Canyon.
• Once you exit the park, you’ll be on the land of the Navajo Nation and you should make sure to check out the Cameron Trading Post, a great place to check out authentic native art or grab a delicious Navajo taco. From there, a few hours’ scenic drive will take you to Kanab, UT for a good night’s rest. 

Day 2 Zion National Park:

Waking up in beautiful Southern Utah means it’s only a short drive to Zion National Park . Spend the day exploring Zion in all its splendor by using the park’s free shuttle buses.

• Make sure you stop at the intriguing Weeping Wall and the Temple of Sinawava where you can wade into the waters of the Virgin River and take in a view of the “Narrows.”
• If you want a short hike, get off the shuttle at the Grotto and hike to Upper Emerald Pool which takes about an hour and rewards you with the beautiful contrast of water flowing through the red rocks.
• After a busy day exploring, you’ll head back to your lodging in Kanab, UT. 

Guru Tip: Zion is an extremely beautiful and very busy destination. Zion National Park operates a shuttle system that runs most of the year (March-November, plus busy weekends) and limits where and when you can drive your personal vehicle. Parking lots for the shuttle fill up early when it’s busy and lines to get into the park get backed up, so it’s important to do some planning and get to Zion early in the day to enjoy your visit. Camping, backpacking and other activities may also require advanced reservations if you want to make sure to include them in your trip. For more tips and up to date information on the shuttle, traffic and traveling to Zion you can check out the  parks travel page . 

Day 3 Bryce Canyon National Park:

Day three takes you even higher up the Paunsaugunt Plateau through the cliffs of the Grand Staircase and the beauty of Red Canyon until you reach Bryce Canyon National Park . 

• One of Utah's most sought after destinations, you'll marvel at the hoodoo- filled amphitheaters at places like Inspiration Point.
• If you’re looking for a mellow day, take an easy hike along the canyon’s rim but if you’re up for more adventure, a hike that descends into Bryce Canyon will reward you with incredible views.
• If time allows, enjoy a beautiful sunset at the park before heading back to your hotel for a peaceful night’s rest.  

Day 4 Antelope Canyon:

Your Southwest trip continues with more wonders of Canyon Country. The day begins with a drive to Page, AZ where you will hop on a Jeep Tour to explore the world-famous slot canyon at Antelope Canyon .

• After some off-road fun, you’ll arrive at Antelope Canyon where a Navajo guide will lead you on a tour along the gentle floor of this colorful sandstone canyon for some once in a lifetime photos.
• After exploring Antelope Canyon, you’ll return to Page and then drive to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook of Glen Canyon. A short and easy hike will reward you with one of the most iconic views of the Colorado River.
• From there, you’ll continue across the Navajo Indian Reservation en route to the historic town of Flagstaff, AZ . Explore Flagstaff’s charming downtown on foot and stop to enjoy a beer at one of its many excellent breweries. 

Day 5 Sedona Arizona:

From Flagstaff you'll drive through scenic Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona, AZ for breathtaking red rock views.

• It is easy to take self-guided trips to two of Sedona's most popular parks : Slide Rock and Red Rock State Parks. Slide Rock offers incredible swimming opportunities, especially refreshing on a hot summer day, or you can enjoy a tour of the historic orchards or hike on one of the park’s trails. Red Rock State Park has a beautiful trail system that allows you to get more sweeping views of Sedona’s scenic wonders.
• As you head out of Sedona, no matter where your final destination may be, you’ll enjoy some final views of the spectacular Arizona desert along the way.

Bespoke Self-Drive Tours

Private Southwest Tours

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Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon Small Group Overnight Tour

Duration: 2 days Rating: 5 out of 5 from $319 on Viator

3-Day Tour - Zion, Bryce, South Rim, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley 

Duration: 3 days Rating: 4.8 out of 5 from $695 on Get your guide

Guide to Popular Grand Canyon Area Hotels and Lodging 

Location: Grand Canyon  Rating: 4.8 out of 5 from $80 a night

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Travel and Road Trip Guide to Parks near the Grand Canyon 

Location: Grand Canyon Area Rating: 5 out of 5 fees vary by park

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An Epic 7-Day Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re looking for otherworldly views and dramatic landscapes, there’s no place like the southwest USA. A road trip itinerary through the “grand circle” (aka a loop between Las Vegas, Utah’s five national parks, and the Grand Canyon) is an epic way to see these landscapes firsthand.  

I took this road trip with my best friends and it’s still one of my favorite trips to date. The beauty of this area is unparalleled! I guarantee you’ll love it too.

Views from the road through Capitol Reef National Park. Are you ready for epic landscapes like this?!

Before we dive into the details of this grand circle road trip itinerary, let’s chat logistics. 

I’ll be upfront: this itinerary packs a lot into one week (six national parks, to be exact!). Obviously, you could spend a week at almost every one of these stops. There’s so much to see in this part of the country! However, I’ve designed this road trip itinerary to give you a taste of all the grand circle highlights so you can pack as much into your week vacation as possible! You can always come back and explore your favorite areas on a later trip. 

As with all national park trips , I recommend getting the Annual Parks Pass to save on your park entrance fees! It’s also fun to get a national parks passport that you can get stamped at all the park visitors centers.

This part of the country gets very hot in the summers (and also packed with tourists), so I recommend visiting in the shoulder season, like early spring or late fall. I visited in October and it was perfect. Mornings were a bit chilly, but the sunny afternoons quickly warmed things up. 

Finally, many parts of this itinerary are in remote areas, so cell phone reception may not be the best. Consider a GPS phone, and at the very least make sure to have your itinerary and directions available offline. 

Food, gas, and rest stops may be few and far between, so always make sure you have enough gas to get to the next major city. And, as my grandma always said, never skip a bathroom!

Bags packed and ready to go? Here’s my itinerary for an epic week-long grand circle road trip. 

Read more:   The Ultimate U.S. National Parks Guide

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1

Arrive in las vegas.

4x4s make driving through the off-road section of Capitol Reef National Park a breeze.

The easiest way to start your grand circle road trip is from Las Vegas. There are plenty of flights to this airport (including many budget airlines like Southwest). Make sure to arrive in the morning so you can take full advantage of day one. 

It’ll be easy to rent a car directly at the airport. Opt for something with at least all wheel drive (or even four wheel drive), as some parts of this itinerary involve bumpy back roads. 

Finally, I recommend packing snacks or stopping at a grocery store on your way out of town. Parts of this itinerary are fairly remote, so you’ll want to have plenty of food and water with you. I packed a reusable water bottle that I filled up at the airport and bought some non perishable snacks (like granola bars, clif bars, jerky, bagels and peanut butter, and canned sparking water) at a Wal-mart not too far outside of Las Vegas. 

Visit Zion National Park

Our first park of the trip! Iconic Zion views.

After grabbing groceries and a quick lunch in Vegas, drive 2.75 hours northeast to your first stop: Zion National Park ! (Keep in mind that you’ll also lose an hour when you cross into Utah’s mountain time zone.) 

Make your first stop at the Zion National Park visitors center. Here you can grab a park map, get your park passport stamped, use the restroom, and fill up on water. The parking lot is fairly small, and this park is very popular, so you may need to circle a few times to find a spot. One thing to keep in mind is that many of the roads in the park are closed during the summer and require you to take park shuttles to trailheads, so make sure to check the park’s website before setting out. 

Next, stop at the photogenic Canyon Junction Bridge for some pictures. This spot is about ten minutes from the visitors center and will sneak up on you, so be aware! There are a few nearby pull offs that you can park in while you pop out for your pics. This stop will only take a few minutes but it’s worth it for the scenery. 

You’ve got time for one hike in Zion, so pick wisely! We skipped the ever-popular Angel’s Landing and the Narrows (we’ll come back another time for those!) and opted for a slightly less intense hike at Canyon Overlook that still packs in amazing views.  

The first of many beautiful sunsets on this trip!

The trailhead is about 15 minutes from the bridge. This is another one that sneaks up on you! This parking lot is VERY small. We had to park along the road shoulder and walk back to the trailhead. 

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a one mile out-and-back trail with about 160 feet of elevation gain. While short, consider that you are hiking at elevation which may take longer. Parts of the trail were slippery with sandy rock – don’t skip your hiking boots here!

The end of this trail is a spectacular viewpoint looking over Zion Canyon. You can see little cars winding up the road you just drove. Take a few minutes and enjoy the view, maybe while enjoying one of the snacks you packed! If you time it right, you’ll be getting here around sunset and can watch the sky light up beautifully. 

End the first day of your grand circle road trip by staying somewhere between Zion and Bryce Canyon. We opted for a rental property in Hatch, which is another hour north of Zion, and grabbed dinner at a local saloon. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 2

Sunrise at bryce canyon national park.

And the first of many sunrises!

Day two starts with an early wake up call – we left Hatch a little over an hour before sunrise. If you go in October like I did, it will be quite cold. It was even flurrying during our drive! Make sure to make yourself a hot coffee or tea before you leave and pack a warm, lightweight coat.

The drive from Hatch to the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance is about 35 minutes. Once you arrive, park near Sunset Point. There should be plenty of spots. (While there is also a Sunrise Point, I liked Sunset Point as you can see more of the sun on the rocks.)

After parking, take a short walk to the canyon rim and find a quiet spot where you can watch the sunrise peacefully. The views here are all amazing and you don’t need to be packed in at the overlook with the other sunrise photographers. Even before sunset, the views will be breathtaking – the canyon is filled with unique spiraling rocks called hoodoos and is unlike any other place I’ve seen. 

As the sun comes up, you’ll be rewarded for the early wake up call with a spectacular show! The sun will peek over the canyon and slowly warm up the hoodoos with golden light. This was one of the best sunrises I’ve ever seen, and I won’t soon forget it. 

Bryce Canyon is an absolute dream.

Once the sun is up, time for a hike! I recommend hiking the Navajo Loop Trail paired with the Queens Garden Trail for a 2.9 mile hike with 600 feet of elevation. This trail takes you down into the canyon, past plenty of hoodoos, through a forest, and back up some through some weaving hoodoos. Start at Sunset Point, then connect to Navajo, then Queens Garden, then Sunrise Point, then the Rim trail. 

Plan for 2-3 hours for this hike, as there are plenty of beautiful spots along the way to stop and take photos. Plus, this is the highest elevation of the trip, so if you’re like me, you may be a little breathless!

Once you’re done, stop at the visitors center for the usual items. Then, grab lunch near the entrance to the park (there are a few general stores), and head on your way to your next destination!

Off Road at Capitol Reef National Park

Dancing by the Temple of the Sun and Moon. One of the more remote places I’ve been!

Drive the 2.25 hours to the Capitol Reef National Park visitors center. Here, make sure you fill up on gas and water, because this afternoon is going to be remote!

Drive a little past the visitors center until you see a turnoff on your left; this will take you to the Temple of the Sun and Moon, two large rock formations in the remote part of this park. The drive is quite rough and will take almost two hours. Take your time and enjoy the epic views – you’ll likely be the only person for miles!

If you have a four wheel drive car and the river is low, you could also ford the river and drive to the epic Bentonite Hills. You’ve probably seen these on Instagram – these striped hills look like they’re the surface of mars, and at sunset turn amazing shades of blue and red. Unfortunately, the river was too high for us to safely cross (this is something to ask about at the visitors center!), but luckily there were a few similar hills on the way to the Temples of the Sun and Moon. 

Bentonite Hills or Mars?

After you’ve seen the Temples, turn around and drive out the way you came. I would try not to do this past sunset, as it will be incredibly dark on the remote road. 

Have dinner at one of the restaurants near the park (Pioneer Kitchen, Rim Rock, or Hunt and Gather). Then, rest up at the Capitol Reef Resort for the night. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 3

Explore more at capitol reef national park.

This morning is all about exploring the “on-road” part of Capitol Reef National Park. There is a main road that winds through this part of the park, so I recommend stopping at the various turnouts and hiking around. Some great spots to stop at include Panorama Point, Sunset Point, and Goosenecks Overlook. These all have their own parking lots and short trails you can wander through. 

More epic views of Capitol Reef – don’t sleep on this park!

Then, head to the trailhead for the Fremont River Trail for the main hike of the morning. This hike is 2.0 miles roundtrip and 440 feet of elevation gain. You will start with a quiet walk along the river before steeply ascending during the second half of the hike. However, the views from the top are breathtaking! If you keep going past the official trail “end” (you’ll see an unofficial path from others), you’ll get a great view of the canyon below. 

Reward yourself for all the hard work with one of the famous homemade pies at the Gifford Homestead. This historic home from the early 1900s serves up some delicious treats. Consider having a picnic lunch here with some of the snacks you bought on day one. Don’t forget to pet the horses!

Motivation for hiking steep trails.

On your way out of Capitol Reef, stop at Petroglyph Panel to see a series of historic drawings from the Native Americans who lived in this area, the Fremont Culture, between 600-1300 AD. There’s a convenient parking lot at the turnoff and a few boardwalks to explore. 

In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated parks in the US. Hopefully now that you’ve explored it for yourself, you’ll understand why!

Pit Stop at Goblin Valley State Park

The ~unique~ rocks in Goblin Valley.

Next, drive east for about 1.25 hours until you reach Goblin Valley State Park. This unique area is worth a pit stop (and the entrance fee). The white rock formations are completely different from the red hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. Many of them may resemble a melting *eggplant emoji*, if you catch my drift. 

You can free-roam through this canyon, so spend some time stretching your legs before the next leg of the itinerary, which is to drive another 1.75 hours to Moab. 

Moab is by far the biggest town so far in this road trip, so there will be plenty of options for accommodation, including hotels and funky vacation rentals!

Grab dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. There’s plenty of good food in Moab! We ate Vietnamese at 98 Center Moab and loved it. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 4

Sunrise at canyonlands national park.

Sunrise at Canyonlands – sadly cloudy for us, but still beautiful!

Today’s grand circle itinerary involves another early wake up call (but I promise it’ll be worth it). Wake up at least two hours before sunrise and drive the hour into Canyonlands National Park . Head to the famous Mesa Arch trailhead and hike the easy 0.7 miles to the arch. Consider headlamps so you can see where you’re going in the dark! 

There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, but expect crowds at this famous sunrise spot. Getting there early will ensure you get a good spot to watch (or photograph) the sunrise over the Canyon and reflect off this giant arch. 

After sunrise, continue driving along the park’s main road and pull off at some of the turn-offs for more beautiful views. I recommend Buck Canyon Overlook and Green River Overlook.

These landscapes are just unreal.

If you have the time (and energy), hike the White Rim Overlook trail. This 1.8 mile roundtrip hike includes only 159 feet of elevation gain and will get you even closer to some of the canyon overlooks. 

Explore Moab

Moab is the largest town we’ve visited so far on this grand circle road trip itinerary, so after a busy morning in nature, spend a little time in the city. There are lots of cute shops selling local artisanal goods. There are also plenty of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants to explore! Don’t miss Love Muffin, our favorite little coffee and breakfast spot.

Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park – sad name, good views.

There’s so much to do in this area that Dead Horse Point State Park is often overlooked by visitors. Don’t make that mistake! This is an incredible park that is certainly worth a visit. The landscape is similar to the famous Horseshoe Bend, but twice the bends! 

There are a few trails you can hike, but we just wandered around the main one along the canyon’s edge. The views are breathtaking, especially at sunset! 

This state park is about 45 minutes drive outside of Moab and requires a $10 entrance fee.

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 5

Sunrise at arches national park .

Delicate Arch is even bigger in person than we imagined!

Another day, another sunrise. Arriving early to the popular (and crowded) Arches National Park will give you plenty of time to explore its unique landscape.

You’ll start your day with a hike up to the famous Delicate Arch. Leave about two hours before sunrise to allow for the 45 minute drive into the park and the beginning of the hike. Again, I suggest bringing a headlamp so you can watch your step on the trail.

This 3.4 mile, 480 foot elevation gain hike is very popular, but also rather challenging. There are parts that are quite steep, as well as close to large drop-offs (including the end of the trail near the arch itself). If you’re afraid of heights, keep this in mind. Seeing this huge, mind-blowing arch in person will be worth the effort, though!

Nature is neat.

Once you’re finished with the Delicate Arch hike, there are a few other arches you can see from fairly near the parking lots. These include Windows Arch, Turret Arch, Double Arch, and Balancing Rock.

Before you leave, head out on one more (less strenuous) hike to Landscape Arch. This arch is long and thin and appears to almost defy physics. This hike is 1.8 miles and only 40 feet of elevation gain, so will be fairly easy compared to the first hike of the day!

Once you’ve finished, it’s time to pack up, fill up on gas and water, and head south for the next part of your epic grand circle road trip itinerary!

Detour Through Monument Valley

Run, Forest, run!

Take a slightly longer route to Page, AZ by driving through Monument Valley. You’ve seen this in countless photos and films (including Forrest Gump), and trust me, the extra driving time is worth it to see this beautiful area! The way the rocks rise up so high from the flat ground is amazing. 

Make sure to stop at the aptly named Forrest Gump point along Highway 163 for the famous view of the road with the iconic monument valley rock formations in the background. There’s a pull off on the right side of the road where you can park and snap a photo. The drive from Moab to here will take you about 2.25 hours. 

From here, drive another 2.25 hours to Page, AZ, where you’ll spend the night. We treated ourselves to Under Canvas Glamping and are so glad we did – it was such a unique stay. We got the stargazer room so we could see the stars from our bed. Just be warned that it gets a little cold at night so be prepared to stock your fire!

Note that if you do this, Under Canvas Lake Powell is in Utah, a separate time zone from Arizona. This part of Arizona is also a separate time zone from the part you just drove through (due to being on Navajo lands). It can all be a bit confusing so I recommend manually setting your phone to Page time so you don’t miss any tours or events! 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 6

Squeeze through a slot canyon.

You could almost feel how mystical these slot canyons are.

Sleep in this morning (you deserve it!) before heading to a slot canyon tour. The most famous slot canyon is Antelope Canyon (specifically lower Antelope Canyon), which is on Navajo land. The canyon is sacred to the Navajo people and they are the only ones who can provide tours of the canyon. You can’t visit on your own, you must book one of these tours. 

It can get a bit crowded in Antelope Canyon, but there’s nothing like it so I think it’s worth a visit. The crowds are better in recent years now that they made the canyon one-way walking only. The best time of day to visit is midday so you can see the famous light beams! Sadly in October the sun doesn’t get high enough in the sky for this, but it was beautiful nonetheless. 

Abe Lincoln’s chin…can you see it?

Several tour companies offer package tours so you can see other slot canyons. Definitely do this so you get a contrast to Antelope Canyon, both in terms of style and crowds! Being alone in a quiet slot canyon is definitely a majestic moment. 

I was worried about the slot canyons being too narrow and getting claustrophobic, but they weren’t too bad. Looking up and seeing the sky really helped! 

Relax at Lake Powell

Grab lunch in Page on your way back and spend the afternoon relaxing at Lake Powell. You can rent a boat or kayak and enjoy some time on the water and in the sun!

Sunset at Horseshoe Bend

Famous, but for good reason.

Horseshoe Bend is probably one of the most famous viewpoints in the world, but honestly, it’s for good reason. This spot is just gorgeous! 

The viewpoint is a short, 10-minute walk from the parking lot. While there will be large crowds, the bend is quite large and there are plenty of large rocks for you to find a spot that’s a little less busy. Get here early, bring a picnic, and enjoy a beautiful sunset as it reflects off the canyon walls and Colorado river below. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 7

Explore grand canyon national park.

The grandest canyon of them all.

It’s time for one more national park on your last day of the grand circle road trip itinerary! Drive the 2.5 hours south to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park for epic views of this incredible landscape. This is one of those places where pictures just can’t do it justice!

There’s no real itinerary for this section – just stop at various pull offs along the southern rim and enjoy the views! 

Witness History at the Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam!

After leaving the Grand Canyon, drive 3.75 hours west towards Las Vegas. The Hoover Dam is famous for being a depression-era feat of engineering. Conveniently, it’s also right off the highway on your way back, so it’s well worth it to stop! Depending on how much time you have, you can vary how long you spend here. We just parked and took a quick walk across the bridge, but you can definitely stay longer and learn more about the history and engineering of this massive dam.

Return to Las Vegas and Head Home

Unfortunately, it’s finally time to drive the final hour back to Las Vegas, return the rental car, and head home. It’s been an amazing trip! 

LGBTQ Considerations 

My wife and I went on this trip with another lesbian couple, and we all had an amazing time! While I’m always a little cautious in small towns, generally national parks attract a diverse crowd, which enabled us to relax, explore, and be ourselves. 

Read more:   Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers

I hope you’ve enjoyed this grand circle road trip itinerary as much as I did! This is one of the most beautiful parts of the USA and being able to pack so much into one trip is just incredible.

Tell me, what was your favorite part of the grand circle road trip? 

Read more:   United States Travel Guide

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Hello, I’m planning a Grand Circle road trip and like the itinerary you posted. We will have 7 nights and was wondering where you would spend an extra night?

Great question! I would pick which park sounds most interesting to you and stay there! That being said, this itinerary probably spends the least amount of time in Zion – that park has so much more to offer, so if it were me, I would stay there!

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The Scoop: What to Know About Overseas Adventure Tours (OAT)

This small-group specialist runs tours to all continents..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

• Looking at an Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) tour, but want to know more about this small-group tour company?
• Here’s everything you need to know about the tour company, all updated for 2024.

Overseas Adventure Travel —more commonly referred to as OAT (saying the letters as opposed to naming the grain)—is a small-group tour specialist with tours on all continents. As its name suggests, tours with Overseas Adventure Travel tend to be fairly active, so participants should be comfortable with six to eight hours of activity each day, including walking distances ranging from three to six miles.

OAT has a great reputation for its solo guest focus (more on that below), and offers a generous number of no-additional-cost single spots on its tours. It also has women-exclusive departures on many itineraries.

BEST OF THE BEST: Best Tour Companies for Guided Tours

On OAT tours, accommodations tend to be less about amenities and more about authenticity. Another thing to note is that airfare is often bundled into the up-front price of the tour (unless you specify that you want to book your own travel). OAT is one of the family of Grand Circle Corp. companies, also including Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Countries: OAT has tours on every continent 
• Tour Size Average: OAT specializes in small-group trips of no more than 16 people. Its small-ship tours are aboard 50- to 98-passenger ships max out at 25 travelers. 
• Tour Type: Coach, van, small ship, rail, and air

Credibility Check

Overseas Adventure Travel is BBB accredited with a rating of A+. It’s an active member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). The OAT website posts verified guest reviews on each tour page (sometimes with hundreds of reviews) so it’s easy to see what past travelers think of each tour. 

Tour Destinations

For 2024, OAT has 80 itineraries that include tours on every continent. Some of the most popular tours are to destinations in Italy, Egypt, and multi-country tours in Africa and around the Adriatic. 

Overseas Adventure Travel gives all its tours an Activity Level Rating that ranks tours from one (easy) to five (strenuous) to help travelers find the right fit. It has both women-only departures and many no-additional-cost single traveler spots on tours. 

There are multi-country and single country tours. On many tours, OAT creates spaces for discussion and learning with its Controversial Topics program that covers topics such as Scottish independence on its Scotland Revealed itinerary and female genital mutilation on its Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari tour. 

Tour Guides

OAT’s tour guides are called Trip Experience Leaders. All are fluent in English and have a range of skills, certifications, and experience specific to the tour destination and experience. Trip Experience Leaders focus on both the logistical and the experiential, and help connect travelers with destinations by sharing firsthand insight that brings a destination to life. 

Inclusions/Extras

Inclusions are tour-specific (there’s a “What’s Included” section on each tour’s page), but generally include round-trip flights, many (but not all) meals, transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides, porters, etc. As with most tour companies, gratuities for trip experience leaders is separate. 

Typical Travelers

OAT’s guests are mostly American travelers aged 50 and older. In the last few years, Overseas Adventure Travel has seen a major jump in the number of solo travelers—more than half of all OAT guests are now solo travelers, and 80% of these solo travelers are women.

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OAT does right by its strong solo traveler base —in 2024, the company is offering 25,620 single spaces—91% of which are free (the remaining 9% of single spots have what OAT says is the lowest single supplement in the industry). And a number of itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. 

Communication

After booking, travelers have access to all trip details through the “My Planner” section on the website. The section includes details like flight information, destination weather, and itinerary information.

Then, two weeks before departure, travelers receive all their final documents, and are also contacted by their Trip Experience Leader. Any additional questions can be directed to OAT’s customer service email or phone number.

Loyalty Program

OAT’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club . Membership benefits kick in when travelers reserve their third trip, and increase after traveling with OAT five and ten times. Benefits include credits to use on future trips, travel credits, exclusive gifts, and priority luggage service. 

Private Options

OAT offers Personalized Private Adventures for groups of five to 10 people. These private departures are available using existing itineraries, and include a dedicated Trip Experience Leader. The private group premium amount depends on the number of travelers in a group. Some of the most popular private tours include Ultimate Africa , Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes , and Japan’s Cultural Treasures . 

Sustainability Efforts

OAT is part of Grand Circle, and participates in the Grand Circle Foundation , which supports projects around the world focused on water and sanitation, education, community development, renewable energy, the protection of indigenous cultures, conservation, historic preservation, and disaster relief.

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Health and Safety Practices

On OAT tours that include time onboard a ship, additional precautions include crew trained on best health and hygiene practices to prevent onboard spread of illnesses, nightly electrostatic disinfection of public areas, and disinfection of high-efficiency air filtration systems before each sailing. The OAT website is the place to go to read more about the current health and safety practices for land and ship tours.  

Family Companies

The Grand Circle family of companies includes Overseas Adventure Travel , Grand Circle Cruise Line , and Grand Circle Travel .

More from Tour Scoop:

• 9 Travel Companies That Specialize in Women-Only Tours
• Best Senior Travel Tour Companies
• Best Tour Companies for Solo Travelers

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