Trip Highlights
Donate your kindness to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the country's largest no-kill refuge for abused and abandoned pets and explore Grand Canyon National Park or Bryce and Zion National Parks with national park travel specialists Adventure Bus. This unique getaway offers a chance to escape your hectic schedule and engage your heart while you help homeless animals and revel in beauty of the Southwest. This is truly a trip to warm your heart and thrill your senses!

On our  October trip we have the honor of  renowned  scientist, animal activist and author of the best-selling book Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good. 

Trip depart Las Vegas, NV
Aug 9-14 Best Friends Animal Sanctuary/Grand Canyon National Park
Oct 5-10 Best Friends Animal Sanctuary/Zion National Park

Day 1
You will be picked up at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, NV and shuttled to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary by the Adventure Bus Travel Company. We'll get acquainted with each other over dinner and settle into our cozy cabins and cottages in beautiful Angel Canyon, part of the 3,000 + acres that make up Best Friends. You'll be able to watch the morning sun wash against the orange and red cliffs, thrill to clear blue-bird skies, and breathe in the beauty of this inspiring locale. A five minute stroll allows you to visit with the horses, goats, and perhaps the most entertaining guests at Best Friends, the pot bellied pigs!

Day 2
After breakfast, you'll spend the morning touring the facilities and getting your volunteering assignments. Enjoy a vegan/vegetarian lunch at the Angel Village Restaurant overlooking Angel Canyon with Best Friend staff members and other volunteers.

In the afternoon begin your work with the animals! Volunteer duties at Best Friends can include (but is not limited to) assisting with feeding, grooming, cleaning living areas, and walking or training those animals looking for adoptive homes. You may choose to work with cats, dogs, birds, horses, pigs and more! We will do our best to fulfill your request. The facilities at the sanctuary are impressive—there's none of the sadness that you might expect from an animal refuge. These dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, and birds all have great homes and loving companions working with them every day—and they can stay as long as they want. There's no time limit at Best Friends. Of course, the goal is to find every pet a forever home—some just take a little longer to find that perfect match. Working with the animals has recharged many a soul. Expect to feel the love and renew your sense of health and happiness.

You may have an option to take a cat or a dog back to your cottage/cabin for the evening. Arrangements for this will be made during the day. This is a great way to extend your volunteer time into the evening.

Day 3
Today you'll have two sessions of volunteering, a morning shift and an afternoon shift. You'll enjoy another lunch at the Best Friends Restaurant and have another chance to bring a dog or cat home for the evening. This evening we'll take time to go and visit a very special place at Best Friends, Angel's Rest.

Day 4
After breakfast we'll return our evening guests to their runs and check out at the Welcome Center. You'll have a chance to buy Best Friend Souvenirs. By mid morning we'll move on to the next part of our journey.... Grand Canyon! or Bryce and Zion Canyons! After two days of witnessing and participating incredible displays of human nature, it is time to let Mother Nature put on a show!

Day 4 ( August 9-14)
We'll travel to North Rim of the Grand Canyon and first enjoy a picnic lunch near a stunning view of the canyon. We'll then explore a few more vistas and short trails near the Cape Royal Area. In the late afternoon we'll settle into our campground, enjoy a delicious dinner, and watch the changing colors of the canyon during sunset. Evening activities may include a campfire under the stars or a ranger talk at the campground amphitheater.
Sunrise at Grand Canyon


Day 5 ( August 9-14)
Early risers will be rewarded with a stunning sunrise along the rim of the Grand Canyon. After a hearty breakfast we will prepare ourselves for the many options of the day. For those who like a big challenge, you can hike into the canyon on the North Kaibab Trail. This trail is very strenuous, but you can choose how far in you hike. You CANNOT reach the Colorado River in one day at North Rim, and it is not recommended that people hike past Roaring Springs in one day. Easier hiking options include the Bridle Trail, Transept Rim Trail, and Bright Angel Trail. Many free ranger programs are also available throughout the day.

Day 6 ( August 9-14)
After we break camp, we'll shuttle back to the Luxor in Las Vegas by 4PM.

Day 4 (Oct 5-10)
We'll depart Best friends after checking out of our cabins and cottages and enjoy a short ride to the East Entrance of Zion National Park. We'll stop for photo opps and exploration at a few of the major formations such as Checkerboard Mesa before traveling through the historic 1.1 mile Zion Tunnel into Zion Canyon. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch near the West Entrance of the park. Spend the afternoon exploring the canyon section of the park on the park's shuttle system. You may choose to do a few short hikes, take in the Museum or Visiter Center, or simply enjoy the guided shuttle ride. In the late afternoon we will regroup and head to our hotel, Flannigans Inn. We will have a gourmet dinner at the Spotted Dog Cafe at Flanigans Inn
 
 

Day 5 (Oct 5-10)
 

Day 6 (Oct 5-10)
We'll pack up and checkout of our hotel by 11A and depart for Las Vegas.


Meals
All but two meals are included in your tour. All meals will be vegetarian with options for vegans as well. (14 meals)

Activity Level
Hikes at Grand Canyon or Zion vary in length and difficulty. There is something for everyone. If you are not a hiker, there are ranger programs, museums and many other activities available too. Grand Canyon and Bryce are at 8,000 ft. Zion is at about 4,000 ft.

Accommodations:
Accommodations at Best Friends will be in cottages and cabins. Accommodations at Grand Canyon will be tent camping. Tents and sleeping pads will be provided for you. Not a hiker or camper? This is a great opportunity to start. Adventure Bus will provide you with all the equipment and assistance you need to have an enjoyable time! And yes, showers will be available!  In Zion National Park you will be staying at Flanigan's Inn which is just a short walk to the entrance of  Zion National Park.
 

Gear
One duffle bag or soft sided suitcase, approx. 2'x3'x2 You will need to carry it a short distance. (We will be happy to assist if needed)
Daypack/backpack and water bottle (Camelbaks® and other hydration backpacks are one of the best inventions ever or so we like to think. Also, most backpacks can hold a hydration reservoir aka "bladder")
Warm sleeping bag 15-30 deg.
Footware: Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers.
Sport sandals (Teva type) to the showers.
Flashlight/Torch (LED headlamps are the most handy)
Sun screen, sun glasses, hat,
Winter hat (for chilly campfire nights)
Towel (consider a pack towel to save room!)
Camera and film (you'll use more film than you think, on average 1 roll per day! 24+ photos
Toiletries
Pillowcase (we have pillows for you)

Clothes: Pack Light! You will be able to do laundry at the campground or at Flanigans on the Oct trip
1 pair of long pants
2 pair shorts ( zip-off pants are convenient)
1-2 T-shirts/tank tops
1 long sleeve shirt
1 fleece or sweatshirt
1 Light jacket/wind breaker for afternoon rain showers
5 pairs of socks and underwear
PJS Nights will be cold at the Grand Canyon.

Trip dates-

Aug 9-14 Best Friends Animal Sanctuary/Grand Canyon National Park
Oct 5-10 Best Friends Animal Sanctuary/Bryce and Zion National Park

Trip cost includes: Transfers from the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas to Best Friends, transfers from Best Friends to Grand Canyon or Zion and Bryce and, back to the Luxor Hotel.
Donation to Best Friends
14 meals provided by Best Friends/ Adventure Bus or at Flanigan's. All camping gear: including tents, sleeping bags and pads, guides and hikes with AdventureBus. Gratuities to Flanigan's and the Spotted Dog Cafe is included on the October trip only.

Not included: Gratuities for guides, personal items (phone calls, laundry, alcoholic beverages, or any snacks while at Best Friends (Adventure Bus will provide snacks and meals). Nature guides with the National park rangers are additional.

 

A $300 deposit is due at time of booking. Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure. No refunds. Trip cancellation/interuption insurance is highly recommended.

The bus will depart the Luxor Hotel at 1PM and return around 4PM.
About Best Friends Animal Society-
"Best Friends Animal Society operates the country's largest sanctuary for homeless pets and is home, on any given day, to about 1,500 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds and other animals. Best Friends works globally with animal shelters and rescue groups to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets. Best Friends advances initiatives nationwide that promote community approaches to make the world a better place through kindness to animals, including adoption, spay/neuter, and humane education programs."-taken from www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/media

About Adventure Bus Travel-

From the towering peaks of the Grand Tetons, to the weathered sandstone cliffs, arches and canyons of the Southwest, Adventure Bus takes you where you want to be - we take you away! The national park hiking and biking trips we offer are designed to take you to the most beautiful and exciting spots one could wish to visit in North America. Because we believe the journey is just as important as the destination, we prefer, when possible, to camp and explore off the beaten path, near lakes, rivers and beaches. Our itineraries are flexible and our drivers/guides always seem to have something fun and new up his or her sleeve with each new adventure. On each tour you'll enjoy sunsets, star-filled skies, delicious cookouts, warm campfires, make new friends and memories you'll look back on your whole life. Adventure Bus has been safely delivering its passengers to great destinations for 11 years.

About Flanigans Inn

Located in the year-round mild climate of the high desert, this healthful boutique resort is surrounded by beautiful Zion National Park. 
 
Just a short drive from Las Vegas, Flanigan’s Deep Canyon Adventure Spa is an escape to a simple, peaceful, and harmonious lifestyle. The spa features rejuvenating work from sun exposure and strenuous outdoor activity. It’s a complete spa featuring luxurious facials, exotic body wraps, and an extensive menu of therapeutic massages.  
 
The resort has a rustic park lodge atmosphere with spacious well-appointed rooms, decks and patios, superior amenities, and lush gardens. The Spotted Dog Cafe is a unique American bistro with a casual art-filled dining room and a popular sidewalk café featuring handcrafted regional cuisine and a superb wine list. 
 

About Jonathan Balcombe-

For our  October trip we are honored to be joined by Jonathan Balcombe, author of the best-selling book Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good, and the forthcoming Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals. Jonathan is a well-known scientist and animal advocate. He is passionate about nature and bird-watching and is an expert on bats (he will bring his bat detector). Jonathan will offer a couple of talks about animals and will be delighted to lead interpretive walks in the surroundings. Formerly a Senior Research Scientist with Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, in Washington, D.C., Jonathan is now an independent consultant based in Germantown, Maryland.

Chico, Roscoe, and Prunella are the dogs that stayed with us in the cottages last May.

If you would like more information about this trip, please call Donna Zeigfinger, toll free at 1-888-246-8343, or email Donna at donna@greenearthtravel.com