Water and wind have sculpted these extraordinary national parks; a sense of wonder and adventure will guide us through this 7-day hiking journey. Arches and Canyonlands National Parks offer active explorers an unforgettable introduction to the grandeur of the Colorado Plateau's high desert. Each park brings its own beauty, but both take their name very much to heart. Arches, located on the Colorado River, has 2,000 natural sandstone arches dotting its terrain. Canyonlands is a maze of vast canyons amidst a colorful landscape. A private lodge tucked away in the La Sal Mountains is our week-long basecamp. From here, we explore the best of both these exciting worlds. Alternating between Canyonlands and Arches, our daily hikes take us to scenic viewpoints high above the red canyons of the Colorado River, past giant sandstone arches curving gracefully into the sky, and to panels covered with ancient Native American rock art. We stop occasionally to take pictures and to take it all in, knowing this shared experience provides a better connection to nature and to each other.