Bonneville Salt Flats – Journey to the Edge of the World
$119
Details
7 hours
Sep 12, Sep 17
13 persons
within 24 hours
On foot
Active
Daytime
Description
This unforgettable journey begins with visiting the “Tree of Utah” sculpture dedicated to the people of the desert at the gateway to Utah’s salt expanses.
We’ll then uncover the mystery of the Blue Canal, — an engineering marvel that cuts through the desert’s salty infinity.
The journey’s climax will be an encounter withthe salt flats on the site of ancient Lake Bonneville, one of the planet’s wonders. This is the place where speed meets eternity, where the earth merges with the sky in white infinity.
Walking on the ancient salt crust that stretches to the horizon, you’ll find yourself in a surreal space that creates an illusion of being at the edge of the world. We’ll drive the legendary speedway where world records are set and motorsport legends are born. Finally, we’ll ascend to a scenic overlook where snow-white flats merge with Nevada’s golden desert expanses.
At the conclusion of the tour, — a brief stop at the Great Salt Lake State Park. Here, panoramic views of picturesque islands await you amid the endless azure of water and the sky. You’ll learn about the lake’s ancient geology and the history of the American West’s greatest resort, and discover the unique ecosystem of this salt paradise.
This tour will reveal a natural monument on the border between reality and fantasy, leave lasting impressions, and provide stunning photos and memories that will stay with you forever.
The tours run twice daily, — morning and afternoon, to make it easier to choose the perfect time for your amazing experience.
During the tour you’ll discover:
- What do the largest and smallest islands of the Great Salt Lake look like?
- Where did thousands of Utah residents were learning to swim over a hundred years ago?
- Why an incredible “harvest” of sea monkeys is extracted from the depths of the Great Salt Lake every year?
- How did a remote desert airfield become the secret center of the Manhattan Project, – that changed the humanity’s fate?
- Where did the ghost town founded on the Bonneville Flats by early settlers disappear to?
- What creatures have made their home in the Bonneville’s salt crust?
- Why is the water in the Blue Canal among the saltiest on the planet?
- What mining industry dominates the Bonneville desert?
- Which indigenous peoples lived amid this harsh landscape?
- Who first proposed setting speed records on the white infinity?
- Where were evidence of the oldest human life in this region discovered?
- Where do Salt Lake residents most often go to gamble at casinos?
- What famous movies were filmed in this rugged terrain?
Important
- Comfortable walking shoes (extended downtown walk)
- Hat or cap (sunny in warm weather, windy in cold weather)
- Sunglasses (frequently bright sunshine and reflections from the Great Salt Lake and Salt Flats)
- Sunscreen (for protecting from sunburn)
Included
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Trekking poles
- Binoculars for convenient wildlife viewing
- Comfortable transportation from/to a hotel/location
- Insurance coverage
- Applicable Taxes and Fees
Not Included
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Gratuities for guide (optional)
Photos
Route
8:30 – 9:00 AM – Hotel pickup or meet at a pre-arranged locationWe will meet you at your hotel or at a pre-arranged location (the address you provide during booking). After booking the tour, we will contact you to confirm the meeting time and details. You will then enjoy a comfortable ride in a modern silver Mercedes Sprinter with Matei Travel signage.
9:00 AM – Departure from Salt Lake CityThe tour begins with an introduction to the history of the state of Utah and its unique landscapes, striking in their contrasts: majestic mountains on the horizon and sweeping panoramas of the Great Salt Lake’s islands. The road to the Bonneville Salt Flats follows the historic Victory Highway — the second transcontinental route in U.S. history, which connected the East and West of the country. Along this desert route, you will encounter spectacular white “mountains” of salt, formed by enterprises engaged in the industrial extraction of this mineral.
11:00 AM – Tree of Utah and Blue CanalA stop at the "Tree of Utah" sculpture — an impressive 85-foot (26 m) installation symbolizing life's triumph amid harsh nature. Next, you'll see the Blue Canal — a unique engineering project that saved Salt Lake City from flooding during a critical time.
11:30 AM – Arrival at the Bonneville Salt FlatsThe tour's climax will be exploring the natural wonder of the Bonneville Salt Flats, covering 47 square miles (121 million square meters). Here, on the bed of an ancient lake, you'll feel like explorers of a new planet; would be able to take unique photographs against desert mirages and, drive across the perfectly flat surface just like the daredevils who set world speed records.
12:30 PM – Silver Island MountainsAn unforgettable stop on this journey will be visiting the overlook with breathtaking views of the Bonneville Lake valley against the backdrop of the Silver Island Mountains, — silent witnesses to the colonization of the American West.
2:00 PM – Great Salt Lake State ParkTo conclude our journey, we'll immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Great Salt Lake State Park. From observation decks, you would be able to take incredible photos with the water's mirror surface and majestic Wasatch Mountains as your backdrop. A walk to the marina and wild beach awaits, along with discovering local flora and fauna, plus the fascinating history of the lake's geology and Utah's legendary balneological resorts that once flourished on these shores.
2:30 PM – Return to Salt Lake City with drop-off at convenient locationsStart Place of the Tour
Meeting locations are arranged according to your preference when booking private or group tours. At the specified location, look for our distinctive silver Mercedes Sprinter with “Matei Travel” signage. Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. After booking, we will contact you to confirm the exact pickup time and location. Complimentary pickup and drop-off are provided at convenient locations throughout Salt Lake County.
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