Cosmos North America tours launch for 2026 from $2,079
Cosmos will add three North America itineraries in 2026, pairing value pricing with marquee sights across the Southwest, the Southeast's music capitals, and America's historic heartland. The nine day Grand Canyon and Mighty Five route runs Phoenix to Las Vegas with six national parks on the schedule. The 11 day Music and Legends with Elvis and Dolly loops round trip from Atlanta through Tennessee and Kentucky. The 10 day Untold Tales of Historic Trails focuses on Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Virginia, aligning with the country's 250th anniversary in 2026.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Adds affordable, guided options during America's 250th anniversary year.
- Travel impact: From $2,079.00 land only, about $231.00 per day on the parks itinerary.
- What's next: Spring 2026 departures, with pricing and dates live on Cosmos.
- Early inclusions: Navajo guided Monument Valley 4WD, Grand Ole Opry tickets, Monticello tour.
- Value focus: Simple hotels, expert guides, time at leisure, and optional add ons.
Snapshot
Cosmos' 2026 slate spans three themes. Grand Canyon and Utah's Mighty Five, nine days, visits Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, with a Navajo guided 4WD in Monument Valley and time in Sedona. Music and Legends with Elvis and Dolly, 11 days, tracks rock, soul, and country history from Tupelo to Memphis and Nashville, with Grand Ole Opry tickets and options for Graceland, Studio B, and Dollywood. Untold Tales of Historic Trails, 10 days, anchors in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, then adds Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Monticello. Launch prices show from $2,079.00 to $2,569.00 per person, double occupancy, depending on itinerary and date.
Background
Cosmos, part of the Globus family of brands, positions these trips for value minded travelers who want guided logistics without premium frills. The company's national parks program expands as the Southwest rebounds from 2025 wildfire disruptions that closed Grand Canyon's North Rim, pushing many tour operators to adapt routing. For context on that impact, see Grand Canyon North Rim Closure for 2025 After Dragon Fire. The history focused itinerary dovetails with the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026, which is expected to lift demand for heritage travel. The launch also follows broader portfolio growth across the company's brands, including new 2026 South Pacific programs, covered here: Globus & Cosmos Add 2026 South Pacific Tours.
Latest Developments
Pricing and headline features for Cosmos North America tours
Grand Canyon and Utah's Mighty Five lists from $2,079.00 for nine days, about $231.00 per day based on an April 19, 2026 departure. Highlights include Sedona, Scenic Byway 12, a Navajo guided 4WD in Monument Valley, and six national parks capped by Zion and Bryce Canyon. Music and Legends with Elvis and Dolly shows from $2,469.00 for 11 days, about $224.00 per day based on a May 30, 2026 departure, with tickets to a Grand Ole Opry show, plus optional Graceland, Studio B, and Dollywood. Untold Tales of Historic Trails posts from $2,399.00 for 10 days, about $240.00 per day for an April 14, 2026 departure, including guided touring in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, an overnight inside Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and Monticello.
What each itinerary covers
Grand Canyon and Utah's Mighty Five, tour 8610, runs Phoenix to Las Vegas with park time in Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. The route includes Dead Horse Point State Park time at leisure and a Navajo guided 4WD in Monument Valley, a signature inclusion at this price point. Music and Legends with Elvis and Dolly, tour 8260, is round trip from Atlanta to Tupelo, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, and Pigeon Forge, with stops like the Tina Turner Museum and the Colonel Harland Sanders Café and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky. Untold Tales of Historic Trails, tour 8060, connects Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Charlottesville, culminating with a guided visit to Monticello.
Value framing from Cosmos
"These new North America vacations are packed with moments that matter, and priced to make the most of them," said Stephanie Brooks, vice president, product and operations for the Globus family of brands. "At Cosmos, we believe the best stories do not have to come with the biggest price tags. We are proud to offer travelers access to some of the continent's most iconic sights, cities, and cultural treasures, all in easy to enjoy itineraries." Launch dates span spring to fall 2026, with additional "extended stay" options on the Historic Trails itinerary for two extra nights in New York City.
Analysis
Cosmos is leaning into three proven demand drivers, national parks, music heritage, and the Semiquincentennial, while keeping per day costs competitive versus independent travel. The Mighty Five route hits high density scenery with an included Navajo guided Monument Valley experience that many competitors sell as an add on, strengthening the value story. The music itinerary's built in Grand Ole Opry show, with optional Graceland and Dollywood, covers widely searched bucket list stops in a single booking, an advantage for first time visitors. The history itinerary benefits from 2026's event calendar, pairing DC and Philadelphia with battlefield and Founding Era sites that will be in the spotlight. Operationally, Cosmos' hotel roster and pacing help hold pricing below typical self drive trips once you add fuel, parking, and timed entry tickets. Advisors should watch park access updates after the 2025 North Rim closure, and encourage early deposits for spring and early summer dates that traditionally sell first.
Final Thoughts
For travelers seeking a guided, budget forward way to see marquee U.S. sights in 2026, these three trips are practical and well balanced. The parks itinerary compacts six national parks into nine days without rushing key viewpoints. The music route bundles Elvis, Dolly, and the Opry into a loop with manageable coach days and flexible time for add ons. The history program lines up America's birthday year with a smart sequence of heritage sites. Taken together, they sharpen the value proposition of Cosmos North America tours.