When to go
May – November
Price
From £4,999 pp (excluding flights)
Flight time
11hrs 14mins
Introduction
On this spectacular tour of Western USA, you will visit 5 natural and man-made national parks. Each park has their own distinct landscape, flora and fauna, and optional activities. Your journey will take you from Zion Canyon to Bryce Canon, as well as Yosemite Valley and the Grand Canyon. Not to mention the sacred Monument Valley – home to stunning sandstone structures, and panoramic vistas that are a treat for the eyes.
At a Glance
Duration
12 days & 11 nights
Guide price
Group: £4,999pp (excluding flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
San Francisco | Yosemite National Park | Death Valley National Park | Zion National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park | Monument Valley | Grand Canyon National Park | Las Vegas
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Stanford Court | Yosemite View Lodge | Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel | La Quinta Inn & Suites | Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn | Kayenta Monument Valley Inn | Yavapai Lodge
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 6 people with a maximum of 13
Start/Finish
San Francisco | Las Vegas
Extensions
Highlights
Visit Five Stunning National Parks
Travel across Western USA to visit some of the most renowned national parks in the world. Your journey will take you to the following national parks: Yosemite Valley, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. Each park has something special to offer, such as the red stone monoliths in Monument Valley and the vast network of trails in Zion. Wherever you go, a new experience awaits you.
Go on a Navajo Tour in Monument Valley
The Navajo people are the second most populated Native American people in America. They speak an Apachean language, where the name ‘Apache’ comes from the Yuma word “fighting-men.” During your visit to Monument Valley, you will learn about the Navajo people, including their traditions, customs, and approach to cooking and dining.
Gaze at the Wonderous Grand Canyon
Encompassing about 278 miles of land, the Grand Canyon is located in Northern Arizona, on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes. During your time at the Grand Canyon, you can take a scenic flight over the area, giving you incredible views of the rocky mountain ranges from above. You can also stroll along the South Rim Trail, which is an easy path as the surface is mostly flat terrain.
Trek Deep Into the Zion Narrows
The Zion Narrows is, as the name implies, the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. It is made of a gigantic gorge, which has walls that are a thousand feet tall and a river that is about 20 to 30 meters wide. You can hike along the paved section, and there is also a wheelchair-accessible path called the Riverside Walk.
Recommended Hotels
Stanford Court | Yosemite View Lodge | Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel | La Quinta Inn & Suites | Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn | Kayenta Monument Valley Inn | Yavapai Lodge
Sample Itinerary
Western USA Exploration Trip
Go on a memorable journey across Western USA and visit five iconic national parks. Your trip through the vast desert plains and will take you to Yosemite, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. There are plenty of hiking trails, optional activities, and local landmarks to explore in each area, which means that your sample itinerary will be jam-packed with all sorts of things to see and do.
Day 1: San Francisco
Start your Western USA journey in the heart of San Francisco. Upon arrival, enjoy free leisure in the afternoon and explore the city. There is no shortage of things to see and do in this vibrant city. You can check out the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, visit the California Academy of Sciences, and go on a self-guided tour of women’s history in San Francisco.
Stay overnight at Stanford Court or similar.
(N)
Day 2: Yosemite National Park
Make your way from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. Along the way, you will be introduced to some of the country’s tallest cliffs, waterfalls, and trees, giving you a sense of just how large and expansive the region is.
Stay for 3 nights at Yosemite View Lodge or similar.
(N)
Days 3 – 4: Yosemite National Park
For the next 2 days, you will get the chance to explore Yosemite in all its power and glory. Across the nearly 1,200 square miles of land, you will find grand meadows, expansive forests, a unique wilderness, and even ancient giant sequoias. As you journey through the park, keep your eyes open for the varied wildlife, such as bears, bobcats, deer, pika, and marmots.
You can also visit the Giant Sequoia trees. There are about 500 of these trees onsite, and they are enormous in size, making them a marvelous spectacle to behold.
(N)
Day 5: Tioga Pass | Death Valley
Leave Yosemite behind and travel to Death Valley National Park. Along the way, you will travel through Tioga Pass, a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in California.
Death Valley is known as a land of extremes. The summer is wrought with dry, blistering heat, while the winter introduces towering peaks frosted in snow. Depending on the time of year that you visit, you will most likely witness one of these extremities in weather.
In the event of extreme heat, the trip to Death Valley may be cancelled in place of an alternate destination; however, this is extremely rare, and every effort is made to make the journey to Death Valley possible.
Stay overnight at the Stovepipe Wells Vintage Hotel or similar.
(N)
Day 6: Zion National Park
After your stay at Death Valley, transfer to Zion National Park. A good portion of the day will be spent driving to the park, but on arrival, you will have time to go on a walk to the Emerald Pools. This walk is very easy, takes between 2 – 4 hours to complete, and features incredible viewpoints and stunning scenery.
Stay for 2 nights at the La Quinta Inn & SuitesLa Quinta Inn & SuitesLa Quinta Inn & Suites or similar.
(N)
Day 7: Zion National Park
Today, you will have the chance to explore the Zion National Park in all its glory. Get ready for a solid day of walking, as there are many trails around. These trails combine a pleasant mix of sightseeing, animal watching, and energetic hiking opportunities.
In the afternoon, you will have a chance to walk along the Virgin River, and if weather permits the Zion Narrows will be available to you as well. Keep in mind, there are running water features in the Virgin River, so don’t expect to stay dry if you plan to visit this landmark. Of course, if you visit during the warmer months, then the refreshing cool water will provide some much-needed relief from the intense heat.
(B)
Day 8: Bryce Canyon National Park
Move on from Zion National Park, and then make your way to the next destination: Bryce Canyon. This region is home to some of the most magnificent, highest concentration of hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) in the world. The park also has several high elevations to explore, which are home to numerous communities, vantage points, and geological structures that will excite your imagination. If you prefer to stay on ground, you can go for a hike on the Queens Garden Trail or stay onsite and photograph your surroundings.
Stay overnight at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn or similar.
(B)
Day 9: Monument Valley
Head to Monument Valley and visit the Horseshoe Bend en route. This will give you an incredible view of the Colorado River and prepare you for the many other gorgeous sites to behold.
When you visit Monument Valley, you will be greeted by the amazing colossal mesas, panoramic vistas, and grand sandstone buttes. There is also an impressive range of unique rock formations, which you will get to see during a guided 4×4 backroads tour. You will also learn about Native American culture, including their history, and the many myths and legends that surround them.
For dinner, you will enjoy a traditional Navajo taco, as prepared by the friendly locals.
Stay overnight at the Kayenta Monument Valley Inn or similar.
(D)
Days 10 – 11: Grand Canyon National Park
In the morning, leave Monument Valley and head to the Grand Canyon National Park. On your way there you will see the Desert View Watchtower, a historic landmark constructed in 1932 and designed by architect Mary Colter. The watchtower is surrounded by equally stunning rock formations and steep cliffs.
Upon your arrival at the Grand Canyon, you can participate in many optional activities. These include a scenic flight over the Grand Canyon, an informative film screening at the IMAX Theater, a pleasant stroll through the South Rim Trail, and a more challenging hike through Plateau Point.
Stay for 2 nights at the Yavapai Lodge or similar.
(B)
Day 12: Grand Canyon | Route 66 | Las Vegas
On your way to Las Vegas, you will travel across a section of Route 66 and visit the town of Seligman. From there, you will reach Las Vegas, and get to enjoy a full day of exploring this incredible city.
If you want to get the most of your stay in Vegas, we recommend that you book a few extra nights at a local hotel, as there is so much to see and do that you won’t be able to fulfil in the span of just one day.
Either way, your trip with us will officially end at around 17:00 hrs.
(N)
