Best of the US Express
14 days
Duration14 days
This whirlwind two-week camping trip throughout the United States covers nearly every major cultural touchstone of this massive (and hugely exciting) destination. Experience the lights of NYC's Times Square, discover the Elvis fan in you at Graceland, mosey down noisy Bourbon Street in New Orleans, peer across the majesty of the Grand Canyon, and then walk down the crookedest street in the world in San Francisco, all the while camping out beneath a night sky that has had countless songs written about it. Come along and see the best of the USA the way it was meant to be seen.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 14 daysService level: Camping
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: New York City
Arrive to the joining hostel at any time. Welcome meeting at 7:00pm.
From the Statue of Liberty to Ground Zero to Chinatown, New York City is full of things to do and see. We recommend spending extra time here; please speak to your sales agent to book pre-trip accommodation.
From the Statue of Liberty to Ground Zero to Chinatown, New York City is full of things to do and see. We recommend spending extra time here; please speak to your sales agent to book pre-trip accommodation.
Arrive at any time. Consider arriving a few days early to see more of this famous city.
Day 2: New York City/Washington DC
Dive into the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple on a brief orientation to the city with the CEO. Arrive at the capital of the USA, Washington DC, in the late afternoon.
Spend the morning exploring one of the Big Apple, then arrive to the US capital in time to wander the monuments by moonlight.
This tour departs New York City mid-day on Day 2.
Meals: D
Day 3: Washington DC
Today is all about the capital of the United States. There is so much to see and do in Washington DC that you can't see it all in one day. Take your time spending a full day exploring this fascinating city.
Enjoy a free day to explore.
Meals: B
Day 4: Washington DC/Appalachia
Standing on top of the peaks of Shenandoah National Park while gazing across the silent mountains, it's hard to believe Washington DC is just a short distance away.
Opt to take a short hike on the many trails throughout the park.
Opt to take a short hike on the many trails throughout the park.
Continue through Shenandoah National Park, a truly beautiful, historic national treasure.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Appalachia/Nashville
Continue through the Appalachian Mountains, a perfect place to relax. Enjoy the fresh, clean air and see the true beauty of North America. Travel to the country music capital of the world, and be immersed in the local music scene in downtown Nashville at night.
Drive through the Appalachian Mountains. Travel to the country music capital of the world.
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Nashville/Memphis
In the afternoon, opt to walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland. See how the legend lived and discover videos, pictures, stage costumes, and much more. Then hear the music in Memphis, Tennessee! Explore the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll, Home of Blues, and the starting point of soul. Music legends, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and B.B. King, made their marks on Memphis.
Opt to check out the National Civil Rights Museum, located where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated.
Opt to check out the National Civil Rights Museum, located where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated.
Explore the vibrant cultural and musical melting pot of Memphis. Take an optional tour of Graceland, opt to relive history at the National Civil Rights Museum, or tour the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Head to Beale Street at night for great food and live music.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Memphis/New Orleans
The CEO will point out a few things on the drive in, then get out and experience the city at its best. Enjoy a night out with the group.
Crank up the jazz and drive into the home of Mardi Gras. Explore the French Quarter, and join the revellers on Bourbon Street 'til the early hours.
Meals: B, L
Day 8: New Orleans/Los Angeles
Hop on a flight to LA, and get ready to explore the highlights of the West.
Please note that there may be additional baggage fees for the internal flight if you are checking your bag.
Day 9: Los Angeles/Lake Havasu
Be on celebrity-watch while passing by a few popular sites on the way out of California's most glamourous city. Hike among the boulders and famous Joshua trees, then cool off in the crystal-clear waters of the Colorado River at Lake Havasu.
Meals: D
Day 10: Lake Havasu/Grand Canyon
In the morning, discover something unexpected, the London Bridge, in Lake Havasu City. Continue across vast desert landscapes to one of the earth's greatest on-going geological spectacles: the Grand Canyon. Take short hikes at the most spectacular gorge in the world and enjoy a pizza dinner at the rim as you view the stunning sunset.
Visit the mighty Grand Canyon. Take short hikes and enjoy sunset at the edge of the canyon.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Grand Canyon/Las Vegas
For our night in Las Vegas, we stay close to the action in a hotel in the city centre.
Pre-book a bird's-eye view of the Grand Canyon with an optional helicopter flight. Travel Route 66, then explore Las Vegas along the strip and opt for a VIP party limo experience.
Meals: B
Day 12: Las Vegas/Sierra Nevadas
Visit a land of extremes in Death Valley National Park.
Meals: L, D
Day 13: Sierra Nevadas/Yosemite National Park
With a keen eye, you may be lucky enough to spot black bears, deer or coyotes.
Discover Yosemite's peaks, granite domes and giant sequoias. Marvel at majestic waterfalls, lakes and meadows.
We intend to use the Tioga Pass, a scenic a route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Bishop with Yosemite NP. In the spring and autumn seasons, there's a chance the pass will be closed due to poor weather conditions or even snow. In this case, we use an alternate route, and spend the night in Lake Isabella instead of Bishop. The status of the road is monitored daily, and our travel plan for the area will be confirmed during the trip.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Yosemite National Park/San Francisco
There's a lot to see and do in San Francisco, and we recommend spending extra time here if you'd like to explore the city; speak to your sales agent to book extra accommodation. Haight-Ashbury, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and the city's famous cable cars await you.
Catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge on the way into one of America's most popular cities. Trip ends upon arrival to San Francisco. Opt to take a cable car ride over the steep hills, rent a bike to explore the city on wheels, or pre book a sailing trip into the setting sun.
If you are departing on arrival to San Francisco, you will not have enough time to participate in the Sunset Sailing extra. Post-tour accommodation is required to purchase this extra.
Meals: B, L
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Entrance fees to all national parks and national monuments with hiking and walking excursions
- Orientation to Washington DC
- London Bridge visit (Lake Havasu)
- Sunset at the rim of the Grand Canyon
- Death Valley visit
- Internal flight
- Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents while camping
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Air-conditioned private vehicle, Plane, Walking -
Accommodation
Hostels (4 nts, multi-share), Participation camping (9 nts)