USA Road Trip: Best of the West
15 days
From
$ 2649
Duration15 days
Skyscrapers, sequoias, and impossibly big skies await you in America’s West. This 15-day tour through the urban and natural wonders of California, Arizona, and Nevada is perfect for travellers who want to inject a little downtown energy into their out-of-town escapes. In the cities, you’ll traverse the concrete jungle by day with an expert CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and overnight in hotels and hostels. You’ll get the chance to marvel at the Grand Canyon and the giant sequoias of Yosemite before diving into a barbecue dinner and camping under the stars. This is no dream; it’s the West like you’ve never seen it before.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Camping
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Los Angeles
There's a lot to see and do in LA, and we recommend spending extra time here if you'd like to explore Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and other hot spots around the city; speak to your sales agent to book extra accommodation.
Enjoy free time today in Santa Monica, where the hostel is located, and check out the famous pier or hit the beach.
Enjoy free time today in Santa Monica, where the hostel is located, and check out the famous pier or hit the beach.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Los Angeles/San Diego
Be on celebrity-watch while passing by a few popular sites on the way out of LA, California's most glamorous city. Cruise through Orange County and along the incredible Pacific coastline to the truly remarkable city San Diego. Sun, sand, food and fun awaits us in this beautiful beach city. In San Diego, soak up the sun on Mission Beach or try one of the many water sports California is known for.
In the evening, head to the Gaslamp Quarter District for dinner and live music. When the sun sets, watch the area come alive with numerous pubs and nightclubs.
In the evening, head to the Gaslamp Quarter District for dinner and live music. When the sun sets, watch the area come alive with numerous pubs and nightclubs.
Meals: D
Day 3: San Diego/Lake Havasu City
Travel to Joshua Tree National Park, taking in the scenery of the Mojave and the Colorado deserts, massive rock formations, and thousands of Joshua trees. Take a short hike amongst the boulders and the regions distinctly unique flora. Later, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of the Colorado River at Lake Havasu.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Lake Havasu City/Grand Canyon
Hit the road to get some kicks on Route 66. Dive into historic Americana and enjoy lunch at a famous joint and see if you can spot all the movie memorabilia. Continue to the Grand Canyon and explore this natural wonder. Enjoy sunset at the canyon rim for a breathtaking experience at the Grand Canyon.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Grand Canyon
Enjoy a free day to discover the Grand Canyon. Opt to hike throughout the park, rent a bike, or check out a museum.
Opt to pre-book a bird's eye view of the canyon by helicopter on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Grand Canyon/Monument Valley
Drive along the southern rim of the canyon taking in final sights of this grand park. Just outside the park, stop for breakfast at a local Navajo food truck supported by Planeterra. Then drive through the desert to discover one of the most majestic places on earth, Monument Valley.
Opt to pre-book a jeep tour led by a Navajo guide through Monument Valley on the checkout page of this tour.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Monument Valley/Las Vegas
Break a sweat with a quick hike to majestic Horseshoe Bend. Continue the journey through Arizona, Utah and Nevada en route to Las Vegas. Opt to take a VIP party limo experience and explore the Las Vegas Strip in the evening.
Meals: B
Day 8: Las Vegas
Full day to explore Las Vegas. Walk the strip and try your luck at the tables or slot machines. Or spend the day shopping, dining or poolside. In the evening opt to see one of the wildly entertaining shows Vegas is known for.
Free time in Las Vegas. Explore the strip, try your luck at a casino, or take in a glitzy show.
Day 9: Las Vegas/Sierra Nevadas
Visit a land of extremes in Death Valley National Park, one of the country's most rugged landscapes; the hottest and driest spot on earth and home to the lowest point in North America. Pass mountains, valleys, badlands, salt flats, dunes, as we drive through the spectacular landscape of this region.
Stop at Zabriskie Point and hike the short distance to the vista, one of the most photographed spots in the park. Take in the views of diverse geological features as far as the eye can see. Next, descend into Badwater Basin, that sits 282 feet below sea level. Continue past Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes en route to Panamint Valley before ending the day surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. Summer itinerary: Travel to Bishop via Tioga Pass viewing Mono Lake and the tufa towers on the way.
Winter itinerary: Continue on to Lake Isabella, where we stay the night.
Note that on Day 3, we intend to use the Tioga Pass, a scenic a route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Bishop with Yosemite NP. October through May, 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 plans for the area will be confirmed during the trip.
Stop at Zabriskie Point and hike the short distance to the vista, one of the most photographed spots in the park. Take in the views of diverse geological features as far as the eye can see. Next, descend into Badwater Basin, that sits 282 feet below sea level. Continue past Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes en route to Panamint Valley before ending the day surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. Summer itinerary: Travel to Bishop via Tioga Pass viewing Mono Lake and the tufa towers on the way.
Winter itinerary: Continue on to Lake Isabella, where we stay the night.
Note that on Day 3, we intend to use the Tioga Pass, a scenic a route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Bishop with Yosemite NP. October through May, 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 plans for the area will be confirmed during the trip.
Meals: L, D
Day 10: Sierra Nevadas/Yosemite National Park
Morning trip to Mono Lake; walk among the tufa towers (seasonal). Discover Yosemite's peaks, granite domes and giant sequoias. Marvel at majestic waterfalls, lakes and meadows. Keep and eye out for glacial erratics, rock climbers and the diverse wildlife, including black bears, within the park.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Yosemite National Park
Full day to explore Yosemite NP. Use free time to explore Yosemite by foot, bike or shuttle. Hike the many trails Yosemite has to offer and be inspired by this stunning landscape. Opt to rent a bike and cycle in Yosemite Valley.
Carved by glaciers, Yosemite National Park became the first protected state park in the US in 1864. It took until 1890 to gain National Park status, with the work of John Muir. Spend the day hiking amongst Giant Sequoias, granite cliffs, and rushing waterfalls and understand why around 4 million people come to the park each year.
Carved by glaciers, Yosemite National Park became the first protected state park in the US in 1864. It took until 1890 to gain National Park status, with the work of John Muir. Spend the day hiking amongst Giant Sequoias, granite cliffs, and rushing waterfalls and understand why around 4 million people come to the park each year.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Yosemite National Park/San Francisco
Cross over the Bay Bridge to arrive on the peninsula of one of the most iconic cities in the world: San Francisco. Stop on Treasure Island to catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and San Francisco's skyline. Your CEO will point out some popular sites during the drive into town. On arrival, opt to ride a cable car over the steep hills or explore by bicycle.
For our nights in San Francisco, we stay close to the action in a hotel in the city centre. Opt to pre-book the "Sunset Sailing – San Francisco" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Meals: B, L
Day 13: San Francisco
Enjoy a free day to explore San Francisco.
Day 14: Santa Cruz/Morro Bay
Visit Santa Cruz and go for a stroll along the boardwalk. Marvel at the beautiful coastline and mountain ranges of Big Sur along the Pacific coast. Stop to view elephant seals at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery before catching the sunset on Morro Bay. Crashing waves, rolling fog, and sheer rocky cliffs will make this journey down California's coastal Highway 1 an unforgettable experience.
Meals: D
Day 15: Morro Bay/Los Angeles
Travel along the stunning Pacific coast to the City of Angels. Pass by Santa Barbara as we make our way to Santa Monica. Your CEO will point out a few famous neighborhoods and landmarks on the drive into the City of Angels. Trip ends upon arrival to Los Angeles.
Please note this trip ends on arrival to Los Angeles. There's a lot to see and do in LA, and we recommend spending extra time here if you'd like to explore Hollywood, Rodeo Drive and other hot spots around the city; speak to your sales agent to book extra accommodation.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Native Grill Food Truck Breakfast Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Las Vegas Your Discover Moment: Yosemite National Park Your Discover Moment: San Francisco
- Entrance fees to all national and state parks with hiking and walking excursions
- Orientation to Las Vegas
- Sunset at the rim of the Grand Canyon
- Death Valley visit
- Mono Lake visit and walk amongst tufas (seasonal)
- Drive along California's scenic Highway 1 including Santa Cruz and Big Sur
- Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents
- Transportation between destinations and included activities
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Transport
Air-conditioned private vehicle, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels/hostels (5 nts, some multi-share), Participation camping (9 nts)