Camping America's West
21 days
Duration21 days
Think every trail in the Great American West has been blazed by now? Think again, partner. Spread across 21 glorious days, this trip takes you on an incredible loop from beautiful San Francisco and back again with stops in Yosemite, Las Vegas, San Diego, and LA along the way. In between, you’ll have the chance to take a dip in the Pacific, raft the Colorado River, hike the Grand Canyon, and stretch out under star-filled skies in the region’s top national parks. Three weeks of your life, a memory forever.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Camping
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: 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. Haight-Ashbury, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and the city's famous cable cars await you.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: San Francisco/Napa Valley
Enjoy a free morning in San Francisco. Opt to ride a cable car over the steep hills, check out Haight-Ashbury, or wander the streets. Later, trade in the city for the vineyards of beautiful Napa Valley and opt for a wine tasting.
Meals: D
Day 3: Napa Valley/Yosemite National Park
Leave the Napa Valley behind, and head to beautiful Yosemite. Drive through the park to discover peaks, granite domes, giant sequoias, and majestic waterfalls before setting up camp.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Yosemite National Park
Full day to explore Yosemite National Park. Hike the many trails Yosemite has to offer and be inspired by this beautiful and amazing landscape. Opt to rent bikes in Yosemite Valley.
Use free time to explore by foot, bike or shuttle.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Yosemite National Park/Sierra Nevadas
Hike one of the many trails Yosemite has to offer and be inspired by this beautiful and amazing landscape. Be in awe of the spectacular views of Yosemite National Park's magnificent peaks and granite domes while enjoying one of the most scenic drives in California: the Tioga Pass!
In the afternoon, visit ancient Mono Lake and walk among dramatic and fascinating tufa towers. Arrive in Bishop, surrounded by peaks which soar more than 14,000 ft (4,267m) in elevation.
In the afternoon, visit ancient Mono Lake and walk among dramatic and fascinating tufa towers. Arrive in Bishop, surrounded by peaks which soar more than 14,000 ft (4,267m) in elevation.
Enjoy a final morning in Yosemite. Marvel at majestic waterfalls, lakes, and meadows. Afternoon trip to Mono Lake; walk among the tufa towers.
Note: we intend on using the Tioga Pass, a scenic route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Bishop with Yosemite NP. In the spring and autumn seasons, there's a chance that the pass will be closed due to poor weather conditions or even snow. In such a case, we will use an alternate route, and will 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 6: Sierra Nevadas/Las Vegas
Visit one of the country's most rugged landscapes, the legendary Death Valley, the hottest and driest spot and home to the lowest point in North America.
Visit a land of extremes in Death Valley National Park before travelling to Las Vegas. Spend the afternoon exploring the city, stroll along the famous Vegas Strip, or opt to take a VIP party limo experience.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: 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 8: Las Vegas/Bryce Canyon National Park
Boasting endless hiking possibilities, the region that the Virgin River has sculpted into a profound landscape masterpiece is a great setting to spend the afternoon. High plateaus, striking towers, temples, mesas, and the earth's tallest-known sheer sandstone walls surround visitors with their awe-inspiring beauty.
Travel past towering cliffs and massive canyon walls in Zion National Park, and hike diverse and exciting trails (weather permitting).
Meals: L, D
Day 9: Bryce Canyon National Park/Moab
Explore Bryce Canyon and see its famous hoodoos before driving along isolated Scenic Byway 12 to Moab.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Moab
Explore Arches National Park, carved and shaped by eons of weathering and erosion. It contains the world's largest concentration of natural stone arches. Explore the park's viewpoints and hike to sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, and soaring pinnacles.
Hike through the surreal rock formations of Arches National Park. Opt to go rafting, mountain biking or on a Hummer tour. Catch a gorgeous sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park.
Meals: B
Day 11: Moab/Monument Valley
Travel amid spectacular views along the paved scenic drive. Take a break and escape to one of the many trails, providing an unforgettable Canyon Country experience that will last a lifetime. Later, explore Monument Valley on an optional 4x4 tour led by a Navajo guide. Stay overnight in the Tribal Park to see the sun rise from a perspective very few ever experience!
Magnificent views await in Canyonlands National Park. Opt to discover one of the most majestic places on earth, Monument Valley.
Meals: B, L
Day 12: Monument Valley/Lake Powell
Opt to take a tour to Antelope Canyon and wander through this breathtaking cave to see beams of light, flowing rock walls, and and spiral arches created by flash flooding, wind, and rain.
Travel to Lake Powell and enjoy its deep blue water surrounded by orange-red cliff walls. Take a short hike to Horseshoe Bend, which is shaped by the Colorado River. Opt for a tour of Antelope Canyon.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Lake Powell/Grand Canyon National Park
Continue to the Grand Canyon and explore this natural wonder. Enjoy sunset at the canyon rim.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Grand Canyon National Park
Enjoy a free day to discover the Grand Canyon. Opt to wander throughout the park and take a hike. Hire a bike, check out a museum or see the canyon from the sky by helicopter.
Enjoy free time in Grand Canyon National Park.
Note: If you have pre-booked the Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride you will enjoy your 45-50min ride over the canyon today.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Grand Canyon National Park/Lake Havasu City
Say farewell to the Grand Canyon and continue to Lake Havasu. Check out the famous London Bridge or cool off in the crystal-clear waters of the Colorado River.
Meals: B, D
Day 16: Lake Havasu City/San Diego
When the sun sets, experience the Gaslamp Quarter District with numerous pubs and nightclubs.
Visit Joshua Tree NP, then head to San Diego. Sun, sand, food, and fun all await in this beautiful beach city.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 17: San Diego
Enjoy free time in San Diego. Try the fish tacos the city is famous for, and check out the Old Town.
Meals: B
Day 18: San Diego/Los Angeles
The CEO will point out a few famous neighbourhoods and landmarks on the drive into town.
Enjoy free time in Santa Monica, where the hostel is located, and check out the famous pier or hit the beach.
Enjoy free time in Santa Monica, where the hostel is located, and check out the famous pier or hit the beach.
Cruise along the incredible Pacific coastline then through Orange County to Los Angeles. Be on the lookout for celebrities while passing a few popular sites on the way into California's most glamorous city.
For our night in Los Angeles, we give up camping in favour of a more comfortable experience in a hostel.
Meals: B
Day 19: Los Angeles/Santa Barbara
Enjoy a free morning in LA. Later, travel up the coast to camp out in Santa Barbara.
Meals: D
Day 20: Santa Barbara/Santa Cruz
Crashing waves, rolling fog, and sheer rocky cliffs make this journey down California's Coast Highway 1 an unforgettable experience. Marvel at the beautiful coastline and mountain ranges of Big Sur. Later, witness a waterfall cascading from granite cliffs into the ocean at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Travel along Highway 1, which offers breathtaking views of the classic Californian coast. Explore Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and the impressive coastline of Big Sur. Follow the winding roads of the coast out of Big Sur to Santa Cruz for the night.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 21: Santa Cruz/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 explore by bicycle or set sail into the setting sun.
Please note this trip ends on arrival to San Francisco. 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
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Yosemite National Park Your Discover Moment: Las Vegas
- Entrance fees to all national and state parks with hiking and walking excursions
- Death Valley visit
- Orientation to Las Vegas
- Sunset at the rim of the Grand Canyon
- 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, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels/hostels (4 nts, some multi-share), Participation camping (16 nts)