Highlights of the US
24 days
from Los Angeles to New York City
From
$ 4299
Duration24 days
Hit the iconic sites you’ve seen on the big screen and then some on this 24-day tour that takes you from big-city highlights to stunning natural landscapes that’ll make your friends and followers jealous (or at least get you countless more likes). Keep your jaw from dropping as you witness the sunset over the Grand Canyon, be dazzled by the bright city lights on the Las Vegas strip, and snap a selfie with Mickey himself in Disney World. It’s your chance to live the great American dream (for three weeks, at least).
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 24 daysService level: Camping
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Starts in: Los AngelesPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: New York CityAges: 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
Start place: Morro Bay
Travel along the stunning Pacific coast to the City of Angels. Be on the lookout for celebrities while passing a few popular sites on the way into California's most glamorous city.
End place: Los Angeles
Meals: B
Day 16: Morro Bay/New Orleans
Start place: Los Angeles
Travel along the stunning Pacific coast to the City of Angels. Be on the lookout for celebrities while passing a few popular sites on the way into California's most glamorous city. Upon arrival, hop on a flight to the Big Easy, and get ready to explore the highlights of the East.
Please note that there may be additional baggage fees for the internal flight if you are checking your bag.
End place: New Orleans
Day 17: New Orleans/Panama City Beach
Start place: New Orleans
Cross the state line into Florida and travel to Panama City Beach. This coastal town is surrounded by 27 miles of white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy an afternoon on the beach and opt to hit the town this evening.
End place: Panama City Beach
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Panama City Beach/Orlando
Start place: Panama City Beach
Travel to the home of 'The Most Magical Place on Earth', Orlando. With great shopping, nightlife, and famous amusement parks like Disney World and Universal Studios, let your inner kid run wild!
End place: Orlando
Meals: B, L
Day 19: Orlando
Start place: Orlando
Enjoy a full free day in Orlando. Opt to meet Mickey Mouse at Disney World or discover the magical world of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
End place: Orlando
Meals: B
Day 20: St. Augustine/Savannah
Start place: Orlando
Head to historic Savannah, stopping en route in the oldest city in America, St. Augustine. Opt for a walk around the Bonaventure Cemetery and historic district of Savannah, or stroll through town admiring the architecture and oak trees covered in Spanish moss.
End place: Savannah
Meals: B, L, D
Day 21: Charleston/Myrtle Beach
Start place: Savannah
Travel to the city of Charleston, known for its historic, romantic charm. Enjoy a few hours to explore the city before heading to Myrtle Beach for the night.
End place: Myrtle Beach
Meals: B, L, D
Day 22: Myrtle Beach/Washington D.C.
Start place: Myrtle Beach
Travel to the US capital and wander the monuments by moonlight.
End place: Washington, D.C.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 23: Washington D.C.
Start place: Washington, D.C.
There is so much to see and do in Washington DC that you can't see it all in one day. Take your time and spend a full day exploring this fascinating city.
Enjoy free time to explore.
End place: Washington, D.C.
Meals: B
Day 24: Washington D.C./New York
Start place: Washington, D.C.
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 extra accommodation.
Travel to New York, stopping in Philadelphia en route. Trip ends on arrival to New York. Opt to visit Times Square, stroll Central Park, check out Greenwich Village, or experience the famous nightlife of New York.
Please note this trip ends on arrival to New York. If you wish to spend the night in the city, speak to your sales agent about booking post-accommodation.
End place: New York City
Meals: B, L
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 Your Discover Moment: New Orleans Your Discover Moment: Washington DC
- 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
- Drive along California's scenic Highway 1 including Santa Cruz and Big Sur
- St Augustine visit
- Charleston visit
- Monuments by Moonlight (Washington DC)
- Philadelphia stop
- Free time in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Panama City Beach, Orlando, and Washington DC
- Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents
- Internal flight
- Transportation between destinations and included activities
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Transport
Air-conditioned private vehicle, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels/hostels (7 nts, some multi-share), Participation camping (16 nts)