Southern Cross Country Westbound
22 days
Duration22 days

Can one 22-day trip define the elusive essence of a complex nation with centuries of incredible history? Probably not, but it’d be a blast to try, no? Designed specifically for curious travellers with a passion for real experiences and lots of time, this adventure takes you from the busy streets of New York to the shores of San Francisco Bay, with just about every shade of Americana thrown in along the way: the Washington Mall, Music City USA, the French Quarter, Tex-Mex, Yosemite, the Vegas Strip… forget e pluribus unum; America’s real motto is “go big or go home.”

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 22 days
    Service level: Camping
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 18+
Southern Cross Country Westbound - Tour Map

Itinerary

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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.
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.

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.
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
New travellers may join you today for the rest of the adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Enjoy a free day to explore New Orleans.
Meals: B
Day 9: New Orleans/Austin
Travel day from New Orleans to Austin. Sit back and gaze at the scenery while travelling through the southern United States. Upon arrival in the 'Lonestar' state, settle in at the campsite for a night under the stars.
Drive across Louisiana into Texas and take in the scenery on the way to Austin.
Day 10: Austin
Spend a free day in Austin. Opt to visit the SoCo area for thrift shopping, take a dip in the Barton natural pool, or let loose at a local country bar in the evening.
Meals: B
Day 11: Austin/Carlsbad
Travel to one of the oldest and most famous cave systems in the world. Explore a cave on self-guided trails and be fascinated by the largest underground chambers and countless formations. In the evening, witness a stunning spectacle as nearly 400,000 Mexican free-tail bats exit Carlsbad Cavern.
Explore Carlsbad Caverns, dodging the 400,000 bats heading out to hunt at sunset.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Carlsbad/Santa Fe
On the night of July 2nd in 1947 something (or someone) crashed into the desert outside of Roswell, New Mexico. Was it a balloon, or really extra-terrestrial life? Find out what all the hype is about when passing through this funky town.

Continue the journey back in time and explore one of America's oldest and most beautiful cities, Santa Fe.
Stop by infamous Roswell before taking in Southwest culture in Santa Fe.
Meals: B
Day 13: Santa Fe/Mesa Verde National Park
Free morning to explore Santa Fe's downtown and enjoy some world-famous roasted green chilies before travelling to Mesa Verde National Park.
Explore Santa Fe in the morning before travelling towards Mesa Verde National Park for the night.
Meals: B, D
Day 14: Mesa Verde National Park/Monument Valley
Hike through history while exploring Mesa Verde National Park – it offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans.

In Monument Valley, opt to explore on a 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!
Wind up the side of a mountain through Mesa Verde National Park's rocky slopes and inspiring vistas. Hike to ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde. Opt to discover one of the most majestic places on earth, Monument Valley.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Monument Valley/Grand Canyon
Considered among nature's most spectacular offerings, the Grand Canyon provides spectacular opportunities for exploration. Return to the campsite and recapture the experiences from this memorable day!
Hike the trails of the Grand Canyon before enjoying a sunset at the rim.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Grand Canyon
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.
Free time in Grand Canyon NP. 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 17: Grand Canyon/Las Vegas
Travel Route 66 and stop at a wacky burger joint. Explore Las Vegas and stroll along the famous Vegas Strip. Take an optional VIP party limo. For the two nights in Las Vegas, we stay close to the action in a hotel in the city centre.
Meals: B
Day 18: 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 chilling poolside. In the evening, opt to see one of the wildly entertaining shows Vegas is known for.
Free time in Las Vegas.
Day 19: Las Vegas/Death Valley
Visit one of the country's most rugged landscapes, the legendary Death Valley – the hottest and driest spot on earth and home to the lowest point in North America.

Surrounded by peaks which soar more than 14,000 ft (4,267m) in elevation, Bishop, one of "America's Coolest Mountain Towns" sits directly in the centre of an incredible area of natural beauty.
Visit a land of extremes in Death Valley National Park. Note: we intend on using the Tioga Pass tomorrow; it's 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 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: L, D
Day 20: Death Valley/Yosemite National Park
In the morning, visit ancient Mono Lake and walk among dramatic and fascinating tufa towers.

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!

Hike one of the many trails Yosemite has to offer and be inspired by this beautiful and amazing landscape.
Morning trip to Mono Lake; walk among the tufa towers. Discover Yosemite's peaks, granite domes, and giant sequoias. Marvel at majestic waterfalls, lakes, and meadows.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 21: Yosemite National Park
Admire spectacular views of Yosemite National Park's magnificent peaks and granite domes. Yosemite has many trails to offer. Be inspired by this beautiful and amazing landscape and opt to rent a bike to better explore the Yosemite Valley.
Enjoy free time in Yosemite NP for hiking and exploring.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 22: 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. Take an optional cable car ride over the steep hills 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, L

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: New Orleans
  • Entrance fees to all national parks with hiking and walking excursions
  • Orientation to Las Vegas and Washington DC
  • Carlsbad Caverns visit
  • Sunset at the rim of the Grand Canyon
  • Death Valley visit
  • Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents while camping
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Air-conditioned private vehicle, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Hotels/hostels (5 nts, some multi-share), Participation camping (16 nts)

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