Compare Best of the West 11 day tour Las Vegas to San Francisco Via the Southwest USA National Parks SWHDYSLODGE2 by Bindlestiff Tours vs Roaming Western Trails by Tours of Distinction
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Best of the West 11 day tour Las Vegas to San Francisco Via the Southwest USA National Parks SWHDYSLODGE2
by
Bindlestiff Tours
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,700 | $ 3,789 |
| Price Per Day | $ 245 | $ 474 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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Local food kitty payment of $250 per person –covers 8 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 8 evening meals plus one hotel night in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas twin share. If hotel/camp mix optioned selected the food/hotel kitty is $155 and covers 5 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 5 evening meals |
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| Description |
11 day Yellowstone Rocky Mountain Explorer tour Bryce, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountains, Death Valley, Yosemite by Bindlestiff Tours- with camping/lodging mix |
Blaze an unforgettable trail experiencing the legends and lore of America’s Wild West. This trip includes a medley of manmade and natural attractions – of gargantuan proportions - from Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, to Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Channel your inner pioneer spirit as you meet a colorful cast of characters in Cody, and the rough and tumble town of Deadwood. Unwind in the splendor of Jackson Hole’s profoundly beautiful landscape brimming with wildlife. Watch herds of buffalo graze against majestic mountain ranges as you float on Snake River, marvel at the timely precision of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, and have a close encounter with the nation’s first National Monument, Devil’s Tower in this small group guided tour. |
DAY 1 – LAS VEGAS TO BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK VIA CEDAR BREAKS
A beautiful drive today takes us to a 10,000 ft summit through Cedar Breaks for spectacular views of ancient lava flows and the Sevier River Valley below. Arriving in Bryce Canyon National Park in time for a delicious rim side picnic lunch you will have a full afternoon of hiking. Choose a relaxing stroll along the rim of the world-famous Amphitheater or a hike deep into the depths of the canyon and get up close and personal with the hoodoos that make up this unique landscape. Take in a ranger program and learn the geology of this fascinating and thrilling park.
Spend the evening around a campfire and enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub under the stars after a tasty all American BBQ.
Camp Ruby’s CG Bryce- full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers, Wi-Fi and outdoor hot tub.
DAY 2 – BRYCE CANYON TO SALT LAKE CITY
This morning takes us North to Salt Lake City Utah, home to the tabernacle choir, for an afternoon of exploring Mormon Pioneer history. Enjoy magnificent Salt Lake Mormon Temple and see the State Capital Building and founder Brigham Young’s Territorial Governor’s Mansion.
Hotel stay -Best Western or similar.
DAY 3 – GRAND TETONS NATIONAL PARK
The Grand Tetons Mountain Range rises above a scene rich with abundant wildlife, pristine lakes, and spectacular mountain peaks. Take a walk to Inspiration Point or enjoy a scenic stroll around Jenny Lake while gazing up in awe at the surrounding landscape. Have a picnic, spot and moose or even a grizzly bear and enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.
Camp Grand Tetons National Park- campground with electricity, flush toilets.
DAY 4 – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The crown jewel of the National Parks! The world’s first national park. A mountain wilderness, home to grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of buffalo and elk. Visit Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Pool, Yellowstone Canyon, explore geysers throughout both the North and South loop. Spend two days exploring this huge and fascinating national park with your expert Guide. Don’t forget your bathing suit for a soak in Mammoths natural hot springs!
Camp Yellowstone- full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers.
DAY 5 – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Continue to discover Yellowstone with your guide. Go on hikes ranging from easy to moderate and 2 to 5 miles (3 to 8 km) in length, and see more spectacular volcanic features. Your guide will tailor hikes to your group’s abilities and interests.
Camp Yellowstone- full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers.
DAY 6 – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Get up close and personal with some wildlife with a fun and educational visit to the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center this morning. This afternoon get ready for more spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. With three major canyons, the Provo Lake Region offers phenomenal views of the Rockies, fantastic walks and is the perfect spot for some lakeside fun and a BBQ blow out!
Camp Rocky Mountains Lake Provo- full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers.
DAY 7 – VALLEY OF FIRE AND LAS VEGAS
En route back to the bright lights of Sin City, explore the trails and dunes of Nevada’s first state park- Valley of Fire state park. With bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone this state park is a real treat. Your day concludes in Las Vegas in the late afternoon in time explore this fabulous fun city by night!
Hotel Las Vegas- twin share.
DAY 8 – DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Heading to California this morning you will embark on a guided tour of Death Valley National Park. Enjoy photo stops and shorts walks at Zabriskie Point , Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin Salt Flats, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Devil’s Golf Course and the Mesquite Sand Dunes. After a picnic lunch, drive spectacular scenery to the old Gold Rush Historic town of Bishop for your night stop.
Camp/Hotel Bishop- full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers or 3-star hotel if selected.
DAY 9 – TIOGA PASS TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Crossing the Tioga Pass* this morning provides an extremely scenic route passing by highlights such as Olmsted point, Lake Tenaya, Tuolumne Meadows and Mono lake en route to Yosemite Valley. Visit the Valley visitor center and exhibits, take a mini tour and get ready for a full day of exploration tomorrow.
Camp/Hotel Yosemite -full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers or 3-star hotel if selected.
* Weather permitting- In the event that the Tioga Pass is closed this tour will reroute through Lake Isabella instead of Bishop.
DAY 10 – YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK- FULL DAY
Spend a full day exploring the walks offered in the park. There are countless walks ranging from easy to strenuous or opt for a guided tour with your expert guide to the premier panoramas within the park such as Bridalveil falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, views of Half Dome and El Capitan. You can also opt for some free time relaxing or cycling along the Merced River.
Camp/Hotel Yosemite -full service campground with electricity, flush toilets, hot showers or 3-star hotel if selected.
DAY 11 – YOSEMITE TO SAN FRANCISCO
Today we head to City by the Bay- San Francisco! Your 4-day adventure concludes with a fully guided city tour of this vibrant city. Stops include Fisherman’s Warf, Pier 39, Haight Ashbury and the Golden Gate Bridge. Tour ends approx. 5pm
Day 1 - Arrive Salt Lake City, Utah
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to be an early Frontiersman, now is your chance! Transfer to the airport for your flight to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our local guide and our awaiting motor-coach. Enjoy a city tour of Salt Lake City, where we will see downtown, the Capitol, Temple Square and more. We will check into our hotel before our ‘welcome’ dinner.
Day 2 - Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY
This morning, we will head over to Temple Square after breakfast. Here we will have a chance to see the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcast performance. After, we say goodbye to Salt Lake City as we travel north along the shores of the Great Salt Lake. We will travel through Logan Canyon to beautiful Bear Lake for an included lunch. We will arrive into the fun town of Jackson, WY. Once we check into our hotel, the evening is free to explore the many shops, art galleries and restaurants on your own.
Day 3 - Jackson - Yellowstone National Park
This morning after breakfast, we are in for a wonderful experience as we are introduced to Grand Teton National Park on a half day scenic float trip on the Snake River! Enjoy amazing views of the Teton Mountains and wildlife viewing opportunities as your guide explains the geology and history of the area. After the float trip, we continue sightseeing of Grand Teton which will include: Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Next, we enter into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, for sightseeing including the heart of the park, Old Faithful. There will be time to witness an eruption and explore Old Faithful Village and the many thermal features in the area. Later this afternoon, we travel to West Yellowstone and check into our hotel. This evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Yellowstone National Park - Cody, WY
After breakfast, we head back into Yellowstone National Park for another day of sightseeing. We will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and pass through Hayden Valley and along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. As we exit the park, we enter into the historic town of Cody, where we will tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is five museums under one roof. Tonight, we enjoy food and entertainment at the Cody Cattle Company with a chuckwagon style dinner, traditional cowboy music and some laughs. Then, there is exciting cowboy action at the Cody Nite Rodeo!
Day 5 - Cody - Rapid City, SD
We will depart Cody after breakfast and continue East crossing the Bighorn Mountain. Our first stop is at Devil’s Tower National Monument for sightseeing of the country’s first National Monument. Later this afternoon, we will arrive at the historic town of Deadwood for sightseeing. This is a rough and tumble western town famous for outlaws, gunslingers and lawmen alike. There will be time to explore the town and have dinner, on your own, before continuing on to Rapid City, SD for a two night stay.
Day 6 - Rapid City
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Badlands National Park for sightseeing. This famous park consists of nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. After lunch, we travel to Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge to get up close and personal with the residents of this park as you head out on a Wildlife Jeep Safari to view the buffalo herds and much more. Next, we make our way to the Crazy Horse Monument for sightseeing of the unfinished mountain carving and insight into the Lakota culture. Then, join the group for an included dinner followed by a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as we attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony!
Day 7 - Rapid City - Cheyenne, WY
We start our day after breakfast with a beautiful drive to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, where we will have morning views of this magnificent monument. Depart the Black Hills and take your journey south returning to the plains of Wyoming. We make a stop at Fort Laramie National Historic Site for sightseeing and a picnic lunch. This afternoon, we continue to the capitol city of Cheyenne and check into our hotel. After, we have time to freshen up, we will enjoy a ‘farewell’ dinner, at the hotel.
Day 8 - Depart Cheyenne
After breakfast, we take a Trolley Tour of Cheyenne. After, a nice introduction to the city, we arrive at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds to experience a ‘Behind the Chutes Tour.’ The Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena is the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo each July. Get a first-hand look at what goes on during the rodeo from behind the scenes. This exiting tour follows the path of the bulls and broncs as the animals are rounded up and threaded through the maze of gates on their way to the chutes and out into the arena with cowboy in tow. A special experience awaits as we step into the chutes and finish the tour by walking across the arena. This afternoon, we will enjoy a western lunch before departing Cheyenne for the Denver International Airport for your departing flight.
