Compare Death Valley National Park Quick Escape by MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) vs Western USA National Parks Explorer by Explore!

Day 1: Pick up in Las Vegas and transfer to Death Valley National Park

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Furnace Creek Ranch

We set out from Las Vegas across the Mojave Desert, following the footsteps of the original ‘49ers. These settlers’ dreams of California gold often transmuted into occupations much less romantic, but far more profitable. When we descend into the vast majesty of Death Valley itself, we’ll explore Harmony Borax Works. These preserved remains of the largest borax mine in Death Valley hold testament to the hard work and tenacity of early pioneers. Afterward, we check into our comfortable lodging at Furnace Creek Ranch, an oasis amidst the valley’s parched sands.

Day 2: Hike Golden Canyon and visit Badwater

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Furnace Creek Ranch

Our morning hike begins just down the road from Furnace Creek in Golden Canyon. As the sun rises higher, the truly golden rock walls brighten around us. We top out with a gorgeous view of the valley from Zabriskie Point before descending for lunch. Later on, we arrive at Badwater itself, an enormous salt flat resting 282 feet below sea level. We venture out across the salt flats and marvel at the power of nature as we imagine the prehistoric lake that rested in this desert over 10,000 years ago. We detour on our drive back to see a rainbow of colors hidden in the foothills at Artist’s Palette before returning to Furnace Creek.

Day 3: Hike Mosaic Canyon and Salt Creek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Furnace Creek Ranch

Today we journey north from Furnace Creek to explore Mosaic Canyon. Here, a surprising array of colors and textures appear as we journey between the jagged rock walls. After we emerge from this unexpected gem, our guides introduce us to the Devil’s Cornfield, where we hike over the expansive salt flats to Salt Creek. This highly saline waterway manages to sustain life. Tiny desert pupfish thrive happily in an environment most animals would find toxic. Play on Mesquite Sand Dunes as the setting sun illuminates the valley to end the day.

Day 4: Hike Dante's View and transfer to Las Vegas

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After a last hearty breakfast at Furnace Creek Ranch, we expand our horizons even further atop Dante’s View. This massive peak in the Funeral Range looms high over Badwater, where we can pick out the tiny figures of others retracing our steps on the salt flats. Across Death Valley towers 11,000-foot Telescope Peak, backed by the distant hulk of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. These mountains are home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S., less than 100 miles from Badwater. As we hike across the ridgeline from Dante’s View, we take in the grand beauty of the valley and wonder at the natural forces that have placed such extremes side by side.

Day 1 Join tour in San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco. Hugging the shores of San Francisco Bay, the city has a fascinating mix of culture, commerce and character that cannot fail to charm. Due to the number of evening flights into San Francisco, your Leader plans to do the welcome meeting on the morning of day two, and will leave a message in reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, why not explore Fisherman's Wharf with its views over Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Sightseeing tour including the Golden Gate Bridge, free afternoon

Today is spent exploring some of the city's highlights as we wander its famous streets, taking in the delightful Victorian architecture of Alamo Square and the colourful eccentricity of Haight Ashbury, San Francisco's once thriving 'hippie district' of the 1960s. We'll also drive up into the elegant Twin Peaks district of the city to enjoy some of the stunning views across the city and the bay (weather dependant), before moving on to the Golden Gate Bridge and finally the eclectic bustle and resident sea lions of Fisherman's Wharf. The afternoon has then been left free to continue exploring at your own leisure, perhaps paying a visit to Lombard Street and Coit Tower, before returning by the city's famous cable cars back to Union Square and Market Street. This evening there is the option to walk to Chinatown, discovering the labyrinthine chaos of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.

Meals Provided : None

Day 3 Transfer to Yosemite National Park, walks in the park

This morning we leave San Francisco behind and drive east, heading through the fertile landscapes of Stanislaus County towards Yosemite National Park, passing the highly productive agricultural region of the Central Valley, where numerous orchards and vineyards line the roads. As we climb into the Sierra Nevada, we begin to witness the fabulous natural beauty of Yosemite National Park, a region which in 1864 became the first protected land in the world, a landscape which caused one of the first white men to see it to gasp in admiration. As we arrive in the valley, the towering presence of the two most demanding peaks of the park will be visible - Half Dome (the sheerest cliff in North America) and the vast granite bulk of El Capitan (twice the size of the Rock of Gibraltar) - both of which attract serious rock climbers from all over the world. The central valley is a mere 20km long by 5km wide but is hemmed in on either side by dramatic 2km-high sheer cliffs, its cascading waterfalls and skyline of jagged pinnacles and smooth domed granite presenting an awe-inspiring backdrop. We spend some time visiting various viewpoints in the valley this afternoon, depending on the seasonality and which roads are open. We may take a walk to the bases of Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls, before continuing to follow the course of the Merced river to our final destination in Mariposa, just outside the park boundaries.

Meals Provided : None

Day 4 Explore Yosemite National Park on foot

More than 90% of Yosemite is designated wilderness area and today we will take the opportunity to explore it in a little more depth. Away from the main tourist areas of the Yosemite Valley the park is filled with a myriad of options to make the most of its spectacular natural charms. One possibility is a drive up to Glacier Point then hike along the Panorama and Mist Trail back down into the valley (a challenging walk of some 4-6 hours). The hike takes in an ever-changing tableau that includes the impressive cascades of Nevada and Vernal Falls, as well as some breathtaking views of Half Dome and the High Sierras. There are a number of other possibilities available, some scenic cycling options or a relaxing day along the riverbanks. As well as some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes on earth, the park is filled with a variety of wildlife too, including hummingbirds, deer and of course the ever present black bears, ensuring you a captivating encounter whatever you choose to do. It is not possible to do all the options, so your Tour Leader will explain the possibilities and you can choose the ones that interest you most. Options may also be affected by the weather.

Meals Provided : None

Day 5 Travel to Mammoth via Tenaya and Mono Lakes

Leaving the park this morning we plan to drive across the scenic Tioga Pass (3032m), taking in the sub-alpine meadows of the Toulumne Meadows, an area that has been christened America's very own Switzerland. We continue through the dramatic mountain vistas down towards the alkaline waters and surreal volcanic 'tufa' rock formations of Mono Lake at the base of the High Sierras. This incredible body of water is two and a half times as salty and eighty times as alkaline as seawater and whilst its waters can sustain no fish life it does abound in brine shrimp and flies, which provide food for millions of migratory birds and waterfowl. At the height of summer the shrimp population alone is believed to number some 4 trillion! Continuing south from here our journey lies in the shadow of a range of towering peaks that rise to over 4200m as we make our way towards our overnight stop in the small settlement of Mammoth. On early season departures, if the passes over the Sierra Nevada are closed we may have to amend our itinerary and re-route the tour.

Meals Provided : None

Day 6 Journey through Death Valley to Las Vegas

Starting early to avoid the heat, we descend into Death Valley today, one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. We then journey into the heart of one of the most remarkable settings on earth, where the marbled rocks, salt pans and black mountains provide us with an incredible backdrop. In marked contrast we end our day in Las Vegas, America's extraordinary desert playground, where exploding volcanoes share centre stage with Venetian canals and ancient pyramids. This evening we have some free time to explore this unique city.

Meals Provided : None

Day 7 Head to Zion National Park, afternoon to explore

This morning we will head to Zion National Park to get there just after lunch. Zion itself was established as a national park in 1919 and can boast an impressive array of natural credentials, encompassing some 8 geological formations, 4 major vegetation zones and a landscape that has been carved and honed by the Virgin River over a million years. This afternoon we will perhaps take a walk along the Watchman's Trail or one of the park's other trails. The position of the park, at the meeting of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin and the Mohave Desert means the region is rich in a vast diversity of flora and fauna that range from desert bush to Ponderosa Pine, cottonwood to red birch. Wildlife includes elk and mule deer, coyotes and black bear and turkey vultures and majestic golden eagles. We will be staying overnight in nearby Hurricane.

Meals Provided : None

Day 8 Walk on the trails of Zion National Park

Today, we will continue to explore this magnificent creation, first paying a visit to the impressive visitor centre before taking the park's shuttle bus to the start of the walks. There are so many possibilities to explore here that it is not possible to do them all - your Tour Leader will outline the options to you taking into account the conditions on the day. Walks range from approximately 5-13km in length, and some are predominantly flat while others have elevation gains of up to 600m. You may wish to walk up to Scout's Lookout, a meandering hike that begins with 21 steep switchbacks, known as Walter's Wiggles, and culminates in one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Zion, a challenging journey of some four hours that affords us some quite breath-taking views down across the valley. There are also plenty of easier options for people to enjoy.

Meals Provided : None

Day 9 Drive to Bryce Canyon; time to discover this natural wonder

This morning, we drive to Bryce Canyon, travelling via Buffalo and Mt Carmel Junction. We enter a world of surreal formations of multi-coloured sandstone that are steeped in the legend of the Paiute. Legend has it that the sandstone 'hoodoo's' of Bryce are in fact the petrified followers of the Coyote God, turned to stone as they stood listening to his angry tirade. The reality is somewhat less dramatic, with water playing the main part in the creation of these remarkable landscapes; the constant freezing and thawing and the violent summer storms causing the soft rocks to erode and split into the towering pillars that litter the floor of its great amphitheatre.

Meals Provided : None

Day 10 Early morning at Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon; drive to Moab via Capitol Reef National Park

We have the option to see Bryce at its most radiant this morning, in the golden hues of sunrise. For those interested in an early start, we'll drive up to Sunrise Point to watch the dawn break across the landscape. This afternoon we will explore something of the myriad colours and shapes of this fairytale realm, hiking along the Navajo Loop, or taking in the grandeur of the Queen's Garden. Bryce was created as a national park in 1928 and is actually a part of the Grand Staircase that follows the rim along the Paunsaugunt Plateau. As you look out across the pink, orange and red spires it is easy to sympathise with Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon farmer who is best remembered for the profound words. 'Well it's a hell of a place to lose a cow!' Later in the morning we drive to Capitol Reef National Park, where we can stop and take a short hike. Capitol Reef encompasses a landscape of coloured sandstone cliffs, twisting canyons, monoliths and spires. From here we then drive to Moab, the largest town in south-eastern Utah, where the rest of the evening is free to relax and enjoy at our own pace. Time permitting we may visit Dead Horse point.

Meals Provided : None

Day 11 Hikes in Arches National Park

Located a short distance from Moab is Arches National Park, home to the world's largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. With over 2000 arches, giant sandstone fins, balancing rocks and towering spires, the park provides a unique setting for today's hike. We take in the Devil's Garden, a four-hour hike that takes us through a landscape littered with arches. We also enjoy a more gentle walk around The Windows Loop (approximately 1.5 hours), before returning to Moab for a free afternoon. We then head back to Arches to walk to Delicate Arch for sunset (2 hours). Probably one of the most photographed arches in the American southwest, Delicate Arch, with its backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of La Sal, provides the perfect setting for our late afternoon hike. After our walk we then head back to Moab for the evening.

Meals Provided : None

Day 12 Drive to Mesa Verde National Park; afternoon guided tour, continue to Cortez

After breakfast, and a quick visit to the News Paper Rock, we continue on to Mesa Verde National Park this morning. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mesa Verde is home to some of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the world. After viewing the Native American exhibits at the Visitors Centre, we then take a guided tour of the site and pay a visit to the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum. After our visit we continue to the city of Cortez.

Meals Provided : None

Day 13 Travel to Monument Valley; optional jeep tour with a Navajo guide

Today we drive to the town of Page, via the Navajo Reservation, the biggest in the country, founded in 1888 to provide a protected region for the Navajo people. The Navajo Nation constitutes the largest tribe left in the United States, the last survivors of a people who were decimated by the arrival of the white man and his rapacious quest for land and gold. Monument Valley, our highlight destination today, lies within the heart of this vast tribal area and in spite of its familiarity through the exposure by Hollywood, nothing can truly prepare you for the sheer grandeur and spectacle of this incredible setting. Isolated monoliths, sandstone pinnacles and towering spires rocket skywards, as much as 1000m above the desert floor. As the only way to experience Monument Valley's dramatic backcountry, we offer you the chance to take an optional guided jeep tour of the valley with a Navajo guide, affording a closer exploration of this compelling land before we head on to our night stop in Page. As we continue through Native lands towards Page, the warm embrace of the late afternoon colours alters the landscape's appearance as the sun dips towards the horizon.

Meals Provided : None

Day 14 Optional visit to Antelope Canyon; drive to Grand Canyon

This morning we have the option to visit the famous Antelope Canyon, a beautiful peach-gold coloured canyon formed by the force of flash floods coming from the plains above, or otherwise spend time at the enormous Lake Powell, with its scenic azure waters. Later on we take a short walk to Horseshoe Bend, with its lookout point over the eponymous river bend, before continuing our journey towards the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, arriving this afternoon. Once described by Theodore Roosevelt as 'the one great sight every American should see', the canyon extends some 277 miles from east to west, from the western edge of the Navajo Reservation, to the Nevada border around Lake Mead. Reaching a depth of 1600m the canyon's floor is littered with some of the oldest rocks on the planet and as we take in the views from Yavapai Point, we gaze out across a land that has taken over 2 billion years to create.

Meals Provided : None

Day 15 Walks at the Grand Canyon; optional helicopter flight

Today has been left free to make the most of this natural wonder at your own pace. You may want to follow the path down from the South Rim into the canyon itself, walking down to Indian Gardens and maybe even heading out to Plateau Point for some incredible views down onto the Colorado River below. Those not wishing to undertake the walk in and out of the canyon might prefer to take a helicopter flight over the canyon, or make use of the park's shuttle service to explore something of the rim, enjoying the vast panoramas from the crest of this remarkable setting. Sunsets at the Grand Canyon present an altogether unforgettable experience, with the possibility of condors circling on the thermals above to add to the majesty of the moment.

Meals Provided : None

Day 16 Return to las Vegas via Route 66

This morning we drive along one of the most historic highways in America, the famous Route 66. A shadow of its former self, the road is nonetheless still rich in the Americana of its glory days, when it used to be known as the 'Main Street' of America. Our drive back to Las Vegas takes us through the towns of Kingman and Seligman, home to the wonderfully eccentric 'Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-in'. On arrival in Vegas we then have a final free evening to make the most of one of America's most notorious cities.

Meals Provided : None

Day 16 Return to las Vegas via Route 66

This morning we drive along one of the most historic highways in America, the famous Route 66. A shadow of its former self, the road is nonetheless still rich in the Americana of its glory days, when it used to be known as the 'Main Street' of America. Our drive back to Las Vegas takes us through the towns of Kingman and Seligman, home to the wonderfully eccentric 'Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-in'. On arrival in Vegas we then have a final free evening to make the most of one of America's most notorious cities.

Meals Provided : None

Day 17 Tour ends Las Vegas

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Las Vegas. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Las Vegas at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), which is a 15 minute drive away.

Meals Provided : None

Day 17 Tour ends Las Vegas

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Las Vegas. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Las Vegas at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), which is a 15 minute drive away.

Meals Provided : None

Day 1 Join tour in San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco. Hugging the shores of San Francisco Bay, the city has a fascinating mix of culture, commerce and character that cannot fail to charm. Due to the number of evening flights into San Francisco, your Leader plans to do the welcome meeting on the morning of day two, and will leave a message in reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, why not explore Fisherman's Wharf with its views over Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Sightseeing tour including the Golden Gate Bridge, free afternoon

Today is spent exploring some of the city's highlights as we wander its famous streets, taking in the delightful Victorian architecture of Alamo Square and the colourful eccentricity of Haight Ashbury, San Francisco's once thriving 'hippie district' of the 1960s. We'll also drive up into the elegant Twin Peaks district of the city to enjoy some of the stunning views across the city and the bay (weather dependant), before moving on to the Golden Gate Bridge and finally the eclectic bustle and resident sea lions of Fisherman's Wharf. The afternoon has then been left free to continue exploring at your own leisure, perhaps paying a visit to Lombard Street and Coit Tower, before returning by the city's famous cable cars back to Market Street. This evening there is the option to walk to Chinatown, discovering the labyrinthine chaos of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.

Meals Provided : None

Day 3 Transfer to Yosemite National Park, walks in the park

This morning we leave San Francisco behind and drive east, heading through the fertile landscapes of Stanislaus County towards Yosemite National Park, passing the highly productive agricultural region of the Central Valley, where numerous orchards and vineyards line the roads. As we climb into the Sierra Nevada, we begin to witness the fabulous natural beauty of Yosemite National Park, a region which in 1864 became the first protected land in the world. As we arrive in the valley, the towering presence of the two most demanding peaks of the park will be visible - Half Dome (the sheerest cliff in North America) and the vast granite bulk of El Capitan (twice the size of the Rock of Gibraltar) - both of which attract serious rock climbers from all over the world. The central valley is a mere 20km long by 5km wide but is hemmed in on either side by dramatic 2km-high sheer cliffs, its cascading waterfalls and skyline of jagged pinnacles and smooth domed granite presenting an awe-inspiring backdrop. We spend some time visiting various viewpoints in the valley this afternoon, depending on the seasonality and which roads are open. We may take a walk to the bases of Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls, before continuing to follow the course of the Merced river to our final destination in Mariposa, just outside the park boundaries.

Meals Provided : None

Day 4 Explore Yosemite National Park on foot

Covering over 3000 sq km, more than 90% of Yosemite is designated wilderness area and today we will take the opportunity to explore it in a little more depth. Away from the main tourist areas of the Yosemite Valley the park is filled with a wide variety of options to make the most of its natural charms. Trails lead from the valley floor to a range of spectacular viewpoints, passing breath-taking views of Half Dome and the High Sierras or taking in impressive cascades en route. As well as some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes on earth, the park is filled with a variety of wildlife too, including hummingbirds, deer and of course the ever present black bears, ensuring you a captivating encounter whatever you choose to do. There are a number of possibilities available, and your Tour Leader will recommend a range of challenging to easy hikes so that you can choose the option that interests you the most. If you're not a hiker, a relaxing day along the riverbanks of the valley floor is also a beautiful way to enjoy the national park, and there are shuttles running through the valley to various different trailheads, allowing all levels of hikers to access the difficulty of trail that they wish. As always, these can be affected by the weather but with such a wide variety of beautiful experiences on offer, our visit is sure to be memorable.

Meals Provided : None

Day 5 Travel to Bakersfield via Mariposa Grove

Leaving the park this morning we plan to drive to Bakersfield via Mariposa Grove, a grove of giant Sequoia trees with some excellent walking trails. One of the most famous trees in the park has a hollowed out base over the route of the path, allowing us to literally walk right through the tree. After enjoying our time here, we head off to the town of Bakersfield at the base of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Meals Provided : None

Day 6 Journey through Death Valley to Las Vegas

Starting early to avoid the heat, we descend into Death Valley today, one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. We then journey into the heart of one of the most remarkable settings on earth, where the marbled rocks, salt pans and black mountains provide us with an incredible backdrop. In marked contrast we end our day in Las Vegas, America's extraordinary desert playground, where exploding volcanoes share centre stage with Venetian canals and ancient pyramids. This evening we have some free time to explore this unique city.

Meals Provided : None

Day 7 Head to Zion National Park, afternoon to explore

This morning we will head to Zion National Park to get there just after lunch. Zion itself was established as a national park in 1919 and can boast an impressive array of natural credentials, encompassing some 8 geological formations, 4 major vegetation zones and a landscape that has been carved and honed by the Virgin River over a million years. This afternoon we will perhaps take a walk along the Watchman's Trail or one of the park's other trails. The position of the park, at the meeting of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin and the Mohave Desert means the region is rich in a vast diversity of flora and fauna that range from desert bush to Ponderosa Pine, cottonwood to red birch. Wildlife includes elk and mule deer, coyotes and black bear and turkey vultures and majestic golden eagles. We will be staying overnight in nearby Hurricane.

Meals Provided : None

Day 8 Walk on the trails of Zion National Park

This morning we will continue to explore this magnificent creation, first paying a visit to the impressive visitor centre before taking the park's shuttle bus to the start of the walks. There are so many possibilities to explore here that it is not possible to do them all - your Tour Leader will outline the options to you taking into account the conditions on the day. Walks range from approximately 5-13km in length, and some are predominantly flat while others have elevation gains of up to 600m. You may wish to walk up to Scout's Lookout, a meandering hike that begins with 21 steep switchbacks, known as Walter's Wiggles, and culminates in one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Zion, a challenging journey of some four hours that affords us some quite breath-taking views down across the valley. There are also plenty of easier options for people to enjoy. Later, we drive to Bryce Canyon, travelling via Buffalo and Mt Carmel Junction.

Meals Provided : None

Day 9 Early morning at Sunrise Point; continue to Capitol Reef National Park

Bryce is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the journey, as we enter a world of surreal formations of multi-coloured sandstone that are steeped in the legend of the Paiute. Legend has it that the sandstone 'hoodoo's' of Bryce are in fact the petrified followers of the Coyote God, turned to stone as they stood listening to his angry tirade. The reality is somewhat less dramatic, with water playing the main part in the creation of these remarkable landscapes; the constant freezing and thawing and the violent summer storms causing the soft rocks to erode and split into the towering pillars that litter the floor of its great amphitheatre. This morning we see Bryce at its most radiant, in the golden hues of sunrise as we drive up to Sunrise Point to watch the dawn break across the landscape. This afternoon we will explore something of the myriad colours and shapes of this fairytale realm, hiking along the Navajo Loop, or taking in the grandeur of the Queen's Garden. As you look out across the pink, orange and red spires it is easy to sympathise with Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon farmer who is best remembered for the profound words. 'Well it's a hell of a place to lose a cow!' In the afternoon we drive to Capitol Reef National Park, where we can stop and take a short hike. Capitol Reef encompasses a landscape of coloured sandstone cliffs, twisting canyons, monoliths and spires. From here we then drive to Moab, the largest town in south-eastern Utah.

Meals Provided : None

Day 10 Hikes in Arches National Park

Located a short distance from Moab is Arches National Park, home to the world's largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. With over 2000 arches, giant sandstone fins, balancing rocks and towering spires, the park provides a unique setting for today's hike. We take in the Devil's Garden, a strenuous four-hour trek that takes us through a landscape littered with arches. We also enjoy a more gentle walk around The Windows Loop (approximately 1.5 hours), and we'll walk to Delicate Arch for sunset (2 hours). Probably one of the most photographed arches in the American southwest, Delicate Arch, with its backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of La Sal, provides the perfect setting for our late afternoon hike. There will be some flexibility in the itinerary today, with some time free in Moab either in the morning or afternoon before the sunset hike. After our walk we then head back to Moab for the evening.

Meals Provided : None

Day 11 Drive to Monument Valley, optional jeep tour with the Navajo

Today we drive to the town of Page, via the Navajo Reservation, the biggest in the country, founded in 1888 to provide a protected region for the Navajo people. The Navajo Nation constitutes the largest tribe left in the United States, the last survivors of a people who were decimated by the arrival of the white man and his rapacious quest for land and gold. Monument Valley, our highlight destination today, lies within the heart of this vast tribal area and in spite of its familiarity through the exposure by Hollywood, nothing can truly prepare you for the sheer grandeur and spectacle of this incredible setting. Isolated monoliths, sandstone pinnacles and towering spires rocket skywards, as much as 1000m above the desert floor. As the only way to experience Monument Valley's dramatic backcountry, we offer you the chance to take an optional guided jeep tour of the valley with a Navajo guide, affording a closer exploration of this compelling land before we head on to our night stop in Page. As we continue through Native lands towards Page, the warm embrace of the late afternoon colours alters the landscape's appearance as the sun dips towards the horizon.

Meals Provided : None

Day 12 Head to the Grand Canyon with sunset at Yavapai Point

This morning we have the option to visit the famous Antelope Canyon, a beautiful peach-gold coloured canyon formed by the force of flash floods coming from the plains above, or otherwise spend time at the enormous Lake Powell, with its scenic azure waters. Later on we take a short walk to Horseshoe Bend, with its lookout point over the eponymous river bend, before continuing our journey towards the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, arriving this afternoon. Once described by Theodore Roosevelt as 'the one great sight every American should see', the canyon extends some 277 miles from east to west, from the western edge of the Navajo Reservation, to the Nevada border around Lake Mead. Reaching a depth of 1600m the canyon's floor is littered with some of the oldest rocks on the planet and as we take in the views from Yavapai Point, we gaze out across a land that has taken over 2 billion years to create.

Meals Provided : None

Day 13 Free day at the Grand Canyon

Today has been left free to make the most of this natural wonder at your own pace. You may want to follow the path down from the South Rim into the canyon itself, walking down to Indian Gardens and maybe even heading out to Plateau Point for some incredible views down onto the Colorado River below. Those not wishing to undertake the walk in and out of the canyon might prefer to take a helicopter flight over the canyon, or make use of the park's shuttle service to explore something of the rim, enjoying the vast panoramas from the crest of this remarkable setting. Sunsets at the Grand Canyon present an altogether unforgettable experience, with the possibility of condors circling on the thermals above to add to the majesty of the moment.

Meals Provided : None

Day 14 Drive to Las Vegas via Route 66

Today we drive along one of the most historic highway in America, the famous Route 66, a road that during its lifetime has been called the 'Main Street of America' and the 'Mother Road'. Over 200,000 people travelled this route during the 1930s to escape the Dust Bowl of the Depression years and hopefully find a new life in California. A shadow of its former self, the road nonetheless is rich in Americana and its architecture still affords us a rare insight into a time long past and we will travel via the town of Williams before reaching our final destination amidst the bright lights of Las Vegas. Vegas presents us with America in all its flamboyant excess, a desert city that is surely one of the most surreal and extravagant destinations anywhere on earth, let alone the United States. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore this unique location, where you can watch exploding volcanoes and pirate battles, cruise the canals of Venice and take a rollercoaster ride across the New York skyline. Still the most breathtaking view over the city is to be had from the top of the 1149ft Stratosphere Tower, the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and you can follow this up with an evening in the gaming rooms and slots of the world famous Caesar's Palace.

Meals Provided : None

Day 15 Trip ends Las Vegas

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Las Vegas. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Las Vegas at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), which is a 15 minute drive away.

Meals Provided : None

Day 1 Join tour in San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco. Hugging the shores of San Francisco Bay, the city has a fascinating mix of culture, commerce and character that cannot fail to charm. Due to the number of evening flights into San Francisco, your Leader plans to do the welcome meeting on the morning of day two, and will leave a message in reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, why not explore Fisherman's Wharf with its views over Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Sightseeing tour including the Golden Gate Bridge, free afternoon

Today is spent exploring some of the city's highlights as we wander its famous streets, taking in the delightful Victorian architecture of Alamo Square and the colourful eccentricity of Haight Ashbury, San Francisco's once thriving 'hippie district' of the 1960s. We'll also drive up into the elegant Twin Peaks district of the city to enjoy some of the stunning views across the city and the bay (weather dependant), before moving on to the Golden Gate Bridge and finally the eclectic bustle and resident sea lions of Fisherman's Wharf. The afternoon has then been left free to continue exploring at your own leisure, perhaps paying a visit to Lombard Street and Coit Tower, before returning by the city's famous cable cars back to Union Square and Market Street. This evening there is the option to walk to Chinatown, discovering the labyrinthine chaos of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.

Meals Provided : None

Day 3 Transfer to Yosemite National Park, walks in the park

This morning we leave San Francisco behind and drive east, heading through the fertile landscapes of Stanislaus County towards Yosemite National Park, passing the highly productive agricultural region of the Central Valley, where numerous orchards and vineyards line the roads. As we climb into the Sierra Nevada, we begin to witness the fabulous natural beauty of Yosemite National Park, a region which in 1864 became the first protected land in the world. As we arrive in the valley, the towering presence of the two most demanding peaks of the park will be visible - Half Dome (the sheerest cliff in North America) and the vast granite bulk of El Capitan (twice the size of the Rock of Gibraltar) - both of which attract serious rock climbers from all over the world. The central valley is a mere 20km long by 5km wide but is hemmed in on either side by dramatic 2km-high sheer cliffs, its cascading waterfalls and skyline of jagged pinnacles and smooth domed granite presenting an awe-inspiring backdrop. We spend some time visiting various viewpoints in the valley this afternoon, perhaps taking a walk to the bases of Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, before continuing to follow the course of the Merced river to our final destination in Mariposa, just outside the park boundaries.

Meals Provided : None

Day 4 Explore Yosemite National Park on foot

Covering over 3000 sq km, more than 90% of Yosemite is designated wilderness area and today we will take the opportunity to explore it in a little more depth. Away from the main tourist areas of the Yosemite Valley the park is filled with a wide variety of options to make the most of its natural charms. Trails lead from the valley floor to a range of spectacular viewpoints, passing breath-taking views of Half Dome and the High Sierras or taking in impressive cascades en route. As well as some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes on earth, the park is filled with a variety of wildlife too, including hummingbirds, deer and of course the ever present black bears, ensuring you a captivating encounter whatever you choose to do. There are a number of possibilities available, and your Tour Leader will recommend a range of challenging to easy hikes so that you can choose the option that interests you the most. If you're not a hiker, a relaxing day along the riverbanks of the valley floor is also a beautiful way to enjoy the national park, and there are shuttles running through the valley to various different trailheads, allowing all levels of hikers to access the difficulty of trail that they wish. As always, these can be affected by the weather but with such a wide variety of beautiful experiences on offer, our visit is sure to be memorable.

Meals Provided : None

Day 5 Travel via Mono Lake to Mammoth

Leaving the park this morning we plan to drive across the scenic Tioga Pass (3032m), taking in the sub-alpine meadows of the Toulumne Meadows, an area that has been christened America's very own Switzerland. We continue through the dramatic mountain vistas down towards the alkaline waters and surreal volcanic 'tufa' rock formations of Mono Lake at the base of the High Sierras. This incredible body of water is two and a half times as salty and eighty times as alkaline as seawater and whilst its waters can sustain no fish life it does abound in brine shrimp and flies, which provide food for millions of migratory birds and waterfowl. At the height of summer the shrimp population alone is believed to number some 4 trillion! Continuing south from here our journey lies in the shadow of a range of towering peaks that rise to over 4200m as we make our way towards our overnight stop in the small settlement of Mammoth. On early season departures, if the passes over the Sierra Nevada are closed we may have to amend our itinerary and re-route the tour.

Meals Provided : None

Day 6 Journey through Death Valley to Las Vegas

Today we have an early start to drive through Death Valley before it gets really hot. En route we will stop for breakfast and for a short visit to Furnace Creek. After lunch we will stop at Pahrump before continuing onto Las Vegas for the night. You will have some free time tonight to visit the strip or you may wish to do this on an optional limousine ride.

Meals Provided : None

Day 7 Head to Zion National Park, afternoon to explore

This morning we will head to Zion National Park to get there just after lunch. Zion itself was established as a national park in 1919 and can boast an impressive array of natural credentials, encompassing some 8 geological formations, 4 major vegetation zones and a landscape that has been carved and honed by the Virgin River over a million years. This afternoon we will perhaps take a walk along the Watchman's Trail or one of the park's other trails. The position of the park, at the meeting of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin and the Mohave Desert means the region is rich in a vast diversity of flora and fauna that range from desert bush to Ponderosa Pine, cottonwood to red birch. Wildlife includes elk and mule deer, coyotes and black bear and turkey vultures and majestic golden eagles. We will be staying overnight in nearby Hurricane.

Meals Provided : None

Day 8 Walk on the trails of Zion National Park

This morning we will continue to explore this magnificent creation, first paying a visit to the impressive visitor centre before taking the park's shuttle bus to the start of the walks. There are so many possibilities to explore here that it is not possible to do them all - your Tour Leader will outline the options to you taking into account the conditions on the day. Walks range from approximately 5-13km in length, and some are predominantly flat while others have elevation gains of up to 600m. You may wish to walk up to Scout's Lookout, a meandering hike that begins with 21 steep switchbacks, known as Walter's Wiggles, and culminates in one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Zion, a challenging journey of some four hours that affords us some quite breath-taking views down across the valley. There are also plenty of easier options for people to enjoy. Later, we drive to Bryce Canyon, travelling via Buffalo and Mt Carmel Junction.

Meals Provided : None

Day 9 Drive to Bryce Canyon; time to discover this natural wonder

This morning, we drive to Bryce Canyon, travelling via Buffalo and Mt Carmel Junction. We enter a world of surreal formations of multi-coloured sandstone that are steeped in the legend of the Paiute. Legend has it that the sandstone 'hoodoo's' of Bryce are in fact the petrified followers of the Coyote God, turned to stone as they stood listening to his angry tirade. The reality is somewhat less dramatic, with water playing the main part in the creation of these remarkable landscapes; the constant freezing and thawing and the violent summer storms causing the soft rocks to erode and split into the towering pillars that litter the floor of its great amphitheatre.

Meals Provided : None

Day 10 Early morning at Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon; drive to Monument Valley via Horseshoe bend

We have the option to see Bryce at its most radiant this morning, in the golden hues of sunrise. For those interested in an early start, we'll drive up to Sunrise Point to watch the dawn break across the landscape. This afternoon we will explore something of the myriad colours and shapes of this fairytale realm, hiking along the Navajo Loop, or taking in the grandeur of the Queen's Garden. Bryce was created as a national park in 1928 and is actually a part of the Grand Staircase that follows the rim along the Paunsaugunt Plateau. As you look out across the pink, orange and red spires it is easy to sympathise with Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon farmer who is best remembered for the profound words. 'Well it's a hell of a place to lose a cow!' Later in the morning we drive to Monument Valley via the town of Page, situated near the Glen Canyon Dam and backing onto the azure waters of Lake Powell. We can opt to spend time at the lake and take a short walk to Horseshoe Bend with its lookout point over the eponymous river bend. In the afternoon we drive on to the Navajo Reservation, the biggest in the country, founded in 1888 to provide a protected region for the Navajo people. The Navajo Nation constitutes the largest tribe left in the United States, the last survivors of a people who were decimated by the arrival of the white man and his rapacious quest for land and gold. Monument Valley, our destination for this afternoon, lies within the heart of this vast tribal area and in spite of its familiarity through the exposure by Hollywood, nothing can truly prepare you for the sheer grandeur and spectacle of this incredible setting. We offer you the chance to take an optional guided jeep tour of the valley with a Navajo guide, affording a closer exploration of this compelling land before we must depart for our nightstop at Kayenta.

Meals Provided : None

Day 11 Drive to Grand Canyon via Tuba City

This morning we continue our remarkable journey, heading next towards the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Travelling via the Navajo community of Tuba City we arrive at the canyon this afternoon. Once described by Theodore Roosevelt as 'the one great sight every American should see', the canyon extends some 277 miles from east to west, from the western edge of the Navajo Reservation, to the Nevada border around Lake Mead. Reaching a depth of 1600m the canyon's floor is littered with some of the oldest rocks on the planet and as we take in the views from Yavapai Point, we gaze out across a land that has taken over 2 billion years to create. This evening there should be (weather permitting) the option to take a stunning flight across the canyon by plane or helicopter.

Meals Provided : None

Day 12 Free day at Grand Canyon

Today has been left free to make the most of this natural wonder at your own pace. You may want to follow the path down from the South Rim into the canyon itself, walking down to Indian Gardens and maybe even heading out to Plateau Point for some incredible views down onto the Colorado River below. Those not wishing to undertake the walk in and out of the canyon might prefer to make use of the park's shuttle service to explore something of the rim, enjoying the vast panoramas from the crest of this remarkable setting. Sunsets at the Grand Canyon present an altogether unforgettable experience, with the possibility of condors circling on the thermals above to add to the majesty of the moment.

Meals Provided : None

Day 13 Drive to Las Vegas via Route 66

Today we drive along one of the most historic highway in America, the famous Route 66, a road that during its lifetime has been called the 'Main Street of America' and the 'Mother Road'. Over 200,000 people travelled this route during the 1930s to escape the Dust Bowl of the Depression years and hopefully find a new life in California. A shadow of its former self, the road nonetheless is rich in Americana and its architecture still affords us a rare insight into a time long past and we will travel via the town of Williams before reaching our final destination amidst the bright lights of Las Vegas. Vegas presents us with America in all its flamboyant excess, a desert city that is surely one of the most surreal and extravagant destinations anywhere on earth, let alone the United States. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore this unique location, where you can watch exploding volcanoes and pirate battles, cruise the canals of Venice and take a rollercoaster ride across the New York skyline. Still the most breathtaking view over the city is to be had from the top of the 1149ft Stratosphere Tower, the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and you can follow this up with an evening in the gaming rooms and slots of the world famous Caesar's Palace.

Meals Provided : None

Day 14 Trip ends Las Vegas

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Las Vegas. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Las Vegas at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), which is a 15 minute drive away.

Meals Provided : None