National Parks Explorer
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
San Francisco Arrival
Arrive into San Francisco International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel. Your Tour Director will contact you in the evening.
Day 2
San Francisco
Take a city tour which includes Union Square, the Civic Center and Fisherman’s Wharf. Standing on a hilltop, watching the fog swirl in through the Golden Gate, it is easy to understand why many consider San Francisco the most beautiful city in America. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure, perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where one may enjoy a “Taste of San Francisco”: local seafood, famous sourdough breads or decadent Ghiradelli’s Chocolate. Or take a stroll by Sea Lions’ Marina to watch them frolic and play. Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where “America’s Most Wanted” such as Al Capone and ”Machine Gun” Kelly were incarcerated.
Day 3
San Francisco – Lake Tahoe – Sierra Nevada Mountains – Reno
Depart for Sacramento, capital of the “Golden State”. A stop will be made in Old Town, once a bustling center of the Gold Rush and terminus of the Pony Express. Continue to gorgeous Lake Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In the afternoon you will visit Virginia City, a 19th century mining metropolis where the Old West comes to life. A short drive takes you to Reno and your hotel, where you may be tempted to try your luck in the casino.
Day 4
Reno – Black Rock Desert – Twin Falls
Journey through the Black Rock Desert and across the plains of northern Nevada. Follow the Humboldt River along the route that was once used by early pioneers on the Oregon and California Trails. Visit Elko, the formerly rough and tumble town that once sat at the end of the tracks laid from the west by the Central Pacific Railroad. Cross the state line at Jackpot and enter Twin Falls, located within Idaho’s Magic Valley region.
Day 5
Twin Falls – Craters of the Moon – Yellowstone National Park
Leaving Twin Falls, you will cross the Snake River, known as “The River of No Return”. Then visit Craters of the Moon National Monument. This eerie desert landscape so closely resembles lunar conditions that the training for the first men on the moon actually took place here. Later this afternoon you arrive at Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 by Ulysses S. Grant as the nation’s first National Park.
Day 6
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour of this immense geothermal wonderland. Highlights of your tour will include Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Canyon’s majestic falls (seasonal).
Day 7
Yellowstone National Park – Grand Tetons – Jackson – Salt Lake City
This morning’s journey is through the rugged, snow-capped mountains which welcome you to Grand Teton National Park. Visit the Snake River Outlook and try your eye at capturing the stunning landscape made famous by Ansel Adam’s iconic shot. This prairie land is home to wild buffalo (Tatonka!), moose and elk. Continue to Jackson Hole, the sophisticated “Crown Jewel” of the Rocky Mountains. Travel through southern Idaho to Salt Lake City in the Mormon State of Utah. See the State Capitol building and visit famed Temple Square and the Tabernacle before arriving at the hotel for the evening. May we suggest dinner at the Roof Restaurant for panoramic views of Temple Square ? (optional)
Day 8
Salt Lake City – Canyonlands N.P. - Moab
Heading south this morning, you’ll pass through Provo, home to Brigham Young University, en route to Canyonlands National Park. Today you will see a wilderness of countless canyons & fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River & its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze & the Rivers themselves. We will visit some of the most scenic spots in the Island in the Sky mesa that rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Continue on to Moab for your stay tonight.
Day 9
Moab – Arches National Park – Moab
Today we visit Arches National Park, one of Utah’s Mighty 5. Once in the park, you’ll discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landform and textures unlike any other in the world. With over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles and giant balanced rocks, this red rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations and inspire you with its most unique scenery. This evening enjoy an optional Jet Boat Float trip on the Mighty Colorado River.
Day 10
Moab – Capitol Reef National Park – Bryce Canyon National Park
Visit Capitol Reef National Park, a destination of extraordinary natural beauty, established in 1937 to protect a unique geological feature. Continue to spectacular Bryce Canyon, where a tour through a multi-colored world of sandstone spires and pinnacles, “hoodoos”, will dazzle the eye. This evening, weather permitting, be sure to gaze upon the spectacular night sky filled with sparkling stars and brilliant constellations.
Day 11
Bryce Canyon – Lake Powell – Grand Canyon – Flagstaff
Travel to stunning Lake Powell, where crystal blue water laps against towering red rock canyon walls. After crossing the Colorado, enter the Navajo Indian Reservation and drive through the Painted Desert via Cameron Trading Post. Arrive at the Grand Canyon, one of the 7 great natural wonders of the world. Stop at the rim to fully experience this mile-deep colorful canyon’s plunging gorges and rising spires formed by the mighty Colorado River. Overnight in Flagstaff.
Day 12
Flagstaff – Seligman/Route 66 – Las Vegas
Descend the high Coconino Plateau into the Mojave Desert. Along the way, pass through Seligman, a town built along the famed historic Route 66 that looks as if it were frozen in time 60 years ago. Onward to Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World”.
Day 13
Las Vegas (Death Valley Optional)
Day at leisure! Enjoy all that Las Vegas offers. In addition to shopping, bustling casinos, and Broadway-caliber shows, you might simply stroll the famous Strip or take an optional trip to Death Valley, one of the hottest, driest, and lowest places on the surface of the Earth.
Day 14
Las Vegas – Mojave Desert – Beverly Hills – Los Angeles
Today starts with a stop at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory. Travel to Los Angeles via the Mojave Desert. Clusters of unique Joshua trees dot the mountainous landscape. Upon arrival in Los Angeles you will enjoy a tour including Hollywood, Sunset Strip and parts of Beverly Hills, before reaching your hotel.
Day 15
Los Angeles - Departure
Transfer independently to the airport for your return flight.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
€
£
$
A$
¥
C$
The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in USD. Prices converted in other
currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.
| DEPARTURES 2023 | PRICE FROM |
|---|---|
| MAY 27 | 3160 |
| JULY 15 | 3160 |
| AUG 19 | 3160 |
| SEP 2 | 3160 |
YOUR ESCORTED MOTORCOACH TOUR INCLUDES
- Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout
- Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach with onboard restroom facilities
- Hotel accommodations as specified or similar
- Sightseeing as specified
- Hotel taxes; service charges; and baggage (one suitcase per person)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT INCLUSIONS
- 4 complimentary breakfasts
- Enjoy a welcome reception where you will meet your fellow travelers
- Take in the sites and sounds of the City by the Bay, San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf
- Discover California’s State Capital, Sacramento, and get a sense of the Golden state’s young but rich history
- Travel along the shores of Lake Tahoe and enjoy picturesque stops en route
- Stroll the glitzy main street of the ‘Biggest Little City in the World’, Reno
- Transport yourself to another planet, exploring the Craters of the Moon National Monument
- Discover the limitless natural majesty of the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone
- Witness the stunning rugged peaks of the Grand Teton Mountain Range
- Experience Salt Lake City including Temple Square, home to the Mormon Tabernacle
- Capture the ethereal mountain landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Explore the unique rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park
- Gaze at the majestic Grand Canyon
- Traverse historic Route 66, stopping at the iconic roadside town of Seligman
- Enjoy leisure time for shopping, gambling, eating, or all of the above in glitzy Las Vegas
- Post an Instagram of yourself at the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign
- Stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame and find your favorite celebrity’s star
- Get a glimpse of all the glamour Los Angeles has to offer with stops at some of its most famous spots
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | San Francisco | Marriott Marquis |
| 3 | Reno | Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino |
| 4 | Twin Falls | Red Lion Hotel Twin Falls |
| 5-6 | Yellowstone | Gray Wolf Inn / ClubHouse Inn West Yellowstone |
| 7 | Salt Lake City | Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites |
| 8-9 | Moab | MainStay Suites Moab near Arches National Park |
| 10 | Bryce Canyon | Bryce View Lodge |
| 11 | Flagstaff | Days Hotel Flagstaff |
| 12-13 | Las Vegas | Luxor Las Vegas - Pyramid Rooms |
| 14 | Los Angeles | Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX |
PRE & POST HOTELS
PRE: San Francisco, Marriott Marquis
POST: Los Angeles, Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
- Hop on board a cable car during an extensive night tour of San Francisco and enjoy dinner this evening in the “City by the Bay”
- Ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge with vast views of the San Francisco Bay
- Escape from the city to experience the natural beauty of Muir Woods and the quaint coastal hamlet of Sausalito
- Fulfill a bit of adventure with a jet boat ride on the Colorado River
- Enjoy a dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Salt Lake City with panoramic views of Temple Square
- Discover the vast majesty of the Grand Canyon from above with helicopter flight
- Fly over scenic Lake Powell and enjoy western film landscapes of Monument Valley during a tour
- Experience the glitz and glam of Las Vegas during an extensive evening tour
- Enjoy more of the excitement that Vegas has to offer with a dinner show
- Take an excursion to Death Valley National Park
