National Parks Explorer

Tour Information

Witness the variety and grandeur of south west America’s landscape on this 14-day tour, which takes in nine protected National Parks and travels through many other scenic areas as well. You’ll also have a chance to see some of the region’s greatest cities. Starting in California, with two nights in San Francisco, you’ll head to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, stopping in Reno before crossing the Black Rock Desert and across to northern Nevada and along pioneer routes to Idaho. Stop at the lunar landscapes of Craters of the Moon National Monument and onto Yellowstone National Park to see all the most famous sights, like Old Faithfull and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Then it’s onto the snow-capped peaks of Grand Teton National Park before arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah. Next up is trips to the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Capitol Reef National Park, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon. After all these natural wonders, you’ll drive along Route 66 to Las Vegas, the ’entertainment capital of the world’, then cross Death Valley to finish the trip with a tour of Los Angeles.

Day 1

Fly from the UK - San Francisco
Arrive into San Francisco International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel. Your Tour escort will contact you in the evening.
Hotel: Hotel Whitcomb

Day 2

San Francisco
This morning take a city tour which includes Union Square, the Civic Center and Fisherman’s Wharf. The crests of many of the city’s hills, particularly Twin Peaks, afford matchless views of downtown San Francisco and the East Bay. 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 riding on a cable car, visiting the shops around Union Square, or taking a stroll around Fisherman’s Wharf. Your Tour escort will be on hand to assist you in planning your afternoon.

Day 3

San Francisco – Lake Tahoe – Virginia City – Reno
Joining passengers should meet in the lobby at 07:30 hours for an 08:00 hours departure.
Depart for Sacramento, capital of the “Golden State,” and head-quarters of current California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 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.
Hotel: John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Day 4

Reno – Elko – Twin Falls
This morning’s journey will take you through the Black Rock Desert and across the sagebrush plains of northern Nevada. Follow the often dry 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 the “Gem State” of Idaho.
Hotel: Red Lion Hotel Canyon Springs

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 world’s first national park.
Hotel: Days Inn West Yellowstone

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, Yellowstone Canyon’s majestic falls, and the beautiful Hayden Valley.

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. Continue to Jackson Hole, the sophisticated “Crown Jewel” of the Rocky Mountains, for lunch. You then 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.
Hotel: Best Western Garden Inn

Day 8

Salt Lake City – Moab
Spend the morning exploring Salt Lake City, one of the best planned cities in the country. Then travel to beautiful Moab, where the landscape is distinguished by the shady depths of thousand-foot-deep canyons as well as snow-capped peaks. Overnight in Moab.
Hotel: River Canyon Lodge

Day 9

Moab – Arches National Park – Canyonlands National Park – Moab
Journey today to two of America’s most spectacular national parks. Your first stop, Arches National Park, is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the awe-inspiring Delicate Arch, as well as many balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles. Then it’s on to Canyonlands National Park, where you will explore the color-drenched landscape of sandstone eroded into hundreds of canyons, mesas and buttes by the forces of time and the Colorado River. This evening you may 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 today, a destination of great natural beauty, where the remnants of an old pioneer town form the heart of the park. This national park was established in 1937 to protect a striking geological feature, the “Waterpocket Fold,” a 100-mile long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust. Continue in the afternoon to spectacular Bryce Canyon, where a tour through a multi-colored world of sandstone spires and pinnacles will dazzle the eye. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 11

Bryce Canyon – Lake Powell – Grand Canyon – Williams
Continue to stunning Lake Powell, where crystal blue water laps against towering red rock canyon walls. Lake Powell is the second-largest man-made lake in America. After crossing the Colorado River, enter the Navajo Indian Reservation and drive through the Painted Desert via Cameron Trading Post. In the afternoon, arrive at the Grand Canyon, one of the seven great natural wonders of the world. Stop at the South Rim to fully experience this mile-deep canyon. Continue to Williams, nestled amongst picturesque Ponderosa pines, for overnight.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Williams

Day 12

Williams – 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 Route 66 that looks as if it were frozen in time sixty years ago. Onward to Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Hotel: Best Western Mardi Gras

Day 13

Las Vegas (Death Valley)
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many attractions that Las Vegas has to offer. In addition to world-class shopping, bustling casinos, and Broadway-caliber shows, you might simply stroll the famous Strip taking in its amazing sights. You also have the opportunity today to 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 – Los Angeles
Travel to Los Angeles via the Mojave Desert. Strands 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. Tour ends upon arrival at hotel at approximately 18:00 hours.Overnight at a hotel near the airport.

Day 15

Independent transfers back to the airport for your return flight.

Day 16

Arrival back to the UK.

What's Included

• Return scheduled transatlantic flights from the UK
• Professional Tour Director Service
• Deluxe air-conditioned Motorcoach Transportation throughout the tour
• Hotel accommodation as per hotels listed above (or similar standard)
• San Francisco City Tour
• Virginia City
• Old Town Reno
• Craters of the Moon
• Yellowstone
• Salt Lake City Tour
• Colorado River
• Canyonlands
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Bryce Canyon
• Death Valley (optional)
• Grand Canyon