Self-Drive American Grandeurs

Tour Information

14nt Tour Begins & Ends Denver: 2nts Denver; 1nt Steamboat Springs; 1nt Flaming Gorge Rock Springs; 1nt Jackson; 1nt Yellowstone National Park; 1nt Salt Lake City; 2nts Bryce Canyon National Park; 1nt Lake Powell; 1nt Cortez; 1nt Durango; 2nts Taos

Day 1

Fly from UK - Denver
Arrive at Denver’s International Airport and pick up the rental car. Then proceed to the hotel in downtown Denver.
Overnight Hotel VQ

Day 2

Denver – Rocky Mountain National Park – Steamboat Springs (160 miles)
This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by your Tour representative and provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, vouchers, maps, and brochures of the places you are about to visit. You have the day to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. After crossing the Continental Divide of the Rockies, continue to the quaint ski resort of Steamboat Springs.
Overnight Holiday Inn Steamboat Springs

Day 3

Steamboat Springs – Dinosaur National Monument – Flaming Gorge – Rock Springs (280 miles)
Depart Steamboat Springs and enter Dinosaur National Monument at the Colorado/Utah border and visit Dinosaur Quarry, which has produced more skeletons, skulls and bones of dinosaurs than any other dig in the world. Marvel at these remarkable fossil deposits, some as old as 140 million years. Continue on to explore the Flaming Gorge and Red Canyon. Overnight in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Overnight Days Inn

Day 4

Rock Springs – Jackson (190 miles)
Depart Rock Springs and travel along the Wind River Gorge. Continue north over the high chaparral of Wyoming and arrive in Jackson by early evening. Enjoy exploring the rustic Old West with a walk around the old-fashioned town square of Jackson.
Overnight Point Inn & Suites

Day 5

Jackson – Grand Teton – Yellowstone National Park (80 miles)
The short drive today gives you the chance to leisurely explore Grand Teton National Park. In Yellowstone, explore the diverse geothermal features of America’s first national park. Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs are the most famous sights of the park. Yellowstone’s wildlife roam the park freely, so prepare yourself for bison, deer, elk, moose and possibly a bear.
Overnight Brandin Iron Motel

Day 6

Yellowstone – Salt Lake City (350 miles)
You will cross a small portion of the Gem State of Idaho en route to the Mormon State of Utah and its capital, Salt Lake City. Visit the famed Temple and the Tabernacle.
Overnight Shilo Inn

Day 7

Salt Lake City – Bryce Canyon National Park (250 miles)
Cross the Wasatch Mountain Range to reach the natural wonders in southern Utah. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park to view its fanciful spires and rock formations.
Overnight Bryce View Lodge

Day 8

Bryce Canyon National Park
A full day to further explore Bryce Canyon National Park. Alternatively, it is just a short drive to Zion National Park and some of the world’s most incredible sandstone formations formed millions of years ago by the powerful hand of nature.
Overnight Bryce View Lodge

Day 9

Bryce Canyon National Park – Lake Powell (120 miles)
After having discovered the natural wonders of Zion National Park, drive east via Kanab to Page where the red desert meets deep blue Lake Powell.
Overnight Super 8 Page

Day 10

Lake Powell – Monument Valley – Cortez (280 miles)
Leave early to explore this magnificent landscape. Travel to the Navajo Indian Reservation, pass the Trading Post of Cameron, and drive through the Painted Desert to beautiful Monument Valley’s red sandstone spires and monoliths. Continue to Cortez.
Overnight Mesa Verde Inn

Day 11

Cortez – Mesa Verde National Park – Durango (50 miles)
Depart Cortez for the ruins of Mesa Verde which are valid proof of the highly sophisticated civilization of the Anasazi Indians. Then continue to the charming old gold-mining town of Durango.
Overnight Holiday Inn Durango

Day 12

Durango – Taos (200 miles)
Enjoy the magnificent scenery this morning while strolling along Main Street, Durango, which is lined with southwestern boutiques. Depart Durango and pass Pagosa Springs en route to the state of New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment. Your destination for this evening, the artists’ colony of Taos.
Overnight Best Western Kachina Lodge

Day 13

Taos – Santa Fe – Taos (140 miles)
In the morning, explore the remarkable Taos Indian Pueblo, a virtually unchanged village inhabited for over 800 years by as many as 1,400 Taos Indians. In the afternoon, drive south to Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States. Explore Santa Fe’s historic center on a short walking tour. Enjoy the unique atmosphere which has made Santa Fe a mecca for artists. Then return to Taos for the night.
Overnight Best Western Kachina Lodge

Day 14

Taos – Denver (310 miles)
On your way to Denver, drive north through the Land of Enchantment of New Mexico into the state of Colorado. The mountainous terrain of Colorado will surround you, providing panoramic scenery en route to Denver. Visit historic Larimer Square in downtown Denver before proceeding to the hotel.
Overnight Hotel VQ

Day 15

Denver Departure
Return the car at the airport before the departure flight.

Day 16

Arrival back to the UK

What's Included

• Return transatlantic schedule flights
• Economy size car rental
• Hotel accommodation as specified, or of a similar standard
• Detailed briefing by Tour Representative as specified in itinerary
• Welcome kit with comprehensive maps and day-to-day itinerary