Day 1
Arrive in Chicago
Land in Chicago and make your way independently to your hotel. Meet your Tour Director in the evening.
Overnight: Best Western River North Hotel or similar. Breakfast included
Day 2
Chicago
This morning you will start your tour of the city’s highlights including Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and Lake Shore Drive. See the towering skyscrapers including the Willis Tower and 360 CHICAGO (formerly John Hancock Observatory). How about an optional detour with admission to Willis Tower Observation deck? Ascend to the sky as you receive panoramic views of The Windy City. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Best Western River North Hotel or similar. Breakfast included
Day 3
Chicago - Sioux Falls (580 miles)
Next, you’ll travel through the Midwest farm country and see the fields of corn, wheat and dairy farms as you cross the mammoth Mississippi River and travel into the state of Iowa. Overnight in Sioux Falls.
Overnight: Comfort Inn Sioux City or similar.
Day 4
Sioux Falls - Rapid City (385 miles)
Journeying towards Badlands National Park, home to bison, antelopes and buffalos, see the incredibly colourful rock formations. Continuing on to the Black Hills, sacred to the Plains Indians and home to the famous Mount Rushmore. Spend an evening at leisure.
Overnight: First Gold Hotel or Best Western Ramkota Hotel or similar
Day 5
Rapid City - Cody (350 miles)
Leaving Rapid City, you travel towards Cody, Wyoming with its twelve mountain ranges, entwined with deserts and luscious grasslands. Cody was founded by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody who was impressed by the development potentials that he started a town in the 1890s and has grown into the city it is today. If overnight in Cody is not possible due to weather or adverse road conditions in Yellowstone, overnight will be in Billings/ Livingstone, Montana.
Overnight: Buffalo Bill Village or Holiday Inn Cody or similar
Day 6
Cody - Yellowstone (165 miles)
Drive past the Wyoming’s mountains as you explore the magnificent Yellowstone, America’s first national park. Enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour including wildlife, geysers, waterfalls and canyons. Memorable highlights will include Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Canyon’s impressive waterfalls.
Overnight: Kelly Inn West Yellowstone Hotel or similar. Breakfast included
Day 7
Yellowstone - Salt Lake City (320 miles)
Venture through Grand Teton National Park (weather permitting) as you see it’s towering mountain peaks at over 13,000 ft. Visit the Snake River Overlook for some stunning mountain views before arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah. See the State Capital Building and visit the famed Temple Square and Tabernacle before arriving at your hotel.
Overnight: Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City or similar. Breakfast included
Day 8
Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon National Park (270 miles)
Continue onwards towards the breath-taking Bryce Canyon National Park as your guided tour will take you through the multi-coloured sandstone spires and famous hoodoos. This evening, experience stargazing like no other as you survey the brilliant night sky for its constellations.
Overnight: Bryce View Lodge or similar. Breakfast included
Day 9
Bryce Canyon - Flagstaff (285 miles)
Depart Bryce Canyon this morning as you travel to the stunning Lake Powell with its glittering blue waters and red rock canyon walls. A man-made lake produced by the damming of Colorado River. Then visit the colossal Grand Canyon National Park – one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Stop at the East Rim to truly experience the magnificent structures of the plunging gorges, extinct volcanoes and below the rim, the meandering Colorado River.
Overnight: Aiden by Best Western Flagstaff or Tru by Hilton or Home2Suites or similar
Day 10
Flagstaff - Las Vegas (255 miles)
As you leave Flagstaff you will travel on to Las Vegas, the glitzy “Entertainment Capital of the World”. En-route you’ll stop by Seligman, a town built along the famous Route 66, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a town built sixty years ago, the characteristics will remind you of the Disney Pixar film “Cars”. Get the photo opportunity at the “Welcome to Las Vegas” as you enter the exciting city. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. How about taking to the strip and embarking on a night time tour? Another fantastic option is seeing one of Las Vegas’ famous shows with an accompanying dinner.
Overnight: Luxor Las Vegas or Excalibur or similar
Day 11 and 12
Las Vegas - Los Angeles (270 miles)
Before traveling to Los Angeles you’ll see the Mojave Desert with the unique Joshua trees scattered over the mountain landscape. Arriving in Los Angeles you will start a tour throughout the City of Angels including Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood before reaching your hotel. Optional end to this tour is available, please enquire on prices.
Today, we suggest an optional full-day tour exploring the world’s largest movie studio and theme park - Universal Studio. A joint attraction with an opportunity for behind the scenes tours of the Hollywood blockbusters. Travelling with thrill-seekers? Enjoy the excitement of Universal’s hair-raising Jurassic Park ride and Return of the Mummy. Or explore Santa Monica and its long stretch of sandy beach and laid back vibes.
Overnight: Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX or similar
Day 13
Los Angeles - Central Coast (160 miles)
Leave Los Angeles in the morning and travel north through one of California’s favourite holiday destinations, Santa Barbara. With its idyllic white sandy beaches and gorgeous palm tree lined walk ways no wonder the locals flock here for some R&R! Before you leave, you’ll see the iconic “Baywatch” lifeguard tower. Continue north to the Danish-style town of Solvang with its many wineries.
Overnight: Historic Santa Maria Inn or similar
Day 14
Central Coast - San Francisco (265 miles)
Today we travel to the gorgeous coastal town of Carmel. Enjoy perusing the shops and galleries of this famous artists’ colony. Travelling north towards Monterey, you’ll be able to see Old Fisherman’s Wharf, stroll the Pier to Cannery Row brought to fame by John Steinbeck’s novel. As you carry on your journey north, you’ll pass by Santa Clara en-route to San Francisco. Arrive in San Francisco at 6:30pm and say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your tour concludes. We have included a post night hotel here to make the most of exploring San Francisco this evening.
Overnight: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel or similar
Day 15
San Francisco
Enjoy today at leisure. See the famous Fisherman's Wharf and sea lions, how about riding a cable car up the rolling hills or doing a bit of shopping in Union Square? Make your way independently to San Francisco International Airport for your flight home.
Or why not extend your stay and perhaps add a Hawaii Extension?
