West Coast USA National Parks road trip

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    Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe

    Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe

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    Jump on one of San Francisco's cable cars and rest tired legs!

    Start your trip in San Francisco

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    More dramatic landscapes - this time at Bryce Canyon National Park

    More dramatic landscapes - this time at Bryce Canyon National Park

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    Spend a day hiking in Zion National Park

    Spend a day hiking in Zion National Park

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    You’ll find giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park

    You’ll find giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park

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    Hit the open road in Death Valley

    Hit the open road in Death Valley

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    Experience the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas!

    Experience the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas!

Tailor-made holidays

Duration(in days): 21

From: UK

To: USA

From

£4,075

Inc. International flights (Per person, based on 2 sharing)

Get a quote

or Call +441273099433

See more ideas for: USA

    Self-drive through the stunning National Parks of the Southwest in this 3 week holiday; from San Francisco to Salt Lake City. You’ll visit jaw-dropping canyons and glistening lakes, drive along spectacular mountain passes and have the chance to hike, bike and kayak as well as stargaze under the night skies.

    After 3 nights in the fun city of San Francisco, you’ll collect your car and head up to Lake Tahoe, an outdoor adventure playground! Heading along the scenic Tioga Pass (summer months only) you’ll move on to Yosemite which is a must for visitors to the area. Marvel at the sequoias and the sheer cliff faces that entice climbers the world over before getting back behind the wheel to Death Valley, which leads on to Sin City itself, Las Vegas for a 2-night break with no driving required! Whether you relax or go wild it’s up to you, but after 2 nights you’ll be back in the car and heading to the Grand Canyon, an absolute must on any trip to the area. After the spectacular views, it’s over the border and into Utah to hit their pretty special National Parks, including Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef. The final stop is at Moab, a fun town located between two gems – the Arches and the Canyonlands National Parks. Fly home from the state capital Salt Lake City with a camera full of photos and trip memories to last a lifetime!

    This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream American road trip.

    This holiday includes

    • International flights
    • Arrival transfer
    • Car hire for 17 days (SUV)
    • All accommodation in 3* - 4*hotels and lodges
    • Alcatraz trip & 48hr hop-on hop-off bus tour in San Francisco

     

    Highlights

    • Tour the notorious Alcatraz prison in San Francisco
    • Enjoy a hop-on hop-off bus tour valid for 48 hours, fully guided and with several walking tours at various locations around the city
    • The jaw-dropping beauty of one of the most scenic drives in North America – along the Tioga Pass from Tahoe to Yosemite
    • The natural wonders of the Yosemite National Park – El Capitan, the Half Dome and the grand sequoias to name but a few
    • Hike in some of the best parks in the southwest – Yosemite, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce and the Arches
    • Lap up Las Vegas in all its neon, 24 hour glory!
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    Itinerary in brief:

    • 3 nights San Francisco
    • 2 nights Lake Tahoe 
    • 2 nights Yosemite National Park
    • 1 night Death Valley
    • 2 nights Las Vegas
    • 1 night Grand Canyon
    • 2 nights Zion National Park
    • 2 nights Bryce National Park
    • 1 night Capitol Reef
    • 2 nights Arches National Park, Moab
    • 1 night Salt Lake City

     

    Day 1: Depart UK for San Francisco

    Depart the UK from your chosen airport. You’ll land into San Francisco late afternoon. A private transfer will take you to your hotel where you’ll check in for 3 nights.

    Included: International flight, private transfer, hotel

    Day 2: Explore San Francisco

    We’ve included a trip to Alcatraz and a 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket to get you started – you’ve got two full days to maximise and there is a lot to see.

    Discover the fascinating history of the jail that was home to some of America’s most notorious criminals – Alcatraz. The ticket also includes several walking tours and a trolley tour in Sausalito, so make sure you head across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to visit the historic waterfront town. The bus ticket has 20 stops around the city and is fully guided so provides a great way to learn about the city’s highlights!

    Included: Hotel, Alcatraz and 72hr hop-on hop-off bus tour combo ticket

    Day 3: Free day in San Francisco

    Head out early to carry on your exploration of San Francisco. Utilise your hop-on hop-off bus ticket to get around; check out the shopping at Union Square, stop for a coffee break and some people watching in bohemian Haight-Ashbury, wander through the colourful Castro and stop to eat in the Mission – the San Francisco suburbs are fun to explore and will keep you busy all day.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 4: San Francisco to Lake Tahoe (Approx. 329kms, 3.5hrs)

    Collect your car today before heading north east and up through Sacramento towards the Lake Tahoe region. The journey takes you through Sacramento, the Californian state capital, which is a great place to stop and re-charge over lunch before continuing on. Sacramento is popular with young families and has a great reputation for excellent, locally produced food and beer with micro-breweries and gastropubs popping up all over the city.

    Arrive into Tahoe mid – late afternoon and check in to your hotel.

    Included: SUV vehicle hire for 17 days, hotel

    Day 5: Free day in Lake Tahoe

    Glittering Lake Tahoe straddles the California/Nevada border – it’s a year round destination and surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range. The water is alive in the summer with sailing boats, stand up paddle-boarding, kayaking and fishing. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails, gondola rides and lakefront towns to explore, and the winter and early spring season brings snowy pistes and some awesome alpine resorts.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 6: Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park (Approx. 323kms, 4.5 hrs)

    Take one of the most spectacular scenic routes in California today (seasonal – summer months only) as you head south from the shores of Lake Tahoe to the Tioga Pass and into Yosemite National Park. Stop along the way at the eerie remnants of the once booming mining community Bodie. Walk the silent streets and peer inside the carefully preserved shops and homes – don’t forget provisions though, there are no actual shops around!

    Included: Hotel

    Day 7: Free day in Yosemite National Park

    Yosemite National Park was the first Park in California - waterfalls are a major attraction, with Yosemite Falls the highest in the US. You’ll find giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, the Half Dome – an almost sheer cliff face that attracts climbers from the world over, and the imposing El Capitan, a granite monolith famous for rock climbing and base jumping.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 8: Yosemite National Park to Death Valley (Approx. 485kms, 5hrs)

    Heading back along the Tioga Pass to Lee Vining, today’s route will take you south east towards the lowest, driest and hottest area in North America – Death Valley! The journey will include plenty of opportunities to stop so have your camera at the ready. Mammoth Lakes offers clear running mountain streams, high alpine meadows full of wildflowers and some natural hot springs. It’s a nature lover’s delight!

    You’ll be staying in the Furnace Creek area so if you arrive in late afternoon be sure not to miss the Artist’s Drive, a scenic loop through multi-hued volcanic and sedimentary hills that is especially photogenic at this time of day.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 9: Death Valley to Las Vegas (Approx. 195kms, 2hrs)

    Enjoy a morning at Badwater Basin exploring the Salt Flats or head to Zabriskie Point for one of the parks most spectacular look-out points at sunrise. Alternatively Dantes View offers a lookout more than 5000 feet above Death Valley; it’s breathtaking.

    Arrive into Las Vegas later in the day for a couple of nights; dive headfirst into the bright lights and glitz of the casinos or take dinner and retire after a busy few days.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 10: Free day in Las Vegas

    Today is a free day in Las Vegas, a city unlike any other! There are world class shows, dazzling casinos, fantastic restaurants and plenty of restaurants to choose from. Or, if you want to keep it low key you can relax and unwind by the pool or get pampered in one of the many spas.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 11: Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (Approx. 443kms, 4hrs)

    Head to one of the greatest natural wonders of the world; Grand Canyon National Park. It is an immense sight, burnt orange in colour with steep canyon walls that are 6000 feet deep at its deepest point, and up to 18 miles across at its widest. You’ll be staying near the South Rim.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 12: Grand Canyon to Zion National Park (Approx. 398kms, 4.5hrs)

    Onwards today to Utah, in a drive that will take you across the border at Lake Powell, a good half way point on the journey to stop and stretch your legs – the lake is set among deep canyons and spectacular scenery at the Glen Canyon National Park.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 13: Free day at Zion National Park

    Zion is famous for hiking and wildlife, so be sure to head out early to make the most of your day. The Emerald Pools are a highlight and there are routes for all abilities. If you want to see the back country join a 4x4 trip with a local guide, or even a horse-riding excursion.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 14: Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon (Approx 140kms, 1.5 – 2hrs)

    Why not arrange a morning hike before setting off for Bryce today? With trails to suit all abilities you’re sure to find something suitable.

    The trip to Bryce Canyon National Park winds north east and the Canyon itself is generally around 18⁰F cooler so it will be cooler than Zion that’s for sure! Your first view of the park will be dramatic, as you wind through pine trees they will eventually break at the rim and you’ll be left with a breath-taking panorama of peaks and towers bathed in shades of orange.

    Included: Hotel

    Day 15: Free day at Bryce Canyon National Park

    The Bryce Canyon Amphitheatre is a must visit and the 4 viewing points along the rim offer some fantastic vistas – the best of which are at sunrise and sunset so an early morning trip is definitely recommended. Hiking and horse-riding are again very popular so be ready for a full day of exploration.

    Bryce is also one of only three International Dark Skies parks; there is virtually no ambient light and from your accommodation you can see thousands of stars and hopefully even the Milky Way!

    Included: Hotel

    Day 16: Bryce Canyon National Park to Torrey (Approx. 180kms, 2-2.5hrs)

    Torrey is the gateway to the hidden gem of Capitol Reef National Park – it is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. There are some orchards that permit fruit picking at certain times of the year, and the Waterpocket District offers amazing views and hiking opportunities. 

    Included: Hotel

    Day 17: Torrey to Moab (Approx 270kms, 3hrs)

    On the final stretch of your journey through America’s Southwest, today you will head to the town of Moab which offers easy access to two National Parks – the Arches and Canyonlands. The incredible red-rock landscapes have made it one of the most sought after areas to visit in the region, and the Arches contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. The Canyonlands is also known as the ‘Island in the Sky’ and offers some lofty views, an absolute must see.

    Activities include biking, 4x4 safaris, hiking, canyoneering, kayaking and rafting (this is a great entry point for the mighty Colorado River).

    Included: Hotel

    Day 18: Free day in Moab

    Take your pick of activities – once again sunrise and sunset offer the best views in general so make sure you get a full day in. Spend sunrise in one park and sunset in another – what a wonderful experience!

    Included: Hotel

    Day 19: Moab to Salt Lake City (Approx. 375kms, 3.5hrs)

    Drive up through Utah state to the capital, Salt Lake City today on your penultimate day on this wonderful self-drive. You’ve travelled through some of the best National Parks in the USA – now to spend your last night relaxing and reflecting over dinner before flying back to the UK tomorrow.  

    Included: Hotel

    Day 20: Depart Salt Lake City

    Head to the airport and drop your car before checking in for the flight back to London.  

    Included: International flight  

    Day 21: Arrive UK

    Your overnight flight will get you back into the UK the following morning.


     

    What's included
    • International flights
    • Arrival transfer in San Francisco
    • Alcatraz tour and 72 hour hop-on/hop-off bus ticket in San Francisco
    • 17 day car hire – SUV vehicle, from San Francisco downtown to Salt Lake City Airport

    This trip is seasonal. Whilst most resorts can be enjoyed year round, the route will need to be altered in the winter months due to the snow fall, which forces many of the mountain passes to close. The best time to enjoy this trip would be late May to late September/early October. Temperatures will be high during the summer months so care should be taken to ensure you travel with plenty of water!

    This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.

    Not included
    • All meals
    • Excursions and activities (these can be included)
    • Fuel costs
    • Personal expenses and items
    • Tips & gratuities

    19 nights in a mixture of 3-4* hotels and lodges, including: