Western Discovery (Family)

Day 1: San Francisco - Yosemite National Park

Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Hotel Vertigo in San Francisco. This famous hotel in the downtown area known as Nob Hill was actually used as a film set in the Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, ‘Vertigo’. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. Before leaving San Francisco we drive enjoy a brief orientation tour around the city including a close-up view of the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. Completed in 1937, this iconic suspension bridge stretches for 2.7 km (1.7 miles) and is probably the most photographed bridge in the world. After departing San Francisco we head east through California’s historic gold country and set up camp at the scenic Yosemite National Park region – our ‘home’ for the next three nights. Meals included: 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 2 & 3: Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park sits nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of northern California. Here green forest meets granite walls measuring several thousand feet in height. Rock climbers come from all over the world to scale the rocks whilst hikers get to walk to the base of some of the largest waterfalls in the world. After a visit to see the amazing giant sequoia trees, Yosemite Valley beckons. Here we may bicycle, take a dip in the Merced River or wander the meadows. We get to hike on one of the many trails that enable us to leave the crowds behind. The famous sites situated along these trails include Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls and Mirror Lake. The views are breathtaking from every vantage point - the granite formations of El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks are sure to be forever be etched on our minds. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 4: Great Basin Desert

Leaving Yosemite’s towering sequoias behind, we make our way from west to east across the State of Nevada on our way to Utah and continue through the Sierra Nevada. The Great Basin Desert actually extends right across to California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. We cover some great distances today, but also get to see some fascinating and contrasting scenery on our road trip. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 5: Zion National Park

We make our way to Utah and our destination - Zion National Park. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their ‘promised land’. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. We will have plenty of time to explore after we set up camp for our two-night stay. Meals included: 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6: Zion National Park

We have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. There are various hikes to chose from, ranging from easy to strenuous. We warm up our legs by taking a short hike from the valley floor to view the magical Emerald Pools. We can also cool off from the summer sun by exploring the Riverside Walk. The challenging option is to ascend 760 metres (2500 feet) to experience unbeatable panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park - Kodachrome Basin State Park

Leaving Zion National Park we climb in elevation to almost 2438 metres (8000 feet) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as ‘hoodoos’. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The Navajo Trail enables us to hike right in amongst these unique rock formations. Some of us may prefer to hike on the Queen’s Garden Trail or remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing shadows and hues as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky. A short drive takes us to our lovely campsite at nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 8: Lake Powell

Located on the border of Utah and Arizona and created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Powell has a shoreline that stretches longer than the western coast of the USA! Many say that Glen Canyon was even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon before the dam was built. Now the lake is a haven for watersports or just relaxing in one of the many sandstone coves. We enjoy our day of fun in the sun and spend an evening camped under the stars. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 9: Monument Valley

In the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is sacred land to those who call it home. The red sandstone monoliths have been the backdrop to countless ‘westerns’ featuring cowboys riding off into the sunset. We explore the incredible array of rock formations on an included guided 4x4 tour and learn the magic and myth of the rich Native American culture. Our camp is also on the Navajo Tribal Lands of Monument Valley and is a true photographer’s paradise. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 10 & 11: Grand Canyon National Park

There is time to view a surreal sunrise at Monument Valley before driving towards Grand Canyon. Traversing the eastern entrance of the canyon, we catch our first glimpse of it at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states. In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer perspectives that you cannot see by visiting on foot. Also recommended is the film show at the IMAX Theatre, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy to moderate ones. The Cameron Trading Post is a good place to browse and shop for local jewellery, crafts and cultural souvenirs. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 12: Las Vegas

From Grand Canyon we complete our journey by travelling back to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of North America – home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. Nowhere else in the world will you find as many casinos, clubs and all-you-can-eat buffets. Our tour concludes upon arrival at our gateway hotel at approximately between 5 pm and 6 pm. Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our gateway hotel - the Alexis Park Resort Hotel. Please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of Las Vegas tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs). Meals included: 1 breakfast