National Park Lodges

National Park Lodges 16 Days

From $4549 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 16 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 59022
Start Location: san-francisco-united-states
End Location: bracken-united-states

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Primary Activities: Parks & Nature Reserves
Other Activities: Waterfalls, Local Culture & Cuisine, Religious and Spiritual Sites, Glaciers, Wildlife, Grand Canyon, Bears, Walking Tour

Experience some of North America’s greatest national parks and wildlife while enjoying the comfort of historic and remote lodges. Starting in San Francisco and ending in Las Vegas, this is an incredible journey that really covers the great American outdoors, from ancient sequoias to hidden lakes and desert canyons. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon are all world famous and iconic names that showcase the natural splendours of western USA. Together with Grand Teton National Park and Zion National Park, they represent the crown jewels of America’s national park system. Visits to Lake Tahoe, another iconic American playground, and the Mormon-founded Salt Lake City complete our unforgettable journey.

Itinerary

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. After departing San Francisco we head east through California’s historic gold country and then high up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to magnificent Yosemite National Park. We begin with an easy trail walk to see the giant sequoias before our two-night stay at the historic Wawona Lodge, a National Historic Landmark that set on a verdant meadow and near some rushing streams. The tranquillity of this Victorian-style lodge in Yosemite makes it a favourite of those who prefer a relaxed environment and the gracious charm of a bygone era. All rooms are furnished with period pieces and antiques. There are no telephones or televisions, allowing us to completely escape and relax. We also enjoy an included Welcome Dinner on our first night at the lodge. Meals included: 1 dinner
Day 2: 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, Mirror Lake and Half Dome. The views are breathtaking from every vantage point - the granite formations of Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks are sure to be forever be etched on our minds. In the evening we return to our historic lodge and have the chance to relax with a cocktail on the veranda.
Day 3: Lake Tahoe: From Yosemite we continue the journey to the vibrant forest and deep blue of beautiful Lake Tahoe, the second deepest lake in USA with a maximum depth of 501 metres (1645 feet). Formed about 2 million years ago and shaped during the Ice Age, the lake is actually located right on the border of California and Nevada and sits on an altitude of 1897 metres (6225 feet) above sea level. It is a major tourist recreational area in both summer and winter with one of its ski areas, Squaw Valley, playing host to the 1960 Winter Olympics. We stay in a hotel next to the lake and have the chance to enjoy an optional sunset cruise on a catamaran, which is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Day 4: Idaho: From Lake Tahoe we delve deeper into the vast desert for some grand scenery. 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.
Day 5 & 6: Yellowstone National Park: Our next destination, Yellowstone National Park, is the world's first national park and home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bear, wolf, bison and elk. This park is so large that its boundaries cross into three states. Most of it is in Wyoming, but parts of the reserve extend into Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone has one of the highest concentrations of geothermal activity on the planet. Herds of bison roam amongst the erupting geysers and steam rises from the various rivers running through the park. A fire in the 1980s ravaged much of the park, but it has recovered to the extent that it is now a living monument to nature’s power of regeneration. In the evenings we return to our accommodation at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins. This lodge was completed in 1891 and restored to its 1920s grandeur in 1990. The majestic hotel sits on the shores of Lake Yellowstone and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The casually elegant restaurant features a delightfully extravagant menu. We usually stay in the comfortable twin-share cabins situated in the hotel grounds for a real authentic ‘frontier’ feel.
Day 7: Jackson: Continuing our journey in Wyoming, we travel past Grand Teton National Park and visit Jackson to enjoy a truly friendly and authentic western town experience. Once home to trappers and a hideout for outlaws and rustlers, Jackson is now the base for hikers to take on some lovely hiking trails as well as a town renowned for its cafes and western style saloons! With a permanent population of around 8,600 people and a far greater transient tourist population, it attracts many of the rich and famous and is a great base for exploring the Teton Mountains. Surrounded by beautiful scenery you can spend your days hiking, mountain biking, rafting and more! It is also in close proximity to many ski resorts. The most famous is Jackson Hole, which has a lot of steep ski runs and one of the world’s most famous vertical drops, at 1262 metres (4139 feet)!
Day 8: Salt Lake City: Our next destination is the capital of Utah - Salt Lake City. With a city population of 186,000 and a metropolitan population of 1.13 million, it is the largest city in the state. Founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and his Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) followers, it is still the base for the religion although less than half the population in the city today are Mormons. Surrounded by high mountains, Salt Lake City was the host city of the 2002 Winter Olympics. At the centre of town is Temple Square and we have the afternoon free to explore the city's beautifully landscaped grounds, the granite Salt Lake Temple with its six spires and the domed Tabernacle, home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Besides occasional free concerts, there are also nearby shopping centres and tasty local restaurants. We have an opportunity to make the most of our city stopover before heading back to the wilderness tomorrow.Day 9
Day 9 & 10: Moab - Arches National Park: After a night in Salt Lake City, we continue on to the town of Moab. Named after a biblical place on the east side of the River Jordan in what is now the country Jordan, this Moab offers a great base for exploring Arches National Park and the less-visited Canyonlands National Park. There are many optional activities to partake in such as rafting on the Colorado River, joining a Hummer tour into the backcountry or mountain biking through the vast network of trails that make Moab famous. We also enjoy time to admire what seems impossible - more spectacular scenery amid the magnificent splendour of Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. These stunning red sandstone arches have been created by million years of wind whipping down the west slope of the Rocky Mountains. Here we have the opportunity to hike to many of these incredible arches, which are known by descriptive names such as Landscape Arch and the famous Delicate Arch.
Day 11: Monument Valley: In the heart of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, 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. The Navajo Tribal Lands of Monument Valley are a true photographer’s paradise.
Day 12: Grand Canyon National Park: There is time to view a surreal sunrise at Monument Valley before driving towards Grand Canyon for a two-night stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge. Located on the less-travelled North Rim, we enjoy time exploring the natural beauty of the canyon at our own pace before retiring to the lodge to relax and take in the expansive views below, not to mention the glorious sunrise the next day. Our lodge is a historic property and the only lodging available inside the national park on the North Rim. Located at Bright Angel Point, it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. We stay in the comfortable and authentic western log cabins. In the evening the Rough Rider Saloon and Lodge Dining Room offers a wide range of beverages, appetizers and hearty 'home-cooked' meals.
Day 13: Grand Canyon National Park: We have a full day to enjoy the incredible splendour of Grand 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 just visiting on foot. There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy walks to moderate ones.
Day 14: Zion National Park: We make our way back 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. With two nights spent here we will have plenty of time to explore.
Day 15: 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 ones. 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 Riverside. 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.
Day 16: Las Vegas: We leave nature behind and head into Las Vegas, Nevada, and all of its neon splendour. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of North America – home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place! 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 hotel at approximately 5 pm. Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our 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).

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

The services of a professional tour leader
Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park
Navajo backroads tour
Transport in a customised vehicle
Welcome dinner on your first night

Trip Excludes

International flights
Airport transfers
Airport departure taxes
Visas
Insurance
Meals
Any optional tours and activities
Tips
Items of a personal nature

Trip ID#: 59022

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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