The Classic West
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Los Angeles Arrival
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel.
Day 2
Los Angeles – Mojave Desert – Laughlin / driving distance: 305 mi / 490 km
This morning, set out east through the Mojave Desert for Laughlin, Nevada, an oasis bordered by rugged desert and the Colorado River. From outdoor adventure on the Colorado River to indoor entertainment indulgences, Laughlin offers a wide variety of activities.
Day 3
Laughlin – Kingman – Grand Canyon National Park / driving distance: 215 mi / 346 km
Set out east today for Kingman where you will join Route 66 and travel along the longest stretch that remains of this historic route to Seligman. Continue north to Grand Canyon National Park, a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe. Spend the day discovering the distinct South Rim of the Canyon. Stop at one of the numerous overlooks, walk part of the Rim Trail or along the historic Hermit Road, visit a Photo Hot Spot, or climb to the top of a stone Watchtower for panoramic views that extend over 100 miles on clear days.
Day 4
Grand Canyon – Painted Desert – Monument Valley / driving distance: 207 mi / 333 km
We suggest rising early to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, this once in a lifetime opportunity should not be missed. Later today, travel east through the Painted Desert area for an unforgettable encounter with Arizona nature. Continue through the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation before arriving at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where sandstone pinnacles, arches and mesas of rich red and orange rise out of the barren, sandy landscape.
Day 5
Monument Valley/Kayenta – Page/Lake Powell / driving distance: 126 mi / 202 km
Venture east through Black Mesa, a complex of huge mesas that cover hundreds of square miles in the Navajo and Hopi Nations in Arizona, on your way to Lake Powell. This vast blue man-made lake is surrounded by beautiful sandstone walls and is considered a virtual playground for visitors.
Day 6
Page/Lake Powell – Kanab – Bryce Canyon National Park / driving distance: 167 mi / 268 km
This morning, set out west for Kanab where the exhilarating scent of sage and cedar fills the clear southwest air, then head north to Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. Famous for its unique geology, Bryce Canyon consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters where the power of wind, water and geologic mayhem has etched the pink cliffs and shaped the colorful limestone rock into thousands of spires called “hoodoos”.
Day 7
Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – Las Vegas / driving distance: 236 mi / 380 km
Spend the morning exploring more of Bryce Canyon before heading west to Zion National Park. In Zion, Utah’s oldest national park known for its incredible canyons and spectacular views, you can follow the paths of ancient native people and gaze at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into the bright blue sky. Consider challenging your courage in a slot canyon. Later today, continue west to Las Vegas, Nevada, a city that needs no introduction.
Day 8
Las Vegas
Enjoy a full day Las Vegas style. Walk the famous Las Vegas Strip lined with mega-resorts and flashing neon lights, place a bet at one of the many casinos, dine at world-class restaurants, catch the latest must-see show, shop designer boutiques, ride a rollercoaster, lay by the pool … the list goes on. With so much to do, 24 hours in a day hardly seems like enough.
Day 9
Las Vegas – Death Valley National Park / driving distance: 139 mi / 224 km
Today’s journey west takes you to the lowest elevation in North America, Death Valley National Park. Here, the Mojave is at its most magnificent with geological history on full display in this rugged, severe, sublime section of California. Enhance your desert experience with a stop at Zabriskie Point offering spectacular views of the wildly eroded and vibrantly colored badlands.
Day 10
Death Valley National Park – Yosemite National Park / driving distance: 350 mi / 560 km
This morning, travel north into the High Sierra where Tioga Road, the highest drivable pass in California, leads you into Yosemite National Park. Best known for its impressive waterfalls, grand meadows, and spectacular rock formations, Yosemite was one of the first wilderness parks in the United States. Delve into the depths of the park with a walk to a waterfall, each as distinct as the granite cliffs they dive over, or learn about the wonders of the park during a ranger-guided stroll. Explore a giant sequoia grove and meet the most massive trees on earth, or spend an evening under the stars. With approximately 800 miles of trails, Yosemite is also a great place to hike.
** From early November to late May, the Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will need to drive the southern route through Bakersfield and Fresno into the Yosemite Area.
Day 11
Yosemite National Park – Lake Tahoe / driving distance: 210 mi / 338 km
Leave the wonder of Yosemite behind as you journey north via Bridgeport and Devil’s Gate Pass en route to Lake Tahoe. Here, where California and Nevada meet, you can discover this pristine jewel of nature surrounded on all sides by the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are many opportunities to explore the lake, rent a speedboat from the Marina or simply stroll along the shore and dip your toes in the cool mountain water.
Day 12
Lake Tahoe – Sacramento – San Francisco / driving distance: 230 mi / 370 km
Today’s journey west takes you through Gold Rush-era attractions, California’s state Capital, Sacramento, and on to San Francisco. Considered one the greatest cities in the world for many reasons, San Francisco offers one-of-a-kind sights and something to suit your every need.
Day 13
San Francisco
With 49 square miles of amazing sights, scenes and destinations, there’s always plenty to do in San Francisco. Spend a full day exploring the beloved City by the Bay’s neighborhoods including: Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Union Square, Nob Hill, the Embarcadero/Financial District, and Golden Gate Park. To experience something truly unique, walk along the railings of the Golden Gate Bridge or take a ride on an iconic Cable Car.
Day 14
San Francisco – Monterey/Carmel / driving distance: 124 mi / 200 km
The 14-day Classic West tour concludes today upon check out from your hotel. Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.
This morning, head south to Monterey along Highway 1 which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific coastline. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of Monterey at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in downtown. Explore Cannery Row’s historic waterfront district, John Steinbeck’s inspiration for his novel of the same name. Visit the quaint area of Carmel, and enjoy an exhilarating trip along 17-Mile Drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach.
Day 15
Monterey/Carmel – Big Sur – Central Coast – Ventura / driving distance: 240 mi / 390 km
Continue south along central California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway. This twisting, cliff-hugging route starts in Monterey and takes you through Big Sur where mountains plunge into the Pacific Ocean. Farther south, the landscape mellows to oak-studded hills as the road passes Hearst Castle and ends in Morro Bay. If time allows we suggest you pack a picnic and follow one of the well made trails around Pfeiffer State beach for an unforgettable memory of this beautiful area. A short distance inland is the heart of the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo. Overnight in a quaint central coast town.
Day 16
Ventura – Santa Barbara – Malibu – Santa Monica – Los Angeles / driving distance: 100 mi / 160 km
Today, travel further south through Santa Barbara, often described as the American Riviera, and another beautiful stretch of coast in Malibu. Pass the seaside town of Santa Monica before arriving in Los Angeles with enough time left to glimpse some of the glitz and glamour of the City of Angels. Check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL (formerly Grauman’s) Chinese Theater, the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive; some of the best sights Los Angeles has to offer.
Day 17
Los Angeles Departure
Return your rental car at Los Angeles International Airport prior to your departure.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
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£
$
A$
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The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in USD. Prices converted in other
currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.
| DURATION | DAILY DEPARTURES | PRICE FROM (STANDARD) |
PRICE FROM (UPGRADE) |
PRICE FROM (DELUXE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 days | January, February, March, November, December | 1199 | 1538 | 1817 |
| 17 days | April | 1472 | 1538 | 2084 |
| 17 days | May, June, July, August, September, October | 1472 | 1800 | 2084 |
| 14 days | January, February, March, November, December | 1009 | 1112 | 1603 |
| 14 days | April | 1243 | 1467 | 1603 |
| 14 days | May, June, July, August, September, October | 1243 | 1467 | 1806 |
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION STANDARD |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DELUXE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | Crowne Plaza Harbor | Crowne Plaza Harbor | Westdrift Manhattan Beach |
| 2 | Laughlin | Aquarius Hotel | Aquarius Casino Resort | Aquarius Casino Resort |
| 3 | Grand Canyon National Park | Best Western Premier Squire Inn | Best Western Premier Squire Inn | Yavapai Lodge East |
| 4 | Monument Valley | Kayenta Monument Valley Inn | Kayenta Monument Valley Inn | Gouldings Lodge |
| 5 | Lake Powell | Travelodge Page | Best Western View of Lake Powell | Lake Powell Resort |
| 6 | Bryce Canyon National Park | Bryce View Lodge | Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn | Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel |
| 7-8 | Las Vegas | Excalibur Hotel & Casino | Luxor Hotel & Casino | Tropicana Double Tree Las Vegas |
| 9 | Death Valley National Park | Stovepipe Wells Vilage | Stovepipe Wells Vilage | The Ranch at Death Valley |
| 10 | Yosemite National Park | Americas Best Value Inn | Cedar Lodge Resort | Yosemite View Lodge |
| 11 | Lake Tahoe | Super 8 South Lake Tahoe | Montbleu Resort | Montbleu Resort |
| 12-13 | San Francisco | Hotel Whitcomb | Americania Hotel | Parc Central Hotel |
| 14 | Monterey | Monterey Bay Travelodge | Hilton Garden Inn | Hotel Pacific |
| 15 | Ventura Beach | Crowne Plaza Ventura | Crowne Plaza Ventura | Crowne Plaza Ventura |
| 16 | Los Angeles | Clarion Anaheim Resort | Hilton Anaheim | Hilton Anaheim |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- View one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon
- Encounter the rocky badlands of the Painted Desert
- Be surrounded by sandstone masterpieces in the Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley
- Behold the rich colors of Bryce Canyon’s famous spires, called “hoodoos”
- Gaze at Zion’s massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red
- Enjoy 24 Hour entertainment in glittering Las Vegas
- Stand at the lowest land elevation in North America in Death Valley
- Glimpse the largest monoliths of exposed granite in Yosemite
- See Lake Tahoe, the deep blue jewel of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
- Visit Sacramento, California’s state capital
- Walk along the railings of San Francisco’s world famous Golden Gate Bridge
- Marvel at 17-Mile Drive’s The Lone Cypress
- Experience California’s Central Coast splendor on Highway 1
Admission fees not included
