The Great West
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Los Angeles Arrival
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel.
Day 2
Los Angeles – Anaheim / driving distance: 36 mi / 61 km
This morning, pick up your rental car and make your way south to Anaheim, Orange County’s headquarters for fun. Spend the day surrounded by icons and classic characters at the original Disneyland Park or at its companion park, Disney California Adventure Park. Visit the nation’s oldest theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, filled with old west history and thrill rides, or one of Anaheim’s many other fun-filled attractions (admissions not included).
Day 3
Anaheim – San Diego / driving distance: 100 mi / 160 km
Today, head further south, stopping at Mission San Juan Capistrano for a snapshot of California’s history. Continue to the scenic coastal community of San Diego whose cool breezes, tranquil waters, and miles of world-renowned beaches welcome visitors from all over the world. From SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo, to Seaport Village, Mission Bay, the Gaslamp Quarter and Old town, San Diego has it all.
Day 4
San Diego – Palm Springs / driving distance: 172 mi / 277 km
Enjoy more of San Diego’s blue skies and beautiful surroundings before heading northeast to Palm Springs for more fun in the sun. This ultimate desert playground nestled at the base of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains offers the perfect blend of outdoor entertainment and casual relaxation. Spend the day lounging by the pool, walking along palm tree lined streets, or exploring countless shops, art galleries and museums. Consider taking a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which offers stunning desert views.
Day 5
Palm Springs – Phoenix/Scottsdale / driving distance: 267 mi / 430 km
This morning, set out east through the Coachella Valley to Phoenix and Scottsdale, two of Central Arizona’s top destinations. With Phoenix’s skyscraper-filled skyline complemented by famed Camelback Mountain and Scottsdale’s Old West charm, it’s guaranteed you’ll enjoy this uniquely Southwestern playground.
Day 6
Scottsdale – Grand Canyon National Park / driving distance: 229 mi / 368 km
Today, head north to Grand Canyon National Park, a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe. This enjoyable journey is full of scenic detours. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, where you can gaze through the windows of the past into one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America; Sedona, a picturesque city surrounded by rich red-rock monoliths that rise high above the city; and nearby Oak Creek Canyon, whose densely forested gorge is known for its colorful rock formations.
Day 7
Grand Canyon National Park – Lake Powell / driving distance: 140 mi / 225 km
Arise early to see the sunrise then spend the morning 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. When you’ve had your fill, continue further north through the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, and on to Lake Powell, a vast blue man-made lake surrounded by beautiful sandstone walls.
Day 8
Lake Powell
Enjoy a full day exploring Lake Powell and its surrounding areas. Consider taking a cruise along 50 miles of Lake Powell shoreline to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the largest known natural bridge in the world; or visiting Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where sandstone pinnacles, arches and mesas of rich red and orange rise out of the barren, sandy landscape.
Day 9
Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park / driving distance: 167 mi / 269 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 10
Bryce Canyon – Zion National Park – Las Vegas / driving distance: 238 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 11
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 12
Las Vegas – Death Valley / 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. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s best stargazing this evening.
Day 13
Death Valley – Yosemite National Park / driving distance: 326 mi / 525 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.
** 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 western route through the San Joaquin Valley and California Gold Country to Lake Tahoe.
Day 14
Yosemite National Park
Get outside today and delve into the depths of the park. 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.
Day 15
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 mountains.
Day 16
Lake Tahoe – San Francisco / driving distance: 230 mi / 370 km
Today’s journey east 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 17
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 18
San Francisco – Central Coast / driving distance: 230 mi / 370 km
This morning, head south for an exhilarating trip along 17-Mile Drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach. Continue south along central California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway. This twisting, cliff-hugging, route starts in Monterey and takes you through the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur, where mountains plunge into the Pacific Ocean. Farther south, the landscape mellows to oak-studded hills as the road passes Hearst Castle.
Day 19
Central Coast – Santa Barbara – Ventura / driving distance: 130 mi / 210 km
Continue south to Ventura passing through Pismo Beach, inland agricultural valleys of rolling countryside, and Santa Barbara, often described as the America Riviera. Located along the southern-most part of California’s Central Coast, Ventura is a classic beach town in a spectacular setting.
Day 20
Ventura – Los Angeles Area / driving distance: 70 mi / 120 km
Today, travel further south through Oxnard, yet another beautiful stretch of coast in Malibu, and the seaside town of Santa Monica. Arrive in Los Angeles with enough time 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 21
Los Angeles Departure
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
€
£
$
A$
¥
C$
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.
| DAILY DEPARTURES | PRICE FROM (STANDARD) |
PRICE FROM (UPGRADE) |
PRICE FROM (DELUXE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January, February, March, November, December | 1440 | 1691 | 2142 |
| April, May | 1576 | 2030 | 2467 |
| June, July, August, September, October | 1822 | 2030 | 2467 |
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION STANDARD |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DELUXE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor | Hilton Los Angeles Airport | Hilton Los Angeles Airport |
| 2 | Anaheim | Sonesta Anaheim Resort | Sonesta ES Suites Anaheim Resort Area | Hilton Anaheim |
| 3 | San Diego | Wyndham Garden San Diego | Wyndham San Diego Bayside | Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina |
| 4 | Palm Springs | Travelodge by Wyndham | Palm Mountain Resort & Spa | Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs |
| 5 | Phoenix/Scottsdale | Canopy by Hilton Old Town | Hilton North at Cavasson | Talking Stick Resort |
| 6 | Grand Canyon | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Yavapai Lodge West | Yavapai Lodge West |
| 7-8 | Lake Powell/Page | Travelodge Page | Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel | Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell |
| 9 | Bryce Canyon | Bryce View Lodge | Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn | Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel |
| 10-11 | Las Vegas | Circus Circus Las Vegas | Hampton Inn Tropicana | Hampton Inn Tropicana |
| 12 | Death Valley | Stovepipe Wells Village | Stovepipe Wells Village | The Ranch at Death Valley |
| 13-14 | Yosemite | Cedar Lodge | Cedar Lodge | Yosemite View Lodge |
| 15 | Lake Tahoe | Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa | Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino | Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe |
| 16-17 | San Francisco | The Cartwright Hotel | Beacon Grand, a Union Square Hotel | Galleria Park Hotel |
| 18 | Central Coast | Sands by The Sea | Cottage Inn by the Sea | Shore Cliff Hotel |
| 19 | Ventura | La Quinta Inn&Suites Thousand Oaks | Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach | Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach |
| 20 | Los Angeles Area | Clarion Anaheim Resort | Sonesta ES Suites Anaheim Resort Area | Hilton Anaheim |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy Old Town San Diego, the birthplace of California
- Journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Bask under sunny skies in Phoenix/Scottsdale
- View one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon
- Discover Lake Powell’s natural stone bridge, Rainbow Bridge
- Behold the rich colors of Bryce Canyon’s famous spires, called “hoodoos”
- Gaze at Zion’s massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red
- Partake in primetime entertainment all along the Las Vegas strip
- Stand at the lowest land elevation in North America in Death Valley
- Touch monoliths of exposed granite in Yosemite
- Dip your toes in Lake Tahoe, the deep blue jewel of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
- Walk along the railings of San Francisco’s world famous Golden Gate Bridge
- Marvel at 17-Mile Drive’s The Lone Cypress
- Explore Santa Barbara, The American Riviera
Admission fees not included
