Ultimate Western USA
Experience Overview
Get metaphorically lost in seven of the most sought after national parks in the west on this 18-day adventure that starts and ends in the “City of Angels”. Traverse the American Southwest with visits to Joshua Tree, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon National Parks. Marvel at Horseshoe Bend carved by the mighty Colorado River, hop on board for a Navajo guided tour of Monument Valley by jeep, and take in the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas before journeying on to California. Hike in a land of extremes in Death Valley, try to hug the largest trees in the world in Sequoia National Park, and sit above Yosemite Valley at Glacier Point before turning your attention to the coast. Cross the Bay as you journey to San Francisco and fall in love with the scenery along the Pacific Coast as you make your way back to Los Angeles. A whirlwind of experiences packed into what is sure to be a trip of a lifetime.
Highlights
- Hike amid the strange rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park
- Sit atop Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon
- Go on a Navajo guided jeep tour of Monument Valley
- Watch the sunset along the rim of the Grand Canyon
- Drive along Route 66
- Hike in Death Valley; the U.S. national park with the lowest elevation
- Witness breathtaking views of Yosemite National Park
- Sightsee your way from San Francisco to Los Angeles stopping in Monterey and Santa Maria.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2549
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: NUPL
Starts: Los Angeles, United States
Finishes: Los Angeles, United States
Duration: 18 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Native Grill Food Truck Experience Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Joshua Tree National Park visit
- Zion National Park visit
- Bryce Canyon National Park visit
- Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon visits
- Navajo guided Monument Valley jeep tour
- Sunset along the rim of the Grand Canyon
- Full day hiking in Grand Canyon National Park
- Route 66 drive
- Death Valley National Park visit
- Sequoia National Park visit
- Yosemite National Park visit
- Entrance fees to all national parks and monuments with hiking and walking excursions
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel (17 nts).
- 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches
Transport
- Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.
Group Leader
- 1 CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,674 ($371 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Los Angeles/Palm Springs
Become acquainted with your group and CEO in Los Angeles during a brief orientation before transferring directly to the hotel in Palm Springs. Once here enjoy dinner at your leisure and maybe take a dip in the refreshing waters of the hotel pool.
Day 2: Joshua Tree
Venture further into the desert today to explore Joshua Tree National Park. Wander through the park's famous rock formations and snap some photos of the park's namesake tree in this desolate landscape. In the evening head back to Palm Springs where you'll have free time to relax and unwind from the heat of the day.
Day 3: Palm Springs/Zion National Park
Today, travel northeast to Las Vegas where you'll have some free time to explore the strip or opt for lunch. You'll depart Las Vegas in the late afternoon for the hotel that you'll be staying at near Zion National Park.
Day 4: Zion National Park
It's all about Zion today as you get a chance to wander this beautiful national park in Southwest Utah. Take the shuttle into the park and spend the day exploring and hiking with your fellow travellers.
Admire the monumental sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that tower into the sky and remember you can choose to turn around on these hikes at any point. In the evening, relax at your hotel as you reflect on your day in this wonderful piece of paradise.
Day 5: Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon National Park
Depart Zion in the morning and travel with the group to Bryce Canyon National Park. Once in the park enjoy free time to hike through the wild and weird rock formations fondly known as hoodoos. Visit Inspiration Point, hike the rim trail. Opt to hike the Queen's Garden and Navajo loop trails or take in the incredible view with a walk along the rim. Head back to the park after dinner for sunset. At night look up and see the magic of the stars in a place that has been designated an International Dark Sky Park.
Day 6: Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley
We'll jet off this morning to Page, Arizona, the gateway to famous Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
Join a local Navajo guide and explore Antelope Canyon; a stunning natural sandstone slot canyon located on tribal lands. Admire the blue sky above from the bottom of the canyon and make sure you bring your camera to take loads of photos.
Afterwards, visit Horseshoe Bend for a short hike to stand atop the steep cliffs overlooking the natural bend in the Colorado River. Today's adventure will end in Monument Valley where you will have time to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.
Day 7: Monument Valley/Grand Canyon National Park
This morning you'll be treated to a sunrise Navajo guided jeep tour of Monument Valley. Admire the majesty and magnetic atmosphere of this special place before continuing on toward the Grand Canyon. En route, stop for lunch at a family-owned Navajo food truck, before arriving at the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon just in time for a spectacular sunset.
Day 8: Grand Canyon National Park
Marvel at the out-of-this-world views as you get up close and personal with the Grand Canyon today. Spend a full day exploring and hiking from the South Rim. There are a variety of hikes to choose from that will take you deeper into the canyon where you can really appreciate the size and depth of this national park. Choose whichever trail you wish or do short bursts of multiple hikes, just make sure you bring plenty of water and take your time.
If you wish to see this natural wonder from a bird's eye view with an experience you'll never forget, opt to book the Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
Day 9: Grand Canyon/Las Vegas
Head to Las Vegas from the Grand Canyon this morning where you can spend time in this vibrant city. Explore the strip, grab something to eat, see a glitzy show, or test your luck gambling in one of the casinos.
Day 10: Las Vegas, Death Valley and Bakersfield
In the morning, the group will depart Las Vegas and head to Death Valley. You'll visit the country's hottest, driest, and lowest national park. Death Valley is a land of extremes and you'll get a sense of the striking contrast of this park's landscapes with visits to Furnace Creek, Badwater Basin, and Zabriskie Point. In the evening, settle into your hotel and get some rest for tomorrow's adventure.
Day 11: Sequoia National Park
Spend the day travelling to Sequoia National Park, home to granite cliffs and ancient giant trees. Once you arrive, set out on a short afternoon hike to explore and stare up in wonder at the tallest trees in the world. Walk the half mile down to General Sherman to see the world's largest tree at 83 meters (275 feet) high. Trek through the Giant Forest on Congress Trail to see more of these colossal trees. Later, we head to the hotel in Visalia
Day 12: Sequoia National Park
Immerse yourself in Sequoia with a full day to hike in the park. Visit Grant Grove for more opportunities to marvel at these rare giants among the forest. If you're looking for 360-degree views head up the 2 mile round-trip Buena Vista Peak trailhead to see the High Sierra and the valley below.
Day 13: Yosemite National Park
Hit the road again and travel north through the Sierras to the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. Head straight into the park to take in iconic sights like Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.
Day 14: Yosemite National Park
It's all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite today. From the valley floor, take the park shuttle system to one of the most iconic trails in the park. Hike alongside the Merced River to climb the Mist Trail, getting sprayed by the waters of Vernal Fall. See the water rushing over the edge before crossing the river and climbing the steps to Nevada Fall. From the top enjoy views of the High Sierra including Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and Mount Broderick.
Later, enjoy free time to walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Bridalveil Fall Trail, relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan, or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley.
Day 15: Yosemite National Park/San Francisco
Leave Yosemite in the morning and drive across the Central Valley with the group to San Francisco. Join your CEO for a driving tour through some of San Francisco's most iconic highlights. We will drive to the bohemian neighborhood of Haight Ashbury for lunch, followed by a drive through the Golden Gate park. What trip to San Fran would be complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge? Depending on time, step foot on this famous red suspension bridge or find a great viewing point to take some photos. There is free time in the evening to explore the colorful Fisherman's wharf.
Day 16: San Francisco/Monterey
Wake up in San Francisco and spend the morning as you wish. Grab a coffee at a local cafe, take a walk, or hop on a cable car and coast up and down the city's many hills. Then the group will drive to the coastal town of Monterey where you'll have free time. Head to the Monterey Aquarium, walk down by the water to visit Old Fisherman's Wharf, or visit Cannery Row to check out art galleries and other boutique shops.
Day 17: Monterey/Santa Maria
Drive from Monterey to Santa Maria, along the way take in the stunning coastal scenery of Monterey along the 17-Mile Drive. Then, continue on to the largest city of Santa Barbara County, known for its wineries and barbecue. Opt to window shop, sip a glass of wine maybe two, or simply hangout in the sunny climate of this Southern California city.
Day 18: Santa Maria/Los Angeles
Leave the hills and vineyards of Santa Maria behind and continue driving south to Los Angeles where the tour ends on arrival.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Amy C. - Traveled, August 2023
Would happily recommend and rebook with G! A few things need to be improved
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2023
Kirsten V. - Traveled, August 2023
This time it wasn't organized as I'm used to. When i arrived at The Westin Los Angeles Airport hotel nobody knew anything about G Adventures. That was very confusing and stressful. Because I didn't know if I would me the group there then or not. There wasn't even a note at the reception. Normally meetings are at 18 o',clock. This time not! At the end I found the group! The trip was very expensive and there was almost no meal included. A simple breakfast should always be included I fin. Not the first time that I say this. The vans were too small for the group. We missed a lot, not due to G Adventures but what was given in replacement was not very interesting. Ghost town? OMG horrible! The hotel were also too far from the national parks. Sometimes we lost 3 hours on a day because of that! Then we were two times in Las Vegas and always the same place. Should have been one time at Fremantle Street and one time around the strip! In San Francisco we didn't have enough time. Kings Canyon could have been cancelled to have an extra day in San Francisco. The last part of the trip was annoying, days were stretched to fill the day without seeing anything. Fromm San Francisco we could have ride immediately to LA and do stuff there with the whole group. Hotel in Santa Maria was dirty. Why stay in that town anyway?
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2023
Tamika B. - Traveled, August 2023
The itinerary for the locations around the world are fantastic. There is so much involved and there was always something to do. The guide was really passionate and gave insightful information about the locations we were visiting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2023
Brianna C. - Traveled, August 2023
I really appreciate that travel with G Adventures allows me to turn off my brain and take a true vacation. I also appreciate that the CEOs share their personal recommendations and that the itinerary is always jam packed
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2023
Sarah D. - Traveled, October 2023
I find the age difference too different with underer group it has not harmonized at all! since the trip was also very expensive, we almost never had breakfast or lunch, I was very very disappointed
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/08/2023
Jana Christin S. - Traveled, October 2023
Its great travelling with a group together
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/08/2023
Bruce C. - Traveled, September 2023
excellent, well managed trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/18/2023
Julie C. - Traveled, September 2023
Great itinerary, well organised tour
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/18/2023
Louise R. - Traveled, August 2023
Good itineraries and customer service
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Samuel R. - Traveled, August 2023
The tour was excellent for a number of reasons, including the activities involved, the places we visited and the general organisation of it all. But the primary reason for my willingness to recommend G Adventures was due to our tours? exceptional CEO, Myles Kovac. He was both patient and welcoming and always provided our group with great options, going above and beyond the given itinerary. This was evident in some of the extra activities we did such as stargazing at Zion which was an evening I will never forget and brought our tour group closer together!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Andrew D. - Traveled, August 2023
Fantastic trip, Myles our CEO was awesome! Itinerary and accommodation were also very good.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Andrea Z. - Traveled, August 2023
Travel style nicely combines organized tour with own time exploring
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/30/2023
Mustafa Kemal A. - Traveled, July 2024
Overall the tour met my expectations and even I plan to buy another tour from G Adventures.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/02/2024
Mukami M. - Traveled, July 2024
I am all for not camping and most of the hotels were good hotels. All but 1 which was BAAADDDD
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/02/2024
Sascha B. - Traveled, June 2024
It was a great trip with great guides
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Anita Manuela S. - Traveled, June 2024
I already recommend it to friends and it's my 3rd G trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2024
Jacob B. - Traveled, June 2024
The van was a bit crowded. My knees were hitting the seat in front of me. Changing hotels frequently did not appeal to me.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2024
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