National Parks of the American West & San Francisco

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National Parks of the American West & San Francisco

BLACK FRIDAY SALE - SAVE UP TO 15% ON ALL TOURS - BOOK BY 4 DECEMBER*

Bookended by stays in beautiful San Francisco and glittering Las Vegas, and including accommodation in special, hand-picked hotels, this unforgettable holiday takes in several of the world’s most awe-inspiring works of nature and truly stunning scenery, as the vast sweep and majesty of the West unfolds. With visits to breath-taking Yosemite, the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon and a quintet of national parks, this is an exceptionally wonderful, escorted tour.

Holiday Highlights

Fly west for two nights in the ‘City by the Bay’
Included tour of colourful San Francisco
Visit the fabled Yosemite National Park
Stay overnight in Death Valley National Park
Journey into Utah and discover its astonishing national parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches and Canyonlands
Spend two nights in bustling Moab
Watch the sun rise over the iconic Monument Valley
Journey to the edge of the Grand Canyon, nature’s greatest wonder
Marvel at the glitter and glamour of Las Vegas
Pay a visit to Hollywood’s star-studded streets

What's Included

13 nights’ room-only accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft
Return flights to San Francisco from Los Angeles
San Francisco, Sausalito and Golden Gate Bridge tour
Visit to Yosemite National Park
Visit to Utah
Full day of sightseeing in Bryce Canyon National Park
Visit to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Visit to South Rim
Sunrise tour of Monument Valley
Visit to Las Vegas
Visit to Hollywood
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Coach travel and transfers throughout

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to San Francisco and upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to the hotel for two nights. Rest, relax, and enjoy your first evening in the ‘City by the Bay’.

Day 2

Take this morning’s included guided tour, covering Union Square, quirky North Beach, sixties’ hangout Haight-Ashbury and stylish Nob Hill, before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to the bay-side artists’ town, Sausalito. Catch the Bay Ferry back to the city, passing infamous prison-island Alcatraz, and this evening, perhaps head for Chinatown or take the ‘little cable car’ down to Fisherman’s Wharf – often described as one of life’s great rides.

Day 3

Today, you’ll venture east across California’s Central Valley into the Sierra Nevada to Yosemite National Park, with its plunging waterfalls, forested valley floor and towering rock faces, including the sheer, 3000-ft El Capitan. Take in the incredible scenery then head to the mountain resort, Mammoth Lakes, for an overnight stay. Note: If the pass is closed, the coach will re-route south with an overnight in Fresno, California.

Day 4

Head south out of the Sierra, via quintessential staging-post Lone Pine and in air-conditioned comfort to the magnificent Death Valley, with its ancient mudflats and unique, coloured hills. Stay overnight in one of the valley’s only two ‘oases’, offering modern accommodation in a relaxed setting. Perhaps take a dip in the spring-fed pool and, later, don’t not miss stargazing into the unpolluted night sky.

Day 5

On another day of natural wonders, you’ll will cross the southern reaches of Nevada, heading northeast into Utah, where some of the most impressive US national parks await exploration. Stay overnight in historic St George, soaking up the sensational views of the red sandstone valley from your hotel.

Day 6

Make the short journey this morning to Springdale, the gateway to the Zion National Park, with its forests and plunging waterfalls – a contrast to the desert. Explore the riverside town, set amongst cottonwoods beneath the park’s jagged peaks, take the free ‘hop-on, hop-off’ shuttle bus into the lush park itself, where sandstone cliffs tower above the Virgin River. After a memorable day, continue to Bryce Canyon for two nights in yet more spectacular surroundings.

Day 7

Today’s visit is to Bryce Canyon, where you’ll take in the surreal rock formations of towering, red, yellow, and orange pinnacles, best observed from the Bryce Amphitheatre viewpoint. The park is full of wildlife, including more than 200 species of bird, so don’t forget your binoculars!

Day 8

Leave Bryce, passing through legendary Capitol Reef National Park, the one-time hideout of Butch Cassidy and the ‘Hole in the Wall’ Gang, and head to bustling Moab, to spend the next two nights close to the banks of the Colorado River, amongst a mesa-dotted landscape, straight out of a thousand western movies.

Day 9

Today’s tour sees you first take in the Arches National Park, with its famed sandstone ridges and ‘window arches’, carved by nature over millennia. You’ll also explore staggering Canyonlands National Park, with its 1500-ft-high Island in the Sky sandstone butte and spend a second evening in thriving Moab.

Day 10

Monument Valley’s gargantuan sandstone mesas are amongst America’s most iconic images. Journey through the dramatic landscape and stay in Hampton Inn Kayenta.

Day 11

On yet another day of adventuring, awaken early to witness the sun rise over the valley, before you travel to the edge of the Grand Canyon, perhaps nature’s most startling wonder.

Day 12

Visit the chasm’s South Rim, a mile above the Colorado River and take an optional helicopter flight for even more stupendous views. From here, journey back into Nevada to spend the last two nights in Las Vegas.

Day 13

Spend the day exploring the dazzling attractions of the world’s most famous ‘oasis’, checking out the 'Strip' and downtown, with casinos, malls and endless dining opportunities. This evening, take in the optional 'The Rat Pack is Back' dinner show.

Day 14

Journey back into California, making a brief visit to star-studded Hollywood, home to Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame. After this final tour highlight, you’ll transfer back to Los Angeles Airport for your return overnight flight.

Day 15

Arrive back in the UK, at the end of a phenomenal holiday.

Accommodation

Local laws state that at least one person in each booked room must be aged 21 years or over. Those aged under 21 years may not enter casinos, including those in hotels, unless accompanied by an adult aged 21 years or over.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver or Tour Manager is about $5 per person per day. It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.

On your flight

All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Helicopter flights

Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. Please contact us if you wish to book a helicopter flight and your bodyweight exceeds 250lb. (In such cases, a seat may have to be left empty, and some companies may charge a premium.)

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Hotel rooms

Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.

Passports and visas

When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Programme.

Terms and conditions

*15% discount applies to specific holidays and tours only. All other holidays and tours will have a 10% discount applied. The Black Friday offer applies to new bookings only booked between 14 November and 4 December 2022 inclusive. The Offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes, Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Andre Rieu events, Lapland and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the 15% or 10% applied. The discount applies to your final holiday price (excluding holiday insurance) at the time of booking. The Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

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