Western Discovery – Spectacular Parks, Canyons & Cities
- Duration: 16 days
- Board Basis: Mixed Board
- Tour Ref: D2TLEGAWD
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Air
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
16-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Today we fly to Los Angeles International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 2 - San Diego City Tour & Seaport Village
Today we travel south through San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente to San Diego, the second largest city in California, renowned for its year-round mild weather.
Following a city tour, we visit picturesque Seaport Village and San Diego’s relaxing bay-front marketplace where you can enjoy the opportunity for shopping. We return to Los Angeles for the evening.
Day 3 - Palm Springs
Today, our journey takes us through Palm Springs, the winter playground for Hollywood royalty, with its lively downtown and immaculately kept golf courses at the base of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. A sea of wind turbines mark the entrance to this desert oasis.
Afterwards, we pass through Indio, home to the International Date Festival in the Coachella Valley. Tonight we stay in the Phoenix area.
Day 4 - Sedona & Grand Canyon
We travel through the Sonoran Desert – the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas – to Sedona. The city is situated in a unique geological area and encircled by distinctive red-rock monoliths with such names as Cathedral and Coffee Pot.
After our visit, we drive through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park for an overnight stay.
The majestic Grand Canyon National Park is one of the seven great natural wonders of the world. Stop at the rim to fully experience this mile-deep colourful canyon’s plunging gorges, and rising spires formed by the mighty Colorado River.
Day 5 - Monument Valley
Today we will enter the Navajo Indian Reservation, passing the trading post of Cameron. We continue through the Painted Desert to visit Monument Valley, an area that embodies perhaps the most iconic images of the American West.
In the afternoon, we enter the town of Page, situated on a mesa above the Colorado River. We will spend the night in the Page/Lake Powell area where you have the evening at leisure.
Day 6 - Lake Powell & Bryce Canyon Tour
We enjoy a visit to the mighty Glen Canyon Dam, the second highest concrete-arch dam in America. From here, you can enjoy views of stunning Lake Powell, where crystal-blue water laps against towering red-rock canyon walls.
We then enter the Mormon state of Utah, passing through the town of Kanab before visiting spectacular Bryce Canyon, where a tour through a multi-coloured world of sandstone spires and pinnacles will dazzle the eye.
This evening, weather permitting, be sure to gaze upon the spectacular night sky filled with sparkling stars and brilliant constellations and take in the aroma of pinewood campfire. We stay tonight in the Bryce Canyon area.
Day 7 - Zion National Park & Las Vegas
Our adventure continues as we travel to Zion National Park and see the massive rock formations carved by wind, time, and the Virgin River.
In total contrast, we then head to Las Vegas for a two-night stay. This afternoon, immerse yourself in the dazzling entertainment capital of the World, where round-the-clock shopping and nightly shows are available.
Day 8 - Free Time in Las Vegas
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many attractions that Las Vegas has to offer. In addition to world-class shopping, bustling casinos and Broadway-calibre shows, you might simply stroll the famous Strip to take in its amazing sights, or shop ‘til you drop at designer outlets.
Day 9 - Death Valley & Mammoth Lakes
Today starts with a stop at the iconic 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign, where you may wish to capture a photo memory of your time here
Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley.
We stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes, weather permitting. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for the superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas. We stay overnight in Mammoth Lakes.
Please note: in winter, the Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions. In which case, it will not be possible to visit Mammoth Lakes and our overnight stay will be in Fresno or Visalia. Winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions.
Day 10 - Yosemite National Park
If you'd like, you can join us today for an optional seasonal scenic gondola ride to the summit of Mammoth and enjoy a tasty breakfast as you survey a most stunning view of California from its desert floor to its lofty peaks (at extra cost).
Next, weather permitting, our journey takes us to the Tioga Pass, into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendours, including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls and Yosemite Falls.
Our overnight stay tonight is in nearby Modesto.
Day 11 - San Francisco Sightseeing Tour
We depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America.
Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour before arriving at our hotel where will will stay for two nights. This evening, why not join our optional memorable City by Night tour (at extra cost)?
Day 12 - Free Time in San Francisco
Enjoy a day at leisure. Your Tour Director is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where you can enjoy the local seafood, famous sourdough breads or Ghirardelli’s Chocolate.
You may wish to take a stroll by Sea Lions’ Marina to watch them frolic. Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where America’s most wanted, such as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, were incarcerated.
You can also choose to head to Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy’s department store, or even embark on an optional wine tasting tour to Napa Valley, world renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery.
Day 13 - Monterey Peninsula
We depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row, then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries and unique stores.
In the afternoon, our tour continues through Paso Robles, home of fine wineries.
Our overnight stay tonight will be in a quaint central California coast town.
Day 14 - Santa Monica & Los Angeles Tour
Today we journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara, where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches.
Upon arrival in Los Angeles, we stop in Santa Monica, home to the finish line of historic Route 66, where you may enjoy an optional lunch on the pier or a beach bike ride.
Our afternoon tour of 'The City of Angels' continues with Beverly Hills and Hollywood before arriving at our overnight hotel in Los Angeles.
Day 15
Transfer to airport for your return overnight flight to the UK.
Day 16
Arrive in the UK.