National Parks & Canyon Country

Overview

Cross Sioux Indian territory to see great granite tributes to US presidents and a fallen tribal leader; journey through a surreal landscape of regal peaks and soundless canyons; and experience the smouldering eruptions of Yellowstone.

Maximum elevation on this tour is 9,033 ft.

UK - Denver

Fly to Denver where you will transfer to your hotel for two nights.

Denver

'The Mile High City' of Denver is the capital of Colorado and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. An attractive city with broad streets, a tree-lined pedestrian mall leading to the gold-domed State Capitol and Larimer Square in the city's historic heart. There are also some fine museums and galleries to explore.

Denver - Cheyenne - Black Hills of South Dakota - Keystone

This morning, travel through Cheyenne, the state capital of Wyoming, on through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, immortalised in a famous song from the musical 'Calamity Jane', to the historic frontier town of Custer.

Keystone - Crazy Horse - Mount Rushmore - Deadwood

See Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument being carved out of a mountain that pays respect to the great Native American hero, Chief Crazy Horse. Drive deep into the Black Hills, through what was once Sioux Indian territory, to see the magnificent granite face of Mount Rushmore, a giant monument to four great American presidents - Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Afterwards visit Tatanka, 'The Story of the Bison', and experience the richness of the Lakota Indian life as it was around the 1840's. Next it's on to Deadwood, a lawless frontier town during the 1876 Gold Rush, where Wild Bill Hickok was murdered. Stay overnight.

Deadwood - Cody

This morning, head through the rich high country where open-range cattle kings made war on the homesteaders in the 1890's. Driving past Sheridan in the Bighorn Mountains, the scene of many fierce battles between the US Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, arrive in Buffalo Bill's frontier town Cody, for the night.

Cody - Yellowstone National Park

Travel to incomparable Yellowstone National Park, America's largest nature reserve, which contains more than 10,000 geysers and hot springs. Drive along the Grand Loop Road to Artist Point with magnificent views of 'The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park' and the stupendous Lower Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls.

Yellowstone National Park

Today, explore America's first National Park further by returning to the geyser basins with bubbling mud pots and the regular "blow" of Old Faithful at the Upper Geyser Basin. In addition to the superb mountain scenery, the park is one of the world's principle wildlife preserves and a photographer's paradise.

Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Park - Jackson

Head to the Grand Tetons. With saw-toothed, 13,770 feet high ridges crested with snow most of the year, it's one of America's last preserves of wild solitude. Arrive in the Wild West town of Jackson which with its wooden sidewalks and saloons with bat-wing doors, is just like a living film set! In the evening there's an optional barbecue cookout and Wild West show.

Jackson - Alpine

Time to relax in Jackson or how about joining an optional scenic raft trip down the Snake River? Overnight in Alpine located on the banks of the Snake River.

Alpine - Salt Lake City

Continue to Salt Lake City, Utah's vibrant capital. Magnificently set on the edge of a salt desert and surrounded by mountains and forests, this is the centre of the Mormon religion where Brigham Young declared to his followers "This is the place". Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City including the Capital Building and the beautiful downtown area of the city.

Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon National Park

Journey through sagebrush landscape to Bryce Canyon National Park, with its 20 miles of breathtaking sandstone cliffs and ever-changing colours. Marvel at some of the earth's most brilliant shades of rock, which have been sculpted by erosion into pillars called 'hoodoos'.

Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park - Page

First stop today is Zion National Park, its striking landscape of steep canyons and stone towers carved out by rushing streams over a period of millions of years. Then head to Page, originally built to house workers during the construction of the massive Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back the waters of 186 mile long Lake Powell.

Page - Painted Desert - Grand Canyon

How about starting your day with an optional scenic flight over stunning Monument Valley? Then take a scenic drive through the Painted Desert and across the Kaibab National Forest, before arriving at the Grand Canyon in the early afternoon. Marvel at one of the Natural Wonders of the World and experience the most breathtaking views. There will be plenty of time to do some viewing before dusk as your accommodation is inside Grand Canyon National Park.

Grand Canyon - Las Vegas

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take an optional 'flightseeing' excursion: a helicopter flight over the heart of the canyon with incomparable views of flame-coloured walls plunging 4,800 feet into the Colorado River. Leaving the high country of Arizona, pass through Williams on famous Route 66 and then the old Mojave gold strike country, which still has traces of century-old ghost towns, to Las Vegas - a neon desert oasis, packed with spectacular hotels and casinos.

Las Vegas - UK

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in Las Vegas.

Home landing in the UK