Western Wonders

Overview

Bright lights meet natural wonders on this thrilling Western US tour through California, Nevada and Arizona. Explore the unique rock formations, mighty canyons and shimmering waterfalls of the US National parks on a scenic drive that travels between some of the world’s most famous cities. Your tour begins in Los Angeles, ends in San Francisco, and stays along the way in Scottsdale, Williams, Tulare, Modesto and Palm Springs.

You’ll explore two of the world’s most famous national parks: the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Yosemite in California. Stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon and take in its breathtaking scenery – or join in an optional helicopter flight for a unique view of this incredible landscape. Walk the trails in Yosemite national park and enjoy views of its towering granite domes, plunging waterfalls and lush forests, while keeping a weather eye out for black bears and big horn sheep. You’ll travel along some of the world’s most famous routes, such as historic Route 66, and Arizona’s Oak Creek Canyon – home to blazing cliffs and sandstone towers. Between Williams and Las Vegas, look out for Joshua trees, huge desert plants that reach heights of 40ft. And fall in love with the barren beauty of the Mojave Desert.

In Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix, you’ll enjoy guided sightseeing to make the most of your stay. Why not jump aboard one of San Francisco’s cable cars, or enjoy an optional outing to Alcatraz Prison, which once housed the criminal gangster Al Capone? With free time in each city – including Las Vegas – you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own, or join an optional excursion.

Incredible scenery, thrilling cities, world-famous drives and much more: this western US tour offers adventures by the bucket-load.

UK - Los Angeles

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

Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Los Angeles

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. A historic gem, this world-famous cinema (formerly, Grauman’s), has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. The Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak Theatre) is the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards. See the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard and Street-air Farmers Market, with more than 140 shops and restaurants. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.

Los Angeles - Palm Springs

Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930s, laying claim to ranch-style estates and holding up in elite hotels, the clean, dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible

Palm Springs - Scottsdale

Travel through cacti-covered desert toward Old Town Scottsdale, where Western store fronts create an aura of the past. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West, with restaurants, shopping, and Western bars. With wooden beams, wagon wheels, and cowboy hats abundant, you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.

Scottsdale - Sedona - Grand Canyon National Park - Williams

Travel to Sedona, a thriving centre for New Age arts set in Canyon Country. On to the weather-sculptured rock formations of Oak Creek Canyon. Travel alongside the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Time to stroll the canyon rim — or, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take an optional helicopter sightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-coloured walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Overnight in Williams, a mountain town with Route 66 as the Main Street and the gateway to the Grand Canyon.

Williams - Las Vegas

Cross the old Mojave gold-strike country, which still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. Watch for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows to more than 40 feet in height and can live up to 300 years. By late afternoon, reach Las Vegas, the fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, bars, and glamorous shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colourful “Strip.” This evening, we highly recommend a night out to a dazzling stage show featuring top Vegas entertainment.

Las Vegas

The day is free to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or to explore the varied casinos and shopping plazas. Your Tour Director will have more suggestions. Consider a river float trip through the Black Canyon.

Las Vegas - Tulare

Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. You’ll see the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through the agricultural land and overnight in Tulare in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Tulare - Yosemite National Park - Modesto

This morning, we enter YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. Afterward, drive to Modesto.

Modesto - Sausalito - San Francisco

This morning, we continue west to the “Golden Gate City” of San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. Lunch in the pristine waterfront community of Sausalito. Free time to explore this quaint, Mediterranean-style village’s shops, galleries, and breathtaking views. Afterward, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco

The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit the notorious former prison of Alcatraz, which housed famous gangsters such as Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud. Afterward, the day is yours to do some more exploring in the “City by the Bay.”

Note: Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.

San Francisco - UK

Your holiday ends this morning. Extend your holiday with extra nights and explore the “City by the Bay” further with a variety of exciting optional activities. Alternatively fly to Hawaii to enjoy extra days at leisure, relaxing.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Home landing in the UK