NATIONAL PARK DISCOVERY

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Vacation Map16 Days/15 Nights
Los Angeles to Los Angeles

Highlights
Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Arches National Park, Yellowston National Park, Yosemite National Park, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Page/Lake Powell, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Moab, Flaming Gorge, Jackson Hole, Monterey/Carmel, Santa Barbara

 
Itinerary

DAY 1: TUESDAY OR SATURDAY
LOS ANGELES - PHOENIX / SCOTTSDALE (400m / 644km)
Board your motorcoach in Los Angeles, settle back and enjoy the scenery while traveling through the Mojave Desert across the majestic Colorado River into Arizona. Discover the unique charm of our desert oasis: Phoenix/Scottsdale, a blend of southwestern architecture and magnificent saguaro cactus. This is your introduction to the American West!

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY OR SUNDAY
PHOENIX / SCOTTSDALE – SEDONA – GRAND CANYON (237m / 381km)
Morning departure through the garden desert of Arizona, visiting Montezuma's Castle, the ancient Indian cliff dwellings of the Sinaguas tribe. The journey continues to the lovely city of Sedona and then through Oak Creek Canyon. The area, known for its spectacular landscapes, has been the setting of many movies. The day ends with a visit of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

DAY 3: THURSDAY OR MONDAY
GRAND CANYON – MONUMENT VALLEY – CANYONLANDS – MOAB (322m / 515km)
Morning departure along the south rim of the Grand Canyon into the Painted Desert. Your trip continues on to spectacular Monument Valley, home of the Navajo Indian, an enchanted land of buttes and spires. On the way to Moab you will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of another wonderful national park in southern Utah: Canyonlands. Its rugged beauty is only a prelude to your next day’s journey.

DAY 4: FRIDAY OR TUESDAY
MOAB – ARCHES – FLAMING GORGE – ROCK SPRINGS (290m / 462km)
Continue your tour with yet another magnificent national park: Arches, a symphony of colors and shapes, created by the forces of nature. True to its name, Flaming Gorge will enchant you with unforgettable sights. You will reach Rock Springs in the afternoon.

DAY 5: SATURDAY OR WEDNESDAY
ROCK SPRINGS – GRAND TETON – JACKSON HOLE (239m / 382km)
Early morning departure for the visit of Grand Teton National Park, with its jagged granite peaks reflecting into a myriad of alpine lakes. Its lush forests are home to antelope, mule deer, chipmunks and colorful blue jays. You continue to picturesque Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the town that epitomizes the true Wild West.

DAY 6: SUNDAY OR THURSDAY
JACKSON HOLE – YELLOWSTONE (107m / 172km)
Enjoy a day of discovery in America’s first national park: Yellowstone. The park has many special features such as Geysers, mud volcanoes, bald eagles, and herds of bison roaming freely on the prairies. You have a whole day to explore this natural wonder. With some luck you might even catch a glimpse of a bear!

DAY 7: MONDAY OR FRIDAY
YELLOWSTONE – SALT LAKE CITY (323m / 517km)
Travel south to Utah’s state Capital, Salt Lake City, host of the 2004 Winter Olympic Games. Visit Temple Square, the Mormon Tabernacle and the State Capitol before your arrival at the hotel.

DAY 8: TUESDAY OR SATURDAY
SALT LAKE CITY – BRYCE (284m / 454km)
Depart Salt Lake City for Bryce Canyon. Spend some time enjoying the unforgettable landscape: an intricate design of sandstone pinnacles and grottos. This park has a stunning array of colors and shapes that even the most talented artist would have difficulties capturing.

DAY 9: WEDNESDAY OR SUNDAY
BRYCE – ZION – LAS VEGAS (238m / 381km)
Morning sightseeing of another impressive national park: Zion. The park’s plateaus and stunning landscapes will leave you breathless. The park is a popular attraction for rock climbers. Continue along the Virgin River to the Mojave Desert and the state of Nevada. In the afternoon, arrive in Las Vegas, the city of lights.

DAY 10: THURSDAY OR MONDAY
LAS VEGAS
Enjoy a day of leisure in Las Vegas. You have the choice to visit some of the spectacular hotels, take one of the many optional excursions offered, or simply relax by the pool. Las Vegas has something for everyone and you have the whole day to explore this world famous city.

DAY 11: FRIDAY OR TUESDAY
LAS VEGAS – YOSEMITE/MARIPOSA (477m / 768km)
Today you will journey via the Mojave Desert and through the dusty, picturesque town of Bakersfield. A scenic ride follows through the San Joaquin Valley’s traditional towns like Fresno, Merced and the Yosemite gateway town of Mariposa before your arrival at Yosemite National Park, the second national park in the nation and the most popular natural tourist destination for California

DAY 12: SATURDAY OR WEDNESDAY
YOSEMITE
Enjoy the highlights of the park including Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; the Yosemite Museum and Gallery and historic Wawona hotel; Mariposa Grove and its giant sequoias, and Inspiration Point, a spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country. The park is also known for its wildlife: mule deer, coyotes, chipmunks, blue jays and occasionally even bears.

DAY 13: SUNDAY OR THURSDAY
YOSEMITE/MARIPOSA – SAN FRANCISCO (166m /268km)
Leaving Mariposa you will travel through the area of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, California’s gold country, on the way to “The City by the Bay”. Upon arrival, city sightseeing of one of the most beautiful cities in America: Union Square, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park and Fisherman’s Wharf with a view of infamous Alcatraz island across the bay.

DAY 14: MONDAY OR FRIDAY
SAN FRANCISCO
Day at leisure to enjoy San Francisco with its beautiful views, famous cable cars, parks and museums. You have the possibility of an optional tour to the quaint village of Sausalito in the morning.

DAY 15 TUESDAY OR SATURDAY
SAN FRANCISCO – MONTEREY / CARMEL – SANTA MARIA AREA (292m/ 467km)
Leave San Francisco and travel to Monterey, California’s first capital. After a stop in this beautiful seaside town travel along stunning 17-Mile Drive known for its exclusive golf courses, beautiful views and distinctive fauna. After seeing the beauty of the 17-Mile Drive, visit the quaint and charming village of Carmel. Continue southward to Santa Maria in the heart of California.

DAY 16: WEDNESDAY OR SUNDAY
SANTA MARIA AREA – LOS ANGELES (169m / 270km)
En route to Los Angeles you will have a chance to explore Santa Barbara, often referred to as the pearl of the “American Riviera”. The city is known for its Spanish Colonial style architecture, lush vegetation and laid back lifestyle. We return to Los Angeles in the afternoon.

Overnight stays

Day 1: Phoenix/Scottsdale
Day 2: Grand Canyon
Day 3: Moab
Day 4: Rock Springs
Day 5: Jackson Hole
Day 6: Yellowstone
Day 7: Salt Lake City
Day 8: Bryce
Day 9: Las Vegas
Day 10: Las Vegas
Day 11:Yosemite
Day 12:Yosemite
Day 13: San Francisco
Day 14: San Francisco
Day 15: Santa Maria

 
Pricing Details Per Person (excluding flights):
Tuesday departures 2008 Jun 10, 24 Jul 1, 8, 22, 29 Aug 5, 19, 26 Sep 2
Saturday departures 2008 Jul 26 Aug 9
Twin
Single
Standard Grade
£851
£1234


**FUEL SUPPLEMENT - BOOKINGS MADE FROM 20 JUNE 08 WILL BE SUBJECT TO A £18 PER PERSON FUEL SUPPLEMENT


Price Includes

• 15 night’s accommodation, including taxes and porterage
• Air–conditioned motorcoach and guide for the entire tour
• Admissions to Montezuma’s Castle, Monument Valley, Flaming Gorge, 17-Mile Drive and all National Parks

Optional Extras

(Payable locally)
Helicopter tours in Grand Canyon National Park, San Francisco or Las Vegas, Night tours of Las Vegas or San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito Excursions, Universal Studios, Disneyland, California Adventure

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