Hiking the National Parks of the West

Duration: 14 Days | 13 Nights
Start City: Las Vegas, Nevada
End City: San Francisco, California (or in reverse)
Group Size: 7-12 Participants
Tour Type: Guided Walking Tour, Easy to Moderate

Highlights:
• Death Valley: Experience a stark yet stunning desert landscape with vast salt flats.
• Monument Valley: Majestic buttes and mesas, famous for Western movies.
• Grand Canyon: Vast, layered canyon offering unmatched geological history.
• Monument Valley (Navajo Nation): Sacred Navajo land with iconic sandstone structures.
• Las Vegas: Glittering entertainment capital with vibrant nightlife and iconic casinos.
• Bryce Canyon National Park: Known for its unique, spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos, this national park provides incredible hiking and sightseeing opportunities.
• Zion National Park: A diverse landscape featuring towering cliffs, deep canyons, and scenic vistas, ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and outdoor adventures.
• San Francisco Discover the vibrant culture of San Francisco

Join us on a multi-day tour to discover some of the most iconic national parks in the western United States. This journey offers a perfect balance of activities, showcasing the highlights of the Western U.S. while also uncovering some hidden gems of the region. You'll marvel at the wave-like structures and light beams of Antelope Slot Canyon and have the opportunity to hike the trails near the mighty Grand Canyon. In Utah, explore the state's most treasured parks, including Zion National Park, a breathtaking sanctuary of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and lush greenery, with the possibility of hiking the famed Angel's Landing. Before your adventure concludes, get your city fix in San Francisco, where you'll immerse yourself in the city's vibrant culture.

Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas
Welcome to Las Vegas! Arrive at your hotel via airport shuttle or local taxi and settle in after your long journey. Take time to relax this evening in preparation for the great adventures ahead. Airport transportation options vary in cost and convenience, you can choose based on your preferences and schedule.

Hotel: Tuscany Suites Hotel and Casino or similar

Day 2: Snow Canyon State Park
Meet your group in the lobby this morning for introductions before ascending to the Colorado Plateau through the Virgin River Gorge. Along the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of Snow Canyon State Park, where you’ll walk over petrified sand dunes. This evening we’ll arrive in St. George Utah where you have the evening to explore and grab some dinner on your own.
Hotel: Ramada, St. George, or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time approx: 2 hrs. or 200 km / 120 mi Snow Canyon loop: 2-3 hrs, approx. 3.5 miles / 5 km, elevation difference: +/- 495 ft

Day 3: Hiking in Zion
Nestled in the heart of Utah, Zion National Park is a breathtaking sanctuary of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and lush greenery we have a full day to enjoy the wonders of Zion National Park. Today presents the opportunity to explore many of the West’s most iconic walks self-guided hikes such as Emerald Pools loop, river walk to the Narrows, Scouts Lookout and the Watchman trail. Pending permit availability, you also have the option to hike the iconic Angel’s Landing.

Hotel: Days Inn Hurrican, or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time: 40.4 miles / 120 km roughly 1 hour
Hikes: Emerald Pools 2-3 hours, approx. 3 miles / 5 km +/- 200m
Pending permit availability: Angel’s Landing: 4-5 hrs, approx. 5 miles / 8 km, elevation difference: +/-450 m

Day 4: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park
We’ll have an early start this morning as we make our way to Bryce Canyon National Park for a full day of hiking. For many, Bryce is the most uniquely beautiful of America’s National Parks. You will spend time hiking some of these paths unique to this national park as they wind through radiant red and pink towers of stone, which contrast beautifully with blue skies and green pines. We walk through a giant amphitheater filled with purple, pink, and dark red stone towers.

Hotel: Bryce View Lodge, or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time approx: 2.5 hrs or 220 km /107 mi
Hikes: Queens Garden and Navajo Loop: 3 hrs, approx. 3 miles / 5 km, elevation difference: +/-200 m
Rim walks – Bryce Point to Sunset 2 miles, 4 km

Day 5: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
We make our way to Page Arizona today where you can look forward to visiting Horseshoe Bend, where you’ll quickly understand why this is one of the most photographed sites in Arizona. Stretch your legs and walk around this natural wonder where the Colorado River meanders in a tight, horseshoe-shaped curve around a sandstone escarpment. This iconic viewpoint offers stunning vistas of the river’s emerald, green waters contrasted against the red rock canyon. We have the chance to visit Antelope Canyon (optional approx. $100, pending availability) In the evening, settle into your accommodations and look forward to another day of exploration after a restful evening.

Hotel: Quality Inn Page, or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time: 150 miles / 240 km or 2.5 hrs
Horseshoe Bend walk: 40 minutes, approx. 1.5 miles / km, elevation gain: 137

Day 6: Monument Valley with Navajo Native Americans
Today a short drive brings us to magical Monument Valley of the Navajo Indians. Giant red stone towers rise out of the valley offering fantastic photograph opportunities. For decades, this area has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood films. We recommend an unforgettable Jeep tour through the valley led by the local Navajos (starting at $70, not included), where unforgettable views of the of Ear of the Wind and Big Hogan await. In the afternoon we drive to Grand Canyon National Park stopping along the way to view scenic vistas.

Hotel: Red Feather Lodge, or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time: Approx 4.5 hrs, 450 km / 300 mi

Day 7: Spend the day exploring Grand Canyon National Park
Today we’ll spend the day exploring the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most iconic natural wonders. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep, showcasing nearly two billion years of Earth's geological history. We have plenty of recommendations for you, including a walk into its depths to the famous Plateau Point, which offers stunning views of the Colorado River. Alternatively, you can walk along the remote West Rim, where you'll be treated to an ever-changing, colorful panorama of the canyon's unique rock formations. Due to park regulations, all walks are self-guided inside Grand Canyon National Park. We recommend an amazing helicopter tour or visit to the IMAX theater (not included in the tour price).

Hotel: Red Feather Lodge, or similar
Meals: B,L

Sample Hikes:
Kaibab Ridge: 3-4 hrs, approx.5km/ 3 mi, elevation difference: +/-300 m
Plateau Point: 8-12 hrs, approx. 20km/ 12 mi, elevation difference: +/-1150 m
Hike along the rim: up to 4 hrs, up to 13 km/ 8 mi, elevation difference: +/-50 m
Kaibab Ridge: 3-4 hrs, approx. 3 miles / 5 km, elevation difference: +/-300 m
Plateau Point: 8-12 hrs, approx. 12 miles / 20 km, elevation difference: +/-1150 m
Hike along the rim: up to 4 hrs, up to 8 miles / 13 km, elevation difference: +/-50 m

Day 8: Through the desert on Route 66
In the morning, you have the opportunity for a breathtaking helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (not included, flights start at approx. $300). Then we travel via Route 66 through the hot deserts of Nevada. Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to stretch your legs at scenic outlooks before arriving at our hotel nearby Death Valley National Park.

Hotel: Longstreet Casino
Meals: B,L
Drive time: 320 miles / 500 km or 5 hrs

Day 9: Death Valley
In Death Valley, the temperatures and weather conditions are extreme exceeding 49°C ( 120°F) in the summer not to mention it holds the record as the lowest point in North America, lying 282 feet below sea level. Today we explore unique sites of Death Valley including golden sand dunes, a myriad of brackish pools and springs as well as the fascinating rock erosion formations of Zabriskie Point. Temperatures allowing, we will hike to the Badlands which showcase a rugged, otherworldly landscape of deeply eroded, colorful rock formations and steep, sculpted canyons, offering a strikingly surreal and picturesque experience. After experiencing Death Valley we’ll drive along the 14,000-foot ridge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California towards our hotel, located in the renowned ski resort of Mammoth Lakes.

Hotel: Mammoth Mountain Inn, or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time: Approx. 6 hrs.or 530 km /330 mi
Badlands: 2-3 hrs, approx. 3 miles / 5 km, elevation difference: +/-200 m

Day 10: Explore Yosemite National Park’s Mono Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows
In the morning, we head to the famed Yosemite National Park to explore Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes on Earth, known for its bizarre white limestone “tufa tower” formation. We drive through Tuolumne Meadows, a serene high-altitude paradise in Yosemite National Park, offering stunning alpine vistas, crystal-clear lakes, and lush meadows amidst rugged granite peaks. We’ll take time to hike in the national park this afternoon before spending the evening in the heart of Yosemite Valley where you’ll sleep at the rustic Curry Village Tent cabins (communal bathrooms). This evening keep you eyes open for wildlife that likes to emerge at dusk and take in an amazing sunset in Yosemite Valley.

Hotel: Curry Village Tent Cabins, or similar
Meals: B,L Drive time: Bakersfield to Yosemite: 202 miles / 200 km or 4 hrs
Lembert Dome: 3 hrs, approx. 5 miles / 8 km, elevation difference: +/-300 m

Day 11: Exploring Yosemite on foot
Our accommodations are in the center of the park. Today our group takes a more leisurely morning to drive up to Glacier Point, the most impressive viewpoint in the park. From here we marvel at the valley as well as the impressive walls of Half Dome. From Glacier Point, three very different walks are offered that vary in length, difficulty, and views: two of these walks head down to the valley, and one is a walk along the rim of the valley. These are one-way walks and therefore self-guided. We recommend you enjoy the afternoon relaxing in the valley. Those wanting to climb Half Dome can leave at 6 am to challenge themselves near to the peak. (Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are required seven days per week when the cables are up. Permits to the rope climb at the top are difficult to reserve. (See tour notes for details).

Hotel: Curry Village Tent Cabins, or similar
Meals: B,L
Hikes: Panorama Trail from Glacier Point: 4-6 hrs, approx. 7 miles / 12 km, elevation difference: +200m/-900 m Four Mile Trail: 4-5 hrs, approx. 6 miles / 10 km, elevation difference: -900 m
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop: approx. 4 hrs, approx. 6 miles / 10 km, elevation difference: +/-200 m Half Dome: 8-10 hrs, approx. 13 miles / 20 km, elevation difference: +/-1500 m

Day 12: Giant Sequoia Trees
In the morning we head to the impressive grove of giant sequoia trees, where we have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through an impressive forest of these ancient giants. Then we leave the park and drive to San Francisco, a city built on coastal cliffs on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. There is time to walk across the famous Golden Gate Bridge, over an hour from one end to other. Our hotel is centrally located.

Hotel: Caza Hotel or similar
Meals: B,L
Drive time: Approx. 3 hrs. or 200 km / 120 mi

Day 13: San Francisco, B, L
We’ll spend our final day exploring San Francisco. This vibrant city is known for its iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and breathtaking views. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the bustling waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf, marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge, and wander through the historic streets of Chinatown. No visit is complete without a ride on the famous cable cars, offering a unique way to experience the city's steep hills and stunning skyline. From the art-filled alleys of the Mission District to the serene beauty of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco you’re certain to find many hidden treasures throughout this fabulous metropolis.

Hotel: Caza Hotel or similar
Meals: B,L
City tour: approx. 3-4 hours, approx. 2-3 miles / 4-7 km, elevation difference: +/-100 m

Day 14. Bon Voyage
Today concludes your adventure. Departure is on your own today. You have a few transportation options to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), each option offers a different balance of convenience, cost, and travel time, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Meals: B

Tour Price
• Price shown is for a person based on twin share accommodation, for the travel period indicated.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Depending on your needs and group size (individual, couple, family, group, etc.) we will provide the final pricing for your tour.

Inclusions:
• 11 nights hotel accommodations
• 2 nights in rustic tent cabins with communal bathroom in the heart of Yosemite Valley
• 13 breakfasts
• 12 picnic lunches (breads, cold cuts, cheeses, trail mix, snacks, fruit) while traveling in the parks
• National Park Entrance Fees - unless otherwise noted in itinerary
• Cable car pass San Francisco

Exclusions:
• All other meals
• Tips of AUD$188 / NZD$205 per person for the tour manager depending on his / her performance
• Alcoholic beverages
• All meals not listed (dinners)
• Optional excursions
• Shoe / dry pants rental for wading in the Narrows
• Single supplement if single room if desired
• Porterage
• Some walks are self-guided
• Airport transfers

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.