Itinerary Overview

Fly to Los Angeles 1 night – Phoenix 1 night – Grand Canyon National Park 1 night – Lake Powell 1 night – Bryce Canyon National Park 1 night – Las Vegas 2 nights – Mammoth Lakes 1 night – Yosemite National Park 1 night – San Francisco 1 night – Fly home from San Francisco

Day 1

Fly to Los Angeles

Arrive in Los Angeles and transfer independently to your hotel.

Day 2

Los Angeles – Palm Springs – Phoenix

Your journey begins, taking you 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 you will pass through Indio, home to the International Date Festival in the Coachella Valley.

Day 3

Phoenix – Sedona – Grand Canyon National Park

Travel through the Sonoran Desert, the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas, with thousands of species of animals and plants, including the towering Saguaro cacti. The Saguaro is the magnificent symbol of the Desert Southwest, capable of growing to 50 feet tall. Continue to Sedona and see the spectacular red rock scenery. Situated in a unique geological area, Sedona is encircled by distinctive red-rock monoliths – with such names as Cathedral, Coffee Pot, Bell, and even Snoopy – because their massive shapes resemble these familiar images. Then drive through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven great natural wonders of the world. Visit lookout points along the South Rim to fully experience this mile-deep canyon – plunging gorges, rising spires, extinct volcanoes and below the rim, the winding Colorado River.

Day 4

Grand Canyon National Park – Monument Valley – Page/Lake Powell

Today enter the Navajo Indian Reservation, passing the trading post of Cameron. Continue through the Painted Desert to visit Monument Valley, an area that embodies perhaps the most iconic images of the American West. In the late afternoon, arrive at the town of Page, situated on a mesa above the Colorado River, and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 5

Page/Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park

Visit the mighty Glen Canyon Dam, the second highest concrete-arch dam in America. From here you’ll enjoy views of stunning Lake Powell, where crystal blue water laps against towering red-rock canyon walls. Enter the Mormon state of Utah, pass 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.

Day 6

Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – Las Vegas

Travel today to Zion National Park and see the massive rock formations carved by wind, time, and the Virgin River. This afternoon experience the contrast of Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World,” where you will find round-the-clock shopping, nightly shows, and of course gambling.

Day 7

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, glitzy casinos, and world-class shows, you can simply stroll the famous Strip taking in its amazing sights, or “shop ‘til you drop” at designer outlets.

Day 8

Las Vegas – Death Valley – Mammoth Lakes**

Your tour stops at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory of Las Vegas. Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. 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**. The area gained prominence as the gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for the superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas.

** NB: Winter Routing - The Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will overnight in Fresno or Visalia and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible (winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions)

Day 9

Mammoth Lakes** – Yosemite National Park

Arise with the morning sun and join us 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. Next, your journey today brings you to the Tioga Pass** into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendors including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls and Yosemite Falls. Overnight nearby Modesto.

** NB: Winter Routing - The Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will overnight in Fresno or Visalia and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible (winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions)

Day 10

Yosemite Gateway Area – San Francisco

Depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, and enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour on arrival.

Day 11

San Francisco

Today your tour comes to an end. It's time to head to the airport for your flight home.

Prices are subject to availability at time of booking. Call us in Bowe Travel on 0504 22200 and one of the team will be happy to help you.