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Epic USA Road Trip

Epic USA Road Trip

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Description

This trip covers so much of America it’s hard to know where to start. It’s your chance to channel your inner… everything. Take your pick. Beatnik? Check out San Fran’. Foodie? New Orleans will make your tastebuds cry. Music lover? Cut loose in Memphis and Nashville. High roller? Stay up late in Vegas. Nature lover? Hike in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and the Appalachian Mountains. And that’s all before you get to New York.

Trip Name
Epic USA Road Trip
Last Updated
2019-07-25
Days
22
Capacity
13
Highlights
  • Too young to hire a car? Worry not. This epic American road trip takes you from the national parks of the west to the musical cities of the south east. This is as much USA as you can fit into three weeks.
  • Music lovers will dig this itinerary. Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans are where it's at for music history and nightlife.
  • There's a lot to do in Washington DC. That's why this trip spends a full day there. The best part? Most activities there are free.
  • Granite cliffs, redwood forests, star-studded night skies, Instagram-smashing waterfalls... Yosemite National Park feels like utopia. There are two nights spent here, which means a full day to explore.
  • A trip like this means LOTS of different flavours. Sample traditional southwestern cuisine in New Mexico and steak that’s bigger than your face in Texas.
  • Monument Valley has provided many a backdrop for a classic Western film. Much cooler though is the Navajo history, which you learn all about from a Navajo guide on a 4WD adventure.

Itinerary

We've allowed plenty of room for freedom and flexibility in our trips. In fact, flexibility is one of the ingredients that makes each of our trips so exciting. This style of travel offers us some unexpected circumstances at times, for example, bad weather and road conditions, technical defects of transportation, inconveniences caused by local operators and authorities, and other circumstances beyond our control. Changes in the program may be required to make the best of the unique situations that we encounter. Overnight stops and driving distances each day may vary to best suit the needs of the group. Our described itineraries are to be used as a general guide only. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - San Francisco
Welcome to the US! San Francisco is a chilled-out city with a vibrant, multicultural heart. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not catch a tram to visit the waterfront, feast like a king in Chinatown or peruse the artwork in SoMa. As this is the only day you'll spend in San Francisco, we recommend you arrive a few days early to see the sights. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Day 2 - Yosemite National Park
Hit the road and drive 300 km to the east into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our destination: Yosemite National Park. One of the most famous parks in the US, Yosemite National Park's colossal granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and OMG-inducing giant sequoia trees attract visitors from all over the world.
Day 3 - Yosemite National Park
Today is a free day to get out and discover the park. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4-5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and perhaps even a bear along the way. You might prefer to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley. Visit the park's photo gallery, shops and restaurants along the way. In the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River followed by a few drinks at the park's cafe is just the trick.
Day 4 - Sierra Nevada
Leave Yosemite behind and drive into the eastern Sierra Nevada. Spectacular mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes and breathtaking vistas are in store for us today. Total driving time is about 3-4 hours (170 km), depending on weather conditions and road access over Tioga Pass.
Day 5 - Las Vegas
Travel east through Death Valley to Las Vegas (about six hours). Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness. In the evening, perhaps feast at a celebrity chef's restaurant (Giada de Laurentiis, Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck are among the many well-known chefs who have restaurants here), check out one of the many shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub.
Day 6 - Las Vegas
You'll have another day to further enjoy the delights of Las Vegas. Use the opportunity to find a swimming pool to relax by, have a crack at blackjack, check out a show or just soak up the craziness that is Vegas. You may also choose to go on an optional adventure on the infamous Las Vegas Roller Coaster.
Day 7 - Grand Canyon
While the lights of Las Vegas might be dazzling, your eyes are in for a real treat today as they'll fall on the incredible Grand Canyon. Leave Vegas and drive along a section of famous Route 66 to one of the world’s seven wonders (approximately 5 hours). You’ll have two nights here to help you’ll fully comprehend this amazing sight. There are plenty of things to see and do during your time here, so be prepared for busy and active days. Peer over the rim and stand in awe as you watch the setting sun ignite the multi-coloured rock walls. For the next two nights you’ll camp out in one of the world’s most magnificent settings, surrounded by the smell of pine and cedar and enveloped by a stunning canopy of stars at night.
Day 8 - Grand Canyon
Take time today to explore at your own pace. Maybe rise early for an incredible sunrise, then soar like a California Condor over the canyon with a scenic helicopter flight (not included). If you get active, then descend through pine trees into the heart of the immense abyss, hiking from red rock to white powder. Discover this stunning gorge – 1.5 kilometres deep and formed by over six million years of erosion from the Colorado River – by strolling around the edges, or hiking along the South Kaibab trail or to Plateau Point. Or perhaps join rangers to learn about the park’s geological story, watch an IMAX film to discover the canyon from a different perspective, or simply relax with a book and a backdrop like no other. Whatever you choose, you’ll find that the canyon depths are nothing short of mind-blowing.
Day 9 - Monument Valley
Cruise the scenery of classic Western cinema into the Navajo Nation, home to Monument Valley and one of the largest North American Indian tribes (approximately 4 hours). The reservation here is the largest in the US and home to more than 200,000 Indians of the Navajo Tribe. The towering sandstone formations scattered across the landscape give the area its name, and the angle of the sun means that the landscape is constantly changing colour and it's near impossible to take a bad photo. When you arrive, let a Navajo guide share their culture and knowledge on an optional Jeep ride through the beautiful landscape, taking in flaming red cliffs, visiting traditional Navajo homes, and hiking up sweeping sand dunes. You’ll visit places that are only accessible with a Navajo guide, and tonight you can choose to join the locals for an authentic Navajo dinner around a campfire, listening to their traditional songs and stories.
Day 10 - Mesa Verde National Park
Step back in time today and understand human history in North America with one of the best and largest archaeological sites in the country. Travel from Monument Valley to Mesa Verde National Park (approximately 3.5 hours). Although the desert-scapes and cactus-spiked mesas might seem pretty uninhabitable, this part of the American Southwest has been settled for thousands of years. The park protects over 4000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans, who made the area their home for over 700 years from AD 550 to 1300. Explore a cliff dwelling on a short walk – where you can descend a ladder into a kiva, a round, subterranean ceremonial structure – or (for a small fee) join a ranger-led walk. The ranger will help you access the more difficult sites like ‘Cliff Palace’ or ‘Balcony House’, and help you learn more about this ancient site.
Day 11 - Albuquerque
Driving time 5 hours into New Mexico and Albuquerque. Fans of Breaking Bad will recognise the city as the setting for the show. It was also the setting for High School Musical. Otherwise you can explore Pueblo culture at the city's museums, hire a bike and cruise through the city on its interconnected trails system, or stroll along Central Avenue, which was originally part of Route 66 and still retains some of the original neon signs. This is also a great place to sample some southwestern cuisine (think chile) or Native America food at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. You should also try to track down New Mexico's state cookie, the anise-flavoured biscochito.
Day 12 - Amarillo
Hit the road again for another 5 to 6 hours of driving. Follow the old Route 66 for 460 kilometres (286 miles) from Albuquerque to Amarillo, Texas. This is a quintessentially Texan town - think cacti, cowboys, steak and oil. If you're into steak, this is the place to try it, at the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Home of the 72 oz steak challenge (that's 2 kg in metric). Up for a challenge? If you can eat the whole steak, including shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad and bread roll in under an hour, you get the meal for free.
Day 13 - Dallas
Get that playlist ready - it's another long day of travel. Today you'll drive about 7 hours through Texas to arrive in Dallas. If there's time on arrival, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is highly recommended. This is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shot that killed JFK. The museum takes you through the whole story from the beginning of the day, to the conspiracy theories that followed.
Day 14 - Lake Charles
Today you'll start making tracks for the Big Easy. To break up the long drive, you'll stop at Lake Charles in southwest Louisiana. Maybe hit the hiking trails, sample Creole eats or get rhythm-n-bluesy before camping under the stars at Lake Charles.
Day 15 - New Orleans
Head across the state of Louisiana to New Orleans (approximately 2.5 hours). After checking in to your hotel in the French Quarter, use your free time to get to know the Big Easy. An eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun culture manifests in the city's architecture, cuisine and music scene. Possibly take a walk down rowdy Bourbon Street or through the former plantation area of the Garden District. Make sure to sit down to a typical, mouth-watering Cajun-style dinner in the evening.
Day 16 - New Orleans
Today is free to fit in as much of New Orleans as you can. Founded by French traders in 1718, there are many layers of history in this city and its many attractions combine to make it one of the most visited cities in the US – a trend that was only momentarily halted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Tour the Honey Island Swamp (watch out for gators), cruise the Mississippi on a riverboat or visit the fascinating little Voodoo Museum. In the evening, perhaps check out a jazz show and dance the night away in the bars along Frenchman Street.
Day 17 - Memphis
Head north today and get into the groove of Memphis, the home of the blues (approximately 6.5 hours). Memphis is a music-lovers paradise – feel the blues at live music venues on Beale Street, made famous by legends such as W.C. Handy, Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King; visit the cradle of rock n’ roll – Sun Studios – which boasts the first recordings of legendary performers like Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis; or shimmy out to the pilgrimage site of Graceland, the place where Elvis left the building. The King’s former home and the site of his tomb, you can tour the mansion, including the famous Jungle Room, and also see Elvis' cars and private planes. For a different type of history you can visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Day 18 - Nashville
From the home of blues to the land of country, break out the cowboy hat and boots as you head east to Nashville (approximately 4 hours). Outside of its music credentials, Nashville is also the capital of Tennessee and the state's second largest city after Memphis. Situated on the banks of the Cumberland River, it was established as a major river port by settlers in 1779. Once settled into the campgrounds, use your free time to explore. Country music is built into the foundation of the city, so maybe take a stroll through history at the Country Music Hall of Fame, which contains the golden Cadillac that once belonged to Elvis. Music fans should also make their way to the Grand Ole Opry concert hall and to Music Row, where more than 50 recording studios and around 200 music publishing houses are located. You could also take a walk around the pristine gardens of Centennial Park. In the evening, the Wildhorse Saloon is a great spot to experience authentic southern food and live music. Or maybe catch a show at the legendary Bluebird Cafe or hop between the city’s great selection of honky-tonk bars.
Day 19 - Appalachian Mountains
Escape the city, cross into the state of Virginia and traverse the jagged Blue Ridge Mountains, a segment of the Appalachian Mountains (approximately 6 hours). Shenandoah National Park is one of the highest and most scenic portions of the Appalachian Mountains, one of the most beautiful and iconic parts of the American landscape, with an abundance of flora and fauna peppering the steep slopes. Dating back over 400 million years, the mountain range is home to wildlife, lush forest, scenic peaks, waterfalls and shallow rivers. You’ll camp here in the heart of the great outdoors for one night en route to Washington, DC.
Day 20 - Washington DC
Taking the Skyline Drive along the crest of the mountains, travel through deep woods and past spectacular vistas. Stop to stretch your legs under the impressive oak trees and admire the gorgeous views on the way to Washington DC (approximately 8 hours). Don't worry about not having too much time to explore today, as you'll have a full free day here.
Day 21 - Washington DC
Today is a free to explore Washington DC, with the city being easily discovered on foot. To see as much as you can today, it may be an idea to get a map and make a plan. Choose from any of DC’s almost 100 world-class museums – the National Air and Space Museum, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Newseum are just a few. There are also many other small fascinating museums hidden around the city. The city is overflowing with iconic monuments and buildings, so don’t miss the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Monument, FDR and Jefferson Memorials. You’ll most likely do a lot of walking today, so maybe reward yourself with a relaxing evening.
Day 22 - New York (Newark)
Leave Washington DC behind this morning, drive along the Delaware River and pass through the City of Brotherly Love en route to New York (Newark) (approximately 5 hours). Philadelphia is the birthplace of America and the perfect place to brush up on your history. It was here that Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and where the United States Constitution was signed 11 years later. You'll have time to see a couple of the highlights of the city’s clustered cultural centre before continuing onto New York (Newark). The trip finishes on arrival into Newark and no accommodation is provided tonight. The arrival time depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9 pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you are staying on, perhaps catch the train over to Manhattan to see the lights of Times Square, or head out for a slice of New York style pizza. As there's a great deal to do in New York City, staying a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city is recommended. See our list of optional activities below for suggestions of things to do if you are staying on. If you need help booking extra accommodation (subject to availability), our reservations team will be happy to assist you. You could also consider doing one of our one-day Urban Adventure sightseeing tours of New York. For more information, visit urbanadventures.com

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (16 nts),Hotel (5 nts)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map

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