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Wild Western USA

Wild Western USA

From $ 3,995 AUD

Description

Get a dose of national parks, cities and the iconic Route 66 on this 11-day adventure through the USA’s wild west. Start with a side of glitz and glam in Los Angeles, then swap the concrete jungle for the cactus gardens of Joshua Tree National Park and explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend three nights near Yosemite National Park, uncovering highlights like Half Dome, the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite Falls, then head to the coast and move through constantly changing scenery to the City by the Bay, San Francisco. For those who want to hit the wide-open road and see the natural wonder of USA’s west, this extensive LA to San Fran adventure is just the ticket.

Trip Name
Wild Western USA
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
11
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Explore the unusual rock formations, striking desert cactus gardens and unexpected oases of Joshua Tree National Park.
  • Spend two nights soaking up all that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer, with trips to the South Rim, Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon.
  • Road trip along the historic Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road', and get a dose of old-school Americana at the eccentric town of Seligman.
  • Swap natural wonders for the world-class dining, shows and museums of Las Vegas for two nights – there's more to the city than just the bright lights!
  • Spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park with two full days of exploration. Join your leader on hikes to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Falls and more.
  • Where better to end your adventure than in San Francisco, multicultural 'City by the Bay'. With the option to extend your visit a couple of days, you won’t be wanting to go home just yet.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. 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 fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. 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 group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting 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 group leader or local representative 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 - Los Angeles
Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting today at 6 pm. If you arrive in the city early, you might like to explore the home of movie stars – stroll Rodeo Drive for a bit of people-watching or amp up the culture with a trip to the Getty Centre or a tour of the Beverly Hills mansions. After your welcome meeting, head out on a leader-led walking tour along the quirky and beautiful Venice canals, and then consider an optional group dinner at one of the many famous restaurants to get to know each other.
Day 2 - Joshua Tree National Park
Today, you’ll head away from the coast and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Sitting between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park is famous for its spectacular desert plants – including the park’s namesake Joshua trees – along with cacti and Mojave yuccas. The area is also home to striking rock formations and mountain ranges, which you’ll see on a leader-led exploration of the park. Check out some of the highlights like Skull Rock, the cholla cactus garden and other landscapes only found in this part of America. Then, to Lake Havasu on the Colorado River (at the Arizona border) and check in to your hotel for the night. You might like to head out on a scenic hike around the town or learn the backstory of the city’s unique London Bridge.
Day 3 - Grand Canyon National Park
Drive along a section of the famous Route 66 to Grand Canyon National Park, stopping in at the eccentric Seligman. The town is a vibrant slice of retro America, and a great place to get a feel of the old days with its many kitschy shops, diners and photo ops. Maybe try one of those diners for lunch, and then continue on to Grand Canyon National Park – a must-see for any USA adventure! When you arrive, get ready to admire a natural wonder formed by over six million years of erosion by the Colorado River. You'll spend two nights camping here, with a full day of exploration tomorrow.
Day 4 - Grand Canyon National Park
Start your day off with a leader-led tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. You’ll be taken to some incredible viewpoints and see couple famous sights, like Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon, before finishing at Hermit’s Rest. You’re then free to choose your adventure for the rest of the day! You might like to hire a bike for an easy and efficient way to see as much of the national park as possible. In the early evening, relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world's natural wonders.
Day 5 - Las Vegas
Head out of the Grand Canyon and cross the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas. Vegas may be known for its casinos and late-night antics, but there's plenty more to it than meets the eye. You could check out the Neon Museum or the Mob Museum, take in a Cirque du Soleil show or simply enjoy the people watching as you stroll along the Strip.
Day 6 - Las Vegas
Today is as clear as the blue skies in the deserts of Nevada. There are no planned activities until another meeting in the hotel lobby today at 6 pm, where you may meet some new travellers on your wild west adventure. After your briefing, why not go check out one of the all-you-can-eat buffets on offer with your new and updated crew.
Day 7 - Sierra Nevada Mountains
Leave the bright lights of Vegas behind and drive into the eastern Sierra Nevada. Sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley, this is a scenic trip that’ll take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night. In town, maybe go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or perhaps pay a visit to some nearby natural hot springs.
Day 8 - Yosemite National Park
Prepare for some spectacular mountain scenery as you depart from Bishop and head west to Yosemite National Park. This morning, stop at the crystal-clear Mono Lake before continuing through the Tioga Pass (snow levels permitting) into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Stop by Olmstead Point to marvel at Yosemite’s natural wonder, Half Dome, before arriving at one of the most famous parks in the USA. Yosemite's colossal granite cliffs, cascading seasonal waterfalls and redwood forests attract visitors from all over the world. You'll spend three nights near the park, meaning you have two full days to explore.
Day 9 - Yosemite National Park
Head into the national park this morning, and join your leader for an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk right through. From there, continue to Yosemite Valley to check out some of the park’s iconic spots. You could see the thundering Yosemite Falls, take in both Half Dome and Merced River from Sentinel Bridge and a whole lot more. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore as you please. There are plenty of hikes available, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Maybe hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4 to 5 hours) or to the serene Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels and bears along the way!
Day 10 - Yosemite National Park
Today, venture back into the national park and continue exploring with your leader. As a group, you’ll decide how you want to spend the day. Instead of hiking, you might like to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley on two wheels. You can also visit the park's museum, photo gallery, shops and restaurants, and in the heat of summer, a relaxing float down the Merced River is highly recommended. Otherwise, there’s no shortage of trails for you to explore, from the famous Mist Trail to the more challenging Four Mile Trail. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations if you need help narrowing down the options!
Day 11 - San Francisco
Leave Yosemite behind today and drive west to San Francisco. The 'City by the Bay' has a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You might like to check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street, or catch the tram down to the waterfront. The trip finishes around 3 pm on arrival into San Francisco, after a stop to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, and no accommodation is provided tonight. As there's a great deal to do in San Francisco, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to make the most of the city. If you do wish to spend extra time in San Francisco, we'll be happy to help you book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-05-202530-05-2025AUD $ 3,995-
03-06-202513-06-2025AUD $ 3,995-
17-06-202527-06-2025AUD $ 4,175-
08-07-202518-07-2025AUD $ 4,175-
15-07-202525-07-2025AUD $ 4,175-
05-08-202515-08-2025AUD $ 4,335-
19-08-202529-08-2025AUD $ 4,335-
02-09-202512-09-2025AUD $ 4,335-
09-09-202519-09-2025AUD $ 4,335-
16-09-202526-09-2025AUD $ 4,175-
30-09-202510-10-2025AUD $ 3,995-
07-10-202517-10-2025AUD $ 3,995-
19-05-202629-05-2026AUD $ 4,195-
02-06-202612-06-2026AUD $ 4,195-
16-06-202626-06-2026AUD $ 4,195-
30-06-202610-07-2026AUD $ 4,385-
07-07-202617-07-2026AUD $ 4,385-
14-07-202624-07-2026AUD $ 4,385-
28-07-202607-08-2026AUD $ 4,385-
04-08-202614-08-2026AUD $ 4,550-
11-08-202621-08-2026AUD $ 4,550-
18-08-202628-08-2026AUD $ 4,550-
25-08-202604-09-2026AUD $ 4,550-
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $ 4,550-
08-09-202618-09-2026AUD $ 4,550-
15-09-202625-09-2026AUD $ 4,385-
22-09-202602-10-2026AUD $ 4,385-
29-09-202609-10-2026AUD $ 4,195-
06-10-202616-10-2026AUD $ 4,195-

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (6 nights),Hotel (3 nights),Hostel (1 night)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map