Roadtrip America Westbound

Visiting: USA

Roadtrip America Westbound

Experience the vibrancy of New York City, See the monuments of Washington DC, Listen to country tunes in Nashville, Revel in the atmosphere of Beale St in Memphis, Walk the streets of San Antonio, Meet the Navajo people in Monument Valley, Stare in awe at the scale of the Grand Canyon, Ask the dice to be nice in Las Vegas, Spot wildlife in Yosemite National Park, Kick back in the relaxed vibe of San Francisco

Up for a cross-country journey? Then sign up for this road trip from New York City to San Francisco, with plenty of exciting stops in between. Discover some of America's greatest national parks, live it up in Las Vegas, feel dwarfed by the Grand Canyon and discover a vibrant blend of musical traditions in New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville. From sprawling cities and iconic sights to remote desert ruins and natural phenomena, this epic trip promises fantastic experiences and grand adventures by the bucketload.

You can arrive at any time on Day 1 as there are no scheduled activities. You can check in after 3pm but if you arrive early you can store your luggage. You won't be meeting your leader or your group until the morning of Day 2.

New York is the city that never sleeps. Grab a slice and see those famous sites - Times Square, Broadway, Central Park and the Empire State Building.

As there's no time spent in New York City on this trip, we recommend you arrive a few days early to see the sights. 

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

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There will be an important welcome meeting at 8am this morning. Meet in the hotel reception/lobby. We'll be collecting your insurance details, kitty and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.

We then head south to Washington DC, stopping to visit Philadelphia along the way. The journey will cover 400 km and, depending on the busy east coast traffic, can take anywhere from 4-5 hours, including a lunch stop.

Founded in 1682, Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell and it was here that Thomas Jefferson proclaimed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The nation's capital, Washington DC, is easily explored by foot. Don't miss the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and National Air and Space Museum, as well as many other museums of interest. In the evening you can stroll through Georgetown, the centre of the city's nightlife.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

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There will be an important welcome meeting at 8am this morning. Meet in the hotel reception/lobby. We'll be collecting your insurance details, kitty and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.

We then head south to Washington DC, stopping to visit Philadelphia along the way. The journey will cover 400 km and, depending on the busy east coast traffic, can take anywhere from 4-5 hours, including a lunch stop.

Founded in 1682, Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell and it was here that Thomas Jefferson proclaimed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The nation's capital, Washington DC, is easily explored by foot. Don't miss the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and National Air and Space Museum, as well as many other museums of interest. In the evening you can stroll through Georgetown, the centre of the city's nightlife.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

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Our journey into the breathtaking scenery of the Appalachian Mountains, also called the Blue Ridge Mountains, is around 500 km and take approx 5.5 hrs. We'll camp for one night en route to Nashville.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

 

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The drive to Nashville is around 600 km and takes approx 6 hrs.

Known as 'Music City', most of Nashville's attractions revolve around country music.

Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, which contains Elvis' golden Cadillac. Another point of interest is Music Row, where more than 50 record studios and approximately 200 music publishing houses are located.

Optional Activities

Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville - USD20.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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The journey south to Memphis takes approx 3.5 hrs.

Memphis is the home of the Blues. In the evening, you can head down to Beale Street's traditional blues clubs, made famous by legends such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and B.B. King. For those with an interest in history, there's the National Civil Rights Museum at the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Pay a visit to Graceland - Elvis Presley's home and his tomb.

Optional Activities

Graceland Museum, Memphis - USD32.00

Sun Studios, Memphis - USD12.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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Our drive takes us 650 km across the state of Mississippi to New Orleans - the 'Big Easy' (approx 7 hrs with a lunch stop).

Most of the action in New Orleans takes place in the French Quarter, where Bourbon Street's many jazz clubs come alive at night.

Optional Activities

Honey Island Swamp Tour, New Orleans - USD23.00

Accommodation

Hostel (2 nts)

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Our drive takes us 650 km across the state of Mississippi to New Orleans - the 'Big Easy' (approx 7 hrs with a lunch stop).

Most of the action in New Orleans takes place in the French Quarter, where Bourbon Street's many jazz clubs come alive at night.

Optional Activities

Honey Island Swamp Tour, New Orleans - USD23.00

Accommodation

Hostel (2 nts)

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It's quite a journey from Louisiana to Houston, Texas (nearly 700 km, approx 7 hrs).

Visit the NASA Kennedy Space Center for an insight into mankind's adventures in space. It features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions and theatres.

Optional Activities

Cajun Jack's Swamp Tour, Patterson - USD35.00

NASA Space Centre, Houston - USD20.95

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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The drive today is along Highway 10 to San Antonio (430 km, approx 4.5 hrs).

You can stroll along the famous River Walk and get to know the city's many canals and backstreets by night.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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Our drive today takes us across Texas, into the deserts of New Mexico and finally to Carlsbad Caverns (745 km, approx 9 hrs including our lunch break).

One of the largest caverns in the world, Carlsbad Cavern is still only partially explored. Hike deep into the 8.2 acre 'Big Room' and beyond. In the evening, take a seat outside the park to witness the overwhelming sight of a bat flight - thousands of bats swarming out of the caverns. This is seasonal, as the bats migrate south in October for the winter, and is best viewed in July/August.

Included Activities

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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The journey north to Santa Fe is around 470 km and takes approx 6.5 hrs.

You can visit the town plaza surrounded by pueblo architecture, view the south-western art and décor at local museums or enjoy a drink and take in Santa Fe's quaint atmosphere.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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Drive to Aztec Ruins National Monument.

Famous for its sandstone pueblo, Aztec Ruins National Monument was built around the 11th century and contains more than 400 rooms. Take a self-guided 800 m walk through rooms built centuries ago, where you can discover skilful stone masonry remarkably preserving the original walls.

Continue on to Mesa Verde National Park. Total driving distance is about 430 km (approx 6.5 hrs).

Mesa Verde National Park is home to the largest and best-preserved cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians. It protects over 4,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the US.

Explore a cliff dwelling on a short walk or (for a small fee) join a ranger-led walk to the harder-to-access sites.

Included Activities

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Mesa Verde National Park

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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After a ride through fascinating desert regions, we reach Monument Valley (200 km).

Monument Valley is part of the biggest Indian reservation in the US and home to more than 200,000 Indians of the Navajo Tribe. Monument Valley is so-named for the giant sandstone formations scattered across the desert. The angle of the sun means that the landscape is constantly changing colour and it's near impossible to take a bad photo.

See all the magnificent sights Monument Valley has to offer in the back of a jeep with a Navajo guide. Visit areas only open to the Navajo, see traditional Navajo homes, hike the sand dunes and gaze up at spectacular rock formations - all with the insight of a local guide.

Included Activities

Monument Valley National Tribal Park

Optional Activities

Jeep tour & overnight experience, Monument Valley - USD75.00

Navajo-guided jeep tour (2.5 hrs), Monument Valley - USD35.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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Our drive from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon is 260 km and takes approx 3 hrs, stopping at Native American trading posts on the way.

The Grand Canyon is one of the world's seven wonders! It's 450 km long, 6-30 km wide and 1600 m deep. Marvel at this immense canyon on a rim walk or, for those that are feeling more active, a short hike into the canyon will help stretch those legs out.

For a bird's-eye view, there's an option to take a helicopter ride over this breathtaking landscape.

Included Activities

Grand Canyon National Park

Optional Activities

Helicopter flight (25 mins), Grand Canyon - USD220.00

IMAX movie, Grand Canyon - USD13.72

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

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Our drive from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon is 260 km and takes approx 3 hrs, stopping at Native American trading posts on the way.

The Grand Canyon is one of the world's seven wonders! It's 450 km long, 6-30 km wide and 1600 m deep. Marvel at this immense canyon on a rim walk or, for those that are feeling more active, a short hike into the canyon will help stretch those legs out.

For a bird's-eye view, there's an option to take a helicopter ride over this breathtaking landscape.

Included Activities

Grand Canyon National Park

Optional Activities

Helicopter flight (25 mins), Grand Canyon - USD220.00

IMAX movie, Grand Canyon - USD13.72

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

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The drive on from the Grand Canyon and across the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas is 450 km and takes approx 5 hrs. Along the way, drive a section of the famous Route 66 and stop in the nostalgic township of Seligman.

Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do along the Strip for gamblers and non-gamblers alike - there's the casinos and shows, of course, plus shops, amusement rides, dance clubs and great value 'all you can eat' buffets.

Included Activities

Las Vegas Strip tour

Route 66

Optional Activities

Limo tour, Las Vegas - USD25.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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The drive on from the Grand Canyon and across the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas is 450 km and takes approx 5 hrs. Along the way, drive a section of the famous Route 66 and stop in the nostalgic township of Seligman.

Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do along the Strip for gamblers and non-gamblers alike - there's the casinos and shows, of course, plus shops, amusement rides, dance clubs and great value 'all you can eat' buffets.

Included Activities

Las Vegas Strip tour

Route 66

Optional Activities

Limo tour, Las Vegas - USD25.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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There is a lot of driving today - we cover more than 550 km through Death Valley and across the Eastern Sierra.

One of the hottest deserts on the planet, temperatures in Death Valley rise to record-breaking levels (up to 56C in summer).

Death Valley National Park includes a wealth of geological phenomena: large sand dune formations, sculpted rocks, isolated valleys and volcanic craters. The canyon and mountain walls change colour with the changing sunlight. Elevations fluctuate from 85 m below sea level near Badwater Point (the lowest point in the United States) to 3756 m above sea level at Telescope Peak. Stop at the visitor centre and, heat permitting, take a walk on the stunning salt flats.

** NOTE** On early and late season departures the Central California Valley may replace the Sierra Nevada as a night stop as snow levels in the Sierra Nevada range may leave roads closed.

Included Activities

Death Valley National Park

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

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Our drive today is around 300 km, travelling west over the Tioga Pass (snow levels permitting) into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

One of the most famous parks in the USA, Yosemite National Park's colossal granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and redwood trees attract visitors from all over the world.

There are plenty of hikes available in Yosemite, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4-5 hours) or to the serenity of Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels, and perhaps even a bear, along the way. There are also non-hiking activities such as bicycling around Yosemite Valley, visiting the park's museum, photo gallery, shops, restaurants and just walking the trails on the valley floor. 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.

Included Activities

Yosemite National Park

Optional Activities

Bike rental (2 hrs) (in season), Yosemite National Park - USD20.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

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Our drive today is around 300 km, travelling west over the Tioga Pass (snow levels permitting) into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

One of the most famous parks in the USA, Yosemite National Park's colossal granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and redwood trees attract visitors from all over the world.

There are plenty of hikes available in Yosemite, each varying in steepness and difficulty. Hike under the cooling breezes of Nevada Falls (4-5 hours) or to the serenity of Mirror Lake (45 minutes). Keep an eye out for squirrels, and perhaps even a bear, along the way. There are also non-hiking activities such as bicycling around Yosemite Valley, visiting the park's museum, photo gallery, shops, restaurants and just walking the trails on the valley floor. 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.

Included Activities

Yosemite National Park

Optional Activities

Bike rental (2 hrs) (in season), Yosemite National Park - USD20.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

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The journey to San Francisco is around 240 km (about 3.5 hrs).

San Francisco is a chilled out city with a vibrant, multicultural heart. You can catch a tram to visit the waterfront, feast like a king in Chinatown or peruse zany artwork in SoMa.

The arrival time depends on each group but we generally aim for a 3pm arrival. If you are flying out today, we suggest you don't book a flight before 8pm to allow enough time to transfer to the airport for check-in 2 hours before your flight.

As there's a great deal to do in San Francisco we recommend staying a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city. 

This trip doesn't allow time for a visit to Alcatraz, so you'll need to make your own arrangements to visit. Tickets must be booked in advance as they sell out quickly and tickets are limited. You can make your reservations online: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ or by calling +1.415.981.7625 between the hours of 8am-7pm, Pacific Standard Time (USA). We recommend you reserve your tickets for the day after the tour finishes.

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner