Strolling the hills of San Francisco, catching a sunset at the Grand Canyon, marvelling at cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, feeling the heat in Death Valley, rolling the dice in Las Vegas, searching for wildlife in Yosemite and aliens in Roswell.
Bridging two iconic cities, this is a road-trip that features amazing national parks, quirky landmarks and the spirit of America. Learn about Navajo culture, play the odds in Vegas, bask in genuine southern hospitality and get your cowboy on in Texas. Centrally-located hotels in the cities and campsites in the wilderness keep you in the heart of the action no matter where you are. With so much heart and soul and so much to see and do on the road to New Orleans, don’t leave your heart in ‘Frisco because you’re going to need it.
What's Included
This adventure boasts vans fitted with wi-fi for up to five users at a time. Check your email, upload a photo to Facebook, or send a tweet to your friends.- Entrance fees to all National Parks with hiking and walking excursions. Guided city tours of San Francisco, Las Vegas and New Orleans, guided tour of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, pizza dinner at the grand canyon, ranger guided cave tour in Carlsbad, visit historical Ft. Stockton
- 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners. (Allow USD100-125 for meals not included.)
- Centrally located hotels (4 nts), participation camping (11 nts)
- Air conditioned private touring van, walking
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout
- Small group experience; Max 13, avg 10.
Places Visited
- United States
Reverse Itinerary
This trip also runs in reverse, from New Orleans to San Fransisco. See trip code NUNF.
Day 1 San Francisco
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Yosemite NP (L,D)
Enjoy a guided tour of San Francisco. Travel to Yosemite National Park and marvel at the scenery while trekking past waterfalls and giant sequoias.
Day 3 Yosemite NP (B,L,D)
It's a full day to explore the park by trail or rent a bike and get moving.
Day 4 Bishop (B,L,D)
Travel through spectacular scenery along the Tioga Pass. Marvel at tufa rock towers at Mono Lake. Enjoy secluded hot springs.
Day 5 Death Valley NP/Las Vegas (B,L)
Travel to desolate Death Valley—the hottest, driest and lowest spot on the continent. Arrive in Las Vegas. Take a guided tour of the strip then splurge on a limousine tour.
Day 6 Las Vegas
Free day to explore Las Vegas.
Day 7 Grand Canyon NP (L,D)
Travel to the Grand Canyon. Trek to awe-inspiring views. Take an optional helicopter tour for a bird's-eye view or catch an IMAX movie. Savour a campfire BBQ.
Day 8 Monument Valley (B,L)
Head to spectacular Monument Valley and learn about Navajo culture. Consider an optional Navajo-led jeep tour. Camp under the stars.
Day 9 Mesa Verde NP/Durango (B,L,D)
Drive to Mesa Verde National Park. Explore the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people on a guided hike to cliff dwellings.
Day 10 Taos/Santa Fe (B,L,D)
Head to artsy Taos. Wander through downtown, or take an optional visit to historic Taos Pueblo. Carry on to Santa Fe.
Day 11 Santa Fe (B)
Free day to explore Santa Fe.
Day 12 Carlsbad (B,D)
Travel to Carlsbad Caverns. Explore the cave on a guided tour then wait for sunset and the sight of 400,000 bats heading out to hunt.
Day 13 Fort Stockton/San Antonio (B,L,D)
Discover historic Fort Stockton. Cool off in the clear waters of Paradise Canyon before continuing to San Antonio.
Day 14 The Alamo/Houston (B,L,D)
Check out historic San Antonio and the Alamo. Walk amongst the missions.
Day 15 Lafayette/New Orleans (B)
Optional visit to an Acadian village in Lafayette, for a taste of the 19th century. Carry on to New Orleans with time for a guided city tour of New Orleans. Take an optional swamp tour or cruise the Mississippi on a steamboat.
Day 16 New Orleans
Depart at any time.
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