Getting wild in San Francisco and Las Vegas, embracing nature in Monument Valley, Yosemite and Mesa Verde, facing America’s history in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, feeling the beat in Memphis and Nashville, watching bats at Carlsbad Caverns and the sunset at the Grand Canyon.
Can one 23-day trip define the elusive essence of a complex nation with centuries of incredible history? Probably not, but it’d be a blast to try, no? Designed specifically for curious travellers with a passion for real experiences and lots of time, this adventure takes you from the busy streets of NYC to the shores of San Francisco Bay, with just about every shade of Americana thrown in along the way: Philly steaks, Lincoln, Music City USA, the French Quarter, Tex-Mex, Rushmore, Yosemite, the Vegas Strip… forget e pluribus unum; America’s real motto is “go big or go home.”
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, New Orleans, Washington DC and New York, visit to Arlington Cemetery.
- 16 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 13 dinners. (Allow USD175-200 for meals not included.)
- Centrally located hotels (6 nts), participation camping (16 nts)
- Air conditioned private touring van
- 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 San Fransisco to New York. See trip code NUFY.
Day 1 New York City
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Philadelphia/Washington DC (1D)
Head to Philadelphia and visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Then continue to Washington, DC.
Day 3 Washington, DC (1B,1D)
Enjoy a full day of exploration. Return to camp in the evening.
Day 4 Wytheville (1B,1L,1D)
Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Appalachian Mountains and Shenandoah National Park.
Day 5 Nashville (1B,1L)
Explore the park on optional short hikes. Travel to Nashville and its country bars nightlife.
Day 6 Memphis (1B,1L)
Discover rock & roll in Memphis, Tennessee. Relive history at the National Civil Rights Museum. Lighten the mood experiencing the Peabody Hotel's "duck march" and enjoy Beale Street's nightlife.
Day 7 New Orleans (1B,1L)
Take a guided city tour of New Orleans, including the plantations. Party in the French Quarter. Indulge in an optional swamp tour or aboard a Mississippi steamboat.
Day 8 New Orleans
Free day to explore New Orleans.
Day 9 Lafayette/Houston (1L,1D)
Stroll the historic streets of Lafayette, or option to visit an Acadian Village.
Day 10 The Alamo/San Antonio (1B,1D)
Relive the Alamo and explore historic missions. Continue along the San Antonio River Walk or relax on your own.
Day 11 Fort Stockton/Carlsbad (1B,1L,1D)
Visit historic Fort Stockton. explore Carlsbad Cavern. Marvel as 400,000 bats fly out into the night.
Day 12 Santa Fe (1B,1L,1D)
Explore Santa Fe—one of America's oldest and most beautiful cities.
Day 13 Santa Fe (1B,1D)
Full day to explore Santa Fe.
Day 14 Taos/Durango (1B,1L,1D)
Stroll through Taos. Relax at the Kit Carson Park. Enjoy an optional visit to the historic Taos Pueblo. Travel to Durango.
Day 15 Mesa Verde NP/Monument Valley (1B,1L)
Travel to Mesa Verde National Park for a guided hike to the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. Discover majestic Monument Valley. Take an optional Navajo-led jeep tour through the valley. Camp under the stars.
Day 16 Grand Canyon NP (1B,1L,1D)
Explore the Grand Canyon along numerous trails. Take an optional helicopter flight or watch a spectacular IMAX movie. Return to camp for a campfire BBQ.
Day 17 Las Vegas (1B)
Travel to Las Vegas. Enjoy a guided tour of the strip. Indulge in an optional limo tour! Gamble at giant casinos or enjoy a show.
Day 18 Las Vegas
Free day to explore Las Vegas.
Day 19 Death Valley NP/Bishop (1L,1D)
Visit to Death Valley—the hottest spot in North America. Try stargazing at secluded hot springs.
Day 20 Yosemite NP (1B,1L,1D)
Visit Mono Lake's tufa rock formations. Drive the Tioga Pass and marvel at Yosemite's peaks. Hike to waterfalls and amongst giant sequoias.
Day 21 Yosemite NP (1B,1L,1D)
Full day to explore Yosemite. Hike the trails or rent a bike.
Day 22 San Francisco (1B,1L)
Guided tour of San Francisco and a final group dinner.
Day 23 San Francisco
Depart at any time.
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