Description
San Francisco
3 nights' accommodation at Hotel Whitcomb
Arrive in cosmopolitan San Francisco and transfer to your comfortable hotel. Settle in and then devote your afternoon to exploring this amazing city. But don't worry if jet lag gets the better of you - you have 2 more days to see everything. On tomorrow's city tour, you'll see Union Square, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Civic Centre.
San Francisco - Sacramento - Lake Tahoe - Reno
1 night's accommodation at John Ascuaga's Nugget
Depart early for the capital of California, and current home of governor Arnold Schwazenegger, Sacramento. See the historic Old Town, once a bustling centre of the gold rush. Then it's on to breathtaking Lake Tahoe and 19th-century mining town Virginia City, before arriving in casino-tastic Reno.
Reno - Elko - Twin Falls
1 night's accommodation at Red Lion Hotel Canyon Springs
Off to the Black Rock Desert this morning, following the dry Humboldt River in the footsteps of ancient pioneers. Visit Elko, a true Wild West town, which once sat at the end of the Central Pacific Railroad. Overnight in Twin Falls.
Twin Falls - Craters of the Moon - Yellowstone National Park
2 nights' accommodation at Days Inn West Up bright and early, you'll be visiting the eerie craters of the Moon National Monument, which is so moon-like in its landscapes that the first astronauts actually trained here! Then this afternoon, you'll arrive at picturesque Yellowstone National Park, the world's first, and home to Yogi Bear! Next day, you'll enjoy a first-rate tour of this huge, geothermal park, visiting famous sights like Old Faithful geyser.
Yellowstone National Park - Grand Tetons - Jackson - Salt Lake City
1 night's accommodation at Best Western Garden Inn
Today you'll leave Yellowstone and head off into the rugged snow-capped mountains of Grand Teton National Park. Wonder at the breathtaking, forest-covered peaks as you continue to Jackson Hole, an upmarket ski resort where you'll enjoy lunch. Then continue through southern Idaho to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City - Moab
2 nights' accommodation at River Canyon Lodge Explore the splendours of this Mormon capital, visiting the State Capitol Building, Temple Square and the Tabernacle. Then it's back on the bus to journey to Moab, a land of 1,000ft deep canyons, snow-capped peaks and unimaginable beauty. Moab is your base, but tomorrow you'll enjoy a trip to 2 of America's most spectacular national parks. First stop Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, then Canyonlands National Park, which boasts layers of colourful sandstone rock eroded into natural canyons, mesas and buttes.
Moab - Capitol Reef National Park - Bryce Canyon National park
1 night's accommodation at Bryce View Lodge Today you'll leave Moab and travel to Bryce Canyon, stopping at Capital Reef National Park, which has remnants of an old pioneer town in its centre. Your evening is at leisure to explore Bryce's multi-hued sandstone spires and pinnacles.
Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park - Lake Powell - Grand Canyon - Williams
1 night's accommodation at Holiday Inn Williams
The dramatic rock formations of Zion National Park are first up on the agenda this morning. Then it's on to picturesque Lake Powell. After crossing the Colorado River, you'll drive through the Painted Desert toward the Grand Canyon. Stop to admire the mile-deep natural wonder of the world, before an overnight stay in Williams.
Williams - Seligman/Route 66 - Las Vegas
2 nights' accommodation at Best Western Mardi Gras
From Williams you'll travel through yet more gorgeous scenery into the Mojave Desert to a little town on Route 66 that looks frozen in time in the 1950s. Then it's on to Las Vegas, which has certainly not been frozen anywhere - it's full of life 24 hours a day! Tomorrow you have a whole day to enjoy this desert oasis's multitude of fun pastimes.
Las Vegas - Death Valley - Los Angeles
1 night's accommodation at Airtel Plaza Hotel
Alas, today you'll leave the 24-hour city of fun as you make your way back through the desert landscapes to Los Angeles, where you'll enjoy a tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills before being dropped at your hotel. Tomorrow it's time to fly home, so make the most of your last night!