Your tour will begin in New York City. You will first travel to the nations capital, Washington DC. In this great city you will have the opportunity to visit the Smithsonian Museum and the stunning monuments. The tour next heads south through Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama. On the way through these southern states you will have a chance to stop for a white water rafting trip before reaching the “Big Easy” New Orleans.
After two fun filled days and nights in New Orleans we continue west into the great state of Texas. Crossing the largest of the continental 48 states you will have time to visit the historic Alamo. We will spend 2 nights in San Antonio, one of the biggest cities in America. We continue our journey west through New Mexico. Here you can experience Carlsbad Caverns National Park before reaching the tribal lands of Monument Valley. From here we journey to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.
We visit Lake Powell and have the opportunity to hike in Zion National Park before hitting the bright lights and strip of Las Vegas. During our 2-night stop in Las Vegas you will have a chance to visit the clubs and perhaps try your luck in the casinos. Upon leaving Las Vegas we journey to the coast and Los Angeles. Here we make a stop at Tinseltown for a chance to see the stars before heading down to Venice Beach.
Next, we cruise up the West Coast on our way to the most beautiful, liberal and funky city in America, San Francisco. We will spend 2 days in this great city and give you an opportunity for a sunset cruise in the bay.
Now our journey heads back across the USA with our first stop in Yosemite Valley. Here we will spend 2 nights soaking up the beauty of this great American National Park. We continue with a visit to the stunning Lake Tahoe. Here you will again have ample time for hiking and gorgeous photographs.
Crossing the Western states, we head for the cowboy town of Jackson Hole Wyoming complete with its rodeo and wild-west shootout. Our next stop is Yellowstone National Park where bison, bear and wolves all exist in their natural habitat. Yellowstone is the worlds first national park and is absolutely amazing with the wildlife and geothermal features it contains.
We will then journey through Sioux Indian lands and stop at a work in progress the Crazy Horse Monument, the native Americans version of Mt Rushmore. We will stop at Badlands National Park, South Dakota and Minnesota before hitting Chicago.
To complete our memorable trip we will visit the powerful Niagara Falls. Here you can take the Maid of the Mist into the base of the falls to feel the power of this majestic waterfall.
Having nearly completed our journey we head back to the Big Apple, New York City.
Please note that this tour starts in New York or Los Angeles and may run in either direction. Tours departing LA are 43 days in duration rather than 42.
Optional Activities: Whitewater rafting, national park hikes, Universal Studios, New Orleans jazz clubs, Mississippi steamboat ride, Southern Mansion Tour, Smithsonian National Museums, Grand Canyon Scenic flights, Monument Valley guided jeep tour, Sunset Sailboat Cruise, Western horseback riding, blues clubs, Grand Canyon IMAX, Las Vegas clubs and casinos, cycling, swamp tour, Western Rodeo (seasonal), Lake Tahoe sailboat cruise, San Francisco cable car, Sears Tower, Sea Aquarium and more.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Services of a tour leader
- Services of a pre-departure travel coordinator
- All camping fees and equipment
- One hotel night in LA if you start the tour in NY and two hotel nights in NY area if you start the tour in LA
- Transportation by private vehicle
- Admission to Carlsbad Caves
- Crazy Horse Monument
- Guided Chicago Bike Tour
- Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise
- Admission to Monument Valley
- Illumination Tour of Washington Monuments
- Admission to all National Parks and Monuments
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- International Flights*
- Hotel accommodation of nights noted (H)
- Travel Insurance*
- Spending Money
- Food (kitty will be collected USD$10 a day)
*Your Real Gap travel coordinator can assist you with flights, insurance, and extra accommodation.
Prices and Durations
2010 Departing LA
Grand Trek NY $4,149: 19 May
Grand Trek NY $4,159: 25 May, 24 August
Grand Trek NY $4,259: 29 June, 13 July
Grand Trek NY $4,269: 27 July, 3 August
Grand Trek NY $4,339: 17 August
Grand Trek NY $4,349: 7 September
2010 Departing New York
Grand Trek NY $4,419: 7 April
: 14 April, 21 April
: 19 May, 26 May
: 2 June, 9 June, 16 June, 23 June, 30 June, 7 July
: 14 July, 21 July
: 28 July, 4 August, 11 August
: 18 August, 25 August
: 1 Sept
: 8 Sept
