Wonders of America’s National Parks
The Grand Canyon, Old Faithful geyser, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, and the hoodoos rock formations await on this over-50s natural wonders USA tour. On this award-winning tour of America’s natural wonders you’ll find yourself peering over the edge of the Grand Canyon, standing in the shadow of Mount Rushmore and gazing up at the steamy eruptions of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. Journey through six states, following the footsteps of pioneers and cattle herders, gaining an insight into Native American culture and seeing the iconic symbols of the USA as you explore some of western America’s most popular parks.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
Return flights and transfers
Included travel insurance
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
ACCOMMODATION
13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight
Porterage at all hotels
EXPERIENCES
Tour Manager
Denver city tour
Fort Laramie
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial
Devil's Tower National Monument
Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park excursion
Goulding's Trading Post, Monument Valley
South Rim of the Grand Canyon
FOOD & DRINK
Welcome drink
Farewell dinner
15 meals: 13 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Day 1 UK-Denver
After taking your included VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly to Denver where you'll be taken to your hotel, the 3-star Sonesta Denver Downtown (4Q).
Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, and fitness centre. Each of the 380 air-conditioned bedrooms features a telephone, television, tea and coffee-making facilities, safe, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.
Day 2 Denver-Rapid City
This morning enjoy an included city tour of Denver, where you'll see the State Capitol and Denver United States Mint.
You will begin the long journey North to Rapid city (389 miles, seven hours), stopping for a guided visit at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, once a military post during the Plains Indian Wars, you spend two nights at the 3-star Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza (3Q). The hotel features a restaurant, lounge bar, indoor pool and fitness centre. All 205 rooms include a television, telephone, hairdryer, coffee maker, mini fridge and free Wi-Fi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 The Black Hills
Today you’ll visit the impressive Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. Later this afternoon, and evening, you'll have some free time in Rapid City. A welcome dinner is included this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 4 Rapid City-Cody
Begin a long scenic journey to Wyoming this morning (379 miles, six hours), through the great plains of the Old West and the Bighorn Mountains stopping for lunch. Arrive in Cody, on the Shoshone River, for an overnight stay at 4-star The Cody Hotel (3Q).
The hotel has an indoor pool, fitness room, laundry service and free Wi-Fi internet access in public areas. All 75 rooms have a television, tea and coffee-making facilities, refrigerator, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and safe. The hotel also has a breakfast room, but no full-service restaurant; you’ll find several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 Cody-West Yellowstone
Travel into Yellowstone National Park via the Shoshone National Forest, and see the Yellowstone River (292 miles, five hours). You’ll also visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, a wildlife park and education facility in the national park.
Stay tonight at the 4-star Holiday Inn West Yellowstone (3Q), within walking distance of shops and restaurants, where you may like to dine tonight. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, a small indoor pool and a fitness room. All rooms have a direct-dial telephone, fridge, tea and coffee-making facilities, safe, microwave, hairdryer, iron and ironing board.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 West Yellowstone-Jackson
Journey through Yellowstone National Park to explore the sights including the famous Old Faithful Geyser. Next, see Grand Teton National Park en route to Jackson, Wyoming (127 miles, three hours).
Stay two nights at the 3-star Parkway Inn of Jackson Hole (3Q). This locally owned hotel offers modern comfort but with old world charm and is situated three blocks away from the town square, within walking distance of local restaurants, galleries and nightlife. There’s a breakfast room (no full-service restaurant), and the indoor lap pool, jacuzzi tubs, gym facilities and his/her dry sauna are available to use from 8am-10pm daily. Wireless internet and access to a computer and printer are available for no extra charge. All rooms have a television, telephone, hairdryer and iron.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 Jackson
Spend the day at leisure exploring the quaint town of Jackson where shops line the Old-West-style boardwalks of the Downtown area. Alternatively, you could join an optional rafting trip along the Snake River. Tonight perhaps enjoy dinner and a show.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8 Jackson-Salt Lake City
Travel via Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bear Lake to Salt Lake City (274 miles, five hours), where you'll stay at the 3-star, 362-room Sheraton Salt Lake City (3Q) or 3-star, 241-room Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown (3Q). Both hotels are located in the downtown area within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants; each hotel has a pool, fitness facilities and a restaurant or breakfast area; and all of the bedrooms have a television and telephone. This afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9 Salt Lake City-Bryce
Enjoy an included visit to Bryce Canyon National Park to view the hoodoos – remarkable rock formations.
Continue on to Bryce (267 miles, four hours), for two nights at the 3-star Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn (3Q), close to the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance. The hotel was built and has been owned by the same Mormon family since 1919. Chosen for its location, this basic hotel has two restaurants, a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool (seasonal), a general store and internet access. Each room is air-conditioned and has cable television, direct-dial telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, microwave, refrigerator, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. All bedrooms are in separate accommodation blocks on the ground or first floor, situated around the main reception building. Access to some rooms will be via up to 15 steps.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 10 Zion National Park
Join an included excursion to Zion National Park, famous for the beautiful 15-mile long Zion Canyon, shaped by the Virgin River. It was here that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid make their famous plunge into the foaming waters to escape their pursuers in the classic western film. Highlights of your tour include Zion Tunnel, East Temple and the so-called ‘Great Arch’.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 11 Bryce-Monument Valley
Today you travel to Monument Valley (248 miles, four hours) and have the chance to join an optional open air van tour exploring the unusual terrain.
Stay at the 3-star Monument Valley Inn (3Q), Kayenta. Facilities at the hotel include restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, and health and fitness facility. Each of the 163 air-conditioned bedrooms are equipped with a television, telephone, coffee maker, hairdryer and Wi-Fi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12 Monument Valley-Grand Canyon-Flagstaff
Today's excursion is sure to be a major highlight of your holiday. You visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world and surely America’s greatest natural phenomenon.
Continue to Flagstaff (315 miles, five hours). Tonight you'll stay at the 3-star Springhill Suites (3Q), Flagstaff. Facilities at your hotel include a breakfast area, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Each of the 113 air-conditioned studio-style rooms are equipped with television, coffee maker, microwave, fridge, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 13 Flagstaff-Scottsdale
Journey south to the desert resort of Scottsdale for your final night (153 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). This is the perfect opportunity for some well-deserved relaxation, perhaps with a drink by the pool as you reflect on your tour experiences.
Stay overnight at the 4-star Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch (4Q). Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, outdoor heated swimming pool, and fitness centre. Each of the 164 air-conditioned suite rooms features a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, television, telephone, safe, ironing facilities, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 14 Scottsdale-UK
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Phoenix airport for your overnight flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 15 UK
Arrive in the afternoon for your included VIP door-to-door travel service home.