Best of the West 11 day tour

Tour Description:

Las Vegas to San Francisco. After an extended tour of the Southwest USA and a night in Las Vegas, you will head to the California National Parks of Death Valley and Yosemite. Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley and Horseshoe Bend included.

Important Information:

Depart Sundays Las Vegas to San Francisco July – Sept.
This tour has a free downloadable App with full tour commentary in French, German, Spanish, Italian and English.
Live commentary is provided in English.
A hotel or camping version of this tour is available.
Private tours and Self Drive tours available.
All participants must be 7+ years of age on group tours.
We welcome children over the age of 6 on private tours.

Highlights

  • City Tour of San Francisco
  • Tour of Death Valley National Park
  • Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce walks and hikes
  • Historic Route 66 Birthplace
  • Incredible wildlife viewing opportunities
  • Optional tour to Antelope Canyon
  • Grand Canyon sunset and optional helicopter flight

Buy Now:

Camping option
From $2495 per person

 

Hotel option
From $3695 per person

 

New Private Tour Option- Purchase 6 seats and have a fully private tour with selected ticket type Camping option
From $2495 per person

 

New Private Tour Option- Purchase 6 seats and have a fully private tour with selected ticket type Hotel option
From $3695 per person

 

 

Tour Video

 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Zion National Park
Leaving the bright lights of Las Vegas behind us for a while, we head out to Utah’s finest National Park. Massive canyon walls and red sandstone cliffs ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. Take it easy exploring the pristine Emerald pools or enjoy a river hike deep in the narrows before enjoying a BBQ back at camp this evening.
Day 2 – Bryce National Park
A short drive today takes us to an elevation of 8000 ft into Bryce National Park. Take a stroll along the rim and marvel at the unique sandstone spires (hoodoos) that rise dramatically from the natural amphitheater. Hike down into the hoodoos for an up close and personal experience with this fascinating landscape.
A soak in the outdoor hot tub back at camp will ease those hiking muscles, and a night around the campfire will end this day nicely.
Day 3 & 4 – Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Explore this stunning landscape in a guided sunset hummer tour or hang off a sandstone cliff on one of our optional canyoneering adventures! Visit Arches National Park home to over 2000 arches for a hike up to Delicate Arch. Enjoy walks in Canyonlands National Park where the Green river meets the Colorado in some of the most spectacular scenery the southwest has to offer. Swap tales of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who used the canyons to hide from the law in the late 1800’s, visit the local town and enjoy Utah’s greatest adventure capital.
Day 5 – Monument Valley
Headed south we wind our way through more of USA Southwest’s spectacular scenery to one of the most iconic locations on the planet. The background for many famous western movies and home to the Navajo Indians, you are in for a real treat today. Hop onboard a 4X4 jeep and enjoy an included Navajo guided tour of Monument Valley. Camp right along the rim, get ready to gaze up at the amazing starry skies and bag your front row seat to a magnificent sun rise.
Day 6 – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
Enjoy an optional visit to the world’s most famous slot canyon- Antelope Canyon ($75-$80 pp) this morning followed by a scenic walk to view Horseshoe Bend before heading to the Grand Canyon
After a brief visit to a Navajo trading post, we follow the mighty Colorado River through the painted desert to one of the seven natural wonders of the world! Take in a bird’s eye view on an optional helicopter ride, stroll along the rim at sunset, take a hike into the one of the deepest and most diverse canyons on earth or simply relax in one of the rim cafés and admire the view.
Day 7 – Las Vegas
We get our kicks at Route 66 and arrive back in Sin City in plenty of time to relax poolside before heading for the strip for a night out.
Day 8 – Death Valley National Park
Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park Heading to California this morning, you will embark on a guided tour of Death Valley National Park. Enjoy photo stops and shorts walks at Zabriskie Point , Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin Salt flats, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Devil’s Golf Course and the Mesquite Sand Dunes. After a picnic lunch, drive spectacular scenery to the old Gold Rush Historic town of Bishop for your night stop.
Day 9 – Tioga Pass to Yosemite National Park
Crossing the Tioga Pass* this morning provides an extremely scenic route passing by highlights such as Olmsted point, Lake Tenaya, Tuolumne Meadows and Mono lake en route to Yosemite Valley. Visit the Valley Visitor Center and exhibits, take a mini tour and get ready for a full day of exploration tomorrow.
* Weather permitting- In the event that the Tioga Pass is closed, this tour will reroute through Lake Isabella instead of Bishop.
Day 10 – Yosemite National Park
Spend a full day exploring the walks offered in the park. There are countless walks ranging from easy to strenuous or opt for a guided tour with your expert guide to the premier panoramas within the park such as Bridalveil Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, views of Half Dome and El Capitan. You can also opt for some free time relaxing or cycling along the Merced River.
Day 11 – Yosemite to San Francisco
Today we head to City by the Bay- San Francisco! Your 11-day adventure concludes with a fully guided city tour of this vibrant city. Stops include Fisherman’s Warf, Pier 39, Haight Ashbury and the Golden Gate Bridge. Tour ends approx. 5pm.

*If you are interested in hiking to Angel’s Landing in Zion, please note that although it’s not advertised as part of this tour, there is time to do this hike. The chain’s part (last .5 mile) now requires all hikers to have a permit. If you are interested in hiking Angel’s Landing, please see here for more information about how to obtain a permit. You may hike up to Scout’s Lookout without a permit.*

 

Included

  • Experienced fun and knowledgeable Tour Guide
  • Transportation in a modern 14 passenger tour bus/ SUV or minivan fully air-conditioned
  • Accommodation 9 nights camping with all equipment supplied and 1 nights in 3-star hotel twin share Las Vegas
  • Park entries
  • City Tour of San Francisco
  • Tour of Death Valley National Park
  • Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce walks and hikes
  • Historic Route 66 Birthplace
  • Incredible wildlife viewing opportunities
  • Navajo Guided jeep tour of Monument Valley
  • Grand Canyon sunset

 

Not Included

  • Local food kitty payment of $235 per person if camping – covers 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 evening meals and one night hotel in Las Vegas. If hotel ticket is selected, the local payment is $185 and covers 9 picnic style lunches and select hotel surcharges.
  • Tour Guide Gratuities not included-we recommend 15% per person
  • 3 season sleeping bag, travel pillow, flashlight and a towel

 

Optional activities:

  • Grand Canyon Helicopter flight $250-$350 pp
  • Slick Rock Sunset Hummer Tour $110-$110 pp
  • Canyoneering $100-$140 pp
  • Antelope Canyon $90-$100 pp 1.5 hours

Awards