American Gold Rush Itinerary

Discover the steep streets of San Francisco - a perfect opportunity to give the legs a workout before tackling the USA's famous national parks.

Leave urban life behind for the great outdoors. Home to El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park is vast and full of iconic vistas.

Be enveloped by the Eastern Sierra Nevada and travel past breathtaking mountain scenery and tranquil lakes en route to the Nevada Desert.

With a spectacular gorge snaking through dramatic desert and canyon country, Zion National Park will leave a lasting impression. In free time, head out to explore some of Zion's many hiking trails.

Stop off for a hike in Red Canyon on the way to Bryce Canyon. Known for its stunning, sculpted rock formations, this area is best explored on foot. In the evening, watch the famous Bryce hoodoos (tall, thin rock spires) showcase a kaleidoscope of colour changes as the sun sets.

Discover prehistoric cliffs capped by white sandstone in the Capitol Reef National Park. Journey on through the craggy Moab mountains and take the opportunity to hike, bike or raft through this outdoor playground.

Part of the biggest Native American reservation in the United States, Monument Valley is a marvel of giant sandstone formations strewn across the desert. Experience Navajo culture, watch as the sun paints the landscape with golden hues and sleep under the vast desert sky.

With a dramatic backdrop of blood-red rock, Lake Powell's canyons and waterways offer stunning vistas and idyllic hidden wonders. Cross the Glen Canyon Dam and head to the high country for a memorable night at a western ranch camp.

Be spellbound by the sheer scale of this natural wonder. Twisting its way across the Arizona landscape for more than 400 km, Grand Canyon will leave you breathless.

Drive through the Kaibab National Forest and Mojave Desert en route to 'Sin City'. Soak up the sights and sounds of Las Vegas, one of the USA's most frequented holiday destinations.

As the 'City of Angels' and a repository of dreams, this is the glittering epicentre of California. Los Angeles is packed with attractions and iconic sights - it's worth spending an extra day or two if time permits.