Marvel at deserts, lakes, mountains and national parks of the wild west
Take in the desert landscapes, indigenous cultures and natural wonder of Utah, Nevada and California, on a 14-day exploration of the wild (wild) west. Beginning in Las Vegas, leave Utah's noisy neighbour behind to discover the tranquillity of the hidden gardens of Zion, the iconic Monument Valley, the inspired desert scenery of Moab and the majestic spires of Bryce Canyon. Meander your way through to San Francisco via the mountains of Sierra Nevada to the lakes of California, and on to one of the USA’s most famous National Parks – Yosemite. The spectacular scenery may change around you, but what won’t waver is the expert local advice you'll receive and the mountains of experiences these three states have to offer.
Camp beneath rock formations and sleep under the starry night sky in Zion National Park.
As well as the must-see attractions on this trip, visit some lesser-known but no less spectacular points, such as Capitol Reef and Arches national parks.
Learn about Navajo culture and history during an included Jeep tour of Monument Valley, where the landscape is as surreal as it is beautiful, before spending a night in a traditional hogan hut.
Soak up the scenery on a relaxing visit to a natural hot spring near Bishop – the perfect way to relax before an action-packed few days!
Get the most out of your Yosemite experience by spending three nights in the park – meaning two full days of exploration.
Less time spent in a vehicle; more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter.
This is a participatory trip. That’s a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride – you’re part of a team! You know the phrase ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’. Well that’s extra true on this trip. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand – everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!
That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 10 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. This kitty saves you worrying about stuff like where to get food or what exactly sales tax is and helps keep your costs down. Instead of paying individually as you go, it means we can bulk purchase items and cook our own food – though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional pizza night! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
From the steep hiking trails of Yosemite to the towering hills of San Francisco, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
The USA is a big country. Distances between destinations may be longer than what you're used to, especially if you're coming from Europe. There are some long days of driving, so expect to spend a lot of time in the van. Conditions can feel a little cramped, but the passing scenery and your new travelling friends will keep you occupied.
The desert areas of Utah can be very hot and dry, especially in summer. Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Expect to feel hot during summer and cold at other times of the year, especially at night. Please consider the season and research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Utah, Nevada & California trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in Las Vegas and finishes on arrival in San Francisco at approximately 5pm on Day 14.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Nights 4 (Monument Valley) and Nights 5 & 6 (Moab) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
4. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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