Cut a swathe through the east coast of the USA starting and ending in New York
The USA is vast, so it makes sense to see the country in bite-sized chunks. This eastern USA adventure begins and ends in New York, but covers a lot of ground along the way. Learn about the country’s rich history. from the American Civil War in Louisville and the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky, to the presidential monuments in Washington DC and the bankruptcy in Detroit. Lose your voice screaming on the sky-scraping roller coasters at Cedar Point Amusement Park before slipping into nature with a walk along the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains. This tour of the US will give you a feel for this huge country, and will leave you wanting to explore the west US next!
The almighty Niagara Falls is a sight to behold. Get wet and wild with a boat cruise to the base of the falls by day and see it lit up in technicolour by night. Nearby accommodation provides ease of access to the falls
For unforgettable scenes of rural America, walk through the lush lands surrounding the Appalachian Trail and wind your way through the Blue Ridge Mountains
Enjoy the rolling hills and fresh country air of the Finger Lakes wine region, sampling some local tipple in a tasting session
Washington DC was built with the blocks of American history. Discover the capital by day and then see its famous monuments and memorials lit up in lights on an optional night tour
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 US$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 actually 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.
The United States is a world of endless possibilities – that’s why our Basix trips are designed so they fit together as (not quite endless) combinations. That means while you might just be starting your trip, some of your new travel mates may have been travelling together for a week or more (and so have some great tips for you). You can see how our trips fit together and all the different possible combinations at www.intrepidtravel.com/brochures. Simply click view/download on the North America brochure and look at the combo map on page 12.
There's a large amount of driving involved in this trip and much of the time is spent in the van, which can feel a bit cramped. This is all part of the adventure, however, and gives you the opportunity to really get to know your fellow travellers.
Even in the summer, it can get very cold in the areas visited on this adventure (especially at night). Bring warm clothing with you and a good raincoat for your visit to the base of Niagara Falls.
The Maid of the Mist boat tour is subject to weather conditions. While this trip runs during the warmer months (from 1 April to 30 October), if you're travelling at the very start or end of the season it's possible that the boat tour might be cancelled if the weather is bad. We organise an alternative activity if this is the case.
The cities visited on this trip are quite expensive, so be prepared to pay above average prices for meals when eating out. If you do a bit of research, there are plenty of affordable options and your guides will be able to recommend some great restaurants.
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our East USA Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
1. This trip finishes on arrival into New York in the afternoon on day 7.
