Western Family Discovery
Western Family Discovery
Western Family Discovery
12 Days Starting in Las Vegas and ending in San Francisco
Visiting: Las Vegas, Route 66, Grand Canyon National Park, ሀመር።, Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation, Oljato-Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Tonopah, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PWC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 13
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
9 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
A true American adventure for the whole family. Camp under the stars in the western national parks and explore the Navajo Indian's Monument Valley on this 12 day family adventure holiday in the USA. Granite peaks sparkle above evergreen forests in Yosemite Valley, swift rivers carve winding canyons in Zion, mysterious hoodoos cast shadows over Bryce, and the earth opens up at the indescribable Grand Canyon. Let your leader take care of the details as you experience these powerful lands, shaped and formed by the forces of nature. Â
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Las Vegas.
Location: Las Vegas
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Alexis Park (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Welcome to the neon city in the Nevada desert. This brash, iconic city offers
families the chance to explore the over-the-top casinos, see a show, shop or
simply indulge in a spot of people watching. A welcome meeting will be held
at approximately 18:00 hrs in the evening with free time afterwards to
explore the cityscape at night and see the neon lights in all their glory.
*Optional Activities:*
* Â Roller coasters US$25-$40
Day 2 - 3 : To Grand Canyon N.P Via Route 66
Location: Route 66, Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Las Vegas your first stop is a dtreat the kids to an ice cream from
the ose of real Americana as you travel along an original section of Route
66 stopping at the quirky town of Seligman. Pick up some souvenirs for
friends back at home and classic Snow Cap Diner before arriving at the mighty
Grand Canyon.
Your family will never forget the moment they lay eyes on one of the world's
greatest natural wonders. For the ultimate thrill ride, take a scenic
helicopter flight or a nature walk along the rim for some spectacular views.
Did you know that only 5% of visitors to the famous canyon ever venture
inside? Get your family hooked on being in the great outdoors with a great
hike to Ooh Aah Point or Plateau Point for incredible views looking both up
and down. After watching a glorious sunset make sure you head over to the
Grand Canyon IMAX Theater for an incredible audio-visual experience and learn
all about how the canyon was discovered and how the area has developed.
*Participatory Camping*
Campsite varies depending on departure
*Optional Activities:*
* Â Helicopter flight US$289
* Â IMAX Theater US$10
Day 4 : Navajo Guided Backroads Tour Through Monument Valley.
Location: Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation, Oljato-Monument Valley
Accommodation: The View (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You've seen the movie; now it's your chance to run like Forrest Gump on the
iconic stretch of road en route to Monument Valley! Discover the hidden
secrets of this tribal land and learn more about the Native American culture
and way of life on your included Navajo guided backroads tour. Arriving in
this iconic landscape will have you thinking that you have stepped right into
a Western movie set, with the towering red rock buttes and mesas. There is
nothing quite as amazing as a night sky in Monument Valley.
Day 5 : Bryce Canyon National Park; Walk The Navajo Or Queen’S Garden Trail.
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park, Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
Accommodation: Kodachrome Basin State Park (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On the road again, and your next stop is at one of the most photographed
places on the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend. Believe us, it is nothing short
of impressive. Next up is Bryce Canyon National Park with its fascinating
natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known
locally as 'hoodoos'. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that
range from easy to moderate in difficulty, so depending on what you and your
family are after, there's plenty of choice! The Navajo Trail enables you to
hike right in amongst the unique rock formations. Some of you may prefer to
hike on the Queens Garden Trail or to remain on the rim and photograph the
ever-changing colours as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky.
Transfer to the campsite at Kodachrome Basin State Park, named after a
National Geographic Society exhibition which came to the park and was amazed
by the changing colours of the sandstone chimneys, creating a beautiful
spectacle as the sun crossed the sky. This quiet campsite will allow you to
experience true desert life and enjoy some quality time with the family.
*Optional Activities:*
* Â Western horseback riding US$65-$90
Day 6 : To Zion N.P; Hike To The Zion Narrows.
Location: Zion National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Zion Canyon Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The next destination is Zion National Park, named by the early Mormon
settlers of Utah who thought of it as their 'promised land'. Some of the best
hiking in this desert terrain of Southwest USA can be found here in and
around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With an early arrival today and two
nights here, you'll have plenty of time to explore after setting up camp. The
perfect thing to do today is walk along a section of the Virgin River called
'The Narrows', if weather conditions permit. In The Narrows, dry feet are not
an option as you are actually hiking through the Virgin River in between
towering walls, and as the day heats up, the cool water and shadows of the
canyon can be very pleasant indeed and you and your family can enjoy a quick
dip.
Day 7 : Zion N.P; Optional Activities Including Biking, Horse Riding, Hiking To The Emerald Pools Or Angels Landing.
Location: Zion National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Zion Canyon Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park.
Hire a bike or enjoy some western horseback riding. For the more adventurous,
there's the challenging option to ascend 450 metres (1,500 ft.) to experience
unbeatable 360 degree panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing.
*Optional Activities:*
* Western horseback riding US$45-$90
Day 8 : Visit Rhyolite Ghost Town
Location: Tonopah
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Best Western Hi-Desert Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel west via Rhyolite ghost town on the Nevada/California border, a former
gold rush town that was once prosperous but later abandoned in the 1920s.
Check out the remains of this well-preserved ghost town, and feel the spirit
of the old gold prospectors in the wild west stirring on the wind as you
visit the jailhouse, schoolhouse and train station. Tonight you will
overnight in Tonopah.
Day 9 - 11 : Travel Straight To Yosemite National Park On Highway 95 Around The South Side Of Area 51.
Location: Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Yosemite Lakes (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you traverse your way from east to west traversing the 3,000 metre-high
(10,000 ft.) Tioga Pass over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You'll travel past
the eerie shores of Mono Lake before arriving at Yosemite National Park,
which sits nestled in the Sierra Nevadas of Northern California. Here green
forest meets towering granite walls. After a visit to see the amazing Giant
Sequoia trees, Yosemite Valley beckons. Here you may cycle, take a dip in the
Merced River or wander the meadows.
Hike the Mist Trail, arguably one of the most outstanding day hikes from
Yosemite Valley. The trail has some superb views as you walk across
picturesque bridges up towards Vernal Falls, where the spray from the falls
will cool you down on a hot summer's day and create rainbows along the trail.
Continue walking to reach another beautiful waterfall, Nevada Falls, and
return via the John Muir Trail for perfect afternoon views and - if you're
lucky - you may even spot Black Bears and coyotes that sometimes roam the
surrounding areas. Junior Ranger programs are available at most national
parks which gives kids and families the opportunity to uniquely explore and
learn about the national parks and how they can help protect them today and
into the future.
*Optional Activities:*
* Bike rental US$12-$34
* Float trip on the Merced River US$31
Day 12 : To San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Make your way through California's historic gold country to the 'City by the
Bay', or San Francisco as it's more commonly known! Enjoy a brief orientation
tour around the city including a close-up view of the iconic Golden Gate
Bridge and the chance to walk across it. Completed in 1937, this iconic
suspension bridge stretches for 2.7 km (1.7 miles) and is probably the most
photographed bridge in the world. Unfortunately, your tour must come to an
end but if you decide to stay on, there's plenty to keep you entertained but
the best introduction to the city is to jump on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. If
you want to visit Alcatraz on this day, you'll need to book your ticket
online in advance with Alcatraz Cruises.
This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book
you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are
planning to take fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before
21:00 hrs.
What's Included
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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All accommodation
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10 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 9 dinners
What's Not Included
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Optional activities
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Accommodation
We use national and state park campsites and a wide assortment of private campgrounds. Most will have flush toilets and hot showers; however, some may charge an additional fee of US$1-US$3 for showers. You sleep in high quality, heavy-duty tents and solo travellers will share with one other passenger of the same sex (unless opting to purchase the single supplement). Our camping equipment also includes field kitchens, inflatable sleeping pads, food storage and camp lanterns and chairs. Most campsites have a quiet time from 10pm to 7am. Please respect your fellow campers who are there to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of camping.
An essential part of a camping tour is helping out with the day-to-day camp duties and everyone will assist with the setting up and packing up of the campsite. Your tour leader will provide guidance on what to do, and typically it will only take 15 minutes to set up or break down the tents and camp kitchen. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying home sweet home in the great outdoors.
Your tour leader will also co-ordinate and assist the group with food shopping, preparing meals and cleaning up. Sharing the camp duties is a great way to bond with your fellow travellers and the group camaraderie is all part of the experience.
Food
11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 9 dinners  Most of the meals are included whilst camping. Your tour leader will coordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners. Occasionally, you will eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget for these meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6-$12, lunches from US$8-$15 and dinners from US$13-$30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per bottle. Please be aware that a tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We will do all we can to accommodate for various dietary requirements but in certain parts of North America certain food types can be limited.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
13
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 9 years old and above age people can on this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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