Northern Trail from Los Angeles

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best overnight stops, highlights and included experiences, with plenty of optional activities to choose from. No two Trek trips are the same, with stops at some of your tour leader's favourite places and occasional changes to the itinerary, so get ready for one awesome adventure!As this tour departs at 07:30 hrs we recommend that you book pre tour accommodation. Please request further details at time of booking.Also departs from New York

Day: 1

You begin your three-week adventure in the gorgeous Californian sunshine. The ocean awaits your arrival as you head to the awesome Pacific Coast. Stop in Santa Barbara to check out the pier and beach, then continue up the coast and spend your first night under the stars; the perfect way to get to know your fellow travellers!

• Los Angeles
• Santa Barbara
• California Coast

Day: 2-3

Next up, it’s super-cool San Francisco. Soak up the hippy vibes in Haight-Ashbury and, while you're there, why not take a stroll around Golden Gate Park for some stunning views? Scratch beneath the surface of the 'City by the Bay’, and use your free time to explore Union Square, Pier 39, Chinatown and Lombard Street. For the ultimate view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, jump aboard an included sunset sail cruise, offering a different perspective on the city and Alcatraz.If you are interested in visiting Alcatraz we recommend you book your tickets well in advance direct with Alcatraz Cruises. For this tour you should book your ticket for day 3 (1pm onwards).

• San Francisco

Day: 4-5

Heading through Central California, take a scenic drive into Yosemite National Park. Here you'll get the opportunity to hike or bike through the extraordinary landscape of glacier-carved granite monoliths and spectacular waterfalls. Explore Yosemite Valley, feel like an ant amongst Giant Sequoia trees, or hike to Yosemite Falls, one of America’s highest. Keep your camera at the ready – not just to capture El Capitan’s profile, but for some incredible wildlife sightings. Bears often frequent the area and when the sun goes down listen out for coyotes howling amidst the pines and sequoias. This is a paradise for any nature lover and whatever activities you get up to in Yosemite, you're sure to have a blast.

• Yosemite National Park

Day: 6-7

After all the hiking and biking, you deserve a little break and some chill time. So how about a quick dip in the stunning crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe? The scenery here is incredible, so make the most of your time and soak in the views with an optional sunset sailboat cruise for the perfect end to an awesome day! Then bite off a chunk of the Nevada desert as you cross the Northern Great Basin.

• Lake Tahoe
• Great Basin Nevada

Day: 8-9

It’s time for the wonderful views and hikes of majestic Grand Teton National Park. With few foothills to speak of, the jagged peaks rise dramatically like teeth from lush, flat meadows and stand out against the bright blue Wyoming sky. We recommend taking the ferry across Jenny Lake with a hike up to Inspiration Point for sensational views of the valley, lake and forest below. Then saddle up for Jackson, a quaint cowboy town. Rafting the raging Snake River rapids, one of America's last great untamed rivers, should definitely get that adrenaline pumping! If you prefer to stay on dry land, try a spot of mountain biking or horse riding. After all that action, how about a trip to a western saloon for a shot of ‘Red Eye’ whiskey?

• Grand Teton National Park
• Jackson

Day: 10-11

The scenery just keeps on getting better as you reach Yellowstone National Park, the oldest and most famous national park in the USA. View explosive geysers including 'Old Faithful' and colourful pools, whilst keeping an eye out for unique wildlife. Don't leave your tent without your camera in hand, ready to spot bison, elk or bear. If you're really lucky you may spot a wolf as they have recently been re-introduced to the park. There's no doubt about it, the next couple of days in Yellowstone National Park will be awesome!

• Yellowstone National Park

Day: 12

Head to Cody in the heart of cowboy country. Nothing says ‘wild west’ more than a good dose of rodeo and a Stetson, opt for a night out at the Cody Rodeo if you’re in town during rodeo season (June to August only). Normal life will seem a little dull once you've seen how the cowboys live!

• Cody

Day: 13

This is a road trip pit stop like no other! It's not every day you get to see the faces of America's presidents peering out from the immense granite face of Mount Rushmore. The sculpture features presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and it's pretty darn huge with 18 metre high faces, towering more than 150 metres up! Close by is the Crazy Horse monument, a memory to the famed Lakota Indian war leader who led the attack against General Custer at the Battle of the Greasy Grass, otherwise known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Very impressive and a sight not to be missed.

• Mount Rushmore

Day: 14

Head into the Badlands, don't worry it's not as ‘bad’ as it sounds! Touching down here feels more like a moon landing due to the bizarre lunar landscape of low-slung buttes, chiselled spires and saw tooth ridges. The rugged beauty draws people in from all over the world and you could see bison, Bighorn Sheep and prairie dogs.

• Badlands National Park

Day: 15

Enjoy a stop at 1880’s Town and experience a replica of an old west town in all its gun slinging, saloon swinging, lawless (not really) glory. Not quite Westworld, but immersive enough to get dressed up and channel your inner Buffalo Bill. Admire the historically correct and interesting buildings and authentic contents and relics that have been collected over time. After, cross the great prairies of America's mid-west and the original western frontier. Resident coyotes may utter the occasional howl as you settle back for some shut-eye under canvas.

• Minnesota

Day: 16-17

The iconic Willis Tower building helps make up an incredible Chicago skyline that towers over the sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan. You’ll hit all the city’s highlights on our included Bobby's Bike Hike tour, including views of the Willis Tower and Navy Pier. You can't make a stop in Chicago without treating yourself to a delicious slice of famous deep-dish pizza (it definitely tastes as good as it looks). Listen out for the city's unofficial anthem ‘Sweet Home Chicago’, ringing out from the hip blues joints on soulful Halsted Street.

• Chicago

Day: 18

Head over to Cedar Point to experience 'The Best Amusement Park in the World'. You'll soon see why, as the park’s roller coasters dominate the skyline as far as the eye can see. After an afternoon of excitement and thrills, you'll be pleased to rest your weary head for a night next to the beautiful Lake Erie.Please note: Cedar Point in Ohio is open all of June, July and August and on certain days during May, September and October. It may not always be possible to visit Cedar Point Amusement park.

• Lake Erie

Day: 19

Cruise along the shoreline of Lake Erie to one of North America's greatest natural attractions, Niagara Falls. Opt to experience the full force of the falls and don a famous blue poncho to hop aboard a ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise. Just prepare to get a little wet as you get up close to a serious amount of water! For the ultimate show, head to the falls at night and see them lit up in all their glory, it's a pretty spectacular sight!

• Niagara Falls

Day: 20

Your Northern USA road trip must come to an end as you finally arrive in the New York area after 20 days of action-packed fun. If time is no issue, make sure you book yourself a couple of extra nights to fully Explore NYC. Add an Urban Adventure and have the ease of being guided to all the city’s hotspots by a local New Yorker. Splurge along Fifth Ave, hit the top of the Empire State Building for the ultimate selfie with this awesome city or soak up the trendy, laid-back vibe of Greenwich Village before heading home.This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

• New York Area