Day 1 Los Angeles
Welcome to the USA!

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You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities included. You can check in after 3:00pm but if you arrive early you can store your luggage.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park
On the morning of day 2 there will be an important welcome meeting at 08:00am. Meet in the hotel reception/lobby. We will be collecting your insurance details, kitty and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.

We are leaving Los Angeles directly after the group meeting and drive through the hot deserts of Southern California, we stop at Joshua Tree National Park known for its many spectacular desert plants and striking rock formations.

Afterwards we cross the Colorado River and reach Laughlin, Nevada where we spend the night in a hotel.

Today's journey covers quite a lot of ground, travelling more than 600km and taking most of the day including short walks, photos and lunch stops.

Day 3 Grand Canyon
Today we head to one of the world's seven wonders: the Grand Canyon. It's a 4 hour (380km) scenic route north than gains considerable elevation.

The Canyon spans 450 km long, 6-30 km wide and 1600 m deep. We can marvel at this immense canyon on a rim walk, or for those that are feeling more active, a short hike into the Canyon will help stretch those legs out. For a bird's eye view, there is option to take a helicopter ride over this breathtaking landscape.

We spend the night in cabins near the Grand Canyon National Park.

Day 4-5 Las Vegas
Today we travel west for 4.5 hours (450km) through the Kaibab National Forest and onto Route 66. Crossing the western deserts of Arizona, our destination this evening is Las Vegas and its lively Strip.

Las Vegas is the gambling and show paradise but for those not interested or on a budget there is plenty to do and see along the Strip. Your tour leader will be sure to point out the best free shows, or the most lively dance clubs, or better yet, the best valued 'all you can eat buffet' in town.

For those planning on sleeping, we spend two nights in a hotel.

Day 6 Death Valley
It's a long drive today (600km) as we head through one of the hottest deserts on the planet, Death Valley, where temperatures rise to record-breaking levels (50C in summer).

The area also contains a wealth of geological phenomena: Large sand dune formations, sculpted rocks and volcanic craters can be seen, providing a wealth of opportunities for photos.

We spend the night in a hotel in Bakersfield (central California).

Day 7 Yosemite National Park
Our drive today takes us 300 kms to the north, travelling through the Central Valley. Our destination is Yosemite National Park with its awe-inspiring granite cliffs and majestic waterfalls.

Here we can enjoy an afternoon hike to one of the lower Nevada Falls or perhaps an easy stroll to Mirror Lake and just take your own time to soak in the sights, smells and sounds of this unforgettable setting.

We stay tonight in cabins or a hostel near Yosemite National Park.

Day 8 San Francisco
We leave Yosemite behind and drive 240 kms (about 3.5 hours) west towards San Francisco, the 'City by the Bay'.