Day 1
Arrive in Chicago
Land in Chicago and make your way independently to your hotel. Meet your Tour Director in the evening.
Overnight: Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown Magnificient Mile or similar
Day 2
Chicago
This morning you will start your tour of the city’s highlights including Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and Lake Shore Drive. See the towering skyscrapers including Willis Tower, which held its name as the world’s tallest buildings for over 25 years before the One World Trade Center surpassed it in 2014. How about an optional detour with admission to Willis Tower Observation deck? Ascend to the sky as you receive panoramic views of The Windy City. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown Magnificient Mile or similar, breakfast included
Day 3
Sioux Falls
Next, you’ll travel through the Midwest farm country and see the fields of corn, wheat and dairy farms as you cross the mammoth Mississippi River and travel into the state of Iowa. Overnight in Sioux Falls.
Overnight: Comfort Inn Sioux City or similar
Day 4
Rapid City
Journeying towards Badlands National Park, home to bison, antelopes and buffalos, see the incredibly colourful rock formations. Continuing on to the Black Hills, sacred to the Plains Indians and home to the famous Mount Rushmore. Spend an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center or similar
Day 5
Cody
Leaving Rapid City, you travel towards Cody, Wyoming with its twelve mountain ranges, entwined with deserts and luscious grasslands. Cody was founded by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody who was impressed by the development potentials that he started a town in the 1890s and has grown into the city it is today. If overnight in Cody is not possible due to weather or adverse road conditions in Yellowstone, overnight will be in Billings/ Livingstone, Montana.
Overnight: Buffalo Bill Village/ Holiday Inn Cody/Comfort Inn Cody or similar
Day 6
Yellowstone
Drive past the Wyoming’s mountains as you explore the magnificent Yellowstone, America’s first national park. Enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour including wildlife, geysers, waterfalls and canyons. Memorable highlights will include Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Canyon’s impressive waterfalls.
Overnight: Kelly Inn West Yellowstone Hotel or similar, breakfast included
Day 7
Salt Lake City
Venture through Grand Teton National Park (weather permitting) as you see it’s towering mountain peaks at over 13,000 ft. Visit the Snake River Overlook for some stunning mountain views before arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah. See the State Capital Building and visit the famed Temple Square and Tabernacle before arriving at your hotel. How about an optional stunning dinner with panoramic views at Rooftop Restaurant to end the evening?
Overnight: Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City or similar, breakfast included
Day 8
Bryce Canyon National Park
Continue onwards towards the breath-taking Bryce Canyon National Park as your guided tour will take you through the multi-coloured sandstone spires and famous hoodoos. This evening, experience stargazing like no other as you survey the brilliant night sky for its constellations.
Overnight: Bryce View Lodge or similar, breakfast included
Day 9
Flagstaff
Depart Bryce Canyon this morning as you travel to the stunning Lake Powell with its glittering blue waters and red rock canyon walls. A man-made lake produced by the damming of Colorado River. Then visit the colossal Grand Canyon National Park – one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Stop at the East Rim to truly experience the magnificent structures of the plunging gorges, extinct volcanoes and below the rim, the meandering Colorado River.
Overnight: Days Hotel Flagstaff or similar
Day 10
Las Vegas
As you leave Flagstaff you will travel on to Las Vegas, the glitzy “Entertainment Capital of the World”. En-route you’ll stop by Seligman, a town built along the famous Route 66, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a town built sixty years ago, the characteristics will remind you of the Disney Pixar film “Cars”. Get the photo opportunity at the “Welcome to Las Vegas” as you enter the exciting city. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. How about taking to the strip and embarking on a night time tour? Another fantastic option is seeing one of Las Vegas’ famous shows with an accompanying dinner or how about taking to the nights sky as you get an aerial view of the city in an exhilarating helicopter ride?
Overnight: The STRAT or similar
Day 11 and 12
Los Angeles
Before traveling to Los Angeles you’ll see the Mojave Desert with the unique Joshua trees scattered over the mountain landscape. Arriving in Los Angeles you will start a tour throughout the City of Angels including Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood before reaching your hotel.
Today, we suggest an optional full-day tour exploring the world’s largest movie studio and theme park - Universal Studio. A joint attraction with an opportunity for behind the scenes tours of the Hollywood blockbusters. Travelling with thrill-seekers? Enjoy the excitement of Universal’s hair-raising Jurassic Park ride and Return of the Mummy. Or explore downtown LA as you see it’s many museums.
Overnight: Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX or similar
Day 13
Central Coast
Leave Los Angeles in the morning and travel north through one of California’s favourite holiday destinations, Santa Barbara. With its idyllic white sandy beaches and gorgeous palm tree lined walk ways no wonder the locals flock here for some R&R! Before you leave, you’ll see the iconic “Baywatch” lifeguard tower. Continue north to the Danish-style town of Solvang with its many wineries.
Overnight: Historic Santa Maria Inn or similar
Day 14
San Francisco
Today we travel to the gorgeous coastal town of Carmel. Enjoy perusing the shops and galleries of this famous artists’ colony. Travelling north towards Monterey, you’ll be able to see Old Fisherman’s Wharf, stroll the Pier to Cannery Row brought to fame by John Steinbeck’s novel. As you carry on your journey north, you’ll pass by Santa Clara en-route to San Francisco. Arrive in San Francisco at 6:30pm and say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your tour concludes. We have included a post night hotel here to make the most of exploring San Francisco this evening.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway or similar
Day 15
San Francisco
Enjoy today at leisure. See the famous Fisherman's Wharf and sea lions, how about riding a cable car up the rolling hills or doing a bit of shopping in Union Square? Make your way independently to San Francisco International Airport for your flight home.
Or why not extend your stay and perhaps add a Hawaii Extension?
