The Awe-Inspiring National Parks

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - Denver

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Denver.

• Day 2 • Denver - Rocky Mountain National Park - Cheyenne

  Modern and vibrant, set against a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop, Denver makes a grand introduction to the American West. A brief tour includes the gold-domed State Capitol building, one of the steps of which is exactly a mile above sea level, earning Denver its ‘Mile High City’ moniker. Leave Denver behind in pursuit of this tours first American national park. North of Denver, the summer resort of Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, with its towering, snow-streaked peaks and still blue alpine lakes. Take a moment to absorb the magnificent scenery and peaceful atmosphere, before continuing to the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne. The city is named for the Native American people who once lived in the region.

• Day 3 • Fort Laramie - Rapid City

  Today, visit the historical Fort Laramie, a site of exceptional historical significance - a 19th-century fur-trading station which was acquired by the US Army in 1849 to protect and supply western emigrants. It took on an increasingly important role in settling violent disputes between whites (often gold prospectors) and Native Americans, giving its name to two treaties, in 1851 and 1868. Following a visit, leave Wyoming for South Dakota and Rapid City, the historic freight centre of the gold rush attractively situated at the foot of the Black Hills.

• Day 4 • Crazy Horse - Mount Rushmore

  The Crazy Horse Memorial towers over the Black Hills of South Dakota. In fact, this Native American sacred ground carved into the side of a mountain is even larger than the great pyramid. Spend some time here to learn about the history of the Sioux tribes and the non-traditional ways of their leader. Later this afternoon, visit one of the great icons of the American West; Mount Rushmore. Carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore, the 18m-tall faces of former presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln look serenely on.

• Day 5 • Devils Tower - Buffalo

  Travel to Wyoming and Devils Tower, a bizarre igneous rock formation that protrudes dramatically out of the prairies that surround the Black Hills. You might recognise it as the site of the landing spaceship in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’. Continue on to Buffalo for an overnight stay.

• Day 6 • Cody

  Continue westward to the town of Cody, named after William F Cody, better known as the pioneering ‘wild west’ showman Buffalo Bill. You’ll have some time to explore the museums at your own pace.

• Day 7 • West Yellowstone

  This morning travel to Yellowstone National Park - known as the first US national park. The hotel for the next two nights is perched on the west entrance to the park - perfect for exploring this remarkable region.

• Day 8 • Yellowstone National Park

  Yellowstone National Park’s high plateau straddles the border of three states and is packed with natural wonders. In fact, half of the world’s geothermal features (including the iconic ‘Old Faithful’ geyser) may be found here, along with hundreds of documented species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. With an expert local guide, learn about the enchanting waterfalls and mountains, marvel at the volcanic ‘sideshows’ and try to shoot the perfect picture of the park’s ‘megafauna’ on an incredible Yellowstone tour. The characterful wildlife to look out for here includes grizzly bears, wolves and herds of mighty bison.

• Day 9 • Grand Teton National Park - Jackson

  Another memorable day of sightseeing awaits today. Travel south through Grand Teton National Park, a 1,300km reserve renowned for the tranquil majesty of the snow-capped Teton Range, rising abruptly without foothills. Stay in Jackson tonight, a small city in Jackson Hole valley notable for its elk-antler arches at each corner of the park.

• Day 10 • Salt Lake City

  Cross the state line between Wyoming and Utah to Salt Lake City, perhaps best known as the headquarters of the Mormon Church. Mormon pioneers, fleeing persecution in Illinois, settled here more than 150 years ago and helped build an attractive city with much to offer the modern-day traveller. On arrival, take a short tour to get our bearings before checking in at your hotel.

• Day 11 • Arches National Park - Moab

  Sit back and enjoy the scenery of mountains, passing beautiful canyons as we make our way to Arches National Park. Famed for its preservation of over 2,000 natural red sandstone arches spanning 73,000 acres of wilderness, it includes the beautiful Delicate Arch. Check into your hotel in Moab, a town with a great collection of restaurants lining the main street, offering a diverse culinary scene.

• Day 12 • Canyonlands National Park

  Explore the Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park comprises 337,598 acres of colourful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires in the heart of southeast Utah's high desert. Water and gravity have been the prime architects of this land, sculpting layers of rock into the rugged landscape you see today. Iconic sights include the giant flat-topped mesa known as Island in the Sky with vast panoramic views on offer.

• Day 13 • Bryce Canyon National Park

  Head to Bryce Canyon National Park today, absorbing the scenery en route. The park is a series of magnificent horseshoe-shaped natural amphitheatres with distinctive red rock pillars of stone carved into the pink cliffs of the majestic Paunsaugunt Plateau. The combination of mountain and desert climes create unique weather patterns, causing erosion that has creating thousands of subtly and beautifully coloured limestone spires, fins, arches and mazes - a sight to behold. Spend the night in Bryce.

• Day 14 • Zion National Park - La Verkin

  Visit Zion National Park, renowned for its soaring monoliths and echoing canyons, its enchanting waterfalls and rock colours, and its prolific wildlife and Native American heritage. Spend some time in contemplation of its quiet grandeur and natural marvels including the ‘hanging gardens’ (rock walls bedecked in summer months with flowers). Later continue to La Verkin.

• Day 15 • Flagstaff

  Leave Utah for Arizona today with an overnight stop in Flagstaff.

• Day 16 • Grand Canyon

  The final stop today showcases one of the region’s most remarkable sights. The day is dedicated to an undeniable natural wonder: the Grand Canyon. This colossal, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River – now a slender silver ribbon a mile below – inspires with panoramic views of outstanding beauty from the South Rim. Visit the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, with the option to watch a film in the impressive IMAX theatre. For a different perspective, an optional helicopter flight reveals the canyon from above.

• Day 17 • Phoenix - In Flight

  Transfer to the airport for our return flight to the UK.

• Day 18 • UK

  Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.