Those on the group flight will be met at San Francisco Airport and transferred to our hotel.

Welcome to sunny California. The local people are fiercely proud of San Francisco and for good reason. There’s plenty to keep you entertained but the best introduction is to explore by foot, or make use of the cable car network. A welcome meeting usually takes place in the morning of Day 2.

Welcome to sunny California. The local people are fiercely proud of San Francisco and for good reason. There’s plenty to keep you entertained but the best introduction is to explore by foot, or make use of the cable car network. A welcome meeting usually takes place in the morning of Day 2.

We recommend you book an extra night in our hotel the night before the tour starts if you want to spend time discovering San Francisco.

We take a short driving tour of San Francisco to see landmarks including the Painted Ladies (a symbol of the California Gold Rush) and Golden Gate Park, before leaving via the Golden Gate Bridge. We head east through California’s historic gold country, and make tracks for Yosemite. Here, everything is in gargantuan proportions, including some of the tallest cliffs, waterfalls and trees in North America. We check into the lodge in the Yosemite region: your home for the next two nights.

Yosemite sits in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of northern California. Here, green forest meets granite walls several thousand feet high. Rock climbers come from across the world to scale the rocks while hikers walk to some of the largest waterfalls on the planet. As you explore, look for varied wildlife such as deer, bobcats, marmots, pikas and, if you’re lucky, bears. After a visit to see the giant sequoia trees, Yosemite Valley beckons, offering the chance to cycle, dip in the Merced River or wander the meadows. The views are breath-taking from every vantage point: the granite formations of Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks are sure to be forever etched on your mind.

Drive through the wonderous high country of Yosemite, crossing over the highest highway pass in California at an elevation of 9,945ft (3,031m) to one of the hottest, driest and lowest places on earth. Death Valley has extreme, beautiful landscapes, which are a stark comparison to Yosemite. Richly tinted mudstone hills and canyons await exploration, with dunes and salt pans making for exceptional photos. We cover great distances today but also see fascinating and contrasting scenery.

Please note: Tioga Pass may be closed due to snow in early spring or late autumn, in which case an alternate route to Death Valley will be taken. In the past, extreme temperatures, higher than those expected, have prevented us from entering Death Valley National Park. In the event this happens again, we will notify you as soon as possible with a suitable replacement. This is a worst-case scenario and we endeavour to run the programme as advertised.

We travel to Utah and our destination for today: Zion National Park. Like an oasis rising from the desert floor, the multi-coloured cliffs and spring-fed hanging gardens are spectacular. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their ‘promised land’. Some of the best hiking in southwest USA is here, in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With a two-night stay, we have plenty of time to discover Zion. Upon arrival, the leader takes us on a walk via the Watchman Trail as an introduction to the park.

Today is all about exploring Zion National Park. There is a vast network of excellent trails that you can access via the free national park shuttle bus. We recommend a walk beside the Virgin River or, if weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Narrows, a stunning water channel where you’ll witness outstanding scenery. Staying dry is not an option as you wade through the Virgin River between towering walls. The cool waters and the shadow of the canyon can provide a much-needed respite from the scorching sun.

Another popular hike is Angels Landing. Necessary permits cannot be booked by a tour operator, so individual customers must apply for a permit via a lottery. We have included more details on how to do this in the ‘Is This Trip for You?’ section.

Leaving Zion National Park, we climb in elevation to almost 8,300ft (2,530m) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a 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. The Navajo or Peek-A-Boo Loop trails will enable you to hike among these unique rock formations. Some may prefer to hike on the Queens Garden Trail or remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing shadows and hues as the sun travels across the sky.

Stop for a walk at Horseshoe Bend for an amazing view of the Colorado River before heading to the heart of the Navajo Nation. Monument Valley, a sacred land to those who call it home, is dotted with fabulous red-sandstone monoliths. From here, you witness spectacular sunsets and sunrises. It’s been the backdrop for countless Westerns, so you half expect to see cowboys riding into the sunset. Explore the incredible array of rock formations on an included and guided 4×4 backroads tour, learning all about the magic and myths of the Native American culture. The Navajo Tribal Lands of Monument Valley are a true photographer’s paradise. For dinner, we have included a traditional meal, the Navajo taco, out in the valley with the Navajo themselves.

This morning, we leave Monument Valley and drive towards Grand Canyon National Park for the ultimate desert showstopper. Crossing the eastern entrance of the canyon, we catch our first glimpse at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this natural wonder is 275mi (445km) long, up to 18mi (29km) wide and more than 1mi (1.6km) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 1,450mi (2,330km) through seven US and two Mexican states.

You have a full day to explore this awe-inspiring canyon. We highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offers a perspective you cannot see by visiting on foot. Alternatively, lace up your boots for a hike on the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge, hike down the more challenging trail to Plateau Point, or simply relax at the canyon edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world.

Optional activities:

• Grand Canyon Helicopter flight: US$369 (starting rate, price varies according to demand)

En route to Vegas, we travel a section of the original Route 66 and visit Seligman, a town full to the brim with Americana wares. Continuing, we travel to hedonistic Sin City, the fastest-growing city in the United States and renowned as the ‘tacky capital of the world’ – home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and water fountains. Upon arrival, enjoy a driving tour down the Las Vegas Strip and see first-hand the resort hotels that make this desert city tick. Vegas comes alive at night with resort hotels, shows and the Bellagio Fountain’s regular water displays. We recommend booking extra nights to explore the city because it’s not all clubs and resort hotels. There are numerous art galleries, shops and world-class restaurants to enjoy. If you want a couple of extra nights, please advise your sales representative when booking your trip.

For those who are not extending their stay in Las Vegas, this tour ends with a transfer to Las Vegas International Airport.

En route to Vegas, we travel a section of the original Route 66 and visit Seligman, a town full to the brim with Americana wares. Continuing, we travel to hedonistic Sin City, the fastest-growing city in the United States and renowned as the ‘tacky capital of the world’ – home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and water fountains. Upon arrival, enjoy a driving tour down the Las Vegas Strip and see first-hand the resort hotels that make this desert city tick.

Our adventure comes to an end with a transfer to Las Vegas International Airport.