Join Phoenix on a wonderful trip to the western United States. For two weeks we get to experience some of the USA’s most fascinating cities such as Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. We also get the pleasure of marveling at the wonders of nature at Grand & Bryce Canyon and in Yosemite National Park we enjoy waterfalls and lush flower meadows. In the homeland of the Navajo Indians, Lake Powell offers beautiful views of high rock formations that rise steeply from the shores. On this trip to the western United States, you get to see and experience most of the best.
Day 1: Travel to USA
Flight to San Francisco where we land in the afternoon local time. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight in San Francisco. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.
Day 2: San Francisco – Hearst Castle – San Luis Obispo
After breakfast we head to Hearst Castle, the only castle on American soil. You will be amazed at the priceless collection of art objects and antiques as well as the beautiful Neptuni pool. From Hearst Castle we continue to San Luis Obispo. Overnight in San Luis Obispo.
Day 3: San Luis Obispo – Solvang- Santa Barbara – Los Angeles
We steer the cow to Solvang. Solvang was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes who traveled west to form a Danish colony. Many of the buildings still bear traces of Danish architecture. After our stay in Solvang, we continue to Santa Barbara along the Pacific Coast Highway’s beautiful scenery. Santa Barbara, also known as the American Riviera, is one of the best places to visit if you want to enjoy a typical seaside resort in Southern California. We arrive in Los Angeles late in the afternoon. Overnight in Los Angeles.
Day 4: Los Angeles
In the morning we make a small trip to the Walk of Fame and also visit Mann’s Chinese Theater. For those who wish, we make an excursion to Universal Studios (optional). Universal Studios is located in Hollywood, the American film capital that occupies the entire hill and covers just over 2 km2. There are 48 film studios, of which 32 are dedicated to filming. Universal Studio City is the world’s largest film and television producer. The tour takes the visitor through exciting film events, such as a snow avalanche crushing a bridge, torrential rain, giant white sharks, a roaring King Kong and more. Overnight in Los Angeles.
Day 5: Los Angeles – Palm Springs – Phoenix
Today we travel from Los Angeles to the east and through Palm Springs, which in the winter is a tumultuous place for Hollywood celebrities, with its lively center and its meticulously maintained golf courses below the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. A forest of wind turbines marks the entrance to this desert oasis. Later we pass through Indio, the site of the International Date Festival in the Coachella Valley before reaching Phoenix, the capital of Arizona. Overnight in Phoenix.
Day 6: Phoenix – Sedona – Grand Canyon National Park
We travel through the Sonoran Desert, with the richest and most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in America. The tour continues to the pleasant city of Sedona, located in a unique geological area and surrounded by characteristic red boulders with names such as the Cathedral and the Coffee Pot. Then we drive through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon and the town of Flagstaff before arriving at one of the highlights of the trip to the United States; Grand Canyon National Park. The majestic Grand Canyon National Park is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. We stop at the edge of the ravine to get the best experience of this 1.6 km deep and colorful canyon with deep ravines and high cliffs formed by the mighty Colorado River. Overnight in Flagstaff.
Day 7: Grand Canyon National Park – Monument Valley – Page / Lake Powell
Another highlight of our trip is the sunrise which we enjoy together with a special breakfast (optional) served right on the edge of the ravine. Today’s journey takes us into the Navajo Indian Reservation and we pass the Cameron trading post. The tour continues through Painted Desert where we visit Monument Valley, an area that embodies the image of the American West. In the late afternoon we arrive at the small town of Page, located on a mountain plateau above the Colorado River. The evening is free for your own activities. Overnight in Page.
Day 8: Page / Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park
Today we visit the mighty Glen Canyon Dam, the second tallest arched concrete dam in America. Here we can enjoy the view of the amazing Lake Powell, whose crystal clear waters wet the canyon’s red mountain walls. We then arrive in the Mormon state of Utah, and pass through the city of Kanab before visiting the spectacular Bryce Canyon. The journey through a multicolored world of sandstone cliffs and rock formations will dazzle our eyes! Tonight, weather permitting, we can see the spectacular night sky filled with sparkling stars and take in the scent of campfires. Overnight at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Day 9: Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – Las Vegas
Our journey through the beautiful United States continues today to Zion National Park. In the park we see massive rock formations created by nature and the Virgin River over a very long period. In the afternoon we experience the contrast to the national park – Las Vegas, the world’s leading entertainment metropolis with round-the-clock shopping, shows and what the city is perhaps best known for; of course casinos. Overnight in Las Vegas.
Day 10: Las Vegas
Free day for your own walks and the opportunity to enjoy all the attractions that Las Vegas has to offer, such as world-class shopping, lively casinos and Broadway-caliber shows. You can also take a walk along the famous The Strip and look at the amazing neon signs in all its colors. Or maybe “Shop ’til you drop” in the city’s many designer shops. Overnight in Las Vegas.
Day 11: Las Vegas – Death Valley – Mammoth Lakes The
day begins with a stop at Las Vegas’ legendary welcome sign. Maybe something to immortalize with a photo? A sharp contrast to the glamorous Las Vegas will be the afternoon’s visit to the extreme environment of Death Valley. Here, temperatures of 45 degrees are not uncommon !! We stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch before continuing through the valley to the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the alpine resort of Mammoth Lakes. The area gained a prominent place as a gold-mining town in the 19th century, but is today better known for its superb ski terrain and breathtakingly beautiful views of the mountains. Overnight in Mammoth Lakes.
Day 12: Mammoth Lakes – Yosemite National Park – Modesto
We rise in the morning sun and travel on a scenic hike to the top of Mammoth and enjoy a tasty breakfast here as we look out over California with its desert and high mountain peaks. The journey then continues through the Tiog Pass to the scenic Yosemite National Park. Here you will experience the beautiful landscape in all its glory with the glacier-shaped granite mountains El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls and Yosemite Falls. Overnight in Modesto.
Day 13: Modesto – San Francisco
We start our journey early today to get to San Francisco, one of the most popular cities in the United States. In the afternoon we will explore this charming city and visit some of the most worth seeing places such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Gold Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf. Overnight in San Francisco.
Day 14: San Francisco
In the morning we take the ferry across the bay to take a closer look at the infamous Alcatraz prison. (Optional) The afternoon is free so you can get to know the beautiful city on your own. You can, for example, visit China town or Lombard street. The guide is happy to give you suggestions on more things to see and do. Overnight in San Francisco.
Day 15: Return from San Francisco
After breakfast we go to Vacaville Premium Outlets – a shopping center with outlet sales of famous brands such as Burberry, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and many more. Located between San Francisco and Sacramento, this mall, with more than 120 stores, is one of the largest in the entire San Francisco area. In the afternoon we travel directly to the airport to travel home to Sweden. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.
Day 16: Return to Sweden
Arrival at the place of boarding.
