Las Vegas to San Francisco

Las Vegas - Zion National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park. Our tour begins with pick up from the Palms Casino coach loading curb in Las Vegas (address in Trip Notes) unless otherwise specified in your tour documentation.

We make the drive to Zion National Park, one of Utah's Mighty Five. Cut by the Virgin River, this reserve is dominated by an impressive mix of white, pink, and red Navajo sandstone cliffs. We will have time to hike in the park, we can leisurely explore the tranquil Emerald Pools, see the Great White Throne and enjoy a river walk deep into the Zion Narrows.

Following our afternoon in Zion, we head to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon was created by erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, and we can hike along the rim of the canyon and be amazed by the stunning sandstone spires known as "Hoodoos" rising dramatically from the canyon's natural amphitheatre. Our first night is spent in the Bryce Canyon City area.

Please note: This tour has a flexible itinerary, and the below is a general guide of what you can expect on tour. Your tour guide may alter certain night stops to maximize your enjoyment; maybe you opt to visit a local event or stay longer in a certain place. The beauty of a small group tour is that the itinerary can also be adapted to suit the group’s preference! We encourage you to relax and go with the flow!

Bryce Canyon National Park - Monument Valley. Heading past Lake Powell this morning, we can join an optional tour of Antelope Canyon before we arrive at the incredible Monument Valley. The famous scenery here has been used in many Western movies and is home to the Navajo Indians. We enjoy an included guided 4x4 Jeep safari into this incredible landscape, led by a local Navajo guide.

Monument Valley - Grand Canyon National Park - Las Vegas. We make a brief visit to a historic Navajo trading post before following the Colorado River through the Painted Desert to the mighty Grand Canyon. We will enjoy guided sightseeing to some of the best viewpoints, you can stroll along the canyon rim or enjoy a coffee in one of the rim cafes. There's also an optional helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, should you wish to enjoy a birds-eye view. We return to Las Vegas for tonight.

Please note: Some of the group may finish their tour on arrival back in Las Vegas, and others may join. Your guide and vehicle may also change for the second part of our tour.

Las Vegas - Death Valley National Park - Bishop. We head north-east, crossing from Nevada into California. Our first stop is Death Valley National Park, the hottest and driest place in North America. In 1913, Furnace Creek in Death Valley recorded a temperature of 134°F (56.7°C), which is the highest air temperature ever recorded. We will make a series of photo stops and short walks at highlights of the national park, including Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin Salt flats, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Devil’s Golf Course and the Mesquite Sand Dunes.

After a picnic lunch in the park, we continue north to the historic Gold Rush city of Bishop.

Bishop - Yosemite National Park. Today we head for Yosemite National Park. It's an incredibly scenic drive as we cross the Tioga Pass, driving via highlights such as Olmsted Point, Lake Tenaya and the Tuolumne Meadows. On arrival at Yosemite, we will visit the Valley Visitor Center and enjoy a short orientation tour with our guide, ahead of a full day of exploration tomorrow. We'll be staying in the Yosemite National Park area.

Please note: In the event that the Tioga Pass is closed due to weather, this tour will reroute through Lake Isabella instead of Bishop.

Today is spent exploring Yosemite National Park. There are group walks led by our tour guide and you will have free time to strike off on your own too. Take in highlights like the Bridalveil Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls, and enjoy wonderful views of Half Dome and El Capitan. Keep your eyes open for deer, marmots bobcats and black bears (there are no grizzlies in Yosemite) as you explore.

Yosemite National Park - San Francisco. Today we leave Yosemite and make the approximately 3.5 hour drive west across California to reach the City by the Bay, San Francisco. Our tour is ending in the city, but we've got time for an included sightseeing tour first. Discover the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and the historic hippie district of Haight Ashbury. Our tour comes to an end at around 5pm, with drop off in the centre of the city (address in Trip Notes).