The Great West

21 days | 20 nights
Begins & Ends Los Angeles

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 | Los Angeles Arrival
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport. Transfer independently by shuttle bus to your hotel.
Standard: Hacienda Hotel or similar
Upgrade: Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport

Day 02 | Los Angeles – Anaheim
Driving Distance: 38 mi./61 km.
This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by your AmericanTours representative and provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, vouchers, maps, and brochures of the places you are about to visit. Pick up your rental car and begin your drive to explore Los Angeles. Continue on to Anaheim, home of Disneyland (admission not included).
Standard: Radisson Hotel Maingate or similar
Upgrade: Hilton Anaheim or similar

Day 03 | Anaheim – San Diego
Driving Distance: 100 mi./160 km.
Visit the beautiful San Juan Capistrano Mission on your way to San Diego. Upon arrival you might wish to explore SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, or the charming Gaslamp Quarter.
Standard: Best Western Seven Seas or similar
Upgrade: Bahia Resort Lodge or similar

Day 04 | San Diego – Palm Springs
Driving Distance: 172 mi./277 km.
Today, you will have the morning to explore the seaside playground of San Diego. Then continue to Palm Springs where you can ride the aerial tramway to the top of San Jacinto Mountain.
Standard: Best Western Palm Springs or similar
Upgrade: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort or similar

Day 05 | Palm Springs – Phoenix/Scottsdale
Driving Distance: 267 mi./430 km.
Drive past the Coachella Valley, the Date Capital of the World. Continue into Arizona to Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Standard: Days Inn Fashion Square or similar
Upgrade: Courtyard by Marriott or similar

Day 06 | Scottsdale – Grand Canyon National Park
Driving Distance: 229 mi./368 km.
Take the Black Canyon Highway to Montezuma’s Castle. Then visit the scenic red rock town of Sedona. Drive through Oak Creek Canyon before arriving at the Grand Canyon.
Hotel: Grand Hotel or similar

Day 07 | Grand Canyon – Lake Powell
Driving Distance: 140 mi./225 km.
Drive along the south rim to view the Grand Canyon and continue through the Navajo Indian Reservation. Enjoy a leisurely drive to Lake Powell. Take an optional boat cruise and view the incredible red rock cliffs.
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott or similar

Day 08 | Lake Powell
A full day to explore Lake Powell and the surrounding area. You may choose to journey to Monument Valley to view its stunning rock formations.

Day 09 | Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park
Driving Distance: 167 mi./269 km.
Travel through Kanab en route to Bryce Canyon National Park, a breathtaking world of sandstone spires.
Hotel: Best Western Ruby’s Inn or similar

Day 10 | Bryce Canyon – Zion National Park – Las Vegas
Driving Distance: 236 mi./380 km.
Take a morning tour of Bryce Canyon before driving to Zion National Park. Then continue to Las Vegas for a complete contrast of 24-hour fun and gambling.
Standard: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino or similar
Upgrade: Luxor Hotel & Casino or similar

Day 11 | Las Vegas
A day at leisure to take a drive to Lake Mead or Hoover Dam. In the evening try your luck at the gambling tables or see a glamorous show.

Day 12 | Las Vegas – Death Valley
Driving Distance: 139 mi./224 km.
Drive across the Amargosa Desert to Death Valley National Park. Stop at Zabriskie Point for a panoramic view of the valley.
Hotel: Furnace Creek Resort or similar

Day 13 | Death Valley – Yosemite National Park
Driving Distance: 326 mi./525 km.
Drive out of Death Valley into the high Sierra Nevada Mountains over the Tioga Pass,** and into Yosemite National Park.
Standard: Best Western Yosemite Way Station or similar
Upgrade: Cedar Lodge Resort or similar

Day 14 | Yosemite National Park
Enjoy the day in stunning Yosemite, one of America’s most beautiful national parks.

Day 15 | Yosemite – Lake Tahoe
Driving Distance: 210 mi./338 km.
Leave Yosemite and cross the Tioga Pass.** Drive north, passing Bridgeport and Devil’s Gate en route to Lake Tahoe.
Standard: Quality Inn or similar
Upgrade: Embassy Suites or similar
**From early November to late May the Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions. In which case, you will need to drive the western route through the San Joaquin Valley and California Gold Country to Lake Tahoe.

Day 16 | Lake Tahoe–San Francisco
Driving Distance: 230 mi./370 km.
Drive to Sacramento and tour historical Old Town, and then it’s on to San Francisco.
Standard: Holiday Inn Civic Center or similar
Upgrade: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway or similar

Day 17 | San Francisco
A full day at leisure to discover the beloved City by the Bay.

Day 18 | San Francisco – San Luis Obispo
Driving Distance: 230 mi./370 km.
Drive to Monterey and visit Cannery Row (of author John Steinbeck fame). Enjoy stunning coastline views on 17-Mile Drive, have lunch in Carmel, and visit Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Continue to your hotel in San Luis Obispo.
Standard: Best Western Royal Oak Inn or similar
Upgrade: Mission Inn Pismo Beach or similar

Day 19 | San Luis Obispo – Santa Barbara – Ventura
Driving Distance: 130 mi./210 km.
Journey south through Pismo Beach, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara on the way to your overnight hotel.
Standard: Casa Sirena Inn or similar
Upgrade: La Quinta Inn or similar

Day 20 | Ventura – Los Angeles
Driving Distance: 70 mi./120 km.
Travel to Malibu, then through Santa Monica. In the Los Angeles area, see Hollywood, Mann’s Chinese Theatre, the Sunset Strip, and Beverly Hills before arriving at your hotel.
Standard: Hacienda Hotel or similar
Upgrade: Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport or similar

Day 21 | Los Angeles Departure
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.

Note: All prices in US dollars. High Season: All departures July 01 – October 31. * Child 11 years and under with 2 adults sharing existing bedding.

Daily Departures
From April 01, 2007 through October 31, 2007