America Gap Year Tours

Best of the East - 14 Days

Experience the Best of the East on this tour through the best cities and national parks in the area. Get off the beaten track to find the special places and people of this fascinating area of America. From the scenery of the Appalachian Mountains to the big cities of New York and Chicago, the 18th century life of the Amish and the slower paced American South.

We meet up in New York City and head south to the nations capital, Washington D.C. This city is a perfect way to start our journey in America as it contains many museums, such as the Smithsonian, to help you best understands the cultural, social and political history of America. The city is full of amazing monuments to former presidents and fallen soldiers so have your camera ready. In the evening take advantage of the Georgetown nightlife before we head into rural America.

Our next 5 days will be spent venturing through national parks. We will also have a musical interlude in the country and western capital of America, Nashville. As we journey through the countryside you have a chance at horseback riding, hiking and a visit to the aptly named Mammoth Caves! Experience the lush beauty of the Appalachians Mountains, home to the America black bear.
If you are looking for more of a challenge why not opt for some of the best white-water rafting in America!

From the rural countryside into the country’s third largest city and home to the blues, Chicago! This city is home to the Sears Tower and the “Loop”. This city is packed full of great nightlife and a fantastic blues scene on Halstead Street. From the big city we head into Amish country on the shores of Lake Erie.

We stop for one night before continuing our journey to one of the biggest natural attractions in America, Niagara Falls. These magnificent falls are a must see when visiting the East Coast of America. We also give you a chance to get as close to the falls as you dare on the included Maid of the Mist boat ride. In the evening the falls are lit so you can enjoy the true thunderous beauty of this place.

Our final stop will be made at the lovely Finger Lakes in New York State. Take time to enjoy the serene beauty of the place before we head back to “the city that never sleeps”, New York City.

Stops
Departs our New York hotel at 0730 hrs.
1. Washington DC
2. Washington DC
3. Shenandoah Nat'l Park
4. West Virginia
5. Great Smoky Mountains
6. Great Smoky Mountains
7. Nashville
8. Mammoth Caves Nat'l Park
9. Chicago (H)
10. Chicago (H)
11. Ohio
12. Niagara Falls
13. Finger Lakes
14. New York

This trek may operate in either direction.
(H) Indicates hotel nights paid locally. All other nights are camping included in the price.

Included

Transportation by adventure vehicle
Services of a tour leader
All camping fees & equipment
Mammoth Cave tour
Admission to Sears Tower
Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist cruise
Admission to all National Parks & Monuments

Not Included

International Flights
Travel Insurance
Spending Money
Food (Kitty will be collected USD$9 per day)

Meals
You will contribute to a food kitty of $9 per day. This will provide for 3 meals a day usually; eating fresh food that we purchase as we travel to satisfy the international flavour of the group- a healthy way to travel at an unbeatable price. While on the tour you will take turns cooking meals.

Optional Activities
Whitewater rafting
Horseback riding
Blues Clubs
Mountain biking
Canoeing
Roller coaster amusement park
Excellent national park hikes
Country & Western saloons
Baseball game (in season)
Great shopping
Smithsonian National Museums

Dates & Prices
The Best of the East USA tour price varies according to the time of year. Please contact us for exact dates and prices.