America Gap Year Tours

Southern Sun - 21 days

Experience the down home charm of the deep South, visit the Nations Capital, Washington DC, the canyons of the desert southwest and National Parks and wildlife of the West.

Discover the Southern USA, up-close and personal, while traveling through 17 states. What better start than America’s capital, Washington D.C. Learn the country’s history through visits to museums, monuments, memorials and the Mall (containing the Smithsonian).

Travel south through the Appalachian Mountains and have a chance to go whitewater rafting. We continue into the “Deep South” entering Alabama and Mississippi for a taste of true southern charm.

New Orleans is our next stop where you can sample Cajun food, Jazz or a Dixieland band in the French Quarter. For a true party visit Bourbon Street. It’s home to non-stop jazz and nightlife. You may never want to leave, but 4 amazing days in the great state of Texas await you.

In the great state of Texas we will visit the historic Alamo and San Antonio. We will visit a town on the Mexican-American border, Rio Grande for some light shopping. We continue our journey into New Mexico and one of the largest cave systems in the world, Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Next we travel to New Mexico and into the deserts of southwestern USA. Go on a jeep tour with the Navajo Indians in Monument Valley, before exploring the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. We next visit Lake Powell complete with a multitude of water sports. Here you have a chance to sunbathe or refresh yourself in the cool waters. Hiking and photo ops abound in the amazing Zion National Park, our next stop.

Canyon dust gives way to desert glitz when we visit the stunning city of Las Vegas. You can catch a show, take a limo ride or gamble in a casino and let the neon and nightlife dazzle you. We finish our trip in Los Angeles.

Included in the price

Services of the tour leader, camping fees / equipment
Transportation
Illumination tour of Washington monuments
Limos in Las Vegas
Admission to Carlsbad Caverns
Admission to Monument Valley Tribal Lands
Admission to all National Parks & Monuments

Not Included

International Flights
Hotel Accommodation on nights noted (H)
Travel Insurance
Spending Money
Food (Kitty will be collected USD$9 per day)

Accommodation & Meals
This is a camping tour. Camping or unpaid Hotel (H) when noted. You will contribute to a food kitty of $9 per day. This will provide for 3 meals a day usually. While on the tour you will take turns cooking meals. 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.

Stops
Depart New York at 0730 hrs
1 Washington DC
2 Washington DC
3 Virginia
4 Tennessee
5 Alabama
6 New Orleans (H)
7 New Orleans (H)
8 Texas
9 San Antonio
10 San Antonio
11 Del Rio
12 Carlsbad NP
13 Arizona/New Mexico
14 Monument Valley
15 Grand Canyon NP
16 Grand Canyon NP
17 Zion NP
18 Zion NP
19 Las Vegas (H)
20 Las Vegas (H)
21 Los Angeles

Reverse itinerary - departs our Los Angeles hotel at 0730 hrs. Please read in reverse.

Optional Extras

Wave runners
Swamp tour
White water Rafting
I-Max Theatre
Limos in Las Vegas
Western Horseback riding
Las Vegas clubs and casinos
Wet 'n Wild water park   Southern Mansion Tour
Monument Valley Jeep tour
Excellent hiking opportunities
Smithsonian National Museums
Grand Canyon scenic flight
New Orleans Jazz clubs
Mississippi steamboat ride

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