America Gap Year Tours

Western Dream - 13 Days Camping Tour

Our journey begins in San Francisco with a visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and a short tour of the city. We then head East into the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the heart of historic gold country. Our days journey ends in Yosemite National Park, such a stop we take 3 days out to enjoy the beauty, trails and activities.

In Yosemite Valley you can opt to rent a bike, swim in the Merced River or wander through the many meadows. Enjoy hiking one of the many trails to truly enjoy nature and the peace and serenity of this place. Take in some of the many famous sites along the trails including Nevada Falls, Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, Vernal Falls and Half Dome. The views are absolutely stunning from every angle. Be sure to take your camera to capture the granite formations of Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. Just out of the valley we visit Mariposa Grove with its towering sequoia trees.

Next stop, Zion National Park. This park is very beautiful in a very different way. Take the day to hike to Emerald Pools, climb to Angel's Landing, ford the Narrows or bike to the nearest ghost town. We continue to Bryce Canyon National Park with its “out of this world” turrets and spires. Explore the area by foot to see Navajo Loop, the Queen's Garden or Peekaboo Loop trails. Tonight we can camp on a lovely site at Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Onto Lake Powell via the Burr Trail, Hog’s Back and Capitol Reef National Park before arriving at our lakeside campground by ferry. We spend our time by the clear blue waters of Lake Powell taking boat trips, water skiing, jet skiing or sunbathing.

From Lake Powell it’s a short drive to our next stop, Monument Valley. Enjoy the included Navajo guided Jeep tour where we learn the importance and rich history of this land. We will also take time out to relax, hunt for native souvenirs and to take in the beautiful sunsets this place is known for.

Our next stop and final national park of the trip is the awesome Grand Canyon. Take a scenic canyon flight or join a ranger led nature walk along the rim of this huge canyon. For the really active why not take a hike into the canyon to truly experience the scale and grandeur.

Leaving nature we venture back into the bright lights and big city of Las Vegas. Enjoy the shopping during the day and the casinos, world-class shows and the Strip by night. We finish our journey with a drive across the Mojave Desert on our way back LA where we say our farewells.

Included

Transportation by adventure vehicle
Services of a tour leader
All camping fees & equipment
One hotel night in Las Vegas
Navajo guided jeep tour Monument Valley
Admission to Valley Tribal Lands and all National Parks

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.

Stops
Departs our San Francisco hotel at 0730 hrs.

1. Yosemite National Park
2. Yosemite National Park
3. Yosemite National Park
4. Great Basin Desert
5. Zion National Park
6. Zion National Park
7. Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park
8. Lake Powell
9. Monument Valley
10. Grand Canyon Nat'l Park
11. Grand Canyon Nat'l Park
12. Las Vegas (HP)
13. Los Angeles

(HP) indicates hotel night included in the price.
All other nights are camping included in the price.

Optional Activities
Mountain biking
Western horseback riding
Guided nature walks
Excellent national park hikes
Visit Navajo jewellery market
Lake Powell: swimming, boat tour, waverunners
Scenic flight over the Grand Canyon and IMAX theatre

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