If there is
one continent that is designed for the great road journey, it has to be North
America, and that is exactly what this trip is all about, a great North
American road trip. Travelling from Banff in the Canadian Rockies, down to
Mexico through the Rockies and the great deserts, this is a journey to show you
the wilds of the Canada and the USA.
Exploring,
hiking and horse riding in the plethora of national parks is fundamental to the
tour; Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, The
Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks; the list seems endless. But the journey is not all about the great
outdoors and we allow ourselves to embrace the culture of the, good old, US of
A, whether it be the glitz and glamour of La Vegas, the zeal of Salt Lake City
or the wild west culture of Arazonia.
Moving into
the northern states of Mexico, is a continuation of the journey, and certainly
historically the links are clear to see.
HIGHLIGHTS
Explore scenic Banff National Park and Lake Louise
Roam the lakes and mountains of Glacier National Park
Watch Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park
From Jackson Hole drive through Grand Teton National Park
Salt Lake City and the famous Temple Square
Spot bison and longhorn at Antelope Island
Go trekking in Canyonlands & Arches National Parks
Overnight in Navajo country at Monument Valley
Visit Antelope Canyon near Page
Explore beautiful Bryce and Zion National Parks
Try your luck in glitzy Las Vegas
Visit the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon
Try your hand at surfing in Saulita, Mexico
Enjoy a shot of tequila in Tequila
Explore Paricutin Volcano, with optional horseriding
Immerse yourself in chaotic Mexico city
WHAT TO EXPECT
This is
definitely a camping trip, but with the great advantage that we are staying in
North American camp sites and so the facilities are great. Plenty of easy hiking, horse riding and
rafting opportunities, but there are huge distances to cover. It's a road trip
in a converted School Bus
Border information: if joining in Mexico City, you will most likely enter Mexico at Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA code: MEX).
There will be an important group meeting at 18:00 at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.
Day 2 - Mexico City (28th May 2021)
Today is free to explore Mexico's incredible capital and to take part in some optional activities.
Day 3 - Angahuan (29th May 2021)
Today we will leave the capital behind and have a full day drive to Angahuan. This village is inhabited by the Purépecha people, who have been indigenous to the area since one thousand years before the Spanish invasion. Angahuan is the gateway to the Parícutin volcano, the only volcano in the world to have been born in modern times.
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 11
Day 4 - Angahuan (30th May 2021)
Today we will have a free day to explore the village of Angahuan or to go for optional walks around the area of the Paricutín volcano. The creation of the volcano in 1943 buried two nearby villages, and it's still possible to see the spire of the cathedral of San Juan Parangaricutiro sticking up from the lava field.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 5 - Tequila (31st May 2021)
Today we will drive to the town of Tequila, where we will have time for an optional visit to the town's famous distilleries (either today or on the following morning).
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Day 6 - Sayulita (1st June 2021)
Today we will drive to the surfing town of Sayulita on Pacific coast and enjoy some free time on arrival.
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Day 7 - Sayulita (2nd June 2021)
Today we will have free time to explore the Playa Los Muertos beach and possibly try your hand at surfing!
Day 8 - Mazatlan (3rd June 2021)
Over the next two days we will drive north along the Pacific coast, staying close to the towns of Mazatlán and Guaymas en route.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 9 - Guaymas (4th June 2021)
We continue our overland adventure north, where we will aim to stay near Guayamas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 11
Day 10 - Nogales (5th June 2021)
Border information: Exit Mexico at Nogales, enter USA at Nogales.
Today we will cross the border into the US state of Arizona.
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 11 - Phoenix (6th June 2021)
Today we start to drive north through Arizona to the area near Phoenix.
In the Phoenix area we will most likely stay in a rustic campsite to the north of the city, where we may have the opportunity to take some short horse rides.
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Day 12 - The Grand Canyon (7th June 2021)
Today we will continue north to one of the most spectacular highlights of the USA - the world-famous Grand Canyon. On arrival we will head up to one of the stunning viewpoints over the Grand Canyon for sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Day 13 - The Grand Canyon (8th June 2021)
Today we will have free time to explore the Grand Canyon area and take optional treks and scenic helicopter flights over the canyon. The entrance to the Grand Canyon is included on the trip, but as there are many options once inside the National Park the day will be free to explore in your own way.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - Las Vegas (9th June 2021)
Today we will have a full day drive to the bustling and energetic city of Las Vegas.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 15 - Las Vegas (10th June 2021)
Today we will have free time to fully explore the fascinating city of Las Vegas and enjoy its world-famous all-night entertainment options, including its casinos and shows!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Day 16 - Zion National Park (11th June 2021)
Today we will have a short drive into the state of Utah to the stunning Zion National Park, where we will have free time to explore, trek or take scenic drives through the spectacular deserts and rock formations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Day 17 - Zion National Park (12th June 2021)
Today we have a day to explore Zion National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 18 - Bryce Canyon National Park (13th June 2021)
Today we will head on a very scenic drive out of Zion National Park and on to the incredible Bryce Canyon National Park. We will have a few hours here to take some optional treks to its hoodoos (odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion), before taking another short drive to the wonderful Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4
Day 19 - Page (14th June 2021)
Today we will continue our drive to the beautiful town of Page near the stunning Lake Powell.
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 20 - Monument Valley (15th June 2021)
Today we will drive to the incredible Monument Valley, the iconic landscape symbolic of the American West. On arrival we will head out on an included jeep tour of the Monument Valley Tribal Park, seeing the stunning rock formations up close and learning about the local Navajo culture.
In Monument Valley we will spend the night in a traditional Navajo 'Hogan' (an igloo-shaped dwelling of wood and earth where 6-8 people sleep together on the ground in a circle).
Day 21 - Moab (16th June 2021)
Today we will have a full day drive to the town of Moab, perfectly located next to the rugged wildernesses of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
We will spend the next day exploring and trekking in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park, and taking part in some optional activities in and around Moab.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Day 22 - Moab (17th June 2021)
We will spend the next day exploring and trekking in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park, and taking part in some optional activities in and around Moab.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23 - Salt Lake City (18th June 2021)
Today we will drive to Utah's state capital of Salt Lake City, where we will have some time to explore the city centre and its famous Temple Square. We will then head to the nearby Antelope Island State Park, known for its abundant population of American bison and pronghorns.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 24 - Jackson Hole (19th June 2021)
Today we will drive north into the state of Wyoming and the beautiful town of Jackson Hole.
We then have a full day for white water rafting or to explore Jackson.
Meals: Breakfast
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Day 25 - Jackson Hole (20th June 2021)
Today we have a free day for activities
Day 26 - Yellowstone National Park (21st June 2021)
Today we will drive north through the stunning Grand Teton National Park and take a stop at the spectacular Jenny Lake, where we'll have some free time to explore the lake and possibly take a short boat trip. We will then continue to the famous Yellowstone National Park, home to magnificent landscapes, fantastic treks, and the incredible Old Faithful geyser.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Day 27 - Yellowstone National Park (22nd June 2021)
Today we will have a free day to fully explore Yellowstone National Park and take part in optional treks and other activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Day 28 - Yellowstone National Park (23rd June 2021)
We can enjoy another free day in Yellowstone to explore and take part in activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 29 - Glacier National Park (24th June 2021)
Today we will have a long drive north into the state of Montana, to our campground on the eastern shore of the Hungry Horse Reservoir in the Flathead National Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 11
Day 28 - Glacier National Park (25th June 2021)
Today we will have free time to fully explore the pristine ecosystem of Glacier National Park and take some optional treks or scenic drives up the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass and other scenic points.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 31 - Banff (26th June 2021)
Border information: Exit USA at Chief Mountain, enter Canada at Chief Mountain.
Today we will have a full day drive over the Canadian border to the town of Banff, stopping en route at the fascinating Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a cliff that aboriginal people used for hunting for almost 6000 years.
Meals: Breakfast
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Day 32 - Banff (27th June 2021)
Border information: if leaving in Banff, you will most likely exit Canada at Calgary International Airport.
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Banff. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
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