16/17 Grange Mills, Weir Road London SW12 0NE United Kingdom Tel: 0844 576 1358 Fax: 0208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@trekamerica.co.uk
www.adventureworld.com
SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE TOURS
ADVENTURE WORLD NEW ZEALAND Call: UK 0800 899 111 Email: canada@adventureworld.co.nz TrekAmerica Travel Ltd
TREKAMERICA
Call: 0844 576 1358 ADVENTURE WORLD AUSTRALIA Visit: Call: 1300trekamerica.com 363 055 Email: info@adventureworld.com.au Email: info@trekamerica.co.uk
100% America
100% Adventure
USA, Canada, Alaska & Central America
NORTH AMERICA Toll free: (1) 800 TREK USA (873 5872) Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@trekamerica.co.uk
WORLDWIDE Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8920 Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@trekamerica.co.uk
ABTA No.Y0696 Unlicensed Entity Disclaimer:
IfABTA you request Adventure World to arrange for the provision of products or services by a person or company - THE TRAVEL ASSOCIATION which is not licensed accordance with applicable law, Adventure World accepts no liability (whether in Trek America Travel in Ltd. is a member ofany ABTA, membership number Y0696. contract, for negligence or otherwise) for anyofloss or damage suffered you of asConduct. a result. We are obliged to maintain a high standard service to you by ABTA’sby Code We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of, or in Prices in thiswith brochure are based on costs and exchange rates as at September 1, 2014. connection this contract. Licence no. NSW 2TA5870 WA9TA1399 Further A.B.N. 69information 122 505 631on the Code and arbitration can be found at http://www.abta.com Trek America Travel Ltd. is a member of PEAK Adventure Travel Group Ltd (Registered Australian Company Number 131 952 513)
This brochure is printed on PEFC ® certifi ed paper from responsibly This brochure is printed on PEFC managed sources ® certified paper from responsibly managedPlease sourcesdon’t throw this brochure away - pass it on tobrochure a friend or recycle it! Please don’t throw this away - pass it on to a friend or recycle it!
2015/16
Original Adventures since ’72
2015/16
Contents
Why choose TrekAmerica? TrekAmerica vs. doing it on your own Top Trek Adventures On the road Get social Ready to book
Western USA
Western Wonder California Dreaming Western BLT Westerner 2 BLT Westerner 2 Westerner 3 Canyon Adventure Rocky Mountain High Pacific Coast Mountain Trail
7 days 7 days 7 days 14 days 14 days 21 days 10 days 20 days 14 days 14 days
14 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25
Eastern USA
Freedom Trail Northeastern BLT Best of the East Atlantic Dream Atlantic BLT Deep South BLT NEW Trek vs Food NEW
7 days 9 days 14 days 14 days 13 days 8 days 10 days
28 29 30 32 33 34 35
Canada & Alaska
Canadian Pioneer Canadian BLT Mountie Canadian Parks West Canadian Road Trip Canadian Express BLT Alaskan Denali Alaskan BLT Alaskan Wonder
14 days 10 days 12 days 17 days 25 days 20 days 7 days 10 days 13 days
38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 47
pages 12-25
pages 26-35
pages 36-47
NEW
4 5 6 8 10 11
Cross Country
Southern Sun Northern Trail Southern BLT Northern BLT Americana Road Trip Coast to Coast Express Desert & Rockies BLT NEW Coast to Coast South Coast to Coast North Grand Trek Trailblazer The Great 48
21 days 21 days 21 days 21 days 26 days 15 days 18 days 33 days 29 days 43 days 63 days 80 days
50 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 62 64 66 68
Winter Sun
Wild West Westerner Southern Dixieland NEW Southerner Florida Xmas New Orleans NY NEW Northeastern BLT – NYC New Year California Xmas – Vegas New Year Canyon Xmas – Vegas New Year
10 days 13 days 15 days 21 days 9 days 11 days 8 days 9 days
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 77
Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon Mini Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon Mini New York to Niagara Falls Mini San Francisco to Yosemite Mini Urban Adventures/City tours
4 days 4 days 3 days 3 days 1 day
79 79 80 80 81
12 days 13 days
84 85
15 days 17 days 17 days 13 days
86 87 88 89
pages 48-69
pages 70-77
Mini Adventures pages 78-81
Including Urban Adventures & City tours
Central America
pages 82-89 Including
Central America BOLTs
Mexican BLT Costa Rica BLT
NEW
Mexico City to Playa Del Carmen BOLT Playa Del Carmen to Antigua BOLT Antigua to San José BOLT San José to Panama City BOLT
(Buses or Local Transport)
Essential info pages 90-99
2
Treknical Details Pre & Post Tour Hotels / Tour Extras Flights / Insurance Tour Conditions Grand American Adventures
90-91 92-93 94-95 96 99
Rated 4.76 out of 5 based on 722 reviews August 2014
100% AMERICA 100% ADVENTURE
Way back in 1972 we set off on the open road with a van full of young explorers and one mission: To see the real America, and have fun along the way. Today our ethos hasn’t changed. We’ll show you America’s big highlights from bustling cities to jaw-dropping National Parks, and incredible places so hidden only locals like us know about them (but we’re happy to share)! Do more than you ever dreamed possible and experience the best trips out there.
100% America, 100% Adventure. To book visit trekamerica.com or call 0333 999 7959
3
Contents
Why choose TrekAmerica? TrekAmerica vs. doing it on your own Top Trek Adventures On the road Get social Ready to book
Western USA
Western Wonder California Dreaming Western BLT Westerner 2 BLT Westerner 2 Westerner 3 Canyon Adventure Rocky Mountain High Pacific Coast Mountain Trail
7 days 7 days 7 days 14 days 14 days 21 days 10 days 20 days 14 days 14 days
14 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25
Eastern USA
Freedom Trail Northeastern BLT Best of the East Atlantic Dream Atlantic BLT Deep South BLT NEW Trek vs Food NEW
7 days 9 days 14 days 14 days 13 days 8 days 10 days
28 29 30 32 33 34 35
Canada & Alaska
Canadian Pioneer Canadian BLT Mountie Canadian Parks West Canadian Road Trip Canadian Express BLT Alaskan Denali Alaskan BLT Alaskan Wonder
14 days 10 days 12 days 17 days 25 days 20 days 7 days 10 days 13 days
38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 47
pages 12-25
pages 26-35
pages 36-47
NEW
4 5 6 8 10 11
Cross Country
Southern Sun Northern Trail Southern BLT Northern BLT Americana Road Trip Coast to Coast Express Desert & Rockies BLT NEW Coast to Coast South Coast to Coast North Grand Trek Trailblazer The Great 48
21 days 21 days 21 days 21 days 26 days 15 days 18 days 33 days 29 days 43 days 63 days 80 days
50 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 62 64 66 68
Winter Sun
Wild West Westerner Southern Dixieland NEW Southerner Florida Xmas New Orleans NY NEW Northeastern BLT – NYC New Year California Xmas – Vegas New Year Canyon Xmas – Vegas New Year
10 days 13 days 15 days 21 days 9 days 11 days 8 days 9 days
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 77
Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon Mini Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon Mini New York to Niagara Falls Mini San Francisco to Yosemite Mini Urban Adventures/City tours
4 days 4 days 3 days 3 days 1 day
79 79 80 80 81
12 days 13 days
84 85
15 days 17 days 17 days 13 days
86 87 88 89
pages 48-69
pages 70-77
Mini Adventures pages 78-81
Including Urban Adventures & City tours
Central America
pages 82-89 Including
Central America BOLTs
Mexican BLT Costa Rica BLT
NEW
Mexico City to Playa Del Carmen BOLT Playa Del Carmen to Antigua BOLT Antigua to San José BOLT San José to Panama City BOLT
(Buses or Local Transport)
Essential info pages 90-99
2
Treknical Details Pre & Post Tour Hotels / Tour Extras Flights / Insurance Tour Conditions Grand American Adventures
90-91 92-93 94-95 96 99
Rated 4.76 out of 5 based on 722 reviews August 2014
100% AMERICA 100% ADVENTURE
Way back in 1972 we set off on the open road with a van full of young explorers and one mission: To see the real America, and have fun along the way. Today our ethos hasn’t changed. We’ll show you America’s big highlights from bustling cities to jaw-dropping National Parks, and incredible places so hidden only locals like us know about them (but we’re happy to share)! Do more than you ever dreamed possible and experience the best trips out there.
100% America, 100% Adventure. 3
Why choose TrekAmerica? With over 40 years’ experience showing groups of travellers the USA, Canada, Alaska and Central America, we know a thing or two about putting on a good show! Here’s why TrekAmerica is number one...
We’re the specialists America is simply all we do, and our love for exploring this amazing continent has never faded. We have the local knowledge to know the places to go, the people to see, and those awesome little stops along the way which you’d never know about if travelling alone. Leave the organisation to us and spend your time enjoying the adventure of a lifetime.
6576
ABTA No.Y0696
Trips designed for 18-38s Our trips are aimed at young international travellers aged 18 to 38, all with a sense of fun and a keen desire to explore – you couldn’t meet a nicer crowd! So whether you’re travelling alone or with friends, you’ll soon be surrounded with like-minded people of a similar age who will quickly become your new best mates.
Our groups are small An average TrekAmerica group is around 10-12 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 50 other people shower or get a coffee in the morning? Believe us, it’s not fun. Plus travelling in a smaller private group still lets you meet lots of new friends but allows you the flexibility to venture up isolated canyons on dirt roads or stay later on beaches for sunset, as you’re on board and away in seconds.
A whole host of inclusions You want excitement? With our range of included activities you’ll get serious bang for your buck. You could be cruising down the Las Vegas Strip, camping at a traditional cowboy camp, getting soaked on the Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise, warming up in natural hot springs, jumping on a bike tour in Chicago or strapping yourself in for a jeep ride with a local Navajo guide. We also include entrance to all National Parks and Monuments, and other activities along the way. See individual tour pages for full details.
4
Stage
How we compare
TrekAmerica vs doing it on your own (All prices are in US Dollars per person per day)
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2791
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CAR HIREon a
ed (per person price bas people) 21 day road trip for 2
(21 Day Cam
2791
2791
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BUS
for 21 days (1 person travelling le tickets) xib -fle non Advanced,
TRAIN
) (based on 1 person
lanigiro
ecnis serutne vda
lanigiro 2791
ecnis serutne vda
lanigiro
Stage 3 development - livery and merchandise
$63
TRANSPORTATION
ALL
INCLUDED original adventures
original adventures
since
1972
1972
since
WITH TREK P AY TOLL original adventures
since
since
COMPACT CAR
PER GREYHOUND BUS Single tickets with no flexibility.
PER DAY FOR A 30-DAY PASS
+ $18
+ $30
+ $40
Petrol, road tolls, parking & national PER DAY park fees
1972
s since original adventure original adventures
1972
1972
ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED WITH TREK
HOSTEL
HOSTEL HOSTEL
HOSTEL HOSTEL
HOSTEL
$30
FOOD KITTY, & tour guide tip
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Local taxis & transfers + side trips to PER DAY National Parks
$52
PER NIGHT For budget hotels or hostels (twin share)
PER NIGHT For budget hotels or hostels (some single rooms)
PER NIGHT For budget hotels or hostels (some single rooms)
$65
$65
$65
+ tips & snacks
+ tips & snacks
+ tips & snacks
$20
$20
$20
All meals in restaurants
SNACKS
Local taxis & transfers PER DAY in each location
$52
$44
ALL
$32
$40
For Activities
All meals in restaurants
All meals in restaurants
For Activities
For Activities
City tours & Vegas Limo
Based on tour inclusions
Based on tour inclusions
Based on tour inclusions
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
CAR HIRE
TREKAMERICA
Stage 3 development - livery and merchandise
$160
PER PERSON PER DAY & easiest fun st mo e Th erica! Am way to see
original
original adventures
since
adventures since
1972
1972
original adventures
Lots
& make You do all the driving rself. all arrangements you
since
since
$207
PER PERSON PER DAY
Not fun & flexible. You need to arrange everything yourself.
& book
TRAIN
$209
PER PERSON PER DAY
Not fun & flexible. You need to arrange everything yourself.
& book
1972
es since original adventur original adventures
$210
PER PERSON PER DAY & lots of planning.
BUS
1972
1972
For a full breakdown see:
www.trekamerica.co.uk/compare 5
Denali Denali NP NP
ALASKA
Tangle Tangle LakesLakes
55
Anchorage Anchorage Homer Homer KenaiKenai Fjords Fjords NP NP
WrangellWrangellSt Elias St Elias NP NP
TOP 10
adventures
We offer over 50 unique itineraries through the USA, Canada, Alaska and Central America so there’s no shortage of exciting options to choose from. Here’s a few of our favourites to get you started...
1
Southern Sun, 21 days LA to New York, Camping & Lodging Limo in Las Vegas New Orleans, Bourbon Street Grand Canyon Sunrise Check out this tour on page 50 or combine with the Northern Trail to create the epic 43 day Grand Trek (see page 64).
C A N A D A Jasper Jasper NP NP
WellsWells Gray Gray NP NP
BanffBanff NP NP
44
Vancouver Vancouver
British British Columbia Columbia
Olympic Olympic NP NP
Canadian Canadian PrairiesPrairies
Seattle Seattle
Winni
Mount Mount Rainier Rainier NP NP Portland Portland
33
Yellowstone Yellowstone NP NP Cody Cody
Redwood NP Redwood NP Elko
Jackson Jackson
Elko
Mount Mount Rushmore Rushmore Badlands NP Badlands NP
Lake Lake Tahoe Tahoe
SanSan Francisco Francisco
Yosemite Yosemite NP NP EasternEastern SierrasSierras
Zion NP Zion NP
Big SurBig Sur
Las Vegas Las Vegas
22 Monument Monument ValleyValley
California California Coast Coast
2
Westerner 3, 21 days
Angeles LosLos Angeles
Grand Santa Fe Grand Santa Fe Canyon Canyon NP NP
North Texas North Texas
San Diego San Diego
Round trip from LA, Camping & Lodging Authentic cowboy camp Monument Valley Navajo guided Jeep tour
Austin Au
Visit San Francisco’s Alcatraz Prison Check out this tour on page 20
3
Pacific Coast, 14 days LA to Seattle, Camping & Lodging Tour of Alcatraz, the infamous prison See Giant Sequoia trees in Yosemite Enjoy Portland’s electric day & night life Check out this tour on page 24 or combine with the Mountain Trail to create the epic 28 day Pacific Dream (go online for details).
4
Mountie, 12 days Round trip from Vancouver, Camping Sulphur Mountain hot springs Incredible glacier walk Spot bears, deer, moose & elk Check out this tour on page 40.
6
MEXICO
5
Alaskan Wonder, 13 days Round trip from Anchorage, Camping & Lodging Mountains, lakes, oceans & glaciers Wildlife spotting cruise Wilderness camping in Wrangell-St Elias Check out this tour on page 47
6
Canadian Road Trip, 25 days New York to Seattle, Camping Wilderness canoe trip Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist cruise Sulphur Mountain hot springs Check out this tour on page 42.
Prairies Québec Québec City City
66
Winnipeg Winnipeg
77
Montréal Montréal
Algonquin Algonquin PP PP
Lake Superior Lake Superior
Finger Finger TorontoToronto Lakes Lakes
nt Mount Rushmore more
Minnesota Minnesota
dlands NP NP
Canadian Pioneer, 14 days The perfect mix of the USA and Canada
88
Niagara Niagara Falls Falls
Chicago Chicago
Philadelphia Philadelphia Lake Lake Washington DC Washington DC Erie Erie
USA
ley
7
Acadia Acadia NP NP Round trip from New York, BostonBoston Camping
Vermont Vermont OttawaOttawa
Lake Huron Lake Huron
Appalachian Appalachian Mountains Mountains
Nashville Nashville
OcoeeOcoee River, River, Tennessee Tennessee
Memphis Memphis
North Texas h Texas
Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston
New New York York
Wilderness canoe trip Check out this tour on page 38.
8
Northern Trail, 21 days New York to LA, Camping & Lodging Wildlife spotting in Yellowstone Bobby’s Bike Hike Tour in Chicago
Austin Austin
11
99
Visit an Amish community Panama City Beach Panama City Beach
Check out this tour on page 52 or combine with the Southern Sun to create the epic 43 day Grand Trek (see page 64).
Orlando Orlando
New Orleans New Orleans
Miami Miami
9
Atlantic BLT, 13 days New York to Miami, Budget Lodging Tour of Elvis’ home, Graceland Visit Sun Studio in Memphis Nightlife of New Orleans and Nashville Check out this tour on page 33.
BE LI ZE
GU ATEMALA EL SALVADOR
HOND U R AS NI CA R AGU A
1010 PA N AMA
COSTA RI CA SanSan JoséJosé
10
Costa Rica BLT, 13 days Round trip from San José, Budget Lodging Mountain water slide at Rincon de la Vieja Sunrise boat trip through the rainforest Swim on Caribbean beaches Check out this tour on page 85
7
On the road... All your transport and accommodation is included in your trip and sorted in advance, leaving you relaxed and fresh for when you arrive at the next big adventure!
Camping The original TrekAmerica way
– camp your way across the continent. Don’t worry if you’ve never camped before, it’s brilliant! Camping is the original all-American outdoor adventure - nothing beats sitting around the campfire toasting s’mores and talking about your day with your Trek mates. We supply everything you need including high quality tents, a padded roll mat to sleep on, camp lights, food storage containers and cooking equipment. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag. If you’re travelling alone we’ll pair you with someone of the same sex in your own four person tent, with more than enough room for your luggage – home sweet home! All campgrounds are selected for either their scenic beauty or their convenience to the places you’ll explore. Many campgrounds are situated close to National Parks or beaches so you can get back to nature and see the parts of America not seen by other tourists. Showers, laundromats, shops and swimming pools are commonplace and most camping trips have nights at hotels or hostels in cities included in the tour price, so you can stay right in the heart of the action.
Food Kitty Eat well on your camping trip, and share the cost with our Food Kitty We’ve made it easy to keep an eye on what could be one of the biggest expenses of your trip – food! If everyone bought breakfast, lunch and dinner separately each day, you’re looking at one heck of a bill at the end of your trip. We make the most of our group buying power with the Food Kitty. On camping trips, everyone contributes $10 a day towards food for the group which usually covers 3 meals a day for the days spent camping. We buy fresh meat, fruit and vegetables as we go and cook together, sharing the cooking and camp duties. We find it’s a great way to eat fresh, healthy food at an unbeatable price and with little waste, and as we’re buying our own foods it’s easy to cater for everyone’s needs and tastes. Occasionally we’ll eat at a restaurant, each paying our own way and enjoy local specialities – Creole food, all-American burgers, fresh lobster or spicy hot Mexican! Mmmmm mmm!
8
Lodging The same great TrekAmerica experience, with a roof over your head. On our BLT (Budget Lodging Tours), BOLT (Buses or Local Transport) trips and our special New Year’s Eve departures you’ll stay in a whole range of accommodation. You could be sleeping in motels, hotels, hostels, cabins, lodges or even ranches along the way! Clean, comfortable, and value for money is our ethos. We want you to feel at home wherever you are, and not pay over the odds for it. We also know how important it is for you to be located near the action, so that’s exactly what we provide! Rooms are a mix of twin share and private multi-share (average of 4-6 per room). There’s no Food Kitty on a lodging trip, meals are paid for locally, although your Tour Leader will probably suggest an optional breakfast or lunch kitty to keep costs down.
Central America BOLTs
(Buses or Local Transport) These trips offer something a little different. A great affordable and efficient way to travel through these amazing countries is to get on board with the locals, so you’ll get around using buses, water taxis, collectivos and private transport. You still get the same great small group experience, but you get to meet the locals and see how they live! See page 83
Transport Your own private van Having your own private van driven by your Tour Leader means the road trip really is part of the fun. Climb aboard with your new mates and watch the open road unravelling ahead of you for the ultimate in group bonding experiences. Don’t forget to stock your iPod with some classic American road tunes. ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ never sounded so good.
Wi-Fi
Our vans are also equipped with WiFi (USA lower 48 states only) so you can update your facebook status , tweet us with your best pics or feed your TrekAmerica Live profile from the road. Also bring your in-car charger to keep your mobile phone or tablet topped up along the way.
9
Get Social Travelling responsibly We believe it’s the small things in life which make the biggest difference, so we try to do our bit for Mother Earth and the communities we visit. Small things we’ve done to help are: donate our old tents and sleeping bags to boy scouts, offer left over ‘Food Kitty’ food to the homeless and we always keep our eyes open for opportunities to help where we can. We use locally owned businesses for en route activities and accommodation, and work with local communities such as the Navajo people in Monument Valley.
Help us to make a difference We also support a local Californian charity, Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT). Their work helps to give access to outdoor adventures to disadvantaged young people, who may never otherwise leave the city. Everyone who books a trip with TrekAmerica has the option to donate £1/US$1/€1 to support this well-deserved charity and TrekAmerica will match this donation.
For more information visit:
www.trekamerica.com/RTP
Your TrekAmerica Tour Leader TrekAmerica Tour Leaders are home-grown, knowledgeable and fun loving folks with a passion for showing you the real Americas. They’ll drive you from A to B, feed you with as much local info as you need and arrange all your activities en route, so all you need to do is throw yourself into the experience! We choose only the most enthusiastic and committed people to become Tour Leaders, and train them extensively. After all, we believe that the most important ingredient for the success of the tour is a great leader.
SOUBS
Check out some great blogs from our Tour Leaders at:
www.trekamerica.co.uk/blog
Share the experience
MELISSA Read our blog:
@TrekAmerica
trekamerica.co.uk/blog
Ask us your questions via twitter
facebook.com/trekamerica
@TrekAmerica
Like us for travel inspiration and more
Hashtag your pics #trekamerica and we’ll share them
youtube.com/trekamerica1
Create a personalised social mashup of your trip, see
Share your videos, we’ll add the best to our playlists
10
Follow all the news and gossip live from the road
live
trekamericalive.com for more info.
Ready to book? Here’s what you need to know:
£ Low deposits If you’re booking more than 2 months ahead, you can secure your trip with a deposit and pay the balance 8 weeks before you travel. Our standard deposit is: AUD$200/NZD$250 or 10% of the total trip cost (whichever is greater). See Treknical details on page 90 for exceptions.
✈ Flights, Hotels & more...
As well as your trip of a lifetime, we can also help to arrange all other aspects of your travel plans. Flights - see page 94 Pre / post tour hotels - see page 92 Travel insurance - see page 95 City sightseeing - see page 81
g Guaranteed departures Many departures are guaranteed from the start with more being guaranteed on a weekly basis once they have reached minimum numbers; ensuring a true group experience and peace of mind to confirm your other travel arrangements. See website or ask for more details.
£+£ Multi Trip Discount Save 5% off the price of two or more tours when you book them together, helping you make the most of your travels. (Applies to a single traveller booking two or more tours at the same time).
Frequent Trekkers Club As soon as you’ve travelled with us once, you’ll qualify to join our Frequent Trekkers Club, where you can enjoy these great benefits:
5% off all future tour bookings, rising to 10% once you’ve taken your third trip
Discounts can be combined with any last minute and multi-trip discounts, up to a maximum of 20%
Access to exclusive member benefits, and partner discounts and offers
See www.trekamerica.com/ftc for more
Private Groups We can offer competitive rates for private groups of eight or more travellers on most of our itineraries. We can also help if your group would like an itinerary tailored to suit your interests. See www.trekamerica.co.uk/groups for more.
Treknical details You’ll find everything you need to know about travelling with TrekAmerica explained on pages 90-91, from visa requirements to what you’ll need to pack.
11
Western USA A land of extremes, where celebrities revel in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and cowboys still ride the dusty plains. >> see pages 12 to 25
Yellowstone National Park
The world’s first ever National Park, this geothermic wonderland is like a natural zoo, with bison, elk and grizzly bears calling this hotspot home.
Seattle
Yosemite National Park
Towering granite peaks, Giant Sequoia trees and some of the highest waterfalls in the world, provide a stunning backdrop for hiking, biking and whitewater rafting.
Yellowstone National Park Jackson
San Francisco
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, plus Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown and Alcatraz, make the City by the Bay an American favourite.
Las Vegas
Yosemite National Park San Francisco
Moab
This one of a kind neon oasis is home to pirates, pyramids and waterfalls, so join the high-rollers for a night out you won’t forget.
The Grand Canyon
One of the world’s natural wonders, this 280 mile long, 18 mile wide and mile deep canyon is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset; it’ll leave you spellbound!
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Monument Valley Grand Canyon National Park
San Diego
Monument Valley
Home to the Navajo people, this iconic American landscape of red-rock mesas and towering buttes is the most photographed locations in America.
Our Top Picks
Whitewater Rafting
Limo Tour of Las Vegas You could be cruising in style on a limo tour of the world famous Las Vegas Strip, the perfect way to celebrate your incredible American adventure.
Roll into Jackson, Wyoming for some seriously good whitewater rafting on the picturesque Snake River, with pine fringed canyons and the majestic Tetons providing a spectacular backdrop.
Overnight Cowboy Camp
Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight
Time to live like a cowboy, or girl… complete with traditional campfire dinner and horseback riding through the desert, before curling up beneath a star-studded sky.
Take to the skies and get a view like no other with a flight over the Grand Canyon. This truly is a 'not to miss' once in a lifetime experience!
12 Call 020 7368 1200 for our latest offers or visit your local TRAILFINDERS travel centre
Western USA
Monument Valley
13
Western USA
C
Tour from AUD
$1129
7 Days, 3 States WASHINGTON
California, Arizona & Nevada
N O RT H D A K O TA
Tour from NZD
$1259
Grand Canyon National Park
A
M O N T A N A
Camping & Lodging O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH
DAKOT
W Y O M I N G
WESTERN WONDER What a week in Southwest USA! A double dose of National Park adventure, right between three of its most unforgettable cities. Follow the route as shown below or go in reverse. In any case, we promise canyons, casinos, cacti, and the iconic Route 66! DAY 1/2 SAN FRANCISCO > YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK After checking out the famous Golden Gate Bridge, there’s a chance to see one of the top rated US parks, with wildlife including bears and coyotes, along with stunning waterfalls and granite cliffs. ) The shows, the casinos, the clubs; see the best of spectacular DAY 3/4 LAS VEGAS (L Sin City as you cruise The Strip on an included limo ride, take in a show or hop on one of the world’s highest thrill rides at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. It's also very possible to get married in Vegas (don't worry, it's not legally binding unless you want it to be!) so live for the moment, and marry whoever (and whatever!) you like!
DAY 5 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Here it is; the main event and the grandest canyon of them all. You can choose to watch the sunset from the rim or soar above it ) for a magnificent bird’s-eye view. with an optional helicopter flight ( DAY 6 COLORADO RIVER Travel along the original Route 66 stopping at the quirky town of Seligman. Prepare to be wowed by vast swathes of Arizona’s cactus studded desert and take a refreshing dip in the Colorado River. Enjoy one last blast on your final evening together, before striking out for the Californian coast. DAY 7 COLORADO RIVER > LOS ANGELES Fresh from nature’s most dramatic sets, you’ve stepped right into Movieland itself. Keep your eyes peeled for a celeb on our quick jaunt to some of Hollywood's famous sights!
TREK INCLUDES Limousine ride in Las Vegas Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset See towering granite peaks in Yosemite National Park Get your kicks on Route 66 Walk the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco City tour of San Francisco and Hollywood Incredible National Parks -Yosemite and Grand Canyon
U T A H
• All accommodation: ) 4 nights camping, 2 hotel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO
San Francisco CALIFORNIA
Las Vegas Route 66
K A N
Grand Canyon NP
Colorado River Los Angeles
A R I Z O N A
START FINISH 2015 13 Apr 19 Apr 27 Apr 03 May 11 May 17 May 25 May 31 May 08 Jun 14 Jun 22 Jun 28 Jun 06 Jul 12 Jul 13 Jul 19 Jul 20 Jul 26 Jul 27 Jul 02 Aug 03 Aug 09 Aug
GET MORE ADVENTURE...
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START FINISH 2015 10 Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 06 Sep 07 Sep 13 Sep 14 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 27 Sep 28 Sep 04 Oct 12 Oct 18 Oct 26 Oct 01 Nov
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡ Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
M E X I C O
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Las Vegas clubs and casinos * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Las Vegas helicopter flight * Float trip on the Merced River in Yosemite NP * Las Vegas Shows * Gun range in Las Vegas * Go Karting in Las Vegas * Sham Vegas wedding (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SAN FRANCISCO TREK CODE: W1S
This tour combines with the 7 day Freedom Trail to create the Coast to Coast Express! - see page 58.
O K N E W
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 7 days (see page 90 for details)
>>
C O L O R A D O
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES M
PLUS...
•
N E B R A S
NEVADA
Yosemite NP
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: W1L
START FINISH 2015 06 Apr 12 Apr 20 Apr 26 Apr 04 May 10 May 18 May 24 May 25 May 31 May 01 Jun 07 Jun 08 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 05 Jul 06 Jul 12 Jul 13 Jul 19 Jul
START FINISH 2015 20 Jul 26 Jul 27 Jul 02 Aug 03 Aug 09 Aug 10 Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 06 Sep 07 Sep 13 Sep 14 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 27 Sep 05 Oct 11 Oct 19 Oct 25 Oct
>> You may also like.... Our 7 day Western BLT (Budget Lodging Tour) See page 16.
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Tour from AUD
7 Days, 2 States
$1079
California & Nevada
WASHINGTON
Tour from NZD
$1199
Camping & Lodging O R E G O N
M O N T A N
IDAHO
TREK INCLUDES Visit the infamous Alcatraz NEVADA Prison (value US$30) U T A H San Francisco Yosemite NP Explore Death Valley - the hottest place on earth Bishop Monterey Scenic coastal walk in Monterey CALIFORNIA Big Sur to spot whales and sea lions Las Vegas Death Valley NP California Visit Santa Barbara, Big Sur Coast and Monterey Santa Barbara A R I Z O N A Los Angeles Sightseeing tours of Hollywood and San Francisco Walk on the Golden Gate Bridge Driving tour of Las Vegas Strip Gaze up at the Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park
Santa Monica Pier, California Coast
CALIFORNIA DREAMING Get ready for a seriously hot and fun-packed week in Western USA. Travel up the stunning California coast to San Francisco, the City by The Bay, home to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit Yosemite National Park with its Giant Sequoias and turn the heat up in Death Valley en route to the desert city of Las Vegas! DAY 1 LOS ANGELES > SANTA BARBARA > CALIFORNIA COAST With the sun on your face you’re off to Hollywood where you’ll find the famous sign and Walk of Fame. Uncover the sparkling Californian coastline heading north up to Santa Barbara and finishing with your first night camping under the California sky. DAY 2 BIG SUR STATE PARK > MONTEREY Follow the famous coastal road to Big Sur State Park where you'll find the iconic coastal waterfalls and spot sea lions and elephant seals from the shore. Next up: Monterey, with its varied shopping areas, awesome bars and excellent walking along its beautiful coastline. ) No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to DAY 3/4 SAN FRANCISCO (L Haight-Ashbury and the Golden Gate Bridge, and luckily for you that's exactly what's on the cards today. Plus we've included a trip to the incredible offshore prison of Alcatraz, a 'must do' whilst in San Fran.
DAY 5 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Prepare to be wowed. Thundering waterfalls, huge granite cliffs shaped by the elements and towering Sequoia trees are all perfect camera fodder within this vast wilderness. You have two days here to hike, bike or float through this extraordinary landscape, so make sure your camera is well charged! DAY 6 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK > BISHOP Hit the trails in search of bears, coyotes, marmots and Golden Eagles. The trails open up a new side to Yosemite and unveil the wild and rugged scenery which has drawn travellers from all over the world. In the afternoon drive to Bishop for an overnight stay. DAY 7 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK > LAS VEGAS Visit the pock-marked landscape of the Devil’s Golf Course and head down to Badwater Basin, a low salt flat which is like a huge blank canvas – perfect for some ‘perspective’ photos. There’s loads to see and do in Death Valley – the hottest place on earth! As evening approaches, roll into the neon city of Las Vegas and make your last night one to remember. Make sure you stay a few extra days in Vegas to soak up the frenetic atmosphere and sample the casinos, clubs and world-class shows.
W Y O M
• All accommodation: ) 4 nights camping, 2 hostel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hostels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 7 days (see page 90 for details)
Sea kayaking * Monterey Bay Aquarium * Sunset sailboat cruise on San Francisco Bay * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Float trip on the Merced River * San Francisco cable car ride * San Francisco Baseball game * Bike rental,Yosemite * Las Vegas Strip flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 7 day Western BLT (Budget Lodging Tour) See page 16. Our 4 day Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Mini Adventure which can be added to the end of your tour. See page 79.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: W1H
FINISH 2015 May 17 May Jun 14 Jun Jun 28 Jun Jul 12 Jul Jul 26 Jul Aug 09 Aug Aug 16 Aug Aug 23 Aug Aug 30 Aug Aug 06 Sep Sep 20 Sep
N E W
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
•
C O
START
START
FINISH 2016 May 15 May Jun 12 Jun Jun 26 Jun Jul 10 Jul Jul 24 Jul Aug 07 Aug Aug 14 Aug Aug 21 Aug Aug 28 Aug Aug 04 Sep
11 08 22 06 20 03 10 17 24 31 14
09 06 20 04 18 01 08 15 22 29
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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7 Days, 3 States
$1259
WASHINGTON
California, Nevada & Arizona
NORTH DAK
Tour from NZD
M O N T A N A
$1399
Budget Lodging
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH DA
W Y O M I N G
TREK INCLUDES
Yosemite National Park
Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Walk amongst towering granite peaks and waterfalls in Yosemite National Park Tour of Hollywood, LA Cruise the Las Vegas Strip in a super-stretch limousine Drive the iconic Route 66
WESTERN BLT Can we let you into a little secret? It's not all about California. Head inland just a few hours and watch forests turn to desert and clear the way for the most jawdropping landscape of them all... the Grand Canyon. DAY 1/2 SAN FRANCISCO > YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AREA (L ) After a brief fling with San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, hit the old prospector trails heading east to Yosemite National Park. The chiselled landmarks of Half Dome and El Capitan are awe-inspiring, the Sequoias more giant than any you've ever seen, and a chilled drink at sunset makes for one surefire ice-breaker. ) A-list stars swarm to this 24/7 party town, and anything DAY 3/4 LAS VEGAS (L goes (including sham marriages!) so prepare yourself for the craziest two days of your life. Cruise The Strip in a super-stretch limousine and opt for a feast on the famous all you can eat buffets before attempting to blag your way into a top nightclub. ) Leaving Las Vegas, strike out across the DAY 5 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L desert in search of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon. Take to the sky and witness the monumental red and gold formations from high above ) or check out Ooh Aah Point on the South Kaibab on an optional helicopter flight ( Trail. The Grand Canyon is unforgettable at sunrise or sunset. ) After a beautiful sunrise and well spent morning at the DAY 6 COLORADO RIVER (L Grand Canyon, head west to the quirky little town of Seligman on the original Route 66, and you'll see pop-art memorabilia everywhere! Grab a frosty shake at the Snow Cap Diner before making tracks for the spectacular Colorado River where you can cool off with a refreshing dunk, before spending the night close by in Laughlin.
DAY 7 COLORADO RIVER > LOS ANGELES It's 'La la land', where everything is big, brash and beautiful. Tour Hollywood and the Walk of Fame for a final taste of this electric city. Why not spend an extra night and let an LA local introduce you to some of this city's famous and historic bars on our Stars and Bars Urban Adventure >> see page 81.
U T A H
San Francisco CALIFORNIA
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Las Vegas
Grand Route 66 Canyon NP Colorado River
Los Angeles
A R I Z O N A
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• Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation
Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Las Vegas clubs and casinos * Las Vegas helicopter flight * Rollercoasters (Some activities may be seasonal)
•
>> See website for more details & prices.
• All accommodation (L ): 4 nights hotel, 2 nights hostel/cabin
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
ESSENTIAL INFO
>> You may also like....
• Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
Our 7 day Western Wonder tour. See page 14. If you are spending an extra night in LA or San Francisco why not prebook a city tour? See page 81 for more details.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SAN FRANCISCO TREK CODE: WBS
START
START
START
09 23 07 28
23 06 20 04 18 08 22 13 27
12 16 21
20
10 24 07 21 06 20 17 15
FINISH 2015 Aug 29 Aug Sep 12 Sep Sep 26 Sep Oct 10 Oct Oct 24 Oct Nov 14 Nov Nov 28 Nov Dec 19 Dec Dec 02 Jan 2016 Jan 16 Jan Jan 30 Jan Feb 13 Feb Feb 27 Feb Mar 12 Mar Mar 26 Mar Apr 23 Apr May 21 May
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: WBL
START
FINISH 2014 Nov 15 Nov Nov 29 Nov Dec 13 Dec Dec 03 Jan 2015 Jan 17 Jan Jan 31 Jan Feb 14 Feb Feb 28 Feb Mar 14 Mar Mar 28 Mar Apr 25 Apr May 23 May Jun 20 Jun Jun 04 Jul Jul 18 Jul Jul 01 Aug Aug 15 Aug
C O L O R A D O
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
11 25 08 22 08 22 19 17 14 28 12 26 09
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡ Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
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N E B R
NEVADA
Yosemite NP
04 01 01 15 12 10 07 21 05 02 16 30 13 11 15
FINISH 2014 Oct 18 Oct Nov 22 Nov Dec 27 Dec 2015 Jan 10 Jan Feb 07 Feb Mar 07 Mar Mar 21 Mar Apr 18 Apr May 16 May Jun 13 Jun Jun 27 Jun Jul 11 Jul Aug 08 Aug Aug 22 Aug Aug 05 Sep Sep 19 Sep Oct 17 Oct Nov 21 Nov
03 31 28 13 10 08 05 19 03 31 14 28 11 09 13 18
FINISH 2015 Dec 26 Dec 2016 Jan 09 Jan Jan 06 Feb Feb 05 Mar Mar 19 Mar Apr 16 Apr May 14 May Jun 11 Jun Jun 25 Jun Jul 09 Jul Jul 06 Aug Aug 20 Aug Aug 03 Sep Sep 17 Sep Oct 15 Oct Nov 19 Nov Dec 24 Dec
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WESTERNER 2 BLT
Tour from AUD
) Leaving the bright lights of DAY 8/9 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AREA (L Las Vegas behind, make a beeline for California’s most famous National Park, Yosemite. Both easy and challenging hikes bring you face to face with stunning waterfalls, towering granite peaks and a wealth of wildlife. Why not opt for a float down the Merced River to see Yosemite in a very different way. ) Upon arriving at the 'City by the Bay' you'll DAY 10/11 SAN FRANCISCO (L walk the Golden Gate Bridge and take a tour of Haight-Ashbury. Why not visit Fisherman's Wharf, China Town, ride the cable cars or see the famous painted ladies, or chow down on tacos at Taqueria in the Mission District. Yum. ) Follow one of the coastal trails DAY 12 CALIFORNIA COAST (MONTEREY) (L looking for whales and sea lions or hit the many shops. ) California's pristine coastline and the DAY 13 BIG SUR/SANTA BARBARA (L wilderness of Big Sur make for a spectacular drive south. Check out the stunning viewpoint of McWay Falls and look out for elephant seals. In Santa Barbara take some free time to relax and swim, or explore the famous Spanish Mission. Then let the nightlife begin!
DAY 14 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES Tour the City of Angels, Venice Beach and Hollywood Boulevard before seeing LA’s iconic Hollywood sign and finishing this trip of a lifetime on a high!
SPECI
DEPART AL URE!
SAN FRA NCIS 4TH JULY CO
Join the pa rty in the City by th as it comes e Bay alive with fireworks!
DON’T M ISS OUT Book 24th June 20 15
Budget Lodging
NOR M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOU
TREK INCLUDES Limousine tour in Las Vegas Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Scenic walks amongst Giant Sequoia trees in Yosemite Travel the original Route 66 Visit Salvation Mountain City tours of San Francisco & Hollywood, LA See the Hoover Dam Incredible National Parks -Yosemite and Grand Canyon
) Want to see something cool? How about the DAY 3 COLORADO RIVER (L strange desert sculpture of Salvation Mountain, seen in the movie 'Into the Wild'? Follow the yellow brick road all the way to the top for some great photos of this amazing desert setting. Cool off with a dip in the Colorado River before settling down for the night in nearby Laughlin.
) Heading for Vegas we say 'hello' to the Hoover Dam and DAY 6/7 LAS VEGAS (L stop off on the original Route 66 at the quirky little town of Seligman. Next up; the main event. Cruise the party capital of the USA on an included stretch limo tour. Opt for a deluxe buffet, the Bellagio’s water-show or New York New York’s famous rollercoaster, before checking out Coyote Ugly and clubbing all night long.
WASHINGTON
$2659
DAY 1/2 LOS ANGELES > SAN DIEGO (L ) Say hello to San Diego, hang out with the monkeys at San Diego Zoo or head to the beach for some first-class watersports and to start on that Californian tan.
) One of the true wonders of the DAY 4/5 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L world, the Grand Canyon is immense and the sunrise is truly unforgettable. Over 227 miles long, 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep, it’s perfect for exploring on foot or ). Why not enjoy a visit to the IMAX Theater to on an exciting helicopter flight ( see how the Grand Canyon was formed over millions of years.
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California, Arizona & Nevada
Tour from NZD
The perfect California, Nevada and Arizona blend; from the coastal paradise of San Diego and bright lights of Las Vegas, to the vast coloured rock formations of the Grand Canyon. Hike the wild and winding natural trails and sheer rock faces of Yosemite National Park, and visit San Francisco before continuing down California’s stunning coastline.
departure
14 Days, 3 States
$2389
PLUS...
NEVADA
San Francisco Yosemite NP
California Coast Santa Barbara
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles San Diego
U T A H
Las Vegas Route 66
C O L O R A D O
Grand Canyon NP
Colorado River A R I Z O N A
Salvation Mountain
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation (L ): 9 nights hotel, 4 nights hostel/cabin • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
W Y O M I N G
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
N E W
M E X I C O
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Las Vegas clubs & casinos * Hummer tour in Las Vegas * Sea kayaking * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Float trip on the Merced River * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * San Diego Zoo * San Francisco cable cars * Sunset sailboat cruise * Las Vegas helicopter flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: W2B
START
START
05 19 03 17
19 26 02 09 16 23 07 21 04 18 02 16
07 21 18 04 18 01 15 06 20 03 10 17 24 01 08 15 22 29 05 12
FINISH 2014 Nov 18 Nov Nov 02 Dec Dec 16 Dec Dec 30 Dec 2015 Jan 20 Jan Jan 03 Feb Feb 03 Mar Mar 17 Mar Mar 31 Mar Apr 14 Apr Apr 28 Apr May 19 May May 02 Jun Jun 16 Jun Jun 23 Jun Jun 30 Jun Jun 07 Jul Jul 14 Jul Jul 21 Jul Jul 28 Jul Jul 04 Aug Jul 11 Aug Aug 18 Aug Aug 25 Aug
06 20 17 02 16 30 13 04 18 01 08
FINISH 2015 Aug 01 Sep Aug 08 Sep Sep 15 Sep Sep 22 Sep Sep 29 Sep Sep 06 Oct Oct 20 Oct Oct 03 Nov Nov 17 Nov Nov 01 Dec Dec 15 Dec Dec 29 Dec 2016 Jan 19 Jan Jan 02 Feb Feb 01 Mar Mar 15 Mar Mar 29 Mar Mar 12 Apr Apr 26 Apr May 17 May May 31 May Jun 14 Jun Jun 21 Jun
>> You may also like.... Our 14 day Westerner 2 camping tour. See page 18.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
Be in San Francisco for 4th July
Big Sur, California Coast
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WESTERNER 2 Mix it up with a potent California, Nevada and Arizona cocktail, featuring the golden gates of San Francisco, the peaks and valleys of Yosemite National Park, the heat of Death Valley, the bright lights of Las Vegas, the iconic Route 66, the incredible Grand Canyon and finishing up with the sparkling California coastline. DAY 1/2 LOS ANGELES > SAN DIEGO Start your two week adventure in the USA’s west with a chance to check out star studded Hollywood Boulevard for a holiday snap of the famous sign and a walk on the Walk of Fame. Then say goodbye to LA and hello to the city of San Diego. Laze in grassy Balboa Park or feel the sand between your toes as you top up your tan at Mission Beach. If you’re feeling a tad more active, why not go rollerblading, cycle along the seafront or explore San Diego Zoo. At night, San Diego comes to life in the Gaslamp Quarter - the heart of the city’s live music bars and nightlife. DAY 3 LAKE HAVASU/LAUGHLIN Feel the heat beneath the blue skies of the Mojave Desert as you visit Salvation Mountain, featured in the movie 'Into the Wild'. Stop for a 'Kodak' moment and take photos of the magnificent sand dunes before attempting the climb to the top. After all this heat, you’ll need to cool off with a dunk in refreshing Lake Havasu. Want to see something weird? How about the original London Bridge, relocated to Lake Havasu in 1831? In the evening head to Laughlin to spend the night. DAY 4/5 GRAND CANYON Got your fill of strange sights? Well they’re about to get even stranger as you prepare to be dwarfed by the almighty Grand Canyon. Nothing you have ever seen before will prepare you for this spectacular sight! Hike from the forest above to the desert below or take an optional helicopter flight ( ) for a bird's eye view and to marvel at the brilliant colours. The canyon depths are nothing short of mindblowing. Then again so is the sunrise and that's free. DAY 6/7 LAS VEGAS (L ) En route to Vegas stop off on the original Route 66 at the quirky little road side town of Seligman, full to the brim with vintage Americana. Stop for a view of the Hoover Dam before catching some Vegas rays by the pool then dive into The Strip in style on an optional limousine tour. Indulge in an all you can eat buffet, take in a show, fly high over the skyline on an optional helicopter flight or sit back in a café and people-watch. For those who want a bit more nature, then the famous Red Rock Canyon isn’t far either.
SPECIAL ! RE DEPARTU S L AS V E G A Y L 4TH JU
and th fireworks mes alive wi ht long! The Strip co nig all e inu cont the parties
ISS OUT DON’T28M th June 2014 Book departure
DAY 8 DEATH VALLEY Welcome to the hottest, driest and lowest place on earth, Death Valley National Park. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s hot. The mercury tips at over 130 degrees in the summer, and the heat has created one of the most barren (but geologically awesome) landscapes in the world, with never-ending salt flats and a little place the locals like to call ‘Devil’s Golf Course’. Spend the night in nearby Bishop, where thankfully it's not quite as hot! DAY 9/10 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Wind through peaks with views across the Sierra Nevadas that will have you itching to get your trekking boots on, and there is no better place than one of nature’s greatest back yards, Yosemite National Park. Stretch your legs and walk amongst the Giant Sequoias, hike to one of the magnificent waterfalls or hire a bike to pedal along the park roads. One thing’s for sure, you’ll need to have plenty of room on your camera for the millions of photos you’ll be taking, DAY 11/12 SAN FRANCISCO (L ) Fall for San Francisco's charm with a tour of Haight-Ashbury, home to the original hippie movement before a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge. There is loads to fill your time in the ‘City by the Bay’ but we kick start your time off with an included guided ‘Teas, Temples & Beatniks’ tour of Chinatown and Northbeach, guaranteed to unveil a different side to this laid-back city. In your free time why not explore Fisherman's Wharf and the hillside heights, as well as the 'speak easy' bars which keep going until the small hours. DAY 13 PACIFIC COAST Say hello to the rugged wilderness of Big Sur and historic Monterey. Walk along the coastal trails for the chance to catch a glimpse of whales and sea lions and check out stunning McWay falls in Big Sur. Settle in to camp and watch a blazing Californian sunset. It doesn’t get much better than this! DAY 14 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES Make the most of every last second of free time at the beach in Santa Barbara before heading back to 'La La Land' for a chance to strut your stuff at Venice Beach, and enjoy a spot of people watching by the ocean before calling time on your American adventure.
Yosemite National Park
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Western USA Tour from AUD
14 Days, 3 States
$2189
California, Arizona & Nevada
Tour from NZD
$2439
WASHINGTON
Camping & Lodging M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
TREK INCLUDES Guided tour of San Francisco's Chinatown and Northbeach Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Stunning Californian coastline Scenic walks amongst Giant Sequoia trees in Yosemite City tours of Las Vegas & Hollywood, LA View of the Hoover Dam The hottest place on earth at Death Valley Incredible National Parks -Yosemite, Death Valley & Grand Canyon
PLUS...
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
San Francisco Yosemite NP Bishop
Monterey Big Sur
Pacific Coast
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles San Diego
C O L O R A D O
Grand Las Vegas Canyon NP
Death Valley
Santa Barbara
U T A H
Route 66
Lake Havasu Salvation Mountain
A R I Z O N A
N E W
M E X I C O
M
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation: ) 9 nights camping, 4 hotel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
IDAHO
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 14 days (see page 90 for details)
Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Rollerblading in San Diego * Baseball game in San Francisco * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * San Diego Zoo * Watersports in San Diego * San Francisco cable cars * Gun range * Las Vegas Shows * Sunset sailboat cruise in San Francisco * Las Vegas Strip flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: W2
START
FINISH 2015 Mar 11 Apr Apr 15 Apr Apr 18 Apr Apr 22 Apr Apr 25 Apr Apr 29 Apr Apr 02 May Apr 06 May Apr 09 May Apr 13 May May 16 May May 20 May May 23 May May 30 May May 03 Jun May 06 Jun May 13 Jun Jun 17 Jun Jun 20 Jun Jun 24 Jun Jun 27 Jun Jun 01 Jul Jun 04 Jul Jun 08 Jul Jun 11 Jul Jul 15 Jul Jul 18 Jul
START
FINISH 2015 Jul 22 Jul Jul 25 Jul Jul 29 Jul Jul 01 Aug Jul 05 Aug Jul 08 Aug Jul 12 Aug Aug 15 Aug Aug 19 Aug Aug 22 Aug Aug 26 Aug Aug 29 Aug Aug 02 Sep Aug 05 Sep Aug 09 Sep Aug 12 Sep Sep 16 Sep Sep 19 Sep Sep 23 Sep Sep 26 Sep Sep 30 Sep Sep 03 Oct Sep 10 Oct Oct 17 Oct Oct 24 Oct Oct 31 Oct
29 02 05 09 12 16 19 23 26 30 03 07 10 17 21 24 31 04 07 11 14 18 21 25 28 02 05
09 12 16 19 23 26 30 02 06 09 13 16 20 23 27 30 03 06 10 13 17 20 27 04 11 18
>> You may also like....
Our 14 day Westerner 2 BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 17.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
Be in Las Vegas for 4th July
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WESTERNER 3 Four states in three weeks makes for one heck of a ride! Sample the laidback West Coast vibe and outrageous glitz of Tinseltown and Vegas, before discovering the best of America’s Southwest, where canyons, mountains and out-of-this-world National Parks dominate the landscape. DAY 1/2 LOS ANGELES > SAN DIEGO After a quick tour of Hollywood and Venice Beach we leave ‘La la’ land behind and head to San Diego where it’s all about the beach. Bronzed bodies, big shades and baggy shorts. Why not visit the famous San Diego Zoo before soaking up a blazing Californian sunset. DAY 3/4 LAS VEGAS (L ) It’s Vegas, baby! Nowhere on earth is quite like it. Stack up the chips, stroll The Strip and take in the electric atmosphere inside some of the most over-the-top hotels in the world. Why not treat yourself to a high-rolling limo ride down The Strip? DAY 5/6 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Today will define the words 'road trip'. with iconic sights like the Hoover Dam and the quirky little town of Seligman, on the original Route 66. Our next stop is the grandest canyon of them all. Go hiking deep into its depths to ) Plateau Point or take a helicopter flight ( and soak it all up from the air. DAY 7 LAKE POWELL & GUEST RANCH Swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Powell, before grabbing your Stetson at the Western guest ranch and opting for a horseback ride for a true 'Wild West' experience. DAY 8 MONUMENT VALLEY Visit the iconic vista of Horseshoe Bend before an included guided jeep tour of the Navajo Reservation and backroads. Immerse yourself in Native American culture and make sure you get a photo in front of the most photographed location in America - Monument Valley. You won’t find a better location to swap campfire stories under a blanket of stars. DAY 9-11 MOAB/ARCHES NATIONAL PARK With some 2,000 gravity-defying sandstone arches striking a pose, Utah’s undisputed adventure capital guarantees non-stop action, and the red rock landscapes are magnificent. Why not rent a bike and set out for some adrenaline-pumping cycling along Moab's slickrock paths or climb in a Hummer for an off-road adventure you won't forget. DAY 12 CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK > BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Explore the petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park before heading to Bryce Canyon National Park, famed for its hoodoos. What’s a hoodoo? Just crazy rock spires arranged in knobbly rows, creating weird and wonderful hiking trails. Native Americans believed these crazy shapes to be 'Legend People' who were
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turned to stone for their sins - but we'll let you make up your own mind. DAY 13 ZION NATIONAL PARK Hike colourful canyons up to Angels Landing for 360 degree views across this amazing National Park. If you prefer to take the low road, strap on your boots and wade through the park's famous 'Narrows' - deep-cut canyons between cathedral like sandstone walls. Whichever way to choose to explore, you're guaranteed one heck of a time in Zion! DAY 14 EASTERN SIERRAS Visit Rachel, Nevada for a close encounter of the alien kind at Little A'Le'Inn before leaving the real world behind for a night in the heart of the Eastern Sierra mountains. DAY 15/16 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Prepare to be wowed. Thundering waterfalls, granite peaks and towering Sequoia trees are all perfect camera fodder! To be part of the action why not take a float trip on the Merced River or hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls for jaw-dropping views every step of the way. DAY 17/18 SAN FRANCISCO (L ) We'll show you what's good in San Francisco with a visit to Haight Ashbury and a chance to stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge. We include a ferry across to the infamous Alcatraz Prison so ready your cameras for that perfect 'inmate' shot. Jump aboard one of the city's cable cars to explore further, make sure you swing by the famous 'Painted Ladies' and take in the eclectic nightspots after dark. DAY 19 MONTEREY & BIG SUR Drive the iconic Highway 1 along the sparkling California coastline and hit the Monterey coastal trails in search of whales and sea lions. Check out the legendary McWay Falls, which flows right onto its own private beach in Big Sur before setting up camp. DAY 20 SANTA BARBARA Enjoy a free day in sunny Santa Barbara to explore the pier, shop or relax on the beach. Known as 'The American Riviera', you'll find no shortage of palm trees to sit beneath - perhaps with a glass of local wine? Want more adventure? This quirky town is surrounded by mountains and offers some great hiking, kayaking and boogie boarding. This is grade-A California right here! DAY 21 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES Take some free time out in Santa Barbara to soak up those last rays of sunshine before arriving back in LA for the end of your blockbuster adventure.
Horseshoe Bend
Western USA Tour from AUD
21 Days, 4 States
$3059
California, Arizona, Utah & Nevada
C
A
Tour from NZD
$3399
Camping & Lodging WASHINGTON
NORTH DAK M O N T A N A
TREK INCLUDES Western guest ranch stay, including home cooked breakfast and dinner Visit the infamous Alcatraz Prison (value US$30) See the Hoover Dam Be wowed by the Petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park City tours of San Francisco & Hollywood, LA Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Monument Valley Navajo tour Visit Santa Barbara & Monterey Drive the original Route 66 Incredible National Parks Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capitol Reef & Yosemite
IDAHO
SOUTH
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation • Meals: Home cooked breakfast & dinner included at Cowboy Camp
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO
N E B R
NEVADA
San Francisco Yosemite NP Monterey Big Sur
Eastern Sierras
Bryce Capitol Reef NP
Canyon Zion NP NP
Arches NP Moab C O
L O R A D O
K A
Lake Powell
Monument Valley Route 66 Grand Cowboy Canyon Camp NP
Las Vegas
CALIFORNIA
Santa Barbara Los Angeles
U T A H
A R I Z O N A
N E W
M E X I C O
San Diego
T
Trek
XTRA value
Overnight Western M E guest ranch stay included on this tour!
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Las Vegas clubs & casinos * San Francisco cable cars * Western horseback riding * Float trip on the Merced River * Rollerblading * Baseball game * Mountain biking * Extreme off-road Hummer tour * Sea kayaking * Float trip on the Colorado River * Watersports * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Limousine in Las Vegas * Sunset sailboat cruise * San Diego Zoo (Some activities may be seasonal) >> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 21 days (see page 90 for details)
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: W3
START
START
10 01 22 12 19 26 03 10 17 24
31 07 14 21 28 04 11 18 02
➡
FINISH 2015 Apr 30 Apr May 21 May May 11 Jun Jun 02 Jul Jun 09 Jul Jun 16 Jul Jul 23 Jul Jul 30 Jul Jul 06 Aug Jul 13 Aug
FINISH 2015 Jul 20 Aug Aug 27 Aug Aug 03 Sep Aug 10 Sep Aug 17 Sep Sep 24 Sep Sep 01 Oct Sep 08 Oct Oct 22 Oct
TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS
➡
DAK
W Y O M I N G
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation: ) 16 nights camping, 4 hotel nights (L
•
O R E G O N
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
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Western USA
Tour from AUD
$1909 $2119
CANYON ADVENTURE
DAY 1/2 LAS VEGAS > GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK It's time to leave the lights of Vegas behind for an altogether different adventure. Stop for a view of the Hoover Dam before hitting Route 66's quirky little town of Seligman for an unmissable visit to Delgadillo's Snow Cap Diner. Next up is the Grand Canyon, and staying two nights lets you explore the cliff top trails as well as venture deeper into the canyon to Plateau Point. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise or an unforgettable optional ) over one of the world’s seven natural wonders. helicopter flight ( DAY 3 MONUMENT VALLEY On the road again and off to one of North America’s most iconic landscapes, used as the set for countless Western movies, including the recent remake of The Lone Ranger. Be amazed as your Navajo guide takes you deep into the sacred valley on an optional 4x4 tour under the azure Arizona sky! DAY 4 MOAB/ARCHES NATIONAL PARK Next up is USA's adventure playground, Moab. Explore the red rock arches including Delicate Arch and be amazed at the strange rock formations have been created over millions of years by the elements. By night the party spirit really comes alive in Moab. DAY 5/6 4X4 BACKCOUNTRY DESERT ADVENTURE If you're searching for unique desert solitude this is it. Travel from Moab, Utah across the Green River Desert to the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. This two day backcountry 4x4 adventure includes hikes to Horseshoe Canyon, and the High Spur slot canyon, and gets you miles off the tourist trail for a truly unique experience. DAY 7 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK/ KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK Stop by Goblin Valley State Park, so-called thanks to its weird goblin-like rock formations, and the petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park en route to Bryce National Park. You’ll be left struggling to describe this fantastical place, where erosion has carved thousands of spires, fins and mazes into a weird and wonderful landscape, collectively known as "Hoodoos"! Then make your way to Kodachrome Basin State Park where you will camp for the night. DAY 8/9 ZION NATIONAL PARK Kick back and relax beside the gentle flow of the Virgin River, cutting its way between sheer red rock cliffs. Hike to the famed Angels Landing for stunning 360-degree views of this magnificent National Park, or follow 'The Narrows' for a view from the valley floor. DAY 10 ZION NATIONAL PARK > LAS VEGAS Trade in the wonders of the great outdoors for the contagious buzz of Las Vegas with its incredible clubs and casinos where you can celebrate the end of a great southwest adventure, Sin City-style.
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M O N T A N A
IDAHO
SOUTH
Trek
PLUS... • All accommodation: 9 nights camping • Professional tour leader, local guide, camping fees, equipment & private transportation including 4x4
Wi-Fi Access available in your van & some campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO
XTRA value
N E B R A S K A
K A N S A S
O K L A H O M A
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TOUR DATES DEPARTS LAS VEGAS TREK CODE: CY
START FINISH 2016 20 May 29 May 17 Jun 26 Jun 01 Jul 10 Jul 15 Jul 24 Jul 29 Jul 07 Aug 12 Aug 21 Aug 26 Aug 04 Sep 09 Sep 18 Sep 23 Sep 02 Oct
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
E
Two day backcountry desert & slot canyon adventure! M
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Navajo guided 4x4 tour of Monument Valley * Extreme off-road Hummer tour in Moab * Western horseback riding * Las Vegas Strip helicopter flight * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 10 days (see page 90 for details)
DAKOTA
W Y O M I N G
Unmissable two day 4x4 NEVADA backcountry adventure Capitol Reef NP U T A H Goblin Valley SP Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Kodachrome Basin SP Arches NP/Moab Bryce Canyon NP Canyonlands NP Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon Zion NP Las Vegas Visit the original Route 66 Monument Valley CALIFORNIA Route 66 Grand See the Hoover Dam Canyon NP Incredible State & National Parks A R I Z O N A N E W M E X I C O - Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Dead Horse Point, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Kodachrome Basin, Bryce Canyon & Zion
START FINISH 2015 22 May 31 May 19 Jun 28 Jun 03 Jul 12 Jul 17 Jul 26 Jul 31 Jul 09 Aug 14 Aug 23 Aug 28 Aug 06 Sep 11 Sep 20 Sep 25 Sep 04 Oct
M I N N
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Camping
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O R E G O N
The name says it all! Canyons and adventure dominate this trip, so strap on your hiking boots for visits to 5 of the west's best National Parks. And for an experience you'll never forget, a once in a lifetime two day backcountry 4x4 slot canyon adventure ensures maximum adrenaline.
A
Nevada, Utah & Arizona
Tour from NZD
Antelope Canyon
C
10 Days, 3 States
Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
C
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Western USA
Tour from AUD
21 Days, 98 States 20
£0000 $2639
Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona Arizona, & Nevada Nevada & California
Tour from NZD USD
£0000 $2939
Camping & Lodging C
Yellowstone National Park
TREK INCLUDES
A
N
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Seattle
Glacier NP Whitewater rafting on the Montana Mt Rainier NP Snake River, Jackson Grand Teton National Park Western Ranch Western Ranch stay with home Yellowstone NP cooked dinner and breakfast Jackson/ Grand Teton NP Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Colorado Hot Wildlife viewing opportunities Springs See stunning Lake Powell Rocky Mountain NP Native American museum Lake Powell Zion NP Scenic walks and hikes Horseshoe Bend Las Vegas Visit Antelope Slot Canyon Monument Colorado Grand Rockies Canyon NP Valley National Parks and Monuments - Mt Rainier, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon & Zion WASHINGTON
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
M O N T A N A
M I N N E
N O RT H D A K O TA
O R E G O N
IDAHO
High-altitude, high-adrenaline adventure taking in the evergreen Cascades, the Rockies and the Southwest’s sun-drenched landscapes. Rarely is the thrill of the open road greater and more packed with highlights! DAY 1 SEATTLE > MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK A spectacular start to your tour as hiking trails jag up and down and pine trees cling on for all they’re worth. DAY 2 MONTANA The alpine meadows, snow-streaked peaks and glinting lakes of Montana’s wilderness are sure to impress! DAY 3/4 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Scenic ice-carved valleys and hikes beside turquoise lakes are sure to give your camera a workout. DAY 5 WESTERN RANCH Playing hard, eating well and telling tales are all in a day’s fun at our included mountain ranch stay, an unmissable feature for travellers to Montana. Enjoy an optional horseback ride across the western plains. DAY 6/7 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Spouting geysers including 'Old Faithful', and bubbling mud pools ensure that America's first National Park is far from boring. Keep your cameras ready for buffalo, moose or even bear – if you’re lucky you may spot them! DAY 8 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK/JACKSON Catch the ferry across Jenny Lake to Inspiration Point for incredible forest, mountain and lake views. DAY 9 JACKSON It's time for our included adrenaline-inducing whitewater rafting trip down the Snake River. Raft against a backdrop of the mighty Teton Range, shooting some 7000ft from the valley floor. DAY 10 COLORADO HOT SPRINGS Back on the highway, those magnificent mountain tops rarely slide from sight. Colorado here we come! Why not rest your bones in the evening in the Strawberry Hot Springs. DAY 11/12 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK You’ve got company on the trails.Try to spot elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears and coyotes who hang out here too. Spend two glorious nights in Estes Park surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. DAY 13/14 COLORADO ROCKIES Spend two full days in the Colorado Rockies, home to adventure itself. Walking and biking in the craggy scenery demands strong legs and lungs, but the nearby hot springs provide welcome relief. DAY 15 MONUMENT VALLEY The most photographed place in America! Learn about the Navajo culture from a local guide on an optional backroads jeep tour. DAY 16/17 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK One word springs to mind... incredible! Trek the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Gardens or Plateau Point for a view from deep in the canyon, or ). take to the sky on an optional helicopter flight ( DAY 18 LAKE POWELL Visit iconic Horseshoe Bend and the incredible Antelope Slot Canyon before heading to Lake Powell. After all that dust and desert it’s time to hit the lake for some swimming and sunbathing. DAY 19 ZION NATIONAL PARK Hike along towering peaks, sweeping plateaus and famous hanging gardens, in one of the most spectacular National Parks in America. DAY 20 LAS VEGAS Vegas is all about living for the moment. Open 24/7, the casinos, shows, rollercoasters, clubs and neon lights promise a night to remember!
SOUTH
DAKOTA
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
N E B R A S K A
U T A H
C O L O R A D O
K A N S A S
CALIFORNIA
A R I Z O N A
Trek
PLUS...
XTRA
• All accommodation: 18 nights camping and 1 western ranch night
value
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO
N E W
O K L A H O M A
M E X I C O
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Overnight authentic western ranch stay X I C O included MonE this tour!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Rodeo * Million Dollar Cowboy Bar * Strawberry Hot Springs * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Horseback riding * Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Goldrush towns * Mountain biking * Navajo guided 4x4 tour * Swimming * Chuckwagon Dinner * Las Vegas Strip flight * Ferry over Jenny Lake (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 20 days (see page 90 for details)
Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SEATTLE TREK CODE: RMS
START
FINISH 2015 Jun 28 Jun Jun 12 Jul Jul 26 Jul Jul 09 Aug Aug 23 Aug Aug 06 Sep
START
FINISH 2016 Jun 26 Jun Jun 10 Jul Jul 24 Jul Jul 07 Aug Aug 21 Aug Aug 04 Sep
09 23 07 21 04 18
07 21 05 19 02 16
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
23
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Western USA
Tour from AUD
$2099
14 Days, 3 States California, Oregon & Washington
Tour from NZD
$2339
Big Sur, California Coast
PACIFIC COAST
C
TREK INCLUDES Visit San Francisco's Alcatraz Prison (value US$30) Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Puget Sound ferry crossing Scenic walks amongst Giant Redwood trees in Redwood NP City tours of San Francisco and Hollywood, LA Explore Portland - the 'hippest city in America' Incredible National Park scenery - Yosemite, Redwood, Mt Rainier & Olympic
Swing by isolated California Coast beaches, and the vibrant cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. Cross the Sierras and enjoy must-see National Parks, wilderness trails, wildlife spotting and of course that spectacular coastline. DAY 1 LOS ANGELES > SANTA BARBARA Enjoy a tour of Hollywood and a spot of people watching, then bask in the Santa Barbara beach life. DAY 2 BIG SUR Travelling along California’s famed Pacific Coast Highway, the shore grows more and more spectacular, as mountains lean down towards the pounding Pacific swell. Visit McWay Falls - an 80 foot waterfall which flows directly onto its own private sandy beach. DAY 3/4 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Say ‘so long’ to the ocean for a couple of days, crossing the snowy peaks of the Sierras to the inspiring spectacle of Yosemite National Park. Why not take a float trip on the Merced River or hit one of the many hiking trails. ) Start your San Francisco adventure with a tour of DAY 5/6 SAN FRANCISCO (L Haight-Ashbury and a walk across the famed Golden Gate Bridge. The highlights keep on coming thick and fast with an included trip to the city's most famous attraction, Alcatraz. Once you've made your escape, try the rest of the city on for size including Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and the oh-so-pretty Painted Ladies.
DAY 7/8 REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK Leave footprints on what is virtually your own private Pacific beach, or meander between gigantic towering Redwoods. If you fancy a stroll, take the Tall Trees Grove trail and keep your eyes peeled for bears. ) Call it what you want – City of Roses, Bridge City or Beervana DAY 9/10 PORTLAND (L – Portland is simply awesome. It’s a vibrant city full of quirky cafes and interesting characters, so spend some time just people watching. Why not visit Voodoo Donuts to indulge in pure gluttony, before hitting the bar scene at night.
DAY 11 MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK The Cascade Range definitely lives up to the hype, so strut your stuff on Washington’s scenic trails, keeping your eyes out for wildlife. DAY 12/13 OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK One last blast of adventure in this pristine wilderness, amid dense rainforest, glacial carved valleys and rugged coastline. DAY 14 OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK > SEATTLE Take the ferry through Puget Sound for clear views of the Olympic mountain range en route to Seattle. Why not whisk yourself 500ft up the Space Needle, taking in the spectacular setting from a glass elevator, or explore Seattle's bustling Pike Place Market for local flavours and interesting sights.
Olympic NP
A
Seattle Mt Rainier NP
O R E G O N
• All accommodation: ) 2 hotel nights 9 nights camping, (L & 2 hostel nights • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi
M O N T A N A
IDAHO
SOUTH
Redwood NP
N E B R A S K A
NEVADA
San Francisco
U T A H
C O L O R A D O
Yosemite NP Big Sur
K A N S A S CALIFORNIA
Santa Barbara Los Angeles
A R I Z O N A
N E W
O K L A H O M
M E X I C O
Coastal sea kayaking * Sol Duc hot springs * San Francisco cable cars * M E Float trip on the Merced River * Baseball game * Seattle Space Needle * Bike rental, San Francisco * Microbreweries * Lan Su Chinese Garden * Voodoo Doughnuts (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 14 days (see page 90 for details)
TOUR DATES START FINISH 2016 07 May 20 May 21 May 03 Jun 04 Jun 17 Jun 18 Jun 01 Jul 02 Jul 15 Jul 16 Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul 12 Aug 13 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 09 Sep
DAKOTA
W Y O M I N G
Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: PC
M
N O RT H D A K O TA
Portland
E
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
N
WASHINGTON
T
START FINISH 2015 09 May 22 May 23 May 05 Jun 06 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 03 Jul 04 Jul 17 Jul 18 Jul 31 Jul 01 Aug 14 Aug 15 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 11 Sep
24
Camping & Lodging
>>
GET MORE ADVENTURE...
This tour combines with the 14 day Mountain Trail to create the 28 day Pacific Dream! (See website for more details) Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Western USA
Tour from AUD
$2099 Tour from NZD
$2339
14 Days, 8 States Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada & California
Camping & Lodging
Grand Teton National Park
C
TREK INCLUDES
MOUNTAIN TRAIL
DAY 2/3 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Keep your cameras handy and your eyes peeled for bison, moose and elk, and maybe even bear, in this thermal wonderland of bubbling mud pools and shooting geysers. Visit the Boiling River to soak those weary muscles in the hot springs (seasonal). DAY 4/5 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK/JACKSON With few foothills to speak of, the rugged peaks rise like jagged teeth against the bright blue sky. Whitewater raft the raging Snake River rapids and pull up a stool at the Silver Dollar Saloon. DAY 6 FLAMING GORGE Say goodbye to the mountains, and hello to the unique red rock scenery that marks the start of the Desert Southwest. First stop here is Flaming Gorge, which was named back in 1869 as explorer Major Powell saw the sun reflecting off the giant rocks. Try to snap that perfect picture as the sun sets against a desert backdrop. DAY 7/8 MOAB/ARCHES NATIONAL PARK After hiking to Delicate Arch it's helmets on, as this amber terrain is perfect for mountain bikers as it dips, climbs, twists and turns. Or you may be tempted by the thrill of a Hummer tour through the redrock scenery! If this isn't enough, we pay a visit to Dead Horse Point State Park for amazing canyon views. DAY 9 MONUMENT VALLEY Sacred to the Navajo people and beloved by movie directors, you’ll be smitten too – especially if you explore deep into the valley on an optional Navajo guided 4x4 tour. DAY 10/11 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK An early morning start has its rewards as this jaw-dropping landscape comes alive with colour at sunrise. Why not experience ). Hit the rim trails for incredible an optional scenic Grand Canyon helicopter flight? ( views of the canyon, or hike down to Plateau Point for views of the rushing Colorado River. ) With a sudden burst of neon, this desert oasis appears before DAY 12/13 LAS VEGAS (L your eyes. The possibilities are endless in Vegas. Tour the casinos, take in a show, ride a rollercoaster or go clubbing all night. You can even have a 'sham' wedding if you like, and marry whoever (or whatever) you like! For those with a little cash to splash why not take an evening flight down the Las Vegas Strip!
DAY 14 LAS VEGAS > LOS ANGELES Finish in style with a tour of Hollywood and the Walk of Fame. When the sun goes down in LA, the stars come out to play. To truly get under the skin of America’s biggest city, why not add an Urban Adventure on to the end of your tour >> see page 81.
WASHINGTON
M O N T A N A
PLUS...
IDAHO
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 14 days (see page 90 for details)
N E B R A S K A
U T A H
Dead Horse Point SP Arches NP
Moab
Las Vegas Grand Canyon NP A R I Z O N A
K A N S A S
Monument Valley
O K L A H O M N E W
M E X I C O
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Extreme off road Hummer tour in Moab * Mountain biking in Moab * Western horseback riding in Jackson * Boiling River Hot Springs * Native American museum * Monument Valley Navajo guided 4x4 tour and overnight stay * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Chuckwagon dinner in Jackson * Western Saloons * Las Vegas limo tour * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Go Karting, Las Vegas * Gun range (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SEATTLE TREK CODE: MTS
START FINISH 2015 16 May 29 May 23 May 05 Jun 30 May 12 Jun 06 Jun 19 Jun 13 Jun 26 Jun 20 Jun 03 Jul 27 Jun 10 Jul 04 Jul 17 Jul 11 Jul 24 Jul
START FINISH 2015 18 Jul 31 Jul 25 Jul 07 Aug 01 Aug 14 Aug 08 Aug 21 Aug 15 Aug 28 Aug 22 Aug 04 Sep 29 Aug 11 Sep 05 Sep 18 Sep 12 Sep 25 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
>>
DAKOTA
W Y O M I N G
Flaming Gorge
NEVADA
M
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SOUTH
Yellowstone NP Jackson/ Grand Teton NP
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation included: ) 11 nights camping, 2 hotel nights (L
M
N O RT H D A K O TA
Montana O R E G O N
CALIFORNIA
DAY 1 SEATTLE > MONTANA After crossing Washington and Idaho’s Bitterroot Range, Montana welcomes you with rugged mountain peaks and wide open spaces.
N
Seattle
Rafting on the Snake River Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Grand Teton National Park Old Faithful Geyser & bubbling mudpools in Yellowstone National Park Wildlife viewing opportunities The bright lights of Vegas City tour of Hollywood, LA Incredible walks in 6 diverse National Parks & Monuments Los Angeles - Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Dead Horse Point, Monument Valley & Grand Canyon
Follow the rugged Rockies south from Seattle to the spectacular canyons and windswept deserts of Southwest USA. This trip is filled with campfire camaraderie, horseback riding, scenic hiking, raging rivers, abundant wildlife and incredible National Parks.
A
GET MORE ADVENTURE...
This tour combines with the 14 day Pacific Coast to create the 28 day Pacific Dream! (See website for more details)
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Eastern USA ‘The East’ is everything to the right of the Mississippi River, so we’re talking BIG! From New York to New Orleans, from the Great Lakes to the tropical Florida Keys, it has something for everyone. >> see pages
Great Lakes
Niagara Falls
New York City
Philadelphia
Chicago
26 to 35
Boston
Washington DC
Niagara Falls
See the falls floodlit at night or up close on a Maid of the Mist cruise and marvel at 63 year old Annie Taylor, the first person to go over these falls in a barrel and survive in 1901!
New York City
You’ll get drawn in to the hyperactive rush of the Big Apple, from the non-stop mayhem of Times Square to the proud old Empire State building.
Nashville Great Smoky Mountains NP
Memphis
Florida Beaches
Year round sunshine and some of the hottest nightlife in America make Florida’s palm fringed, white sandy beaches a major east coast highlight.
New Orleans
Florida Beaches
New Orleans
A mix of French, African, Creole and American cultures makes New Orleans unlike anywhere else in the USA, with its vibrant nightlife, funky jazz haunts and delicious Cajun cuisine.
Miami Florida Keys
Our Top Picks
Sun Studio, Memphis The place where Elvis Presley recorded his first song needs no introduction. But if you like your music, this isn’t any old studio. It was the starting point for Rock-n-Roll legends like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.
Niagara Falls
26
Maid of the Mist Cruise Your adrenaline will definitely be pumping as you don the famous blue slicker and prepare to get very, very wet on a Maid of the Mist cruise to the base of the thundering Niagara Falls.
Swamp Tour Take to the water on an exciting Louisiana swamp tour, with the chance to see alligators up close in their natural habitat, and when we say close, we mean real close!
‘Bobby’s Bike Hike’, Chicago The absolute best way to see Chicago - climb on a bike and head off the tourist trails to beaches, neighbourhoods and city parks to see how the locals live.
Eastern USA
27
Eastern USA
Tour from AUD
7 Days, 7 States
$1079
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
$1199
Washington DC C
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Camping & Lodging
FREEDOM TRAIL
M A I N E
WASHINGTON
TREK INCLUDES
For those who are short on time, this trip offers a whole heap of must-sees in just one week, from eye-catching wilderness areas to big-hitting cities, and cascading Niagara Falls where anything seems possible. O R E G O N
NEW HAMPSHIRE
IDAHO
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA U T A H DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC Leave the Big Apple behind and head for Philadelphia, home to the Liberty Bell and thoseC famous O L O R A D O ‘Rocky’ steps. Why not explore Reading Terminal Market and sample a Philly cheese steak before making a beeline for the nation’s capitol. A self-guided tour of DC’s illuminated monuments makes for a spectacular first evening, plus an optional trip A L I F Otwo R N I Ais full to bursting. Why not rent a to a baseball game (in season) ensuresC day bike for a different perspective of this great city?
Grand Niagara Falls Maid ofTeton the National Park Berkshires MASSACHUSETTS WISCONSIN S O U T H DMist A K O T Acruise Boston Niagara Falls NEW YORK RHODE ISLAND MICHIGAN CONNECTICUT City tour of Philadelphia New York P E N N S Y LVA N I A Visit an Amish community NEW JERSEY Lancaster Philadelphia N E Relive B R A S K A the revolution in Boston’s I O W A O H I O DELAWARE INDIANA historic neighbourhoods I L L I Non O I S the Washington DC MARYLAND WEST Freedom Trail VIRGINIA VIRGINIA Rolling New England scenery K A N S A S
PLUS...
O K L A H O M A
DAY 4 NIAGARA FALLS From the edge of Lake Ontario, the sensation of crashing water is stupendous and the noise immense. Wait ‘til you’re down on the water aboard the included ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise, where the cascades pound down right before your eyes. Warning; you will get wet!
) Welcome to Bean Town! Relive the revolution along the DAY 6 BOSTON (L Freedom Trail, lounge and watch the locals on Boston Common, pop across to Faneuil Hall or Quincy Market for some A-grade shopping and local food stalls. Boston is famous for its baseball and football teams so try and catch the Red Sox or New England Patriots in action, then take your pick from the hundreds of Irish bars dotted around the city.
DAY 7 BOSTON > NEW YORK AREA Make sure you give yourself an extra day or two before or after your tour to explore the sights and sounds of New York. Hit the top of the Empire State or splurge along Fifth Avenue, but for the ultimate slice of New York, jump on an Urban Adventure or even take a helicopter flight for an aerial view of the city >> see page 81.
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
TENNESSEE ARKANSAS
• All accommodation: ) 5 nights camping, 1 hostel night (L
A R I Z O N A W M E X I C O DAY 3 LANCASTER Pay a visit to a local Amish community whose simpleN Eway of life hasn’t changed in over 200 years, then return to modern life and enjoy the scenic drive through a countryside that inspired a young nation to fight for its freedom.
DAY 5 THE BERKSHIRES City folk can’t resist hiding out here in the summer months and you’ll soon figure out why. With forested hills and meadows skirting quaint clapboard farms, this is 100% New England! Why not head out for a short M E X forested stroll from the campsite this evening.
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA M O N T A N A
• Professional tour leader, LOUISIANA camping fees, equipment E X A S & private transportation
T
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Wi-Fi Access available in your van & some campsites.
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ESSENTIAL INFO
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 7 days (see page 90 for details)
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: FT
START
FINISH 2015 May 23 May May 06 Jun Jun 13 Jun Jun 20 Jun Jun 27 Jun Jun 04 Jul Jul 18 Jul Jul 25 Jul Jul 01 Aug Aug 08 Aug Aug 15 Aug
START
FINISH 2015 Aug 18 Aug Aug 22 Aug Aug 25 Aug Aug 29 Aug Aug 01 Sep Aug 05 Sep Sep 08 Sep Sep 12 Sep Sep 19 Sep Sep 26 Sep
17 31 07 14 21 28 12 19 26 02 09
12 16 19 23 26 30 02 06 13 20
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
28
NORTH CAROLINA
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES SOUTH CAROLINA
Smithsonian National Museums * Bike rental in Washington DC * A L A B A M Cave A of the Winds tour at Niagara G E O R G I A Falls * Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston * ‘Cheers’ Bar Boston * Baseball game in Boston * Paddle boats in Boston (Some activities may be seasonal) FLORIDA
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> WHY NOT SEE THE BEST OF THE EAST AND WEST! For a 2 week combo of east and C U west, B A check out the Coast to Coast Express - see page 58.
Eastern USA S
PECIAL
DEPART
URE!
E A RS E V N E W Y E YO R K IN NEW OUT ISS
M ial e, a spec departur ec D nd days in 2 u yo s Book 22 ve parture gi e end of the 11 day de City at th the price. New York ed clud in tour, all in 76 ge pa See DON’T
G R E E N L A N D
YUKON TERRITORY N O R T H E R N
T E R R I T O R I E S
Tour from AUD
9 Days, 7 States & 2 Canadian Provinces Niagara Falls
$1799 Tour from NZD
BRITISH COLUMBIA
C A N A D A
NORTHEASTERN BLT
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario, Québec, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Connecticut
$1999
Niagara Falls
NEWFOUNDLAND
ALBERTA
Embrace the highlights of the Northeastern states on this nine day adventure, experiencing superstar cities, the stunning Niagara Falls and loads of fun-filled activities with something for everyone! U N I T E D DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > BOSTON (L ) Head to Boston for a slice of history starting with a walk along the Freedom Trail. But Boston’s not only about the history, we’ve laid on a trip to Harvard University to see the brains of America hard at work. Later, grab a bite to eat in an Italian trattoria, a seasonal brew in an Irish pub, or head to the original ‘Cheers’ bar. ) During the winter, the ‘Ski Capital of the East’ puts on an DAY 3/4 STOWE (L 0 500 1000 incredible icy spread, but it remains a highlight during the summer with hiking and 0 500 1000 biking the surrounding trails on offer. A visit to Stowe simply isn’t complete1500 without a tour of Ben and Jerry’s original ice cream factory! ) With more French speakers than any city outside of Paris, DAY 5/6 MONTRÉAL (L expect a little European flair. Museums, galleries and clubs mix a cocktail of the best bits from both continents. Don’t miss out on the ‘Underground City’, including 30km of shops, or jump on an adventurous jet boat ride on the river. Why not eat at O’Noir, a restaurant where you eat in the dark - make sure you don’t wear your best clothes! ) Next stop is the ultra-trendy city of Toronto. Check out the view DAY 7 TORONTO (L from the CN Tower over this pretty city by Lake Ontario, or browse the high-fashion stores and cosy cafés on College and Queen Streets. And don’t be surprised to see an A-lister or two, as Toronto is Canada’s answer to Hollywood. ) Cross nearby Rainbow Bridge back DAY 8 NIAGARA FALLS > FINGER LAKES (L into America and gaze upon the crashing Niagara Falls. Cast your minds back to 1901 when Annie Taylor became the first person to go over the falls in a barrell - and she survived! Next up is Finger Lakes, well known for its vineyards and award-winning wines.
DAY 9 NEW YORK AREA For a storybook ending to an incredible trip, we highly recommend adding on a night or two in New York City at the end of your tour. Stroll along Fifth Avenue or check out Central Park, or take a city tour to really get under the skin of this buzzing metropolis >> see page 81.
Budget Lodging
M A N I T O B A S A S K AT C H E W A N
TREK INCLUDES
S T A T
Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston Ben & Jerry's ice-cream tour Check out the famous E Harvard S O F AUniversity M E R I C A Visit the mighty Niagara Falls Sightseeing in Toronto, Montréal & Boston
PLUS...
U
E
B
E
C
NEW BRUNSWICK
Montréal
Stowe
O N T A R I O
Toronto Niagara Falls
VERMONT NEW YORK
Finger Lakes P E N N S Y LVA N I A
NOVA SCOTIA
M A I N E
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Boston
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT
New York NEW JERSEY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1500 Miles
• All accommodation (L ): 5 nights 2000 Kilometres hostel, 2 nights motel, 1 night hotel • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
Q
Wi-Fi Access available in your van (USA only), some hotels & hostels.
Boston's Faneuil Hall * Quincy market * Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise * Toronto CN Tower * Museums and galleries * Baseball game * Mountain biking * Jet boat ride in Montréal * Skiing in Stowe * Snowshoeing * Ice-skating * Montréal Blind Restaurant in the Dark (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
>> You may also like.... Our 14 day Canadian Pioneer camping tour. See page 38.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: NEB
START
START
25 08 22 06 22
22 05 19 03 24 07 21 05 22
10 14 14 11 16 06 20 04 18 01
FINISH 2014 Oct 02 Nov Nov 16 Nov Nov 30 Nov Dec 14 Dec Dec 01 Jan 2015 Jan 18 Jan Feb 22 Feb Mar 22 Mar Apr 19 Apr May 24 May Jun 14 Jun Jun 28 Jun Jul 12 Jul Jul 26 Jul Aug 09 Aug
09 13 12 09 14 04
FINISH 2015 Aug 30 Aug Sep 13 Sep Sep 27 Sep Oct 11 Oct Oct 01 Nov Nov 15 Nov Nov 29 Nov Dec 13 Dec Dec 01 Jan 2016 Jan 17 Jan Feb 21 Feb Mar 20 Mar Apr 17 Apr May 22 May Jun 12 Jun
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
Be in New York for New Year's Eve (11 day departure)
29
Eastern USA
BEST OF THE EAST Start amid the corridors of power then veer right off the tourist path. Washington DC and Chicago are fast-paced, but nature evens out the balance with soaring peaks, Great Lakes and the spectacular Niagara Falls. Add a soundtrack of blues and country music and we reckon you’ve got the East covered. DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC Strap on your boxing gloves and head for Philadelphia’s famous ‘Rocky’ steps for that all-important photo, and check out the Liberty Bell - symbol of American independence. Why not peruse the Reading Terminal Market and if all this action has got you hungry, grab a Philly cheese steak before heading to Washington DC. Why not hit the city streets by night to check out the famous illuminations? From the impressive Smithsonian Museums to the White House and the city’s trendy bars, the capital has something for everyone. Day two provides loads of time to rent a bike for a different perspective on this great city. DAY 3 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK Set foot on the famous Appalachian Trail, with huge oaks overhead and spectacular scenery every way you look. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas and quiet wooded hollows make this a real gem. DAY 4 WEST VIRGINIA Feed the whitewater rafting bug with an optional blast down the rapids or zipline through the trees in the Mountain State. DAY 5/6 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Known to the Cherokee people as the ‘Place of Blue Smoke’, the valleys have great trails just waiting to be explored. This is nature at its best as the Great Smokies show off their ancient mountains and forests. DAY 7 NASHVILLE Expect a big slice of southern charm, where the best country music in the USA fills foot-tapping live venues to the brim. It’s all about the music in Nashville, and you can find it running through every part of the city. Pay a visit to the
Johnny Cash Museum or the Country Music Hall of Fame before heading to the stores to stock up on cowboy boots. DAY 8 INDIANA You will be left wide eyed from the scenery and possibly a little blurry eyed, as you follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail en route to Indiana. ) An included DAY 9/10 CHICAGO (L Bobby’s Bike Hike tour is the best way to see the highlights and work up an appetite for a slice of Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza. Listen out for the city’s unofficial anthem “Sweet Home Chicago”, ringing out from the hip blues joints on Halsted Street.
DAY 11 OHIO Visit Cedar Point Amusement Park and ride Millennium Force, the greatest rollercoaster in the world, before setting up camp on the shores of one of the Great Lakes; Lake Erie. DAY 12 NIAGARA FALLS You are guaranteed to get splashed as you visit the mighty Niagara Falls with an included ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise. Experience the mist, thunder, wind and rush of the falls as the boat approaches! It’s the only way to experience this awesome natural wonder. DAY 13/14 FINGER LAKES > NEW YORK AREA A last stop in the rural Finger Lakes region of New York State lets you get back to nature before heading back to where it all began, via Woodbury Common Premium Outlet Mall for some last minute shopping. Be sure to leave yourself a day or two to experience the excitement of the Big Apple. Add an Urban Adventure and be guided off the tourist track by a local New Yorker >> see page 81.
Chicago
30
Eastern USA Tour from AUD
14 Days, 11 States
$1979
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois & Ohio, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
$2199 C
A
N
A
D
A
Camping & Lodging M A I N E
WASHINGTON
TREK INCLUDES
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
SOUTH
NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW YORK
WISCONSIN
Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist cruise Chicago Bike Hike Tour Hit the Great Smoky Mountain trails City tour in Philadelphia See live country music in Nashville Walk on the Appalachian Trail Hike through National Parks – Shenandoah & Great Smoky Mountains
IDAHO
DAKOTA
MASSACHUSETTS
Finger Lakes
Niagara Falls
RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT
MICHIGAN
New York
W Y O M I N G
N E B R A S K A
NEVADA U T A H
Chicago
K A N S A S
O K L A H O M A
A R I Z O N A
N E W
Philadelphia
Ohio
I O W A
INDIANA ILLINOIS
C O L O R A D O
CALIFORNIA
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
O H I O
NEW JERSEY DELAWARE
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia
Washington DC MARYLAND Shenandoah NP VIRGINIA
Indiana K E N T U C K Y
NORTH CAROLINA
M I S S O U R I
Nashville
TENNESSEE
Great Smoky Mtns NP
SOUTH CAROLINA
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA
T
E
X
A
S
PLUS...
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES FLORIDA
• All accommodation: ) 11 nights camping, 2 hostel nights (L M
E
X
I
C
O
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 14 days (see page 90 for details)
Whitewater rafting in West Virginia * Wineries * Horseback riding * River tubing * Country Western saloons * Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio * Tree canopy zipline * Baseball game C U B* A Smithsonian National Museums * Bike rental in Washington DC * Chicago Blues clubs * Woodbury Common Premium Outlet Mall (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 9 day Northeastern BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 29
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: BE
START
FINISH 2015 May 06 Jun Jun 20 Jun Jun 04 Jul Jun 11 Jul Jul 18 Jul Jul 01 Aug Aug 15 Aug Aug 22 Aug
START
FINISH 2015 Aug 26 Aug Aug 29 Aug Aug 02 Sep Aug 05 Sep Aug 09 Sep Aug 12 Sep Sep 19 Sep Sep 26 Sep
24 07 21 28 05 19 02 09
13 16 20 23 27 30 06 13
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
31
Eastern USA
SPECIAL
DEPARTU
RE!
Tour from AUD
14 Days, 11 States
$2409
TON DC WASHING LY 4TH JU there’s no
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana & Florida, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
rks cular firewo n With specta to celebrate America e better plac ce Day. en nd pe Inde
$2679
ISS OUT 15 DON’T eM 3rd July 20 Book th departure
C
A
N
A
D
A
Camping & Lodging M A I N E
WASHINGTON
South Beach, Miami
TREK INCLUDES
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
M O N T A N A
ATLANTIC DREAM
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH
Full day admission to Disney World or another of Orlando’s top theme parks Guided bike tour of Washington DC’s monuments New Orleans’ Bourbon Street Spot alligators on a guided swamp tour Camp by white sand beaches in Florida Short walk in the Appalachian Mountains Soak up the Deep South culture See live country, jazz and M E X I C O blues music
CONNECTICUT MICHIGAN
N E B R A S K A
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
U T A H
Cram a huge helping of virtually everything into two fantastic weeks, with vibrant eastern cities, soulful southern blues, white knuckle theme park rides and Florida’s white sandy beaches. Add in Washington DC’s impressive monuments and Miami’s salsa beats and the sights and sounds are endless.
K A N S A S
O K L A H O M A
A R I Z O N A
DAY 4 TENNESSEE Welcome to the home of country music, and you won’t be able to resist singing along! For a pure adrenaline rush, don a lifejacket, grab a paddle and tackle one of the USA’s best stretches of river on the mighty Ocoee. DAY 5 NASHVILLE You’re in ‘Music City’, so tune in to local radio to experience some the best rock, blues and most of all country music in the world. Hot foot it down to one of the live music events which come alive nightly. From Honky Tonk bars to The Grand Ole Opry, they don’t call it the ‘centre of the music world’ for nothing! ) Why not visit the civil rights museum, the spot where Martin Luther DAY 6 MEMPHIS (L King was assassinated for a sobering view on America’s history. Beale Street comes alive at night with neon-lit signs, live street performers and soul and blues music at every turn. ) Now we’re talking all that jazz! Hear the real deal at DAY 7-8 NEW ORLEANS (L Preservation Hall, do the Huckleberry Finn thing as you chug along the Mississippi River or spot gators on the included Louisiana swamp tour. New Orleans simmers with Deep South charm so grab a Po-Boy, a bowl of Gumbo or some home cooked Jambalaya and pull up a chair in the French Quarter to watch the world go by.
DAY 9/10 PANAMA CITY BEACH Get your first taste of American beach life as you laze on the white sands or take a trip to spot dolphins out at sea. Be sure to pack dancing shoes along with your flip-flops as the party spirit simmers into the small hours at the famous beachfront clubs of the Gulf Coast. DAY 11 FLORIDA/NATURAL SPRINGS Another day in paradise, so just sit back, relax and work on your tan in the Sunshine State. If you’re looking for a bit more action, try snorkeling in one of Florida’s many crystal clear natural springs or a spot of river tubing. DAY 12/13 ORLANDO A visit to DisneyWorld is included and it brings out the big kid in all of us! But if meeting Mickey isn’t your thing, slip-slide around Wet ‘n Wild, or battle Voldemort at Universal Studios’ Harry Potter World. Orlando is one big playground and after a full day satisfying your thirst for fun, you’ll sleep like a baby. DAY 14 ORLANDO > MIAMI Seek out SoBe (aka South Beach) and stroll the art deco seafront, or if you’re staying on for another night pose with the beautiful people in ultra-cool nightspots as you celebrate a fantastic trip. Be sure to spend a few extra days in this sun-soaked city to mingle with the locals and salsa the night away!
N E W
O H I O
ILLINOIS
DELAWARE
Washington DC
WEST VIRGINIA
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
E
X
A
Memphis
TENNESSEE
Ocoee River Tennessee
ARKANSAS
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
LOUISIANA
New Orleans
SOUTH CAROLINA
G E O R G I A
Panama City Beach
Florida
Orlando
FLORIDA
Miami
C U B A
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation: ) 10 nights camping, 3 hotel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 14 days (see page 90 for details)
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: AN
FINISH 2015 May 11 Jun Jun 18 Jun Jun 25 Jun Jun 02 Jul Jul 16 Jul Jul 23 Jul Jul 30 Jul Jul 06 Aug Jul 13 Aug Aug 20 Aug
NORTH CAROLINA
Nashville
S
PLUS...
•
Appalachian Mtns
K E N T U C K Y M I S S O U R I
M E X I C O
T
DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC Stop by Philadelphia for a picture on the famous ‘Rocky’ steps and to visit the Liberty Bell en route to the capital. Washington DC is simply crammed with history, and an included bike tour will help you get to grips with this great city. By night, DC literally lights up, so why not wander the capital’s many monuments for that picture-perfect night photo? DAY 3 APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS Enjoy the awesome scenic drive through this supersized, 1500-mile long mountain chain. Treat yourself to s’mores (so-called as they leave you wanting s’more) and a good old fashioned sing-along around the campfire.
INDIANA
C O L O R A D O
CALIFORNIA
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
I O W A
RHODE ISLAND
New York
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
32
MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
START
START
29 05 12 19 03 10 17 24 31 07
12 14 19 21 26 02 04 11 18
FINISH 2015 Aug 25 Aug Aug 27 Aug Aug 01 Sep Aug 03 Sep Aug 08 Sep Sep 15 Sep Sep 17 Sep Sep 24 Sep Sep 01 Oct
Be in Washington DC for 4th July
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River * Florida natural springs * Snorkeling * Florida river tubing * New Orleans jazz clubs * Mississippi steamboat ride * Smithsonian National Museums * Bike rental * Southern mansion tour * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Civil Rights Museum in Memphis * Visit Preservation Hall in New Orleans * Panama City Beach sunset cruise (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 13 day Atlantic BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 33
Eastern USA
Tour from AUD
13 Days, 11 States
$2519
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, N A D A Alabama, Louisiana & Florida, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
$2799 Miami Beach
C
A
M A I N E
WASHINGTON
Budget Lodging
M O N T A N A
ATLANTIC BLT
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
CONNECTICUT MICHIGAN
TREK INCLUDES W Y O M I N G
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
Tour of Elvis’ Graceland home and Sun Studio New Orleans’ Bourbon Street Soak up the Deep South culture See live country, blues and jazz Walk in the lush Appalachian Mountains Loads of tanning time on Florida’s white sand beaches N E B R A S K A
NEVADA
U T A H
An Eastern delight! The bustling excitement of Washington DC, the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, the southern gems of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans and the golden sands of Florida’s beaches. This adventure travels a land rich in scenery, culture, history and innovation. CALIFORNIA
DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC (L ) Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell and those famous ‘Rocky’ steps, so get on your best training gear and run to the top! If all this exercise has got you hungry, feast on a Philly cheese steak lunch before heading for the capital. From the Smithsonian to DC’s illuminated monuments, there’s a lot to see in DC, plus take advantage of the great nightlife in Georgetown! The city is small enough to explore by bike in a day so why not rent one for a great way to pack in the highlights? ) This super-sized, 1500 mile mountain chain DAY 3 APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS (L should be on everyone’s USA hit-list and what an awesome contrast to the city. As diverse as they are beautiful, the mountains are also home to the American black bear and former haunt of the Cherokee Indians and they make for incredible driving scenery! ) Welcome to the ‘Home of Country Music’. Grab your Stetson DAY 4 NASHVILLE (L and head out to the Wild Horse Saloon for live music and line dancing. Nashville is famous for its fine music and even finer food, so try the local specialties including Hot Chicken and BBQ ribs.
DAY 5/6 MEMPHIS (L ) Visit the home of ‘the King’ on an included tour of the Graceland mansion, filled with gold discs, sequinned jumpsuits and the story of early rock n’ roll, followed by a visit to famous Sun Studio. In the evening dance the night away in the bars and blues clubs of Beale Street. Then head through Mississippi and tune in to local radio stations for a southern soundtrack of rhythm and blues! ) Now we’re talking all that jazz... and blues of course! DAY 7/8 NEW ORLEANS (L We head into the enchanting French Quarter of New Orleans! Experience the life of Huckleberry Finn as you chug along the Mississippi River or search for gators on a Louisiana swamp tour. All good music fans will make a pilgrimage here at some stage so hit the bars and clubs; Preservation Hall is one of our favourites. ) On to the Gulf of Mexico’s ‘Southern Riviera’ DAY 9/10 PANAMA CITY BEACH (L Panama City, with 27 miles of stunning white sand, emerald green waters and surefire enjoyment in, on or under the water. Pack dancing shoes with your flip-flops as the party spirit simmers long into the small hours. ) Forget your age, as Orlando makes a big kid of all of us. With DAY 11/12 ORLANDO (L two nights here, fitting in a full day of theme park thrills and spills is a piece of cake. Slip-slide around Wet ‘n’ Wild, say hello to Mickey at DisneyWorld or cross the final frontier at Kennedy Space Center.
DAY 13 ORLANDO > MIAMI Magnificent Miami beckons with miles of white beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Seek out SoBe (aka South Beach) to stroll along the art deco seafront or pose with the beautiful people on sugary sand and in ultracool nightspots as you celebrate a fantastic trip.
INDIANA
O H I O
ILLINOIS
O K L A H O M A
A R I Z O N A
N E W
E
X
A
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
Appalachian Mtns
K E N T U C K Y
NORTH CAROLINA
M I S S O U R I
Nashville TENNESSEE
Memphis
ARKANSAS
SOUTH CAROLINA
M E X I C O
T
DELAWARE
Washington DC
WEST VIRGINIA
C O L O R A D O
K A N S A S
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
I O W A
RHODE ISLAND
New York
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
S
LOUISIANA
New Orleans
Panama City Beach
Orlando FLORIDA
Miami M
E
X
I
C
O
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
C U B A
• All accommodation (L ): 8 nights hotel, 4 nights hostel • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
EPCOT Center * Kennedy Space Center * Universal Studios * Disney World, Florida * Wet’n’Wild * New Orleans jazz clubs * Mississippi steamboat cruise * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Mardi Gras World * River tubing * Country Music Hall of Fame * Blues clubs * Panama City Beach sunset cruise * Smithsonian National Museums * Bike rental * Alligator swamp tour (Some activities may be seasonal)
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> You may also like....
Our 14 day Atlantic Dream camping tour. See page 32
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: ANB
DEPARTS MIAMI TREK CODE: AFB
START
START
24 08 29 26 24 07 21 28 04
FINISH 2015 Feb 08 Mar May 20 May May 10 Jun Jun 08 Jul Jul 05 Aug Aug 19 Aug Aug 02 Sep Aug 09 Sep Sep 16 Sep
START 02 16 11 23 06 27 24 22
FINISH 2015 Oct 14 Oct Oct 28 Oct Dec 23 Dec 2016 Feb 06 Mar May 18 May May 08 Jun Jun 06 Jul Jul 03 Aug
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡ Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
p 10
24 12 10 14 18 30 ® 26
FINISH 2015 Mar 22 Mar Apr 06 May Jun 24 Jun Jul 22 Jul Aug 26 Aug Sep 30 Sep Oct 11 Nov Dec 07 Jan
START p 08
22 10 08 12 16 28 26
FINISH 2016 Mar 20 Mar Apr 04 May Jun 22 Jun Jul 20 Jul Aug 24 Aug Sep 28 Sep Oct 09 Nov Dec 07 Jan
Be in Panama City Beach for Spring Break ® Be in New Orleans on New Year's Eve p
33
Eastern USA
C
A
N
A
D
A
M A I N E
WASHINGTON
NEW
New Orleans
O R E G O N
$1579
IDAHO
SOUTH
TOU R
8 Days, 5 States DAKOTA
Tour from NZD
DEEP SOUTH BLT
NEW HAMPSHIRE MASSACHUSETTS
WISCONSIN
NEW YORK
Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana MICHIGAN & Georgia
$1759
From the beginning of Country music to the birthplace of Blues, Rock & Roll and Jazz, this tour delivers incredible music and trekking through the heart of southern USA.
TREK INCLUDES K A N S A S
O K L A H O M A
See the historic Antebellum M E X I C O Mansions in Natchez Incredible Great Smoky Mountains hiking trails T E X A S Soak up the Deep South culture See live country, jazz and blues music
N E W
M
PLUS... E X I
C
O
• All accommodation (L ): 5 hotel nights, 1 hostel night, 1 motel • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation
DAY 5/6 MEMPHIS (L ) Memphis is the birthplace of Rock & Roll, and you won’t want to miss out on a visit to Sun Studio, where the likes of Johnny Cash and BB King recorded their most famous records. But, you can’t go home without a trip to the former home of ‘The King’ Elvis Presley in Graceland.
Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
DAY 8 NEW ORLEANS It’s time to get those dancing shoes back on and we recommend a night in the musical city of New Orleans. After this 8 day trek through the heart of the South, you will definitely be ready for some good old fashioned southern cooking, so why not treat yourself to a bowl of gumbo or jambalaya and see off your newfound friends with a toast in the French Quarter.
O H I O
INDIANA
DELAWARE WEST VIRGINIA
•
Wi-Fi
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
Grand Teton National Park Tour of Elvis’ Graceland
DAY 4 NASHVILLE (L ) If you weren’t a country music fan before, one visit to toe-tapping Nashville and you soon will be! Pay a visit to one of the biggest music venues in the south, The Grand Ole Opry and if you’re really feeling the country vibe, how about a spot of line dancing? One thing’s for sure, it’s not called ‘Music City’ for nothing!
DAY 7 NATCHEZ (L ) Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, Natchez was at the very heart of the slave trade and has a rich and peppered history. Your leader will show you the Antebellum Mansions’ impressive exteriors to give you an insight into what life was like back then. After you’ve explored the mansions wander downtown to Natchez’s historic area where you’ll find a collection of churches and galleries, and some really photogenic architecture.
NEW JERSEY
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
DAY 1 NEW ORLEANS > BIRMINGHAM (L ) Depart the ‘Big Easy’ and head to Birmingham Alabama, also known as ‘Magic City’, where you can learn all about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the start of the Civil Rights Movement. Spend your first night getting to know your group over a plate of sumptuous southern fare and maybe a little live music. DAY 2/3 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS (L ) Some of the oldest mountains in the world, The Great Smoky Mountains are a hiker’s paradise and you’ll get plenty of time to explore the many walking trails on offer. Keep your eyes peeled for whitetailed deer, groundhogs and chipmunks, as well as the American black bears that make these mountains their home.
I O W A
C O L O R A D O
CALIFORNIA
A R I Z O N A
Budget Lodging
N E B R A S K A
ILLINOIS
U T A H
RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
Nashville
Memphis
TENNESSEE
NORTH CAROLINA
Great Smoky Mountains NP
ARKANSAS
Birmingham MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
Natchez New Orleans FLORIDA
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Horseback riding * River tubing * Grand Ole Opry * Country Music Hall of Fame * Country Line dancing * Civil Rights Museum * Sun Studio * Rock n‘ Soul Museum * Stax Museum of American Soul Music * The Peabody Hotel * Louisiana swamp tour * Antebellum Mansions Estate entrance (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW ORLEANS TREK CODE: DSB
START 04 22 10 07 05 06 04 01
FINISH 2015 Jan 11 Jan Feb 01 Mar May 17 May Jun 14 Jun Jul 12 Jul Sep 13 Sep Oct 11 Oct Nov 08 Nov
START FINISH 2016 03 Jan 10 Jan 21 Feb 28 Feb 08 May 15 May 05 Jun 12 Jun 03 Jul 10 Jul 04 Sep 11 Sep 02 Oct 09 Oct 30 Oct 06 Nov
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
34
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
Tour from AUD
M O N T A N A
>> You may also like.... Our 13 day Atlantic BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 33.
C U B A
Eastern USA
Tour from AUD
10 Days, 12 States
$1979 Tour from NZD
$2199
C
Preparing for a feast!
A
N
NEW
Budget Lodging
TOU R
WASHINGTON
TREK vs FOOD
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi A D A & Louisiana, plus Washington DC
M A I N E
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
TREK INCLUDES
IDAHO
SOUTH
MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
CONNECTICUT
Visit world-famous American restaurants and choose to take on their challenges (food not included) Bucketloads of Deep South charm Nightlife of Washington DC Live music of America’s southern states Historic Charleston and its Antebellum Mansions and Plantations Iconic Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah Birmingham Civil M E X I C O Rights Museum W Y O M I N G
If you live, breathe and dream about food, then this is the tour for you. Packed to the brim with awesome places to explore and eateries ‘As seen on TV’, you’ll have the chance to take part in food challenges or simply treat your taste buds to some of America’s culinary delights!
N E B R A S K A
NEVADA
U T A H
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
INDIANA
CALIFORNIA
O K L A H O M A
A R I Z O N A
N E W
DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA (L ) Start off with a bang in New York City and make your way down to Philadelphia, the home of the delicious Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, we hear Tony Luke’s is the best in town. If you’re a movie fan then you can follow in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone, up the ‘Rocky’ steps, for that allimportant photo and you’ll be working off that sandwich you had earlier too.
ILLINOIS WEST VIRGINIA
) This historical city has something for everyone, from DAY 2/3 WASHINGTON DC (L the impressive Smithsonian Museum to the White House and tons of trendy bars just waiting for you to explore. Why not rent a bike and see the city from the comfort of your saddle? Now it wouldn’t be a foody tour without a stop at Ben’s Chili Bowl, which is a landmark restaurant in the city - you’ll be hard pushed to find a local who hasn’t eaten there. Even the President himself is a regular! ) State capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is known as the ‘City of DAY 4 RALEIGH (L Oaks’ thanks to the trees that line the streets through the heart of the city. If you’re a fan of hot dogs, then you might want to visit ‘The Roast Grill’ which has been said to serve ‘the best darned Hot Dogs on the planet’! Afterwards, walk off that ‘dog with a stroll down the Neuse River Trail, a scenic trail with loads of wildlife viewing opportunities. ) The oldest city in South Carolina, this places just oozes DAY 5 CHARLESTON (L character and what better way to experience it than with a visit to an Antebellum Mansion and an authentic Plantation? Stroll along the coast and take photos of the Morris Island Lighthouse that stands several hundred feet offshore. Experience the ultimate taste of the south with a Charleston Nasty Biscuit; a chicken biscuit (which is actually more like a scone) covered in gravy. ) Pay a visit to the hauntingly beautiful Bonaventure DAY 6/7 SAVANNAH (L Cemetery and one that has captured the imaginations of filmmakers and poets alike. Get your music fix in the Bay Street Blues Bar and finish your day off at either the ‘Old Pink House’ for the best shrimps and grits around or Angel’s BBQ for the ‘Voodoo Challenge’- ‘Victory today, tomorrow hell to pay’. ) Known as the New York of the South, this buzzing metropolis is DAY 8 ATLANTA (L home to Gladys Knight’s famous Chicken and Waffles restaurant. If that doesn’t take your fancy that how about a 30 inch pizza from the ‘Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria’ and when it’s a favourite with the locals, you know it’s going to be good. ) Whilst in the ‘Heart of Dixie’ you DAY 9/10 BIRMINGHAM > NEW ORLEANS (L can visit Birmingham’s Civil Rights Institute and listen to some of the best blues and country tunes around. Visit ‘Little Donkey’, a fab Mexican restaurant where the corn tortillas are freshly made in-house and the tacos are out of this world. End the tour in the jazz-tastic city of New Orleans and be sure to sample some gumbo and jambalaya before you head home, it’s southern cuisine at its best.
E
X
A
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
NORTH CAROLINA
Raleigh
TENNESSEE
ARKANSAS
Birmingham
M E X I C O
T
DELAWARE
Washington DC
O H I O
C O L O R A D O
K A N S A S
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
I O W A
RHODE ISLAND
New York
MICHIGAN
MISSISSIPPI
Atlanta
SOUTH CAROLINA
G E O R G I A
Charleston
ALABAMA
Savannah
S
LOUISIANA
PLUS...
FLORIDA
C U B OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation (L ): 6 nights hostel, 3 nights hotel • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
New Orleans
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
A
Food challenges - can you eat the biggest, hottest or ‘nastiest’ food? * Smithsonian Museums * Washington DC bike rental * Charleston watertaxi * Charleston Rickshaw company * Ghosts of the South tour * Magnolia Garden * Mavericks Kitchen Store (cookery lesson) * Historic Savannah Theatre * East Africa Baptists Church * World of Coca-Cola-Atlanta * Civil Rights Institute (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 14 day Atlantic BLT (Budget Lodging tour). See page 33.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: AMF
START
FINISH 2015 25 Apr 04 May 23 May 01 Jun 20 Jun 29 Jun
START
FINISH 2016 16 Apr 25 Apr 21 May 30 May 18 Jun 27 Jun
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
35
Canada & Alaska ALASKA Denali National Park Anchorage
Kenai Fjords National Park
C A N A D A Whistler
Banff National Park
Vancouver
Winnipeg
Québec City
Montréal Toronto
Canada and Alaska not only showcase abundant wildlife and awesome natural beauty, but also offer an array of outdoor pursuits. So join us to discover ‘The North’ - an adventure lover’s paradise.
>> see pages 36 to 47 Denali National Park
Home to Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America and more grizzly bears than people, Denali is the centrepiece of Alaska’s wilderness.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Rugged mountains, calving glaciers and seas teeming with marine life, all offer endless thrills in this beautiful and ever-changing environment.
Banff National Park Canada’s first ever National Park, this world-renowned wilderness region lets you connect with nature on a grand scale, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Montréal You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed in Paris as you explore the vibrant neighbourhoods and lush French inspired cuisine of Montréal.
Our Top Picks
Ziplining Experience the exhilaration of flying, as you glide along steel ziplines up to 730 metres in length, suspended high above Whistler’s breathtaking white-water and evergreen forests.
36
Overnight Wilderness Canoe Trip Stock up your Canadian canoe and set off across crystal-clear waters ringed by the white capped peaks of the Trophy Mountains. Set up your primitive camp on the far shores, in the heart of this remote paradise.
Glacier Hike Try a glacier hike on Alaska’s Root Glacier or Canada’s Athabasca Glacier and experience an enchanting world of ice. There’s even ice-climbing for those that want to get vertical.
Salmon Running in Alaska From mid-July onwards, Alaska’s wild salmon start their epic runs upstream to mate. Try and spot the jumping salmon in Alaska’s creeks and rivers.
Canada & Alaska
Moraine Lake, Canada
37
Canada & Alaska
G R E E N L A N D ICELAND
Tour from AUD
$1889
YUKON TERRITORY
N O R T H E R N
T E R R I T O R I E S
Tour from NZD
$2099
Wilderness Canoeing, Algonquin Provincial Park
14 Days, 6 States & 2 Canadian Provinces New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Ontario & Québec
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADIAN PIONEER
Camping
C A N A D A
NEWFOUNDLAND
ALBERTA
TREK INCLUDES M A N I T O B A
Discover the spirit of the early settlers along Native American trade routes. Trek and canoe through wild landscapes, share stories around the campfire and explore a new land for yourself in some of the best National and Provincial Parks of the east. Plus we couldn’t go without throwing in a few 21st century thrills for good measure.U N I T E D DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > FINGER LAKES Visit the famous local wineries or enjoy a swim in the glacier-carved Finger Lakes, before camping out under the stars surrounded by lush green wilderness; like the pioneers of old.
S A S K AT C H E W A N
S
Wilderness canoe trip Niagara Falls and Maid of the Mist cruise Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston Swim in pristine natural lakes T A T E S O F A M R I C A Sightseeing inE Québec City, Toronto, Ottawa & Montréal National and Provincial Parks Acadia & Algonquin
DAY 2 NIAGARA FALLS / TORONTO Prepare for an extreme close-up of these spectacular falls and a heap of spray on an included Maid of the Mist cruise. 0
500
DAY 3 TORONTO Try tasty tidbits at Kensington Market,500shoot to the top of the 1500 0 1000 half-kilometre high CN Tower or perhaps even catch a baseball game. At night, head to the Distillery District, a 5 hectare area devoted to Toronto’s finest eateries and drinking establishments.
DAY 4/5 ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK Get back to nature on an included wilderness canoe trip, keeping an eye out for the odd moose or black bear. DAY 6 OTTAWA In Canada’s capital, watch the changing of the guard, shop in the markets or brave adrenaline sports. Don’t miss Parliament Hill, Canada’s political epicentre and home to some seriously photogenic Gothic art and architecture. DAY 7/8 MONTRÉAL Enjoy the French culture and narrow lanes with quirky cafés and great shopping. Why not rip it up across Lachine Rapids on a high-speed jet boat ride? Locals can’t get enough of Poutine, cheesy curds on thin French fries, topped with a thick gravy or a ‘Rueben’ smoked meat sandwich (stacked hot salt beef) which is totally delicious and melts in your mouth. Speaking of culinary delights, a trip to O’Noir, a restaurant in the dark will tickle your tastebuds. DAY 9/10 QUÉBEC CITY Get snap happy around the walled Old Town, fuelled by fresh, warm pastries or lip-smacking local cheeses. Get ready to practice your best French, as Québec is known for its European flare. DAY 11/12 ACADIA NATIONAL PARK We’re back on US soil and it’s crying out for some trekking or mountain biking on Mount Desert Island. Your reward is tons of wildlife and stunning vistas. But if you’re more of a waterbaby, sea kayak amongst hidden coves or head out on an optional rock climbing excursion. DAY 13 BOSTON Sensational countryside provides the scene for your penultimate drive, and you can enjoy fresh lobster and visit the best of Freeport’s outlet shops for some great deals en route to Boston. Make the most of your last stop by following the Freedom Trail, taking in a museum or chilling out on Boston Common. You deserve it! DAY 14 BOSTON > NEW YORK AREA Why not add on a night or two in NYC, join a city tour or go on an Urban Adventure and let a New Yorker introduce you to the buzz of the Big Apple, as only a local can >> see page 81.
1500 Miles
• All accommodation: 13 nights camping
2000 Kilometres
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van (USA only) and some campsites
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 14 days (see page 90 for details)
U
O N T A R I O
Algonquin PP Toronto Niagara Falls
E
B
E
C
Québec City
XTRA value
NEW BRUNSWICK
Montréal Ottawa
Acadia NP
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Boston MASSACHUSETTS RHODE ISLAND
CONNECTICUT
New York NEW JERSEY
Algonquin Provincial Park Wilderness canoe trip included on this tour!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Whitewater rafting * Mountain biking in Acadia * Rock climbing in Acadia * Toronto CN Tower * Jet boat ride in Montréal * Sea kayaking in Acadia * Ziplining * Wine tasting in the Finger Lakes * Québec City’s Citadelle * Cheers Bar Boston * Baseball game * French cuisine * Freeport Outlet shopping * Montmorency Falls (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: CP
START FINISH 2015 31 May 13 Jun 14 Jun 27 Jun 12 Jul 25 Jul 26 Jul 08 Aug 09 Aug 22 Aug 16 Aug 29 Aug 23 Aug 05 Sep 30 Aug 12 Sep 06 Sep 19 Sep
START FINISH 2016 29 May 11 Jun 12 Jun 25 Jun 10 Jul 23 Jul 24 Jul 06 Aug 07 Aug 20 Aug 14 Aug 27 Aug 21 Aug 03 Sep 28 Aug 10 Sep 04 Sep 17 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 9 day Northeastern BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 29.
38
NOVA SCOTIA
M A I N E
VERMONT
NEW YORK
Finger Lakes P E N N S Y LVA N I A
Trek
PLUS... 1000
Q
Canada & Alaska
CANADIAN BLT
T
Budget Lodging
Sulphur Mountain hot springs Scenic walks and hikes Sightseeing in Vancouver & Whistler Chance to spot grizzlies, wolves and caribou National and Provincial Parks - Wells Gray, Glacier, Jasper & Banff/Lake Louise
) Lose yourself in one of Canada’s largest DAY 4/5 JASPER NATIONAL PARK (L National Parks, where wildlife literally fights for your attention. The sharp-eyed may glimpse grizzlies, wolves or caribou. This sprawling natural expanse also offers mountain bike trails and ice-walks for those in need of more adrenaline.
DAY 10 VANCOUVER Return to the bright lights of Vancouver, surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia. Enjoy an included scenic drive through Stanley Park, stop by Prospect Point, a popular lookout where you can gaze out at spectacular views of Lion’s Gate Bridge, North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
British Columbia & Alberta
TREK INCLUDES
) The silence is almost deafening! Hike to DAY 3 WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK (L the stunning Helmcken Falls or horseback ride along the beautiful trails.
) Return to British Columbia, via DAY 9 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK > KELOWNA (L Glacier National Park, where you can dip your toes in the cool waters of one of the lakes and sample some of the region’s local wines in Kelowna.
Tour from NZD
N O R T H E R N
C A N
DAY 1/2 VANCOUVER > WHISTLER (L ) Depart Vancouver and head to Western Canada’s mecca for thrill-seekers - get on your bike or zipline through the trees! You’ll see why Whistler’s got much more to offer than just snow.
) Its nickname, the “Gem of the Rockies” is a lot to live up DAY 8 LAKE LOUISE (L to, but with the hulking chateau and a fang-like peak on either side, this turquoise lake looks like it’s straight off a postcard. Why not take a hike out to the Plain-of-SixGlaciers or inspect the scene by paddle power on an optional canoe trip.
$2159
10 Days, 2 Canadian Provinces
$2399
This jam-packed ten day tour takes you to the best of Western Canada. Discover the wonders of Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks alongside Wells Gray Provincial Park, Whistler and cosmopolitan Vancouver for a great mix of cities and adventure.
) The widescreen scenery keeps on coming. The DAY 6/7 BANFF NATIONAL PARK (L Icefields Parkway provides panoramic views of endless valleys, sheer ridges, glaciers and spruce forests. Scale Sulphur Mountain by a charming tramway or take to the trails on foot. The included soothing hot springs are the perfect way to top an action packed day.
YUKON TERRITORY
Tour from AUD
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
Wells Gray PP Whistler
A LB E RTA
Lake Louise
Vancouver
S A S K AT C H
Jasper NP Banff NP Glacier NP
Kelowna
WASHINGTON
U N I T E D
• All accommodation (L ): 9 nights hostel • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi
0 0
Access available in some hostels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
Canoeing in Lake Louise * Mountain biking in Jasper * Horseback riding in Wells Gray * Aerial tramway ride * Guided glacier walk * Scenic glacier flight * Rollerblading in Stanley park * Cycling in Stanley Park * Whitewater rafting *500Ziplining in Whistler * Wine 1000 tasting (Some activities may be 500 1000 1500 seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 12 day Mountie camping tour. See page 40
TOUR DATES DEPARTS VANCOUVER TREK CODE: CNB
START 16 29 14 27 11 24 07
FINISH 2015 Jun 25 Jun Jun 08 Jul Jul 23 Jul Jul 05 Aug Aug 20 Aug Aug 02 Sep Sep 16 Sep
S T A
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
•
BRITISH COLUMBIA
START FINISH 2016 14 Jun 23 Jun 27 Jun 06 Jul 12 Jul 21 Jul 25 Jul 03 Aug 09 Aug 18 Aug 22 Aug 31 Aug 05 Sep 14 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
39
2000 Kilometre
Canada & Alaska YUKON TERRITORY
MOUNTIE
Tour from AUD
Canada’s Rockies offer grand vistas and a wilderness that is still truly wild. Hiking is top-notch and mountain-bikers will be on cloud nine. Add wildlife, horseback riding and whitewater rafting to the list and you won’t find two more exhilarating weeks.
DAY 9 WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK The stillness, silence and isolation go up another notch. Experience the stunning vistas of high mountains, deep canyons, volcanic cones, brooding old-growth forests and raging white-water rivers you’ve never seen anything like it. DAY 10/11 WHISTLER Travel the old Gold Rush trail through Cache Creek and on to the adventure capital of Western Canada! Perhaps better known as a winter resort, Whistler’s got plenty of heart pumping action all year-round. DAY 12 VANCOUVER Return to Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, and stop by Stanley Park, a 4,000-hectare green wonderland. See the authentic totem poles erected in the 1920s and try some moreish maple sugar candies. Stop by Prospect Point, a scenic lookout where you gaze out at spectacular views of Lion’s Gate Bridge, North Vancouver and West Vancouver - the perfect ending to the perfect trip!
Tour from NZD
British Columbia & Alberta
Camping
Whistler Vancouver
Jasper NP Lake Louise Banff NP Yoho NP Okanagan Valley
U N I T E D
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
>> See500 website for more details & prices. 1000
0
0 Access available in some campsites.
500
1000
1500
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 12 days (see page 90 for details)
TOUR DATES DEPARTS VANCOUVER TREK CODE: MO
START
START
FINISH 2016 Jun 17 Jun Jun 24 Jun Jun 01 Jul Jun 08 Jul Jul 16 Jul Jul 22 Jul Jul 29 Jul Jul 05 Aug Aug 12 Aug Aug 19 Aug Aug 26 Aug Aug 02 Sep Aug 09 Sep Sep 16 Sep
08 15 22 29 06 13 20 27 03 10 17 24 31 07
06 13 20 27 04 11 18 25 01 08 15 22 29 05
Visit Calgary for The Stampede - this is a special 13 day departure.
>> You may also like.... Our 10 day Canadian BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 39.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
SPECI
DEPART AL URE!
T H E CA L GA STAMPE RY DE
‘The Greate st
Outdoor DON’T M Show on Earth!’ ISS OUT Book 6th July 2015 or 4th July departures 2016 , special 13 day departures with an ex tra day in Calgary to spend at the Stampede
Athabasca Glacier, Jasper National Park
40
S T A T E S
Horseback riding * Canoeing * Scenic glacier flight * Mountain biking in Jasper NP * Aerial gondola/tramway ride * Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River * Wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley * Okanagan Sunset Cruise (Some activities may be seasonal)
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
FINISH 2015 Jun 19 Jun Jun 26 Jun Jun 03 Jul Jun 10 Jul Jul 18 Jul Jul 24 Jul Jul 31 Jul Jul 07 Aug Aug 14 Aug Aug 21 Aug Aug 28 Aug Aug 04 Sep Aug 11 Sep Sep 18 Sep
S A S K AT C H E W A N
WASHINGTON
• All accommodation: 11 nights camping
Wi-Fi
A L B E RTA
Wells Gray PP
PLUS...
•
T E R R I
C A N A D BRITISH COLUMBIA
Guided glacier walk in Jasper Sulphur Mountain hot springs Wildlife viewing opportunities Visit Takakkaw Falls & Emerald Lake Sightseeing in Vancouver National and Provincial Parks Yoho, Banff/Lake Louise, Jasper & Wells Gray
DAY 4/5 BANFF NATIONAL PARK Breathe in the crisp alpine air with the locals, including beavers, bears, porcupines and elk; or ride the gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain and then recharge your batteries on an included and very relaxing visit to Banff’s heavenly hot springs.
DAY 7/8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK The Icefields Parkway is one of the most breathtaking drives in the world and for good reason. Running parallel to the Continental Divide, and surrounded by the 325km squared Columbia Icefield, you’d be hard pushed to find a more beautiful scene. Take an included walk on the epic Athabasca Glacier, and find out how it retreats through the valley each year.
12 Days, 2 Canadian Provinces
TREK INCLUDES
DAY 2/3 YOHO NATIONAL PARK Whether you hike or ride the rapids of the well-named Kicking Horse River, you will definitely be impressed by the scenery. Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake are easily some of the most impressive sights in the Rockies and you’ll be seeing them both - you lucky thing!
DAY 6 LAKE LOUISE An imposing chateau overlooks the turquoise surface of Lake Louise, surrounded by stunning mountain ranges. Hike out to the Plain of Six Glaciers or soak up the scenery by renting a canoe to explore the lake at your leisure.
$2029 $2259
DAY 1 VANCOUVER > OKANAGAN VALLEY Enter a landscape of snow-dusted mountains, dark conifers and glinting lakes and enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers on your first evening together in wine country.
N O R T H E R N
1 2000 Kilometres
Canada & Alaska SPE DEPA CIAL RTUR E T
! H E CA L G A R STAM ‘The Gre PEDE Y atest O utdoor wagon Sh ra
o ces an d an in w on Earth!’ W rodeo, cluded this is a ith trip to true Ca the n adian e DON’ xperien T c e ! M Book 17 th Jun ISS OU and ad e 2015 depa T d an ex rture tra d to you r tour ay
Tour from AUD
Lake Louise, Alberta
CANADIAN PARKS WEST
DAY 12/13 YOHO NATIONAL PARK Hike around mirrored Emerald Lake and grizzled peaks, and check out the Takakkaw Falls; one of Canada’s highest waterfalls. Or, for the truly adventurous, raft the aptly named Kicking Horse River. DAY 14-16 BANFF NATIONAL PARK / LAKE LOUISE Explore show-stopping trails with picturesque switchbacks, chiselled canyons and mirrored lakes, and even hover above by helicopter for a bird’s-eye view. One dunk in the hot springs and a drink or two later, you’ll be sleeping like a log. Next up its Lake Louise and with the nickname ‘gem of the Rockies,’ there is a lot to live up to. But with an imposing chateau and panoramic trails along the aqua-marine lake, Lake Louise doesn’t disappoint. DAY 17 CALGARY Welcome to Calgary! This one-time Mountie outpost is situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie. Be sure to spend a couple more days exploring this now vibrant city.
C A N A BRITISH COLUMBIA
Whistler Vancouver Tofino
0
Wi-Fi Access available in some campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 17 days (see page 90 for details)
Yoho NP
Lake Louise Calgary Banff NP
WASHINGTON
U N I T E D
value
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment 0 & private transportation
S A S K AT C H E W A N
Jasper NP
Pacific Rim NP Victoria
XTRA
• All accommodation: 16 nights camping
A L B E RTA
Wells Gray PP
Trek
PLUS...
•
S T A T E S
Overnight wilderness canoe trip included on this tour!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES 500
1000
Whitewater1000 rafting on the1500 Kicking 500 Horse River * Zodiac whale watching adventure * Horseback riding * Bear watching * Canoeing * Scenic glacier flight * Guided glacier walk * Extreme zipline course * Mountain biking * Sea kayaking * Hot springs * Cycling in Stanley Park * Rollerblading * Aerial gondola/tramway ride (Some activities may be seasonal)
2000 Kilometres
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS VANCOUVER TREK CODE: CNP
DEPARTS CALGARY TREK CODE: CNR
START
START
START
03 17 08 12
01 15 06 10
FINISH 2015 Jun 19 Jun Jun 03 Jul Jul 24 Jul Aug 28 Aug
T E R R
Camping
Overnight wilderness canoe trip (experience not necessary) Picturesque Vancouver Island ferry Sightseeing in Victoria Stunning glacial mirror lakes Spot wildlife in National & Provincial Parks – Yoho, Banff/ Lake Louise, Jasper, Wells Gray & Pacific Rim
DAY 3-5 TOFINO Take your pick of watery experiences; an optional whale or bear watching adventure or sea kayaking between secluded coves. As well as being great for wildlife, there are some surrounding trails which offer incredible views. Check out the massive cedars, Douglas fir trees and big maples that are still growing strong after 1500 years and measure up to 13 metres around!
DAY 10/11 JASPER NATIONAL PARK The Icefields Parkway drive, one of the world’s finest, has a wow factor to rival even Jasper’s teeming wildlife. Running parallel to the Continental Divide, you’d be hard pushed to find a more beautiful scene. Keep a sharp eye out for grizzlies, wolves or caribou, or you can opt to mountain bike across the bumpy terrain for a blast of fresh mountain air.
British Columbia & Alberta
N O R T H E R N
TREK INCLUDES
DAY 1/2 VANCOUVER > VICTORIA After a scenic ferry ride, you’ll be welcomed to British Columbia’s ‘City of Gardens,’ and the intrepid outdoor type should feel right at home. Try to catch the Parliament building lit up at night.
DAY 8/9 WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK OVERNIGHT WILDERNESS CANOE TRIP The stillness, silence and isolation go up another notch and with good reason. Experience the incredible vistas of high mountains, deep canyons, volcanic cones and old growth forests. Life jacket, paddle, sense of adventure? An included overnight canoe trip delivers pure away-from-it-all escapism and a remote experience which is truly spectacular.
Tour from NZD
YUKON TERRITORY
$3119
Five National and Provincial Parks all dazzle with the mind-blowing natural beauty you’d expect from the Canadian Rockies. Throw in a unique overnight wilderness canoe trip and the chance to spot bears, whales and go whitewater rafting for a whole bunch of larger than life experiences.
DAY 6/7 WHISTLER Travel the old Gold Rush trail through Cache Creek and on to the adventure capital of Western Canada. Get on your bike, fly through the air on a zipline or hit the hiking trails for those picture postcard views; Whistler’s got way more to offer than just snow!
$2809
17 Days, 2 Canadian Provinces
FINISH 2016 Jun 17 Jun Jun 01 Jul Jul 22 Jul Aug 26 Aug
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS➡
FINISH 2015 22 Jun 08 Jul 27 Jul 12 Aug 31 Aug 16 Sep
START
FINISH 2016 20 Jun 06 Jul 25 Jul 10 Aug 29 Aug 14 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
Add an extra day after your tour and be in Calgary for The Stampede.
41
Canada & Alaska
CANADIAN ROAD TRIP Travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast on one almighty road trip. Clap your eyes on the rugged Rockies, sparse prairies and protected wilderness areas that simply demand hiking and biking. No two days are ever the same in a country as vast and welcoming as Canada! DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > VERMONT Head out into the wilds of New England for your first night under the stars amongst rolling green landscapes. DAY 2/3 QUÉBEC CITY Patisseries, churches, town squares and French-speaking Québécois add a European flavour and the dramatic Chateau Frontenac rules the roost. Make sure you have plenty of memory on your camera as Québec is one seriously photogenic city, and you wouldn’t want to fill your card completely by day 3. DAY 4/5 MONTRÉAL (L) Bundles of eateries, trendy bars, live music and comedy venues are sure to impress. For the more adventurous, jet boat down the St Lawrence River! Anyone for poutine? A local dish of cheesy French fries, topped with thick gravy. For something a little more high-brow, make sure you check out O’Noir, a restaurant where you’ll dine completely in the dark and your other senses are heightened. Day 5 is a free day to explore all this city has to offer at your own pace. DAY 6 OTTAWA Wander through ByWard Market, the Rideau Center and Sussex Street, or admire the outdoor vibe in the capital’s many green spaces. The Rideau Canal is a great place to chill out and watch the boaters go by with a cool drink. Did you know that in the winter the canal becomes the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink? DAY 7 TORONTO The native Hurons called this spot ‘Toronto’ or ‘meeting place’ and it still is, with over seventy nationalities calling this place home. Whizz up the CN Tower and soak up the multicultural buzz. Why not rent a bike and take the ferry to check out the tranquil Toronto Islands, where no motorised vehicles are allowed. DAY 8 NIAGARA FALLS Words don’t do these immense falls justice. Board the included Maid of the Mist cruise, feel the spray on your face and be totally blown away. DAY 9/10 LAKE HURON Cross the placid waters by Georgian Bay ferry, before rolling along the forested ‘Moose Alley’ keeping an eye out for our four-legged friends. Spend your first night at the Great Lakes under a blanket of stars. DAY 11/12 LAKE SUPERIOR At this second Great Lake, jump in a Canadian canoe for an included true wilderness adventure! The perfect way to admire the immense beauty. DAY 13 WINNIPEG Welcome to ‘The Peg’, the geographical centre of Canada and North America. Visit Winnipeg Art Gallery, crammed with 9,000 Inuit sculptures, tapestries and paintings, and listen out for one of 100 languages spoken here in this cultural melting pot.
42
Tour from AUD
$3349 Tour from NZD
$3719
25 Days, 4 States & 6 Canadian Provinces New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia & Washington
Camping & Lodging
) This area DAY 14/15 CANADIAN PRAIRIES (1 night L is referred to as Big Sky Country for a reason; flat and waving wheat, tons of bird life and views to the horizon point in all directions. See another side to Canadian life with a unique overnight experience in a trailer park, kick back and relax or party by the pool.
DAY 16/17 BANFF NATIONAL PARK Hang out in this friendly town or stretch your legs on its pine-clad trails, before soothing your muscles in steaming hot springs. On your second day in Banff, you’ll be free to explore this immense wilderness and one of the best ways to do this is to hit one of the hiking trails. Bears, moose and deer frequent these paths so keep alert! DAY 18 LAKE LOUISE You’d be hard pushed to find a more stunning scene than Lake Louise. Emerald blue waters framed by proud mountain scenery makes for picture-perfect views whichever way you turn. It’s yet another perfect place to hike, so make sure you explore as much as you can. DAY 19 YOHO NATIONAL PARK ‘Yoho’ is a Cree word for ‘wonder’ and it’s a fitting name as this place is absolutely stunning, and a must for whitewater rafting fans. Visit the Natural Rock Bridge before heading deeper to explore the park and its varied wildlife. DAY 20/21 JASPER NATIONAL PARK The views across the glacier-lined Icefields Parkway will have you raring to get stuck into the great outdoors yet again. But there’s something special about this part of the Rockies... you can choose to walk on an active glacier! Now that’s bound to make you feel on top of the world! DAY 22 WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK No Canadian trip is complete without visiting this beautiful and seriously peaceful park. Break the silence by paying a visit to Helmcken Falls, the fourth highest waterfall in Canada and the reason that Wells Gray became a Provincial Park in the first place. DAY 23/24 VANCOUVER Vancouver prides itself on outdoor spaces, like Stanley Park with its colossal sea wall and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. But it’s the city’s cosmopolitan feel which really sets it apart from the rest. Take a walk through Gastown at night to see where the party people hang out! DAY 25 VANCOUVER > SEATTLE Crossing the border into the USA, you’ll find yourself in Seattle, home of the original Starbucks so make sure you get yourself a latte. Go taste-testing in Pike Place Market or tower high above with a trip up the Space Needle. Seattle packs it in for your final day, so enjoy every last minute before your fond farewell. Banff National Park
Canada & Alaska G R E E N L A N D
TREK INCLUDES Wilderness canoe trip (experience not necessary) Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs Walks and hikes in the Canadian Rockies Scenic Georgian Bay ferry
YUKON TERRITORY
N O R T H E R N
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Wells Gray PP
A L B E RTA
M A N I T O B A
Q
O N T A R I O
Canadian Prairies
Winnipeg
Seattle WASHINGTON
N O RT H D A K O TA
M O N T A N A
M I N N E S O TA
Lake Huron
U N I T E D
S T A T E S
O F
A M E R I C A
E
B
E
MICHIGAN
Québec City
PLUS...
500 500
1000
1500 Miles
• All accommodation: 21 nights camping, 2 hostel nights, 1 night unique trailer-park ) experience (L 1000
1500
2000 Kilometres
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in some campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 25 days (see page 90 for details)
NEW BRUNSWICK
M A I N E
Vermont
NEW HAMPSHIRE MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK
Niagara Falls
New York
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
0
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
C
Toronto
WISCONSIN
IDAHO
U
Montréal Ottawa
Lake Superior
O R E G O N
0
NEWFOUNDLAND
S A S K AT C H E W A N
Banff NP Lake Louise
T E R R I T O R I E S
C A N A D A
Jasper NP
Yoho NP Vancouver
Unique overnight trailer park experience Sightseeing in Québec City, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver & Seattle National & Provincial Parks – Banff / Lake Louise, Yoho, Jasper & Wells Gray
RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT
NEW JERSEY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Aerial gondola/tramway * Mountain biking * Horseback riding * Scenic glacier flight * Québec City’s Citadelle * Jet boat ride on the St Lawrence River * Winnipeg Art Gallery * Guided glacier walk * Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River * Baseball game * Museum * Rollerblading * Cycling in Stanley Park * Canoeing * Seattle Space Needle * Toronto CN Tower * Bike rental in Toronto * Capilano Suspension Bridge * Western saloon evening (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: FN
DEPARTS SEATTLE TREK CODE: FS
START
START
START
START
23 07 28 18
21 05 26 16
09 21 04 25
07 19 02 23
FINISH 2015 Jun 17 Jul Jul 31 Jul Jul 21 Aug Aug 11 Sep
FINISH 2016 Jun 15 Jul Jul 29 Jul Jul 19 Aug Aug 09 Sep
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡
FINISH 2015 Jun 03 Jul Jul 14 Aug Aug 28 Aug Aug 18 Sep
FINISH 2016 Jun 01 Jul Jul 12 Aug Aug 26 Aug Aug 16 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
43
NOVA SCOTIA
Canada & Alaska
Tour from AUD
20 Days, 7 States & 4 Canadian Provinces
$4499 Tour from NZD
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario, Québec, British Columbia, Alberta, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Connecticut
$4999
G R E E N L A N D
Budget Lodging
NEW
TREK INCLUDES
TOU R
Walk the Freedom Trail Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream tour Explore the heart of New York City Visit the mighty Niagara Falls Sightseeing in Toronto, Montréal, Boston, Vancouver & Whistler YUKON TERRITORY
CANADIAN EXPRESS BLT Experience the cultural cities of the East and adventure lover’s paradise in the West. It’s the best of both worlds on this exciting and fast-paced tour.
) With so many different nationalities, this multi-cultural city is the DAY 7 TORONTO (L place everyone wants to be. View the city from above with a vertigo inducing walk around the top of the CN Tower, for the ultimate bird’s eye view. ) Senaca Falls is the gateway to Finger Lakes DAY 8 SENACA FALLS – FINGER LAKES (L and what a place Finger Lakes is, from pristine lakes and stunning waterfalls to charming villages and let’s not forget the hundreds of wineries in the area. ) Explore the city that never sleeps by taking a stroll around DAY 9 NEW YORK AREA (L beautiful Central Park and then head over to Times Square to be in the centre of all the action. Finish your day in New York City with a tasty Grimaldi’s pizza. ) From one awesome city to the next, say DAY 10 NEW YORK AREA > VANCOUVER (L goodbye to New York City and hello to one of the coolest cities in Western Canada, Vancouver! ) Surrounded by mountains, Whistler is an action lover’s DAY 11/12 WHISTLER (L paradise. Get on your bike, fly through the air on a zipline or hit the hiking paths, adventure is well and truly alive in Whistler. ) Leave civilisation behind and experience DAY 13 WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK (L stunning scenery, deep canyons and ancient forests in a place you’ll never forget. ) Drive the Icefields Parkway through Jasper DAY 14/15 JASPER NATIONAL PARK (L National Park and you’ll be left breathless at its sheer beauty. ) Packed full of show-stopping trails and DAY 16/17 BANFF NATIONAL PARK (L incredible wildlife for you to enjoy. If it’s a relaxing time you’re after, chill out by one of the picturesque lakes or the local hot springs. ) Proudly named ‘the gem of the Rockies’, you‘ll immediately see DAY 18 LAKE LOUISE (L why... it’s stunning! Hike the many trails that surround the lake and take in the aqua-marine colours in all their glory. ) With bear sightings possible and DAY 19 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – KELOWNA (L other awesome wildlife in an abundance, it won’t just be the snow-capped mountains that leave you awe-struck.
DAY 20 VANCOUVER Treat yourself to some moreish Maple Cookies and then head over to Prospect Point for the best views in town.
44
M A N I T O B A S A S K AT C H E W A N
Lake Louise Kelowna Glacier NP
WASHINGTON
O N T A R I O
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N IDAHO
N O RT H D A K O TA
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Q U E B E C NEW BRUNSWICK
Stowe Toronto
WISCONSIN
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW YORK
Finger Lakes P E N N S Y LVA N I A
PLUS... 500
500
1000
1000 1500
1500 Miles 2000 Kilometres
• All accommodation (L ): 15 nights hostel, 2 nights hotel, 2 nights motel • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation including an internal flight •
Wi-Fi Access available in some hostels and whilst in the USA.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: NCB
START FINISH 2015 06 Jun 25 Jun 04 Jul 23 Jul 01 Aug 20 Aug
START FINISH 2016 04 Jun 23 Jun 02 Jul 21 Jul 30 Jul 18 Aug
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 25 day Canadian Road trip camping and lodging tour. See page 42.
M A I N E
M I N N E S O TA
MICHIGAN
0
) Foodies and music lovers will fall head over heels for Montréal, DAY 5/6 MONTRÉAL (L with its huge mix of trendy bars, restaurants and heaps of places to watch live music.
NEWFOUNDLAND
Montréal
) Hang with the locals on Boston Common and explore the delicious DAY 2 BOSTON (L food at Quincy Market. Baseball runs through the heart of this city and on match day the city is swarming with Red Sox fans, so why not join in the fun and watch a game!
0
T E R R I T O R I E S
ALBERTA
Jasper NP Banff NP
Wells Gray PP Whistler
DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > BOSTON (L ) Leave the big smoke and head up to Boston or Bean Town as the locals like to call it. See where the revolution began on the streets of Boston, as you walk along the historical Freedom Trail.
Sulphur Mountain hot springs Scenic walks and hikes Chance to spot grizzlies, wolves and caribou National and Provincial Parks - Wells Gray, Glacier, Jasper & Banff/Lake Louise
C A N A D A
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Vancouver
) If the words ‘Chunky Monkey’ mean something to you, then you’ll love DAY 3/4 STOWE (L Stowe, home to the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory. A skier’s paradise in the winter and throughout the rest of the year there is heaps of hiking, biking and swimming to be done.
N O R T H E R N
✈
Lake Louise, Alberta
ICELAND
Boston
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT
New York
NEW JERSEY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Boston’s Faneuil Hall * Quincy market * Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise * Toronto CN Tower * Museums and galleries * Baseball game * Mountain biking * Jet boat ride in Montréal * Skiing in Stowe * Snowshoeing * Ice-skating * Montréal Blind Restaurant in the Dark * Canoeing in Lake Louise * Mountain biking in Jasper * Horseback riding in Wells Gray * Aerial tramway ride * Guided glacier walk * Scenic glacier flight * Rollerblading in Stanley Park * Cycling in Stanley Park * Whitewater rafting * Ziplining in Whistler (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
NOVA SCOTIA
Canada & Alaska
A R C T I C
Tour from AUD
O C E A N
7 Days, 1 State
$1369 Ice cave trekking, Wrangell-St Elias National Park
B E A U F O R T
Alaska
Tour NZD C H from UKCHI S EA
R U S S I A
$1519
Camping it
ALASKAN DENALI
r in
g S tr a
TREK INCLUDES
DAY 1/2 ANCHORAGE > WRANGELL-ST ELIAS NATIONAL PARK Venture off the main highway and into this UNESCO World Heritage site. Wrangell-St Elias National Park houses the continent’s largest assemblage of glaciers and peaks above 16,000 feet. Prepare for some top-notch glacier action with a guided hike, or for a more vertical challenge, try ice climbing on Root Glacier. Why not opt to visit Kennecott Copper Mill Ghost Town or try ice cave trekking for a really unique experience. DAY 3 TANGLE LAKES Chill out after a challenging drive along the scenic McCarthy and Denali Highways, crossing the famous 800 mile long Alaskan Pipeline. Lake-covered plains and distant mountain views make for some awesome wilderness canoeing. DAY 4-6 DENALI NATIONAL PARK En route to Denali, make a stop at Gracious House for the chance to buy the famed cinnamon rolls... an amazing way to stock up on energy for the colossal adventure ahead. Surrounded by the tallest mountain peaks in North America, Denali National Park is jam-packed with grizzlies, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves, and is so large that the only way of getting around is by bus. You’re in luck, as we’ve thrown in a 2 day pass so you can get out into the wilds and explore the best this enormous expanse has to offer , plus the park’s rangers encourage you to beat your own path, so the hiking possibilities are endless! A dog sled demonstration is included, and amazing photo opportunities await at every turn. Standing at over 20,320 feet, Mount McKinley dominates every view on a blue sky day, and an optional ) will blow you away. scenic flight ( DAY 7 DENALI NATIONAL PARK > ANCHORAGE Leave Denali behind and head for Talkeetna, a great spot where you can tuck into a Reindeer Sausage and see where climbers set off from on their wilderness expeditions. Return to Anchorage where you can explore the local breweries for a proper Alaskan send off! Why not extend your stay and make the most of the glaciers, trails, salmon streams and parks which surround the city.
Visit Alaskan glaciers GULF OF ANADYR Two day bus passN oto best r t o see n S o u the nd of Denali National Park Dog sled demonstration I N G S E A Wildlife viewing opportunities including bears, caribou, moose & wolves Scenic walks and hikes National Parks - Wrangell-St Elias & Denali BRISTOL
A
Be
Here’s one for all you wild things! Brace yourself for a week on the ‘Last Frontier’ and an adventure on the continent’s highest peak. Keep your camera handy forB E R wilderness National Parks, animals including grizzlies, and crystal clear glacier lakes. Plus a whole bunch of optional activities make this trip one to remember!
S E A
Mackenzie Bay
L
A
S
K
Denali NP
C
A
Tangle Lakes
Talkeetna Anchorage
Wrangell-St Elias NP G U L F
O F
A L A S K A
B AY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation: 4 nights camping, 2 nights wilderness camping in Wrangell-St Elias • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi
Wilderness canoeing * Ice climbing * Scenic Denali flight * Ice cave trekking * Mountain biking * Kennecott Copper Mill Ghost Town tour * Salmon bake * Whitewater rafting * Glacier walk * Scenic Wrangell flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
Access available in some campsites. P
ESSENTIAL INFO
A
C
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 7 days (see page 90 for details)
Un-missable flight over F I C O C E Mount McKinley - soar above the highest mountain in North America from just US$499.
I
A
N
Ask your Tour Leader for details.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS ANCHORAGE TREK CODE: AD
START
FINISH 2015 21 Jun 27 Jun 19 Jul 25 Jul 09 Aug 15 Aug
START
FINISH 2016 19 Jun 25 Jun 17 Jul 23 Jul 07 Aug 13 Aug
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
PLEASE NOTE: Alaskan trips pass through rugged terrain and isolated areas. Many areas/campgrounds will have basic facilities and little nightlife.
>>
WHY NOT ADD ON A BEAR VIEWING EXTENSION! Alaskan Denali & one day bear viewing flight from AUD$2118/ NZD$2358 Enquire at time of booking. Early booking recommended.
>> You may also like.... Extend your tour to 13 days on our Alaskan Wonder! See page 47. We also offer a 10 day Alaskan BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 46.
45
A
Canada & Alaska
A R C T I C
O C E A N
B E A U F O R T
S E A
Mackenzie Bay
Tour from AUD Glacier trekking, Wrangell-St Elias National Park
10 Days, 1 State
$2449
R U S S I A
Alaska
CHUKCHI SEA
Tour from NZD
$2719 g S tr
ait
ALASKAN BLT
Kenai Fjords National Park
Budget Lodging
r in
TREK INCLUDES
Welcome to the Land of the Midnight Sun, where majestic mountain spires, crystal clear lakes, glimmering ice-blue glaciers and rushing rivers compete for your B E R I N G attention. Abundant wildlife roams the plains in remote and sprawling wilderness, and old world charm lives in its towns. There's nowhere like Alaska. DAY 1/2 ANCHORAGE > HOMER (L ) Found at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Homer is renowned for bear and whale watching and is surrounded by wilderness and ocean. It’s the perfect place for you to kick off your Alaskan adventure and get involved in some of the local activities. Why not give sea fishing a try, or go kayaking in the icy waters? If spotting bears is high on your ‘to do’ list, then a full day bear watching excursion is not to be missed! ) The coastal town of Seward DAY 3/4 SEWARD & KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK (L is known for its spectacular mountain and bay scenery, as well as its location close to Kenai Fjords National Park. Why not head out on a cruise to Kenai Fjords where you can spot Killer Whales, porpoises and sea otters, and hear glaciers calve huge chunks of ice into the sea with an ear-splitting crack! ) You’ll be glad summer puts in so many DAY 5/6 DENALI NATIONAL PARK (L overtime hours of daylight this far north as it’s time to get stuck into the vast expanse of Denali National Park. Snap a few shots of moose, caribou, fox and of course grizzly bear on your scenic bus ride and take a hike in the shadows of Mt. McKinley. Standing at over 20,320 feet, North America’s highest mountain dominates every view. If you’re ) over this incredible mountain. feeling extra adventurous, take a flight ( ) Make a stop at Gracious House along the Denali Highway DAY 7 TANGLE LAKES (L for the chance to try Alaskan cinnamon rolls en route to the Tangle Lakes. What a great name, and and even better place to chill out! Lake-splattered green plains stretch to distant mountains, and some wilderness canoeing should up your pulse rate. ) > ANCHORAGE Untended trails, unpaved roads DAY 8-10 WRANGELL-ST ELIAS (L and unending views for the next 2 days are exactly what you signed up for! As the Wrangell Mountains cast their lengthy shadow, ready yourself for some top-notch glacier action. How about a guided hike on the Kennecott Glacier, or for a more vertical challenge, grab an axe for ice climbing on Root Glacier. Finally, with pockets full of postcards and memories we’re back from the wilderness and into civilisation again.
A
Be
GULF OF ANADYR
A
S
K
Denali NP
N o r t o n S o uPark nd Explore Denali National by included scenic bus and on foot Chance to spot bears, moose, S E A elk and more Dog sledding demonstration Visit Alaskan glaciers Scenic walks and hikes National Parks - Wrangell-St Elias, Denali, Kenai Fjords
C
A
Tangle Lakes
Talkeetna
Anchorage
Wrangell-St Elias NP Seward
Homer
Kenai Fjords NP
G U L F
O F
A L A S K A
BRISTOL B AY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation (L ): 4 hostel nights, 4 cabin nights, 1 lodge night (multi share) • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in some hostels or hotels. P ESSENTIAL INFO
A
C
• Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
Scenic Denali flight * Ice climbing * Alyeska mountain aerial tramway * Kenai Fjords scenic cruise * Halibut fishing in Homer * Mountain biking * Guided glacier walk * Sea kayaking * Cave Ice Trekking in Wrangell-St Elias * Wilderness canoeing in Tangle Lakes * Kennecott Copper Mill tour * Whitewater rafting * Homer Bear viewing (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. I
F
I
C
O
C
E
Un-missable flight over Mount McKinley - soar above the highest mountain in North America from just US$499. Ask your Tour Leader for details.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS ANCHORAGE TREK CODE: AB
START
FINISH 2015 Jun 16 Jun Jul 14 Jul Jul 04 Aug Aug 25 Aug
START
FINISH 2016 Jun 14 Jun Jul 12 Jul Jul 02 Aug Aug 23 Aug
07 05 26 16
05 03 24 14
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡ Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices. PLEASE NOTE: Alaskan trips pass through rugged terrain and isolated areas. Many areas will have basic facilities and little nightlife.
46
L
>>
WHY NOT ADD ON A BEAR VIEWING EXTENSION! Alaskan Denali & one day bear viewing flight from AUD$3198/ NZD$3558 Enquire at time of booking. Early booking recommended.
>> You may also like.... Our 13 day Alaskan Wonder camping tour. See page 47
A
N
A
Canada & Alaska A R C T I C
ALASKAN WONDER
O C E A N
Tour from AUD
$2789
B E A U F O R T
13 Days, 1 State Alaska
U K C H I NZD SEA TourC Hfrom
R U S S I A
The last wilderness frontier - Alaska offers electric blue glaciers, towering peaks, wildlife which is truly wild, incredible trails and breathtaking scenery. This all encompassing tour will blow your socks off!
$3099 g S tr a
it
Camping
r in
TREK INCLUDES GULF OF ANADYR
B E R I N G
DAY 3 TANGLE LAKES Beat a rugged westward path from Wrangell-St Elias. This is a great place to chill out after the scenic drive along the Alaska Mountain Range, crossing the famous 800-mile-long Alaskan Pipeline. If you’re feeling active, some wilderness canoeing should do the trick. DAY 4-6 DENALI NATIONAL PARK Standing head and shoulders above all, Mount McKinley is North America’s 20,320-ft high point, and was dubbed Denali or the ‘Great One’ by the Athabascan Natives. Watch out for a chance encounter with grizzly bears or caribou! You’ll be glad summer puts in so many hours of daylight this far north with two full days of endless views and hiking ) to land on an ice opportunities. An incredible option is to take a flight ( sheet under the shadow of Mount McKinley. DAY 7-9 SEWARD Follow the Cook Inlet to Resurrection Bay and the coastal town of Seward, known for its unbeatable, spectacular mountain and bay scenery. Enjoy the included marine and wildlife cruise try to spot whales and wildlife, or for something on dryish land, strap on your hiking boots for a glacier trek up to the Harding Icefields. DAY 10/11 HOMER Found on the Kenai Peninsula, wraparound summits, the glacier-crafted spit and invigorating beach walks are the perfect warm up for one hearty dinner of ultra-fresh halibut - prepared by you! Your leader will help buy and give advice on cooking your fresh fish dinner but it’s all hands on deck! Homer is famous for its bears and whales, and surrounded by wilderness and ocean so there are loads of activities such as kayaking or sea fishing to keep you entertained. Why not go on a dedicated bear viewing trip? DAY 12 KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Crossing to the other side of the peninsula, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge awaits. One word: wow! If you opt for the canoe view, the pine-enclosed lakes often deliver eagles above or moose grazing by the shore. For more adventure raft the whitewaters of Alaska! DAY 13 ANCHORAGE Bidding farewell to the Kenai Peninsula, we return to Anchorage for some last minute sightseeing and our goodbyes.
A
Two-day bus pass to see the N o r t o n S oPark und best of Denali National Half day glacier hiking Wildlife viewing cruise S E A Dog sledding demonstration in Denali National Park Scenic walks and hikes Spot bears, moose and whales National Parks - Wrangell-St Elias, Denali, Kenai Fjords & Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Be
DAY 1/2 ANCHORAGE > WRANGELL-ST ELIAS NATIONAL PARK Cruise past the massive Matanuska Glacier and down the McCarthy Road, an enormous expanse of wilderness claiming Alaska’s wild crown hands-down. Ready yourself for some top-notch glacier action with an included half day hiking trip on Root Glacier, then spend the night in a true wilderness camp overlooking the glacier, perfect to watch as you sit around the camp fire.
S E A
Mackenzie Bay
L
A
S
K
Denali NP
C
A
Tangle Lakes
Anchorage Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Wrangell-St Elias NP Seward Kenai Fjords NP
Homer
G U L F
O F
A L A S K A
BRISTOL B AY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation: 10 nights camping, 2 nights wilderness camping in Wrangell-St Elias • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi
P
A
Access available in some campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 13 days (see page 90 for details)
C
Halibut fishing * Float plane ride * Kenai Fjords scenic cruise * Alyeska Mountain aerial tramway * Whitewater rafting * Wilderness canoeing * Ice climbing * Scenic Denali flight * Ice cave trekking in Wrangell-St Elias * * Kennecott Copper Mill Ghost Town tour * Homer Bear Viewing Tour * Scenic Wrangell flight (Some activities may be seasonal) I
F
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C
O
C
E
>> See website for more details & prices.
A
Un-missable flight over Mount McKinley - soar above the highest mountain in North America from just US$499. Ask your Tour Leader for details.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS ANCHORAGE TREK CODE: AW
START FINISH 2015 07 Jun 19 Jun 21 Jun 03 Jul 05 Jul 17 Jul 19 Jul 31 Jul 02 Aug 14 Aug 16 Aug 28 Aug
START FINISH 2016 05 Jun 17 Jun 19 Jun 01 Jul 03 Jul 15 Jul 17 Jul 29 Jul 31 Jul 12 Aug 14 Aug 26 Aug
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
PLEASE NOTE: Alaskan trips pass through rugged terrain and isolated areas. Many areas/campgrounds will have basic facilities and little nightlife.
>>
WHY NOT ADD ON A BEAR VIEWING EXTENSION! Alaskan Denali & one day bear viewing flight from AUD$3538/ NZD$3938 Enquire at time of booking. Early booking recommended.
>> You may also like.... Our 10 day Alaskan BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 46.
Denali National Park
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N
Cross Country Canadian Rockies Seattle Yellowstone National Park
Badlands National Park
Yosemite National Park San Francisco Las Vegas Los Angeles
Boston
Chicago Zion National Park
New York Philadelphia Washington DC Appalachian Mountains
Grand Canyon National Park
Nashville
Austin, Texas New Orleans
Miami
Key West
Crossing the States from coast to coast truly embodies the ‘Great American Road Trip’. Combine the best of all four corners of the States within one epic adventure! >> see pages 48 to 69
Nashville
Zion National Park
Austin, Texas
Chicago
The home of Country Music, you can’t take a step without seeing and hearing its influence everywhere, and live venues fill the city, making for an incredible night out.
‘Spectacular’ doesn’t even come close to describing this sprawling landscape filled with towering sandstone cliffs, deep red canyons, mesas and buttes. The hiking is out of this world.
Arguably Texas’ coolest city, Austin is a melting pot of tattooed artists, ambitious students and high-flying internet millionaires, and bumper stickers declare ‘Keep Austin Weird!’.
Towering skyscrapers overlook the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan in this buzzing city. Stroll through parks, listen to live Blues and grab a slice of its famous deep dish pizza.
Our Top Picks
48
Grand Canyon Sunrise
Mount Rushmore
Route 66
Sunsets are almost as good, but in the morning you’ll often have the view all to yourself and the whole day to explore the grandest canyon of them all, hiking below the rim or flying high above in a helicopter.
The immense faces of America’s most famous presidents carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota symbolize the ideals of freedom and democracy and are a national treasure.
Immortalised in folklore, cinema and song, Route 66, otherwise known as ‘The Mother Road’, became the first paved highway linking America from East to West and is an iconic symbol of the great American road trip.
Cedar Point Amusement Park Push the barriers of fear at Cedar Point, voted the world’s best amusement park 15 years running, with 2 water parks and more rollercoasters than almost any other theme park in America.
Cross Country
Route 66
49
Cross Country
SOUTHERN SUN
Tour from AUD
$2809
This is one varied snapshot of The States! Experience the fast paced East, the slow moving South and the laidback West coast, with exciting activities like whitewater rafting, horseback riding and hiking; together with the nightlife of New Orleans and Las Vegas on this classic road trip! DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell, those famous ‘Rocky’ steps, and Reading Terminal Market for those bargains. In Washington DC, take an included guided bike tour of the famous monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. An evening view of the illuminated monuments is worth checking out too. DAY 3 APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS You’ll certainly appreciate the views of the rolling green Appalachian Mountains as you cruise on through Virginia, steeped in old world history and folklore. Stretch your legs with a short hike through lush national forests and breathe in that sweet mountain air. DAY 4 OCOEE RIVER, TENNESSEE Rafting could be on the cards today and it’s some of the best in the USA. Don a lifejacket, grip a paddle and bounce along a stretch of whitewater for an exhilarating taste of the Deep South, plus some pretty incredible forest views. DAY 5 NASHVILLE Next is Nashville, Tennessee and if you’ve seen the TV show of the same name, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. Known as ‘Music City’ it’s the shining star of the country music scene, so why not try line dancing at the Wild Horse saloon? Even if Country isn’t your thing, there’s live bands everywhere you go, so you’re sure to be singing along by the end of the day! DAY 6 MEMPHIS Stroll along Beale Street where the electric atmosphere will keep you entertained for hours as you see the influences of Blues and Jazz everywhere. Top billing goes to Graceland, former home of ‘The King’ himself, Elvis Presley. ) Beyond Mississippi we DAY 7/8 NEW ORLEANS (L hit Louisiana, home of the Big Easy. Here in jazz central, sultry bass and chirpy rhythms are king. Make a beeline for the notorious nightlife of Bourbon Street, where almost anything goes! Why not check out Mardi Gras World to walk amongst bright and brash carnival floats, or take a Voodoo and Graveyard tour to see why the graveyards here are so infamous. Brush up on your Southern cuisine skills at the New Orleans School of Cooking or simply enjoy some eclectic people watching in the city’s French Quarter.
DAY 9 LOUISIANA/TEXAS Look out for gators on our optional Louisiana swamp tour through the mysterious bayous of Cajun country (a must do!). The Lone Star State bids you a big-hearted welcome for the first of four nights in mighty Texas. DAY 10/11 AUSTIN, TEXAS Another place which vies for the title of capital of America’s music scene, Austin is an electric, cultural and artistic city which packs a
Tour from NZD
$3119
21 Days, 16 States New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada & California, plus Washington DC
Camping & Lodging
punch. After a day exploring, hit up the city for a dose of top shelf music and of course lots of dancing! DAY 12 NORTH TEXAS The biggest state in the continental USA is also home to plenty of MexicanAmerican cuisine, ‘Tex-Mex’, including spicy fajitas and tacos. Get your fill before leaving the massive expanse of Texas behind and crossing into New Mexico tomorrow. DAY 13 SANTA FE Santa Fe is sure to work its charm on you with its artsy vibe and laid back locals. Visit Canyon Road, home to art galleries, cultural treasures such as hand-woven Navajo rugs, historic adobe buildings and vibrant restaurants. DAY 14 MONUMENT VALLEY This is sacred Navajo land and the most photographed place in America, so explore towering buttes and massive mesas on an optional 4x4 tour with a local Navajo guide and take home their secrets, legends and unique hand crafted keepsakes. DAY 15/16 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK No trip west is complete without stopping in on one of the Earth’s natural wonders. Hike along its rim, soar overhead ) or watch the sinking sun paint it in a helicopter ( amber, maroon and red; its breathtaking immensity will still blow you away. Why not hike down inside the canyon to Plateau Point for magnificent views of the rushing Colorado River. DAY 17/18 LAKE POWELL / ZION NATIONAL PARK Without a doubt one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Southwest, Horseshoe Bend makes for an impressive stop before washing off the desert dust in the refreshing waters of Lake Powell. Then tread a course through Zion’s sandstone canyons, with 360 degree views from the top of Angels Landing. Prefer to take the low road? No problem, as Zion boasts deep canyons known as ‘The Narrows’ where you can wade your way through the Virgin River. ) Next up; it could only be DAY 19/20 LAS VEGAS (L Vegas and it puts on a fantastic show as you cruise ‘The Strip’ in an included super-stretch limo. Indulge in an all-you-can eat buffet, take in a show, head to a top nightclub, ride a rollercoaster or just gaze upon the glitzy hotels that try to outdo each other with spectacular attractions. And remember what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
DAY 21 LAS VEGAS > LOS ANGELES Top it all off with some California sun and a journey across the desert as you roll into the larger-than-life LA scene. Check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as a lookout spot to see the Hollywood sign before your epic road trip adventure sadly comes to an end.
Monument Valley
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Cross Country TREK INCLUDES
SPECI
DEPART AL URE! NEW OR LEANS 4TH
Limousine ride in Las Vegas Guided bike tour of Washington DC’s monuments New Orleans’ Bourbon Street Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Experience the electric buzz and live music in Austin, Texas Climb the famous ‘Rocky Steps’ See stunning Lake Powell
JULY
Celebrate the Stars & with firewo Stripes rks and live music in Ne w Orleans! D
ON’T MIS S OUT Book 28th June 2015 New York departure
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M I N N E S O TA
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
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WASHINGTON
N O RT H D A K O TA
Walk amongst the Appalachian Mountains Vibrant night life of Nashville and Memphis Tour of Philadelphia, Washington DC & Los Angeles National Parks and Monuments - Monument Valley, Grand Canyon & Zion
D A K O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE MASSACHUSETTS
WISCONSIN
NEW YORK MICHIGAN
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
W Y O M I N G N E B R A S K A
N E VA D A
O H
K A N S A S
Santa Fe N E W
O K L A H O M A
WEST VIRGINIA
NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE MARYLAND
Memphis
TENNESSEE
A R I Z O N A LOUISIANA T
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Appalachian Mountains
K E N T U C K Y
Nashville
M I S S O U R I
ARKANSAS
North Texas
M E X I C O
Philadelphia Washington DC I O
CONNECTICUT
VIRGINIA
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon NP Los Angeles
INDIANA
C O L O R A D O
Zion NP Lake Powell Monument Valley
CALIFORNIA
I O W A ILLINOIS
U T A H
RHODE ISLAND
New York
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH
CAROLINA Ocoee River
G E O R G I A
Texas/Louisiana New Orleans
Austin
FLORIDA
PLUS...
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• All accommodation: 16 nights ) camping, 4 hotel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 21 days (see page 90 for details)
>> Get more adventure... This tour combines with the 21 day Northern Trail to create the Grand Trek! See page 64.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee C U B A River * Western horseback riding * Las Vegas clubs & casinos * Las Vegas Strip helicopter flight * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Swamp tour * Navajo guided 4x4 tour * Mississippi steamboat ride * New Orleans jazz clubs * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Mardi Gras World * Smithsonian National Museums * Antelope Canyon * Civil Rights Museum * Graceland Tour * Sun Studio * Rock’n’Soul Museum * Stax Museum of American Soul Music * The Peabody Hotel * Country Line Dancing * Country Music Hall of Fame * Grand Ole Opry * Southern mansion tour (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: SN
START
START
START
01 08 15 22 29 06 13 20 27 03 10 17 21 24 28 01 05 08 12 15 19 22 26 29 02
05 09 12 16 19 23 26 30 02 06 09 16 23 30 07
18 25 01 08 15 22 29 06 13 20 24 27 03 07 10 14 17 24 28 01 08 12 15 19
22 26 29 02 05 09 12 16 19 23 26 30 02 06 09 13 16 23 30
FINISH 2015 Apr 21 Apr Apr 28 Apr Apr 05 May Apr 12 May Apr 19 May May 26 May May 02 Jun May 09 Jun May 16 Jun Jun 23 Jun Jun 30 Jun Jun 07 Jul Jun 11 Jul Jun 14 Jul Jun 18 Jul Jul 21 Jul Jul 25 Jul Jul 28 Jul Jul 01 Aug Jul 04 Aug Jul 08 Aug Jul 11 Aug Jul 15 Aug Jul 18 Aug Aug 22 Aug
30 06 13 20 27 04 11 18 25
FINISH 2015 Aug 25 Aug Aug 29 Aug Aug 01 Sep Aug 05 Sep Aug 08 Sep Aug 12 Sep Aug 15 Sep Aug 19 Sep Sep 22 Sep Sep 26 Sep Sep 29 Sep Sep 06 Oct Sep 13 Oct Sep 20 Oct Oct 27 Oct 2016 Mar 19 Apr Apr 26 Apr Apr 03 May Apr 10 May Apr 17 May May 24 May May 31 May May 07 Jun May 14 Jun
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: SL
START
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡
FINISH 2015 Mar 07 Apr Mar 14 Apr Apr 21 Apr Apr 28 Apr Apr 05 May Apr 12 May Apr 19 May May 26 May May 02 Jun May 09 Jun May 13 Jun May 16 Jun Jun 23 Jun Jun 27 Jun Jun 30 Jun Jun 04 Jul Jun 07 Jul Jun 14 Jul Jun 18 Jul Jul 21 Jul Jul 28 Jul Jul 01 Aug Jul 04 Aug Jul 08 Aug
23 30 06 13
FINISH 2015 Jul 11 Aug Jul 15 Aug Jul 18 Aug Aug 22 Aug Aug 25 Aug Aug 29 Aug Aug 01 Sep Aug 05 Sep Aug 08 Sep Aug 12 Sep Aug 15 Sep Aug 19 Sep Sep 22 Sep Sep 26 Sep Sep 29 Sep Sep 03 Oct Sep 06 Oct Sep 13 Oct Sep 20 Oct 2016 Mar 12 Apr Mar 19 Apr Apr 26 Apr Apr 03 May
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
Be in New Orleans for the 4th July
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Cross Country
NORTHERN TRAIL One almighty sweep stretching from ocean to ocean. Pass through olden-day frontiers, sacred Native American lands, cowboy towns and cosmopolitan cities. The outdoor pursuits come thick and fast across the great American wilderness. DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > CAYUGA LAKE Departing the Big Apple, visit beautiful waterfalls at Taughannock State Park en route to the famous Cayuga Finger Lake. Why not follow the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. DAY 2 NIAGARA FALLS > LAKE ERIE Get as close as you dare to the booming cascades of Niagara Falls on an optional Maid of the Mist cruise. An awesome way to experience the falls up close. Warning; you will get wet! DAY 3 CEDAR POINT, OHIO Ask a ‘Buckeye’ to tell you all about their beloved state nut and find out about just how awesome the Cedar Point Amusement Park rollercoasters really are. Spend the night near Lake Erie. ) Visit the Amish DAY 4/5 CHICAGO (L community in Shipshewana, Indiana and stop by Gary Indiana and the house that Michael Jackson grew up in; then it’s onto Chicago. Soar up Willis Tower for dizzying views over the Windy City. Trawl the upmarket malls of Magnificent Mile and grab a slice of Chicago’s deep dish pizza before working it off on the included famous ‘Bobby’s Bike Hike’ tour.
DAY 6 WISCONSIN / MINNESOTA Wisconsin is known for cheese, and today you have a taste of Wisconsin before saying hello to the Jolly Green Giant Statue in Blue Earth. Head across the great prairies of America’s original western frontier. Resident coyotes may howl as you settle back for some shut eye under canvas under a sky full of stars. DAY 7 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK All signs lead to Wall Drug - the renowned drug store in the little frontier town of Wall, it’s so big you need a map to get around and it’s also your last stop before heading into the Badlands. Touching down here feels more like a moon landing due to the bizzare lunar landscape of low slung buttes, chiselled spires and saw tooth ridges. DAY 8 MOUNT RUSHMORE Don’t miss the faces of America’s presidents peering out from Mount Rushmore or the immense rock monument carved in memory of Lakota leader Crazy Horse, who led the attack against General Custer at the battle of Little Big Horn. DAY 9 CODY Wild Wyoming is what Cody is all about. From its cowboy roots to its summer rodeos, enjoy an included visit to Old Trail Cowboy Town. DAY 10/11 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Pitch up in the world’s first National Park. This is a superb wilderness, complete with spouting
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geysers, simmering mud pools, plus bears, bison and elk if you’re lucky. A trip to Yellowstone isn’t complete without seeing ‘Old Faithful’, a powerful geyser shooting over 100ft into the air. DAY 12/13 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK/ JACKSON Prepare for towering mountains, alpine lakes and hidden falls in the stunning Grand Teton National Park. Then saddle up for Jackson, a quaint cowboy town surrounded by green mountains, where you can face the raging white water of the Snake River and then pull up a stool at a western saloon! DAY 14/15 ELKO/NEVADA/LAKE TAHOE Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you and your travelling posse continue westward across the Northern Great Basin. You’ll bite off a big chunk of Nevada desert today, but when you arrive in Tahoe you have the chance to chill out on a laidback sunset sailboat cruise and play the house in one of the flash casinos. DAY 16/17 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Hike to Yosemite Falls, one of North America’s highest, and capture El Capitan’s great granite profile on camera. You’ll feel like an ant as you look up at Giant Sequoias and find yourself in huge dramatic landscapes. Why not add another perspective with a float trip on the Merced River? ) Pull up in the DAY 18/19 SAN FRANCISCO (L ‘City by the Bay’, walk the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Haight-Ashbury on an included tour. Dip your feet into the more colourful sides of the city in Chinatown and Northbeach, but save some energy, as the nightlife here goes round the clock.
DAY 20 MONTEREY/BIG SUR/CALIFORNIA COAST Stick close to the coast and soak up the chilled-out vibe in historic Monterey. Whales and sea lions frequent this area from April-October so keep your eyes and cameras at the ready. As the highway snakes further south, get away from it all amongst the pristine wilderness of Big Sur and stop for that iconic photo viewpoint of McWay Falls before settling in for a night under canvas on the California Coast. DAY 21 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES Have a lazy morning in Santa Barbara exploring the famous pier, doing last minute shopping or soaking up those last Californian rays before arriving to the city of Angels - Los Angeles. Hot-foot it to Hollywood and hit the Walk of Fame and also see the Hollywood sign before calling ‘that’s a wrap’on your American adventure. Yosemite National Park
Cross Country Tour from AUD
21 Days, 13 States
$2819
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada & California
Tour from NZD
$3139
Camping & Lodging TREK INCLUDES Guided Chicago Bike Tour Walk amongst towering granite peaks in Yosemite National Park Guided tour of San Francisco’s Chinatown & Northbeach Visit an Amish community Explore the California coast Monterey, Santa Barbara & Big Sur See the presidents at Mount Rushmore C
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Visit Old Trail Town, Wyoming City tour of Hollywood, LA Walk the Golden Gate Bridge See bubbling mud pools, Old Faithful geyser and spot bear in Yellowstone NP National Parks & Monuments – Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Yosemite A
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M A I N E
WASHINGTON
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH
U T A H
Minnesota
Badlands NP
W Y O M I N G
Lake Tahoe
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
Mount Rushmore
Cody Jackson/ Grand Teton NP
Elko San Francisco
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Yellowstone NP
Wisconsin
C O L O R A D O
NEVADA
ILLINOIS
K A N S A S
Big Sur California Coast
Santa Barbara
Los Angeles
N E W
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
DELAWARE
WEST VIRGINIA
Cedar Point Amusement Park
TENNESSEE
O K L A H O M A
A R I Z O N A
INDIANA
MASSACHUSETTS
New RHODE ISLAND York CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY
Lake Erie O H I O
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
CALIFORNIA
Cayuga Lake P E N N S Y LVA N I A
Shipshewana Amish visit
I O W A
NEW YORK
MICHIGAN
Chicago
N E B R A S K A
Yosemite NP
Monterey
Niagara Falls
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA T
E
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
FLORIDA
• All accommodation: 16 nights ) camping, 4 nights hostel (L M
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• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
X
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 21 days (see page 90 for details)
Maid of the Mist cruise * Whitewater rafting * Cedar Point Amusement Park * San Francisco Bay sunset cruise * Horseback riding * Chicago Willis Tower * Blues clubs * Cycling in Yosemite * Float trip on the Merced River * Lake Tahoe casinos * Mountain biking * Lake Tahoe sunset cruise * Cody Night Rodeo * Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (Some activities may be seasonal)
C U B A
>> See website for more details & prices.
>> Get more adventure... This tour combines with the 21 day Southern Sun to create the Grand Trek! See page 64.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: NN
FINISH 2015 May 01 Jun May 15 Jun Jun 22 Jun Jun 29 Jun Jun 06 Jul Jun 13 Jul Jun 20 Jul Jul 27 Jul Jul 03 Aug Jul 10 Aug
START
START
START
12 26 02 09 16 23 30 07 14 21
28 04 11 18 25 01
23 07 21 25 30 03
21 05 19 23 28 01
10 24 31
FINISH 2015 Jul 17 Aug Aug 24 Aug Aug 31 Aug Aug 07 Sep Aug 14 Sep Sep 21 Sep 2016 May 30 May May 13 Jun May 20 Jun
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: NL
START
FINISH 2015 Apr 13 May May 27 May May 10 Jun Jun 15 Jul Jul 19 Aug Sep 23 Sep
FINISH 2016 Apr 11 May May 25 May May 08 Jun Jun 13 Jul Jul 17 Aug Sep 21 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡
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Cross Country IAL SPEC U R E ! T DEPAR EANS RL N E W O I G R AS MARDat Tuesday’, this is
Tour from AUD
as ‘F rties! Known y to top all pa the part
UT ISS O Feb ’T M 15/2nd 0 2 DON b from k 10th Fe Boo
21 Days, 16 States
$3669
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada & California, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
$4079
eparture 2016 d York New
Budget Lodging TREK INCLUDES Las Vegas limousine tour Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Visit Philadelphia’s top highlights See the Hoover Dam Sightseeing in Nashville, Memphis, Austin & Los Angeles Visit Sun Studio in Memphis C
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New Orleans Bourbon Street jazz and blues music California's white sandy beaches in San Diego National Parks and Monuments - Carlsbad Caverns, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon
N
A
WASHINGTON
A
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH
NEW HAMPSHIRE MASSACHUSETTS
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
NEW YORK MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN BLT
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
N E B R A S K A
Washington DC
INDIANA
WEST VIRGINIA
C O L O R A D O
CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
O H I O
I O W A ILLINOIS
U T A H
RHODE ISLAND
New York
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
M A I N E
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
Grand Canyon National Park
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DELAWARE MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
CALIFORNIA
Take the southern route through sun-drenched San Diego, the mighty Grand Canyon, the exciting neon desert city of Las Vegas and the tribal lands of the Navajo in Monument Valley. You’ll cross the wild Texan plains to soak up southern charm in New Orleans and history in Washington DC, all in an amazing 3 week trip! DAY 1/2 LOS ANGELES > SAN DIEGO (L ) Take a tour of Hollywood before heading to San Diego for some seriously laid back vibes. Why not pay a visit to the world-famous zoo, or stick by the coast and soak up some Californian rays. ) Cruise The Strip in an included super-stretch limo, indulge in an DAY 3/4 LAS VEGAS (L all-you-can eat buffet, ride a roller coaster, take in a show or party the night away in a superclub. ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’. ) Visit the pop art town of Seligman on DAY 5/6 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L the original Route 66, en route to the Grand Canyon where you’ll need to set your face to ). ‘stunned’. Hike to Plateau Point or choose the bird's-eye view on a helicopter flight ( ) Iconic Monument Valley, the backdrop for countless DAY 7 MONUMENT VALLEY (L Hollywood Western movies, is the most photographed location in America. Let your local Navajo guide show you the huge hunks of mesas and buttes and share the fables of the sacred lands on an optional tour. ) We're on the way to Santa Fe, which lays on the Southwestern charm DAY 8 SANTA FE (L by the bucket load. Make a stop by Canyon Road to check out some of its cultural crafts and historic adobe buildings. ) Gnarled DAY 9/10 CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK/LUBBOCK, TEXAS (L lime-stone stalagmites and stalactites litter over 100 caves. Prepare for a big welcome as you enter the Lone Star State and head to Lubbock, Texas, the birthplace of Buddy Holly. ) Austin is packed with 'Texas sized' excitement and has DAY 11/12 AUSTIN/LOUISIANA (L a nightlife and music scene to rival some of the biggest cities in the world. Slow it down a notch as you head into bayou country, Louisiana. ) Why not spice it up with lip-smacking Cajun and Creole DAY 13/14 NEW ORLEANS (L fare, ride a steamboat on the Mississippi River, relax to the sounds of Jazz in the French Quarter or join the party on Bourbon Street - the world is your oyster in New Orleans! ) Stroll along Beale Street where the lively atmosphere will keep DAY 15/16 MEMPHIS (L you entertained for hours and you’ll see influences of Blues and Jazz music everywhere, especially with our included visit to Sun Studio. But the top billing has to go to Graceland, former home of ‘The King’, Elvis Presley. ) Next is Nashville, Tennessee - the shining star of DAY 17/18 NASHVILLE/VIRGINIA (L the country music scene, so why not try some line dancing at the Wild Horse Saloon? Touch down in Virginia and the ‘spine of America’, the Appalachian Mountain Range. ) Your penultimate stop is the Nation’s Capital. Make sure DAY 19/20 WASHINGTON DC (L you head out to see the monument illuminations by night, or why not rent a bike to explore?
DAY 21 PHILADELPHIA > NEW YORK AREA Head to Philadelphia to see the steps from the Rocky movies and maybe chow down on a Philly cheese steak lunch. Then it’s off to New York city for the end of the road and your cross country adventure.
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Las Vegas
Los Angeles
K A N S A S
Monument Valley Route 66
Grand Canyon NP
A R I Z O N A
San Diego
NORTH CAROLINA
Nashville
TENNESSEE
Santa Fe N E W
Virginia
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
O K L A H O M A
Memphis
ARKANSAS
SOUTH CAROLINA
M E X I C O ALABAMA
Lubbock
Carlsbad Caverns NP
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Texas/Louisiana New Orleans
Austin
FLORIDA
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• All accommodation (L ): 8 hotel nights, 7 hostel nights, 3 motel nights, 1 cabin night, 1 night guesthouse • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: Sleeping bags are required for this tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES New Orleans jazz clubs * Mississippi riverboat cruise * Smithsonian National Museums & Zoo * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Navajo guided backroads tour * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Las Vegas casino shows * Rollerblading * Swamp tour * San Diego Zoo * San Diego water sports * Las Vegas helicopter flight * Tour of Elvis’ Graceland * Voodoo & Graveyard tour of New Orleans * Civil Rights Museum, Memphis * Bike rental, Washington DC (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: SLB
START
START
03
22 29 05 19 02 16 30 02
18 18 15 06 20 03 17 ® 01 15
FINISH 2014 Dec 23 Dec 2015 Feb 10 Mar Mar 07 Apr Apr 05 May May 26 May May 09 Jun Jun 23 Jun Jun 07 Jul Jul 21 Jul Jul 04 Aug
24 16
FINISH 2015 Jul 11 Aug Jul 18 Aug Aug 25 Aug Aug 08 Sep Sep 22 Sep Sep 06 Oct Sep 20 Oct Dec 22 Dec 2016 Feb 15 Mar Mar 05 Apr
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡
>> Get more adventure... This tour combines with the 21 day Northern BLT to create the Grand BLT! See online for details and prices.
DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: SNB
START
FINISH 2014 12 Nov 02 Dec 17 Dec 06 Jan 2015 07 Jan 27 Jan 10 Feb 02 Mar 25 Mar 14 Apr 22 Apr 12 May 13 May 02 Jun 27 May 16 Jun 10 Jun 30 Jun 24 Jun 14 Jul 08 Jul 28 Jul
START
FINISH 2015 11 Aug 18 Aug 01 Sep 15 Sep 29 Sep 13 Oct 10 Nov 01 Dec 12 Jan 2016 06 Jan 26 Jan 02 Feb 22 Feb 22 29 12 26 09 23 21 11 23
Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Nov Dec
Be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras ® Celebrate 4th July in Vegas Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
C U B A
Cross Country
Tour from AUD
21 Days, 13 States
$3089
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada & California
Tour from NZD
$4239
Budget Lodging Yellowstone National Park
TREK INCLUDES
NORTHERN BLT
Visit San Francisco’s Alcatraz Prison (value US$30) Walk amongst towering granite peaks in Yosemite NP Visit the Amish community in Shipshewana, Indiana Time to relax on the beach on the California coast Sightseeing in Lake Tahoe
Delve into the treasures of the less explored yet remarkable northern USA as you travel cross-country from coast to coast. Experience the thunder of Niagara Falls, skyscrapers of Chicago and the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks – this is big-hitting highlights all the way to Los Angeles. DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > CAYUGA LAKE (L ) Explore Taughannock State Park waterfalls en route to Cayuga, one of the famous Finger Lakes. ) See the mighty Niagara Falls DAY 2/3 NIAGARA FALLS > LAKE ERIE > OHIO (L cascading before making your way to the shores of Lake Erie. Why not visit Cedar Point Amusement Park to ride the tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster in the world. ) Step back in time with a visit to the Amish town of Shipshewana DAY 4/5 CHICAGO (L to see how these folks live a simple life, then swing by Michael Jackson's childhood home before arriving in Chicago - home to some of the greatest blues music in America and the world famous Chicago deep-dish pizza. ) Touching down in Badlands’ DAY 6/7 MINNESOTA & BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK (L weird landscape feels like landing on the moon, so make sure your camera is charged.
C
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) Tour Haight Ashbury, walk across the Golden Gate DAY 18/19 SAN FRANCISCO (L Bridge and shop ‘til you drop in Union Square. Step aboard your included boat trip to see the most famous prison of them all; Alcatraz. In the evening why not check out the ‘Speakeasy’ pubs that originated underground during prohibition. ) Head down the Pacific Coast DAY 20 MONTEREY/BIG SUR/CALIFORNIA COAST (L Highway to Monterey for the chance to spot cheeky sea lions and whales from the shore. Next up is Big Sur’s iconic waterfall view before spending the night on the California Coast.
DAY 21 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES Roll up to LA for the grand finale; a tour of Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier. Then it’s time to say goodbye to your new found friends.
VERMONT
SOUTH
U T A H
Minnesota
Badlands NP
W Y O M I N G
Lake Tahoe
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
Mount Rushmore
Cody Jackson/ Grand Teton NP
Elko San Francisco
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Yellowstone NP
N E B R A S K A
Wisconsin
C O L O R A D O
NEVADA
CALIFORNIA
Santa Barbara
Los Angeles
N E W
INDIANA
TENNESSEE
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
DELAWARE
WEST VIRGINIA
Cedar Point Amusement Park
MASSACHUSETTS
New RHODE ISLAND York CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY
Lake Erie O H I O
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
Cayuga Lake
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
O K L A H O M A
A R I Z O N A
NEW YORK
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
Shipshewana Amish visit ILLINOIS
K A N S A S
Big Sur California Coast
Niagara Falls MICHIGAN
Chicago I O W A
Yosemite NP
Monterey
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA T
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) Hike or bike through the extraordinary DAY 16/17 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (L landscape of glacier-carved granite monoliths, Giant Sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls, and be sure to capture El Capitan's great granite profile on camera.
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) This is the heart of cowboy country and nothing says America quite like DAY 9 CODY (L rodeo! Catch a show and then an included visit to Old Trail Town in Wild Wyoming!
) Pass more widescreen scenery en route DAY 14/15 IDAHO/NEVADA & LAKE TAHOE (L to Lake Tahoe. Choose to go parasailing, take an energising jet-ski across the lake or for something a little more low-key, set sail on an optional sunset cruise.
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) Yep, we're talking Mount Rushmore and the uniquely DAY 8 MOUNT RUSHMORE (L sculptured faces of the four greatest Presidents carved into the rock face.
) The perfect base for DAY 12/13 JACKSON/GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK (L exploring the Grand Teton National Park with its spiky peaks and plentiful wildlife. Why not white-water raft the famed Snake River rapids?
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• All accommodation (L ): 7 hostel nights, 7 cabin nights, 2 motel nights, 3 hotel nights, 1 night trailer-park
) The world's first National Park - a superb DAY 10/11 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (L wilderness of spouting geysers (including Old Faithful), waterfalls and simmering mud pools where you can spot wildlife including the elusive Black Bear, elk, bison and moose.
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City tour and walk the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Visit Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier in LA Incredible wilderness walking trails National Parks & Monuments – Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Yosemite
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ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: Sleeping bags are required for this tour
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Maid of the Mist cruise * Whitewater rafting on the Snake River * Mountain biking * Sunset sailboat cruise * Western horseback riding * Sea kayaking * Bobby's Bike Hike in Chicago * Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming * Watersports in Lake Tahoe * Blues clubs in Chicago * Mountain hot springs * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Museums * San Francisco cable car ride * Willis Tower * Cedar Point Amusement Park * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Lake Tahoe casinos (Some activities may be seasonal)
C U B A
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: NNB
START
FINISH 2015 May 01 Jun Jun 29 Jun Jun 13 Jul Jul 03 Aug Aug 14 Sep
START
FINISH 2016 May 30 May Jun 27 Jun Jun 11 Jul Jul 01 Aug Aug 12 Sep
12 09 23 14 25
10 07 21 12 23
>> Get more adventure... This tour combines with the 21 day Southern BLT to create the Grand BLT! See online for details and prices.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Cross Country
AMERICANA ROAD TRIP See the weird and wacky sides of America on a monthlong adventure. Half-buried cars, line dancing and UFO encounters, teamed with epic cities, looming mountains and vast canyons. This epic journey from East to West reveals the diversity and beauty of America! DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > FINGER LAKES Leave the sidewalks behind and stretch your legs on some upstate lakeside trails or enjoy sampling the local wines. DAY 2 NIAGARA FALLS See the mighty and thundering Niagara Falls and imagine early dare devils who challenged the falls in wooden barrels. Get soaked on an optional Maid of the Mist cruise for a close encounter of the wet kind! DAY 3/4 CLEVELAND/LOUISVILLE Within a giant pyramid, the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame boasts scribbled lyrics by legends like Lennon and Hendrix! ) Get a taste for DAY 5 NASHVILLE (L bourbon on a Kentucky distillery tour, then head to Tennessee to soak up the friendly southern charm and some live music in ‘Music City’. In the evening step into the Wild Horse Saloon for some dancing. DAY 6/7 MEMPHIS You’ll be ‘All shook up’ as you call in on Elvis at the home of the King himself, Graceland. DAY 8 HOT SPRINGS No prizes for guessing how Arkansas’ Spa City got its name, relax and rest your tired bones in the hot springs. DAY 9/10 OKLAHOMA Set up camp where the legendary Route 66 was born. For all things cowboy check out the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. DAY 11 AMARILLO Leaving Oklahoma behind, stop by Lucille’s Service Station & Roadhouse for a full dose of Americana. Next get all your road trip facts at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, chock-full of Mother Road memorabilia and history. At Cadillac Ranch, ten vintage cars are buried fender first into the Texan dust. Get creative as adding graffiti is part of the art! DAY 12 BLUE HOLE, SANTA ROSA Fancy swimming in a natural blue pool in the middle of the desert amongst scuba divers? Then this is definitely the place for you. DAY 13/14 SANTA FE Check out Santa Fe and soak up the artsy vibe of this oldest US capital city high in the desert foothills. Stroll down Canyon Road where locals are peddling their wares and get ready to hit the town tonight. DAY 15 DURANGO Buildings here are Wild West look-alikes, steam trains puff into town and evenings are spent enjoying the wild surroundings. DAY 16 MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK Check out the stunning cliff dwellings of
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Ancestral Pueblans. This is serious prime real estate, right here, so charge your camera as you’ll want some snaps of this unusual landscape. DAY 17 MONUMENT VALLEY Your Native American guide will reel off Navajo tales on an optional 4x4 tour, as they introduce you to their sculpted homeland. Being one of the most photographed places in America, this is a great opportunity to fill your memory card with vistas of this amazing landscape. DAY 18/19 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Humongous! Gigantic! No word quite captures the dramatic views that your scenic ) hike or optional helicopter flight ( delivers. Walk the rim trail and gaze across and into the vast canyon or follow snaking trails deep into the canyon itself for a whole new perspective. Mind-blowing! ) The ride DAY 20/21 LAS VEGAS (L continues down ‘Historic Route 66’ the longest remaining stretch of the original route to the town of Seligman, a step back in time to when the Route 66 was the main highway in America connecting East and West. Check out Hoover Dam en route to ‘Sin City’ where extravagance is the name of the game. We’ve thrown in a limo tour of the city so you can feel like a movie star. Gamble in the glitzy casinos, see a broadway show, hit the bars and clubs, see the Bellagio fountain erupt or enjoy some eclectic people watching. DAY 22 NEVADA DESERT Along the ‘Extraterrestrial Highway’, we only promise one close encounter – with the town of Rachel, ‘UFO capital of the World’. DAY 23 LAKE TAHOE Tucked away in the Sierra Nevadas and with 300-plus days of sunshine a year, Tahoe’s a scenic paradise, so take time out to swim in the cool waters. DAY 24/25 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Magnificent Yosemite - cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, Giant Sequoia trees and snaking trails pave the way as you explore the park in search of wildlife and beautiful vistas. DAY 26 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK > SAN FRANCISCO Explore Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf or take a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure you add some extra nights to the end of your trip - you won’t want to miss out on the charms of ‘The City by the Bay’. Monument Valley
Cross Country SPECIA
Tour from AUD
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26 Days, 16 States
$3599
DEPART URE! N AS H V I LLE 4
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada & California
Tour from NZD
TH JULY
$3999
Celebrate the Stars & Stripes in tru Country st e yle with live music in Na shville!
DON’T M ISS OUT Book 30th
Camping & Lodging
June 2015 departure
TREK INCLUDES Limousine tour of Las Vegas strip Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Kentucky bourbon / whiskey trail See the Hoover Dam Oklahoma Route 66 Museum Visit to Texas Cadillac Ranch Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Walk the Golden Gate Bridge C
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WASHINGTON
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
NEW HAMPSHIRE
IDAHO
SOUTH
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
MASSACHUSETTS
Niagara Falls
NEW YORK
Finger Lakes
MICHIGAN
W Y O M I N G
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
N E B R A S K A
N E W
NEW JERSEY
Cleveland
San Lake Tahoe U T A H Francisco NEVADA C O L O R A D O Nevada Monument Desert Valley K A N S A S Yosemite NP Mesa Verde NP Las Vegas Durango CALIFORNIA Route 66 Grand O K L A H O M A Santa Fe Canyon NP Blue Hole, A R I Z O N A Amarillo Oklahoma Santa Rosa
I O W A
INDIANA
O H I O
ILLINOIS
DELAWARE WEST VIRGINIA
Louisville
Memphis Hot Springs
MISSISSIPPI
NORTH CAROLINA
Nashville
TENNESSEE
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
New RHODE ISLAND York CONNECTICUT
ALABAMA
SOUTH CAROLINA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA T
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• All accommodation: 22 nights camping, 2 hotel nights, ) 1 hostel night (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 26 days (see page 90 for details)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Tour of Elvis’ Graceland * Cliff dwellings of Ancestral Pueblans * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Navajo guided Monument Valley 4x4 tour * Las Vegas helicopter flight * Float trip on the Merced River * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Country music honkytonks * Country Music Hall of Fame * Nashville’s Wild Horse Saloon * River tubing * Maid of the Mist Cruise * Wine tasting * Grand Ole Opry * National Cowboy & Heritage Museum (Some activities may be seasonal) C U B A
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: AM
START FINISH 2015 16 Jun 11 Jul 30 Jun 25 Jul 14 Jul 08 Aug 28 Jul 22 Aug 18 Aug 12 Sep 01 Sep 26 Sep
START FINISH 2016 14 Jun 09 Jul 28 Jun 23 Jul 12 Jul 06 Aug 26 Jul 20 Aug 16 Aug 10 Sep 30 Aug 24 Sep
Be in Nashville for the 4th July
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Cross Country
Tour from AUD
15 Days, 10 States
$2929
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Arizona & Nevada, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
$3259
Camping & Lodging TREK INCLUDES Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise See the Hoover Dam Sightseeing in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco & Hollywood, LA Limousine ride in Las Vegas
COAST TO COAST EXPRESS
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) Meet your new tour leader and DAY 8 NEW YORK AREA > FLY TO LOS ANGELES (L head to the L.A hotel where the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore. Why not head out to Venice Beach and Santa Monica Boulevard to stroll the promenade.
DAY 9/10 COLORADO RIVER > GRAND CANYON After a short tour of Hollywood you bid farewell and head through California to the vast swathes of Arizona’s cactusprickled desert for an evening by the Colorado River. Day 10 is all about the Grand Canyon. Keep your feet firmly on the ground on one of the snaking rim trails, or swoop ). above it all on an optional helicopter flight ( ) Strike out towards legendary Las Vegas via a section DAY 11/12 LAS VEGAS (L of the original Route 66 and the Hoover Dam. The Strip, the shows, the casinos, the clubs; Sin City’s glitziest and brashest spots are sure to impress as you cruise Las Vegas Boulevard on an included limo ride!
DAY 13/14 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Your chance to hike or bike through the extraordinary landscape of glacier-carved granite monoliths and spectacular waterfalls, some of the world’s tallest trees, and black bears and coyote roaming wildly. DAY 15 SAN FRANCISCO Walk across Golden Gate Bridge and pay a visit to HaightAshbury where the hippie movement still remains. Make sure you spend a couple more days here after the end of the tour, as the lure of ‘Everybody’s favourite city’ is just too strong to ignore.
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IDAHO
SOUTH
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
Berkshires
Niagara Falls
NEW YORK
W Y O M I N G
N E B R A S K A
NEVADA
Yosemite NP
Lancaster
I O W A
U T A H
INDIANA
O H I O
Las Vegas
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles
Route 66
A R I Z O N A
N E W
DELAWARE
WEST VIRGINIA
Grand Canyon NP
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
VIRGINIA
K E N T U C K Y
K A N S A S
Colorado River
Boston
New York
Washington DC MARYLAND
ILLINOIS
C O L O R A D O
San Francisco
MASSACHUSETTS
CONNECTICUT
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
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) Head back to the Garden State where the remainder DAY 7 NEW YORK AREA (L of the evening is free to explore before you fly to California the following day. This is a great opportunity to see neon New York at night, relive the scenes from countless movies, see a Broadway show or hit the clubs.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MICHIGAN
NORTH CAROLINA
M I S S O U R I
TENNESSEE O K L A H O M A
M E X I C O
SOUTH CAROLINA
ARKANSAS
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA
DAY 3 LANCASTER/PENNSYLVANIA Pay a visit to an Amish community and see their unique way of life which hasn’t changed in over 200 years before pressing on for a night under the Pennsylvania stars.
) Soak in the history and relive the Revolution along the Freedom DAY 6 BOSTON (L Trail or let Faneuil Hall’s street performers, stores and eateries tell their own Bostonian tale, then pop to the famous “Cheers” bar.
VERMONT
M O N T A N A
DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC First stop is ‘Philly’ as the locals call it, to see the Liberty Bell and climb the steps from the movie ‘Rocky’! Head to the nation’s capital where an optional monument bike ride ticks all the boxes.
DAY 5 THE BERKSHIRES City folk can’t resist hiding out here in the summer months and you’ll soon figure out why. With forested hills and meadows skirting quaint clapboard farms, this is 100% New England!
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DAY 4 NIAGARA FALLS From the edge of Lake Ontario, the sensation of crashing water is stupendous. Wait ‘til you’re on the water aboard the ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise, where the cascades pound down right before your eyes!
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Combining our Freedom Trail and Western Wonder tours, experience the East’s famous cities and wondrous Niagara Falls before flying across the continent to taste the West including Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and L.A.
Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Take in stunning vistas & try to spot bears in Yosemite NP Get your kicks on Route 66 Visit an Amish community Internal flight from New York area to Los Angeles (Day 8)
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• All accommodation: ) 4 hotel nights 9 nights camping, (L & 1 hostel night • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 15 days (see page 90 for details)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Smithsonian National Museums * Bike rental in Washington DC * Cave of the Winds tour at Niagara Falls * Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston * ‘Cheers’ Bar Boston * Baseball game Boston * Paddle boats in Boston * Las Vegas clubs and casinos * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Las Vegas helicopter flight * New York Helicopter flight (pre/post tour) (Some activities may be seasonal) C U B A
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
>> You may also like.... Why not book a helicopter flight or hop-on hop-off bus, before or after your tour. See online or call us for details.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: CCE
START 10 24 14 28 12 26 23 06
FINISH 2015 May 24 May May 07 Jun Jun 28 Jun Jun 12 Jul Jul 26 Jul Jul 09 Aug Aug 06 Sep Sep 20 Sep
START FINISH 2016 08 May 22 May 22 May 05 Jun 12 Jun 26 Jun 26 Jun 10 Jul 10 Jul 24 Jul 24 Jul 07 Aug 21 Aug 04 Sep 04 Sep 18 Sep
>> Trek Combo Tour... This tour is created by linking together our Freedom Trail and Western Wonder tours. Your tour leader and some of your group may change halfway.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
Cross Country
Tour from AUD
$3829
18 Days, 3 States & 2 Canadian Provinces
Tour from NZD
California, Nevada, Arizona, British Columbia & Alberta
$4259 NEW
TREK INCLUDES
DESERT & ROCKIES BLT
Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Walk amongst towering granite peaks and waterfalls in Yosemite National Park Limousine tour of Las Vegas Iconic Route 66 See the mighty Hoover Dam Sulphur mountain hot springs Scenic walks and hikes Sightseeing in Los Angeles, Vancouver & Whistler Chance to spot grizzlies, wolves and caribou National and Provincial Parks Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Wells Gray, Jasper, Banff & Glacier
It’s not often you get to experience the hot vast desert of the USA and Canada’s epic snowy mountains all in one trip, but this 18 day trip sure does deliver it all. DAY 1 LOS ANGELES > COLORADO RIVER (L ) Leaving the city behind we head into the wild, to one of America’s most iconic rivers, the Colorado River. End the day with a refreshing dip, before spending the night in close by Laughlin. ) Prepare to be truly amazed as you lay eyes DAY 2 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L upon one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet. To really witness the sheer ). size of this incredible place, take to the sky with an optional helicopter ride ( ) Let’s get the party started, cruise the strip in a super stretch DAY 3/4 LAS VEGAS (L limousine and look out for the A-list celebs also visiting this neon city. Not a party person? Devour the all you can eat buffets or take a ride on the many rollercoasters. ) The pride and joy of the West Coast, Yosemite DAY 5/6 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (L is home to some of the most spectacular scenery around, from Giant Sequoias to glaciercarved granite monoliths and thundering waterfalls. ) Visit quirky Haight-Ashbury and then catch a tram over to DAY 7 SAN FRANCISCO (L the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf to sample some of the delicious seafood wares. Why not visit Alcatraz, the famous high security prison that sits in the middle of the bay. ) Now it’s time to leave your heart in San DAY 8 SAN FRANCISCO > VANCOUVER (L Francisco and take a flight to see America’s neighbours in the North. ) The adventure capital of Western Canada, Whistler is packed full DAY 9/10 WHISTLER (L to the brim with thrilling activities, beautiful hikes and incredible landscapes. ) Don’t let the fact that Wells Gray isn’t a DAY 11 WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK (L national park fool you, this place is stunning! Home to the famous HelMcken Falls, Canada’s fourth highest waterfall, you will definitely not want to leave. ) In one of Canada’s largest national parks, DAY 12/13 JASPER NATIONAL PARK (L the amount of wildlife surrounding you is incredible. With nearly 1000km of trails and the Columbia Icefield at your feet, this place is what hiking dreams are made of. ) Wander around town or spend time hiking to DAY 14/15 BANFF NATIONAL PARK (L the top of Sulphur Mountain for incredible views of the area. Later, soak your bones on an included visit to the Sulphur Mountain hot springs. ) The intense aqua-marine colour of the lake is truly a sight to DAY 16 LAKE LOUISE (L behold. Rent a canoe and really experience Lake Louise in all its glory or hike out to the Plain of Six Glaciers for some superb scenery. ) Travel through Glacier National Park DAY 17 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK > KELOWNA (L past fields of wild flowers and sweeping valleys, keeping an eye out for bears. We continue the journey to Kelowna where you can sample some of the delicious wines from the region.
DAY 18 VANCOUVER Leaving the wilderness behind we head back to civilisation in one of the coolest cities on the West Coast. Stop by Prospect Point, a popular lookout point where you can see the city in all its glory.
Kelowna
Vancouver
Jasper NP Banff NP Lake Louise Glacier NP
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O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOU
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NEVADA
Yosemite NP
U T A H
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San Francisco CALIFORNIA
Las Vegas Route 66
Grand Canyon NP
Colorado River Los Angeles
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• All accommodation (L ): 9 hostel nights, 6 hotel nights, 2 cabin nights • Professional tour leader, equipment, private transportation & flight from the USA to Canada
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & hostels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • NOTE: Sleeping bags are not required for this tour
Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Las Vegas clubs and casinos * Las Vegas helicopter flight * Rollercoasters * Canoeing in Lake Louise * Mountain M biking in Jasper * Horseback riding in Wells Gray * Aerial tramway ride * Guided glacier walk * Scenic glacier flight * Rollerblading in Stanley Park * Cycling in Stanley Park * Whitewater rafting * Ziplining in Whistler * Alcatraz (must be booked online prior to arrival) (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: WCB
START
FINISH 2015 21 Jun 08 Jul 16 Aug 02 Sep 30 Aug 16 Sep
M E X I C O
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
•
Wells Gray PP Whistler
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Canadian Rockies
Budget Lodging
TOU R
START
FINISH 2016 19 Jun 06 Jul 14 Aug 31 Aug 28 Aug 14 Sep
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
>> You may also like.... Our 15 day Coast to Coast Express camping & lodging . See page 58.
>> Trek Combo Tour... This tour is created by linking together our Western BLT and Canadian BLT tours. Your tour leader and some of your group may change halfway.
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Cross Country
COAST TO COAST SOUTH
Tour from AUD
$4319 Tour from NZD
A whole variety of experiences roll out over nineteen states, from the North East to the tip of Florida and on through plains, National Parks, mountains and canyons to the Wild West Coast and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC First up, Philadelphia - home to the Liberty Bell and those famous ‘Rocky’ steps. Kickstart your stateside discovery with an included cycle tour of monuments, memorials and museums in Washington DC. DAY 3 CAROLINAS As mountain views morph into swamps, plantations and palms, bond with new buddies and cosy up around the campfire. DAY 4 CHARLESTON This place oozes old world charm, especially the 18th Century houses of Rainbow Row. DAY 5 ST AUGUSTINE/DAYTONA BEACH The oldest continually inhabited European settlement on US soil owes much to its Spanish plaza and sizzling sand. End the day relaxing by Daytona Beach. DAY 6 MIAMI (L ) South Beach has it all - with ultra-cool nightspots, miles of white sandy beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze. DAY 7/8 KEY WEST Sample conch fritters and Key Lime Pie, and celebrate with a party at sunset! More of a culture vulture? We’ve laid on a tour of this eclectic area, finishing with a visit to Ernest Hemmingway’s House. Head out tonight and treat yourself to dinner at Mallory Square. DAY 9/10 ORLANDO Choose between Universal Studios or the Magic Kingdom of Disney World! No matter how old you are, Orlando brings out the big kid in everyone, so don’t try to fight it! DAY 11/12 PANAMA CITY BEACH Take to the waters to spot dolphins or chill at the white sand beach. The party spirit simmers long into the small hours on the Gulf Coast. DAY 13/14 NEW ORLEANS (L ) Why not tour the Voodoo Museum and graveyard, head into the French Quarter or watch for alligators on a swamp tour, then party hard on Bourbon Street. Of course the jazz, blues and live music is what makes New Orleans such a world renowned attraction so grab a spot in a live music joint and party the night away. DAY 15 LOUISIANA/TEXAS Enter Bayou country and sample the local créole dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, then don your Stetson and toast marshmallows under a blanket of stars in the Lone Star sky. DAY 16/17 AUSTIN Next up is the lively city of Austin, and the self-proclaimed live music capital of America. A great place to throw yourself into the frenetic buzz. DAY 18 WEST TEXAS The second biggest state has plenty of cacti, cowboys and southern hospitality. DAY 19 CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK Carlsbad Caverns is one of the largest cave systems in the world and boasts over 100 limestone caves sporting bizarre rock formations. Did you know that when bats fly out of their cave they always turn left? Put this fact to the test with an optional Bat Flight Ampitheatre visit tonight.
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$4799
33 Days, 19 States New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, plus Washington DC
Camping & Lodging
DAY 20 SANTA FE Soak up the artsy vibe and check out Roswell’s UFO Museum. Visit Canyon Road, home to art galleries, cultural treasures (hand-woven Navajo rugs), historic adobe buildings and vibrant restaurants. DAY 21/22 COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAINS Pit yourself against amazing hiking and biking trails amongst the spectacular mountain scenery of the Colorado Rockies. DAY 23/24 ARCHES NATIONAL PARK More breathtaking scenery awaits, and the sunset hike to Delicate Arch tops most ‘to do’ lists. Known as the ‘Adventure Capital of the southwest’, there is plenty to fill your time in Moab, including river float trips and slickrock mountain biking. Also visit Dead Horse Point State Park for an iconic snaking view of the Colorado River. DAY 25 MONUMENT VALLEY Massive towering rock formations dominate the awe-inspiring landscape. Why not see it on a Navajo guided 4x4 tour for an amazing cultural experience then settle back for a night under a million stars. DAY 26/27 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Follow mind-blowing walking trails deep into this super-sized canyon or fly over the top by helicopter ( ) for a completely different view. You have enough time to walk the rim trails and venture deep inside the canyon for changing mountainous views. Did you know only 5% of visitors venture into the canyon? Make sure you’re one of the lucky few. DAY 28 LAKE POWELL /ANTELOPE CANYON Swing by Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon’s slot canyons for some of the best photo-ops of the trip. Now it’s time for some R&R in a stunning location; basking in the clear blue waters of Lake Powell ringed by deep red rock. DAY 29 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Knobbly hoodoos dominate the view as your camera captures a perfect sunset. Starting with a rim view before hitting the trails for close encounters of the hoodoo kind! DAY 30 ZION NATIONAL PARK Everybody loves Zion National Park and the 360 degree views from Angels Landing to the valley floor are top-notch, as are the hikes through The Narrows. DAY 31/32 LAS VEGAS (L ) Las Vegas - the greatest show on Earth! There are Broadway calibre shows, the Bellagio’s enormous dancing fountains, neon casinos, all-you-caneat buffets and thrilling rollercoasters, so no excuse for an early night! Our included limo ride will kick off your Vegas experience in style. DAY 33 SAN DIEGO > LOS ANGELES It’s time to make your way to the ‘City of Angels’ and visit Hollywood before your cross country movie runs the credits.
Horseshoe Bend
Cross Country TREK INCLUDES Guided bike tour of Washington DC’s monuments Limousine tour of Las Vegas New Orleans’ Bourbon Street White sand beaches of Florida Sightseeing in Charleston, St Augustine, Miami, Florida Keys & Santa Fe Hike the Colorado Rockies Alien spotting in Roswell C
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The colourful Antelope Slot Canyon Visit iconic Dead Horse Point State Park & Horseshoe Bend Tours of Philadelphia, Key West & Hollywood, LA National Parks and Monuments - Carlsbad Caverns, Arches, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon & Zion
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WASHINGTON
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
NEW HAMPSHIRE
IDAHO
SOUTH
MASSACHUSETTS
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
NEW YORK MICHIGAN
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
W Y O M I N G
Lake Powell Bryce Antelope Canyon NP Canyon Arches NP
NEVADA
CALIFORNIA
Zion NP
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
N E B R A S K A
U T A H
I O W A
Bend
N E W
NEW JERSEY
MARYLAND
WEST VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA
Colorado Rockies
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
NORTH CAROLINA
Carolinas
TENNESSEE
Santa Fe
CONNECTICUT
Washington DC Philadelphia DELAWARE
O H I O
K A N S A S
C O L O R A D O
Grand Canyon NP Monument Horseshoe Valley
INDIANA ILLINOIS
Moab Dead Horse Point SP
RHODE ISLAND
New York
O K L A H O M A
SOUTH CAROLINA
ARKANSAS
Charleston
M E X I C O
A R I Z O N A
MISSISSIPPI
Carlsbad Caverns NP
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA T
West Texas
E
X
A
S
St. Augustine Daytona Beach Panama City Orlando New Orleans Beach
Texas/Louisiana
Austin
FLORIDA
M
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X
I
C
Key West
O
Miami
C U B A
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation: 27 nights camping, 4 hotel nights, ) 1 hostel night (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 33 days (see page 90 for details)
>> Get more adventure... This tour combines with the 29 day Coast to Coast North to create the Trailblazer! See page 66.
Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Horseback riding in Zion * Disney World Florida, or another of Orlando’s theme parks * Navajo guided Monument Valley 4x4 tour * Smithsonian National Museums * Universal Studios * Mississippi steamboat ride * Florida swamp tour * Southern Mansions tour * Dolphin spotting cruise * Mountain biking * Sunset sailboat cruise * New Orleans jazz clubs * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Baseball game * Canoeing * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Snorkeling (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: TNS
FINISH 2015 Apr 06 May Apr 13 May Apr 27 May May 10 Jun May 24 Jun Jun 08 Jul Jun 22 Jul Jul 05 Aug Jul 26 Aug Aug 19 Sep Aug 30 Sep Sep 17 Oct
FINISH 2016 Apr 04 May Apr 11 May Apr 25 May May 08 Jun May 22 Jun Jun 06 Jul Jun 20 Jul Jul 03 Aug Jul 24 Aug Aug 17 Sep Aug 28 Sep Sep 15 Oct
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: TLS
START
START
START
FINISH 2015 Apr 08 May Apr 22 May May 19 Jun Jun 17 Jul Jul 14 Aug Aug 25 Sep Sep 09 Oct Sep 23 Oct
START
FINISH 2016 Apr 06 May Apr 20 May May 17 Jun Jun 15 Jul Jul 12 Aug Aug 23 Sep Sep 07 Oct Sep 21 Oct
04 11 25 09 23 06 20 04 25 18 29 15
02 09 23 07 21 04 18 02 23 16 27 13
06 20 18 15 13 24 07 21
04 18 16 13 11 22 05 19
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡
61
Cross Country
COAST TO COAST NORTH
Tour from AUD
$4049 Tour from NZD
Passing the big, the bold and the downright incredible, this route carves a breathtaking trail through National Parks, over state lines and across the Canadian border. What a great way to experience some of America and Canada’s best scenery on this epic cross country road trip! DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > NIAGARA FALLS Departing the big city, the sensation of crashing water is stupendous at America’s greatest national attraction, Niagara Falls. Wait ‘til you’re down on the water aboard the included ‘Maid of the Mist’, where the cascades churn and foam right before your eyes. Tonight, head back to the falls for an illuminated view under a blanket of stars. DAY 2 OHIO/LAKE ERIE Ask a ‘Buckeye’ to tell you all about their beloved state nut and find out just how awesome the Cedar Point Amusement Park rollercoasters really are. ) Stop by Shipshewana, the home of DAY 3/4 CHICAGO (L the Amish, before making a quick photo stop in Gary, Indiana at the house where Michael Jackson grew up. Next up, Chicago where you can pedal the ‘Windy City’ on an optional Bobby’s Bike Hike tour, enjoy dizzying views from the top of Willis Tower, trawl the upmarket malls of Magnificent Mile and grab a slice of Chicago’s deep-dish pizza.
DAY 5 WISCONSIN / MINNESOTA Get a taste of Wisconsin, the home of cheese before saying hello to the Jolly Green Giant Statue in Blue Earth. From the North Star State, cross native American Sioux terrain and America’s original western frontier. DAY 6 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK Make a stop at WallDrug, a store so big you need a map to find your way around and the last place to shop before Badlands. Touching down in Badlands feels like landing on the moon. Spend the afternoon exploring the park’s surreal landscape and don’t forget your camera for an awesome sunset! DAY 7 MOUNT RUSHMORE See the faces of four of America’s most famous presidents peering out at you from their home aside Mount Rushmore. If you can’t get enough history, then The Crazy Horse Monument makes for an impressive stop too. DAY 8 CODY Named after William Cody (aka Buffalo Bill), the old west is alive and literally kicking here, with nightly summertime rodeo shows, nothing screams Wyoming more than rodeo! DAY 9/10 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Blaze the awesome trails of the world’s first National Park. Large herds of bison and elk roam the park and if you’re lucky, you may even see a bear or wolf. This diverse park offers so many different environments and ecosystems and at times feels like you’ve left planet Earth. DAY 11-13 MONTANA/GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Montana, called ‘Big Sky Country’ due to its high-definition stars, is also a trekker’s paradise. With two days in Glacier, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the alpine meadows, snow-streaked cliffs and shimmering lakes.
$4499
29 Days, 13 States & 2 Canadian Provinces New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon & California
Camping & Lodging
DAY 14/15 BANFF NATIONAL PARK Hike show-stopping trails, scale Sulphur Mountain by scenic tramway or mountain bike through this wildlife-laden terrain. A long dunk in the hot springs after a day exploring and you’ll sleep like a log! DAY 16 LAKE LOUISE A nickname like the ‘Gem of the Rockies’ is a lot to live up to, but it’s no sweat for Lake Louise. With its chateau surrounded by towering mountain peaks, this turquoise lake looks like it’s straight off a postcard. DAY 17 BRITISH COLUMBIA Soak up the mirrored lakes, grizzled peaks and spectacular scenery as dark conifers and soaring summits drift by. DAY 18 VANCOUVER No let-up in the scenic beauty; sunbathe, rollerblade with locals in Stanley Park, or shop along trendy Robson Street. ) Take the glass-fronted elevator DAY 19/20 SEATTLE (L up the iconic Space Needle to gaze over the Emerald City or sample a coffee from the world’s first Starbucks. Pike Place Market is a great place to try local food, visit Bubblegum Alley or dance to local musicians.
DAY 21 OREGON COAST/FLORENCE You’ll leave nothing but footprints in the sand on this spectacular strip of the USA’s Pacific Coast. Spend the night in Florence after having fun on the magnificent sand dunes. DAY 22/23 REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK You’ll feel like an ant as you walk in the shadows of gigantic Redwoods, the undisputed giants of the forest. ) Rock up to the ‘City by DAY 24/25 SAN FRANCISCO (L the Bay’ for an included city tour to the Golden Gate Bridge, Haight-Ashbury and the infamous Alcatraz Prison! Why not enjoy bay views by cable car or on a sailboat cruise and then feast in Chinatown, as you tour the best of San Francisco.
DAY 26/27 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Turn the spirit of the great outdoors up a notch or two, hiking or biking through the extraordinary landscape of glacier-carved granite monoliths and spectacular waterfalls. Keep your eyes and cameras ready for wildlife as you hit the trails or float down the Merced River. DAY 28 BIG SUR > CALIFORNIA COAST Travel south through the best of coastal California to the iconic McWay Waterfall at Big Sur before a final night under the stars. DAY 29 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES Explore the famous Santa Barbara pier, shop or hit the beach to soak up those final rays of Californian sun. Los Angeles beckons and with a visit to the Walk of Fame and view of the Hollywood sign your epic adventure comes to an end.
Yellowstone National Park
62
Cross Country
TREK INCLUDES Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Hike amongst Giant Redwoods in Redwood National Park Visit the infamous Alcatraz Prison (value US$30) City tours of San Francisco & Hollywood, LA See the faces of past US Presidents at Mount Rushmore BRITISH COLUMBIA
Canada’s stunning mountain scenery & lakes Visit an Amish community Explore the California Coast Sightseeing in Chicago, Vancouver & Seattle National Parks and Monuments Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff / Lake Louise, Redwood & Yosemite
ALBERTA
British Columbia
Banff NP C
Lake Louise
Vancouver Seattle
A
N
A
D
Glacier NP
WASHINGTON
M A I N E
M O N T A N A
N O RT H D A K O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Yellowstone NP
IDAHO
WISCONSIN
Mount Rushmore
Cody
SOUTH
Minnesota
Wisconsin
MASSACHUSETTS
Niagara Falls
NEW YORK
MICHIGAN
DAKOTA
Badlands NP
W Y O M I N G
Chicago
N E B R A S K A
San Francisco N E V A D A Yosemite NP
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
Montana O R E G O N
Oregon Coast/Florence Redwood NP
I O W A
U T A H
ILLINOIS
C O L O R A D O
Ohio/
K A N S A S
DELAWARE MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
New RHODE ISLAND York CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
Shipshewana Lake Erie Amish visit O H I O WEST INDIANA
Big Sur
California Coast
A
NORTH CAROLINA
CALIFORNIA TENNESSEE
O K L A H O M A
Santa Barbara
Los Angeles
N E W
A R I Z O N A
SOUTH CAROLINA
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA T
E
A
S
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
FLORIDA
• All accommodation: 22 nights camping, 4 hostel nights, ) 2 hotel nights (L M
E
X
I
C
O
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
X
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 29 days (see page 90 for details)
Aerial gondola/tramway ride * Baseball game * Chicago Blues clubs * Mountain biking * Horseback riding * Canoeing * Hot springs * Chicago museums * Willis Tower * Whitewater rafting * Bobby’s Bike Hike tour * San Francisco cable cars * Seattle Space Needle * Western rodeo in Cody * Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio * San Francisco Bay sunset cruise * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Old Trail Town * Capilano Suspension Bridge * Float trip on the Merced River * Rollerblading * Pike Place Market (Some activities may be seasonal)
C U B A
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: TNN
FINISH 2015 May 07 Jun May 21 Jun Jun 19 Jul Jul 16 Aug Jul 22 Aug Aug 05 Sep Aug 19 Sep
FINISH 2016 May 05 Jun May 19 Jun Jun 17 Jul Jul 14 Aug Jul 20 Aug Aug 03 Sep Aug 17 Sep
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: TLN
START
START
START
START
10 24 21 19 25 08 22
08 22 19 17 23 06 20
08 15 29 12 26 10 19 24 07 16
06 13 27 10 24 08 17 22 05 14
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡ Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
FINISH 2015 May 05 Jun May 12 Jun May 26 Jun Jun 10 Jul Jun 24 Jul Jul 07 Aug Jul 16 Aug Jul 21 Aug Aug 04 Sep Aug 13 Sep
FINISH 2016 May 03 Jun May 10 Jun May 24 Jun Jun 08 Jul Jun 22 Jul Jul 05 Aug Jul 14 Aug Jul 19 Aug Aug 02 Sep Aug 11 Sep
>> Get more adventure... This tour combines with the 33 day Coast to Coast South to create the Trailblazer! See page 66.
63
Cross Country Tour from AUD
$5419
GRAND TREK
Tour from NZD
Over six non-stop weeks you’ll travel from coast to coast and back again. From towering mountains to white sand beaches, from the top of skyscrapers to the bottom of canyons, this fast and furious loop highlights the best of the USA – North to South and East to West! DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > CAYUGA LAKE > NIAGARA FALLS Leave behind New York, stopping overnight at beautiful Cayuga Lake, then onto the mighty Niagara Falls to be soaked on an optional Maid of the Mist cruise. DAY 3 OHIO / LAKE ERIE Skirt the Great Lakes and ride some of the greatest rollercoasters in the world at Cedar Point amusement park as the sun sets! DAY 4/5 AMISH VISIT > CHICAGO (L ) See how the Amish people live with a visit to their community in Shipshewana, Indiana. Swing by the house that Michael Jackson grew up in before the main attraction; Chicago. Catch it all on an included bike tour then burst onto that sultry Chicago blues scene for a night like no other. DAY 6 WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA Get a taste of Wisconsin, the home of cheese before saying hello to the Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth. Cross the mighty Minnesota into prairie country.
$6019
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee & Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, plus Washington DC
Camping & Lodging
DAY 22 LOS ANGELES (L ) A free day to explore the city at your own pace. Relax on the beach, check out Santa Monica Pier or take on the rides at Universal Studios. DAY 23/24 LAS VEGAS (L ) It’s Vegas! Clean out the casinos, stroll The Strip, see a star-spangled show then hit the round-the-clock parties in Sin City. DAY 25/26 ZION NATIONAL PARK/LAKE POWELL Walk through jaw-dropping scenery to Angels Landing and take a dip in Lake Powell to cool off. DAY 27/28 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Enjoy sensational views along the rim or from high above on an optional helicopter ( ) flight, or hike down Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point. DAY 29 MONUMENT VALLEY Prepare to be wowed by the iconic red mesas of the Navajo homeland. Let a Navajo show you around on an optional 4x4 tour, recounting tales of days gone by.
DAY 7 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK All signs lead to Wall DAY 30 SANTA FE High in the desert foothills. Santa Fe Drug, a store so big you need a map to navigate, before claims to be the USA’s first ever capital city. Shop in the heading into the wilds of the Badlands. The rugged beauty of artisan areas for cool souvenirs. this incredible area will grow on you. DAY 31 NORTH TEXAS Enjoy great country music and wide DAY 8 MOUNT RUSHMORE Span the immense plains open spaces in the Lone Star State. populated by the Lakota Nation, natives of America. Lunar DAY 32/33 AUSTIN Sample the electric buzz of Austin, landscapes give way to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy nicknamed the new music capital of America. This city is alive Horse Monument, both memorials to giants of US history. both day and night. DAY 9 CODY Shake a leg and try some two-step in wild DAY 34 TEXAS/LOUISIANA Gumbo, crawfish, and Wyoming. Some might say this is the cowboy capital of the jambalaya are a must try in this Cajun state. Look out for world. Enjoy an included visit to the western Old Trail Town, gators and critters on our optional swamp tour. and summer months offer a nightly rodeo. DAY 35/36 NEW ORLEANS (L ) Browse funky shops on DAY 10/11 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Bubbling Bourbon Street, ride the Saint Charles Avenue Streetcar, mud pools and erupting geysers will keep your camera hunt out world class jazz and blues venues and try a clicking. Keep an eye out for bison, elk and bear! Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s! DAY 12/13 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK/JACKSON DAY 37/38 MEMPHIS/NASHVILLE Tap along to country After hiking in the shadow of the Grand Tetons, opt to raft music, visit the Grand Ole Opry, country line dance at honky the Snake River rapids, watch a rodeo and roll up to the tonks and hear live music along Beale Street. Visit the Civil Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Right Museum where Martin Luther King was assassinated DAY 14/15 ELKO/NEVADA/LAKE TAHOE Strike out across and buy yourself a pair of cowboy boots and a Stetson. the Western states, then kick back and relax on the shores DAY 39 OCOEE, TENNESSEE Polish up on your American of Lake Tahoe. history with a visit to Birmingham’s Civil Rights Museum, or DAY 16/17 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Cameras and stop by the home of Jack Daniels before setting off for the comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the riverside town of Ocoee. meadows, cascades and Giant Sequoias. Why not take a DAY 40 OCOEE > APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS Choose float trip on the Merced River? to don a lifejacket and paddle to battle the rapids on a DAY 18/19 SAN FRANCISCO (L ) Next up is the ‘City by the fast and furious white water rafting course. Make tracks Bay’. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Haight-Ashbury for the ‘spine of America’, the Appalachian Mountains and enjoy a guided tour of Chinatown and Northbeach. Why where you’ll be treated to widescreen scenery and rugged not visit the ‘speakeasy’ bars until the small hours. mountain trails every step of the way. DAY 20 MONTEREY/BIG SUR/CALIFORNIA COAST DAY 41-43 WASHINGTON DC > PHILADELPHIA > NEW Cruising down the California Coast, stop by Monterey for the YORK AREA Explore Washington DC with the Lincoln chance to see whales that frequent the area, plus a great Memorial high on your list. Stop by ‘Philly’ for a snap at viewpoint of McWay Falls before spending the night under a the stairs where the film Rocky was filmed before your blanket of stars on the California Coast. tour ends in New York City. Make sure you add on some DAY 21 SANTA BARBARA > LOS ANGELES (L ) After a extra days to make the most of the Big Apple. free morning in Santa Barbara. Catch that California sun on an included tour of Hollywood.
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43 Days, 23 States
Yosemite National Park
Cross Country TREK INCLUDES Limousine in Las Vegas Guided Chicago bike tour Guided bike tour of Washington DC’s monuments Visit western Old Trail Town Guided tour of San Francisco’s Northbeach & Chinatown Music scene in Austin, Memphis & Nashville City tours of Philadelphia, San Francisco, & Hollywood, LA Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Appalachian Mountain views C
A
New Orleans’ Bourbon Street Visit beautiful Lake Powell & Lake Tahoe Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Alien spotting in Roswell Visit an Amish community Hike amongst bubbling geysers in Yellowstone National Park National Parks and Monuments - Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Zion, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Yosemite
N
A
D
A
M A I N E
WASHINGTON
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
IDAHO
Cody Grand Teton NP/Jackson
Elko San Francisco
Lake Tahoe
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Mount Rushmore SOUTH DAKO TA Minnesota Crazy Horse
Yellowstone NP
I O W A
C O L O R A D O
NEVADA
K A N S A S
Memphis
MISSISSIPPI
T
E
X
A
S
Austin
NEW JERSEY
H I O
WEST VIRGINIA
DELAWARE MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
Appalachian Mountains NORTH CAROLINA
TENNESSEE
ARKANSAS
North Texas
New RHODE ISLAND York CONNECTICUT
Philadelphia
Washington DC
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
Nashville O K L A H O M A
Cayuga Lake
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
Ohio
Shipshewana ILLINOIS Amish visit O INDIANA
Yosemite NP Zion NP Lake Powell Las Vegas Monument Valley California C A L I F O R N I A Grand Coast Santa Fe Canyon Santa Barbara NP A R I Z O N A N E W M E X I C O Los Angeles
Monterey Big Sur
NEW YORK
MICHIGAN
Chicago
N E B R A S K A
MASSACHUSETTS
Niagara Falls
Wisconsin
Badlands NP
W Y O M I N G
U T A H
WISCONSIN
ALABAMA
Ocoee River
SOUTH CAROLINA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA
Texas/Louisiana New Orleans FLORIDA
M
E
X
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C
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
C U B A
• All accommodation: 32 nights camping, 6 hotel nights, ) 4 hostel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
O
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 43 days (see page 92 for details)
Whitewater rafting * Cedar Point Amusement Park * San Francisco Bay sunset cruise * Horseback riding * Willis Tower * Blues clubs * Sea kayaking * Cycling in Yosemite * Float trip on the Merced River * Lake Tahoe casinos * Mountain biking * Million Dollar Cowboy Bar * Las Vegas clubs & casinos * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Swamp tour * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Navajo guided 4x4 tour * Mississippi steamboat ride * New Orleans jazz clubs * Smithsonian National Museums * Southern mansion tour * Civil Rights Museum * Graceland Tour * Sun Studio * Rock’n’Soul Museum * Stax Museum of American Soul Music * The Peabody Hotel * Country Line Dancing * Country Music Hall of Fame * Grand Ole Opry (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> You may also like....
>> See website for more details & prices.
Our 43 day Grand BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). Go online for details.
Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: GN
START
FINISH 2015 Apr 13 May Apr 27 May Apr 10 Jun May 23 Jun May 07 Jul Jun 15 Jul Jun 21 Jul Jun 28 Jul Jun 04 Aug Jun 11 Aug Jul 19 Aug Jul 25 Aug Jul 01 Sep Jul 08 Sep Aug 15 Sep Aug 23 Sep Aug 29 Sep Aug 06 Oct Sep 13 Oct
START
FINISH 2016 Mar 11 May Apr 25 May Apr 08 Jun May 21 Jun May 05 Jul Jun 13 Jul Jun 19 Jul Jun 26 Jul Jun 02 Aug Jun 09 Aug Jul 17 Aug Jul 23 Aug Jul 30 Aug Jul 06 Sep Aug 13 Sep Aug 21 Sep Aug 27 Sep Aug 04 Oct Aug 11 Oct
01 15 29 12 26 03 09 16 23 30 08 14 21 28 04 12 18 25 01
30 13 27 10 24 01 07 14 21 28 06 12 19 26 02 10 16 23 30
>> Trek Combo Tour... This tour is created by linking together our Southern Sun and Northern Trail. Your tour leader and some of your group may change halfway.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
65
Cross Country Tour from AUD
$7949
TRAILBLAZER How about more than two months dedicated to all things Stateside? Combining our Coast to Coast North and Coast to Coast South treks creates one vast circuit that takes in the best of the US with a brief jaunt into Canada, for one all encompassing adventure. DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC Visit Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and Rocky steps, then onto the nation’s capital for a tour of DC’s monuments by bike. Make sure you return to see them lit up at night! DAY 3/4 CAROLINAS/CHARLESTON Bond with new buddies on scenic mountain highways and waltz back in time amongst Charleston’s historic mansions on Rainbow Row. DAY 5 ST AUGUSTINE > DAYTONA BEACH Soak up the Spanish vibe in St Augustine and finish up by Daytona Beach, home of the Speedway. DAY 6 MIAMI (L ) Magnificent Miami beckons with miles of white sandy beaches and countless palm trees. DAY 7/8 KEY WEST Admire crimson sunsets over conch fritters or Key Lime Pie, and swap tales of coral reefs, before celebrating the night away. If you’re more of a culture vulture visit Ernest Hemmingway’s House. DAY 9/10 ORLANDO Enjoy an optional day at Disney World. Slip-slide around Wet ‘n Wild or play with magic at Universal Studios’ Harry Potter World. DAY 11/12 PANAMA CITY BEACH Soak up lazy beach days or venture out on a dolphin spotting cruise. The heat simmers beyond sundown in this undisputed good-time town. DAY 13/14 NEW ORLEANS (L ) The French Quarter is bursting with tasty Cajun and Creole flavours and jazz haunts. Party on Bourbon St, make like Huckleberry Finn on a river boat cruise or spot wildlife on an optional Louisiana swamp tour (a must do!). DAY 15-17 LOUISIANA/AUSTIN You’ll receive a warm-hearted welcome as you roll into the big, brash state of Texas. Experience the buzzing city of Austin including its electric music scene and artsy vibe. DAY 18 WEST TEXAS Embrace the true cowboy spirit with a night under the stars. DAY 19 CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK Test if you know
66
your stalactite from your stalagmite at one of the largest cave systems in the world, boasting over 100 limestone caves and a chance to see the bats spread their wings at night. DAY 20 SANTA FE High in the desert foothills, Santa Fe claims to be the USA’s first ever capital city. Check out the colourful artisan area and the Spanish vibe. Muy bueno! DAY 21/22 COLORADO ROCKIES Pit yourself against amazing hiking and biking trails in the Rockies and take in a lungful of that fresh mountain air. DAY 23/24 ARCHES NATIONAL PARK Be blown away by Arches National Park’s surreal red and orange sandstone arches and Dead Horse Point State Park. Float down the Colorado River or tackle the terrain on a Hummer tour. DAY 25 MONUMENT VALLEY Predating the Native American culture are the massive towering rock formations which dominate the awe-inspiring landscape. Experience it up close on an optional Navajo guided 4x4 ride before setting up camp. DAY 26/27 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK It looks spectacular from any angle but the sight of the grandest of canyons at sunset or sunrise is incredible. Tackle the steep hike deep into the canyon for a different perspective, or take an optional helicopter ride ( ). DAY 28/29 LAKE POWELL/ ANTELOPE CANYON/BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Swim in the clear blue waters of Lake Powell and enjoy a guided trip to Antelope Canyon before the iconic view of Horseshoe Bend. Bryce is next with the sun setting over its its knobbly hoodoos, that’s weird and wonderful rock spires to you and me. DAY 30 ZION NATIONAL PARK The gem of Utah’s National Parks and 360 degree views are your well earned reward for tackling the hike to Angels Landing.
Tour from NZD
$8839
63 Days, 28 States & 2 Canadian Provinces New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana & Ohio, plus Washington DC
Camping & Lodging DAY 31/32 LAS VEGAS (L ) Sin City’s glitziest and brashest spots are sure to impress as you cruise the Las Vegas Boulevard on an included limo ride! Jump on the world’s highest thrill ride at the Stratosphere Tower or win big at the Bellagio, star of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’.
peaks and spectacular scenery, all best soaked up by renting a canoe.
DAY 33/34 LOS ANGELES (L ) Roll into larger than life LA. This is our turnaround point before heading back east. After a quick city tour, you’re free to explore on your own, visit Universal Studios, rent bikes in Santa Monica or just chill on Venice Beach.
DAY 50-52 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK/MONTANA Often referred to as ‘Big Sky Country’, Montana and Glacier National Park are a trekker’s paradise, with incredible views.
DAY 35 PACIFIC COAST With LA in the rearview mirror, head up the rugged California coast with free time in Santa Barbara, stunning views in Big Sur and a night under the Californian stars. DAY 36/37 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Prepare yourself for the extraordinary landscape with its glacier-carved granite monoliths and spectacular waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears. DAY 38/39 SAN FRANCISCO (L ) Next up, ‘Everybody’s Favourite City’. Sunlight on the bay, wispy fog around the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars climbing steep streets. DAY 40-42 REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK/FLORENCE Home to the tallest trees in the world and some of the most spectacular scenery on the Pacific Coast, Redwood never disappoints. Then it’s on to Florence and its amazing sand dunes to camp for the night. DAY 43/44 SEATTLE (L ) Check out Pike Place Market, or why not beam yourself up to the top of the iconic Space Needle and gaze over the Emerald City, with Mount Rainier posing proudly in the distance. DAY 45 VANCOUVER With its stunning combination of mountains and coastline, Vancouver is a scenic delight. Check out the city nightlife in Gastown or head to First Beach for a chilled sunset. DAY 46/47 BRITISH COLUMBIA/ LAKE LOUISE Mirrored lakes, grizzled
DAY 48/49 BANFF NATIONAL PARK Follow in the footsteps of pioneers by hiking or mountain biking the showstopping trails. After a dunk in the hot springs you’ll be ready for bed.
DAY 53/54 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Pitch up in the world’s first National Park, a superb wilderness of spouting geysers, waterfalls and mud pools. Keep an eye out for abundant wildlife, including bison, bear and wolves. DAY 55/56 CODY/MOUNT RUSHMORE The old West is alive with an optional visit to Old Trail Town and the Presidents are waiting at Mount Rushmore, but the massive Crazy Horse Monument steals the show. DAY 57/58 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK/MINNESOTA Cross Native American Sioux terrain and America’s original western frontier. Listen out for howling coyotes as you grab some shut-eye. DAY 59/60 CHICAGO (L ) Explore Chicago by foot or by bike to get a unique perspective on the sights and attractions of the windy city! DAY 61/62 OHIO/NIAGARA FALLS Leaving the shores of Lake Erie you cross Indiana, swing by Michael Jackson’s childhood home and stop in to visit a traditional Amish community. This is real off-the-beaten track America! Niagara Falls is next, so climb aboard a ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise and experience one of America’s greatest attractions. DAY 63 NIAGARA FALLS > NEW YORK AREA The last day of your epic adventure comes to an end in the ‘Big Apple’, New York City. Be sure to spend a few more days here to explore Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park.
Cross Country TREK INCLUDES Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Cruise Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset San Francisco’s Alcatraz Prison and ferry (value $30) New Orleans’ Bourbon Street Tours of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Hollywood & Las Vegas Strip Live music in New Orleans and Austin Included Las Vegas limo tour Bike tour of Washington DC’s monuments Antelope Slot Canyon Stand amongst the tallest trees in the world in Redwood National Park Visit an Amish community Dead Horse Point & Horseshoe Bend Walk the Golden Gate Bridge BRITISH COLUMBIA
See the faces of past US Presidents at Mount Rushmore White sand beaches of Florida & Daytona Beach Canada’s stunning mountains & lakes Hike between towering granite peaks in Yosemite National Park Sightseeing in Charleston, St Augustine, Miami, Florida Keys, Santa Fe, San Diego, Chicago, Vancouver & Seattle National Parks and Monuments - Carlsbad Caverns, Arches, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff/Lake Louise, Redwood & Yosemite
ALBERTA
British Columbia
Banff NP C
Lake Louise
Vancouver Seattle
A
N
A
D
A
Glacier NP
WASHINGTON
M A I N E
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
M O N T A N A
Montana O R E G O N
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Yellowstone NP Mount Rushmore/ Crazy Horse Cody
IDAHO
Oregon Coast/Florence Redwood NP
S O U T H
WISCONSIN
Minnesota
Winconsin
D A K O TA
Badlands NP
W Y O M I N G
MICHIGAN
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
RHODE ISLAND
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia Ohio/ O H I O DELAWARE Shipshewana Lake Erie Amish visit Washington DC MARYLAND
I O W A
Yosemite NP
ILLINOIS
N E VA D A
INDIANA
WEST VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA
A N S A S K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
NORTH CAROLINA
Carolinas
TENNESSEE
O K L A H O M A
SOUTH CAROLINA
A R K A N S A S
Charleston MISSISSIPPI
Carlsbad Caverns NP
MASSACHUSETTS
New York
CONNECTICUT
Chicago
N E B R A S K A
Dead Horse
Bryce Point SP Canyon UNP T A H Arches NP San Lake Moab Francisco C O L O R A D O K Zion NP Powell Colorado Rockies Big Sur Las Vegas California CALIFORNIA Grand Coast Canyon Monument Santa Barbara Santa Fe NP Valley Los Angeles A R I Z O N A N E W M E X I C O
NEW YORK
Niagara Falls
ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA T
West Texas
E
X
A
S
St. Augustine Daytona Beach Panama City New Orleans Beach Orlando
Texas/Louisiana
Austin
FLORIDA
M
E
X
I
C
• All accommodation: ) 8 hotel 49 nights camping, (L nights & 5 hostel nights • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van (USA only), some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 63 days (see page 90 for details)
>> Trek Combo Tour... This tour is created by linking together our Coast to Coast North and Coast to Coast South tours. Your tour leader and some of your group may change halfway. Road into Monument Valley
Miami
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS...
•
Key West
O
C U B A
Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Horseback riding * Disney World * Navajo guided Monument Valley 4x4 tour * Smithsonian National Museums * Universal Studios * The Alamo * Swamp tour * Mississippi steamboat ride * Wet ‘n Wild water park * Jet skiing * Mountain biking * New Orleans jazz clubs * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Canoeing * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Snorkeling * Dolphin spotting cruise * Aerial gondola/tramway ride * Baseball game * Blues clubs * Hot springs * Chicago museums * Willis Tower * Whitewater rafting * Bobby’s Bike Hike tour * San Francisco cable cars * Seattle Space Needle * Western rodeo * Cedar Point Amusement Park * San Francisco Bay sunset cruise * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Southern mansion tour * Old Trail Town (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight - see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: TL
DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: TN
START
START
START
START
04 11 25 09 23 06 20 04 25 08 22
02 09 23 07 21 04 18 02 23 06 20
06 20 18 15 19 16
04 18 16 13 17 14
FINISH 2015 Apr 05 Jun Apr 12 Jun Apr 26 Jun May 10 Jul May 24 Jul Jun 07 Aug Jun 21 Aug Jul 04 Sep Jul 25 Sep Aug 09 Oct Aug 23 Oct
FINISH 2016 Apr 03 Jun Apr 10 Jun Apr 24 Jun May 08 Jul May 22 Jul Jun 05 Aug Jun 19 Aug Jul 02 Sep Jul 23 Sep Aug 07 Oct Aug 21 Oct
FINISH 2015 Apr 07 Jun Apr 21 Jun May 19 Jul Jun 16 Aug Jul 19 Sep Aug 17 Oct
FINISH 2016 Apr 05 Jun Apr 19 Jun May 17 Jul Jun 14 Aug Jul 17 Sep Aug 15 Oct
➡ TOUR OPERATES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ➡ Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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The ultimate Cross Country
Seattle Seattle WASHINGTON M O N T A TN AA N
Portland Portland
LittleLittle Bighorn Bighorn Battlefield Battlefield NM NM
O R E G O N
Redwood Redwood NP NP
The Great 48
IDAHO
Craters Craters of the of the MoonMoon NM NM
W YW O M Y OI N M
Eureka Eureka
Homestead Homestead Salt Salt Crater Crater R LakeLake City City U T A H San San Yosemite Yosemite NP NP Arches Arches NP NP Francisco Francisco MoabMoab C O CL OO L B DeadDead HorseHorse Monterey Monterey PointPoint SP SP Las Vegas Las Vegas Monument Monument CALIFORNIA Valley RouteRoute 66 Grand 66 Grand Valley Santa Santa Canyon Canyon S Barbara Barbara NP NP N E W Los Angeles Los Angeles A R I Z O N A NEVADA
One word – EPIC! Want to see it all? How about the chance to travel through the great 48 states of America’s 50 on one delicious road trip extravaganza? Welcome to the only trip of its kind, travelling from the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys all the way to the most northern city in the contiguous states.
M E X M IECX
Snake the continent taking in 19 National Parks, countless small towns and some of the craziest cities - Las Vegas, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Chicago... the list could go on! Want to see the real America? You’ve got it in spades, with a staggering number of national forests, state parks, monuments, beaches, mountains and deserts to explore. Plus with loads of 2 or 3 night stops, you won’t feel you’re rushing it all. Feel the music in your bones in the Deep South, discover America’s rich history and varied culture, taste the sumptuous delicacies of each region, and travel across rolling green hills, great plains, red rock landscapes and jagged mountains. So ready yourself for the adventure of a lifetime with bragging rights so immense, you’ll be telling your grandkids.
Carlsbad Car Caverns Cav Tour only from AUD
Tour + Alaska from AUD
$10399 $11208 Tour only from NZD
Tour + Alaska from NZD
$11559 $12458
80 Days, 48 States Camping & Lodging
Contact us for prices to Hawaii to round off all 50 states in one incredible trip!
TREK INCLUDES All of your travel and accommodation, plus loads of extras which make the TrekAmerica style of travel so special. See our website for full itinerary. Party as the sun goes down in Key West Hike the ‘backbone of America’, the Appalachian Mountains
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Check out the live music scene in Nashville, New Orleans, Memphis & Austin
Watch Old Faithful blow its top in Yellowstone National Park Swim in the Homestead Crater, featured in the movie ‘127 hours’
See Washington DC’s monuments lit up at night
Search the southern state swamps
Delve into the nation’s history & food in the Deep South
Stop by the ‘Waterpark Capital of the World’, the Wisconsin Dells
The party towns of Las Vegas, Miami, New York & San Francisco
Stroll the eclectic Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas
See Niagara Falls by night & on a Maid of the Mist cruise
Explore gnarly cave systems & see bats in Carlsbad Caverns NP
Spot sea lions off the California coast
Run down or board the white sand dunes of Van Buren SP & Great Sand Dunes NP
Try and spot black bears & eagles in the Rocky Mountains
See Giant Sequoias & Half Dome’s granite profile in Yosemite NP
See the faces of the presidents at Mount Rushmore
Pike Place Market, Seattle
Explore one of 400 caves at Mammoth Cave National Park
Yellowstone Yellowstone NP
for alligators
Explore the wind-carved landscapes of Arches NP & Monument Valley Watch the sun set over the Grand Canyon Limousine tour of Las Vegas
Experience the buzz of
Cross Country M A I N E
NORTH DA KOTA
A TN AA N A
Theodore Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt NP NP
Bighorn ttle Bighorn attlefield ield NM NM
SOUTH DAKOTA
Yellowstone wstone NP NP
mestead ead rater
M I N N E S OTA
Minneapolis Minneapolis
Mount Mount Rushmore Rushmore NM NM
W YW O M Y OI N M GI N G
Chadron Chadron
N E B R A S KDes A
Rocky Rocky Mountain Mountain NP NP Boulder Boulder
C O CL O O LR O A RD AO D O
Buena Buena VistaVista GreatGreat SandSand nument Monument Dunes Dunes NP NP ey Valley SantaSanta Fe Fe
VERMONT NEW NEW HAMPSHIRE YORK Boston Boston MAS SACHUS E TTS LakeLake RHODE Niagara Niagara George George ISLAND MICHIGAN Buffalo Buffalo
WISCONSIN
BlackBlack RiverRiver FallsFalls FallsFalls Wisconsin Wisconsin DellsDells Van Buren Van Buren SP SP
I O W AChicago Chicago INDIANA ILLINOIS
Witchita Witchita O K L A H O
Oklahoma Oklahoma City City
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
N E W JE RS E Y DELAW DEL A AW W WARE ARE
O H I O
Washington Washington DC DC
WEST VIRGINIA
Indianapolis Indianapolis
M ARYLA A ND
Charleston Charleston
Kansas Kansas City City
K A N S A S
CONNECTICUT
NewNew YorkYork
Philadelphia Philadelphia Cleveland Cleveland
Moines Des Moines
N E W N E W M E X M IECXOI C O
St Louis St Louis
VIRGINIA
KENTUCKY
NORTH Mammoth Mammoth CAROLINA CaveCave NP NP Raleigh Raleigh Mingo Mingo National National Asheville Asheville Nashville Nashville Wildlife Wildlife Reserve Reserve T E N N E S SGreat E E Great Smoky Smoky M A A R K A N S AMemphis S Memphis Mountains Mountains NP NP S O U T H CAROLINA Tupelo Tupelo M I S S O U R I
Clarksdale Clarksdale
Roswell Roswell Carlsbad Carlsbad Caverns Caverns NP NP
Acadia NP NP White WhiteAcadia Mountains Mountains NF NF
G E O R G I A
Birmingham Birmingham
MISSISSIPPI A L A B A M A
Savannah Savannah T
E
X
A
S LO U I S I A N A
Austin Austin
NewNew Orleans Orleans
F LO R I DA
WestWest PalmPalm Beach Beach
San Antonio San Antonio
Miami Miami Key Key WestWest
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES With such a long time to explore, there are so many things to see and do. Here is a selection of our favourites, but you can find the full list online. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter fflight * Las Vegas evening Strip fflight * Horseback riding * Disney World * Navajo guided Monument Valley tour * Alcatraz (book in advance of tour) * Voodoo and Graveyard tour * Snorkeling * Baseball game * Graceland tour * Civil Rights Museum * Whitewater rafting * Wisconsin Dells waterparks and thrill rides * Western rodeo * San Francisco Bay sunset cruise * Cycling in Yosemite Valley * Southern mansion tour * Extreme Hummer tour... and so much more!
>> Please ask your agent for full details of this incredible road trip.
PLUS... • All accommodation: 66 camping nights, 7 hostel nights, 4 hotel nights and 2 cabin nights • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $10 x 80 days (see page 90 for details) • Please note: Due to the length of this tour your Tour Leader may change at the half way point.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS MIAMI TREK CODE: GRT START
FINISH 2015 Apr 12 Jul May 26 Jul May 09 Aug Jun 23 Aug Jun 06 Sep
START
FINISH 2016 Apr 10 Jul May 24 Jul May 07 Aug Jun 21 Aug Jun 04 Sep
24 08 22 05 19
22 06 20 03 17
Book early to secure your place on this exclusive trip now! Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
>> Want to do
All 50 states?
Call us for options to extend your trip to Hawaii and Alaska, to complete the full 50!
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Winter Sun Boston
New York San Francisco
Yosemite National Park
Washington DC
Las Vegas
Death Valley National Park
Los Angeles
San Diego
Nashville Memphis
White Sands National Monument New Orleans
Orlando
Everglades Key West
Experience America without the crowds on any of our Winter Sun tours. Running from late October to March these trips are specially created with more hotel, hostel, lodge or ranch stays and featuring activities and destinations that are best or only experienced in the winter >> see pages 70 to 77
Death Valley National Park Too hot to handle in the summer months when the mercury hits a staggering 57 degrees, Death Valley cools off enough in the winter to let you enjoy its colourful badlands and golden dunes.
Snowshoeing in Yosemite NP Strap on those snowshoes and walk your way through Yosemite’s winter wonderland. This time of year you won’t see any crowds and you’ll get some seriously unique snowdusted photos.
White Sands National Monument
Our Top Picks
No prizes for guessing what awaits you at this natural oasis. That’s right, sand dunes - and plenty of them! Grab a sled and slide your way down for a huge adrenaline rush.
New Year’s Eve in New York Few cities on earth can compete with the frenetic atmosphere of Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Count down with over a million people and let the ball drop to start another fantastic year!
Big Bend National Park Far too hot in the summer, the winter provides the ideal conditions to explore this stark wilderness and see the massive kink in the Rio Grande.
4x4 Tour of Monument Valley – with Hogan stay Explore the sacred lands of Monument Valley on a overnight Navajo guided tour, staying in a traditional Hogan.
Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park
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Winter Sun
C
Tour from AUD
10 Days, 3 States
$1489
California, Arizona & Nevada WASHINGTON
NORTH
Tour from NZD
M O N T A N A
$1659
TREK INCLUDES Overnight Cowboy Camp including ‘chuckwagon dinner’ & hearty home-cooked breakfast Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Limousine ride in Las Vegas See the mighty Hoover Dam Experience Historic Route 66 Swim in the clear Californian seas National Parks, Monuments and deserts – Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Montezuma Castle & Sonoran Desert National Monument
WILD WEST Here’s a real winter warmer that whisks you off to three great cities, whose vibes range from downright easygoing to ‘anything goes’. With sun-doused deserts, rugged National Parks, wind-chiselled canyons, cowboy camps and California beaches thrown into the mix, we promise you one wild time. DAY 1/2 LOS ANGELES > SAN DIEGO Kick off with a visit to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and see the Hollywood sign before making a beeline for San Diego. With mild temperatures all year round, the Californian outdoors is where it’s at. Rollerblade or hang out with the surfers on Mission Beach, feast on a tasty Mahi Mahi taco, cycle Balboa Park or meet the residents of the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
DAY 4 BETTY & RUSTY’S COWBOY CAMP Jump start your day with an early morning swim in the Colorado River before heading to Betty and Rusty’s Cowboy Camp. Saddle up and trot between the iconic Saguaro cacti, then tuck into a traditional chuckwagon dinner by the campfire - an exclusive and authentic all-American experience. ) On the road north, drop by DAY 5/6 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L Montezuma Castle National Monument, before arriving at the masterpiece that is the Grand Canyon. Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of the immense canyon, ). Tread both from the ground or flying above it on an optional helicopter flight ( the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Gardens or make your way out to Plateau Point and gaze down at the mighty Colorado River from above. ) Make a pit-stop at the town of Seligman to experience a DAY 7/8 LAS VEGAS (L classic stretch of Route 66. After a photo stop at the Hoover Dam get ready to overdo it in Vegas. Hop in an included stretch limo to see the sights at night, then, why not fill up on a gut-busting buffet, go casino-hopping and pop into high-altitude bars, hip clubs and burlesque shows. If you want to see live music or a show, to try your hand at blackjack, or simply to enjoy a spot of people watching, Vegas is the place!
DAY 9 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK With the extreme temperatures in the summer months, Death Valley in the Mojave Desert is a real winter treat, so lap up the sights of Artist Palette and Dante’s View. This is one of the lowest, driest and hottest places in North America and full of natural phenomena. DAY 10 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK > LOS ANGELES Kick up some Mojave Desert dust as you head for Los Angeles making a stop at Venice Beach for a spot of people watching. Add on some extra time after the tour to explore the treasures which make Los Angeles such an immense city and see the city like a local on an Urban Adventure or tour the homes of the Hollywood Stars. >> see page 81.
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUT
W Y O M I N G
Grand Canyon National Park
DAY 3 SONORAN DESERT A road trip just isn’t a road trip without miles and miles of cactus-studded desert, and sun-drenched Arizona doesn’t disappoint. It’s one of the largest and hottest deserts in North America and can fluctuate between dry and arid to lush and green, certainly a sight to behold so get those cameras ready for the perfect picture of the rolling sand dunes. Prepare yourself for the unexpected burst of colour at Salvation Mountain, this crazy man made mountain can also be spotted in the film ‘Into the Wild!’
Camping & Lodging
• All accommodation: ) 5 nights camping, 4 hotel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $80 (see page 90 for details)
C O L O R A D O
CALIFORNIA
Death Valley NP Los Angeles San Diego
Las Vegas
Salvation Mountain
Route 66
Grand Canyon NP N E W
A R I Z O N A
Sonoran Desert
Betty & Rusty’s Cowboy Camp
M E X I C O
T
M
XTRA value
E
Exclusive overnight Cowboy camp stay included on this tour!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES San Diego Zoo * Rollerblading * Cycling in San Diego * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Western horseback ride * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Las Vegas clubs & casinos * Watersports in San Diego * Las Vegas helicopter flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight -see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: WWW
START
START
08 13
07
05 02 02 16 25 09
FINISH 2014 Nov 17 Nov Dec 22 Dec 2015 Jan 14 Jan Feb 11 Feb Mar 11 Mar Mar 25 Mar Oct 03 Nov Nov 18 Nov
04 01 29 14 23 07 05
FINISH 2015 Dec 16 Dec 2016 Jan 13 Jan Feb 10 Feb Feb 09 Mar Mar 23 Mar Oct 01 Nov Nov 16 Nov Dec 14 Dec
Celebrate Halloween in Las Vegas
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
N
The Grand Canyon U T A H
Trek
PLUS...
•
NEVADA
>> You may also like....
Our 14 day Westerner 2 BLT tour departing all year round. See page 17. Our 14 day Westerner 2 tour departing all summer long. See page 18.
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X
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Winter Sun
Tour from AUD
13 Days, 4 States
$1979
California, Arizona, Utah & Nevada
C
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Tour from NZD
$2199
Monument Valley
Camping & Lodging WASHINGTON
Grand Canyon M I
N O RT H D A K O TA M O N T A N A
TREK INCLUDES
WESTERNER
Overnight Cowboy Camp including campfire dinner & hearty home-cooked breakfast Navajo guided 4x4 tour of Monument Valley & overnight in a traditional ‘Hogan’ See the Hoover Dam Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Walk the Golden Gate Bridge Hike in National Parks – Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Death Valley & Yosemite City tours of San Francisco, Hollywood, San Diego & Las Vegas Strip
Trace a classic Southwestern route, calling in at thrilling cities, staggering National Parks and even a traditional Cowboy Camp. Lush green landscapes open up to red rock canyons and golden sand beaches on this action-packed original American road trip. DAY 1/2 LOS ANGELES > SAN DIEGO Kick things off with a visit to Hollywood to see the stars on the walk of fame and the famous Hollywood sign. Next head to San Diego where there are over 300 days of sunshine a year so the odds are stacked in your favour! Explore the famous zoo, ride the rollercoasters, or unleash some skating moves and rub shoulders with the surf set in laidback beach haunts. DAY 3 COLORADO RIVER Want to see something cool? How about a stop at Salvation Mountain, a painted mountain slap-bang in the middle of the desert, and featured in the movie ‘Into the Wild’. Pitch your tent by the stunning Colorado River and maybe take a dip, if the mood takes you. DAY 4 BETTY & RUSTY’S COWBOY CAMP Saguaro cacti cast shapes across the Sonoran Desert on our exclusive visit to this authentic Cowboy Camp. Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals and choose to horse ride beneath the vast blue sky. DAY 5 MONUMENT VALLEY Say ‘Howdy’ to your Hogan, a traditional clay and wood Navajo dwelling. After touring this natural movie-set with a local Navajo guide, there’s no better place to lay down your head under a sky full of stars. ) Be spellbound as you wake to the most DAY 6/7 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L ). stunning sunrise nature can summon, or when flying high over this great chasm ( ) En route to Vegas, make a stop at Seligman on the original DAY 8/9 LAS VEGAS (L Route 66 for a true slice of Americana and the Hoover Dam. Next stop Vegas, and Sin City is brash, bizarre and brillant. See Ceasars Palace mall attendants in full centurian garb, a mock exploding volcano and newlyweds partying on the strip.
DAY 10 DEATH VALLEY Get fired up for the hottest place on earth. Head down to the valley floor and walk on the salt flats before resting your head in Furnace Creek. ) Prepare to be wowed by the stunning DAY 11/12 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (L Yosemite National Park. Have more of the park to yourself in the quieter winter season and try your hand at snowshoeing (weather permitting).
DAY 13 SAN FRANCISCO Our final stop is the ‘City by the Bay’, San Francisco. Included is a walk across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and viist to the home of hippie cullture Haight-Ashbury before saying goodbye to the California sun.
• All accommodation: ), 5 camping nights, 4 hotel nights (L ), 1 hogan stay 2 hostel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO
SOUTH DAKOTA
N E B R A S K A
NEVADA
Yosemite NP San Francisco Death Valley
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles San Diego
U T A H
C O L O R A D O
Grand Canyon Monument Las Vegas NP Valley
Colorado River
• Food Kitty: Budget $100 (see page 90 for details)
Route 66
A R I Z O N A
Salvation Mountain
Betty & Rusty’s Cowboy Camp
O K L A H O M A N E W
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: W2W
START
START
23 20
20 17 31 14 28 13 23 20 18
M E X I C O
T
M
XTRA value
E
Exclusive overnight Cowboy camp & Traditional Hogan stay included on this tour!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES San Francisco cable cars * Snowshoeing in Yosemite * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Cycling * San Diego Zoo * Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Western horseback riding * Rollercoasters * Rollerblading * Watersports in San Diego * Las Vegas helicopter flight
Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight -see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES FINISH 2014 Nov 05 Dec Dec 01 Jan 2015 Jan 30 Jan Feb 13 Feb Feb 27 Feb Mar 13 Mar Mar 27 Mar Oct 06 Nov Nov 04 Dec
K A N S A S
>> See website for more details & prices.
• Group Size: Max 14
18 01 15 01 15 25 22
72
IDAHO
W Y O M I N G
Trek
PLUS...
•
O R E G O N
FINISH 2015 Dec 01 Jan 2016 Jan 29 Jan Jan 12 Feb Feb 26 Feb Feb 11 Mar Mar 25 Mar Oct 04 Nov Nov 02 Dec Dec 30 Dec
>> You may also like....
Our 14 day Westerner 2 BLT tour departing all year round. See page 17.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Winter Sun
C
NEW
A
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A
M A I N E
WASHINGTON
TOU R
Tour from AUD
$2409
O R E G O N
15 Days, 6 States
M O N T A N A
Beale Street, Memphis IDAHO
SOUTH
$2679
CONNECTICUT
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
N E B R A S K A
O H I O
WEST VIRGINIA
K A N S A S
TREK INCLUDES
K E N T U C K Y M I S S O U R I
TENNESSEE
DAY 1 MIAMI – EVERGLADES (L ) Leave the beaches and the glamour behind it’s now time to get down and dirty with an included swamp safari in the Everglades area. Explore the “River of Grass” on an airboat ride trail, see fish, snakes, turtles and alligators in their natural habitat before spending the night in a ‘chickee’!
T
DAY 2/3 ORLANDO Take a free day to explore Orlando’s theme and water parks. You’ll be spoilt for choice with Disney’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Wet ‘n Wild competing with Universal’s Harry Potter World for your attention. DAY 4 PANAMA CITY BEACH After all the excitement in Orlando it’s now time to chill out and what better place to do so than on 27 miles of pristine white sand beaches along the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Memphis
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
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NORTH CAROLINA
Nashville
O K L A H O M A
Everglades swamp riverboat ride Elvis Presley’s Graceland Sightseeing in New Orleans & Key West Sunset dinner on Daytona Beach Live music in Nashville, Memphis & New Orleans Stay in a chickee cabin in the Everglades M E X I C O N E W
MARYLAND VIRGINIA
C O L O R A D O
A R I Z O N A
DAY 5/6 NEW ORLEANS (L ) This jazz-tastic town moves at its own pace and you’ll soon find yourself embracing the laid back vibes in no time. Music fills the air in New Orleans and you can’t leave without spending an evening down Bourbon Street, famous for its awesome nightlife and live music. For a really authentic southern experience check out a voodoo and graveyard tour or brush up on your cooking skills at the New Orleans Cooking School and make yourself a big ole’ bowl of gumbo!
INDIANA
NEW JERSEY DELAWARE
Camping & Lodging I O W A
ILLINOIS
CALIFORNIA
MISSISSIPPI
SOUTH CAROLINA
Stone Mountain G E O R G I A
ALABAMA
St Augustine Daytona Beach
S
LOUISIANA
New Orleans
Panama City Beach Orlando
FLORIDA
The Everglades Key West
Fort Lauderdale Miami
C U B A
PLUS...
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
DAY 9 NASHVILLE (L ) With some of the best musical cities behind you, your toes will already be tapping as you arrive in the ‘Music City’ itself. Now is the time to don your denim and cowboy hats and learn how to line dance at the Wild Horse Saloon.
Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
EPCOT Centre * Kennedy Space Center * Universal Studios * Disney World * Wet N’ Wild * Sunset Cruise * Dolphin spotting cruise * Jazz Clubs * Mississippi Riverboat * School of Cooking * Preservation Hall * Southern Mansion Tour * Crescent City Cooking School * Mardi Gras World * Voodoo & Graveyard Tour * Civil Rights Museum * Sun Studio * Rock’n’Soul Museum * Stax Museum of American Soul Music * The Peabody Hotel * Country Line Dancing * Country Music Hall of Fame * Grand Ole Opry * Watersport Adventure * Snorkeling
DAY 10 STONE MOUNTAIN Visit the famous quartz monzonite dome and see the incredible carving that depicts the three figures of the Confederate States of America.
ESSENTIAL INFO
>> See website for more details & prices.
DAY 7/8 MEMPHIS (L ) As the birthplace of Blues and Jazz there is no shortage of great music to excite your ears. Brush up on your history as you visit the Civil Rights Museum and learn all about the struggle to overcome slavery. No trip to Memphis is complete without a trip to see the former home of ‘The King’ aka Elvis Presley.
DAY 11 ST AUGUSTINE/DAYTONA BEACH The nation’s oldest city and occupied by European settlements, be sure to check out Plaza de la Constitucion. Feel the sand between your toes on Daytona Beach and enjoy a sunset dinner. DAY 12 FORT LAUDERDALE (L ) Famous for its beaches, shopping, arts and culture, Fort Lauderdale has something for everyone. Visit the Flamingo Gardens, enjoy a ride on the gondola or simply relax in the sunshine. DAY 13/14 KEY WEST With endless amounts of fun water based activities, you’ll never get bored in Key West. Before you head over to Mallory Square to watch the sun go down, treat yourself to a delicious Key Lime Pie or visit Hemingway’s House. DAY 15 MIAMI With miles and miles of gorgeous beaches, awesome nightlife and beautiful people everywhere, South Beach is certainly the place to be and you definitely won’t want to go home.
• All accommodation: 7 camping nights, 4 hotel nights, 2 hostel nights, 1 night Everglades chickee cabin • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
RHODE ISLAND
MICHIGAN
U T A H
Travel through the very heart of southern USA and discover the origins of country, jazz and Rock & Roll music. Explore the pristine beaches of Miami and Orlando and get up close and personal with exotic wildlife in the mangroves.
MASSACHUSETTS
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee & Georgia
DAKOTA
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW YORK
WISCONSIN
Tour from NZD
SOUTHERN DIXIELAND
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
Wi-Fi
• Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $100 (see page 90 for details)
>> You may also like.... Our 8 day Deep South BLT (Budget Lodging Tour). See page 34
TOUR DATES DEPARTS MIAMI TREK CODE: SDT
START
FINISH 2015 Jan 28 Jan Mar 18 Mar Oct 28 Oct Dec 19 Dec
START
FINISH 2016 Jan 27 Jan Mar 16 Mar Oct 26 Oct Dec 17 Dec
14 04 14 05
13 02 12 03
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
73
Winter Sun
Tour from AUD
21 Days, 14 States
$3059
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada & California, plus Washington DC
Tour from NZD
$3399
Camping & Lodging TREK INCLUDES Overnight Cowboy Camp with campfire dinner and breakfast Navajo guided 4x4 tour of Monument Valley & overnight stay in a traditional ‘Hogan’ See the Hoover Dam New Orleans’ Bourbon Street
SPECIAL
DEPARTURE!
C
NS NEW ORLEA R AS G FOR MARDI s is Death Valley National Park
SOUTHERNER
A
IDAHO
SOUTH
OUT DON’T MISS 3rd
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M A I N E
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
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VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
N O RT H D A K O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MASSACHUSETTS
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
NEW YORK MICHIGAN
uary/ Book 26th Jan rtures February depa
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
N E B R A S K A
N E W
K A N S A S
Tombstone
T
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MISSISSIPPI
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PLUS... • All accommodation: ), 7 camping nights, 8 hotel nights (L ), 1 Hogan stay 4 hostel nights (L • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
ALABAMA
DELAWARE
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA
G E O R G I A
LOUISIANA
Lafayette
S
New Orleans
San Antonio
Big Bend NP
Memphis
ARKANSAS
White Sands National Monument
NEW JERSEY
VIRGINIA
Nashville TENNESSEE
CONNECTICUT
MARYLAND
WEST VIRGINIA
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
O K L A H O M A
M E X I C O
Betty & Rusty’s Cowboy Camp
Philadelphia Washington DC
O H I O
Appalachian Mtns
Grand Canyon Monument Valley Death Las Vegas NP Valley NP Route 66 Los Angeles
INDIANA
C O L O R A D O
CALIFORNIA
Beat a path from ocean to ocean, leaving New York for LA or vice versa. Along the way you’ll browse a whole gallery of classic Americana, from cosmopolitan cities to time-warp cowboy towns, burnt orange deserts and awesome National Parks.
I O W A ILLINOIS
U T A H
NEVADA
RHODE ISLAND
New York
W Y O M I N G
A R I Z O N A
74
N
WASHINGTON
sday’, thi Known as ‘Fat Tue all parties! the party to top
DAY 1/2 NEW YORK AREA > PHILADELPHIA > WASHINGTON DC (L ) Head for Philadelphia’s famous ‘Rocky’ steps for that all-important photo, and check out the Liberty Bell. Opt for a classic Philly cheese steak lunch before heading to Washington DC. Lose yourself on a self-guided tour of Washington DC’s illuminated monuments, a great introduction to the city! ) Cruise towards the Deep South, passing bumpy DAY 3 APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS (L peaks and dreamy scenery draped in spruce and backed by crisp skies. Freshen up with a short walk in the famed Appalachian Mountains. ) Party hard in ‘The Music City’. Home to country DAY 4/5 NASHVILLE/MEMPHIS (L music institution The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville puts on a rocking party. Head to the Wild Horse Saloon for live music and line dancing. Then, hit Memphis to pay your respects to The King with a optional visit to Elvis’ final resting place at Graceland. ) Great nightlife abounds on Bourbon Street, as you check out DAY 6/7 NEW ORLEANS (L the infamous French Quarter vibe, plus world famous live jazz and blues music. DAY 8 LAFAYETTE Welcome to the heart of Cajun Country. Get stuck in to a world famous Po’Boy - the classic Louisiana stick sandwich or why not head to the Blue Moon Saloon and spend the night jammin’ to some live local beats. ) Walk the famous River Walk or uncover the city’s history. DAY 9 SAN ANTONIO (L Nowhere in the State of Texas is the frontier spirit more alive than at The Alamo! DAY 10/11 BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK Named for the sharp twist in the Rio Grande River, it’s great for hiking too. As winter temperatures ease the heat, negotiate miles of snaking trails through the stark wilderness finishing with a blazing sunset. Don’t forget to check out the ‘Lost Mine Trail’ and rest your aching feet in the hot springs. DAY 12 WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT Explore this vast waterless sea of white sand, and try your hand at sliding down those dunes with a spot of sand sledding! DAY 13 TOMBSTONE Scene of the O.K. Corral Shoot Out, the most famous gun fight in the history of the Wild West, the ‘Town too Tough to Die’ sports genuine gun-slinging streets right out of a western movie. Don’t miss the re-enactment of the showdown. DAY 14 BETTY & RUSTY’S COWBOY CAMP Your band of desperados will strike gold on a unique night in the sticks. An open fire will supply a delicious dinner and after your optional horseback ride, you’ll slumber under the stars at our authentic cowboy camp. DAY 15 MONUMENT VALLEY After your included Navajo guided 4x4 tour of this stunning valley, catch some Z’s as you spend the night overnight in a traditional Hogan under the stars. ) Behold the greatest chasm of all. DAY 16/17 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (L ). Hike to breathtaking viewing platforms or opt to soar above in a helicopter ( ) Make a pit stop at Seligman on Route 66 and the Hoover DAY 18/19 LAS VEGAS (L Dam before hitting Vegas. If the roulette wheel smiles on you, choose to cruise in a superstretch limo, or raise the stakes with a helicopter ride to take in the neon glow. DAY 20 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK After a truly unforgettable hike, Zabriskie Point reveals an endless ripple of intriguing grey and gold rock patterns. DAY 21 LOS ANGELES Enjoy a tour of Hollywood before saying your farewell to LA!
A
The bright lights of Vegas Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset Travel the original Route 66 Sightseeing in Memphis & Nashville National Parks - Big Bend, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Whitesands & Death Valley
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • Food Kitty: Budget $150 (see page 90 for details)
>> You may also like.... Our 21 day Southern BLT (Budget Lodging Tour) all year round. See page 54
FLORIDA
Trek
XTRA value
Exclusive overnight Cowboy camp & Traditional Hogan stay included on this tour! C U B A
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Western horseback ride * New Orleans jazz clubs * Tour of Elvis’ Graceland * Grand Ole Opry * Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Las Vegas limo, clubs & casinos * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Memphis blues bars * Swamp tour * Mississippi Steamboat ride * Las Vegas helicopter flight * The Alamo * Smithsonian National Museums * Bike rental in Washington DC * Voodoo and Graveyard Tour * The New Orleans School of Cooking * Sand boarding * Tombstone Gun Fight Re-enactment * Hot Springs
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight -see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: SNW
DEPARTS LOS ANGELES TREK CODE: SLW
START
START
START
09 23 13 25
23 14 21
20 03 17 15
05 26 11 02 16 26 09
FINISH 2014 Nov 29 Nov Nov 13 Dec Dec 02 Jan Dec 14 Jan 2015 Jan 25 Jan Jan 15 Feb Feb 03 Mar Mar 22 Mar Mar 05 Apr Oct 15 Nov Nov 29 Nov
04 25 03 29 14 24 07 21
FINISH 2015 Nov 13 Dec Dec 03 Jan Dec 10 Jan 2016 Jan 24 Jan Jan 14 Feb Feb 23 Feb Feb 20 Mar Mar 03 Apr Oct 13 Nov Nov 27 Nov Nov 11 Dec
Be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras
12 03 23 09 19 02 16
FINISH 2014 Oct 09 Nov Nov 23 Nov Nov 07 Dec Dec 04 Jan 2015 Jan 01 Feb Feb 23 Feb Feb 15 Mar Mar 29 Mar Oct 08 Nov Nov 22 Nov Nov 06 Dec
START
FINISH 2015 14 Dec 03 Jan 28 Dec 17 Jan 2016 11 Jan 31 Jan 26 Jan 15 Feb 22 Feb 13 Mar 07 Mar 27 Mar 17 Oct 06 Nov 31 Oct 20 Nov 14 Nov 04 Dec 12 Dec 01 Jan 26 Dec 15 Jan
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
Winter Sun
Tour from AUD
$2099
C
9 Days, 4 States
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N
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A
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana
Tour from NZD
WASHINGTON
M A I N E
$2339
N O RT H D A K O TA
Budget Lodging
VERMONT
M I N N E S O TA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
IDAHO
SOUTH
CONNECTICUT
FLORIDA XMAS BLT
TREK INCLUDES
TOU R
N E B R A S K A
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
I O W A
- NEW ORLEANS NEW YEAR
U T A H
Have a Christmas or New Year to remember. Wake up to a stunning sunrise at the Grand Canyon on Christmas morning or go snowshoeing in Yosemite National Park. See in the New Year under the glow of the Las Vegas Strip, New Orleans Bourbon Street, or New York’s Times Square and celebrate in style!
WEST VIRGINIA
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
K E N T U C K Y
M I S S O U R I
NORTH CAROLINA
TENNESSEE
O K L A H O M A
Christmas and New Year special departures...
DELAWARE
O H I O
ILLINOIS
CALIFORNIA
New Orleans
NEW JERSEY
Everglades swamp airboat ride Overnight in Everglades ‘chickee’ cabin Xmas in the beautiful Florida Keys New Years Eve in New Orleans Live music and night life on Bourbon Street INDIANA
C O L O R A D O
K A N S A S
RHODE ISLAND
MICHIGAN
NEW
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
Escape to the Deep South on this festive tour from the golden beaches of Key West, through the Everglade swamps, to New Orleans where you can ring in the New Year with style.
A R I Z O N A
N E W
ARKANSAS
M E X I C O
T
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SOUTH CAROLINA
MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA
G E O R G I A
S
DAY 1 MIAMI > KEY WEST T’was the day M E X I C O before Christmas, so what better way to spend it then travelling along the most picturesque and stunning stretch of road the East offers. Leave the sugary sand behind and journey into the mangroves and turquoise waters of Key West. DAY 2 KEY WEST & CHRISTMAS DAY It’s not every year that you wake up on Christmas Day, with temperatures reaching 26 degrees and pristine beaches at your doorstep, so be sure to make the most of it. It wouldn’t be Christmas without an almighty feast, so why not hang out with the locals and sample some of the fresh seafood and when you simply can’t eat any more, relax in a hammock. DAY 3 THE EVERGLADES The famous Everglades are rich with birdlife and many rare and endangered species. Experience close encounters with alligators as you delve deep into the swamps on an included airboat ride. With an experienced tour guide you will soon discover the wonders of this unique ecosystem and the exotic wildlife that calls this place their home. DAY 4/5 ORLANDO Now is your chance to embrace your inner child, with adventure parks galore. With two nights here you will have the chance to get your thrills in. Head over to Disney World and meet Mickey or if that’s not your thing then battle Voldemort at Harry Potter World, Universal Studios. There is definitely no growing up allowed around here! DAY 6 PANAMA CITY BEACH If you dream of lazy beach days, then a visit to the Gulf of Mexico’s ‘Southern Riviera’ – Panama City, will be right up your street. As the sun goes down, the dancing shoes come out and the party people dance the night away at the famous beachfront clubs of the Gulf Coast. DAY 7-9 NEW ORLEANS & NEW YEAR’S EVE What better way to see in the New Year than in jazz-tastic New Orleans! Head to Jackson Square and watch as the fireworks light up the Mississippi River and follow the locals to the world famous Bourbon Street, where the party will continue. Expect lots of music, colour and fun!
LOUISIANA
New Orleans
Panama City Beach
Orlando FLORIDA
The Everglades
Miami
Key West
C U B A
PLUS... • All accommodation: 3 nights hotel, 2 nights hostel, 2 nights cabin, 1 night unique chickee • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • The minimum age on this tour is 21 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Mardi Gras World * School of Cooking * New Orleans Jazz and Blues Bars * Voodoo & Graveyard tour * Theme Parks * Epcot Centre * Kennedy Space Centre * Universal Studios * Disney World * Wet n’ Wild * Riverboat Cruise * Preservation Hall * Bourbon Street * Swamp Tour * Dolphin Research Centre * Mallory Square * Jet skiing * Snorkeling * Ernest Hemmingway’s House
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS MIAMI TREK CODE: FXN
START FINISH 2015 24 Dec 01 Jan
START FINISH 2016 24 Dec 01 Jan
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
75
Winter Sun
G R E E N L A N D ICELAND
YUKON TERRITORY N O R T H E R N
T E R R I T O R I E S
Tour from AUD
11 days, 6 States & 2 Canadian Provinces
$2109
New York City
Tour from NZD
NORTHEASTERN BLT BRITISH
COLUMBIA
- NEW YORK NEW YEAR
New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Québec, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Grand Canyon & Connecticut
$2479
NEWFOUNDLAND
C A N A D A ALBERTA
M A N I T O B A
Budget Lodging
S A S K AT C H E W A N
Experience four of the most exciting cities in North America, the stunning wilderness of snowy Vermont, and the excitement of New Year’s Eve in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. U N I T E D
DAY 1/2 NEW YORK CITY > BOSTON (L ) Departing the buzzing metropolis of New York City, make your way to Boston to relive the revolution along the Freedom Trail. Later, grab a bite to eat in an Italian trattoria, a seasonal brew in an Irish pub or hit the late-night clubs.
) Feel the Christmassy vibe kick in as you head for the DAY 3/4 STOWE (L mountains of Stowe. The ‘Ski Capital of the East’ lays on an incredible winter spread, so opt for some skiing or snowboarding action on Mount Mansfield or simply enjoy the old world charm of Stowe village. 0
500
1000
) With more French speakers than any city outside of Paris, expect DAY 5/6 MONTREAL (L 0 500 1000 1500 a little European flair. Discover a whopping 30km of shops in the ‘Underground City’, then why not eat at O’Noir, a ‘blind’ restaurant where your meal is served in the dark. ) Check out the view from Toronto’s CN Tower, overlooking Lake DAY 7 TORONTO (L Ontario, or browse the trendy stores and cosy cafés in Canada’s answer to Hollywood. ) Cross the Rainbow Bridge from Canada into DAY 8 NIAGARA FALLS > SENECA FALLS (L America and gaze upon the mighty Niagara Falls, imagining the first people to go over in wooden barrels. Make your way to the beautiful Seneca Falls in the Finger Lakes region. ) Roll into the Big Apple and feel the DAY 9/10 NEW YORK CITY & NEW YEARS EVE (L excitement build as the city revs up for the biggest night of the year. Join the party in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, but once the clock strikes midnight hold on to your crystal slipper, because you won’t want this night to end.
DAY 11 NEW YORK CITY One last day to explore the city, before it’s time to wish your new found friends a Happy New Year and say your fond farewells.
TREK INCLUDES
S
New Year’s Eve in New York Christmas in Stowe Views of icy Niagara Falls T A T E S O F A M E R I C A Walk the Freedom Trail Sightseeing in Toronto, Montréal & Boston
PLUS...
Q
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C M A I N E
Montréal
Stowe
O N T A R I O
Toronto Niagara Falls
VERMONT
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Boston
NEW YORK
Finger Lakes P E N N S Y LVA N I A
MASSACHUSETTS RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT
New York NEW JERSEY
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1500 Miles
• All accommodation (L ): 8 hostel nights, 2 nights guesthouse
2000 Kilometres
• Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation •
NEW BRUNSWICK
Wi-Fi
Faneuil Hall * Quincy market * Toronto CN Tower * Museums and galleries * Skiing * Snowshoeing * Ice-skating (Some activities may be weather permitting)
>> See website for more details & prices.
Access available in your van (USA only), some hotels & campsites.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • The minimum age on this tour is 21 • NOTE: You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA TREK CODE: NEB
START FINISH 2014 22 Dec 01 Jan
START FINISH 2015 22 Dec 01 Jan
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
76
>> You may also like....
Our 9 day Northeastern BLT tour departing all year round. See page 29.
NOVA SCOTIA
Winter Sun
Las Vegas
Tour from AUD
$1909
Monument Valley
Tour from AUD
8 Days, 3 States California, Nevada & Utah
$2319
Budget Lodging
CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS
New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas Snowshoeing W A S Hin I N GYosemite TON (conditions permitting) The hottest, driest and lowest place on Earth, Death Valley O R E G O N IDAHO Gold Point Ghost Town City tour of San Francisco National Parks - Yosemite, Death Valley &N Zion EVADA
Escape to a winter wonderland in Yosemite, run for the sun in Death Valley and catch snowy peaks in Zion, before heading to the party city of Las Vegas. DAY 1/2 SAN FRANCISCO > YOSEMITE ) The scenery changes NATIONAL PARK (L fast after touring San Francisco, with the road twisting and turning until Yosemite National Park comes into view. What better way to spend Christmas than snowshoeing under frosted Sequoias and frozen waterfalls. ) We’ve all dreamed DAY 3 BARSTOW (L of cruising down historic Route 66 on the great American road trip and you’ll be doing just that as you roll into lively Barstow. Kick back in the heart of the Mojave, the gateway to Death Valley, and enjoy the desert view over a burger at Peggy Sue’s classic American Diner.
DAY 4 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL ) Trade your mittens and woolly PARK (L hats for sunscreen and shades. The mercury hits a staggering 57 degrees in summer, making Death Valley almost too hot to handle. But it cools off enough in the winter months to let you soak up the rays poolside or hike the rocky trails and sand dunes. Stay in the unique Gold Point Ghost Town used on countless movie sets. ) DAY 5/6 ZION NATIONAL PARK (L This desert oasis is often transformed by a blanket of snow into a winter wonderland, and without the summer crowds, exploring this dramatic canyon is even more of a treat. Don’t miss the show-stopping views from the top of Angels Landing. ) Kick off those hiking DAY 7/8 LAS VEGAS (L boots, throw on the glad rags and ring in the New Year in style with plenty of time to enjoy all that this one-of-a-kind city has to offer.
Please note: For our 2014 departure, the limo ride in Las Vegas is included on the 01/01/2015.
San Francisco Yosemite NP CALIFORNIA
C
Las Vegas
Barstow Gold Point Ghost Town
A R I Z O N A
PLUS...
•
Wi-Fi Access available in your van & some hotels.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • The minimum age on this tour is 21
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Skiing at Badger Pass, Yosemite NP * Las Vegas helicopter flight
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SAN FRANCISCO TREK CODE: CCV
START FINISH 2014 25 Dec 01 Jan
START FINISH 2015 25 Dec 01 Jan
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
A
- VEGAS NEW YEAR N O RT H D A K O TA
SOUTH
D
C
M I N N E S O TA
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
Wake up for Christmas at the Grand Canyon and sleep (or not) on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas! N E B R A S K A
TREK INCLUDES
A
W Y O M I N G
I O W A
WEST VIRGINIA
NEVADA
ILLINOIS
K A >N GRAND S A S DAY 1/2 LAS VEGAS CANYON M I S S O U R I ) Leave the bright NATIONAL PARK (L lights of Las Vegas behind to explore the O KNational L A H O M A Park. En majestic Grand Canyon ARKANSAS route stop at the quirky ‘Route 66’ town of N E W M E X I C O Seligman. Without the sweltering summer temperatures, hike the Grand Canyon OUISIANA switchback trails in comfort, or chooseLto fly X A S ). high overhead inT aEhelicopter (
M
N E B R A S
MARYLAND
U T A H
VIRGINIA
Bryce Canyon NP Zion NP
Arches NP Moab
K E N T U C K Y
NORTH CAROLINA
TENNESSEE
CALIFORNIA
SOUTH Route 66 Grand CAROLINA
Canyon NP
A R I Z O N A
MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA
O K N E W
M E X I C O
G E O R G I A
PLUS... • All accommodation (L ): 5 hotel nights, 3 nights motel FLORIDA • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation
DAY 4/5 MOAB/ARCHES NATIONAL E X I C O ) There’s an open invitation to PARK (L experience Moab’s famous trails, or try mountain biking or hiking amid amazing sandstone formations.
•
) On to DAY 7 ZION NATIONAL PARK (L Utah’s magnificent Zion National Park for a last chance to hike amongst stunning natural beauty, before returning to civilization. Try the short Emerald Pools walk or climb to Angels Landing for incredible panoramic views over this impressive canyon. ) If you’re looking DAY 8/9 LAS VEGAS (L for a New Year’s Eve party you’ll remember forever, look no further than Sin City. The Strip fills with revellers, fireworks explode over the massive hotels and the weird and wonderful attractions will keep you entertained for hours. New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is truly a world-class celebration.
Please note: For our 2014 departure, the limo ride in Las Vegas is included on the 01/01/2015.
K A N
Monument Valley
Las Vegas
) The most DAY 3 MONUMENT VALLEY (L iconic landscape in America, where you jump on a 4x4 tour with a Native American guide and experience a truly psychedelic sunset.
DAY 6 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL ) Explore the hoodoos of the PARK (L incredible Bryce Canyon National Park sculpted by the elements over the years. What an awesome view under a blanket of snow.
A
New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas M A I N E Sculpted hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park WASHINGTON VERMONT Christmas Day Grand Canyon N O RT H D A K O TA NEW HAMPSHIRE sunrise or sunset M O N T A N A MASSACHUSETTS EW YORK Monument Valley 4x4 Ntour RHODE ISLAND O R E G O N MICHIGAN IDAHO Drive on the original Route 66 CONNECTICUTS O U T H D A K O T National Parks & Monuments -NEW JERSEY P E N N S Y LVA N I A W Y O M I N G Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, O HValley, I O DELAWARE Monument Arches & Zion INDIANA
C O L O R A D O
• All accommodation (L ): 3 nights hotel, 3 nights hostel, 1 night cabin • Professional tour leader, equipment & private transportation
N
M O N T A N A
U T A H
Death Zion NP Valley NP
A
Las Vegas
Budget Lodging
CANYON CHRISTMAS
TREK INCLUDES
- VEGAS NEW YEAR
Nevada, Arizona & Utah
Tour from NZD
Tour from NZD
$2119
9 Days, 3 States
$2089
Wi-Fi
M
Access available in your van & some hotels.
E
X
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C U B A
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 14 • The minimum age on this tour is 21
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IMAX Theater * Extreme off-road Hummer tour * Las Vegas limos, clubs & casinos * Las Vegas helicopter flight
>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight -see page 93 for details
TOUR DATES DEPARTS LAS VEGAS TREK CODE: VNY
START FINISH 2014 24 Dec 01 Jan
C
START FINISH 2015 24 Dec 01 Jan
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
77
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Mini Adventures Seattle Boston
Niagara Falls Yosemite National Park
San Francisco
Las Vegas Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia Washington DC
Monument Valley Grand Canyon National Park
New Orleans
Miami
Key West
If you want a taste of the USA but time is in short supply, then Mini Adventures are just the ticket to experience some of America’s most spectacular highlights in just a few days. >> see pages 78 to 81
The Grand Canyon
Yosemite National Park
Massive! Enormous! Gigantic! We're running out of superlatives to describe this incredible natural landscape, you'll just have to see it for yourself.
Yosemite has an amazing ability to reduce you to a jibbering wreck. Huge granite walls, towering Sequoia trees and cascading waterfalls ensure a memorable visit.
Monument Valley
Niagara Falls
The most famous of the remaining Native American lands, Monument Valley is spectacular at any angle, and a stay here will put you back in touch with your spiritual side.
Whether you choose to see the falls up-close on a Maid of the Mist cruise or from afar, the views are superb and the power of nature seriously impressive.
Our Top Picks
Sail on Lake Tahoe The wind in your hair, a glass of Californian wine and a blazing sunset, all enjoyed from the deck of your sail boat. Bliss.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
78
4X4 Backroads Navajo Monument Valley tour
Climb Angels Landing
One of the most thrilling hikes in the entire national parks system, scale Let your Navajo guide lead you deep off the trails through a land considered the narrow rock 'fin' with dizzying views sacred. See how the native people live on either side to Angels Landing, for panoramic vistas of the park. on this eye opening 4x4 adventure.
Route 66 The most iconic road in America is also the quirkiest. With 1950's memorabilia at every turn, you'll feel like you've gone back in time to when life was simpler and a whole lot cooler.
WASHINGTON
NO DAK
Mini Adventures
M O N T A N A
O R E G O N
Tour from AUD
$839
4 Days, 3 States
Incredible hoodoo's in Bryce Canyon Navajo 4x4 tour and overnight experience in Monument Valley Cruise down Las Vegas Strip Climb to Angels Landing in Zion for incredible valley views Grand Canyon National Park Experience Historic Route 66 Photo stop at the Hoover Dam
Nevada, Utah & Arizona
Camping or Lodging
LAS VEGAS TO THE GRAND CANYON MINI The west comes alive with Zion's incredible views and Bryce Canyon's strange rock formations called Hoodoos. Spend a night with the Navajo people deep in the heart of Monument Valley, then top it all off with the grandest canyon on earth! DAY 1 LAS VEGAS > ZION NATIONAL PARK > BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Climb the narrow and challenging 'fin' path all the way to the top of Angels Landing for panoramic views of jaw-dropping Zion, before making your way to Bryce canyon for a knobbly sunset. DAY 2 MONUMENT VALLEY Explore the hoodoos and trails of Bryce Canyon National Park before Monument Valley comes into view. Jump on your guided 4x4 tour deep into Monument Valley for an overnight experience with the Navajo, staying in a traditional mud-hut Hogan (only in Hogan on camping version).
PLUS... • All accommodation: XLV (camping option): 2 nights camping, 1 night traditional Hogan XLX (lodging option): 3 nights hotel • Meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners Camping option only. Meals not provided whilst in hotels. • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
DAY 3 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Pass through the Painted Desert on your way to the Cameron Trading Post atop of the Little Colorado River Gorge. There’ll be plenty of photo opportunities along the way, before catching the sun setting over one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. DAY 4 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK > LAS VEGAS Catch a bird's eye view of the ) before making your way back Grand Canyon on an optional scenic helicopter flight ( to Las Vegas via the famous Route 66 and Hoover Dam. Tour 'The Strip' and outlet malls for some last memories and mementos of your south-western adventure. NB.This tour is open to travellers of all ages.
$789
• Trip Code: XLV/XLX • Departs Las Vegas: Select Mondays & Thursdays (January - December)
Camping & Lodging
DAY 4 LAS VEGAS > LOS ANGELES Enjoy a much needed lie-in or take the chance to hit Vegas’ famous malls before heading back to Los Angeles.
Monument
Route 66 Grand Valley
Canyon NP
A R I Z O N A N E W M E X I C O T
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Horseback riding * Hiking (sunrise or sunset) at the Grand Canyon NP * Grand Canyon helicopter flight M E * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Outlet mall shopping * Las Vegas Strip flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
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>> See website for more details & prices. Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight -see page 93 for details
WASHINGTON
M O N T A N A
PleaseOask R Eyour G O Nagent for our latest IDAHO dates & prices.
NEVADA
CALIFORNIA
Grand Canyon National Park Experience historic Route 66 Stop at the Hoover Dam
LOS ANGELES TO THE GRAND CANYON MINI
) Greet the rising sun for DAY 3 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK > LAS VEGAS (L a last view of the Grand Canyon on an optional (and highly recommended) helicopter ) before stepping back in time on the legendary historic Route 66. Stop for a flight ( view of the mighty Hoover Dam before arriving in the neon metropolis of Las Vegas. Visit the iconic Las Vegas sign and then it’s time for your included limousine tour and a big night out.
CALIFORNIA
Limousine tour of Las Vegas Tour Hollywood’s highlights
DAY 2 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Cross vast desert landscapes to the grandest canyon of them all. You can hike the spectacular South Rim Trail and watch as the setting sun brings out striking canyon colours.
Las Vegas
TREK INCLUDES
California, Nevada & Arizona
DAY 1 LOS ANGELES > LAKE HAVASU Tour Hollywood’s highlights, including the famous Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive and the Walk of Fame. Then it’s off to the Mojave Desert, Colorado River and Lake Havasu for a refreshing dip and your first night under the stars.
C O L O R
Bryce Canyon NP Zion NP
ESSENTIAL INFO
4 Days, 3 States
From the bright lights of L.A to the even brighter lights of Vegas, you’ll be left stunned by the natural beauty which lies between. Criss-cross the Mojave Desert and take in the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon, before cruising down the Vegas Strip in a super-stretch limo.
U T A H
Wi-Fi
• Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Tour from NZD
$879
N E NEVADA
Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
• Group Size: Max 14
Tour from AUD
SO DA
W Y O M I N G
TREK INCLUDES
Tour from NZD
$939
IDAHO
PLUS... • All accommodation: 2 nights camping, ) 1 night hotel (L • Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
Wi-Fi Access available in your van, some hotels & campsites.
Los Angeles
W Y O M I N G
C
U T A H
Las Vegas Hoover Dam Route 66 Grand Canyon NP Lake Havasu A R I Z O N A
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Grand Canyon helicopter flight * Grand Canyon IMAX Theater * Hiking in the Grand Canyon * Las Vegas Clubs & Casinos * Las Vegas helicopter flight (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
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Un-missable Grand Canyon helicopter flight -see page 93 for details
ESSENTIAL INFO • Duration: 4 days/3 nights • Trip Code: XLA • Departs Los Angeles: Select Wednesdays (May - October) • Group Size: Max 14 Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
NB.This tour is open to travellers of all ages.
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Mini Adventures
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WASHINGTON
Tour from AUD
$519
3 Days, 1 State New York
O R E G O N
TREK INCLUDES N O RT H D A K O TA
M O N T A N A
IDAHO
$579
Camping or Lodging
WISCONSIN
DAKOTA
N E B R A S K A
I O W A
C O L O R A D O
K A N S A S
CALIFORNIA
O K L A H O M A
N E W
Leave the bright lights and crazy nights of New York City behind, and experience the thundering wonder of the incomparable Niagara Falls, and venture deep into 'upstate' New York with a night by the shores of the Finger Lakes with its many waterfalls and wineries. DAY 1 NEW YORK AREA > NIAGARA FALLS Head for the beautiful Delaware Water GapM on the famous Appalachian Trail. After a stop for lunch at an All-American Diner, make your way to the spectacular Niagara Falls, where you can cross over the Rainbow Bridge into Canada for a spectacular illuminated night-time view.
NB.This tour is run with our trusted sister company and is open to travellers of all ages.
New York Area
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA K E N T U C K Y
TENNESSEE ARKANSAS
DELAWARE WEST VIRGINIA
NORTH CAROLINA
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES SOUTH CAROLINA
Walk across Rainbow Bridge to Canada * Illumination viewing of Niagara Falls ALABAMA O R G I A * WineG Etasting * Outlet mall shopping (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices. FLORIDA
• Professional tour leader, camping fees, I C O & private transportation equipment
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Wi-Fi
C U B A
Access available in your van & some hotels.
DAY 2 NIAGARA FALLS > FINGER LAKES Get up close (and very wet!) on a Maid of the Mist cruise to the thundering base of Niagara Falls. Drive through wine country to the shores of the Finger Lakes, then head to the college town of Ithaca this evening for dinner and drinks. DAY 3 FINGER LAKES > NEW YORK AREA On your return south to the New York area, stop for a shopping spree at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlet Mall with its 228 department stores, shops, bars and restaurants. What better way to round off your New York to Niagara Falls experience!
CONNECTICUT
NEW JERSEY
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches Camping option only. Meals not provided whilst in hotels. E
RHODE ISLAND
NEW YORK
O H I O
INDIANA
• All accommodation: XNZ (camping option): 2 nights MISSISSIPPI camping LOUISIANA XNY (lodging T E X A Soption): 2 nights hotel
M E X I C O
NEW HAMPSHIRE MASSACHUSETTS
Finger Lakes P E N N S Y LVA N I A
M I S S O U R I
PLUS... A R I Z O N A
MICHIGAN
Niagara Falls
ILLINOIS
U T A H
NEVADA
NEW YORK TO NIAGARA FALLS MINI
W Y O M I N G
VERMONT
Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist cruise Delaware Water Gap / Poconos Visit the Finger Lakes College town of Ithaca, NY Woodbury Common Outlet Mall SOUTH
Tour from NZD
M I N N E S O TA
ESSENTIAL INFO • Duration: 3 days/2 nights • Trip Code: XNY/XNZ • Departs New York area: Camping: Select Fridays & Mondays (June - September) Hotel: Select Thursdays & Sundays (year-round)
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
• Group Size: Max 14
WASHINGTON
M O N T A N A O R E G O N
Tour from AUD
$460
3 Days, 2 States
TREK INCLUDES The Sierra Nevada mountains Camp on shores of Lake Tahoe Yosemite’s famous Sequoias, wilderness and waterfalls Spectacular walks and hikes Enjoy the cosmopolitan buzz of San Francisco
California & Nevada
Tour from NZD
$495
Camping
SAN FRANCISCO TO YOSEMITE MINI From San Francisco, head out across the Sierra Nevada Mountains en route to the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe. Spend a full day in majestic Yosemite National Park, one of the most spectacular wilderness regions in the USA. DAY 1 SAN FRANCISCO > LAKE TAHOE Head for the hills and the shores of Lake Tahoe and discover why it is the choice destination for locals to kick back and relax. Swim, kayak, hike or enjoy a myriad of water-based activities in this picturesque setting and top off your evening with an optional sunset sailboat cruise. DAY 2 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK After crossing the 10,000 ft Tioga Pass, you get your first glimpse of this incomparable landscape of glacier carved cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Make your way to Yosemite’s famous Nevada Falls for unparalleled views of El Capitan’s sheer granite rock face. DAY 3 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK > SAN FRANCISCO Departing Yosemite make a stop at a grove of towering Sequoias on your way back to the ‘City by the Bay’. Another impressive display of mother nature’s handiwork, Sequoias are amongst the tallest trees in the world, growing to over 110 metres in height. Your tour then finishes in San Francisco. NB.This tour is run with our trusted sister company and is open to travellers of all ages.
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IDAHO
PLUS... • All accommodation: 2 nights camping • Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches • Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation •
W Y O M I N G
NEVADA
Lake Tahoe
U T A H
San Yosemite NP Francisco CALIFORNIA
A R I Z O N A
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Sailing at Lake Tahoe * Western horseback riding * Lake Tahoe casinos * Cycling in Yosemite Valley (Some activities may be seasonal)
N E W M E X I C
>> See website for more details & prices.
Wi-Fi Access available in your van & campsites.
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ESSENTIAL INFO • Duration: 3 days/2 nights • Trip Code: XSF • Departs San Francisco: Select Mondays & Saturdays (May - September) • Group Size: Max 14
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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City Tours & Experiences Wherever your trip starts or finishes don't miss the chance to sample city life. If you're spending extra nights in our gateway cities before of after your trip then get the most out of your time and pre-book a great tour or experience before you go. Below are just a few to get you started, you can see our full range on our website.
Urban Adventures Fully guided city tours with a difference! Let a local expert guide show you the alternative side to some of America's most exciting cities. Our full range of Urban Adventures is available to view online, with guaranteed daily departures on most tours.
LOS ANGELES: Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars
Tenements, Tastings & Tales of NY
SAN FRANCISCO - 48 Hours All Loops Discover all the highlights and attractions of this spectacular city by combining the Downtown Loop, Golden Gate & Sausalito Loop, Golden Gate Park Loop and San Francisco Night Tour in one incredible value ticket.
Tour from AUD$70/ NZD$77
Travel around the world in one neighbourhood on this walking tour of the Big Apple's Lower East Side. Walk the narrow streets of Kleindeutschland, Chinatown, and Losaida, hear the story of the millions of immigrants and taste the delicious dishes created by such a mix of cultures. Length: 3 hours
SAN FRANCISCO: Teas, Temples & Beatniks
These flexible tours are perfect if you want to explore at your own pace. You’ll get a great overview of a city and you can jump on and off at any time, exploring the things that interest you and passing by the ones that don’t.
Tour from AUD$75/ NZD$82
Delve into LA’s infamous past and learn a wealth of film lore and fact, as you tour Los Angeles’ historic bars, some dating back to the 1940s. Mix with the locals as you savour your favourite cocktail and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a star. Length: 3 hours
NEW YORK:
Hop-on hop-off bus tours
Tour from AUD$57/ NZD$66
LAS VEGAS - 24 Hours All Loops Hit Las Vegas and explore Downtown, plus cruise the famous Strip. Take in the city’s famous landmarks, from Ceasar’s Palace to the famous welcome sign. Hop on and off to try your hand at gambling, shopping, and see all of Vegas’s key attractions.
Tour from AUD$45/ NZD$52
NEW YORK - 48 Hours All Around Town Tour Tour from AUD$40/ NZD$44
Come explore where east meets west, fortunes are told with more sincerity than your average cookie, and the legends of masters live on. Between the Beatniks of North Beach and San Francisco’s iconic Chinatown, we’ll give you a taste of teas, temples, and culture, all with a local flare. Length: 4-5 hours
Experience the best of New York including the Downtown tour, Uptown & Harlem tour, Brooklyn tour and Night tour, plus a 75 Minute New York Waterway Harbor Cruise and a ticket to the Museum of the City of New York.
Tour from AUD$67/ NZD$78
LOS ANGELES - 24/48 hours All Loops Get the inside scoop on Los Angeles with stops at over 50 places along four loops, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Downtown LA and Universal Studios.
Tour from AUD$50/ NZD$58
Unique City Experiences Looking for a unique experience or a different way to spend your free time, then we have a whole range of tours that offer you just that! The New Yorker Flight
Fly over the Vegas Strip
Universal Studios Hollywood
LA Stars' Homes Tour
All aboard for a fantastic bird's-eye view of the magic isle of Manhattan. Experience the beauty of the New York skyline including an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty from high above. Tour from AUD$184/NZD$216
Explore the famous Las Vegas Strip with an evening flight over to admire the neon jungle below. Fly over the towering landmarks glittered with lights and hear a commentary from the pilot. This is not to be missed. Tour from AUD$133/NZD$156
A full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place! Exciting theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, shops, restaurants and cinemas at the CityWalk. Tour from AUD$94/NZD$110
An exclusive tour of stars' homes in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Los Angeles. You'll see Hollywood's iconic sign and the Walk of Fame, West Hollywood's glittering Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills's glamorous Rodeo Drive! Tour from AUD$68/NZD$80
For a full range of city experiences please ask your agent.
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Central America Two ways... If you’re looking for an authentic Central American experience in loads of diverse countries, then look no further! There are 2 ways to explore:
BLTs (Budget Lodging Tours) BOLTs (Buses Or Local Transport)
M E X I C O
Mexico City Puebla
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SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS Home to several indigenous groups descending from the Maya, and one of Mexico’s best-preserved colonial towns. Wander narrow cobblestone streets, colourful shops and artisan markets.
>> What is a BLT? BLT = Budget Lodging Tour Our BLTs let you enjoy all the main attractions, whilst enjoying private transportation and staying in comfortable accommodation chosen for its close proximity to the highlights >> see pages 84 to 85 Stay in a mix of budget hotels and homestays with most nights on a twin share basis. Clean, comfortable, and value for money is our ethos. We want you to feel at home wherever you are, and not pay over the odds for it. We know how important it is for you to be located near the action, so that’s exactly what we provide! Having your own private van driven by your Tour Leader means the road trip really is part of the fun. Climb aboard with your new mates and watch the open road unravelling ahead of you for the ultimate in group bonding experiences.
Our Top Picks
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Copan Ruins, Honduras
Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
Caribbean water, white sand beaches, snorkeling and diving, unique Cenotes (underground caverns) and awesome night life make Playa del Carmen an absolute dream.
Ancient Mayan ruins surround the town of Copan Ruinas, nestled within the jungles of Honduras. Take a guided tour to discover the intriguing history and take some incredible photos.
Dramatic and unique, two volcanoes rise from the depths of Lake Nicaragua. Climb one of the volcanoes and see forests teeming with howler monkeys and parrots.
Set upon Costa Rica’s Continental Divide, Monteverde is a place of cloud forests, monkeys, toucans and some of the best coffee you’re ever likely to taste.
Sugar Skulls, Chichén Itzá, Mexico
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Copán
EL SALVADOR
Panajachel /Chichicastenango Chichén Itzá Antigua TIKAL MAYAN RUINS Cancun San Jorge Mérida Playa del La Laguna Carmen Guatemala’s most famous and most impressive Mayan archaeological sites, set amidst thick tropical jungle and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Campeche Palenque Agua Azul
Oaxaca
La Fortuna/ Arenal Volcano NP Sarapiquí Tortuguero NP Cahuita NP Rincón de la Bocas ViejaCAYE NP CAULKER del Toro Home to the second largest Monteverde barrier reef in the world, the sparkling Hermosa BeachCaribbean
Caye Caulker BELIZE
San Ignacio Roatán Island
Tikal Ruins Rio Dulce
San Cristóbal de las Casas
NICARAGUA
Tulum
Bacalar
waters are just begging to be
ROATÁN ISLAND Caribbean heaven with blue skies and sun drenched turquoise water offering scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, canopy tours and lush tropical scenery.
NICARAGUA
EL SALVADOR
Panajachel /Chichicastenango Antigua San Jorge La Laguna
Ometepe Island
Monteverde COSTA RICA
Manuel Antonio NP
Santa Catalina
La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano NP Tortuguero NP Panama City
Granada
San José
PANAMA
Manuel Antonio NP
Comayagua
Copán
Dramatic and unique, two volcanic peaks rise from the depths of Lake Nicaragua. Climb one of the volcanoes, and see forests teeming with howler monkeys and parrots.
San José explored, so grab your snorkel COSTA or scuba gear and head for the big blue expanse.RICA
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
ISLA OMETEPE
Comayagua
PANAMA
COLOM
SANTA CATALINA
Boquete Santa Catalina
Miles from civilisation, this small alternative town is famed for its crashing surf and laid-back lifestyle.
>> What is a BOLT? BOLT = Buses Or Local Transport BOQUETE
You could easily fill a week with activities
tours, hiking, way coffee to explore Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, BOLT tours offer ain Boquete more- jungle affordable plantations, ziplining, whitewater rafting ATVs and are just Panama, some of the treats Nicaragua, Costa and Rica with less inclusions and using mainly public transport available for adventurous types. rather than your own private vehicle >> see pages 86 to 89
These trips offer amazing experiences, plenty of free time, and the freedom to choose meals and activities to suit your budget, all with the help and security of your local Tour Leader. You’ll stay in a mix of budget hotels and homestays with most nights on a twin share basis, and travel from A to B in buses, ‘collectivos’, taxis, ferries and overnight buses, as well as some private transport. You’ll travel the same way the locals do to really get under the skin of the places you are visiting. BOLT trips are ideal for first-time travellers seeking fun and independence with the support of a Tour Leader, or independent travellers looking to make the most of their holiday time with minimum hassle and maximum adventure. For more information go to
BOLT: How does it work?
www.trekamerica.com/BOLT MEXICO CITY TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN BOLT (15 DAYS)
+
PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO ANTIGUA BOLT (17 DAYS)
+
ANTIGUA TO SAN JOSÉ
BOLT
(17 DAYS)
+
SAN JOSÉ TO PANAMA CITY
BOLT
(13 DAYS)
=
THE BIG BOLT (58 DAYS) MEXICO CITY TO PANAMA CITY
There are four individual BOLT trips for you to choose from, but these have been designed to link together so you can travel all the way from Mexico City down to Panama City in one epic adventure, or just choose from any combination of the smaller sections. We can also organise flights from the UK to connect with any of these trips.
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Central America BLT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tour from AUD
$1619
12 Days Mexico
Tour from NZD Caribbean Coast
MEXICAN BLT Uncover the interesting history of the Mayan civilization by travelling along their ancient trade routes. Explore lush tropical rainforests, unique architecture and relax on the white-sandy beaches of the Yucatán Peninsula. DAY 1 CANCUN > CHICHÉN ITZA > MÉRIDA (L ) This journey of adventure and discovery begins with a visit to the World Heritage site of Chichén Itza. Wonder at the pyramid known as El Castillo, a towering icon in one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Mexico. Move on to the beautiful city of Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán a town steeped in colonial history for your first night with your new found friends. ) Travel to the ruins of Uxmal where intricately DAY 2 UXMAL & CAMPECHE (L carved temple facades pay homage to Chac, the Mayan rain god. Drive on to the city of Campeche, the only coastal walled city in the New World, where you can explore the remnants of its colourful past. Walk along the Malecón, a path along the sea and witness the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. ) Chiapas is packed full of pristine lakes, rivers and national DAY 3 CHIAPAS (L parks and you pass through quaint Indian villages you’ll meet some fascinating and extremely friendly Mexicans. ) Cascadas de Agua DAY 4-6 AGUA AZUL & SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS (L Azul is a mineral-filled turquoise waterfall and is found in the beautiful setting of the Chiapas rainforest. Next, you head for San Cristóbal where you can experience the traditions of the indigenous Mayan people. ) Continue down the ancient Mayan trade route to the ruins DAY 7/8 PALENQUE (L of Palenque, the temples lost in the jungle for hundreds of years to marvel at the magnificent pyramid known as the Temple of the Inscriptions. Take a guided jungle tour to learn about this unique ecosystem and its rare plant life, tropical birds and animals. You’ll need your swimwear at the ready when you visit the beautiful and very inviting Misol-Ha waterfall. You won’t be able to resist taking a dip! ) Cross the Yucatán peninsula for a night on the shores of the DAY 9 BACALAR (L beautiful ‘Lagoon of Seven Colours’ at Bacalar, which appears to change colour at sunrise and sunset. The lagoon is surrounded by jungle and tons of wildlife, so make sure you enjoy an included scenic cruise to take in the views, before a refreshing swim in the Cenote Azul (blue cave). ) Explore the DAY 10/11 TULUM & CARIBBEAN COAST/PLAYA DEL CARMEN (L coastal ruins of Tulum, the only Mayan city built along the sea before continuing to the idyllic beach resort of Playa del Carmen. Enjoy some downtime relaxing on miles of palm fringed sugar white beaches. Why not join in a scuba lesson for a closer look at this underwater paradise, or head off in search of hidden underground cenotes.
DAY 12 PLAYA DEL CARMEN > CANCUN One of the trendiest places on the Yucatán Peninsula, make the most of the warm nights and dance the night away in the many bars and beach clubs. For something a bit more relaxing, find a quiet bar and watch a fire dance show or just enjoy a refreshing drink with your group. Then it’s time to say adiós to your new amigos as you arrive in Cancun at the end of your tour.
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$1799
Budget Lodging
TREK INCLUDES Chichén Itza’s Great Ball Court and Temple of Kukulkan M E X I C O Uxmal’s Pyramid of the Magician Boat trip on Bacalar ‘Lagoon of Seven Colours’ Jungle tour and visit the Temple of Inscriptions in Palenque Coastal ruins of Tulum Agua Azul Waterfalls Playa del Carmen’s sugar white Caribbean beaches Informal Spanish lessons
CUBA
Chichén Itzá
Mérida
Uxmal
Campeche
Cancun Playa del Carmen
Tulum MEXICO
Bacalar
Palenque Agua Azul
BELIZE
San Cristóbal de las Casas GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
Hidden Cenotes EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA Misol-Ha waterfalls Coastal walled city of Campeche Walking tour of Mérida, San COSTA Cristóbal & Playa del Carmen RICA
PLUS...
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation (L ): 11 hotel /guesthouse nights on a twin or triple share basis • Professional bilingual tour leader • Private transportation
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 11 • NOTE: A sleeping bag is not required on this tour.
SCUBA diving * Guided cenote snorkeling trip * Swim with dolphins * Whale shark boat trip * Cenotes visit * Bike rental * Guided nocturnal jungle tour * Xel-Ha & Xcaret aqua park activities * Kayak tour * Quad biking * Casa de la Bolom Museum * Museum of Mayan Medicine * Temple and the Convent of Santa Domingo * The Amber Museum of Chiapas (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS CANCUN TREK CODE: MDB
START FINISH 2015 18 Jan 29 Jan 02 Feb 13 Feb 17 Feb 28 Feb 15 Mar 26 Mar 30 Mar 10 Apr 14 Apr 25 Apr 24 May 04 Jun 08 Jun 19 Jun 23 Jun 04 Jul 11 Jul 22 Jul 27 Jul 07 Aug 11 Aug 22 Aug 25 Aug 05 Sep 07 Oct 18 Oct 23 Oct 03 Nov 08 Nov 19 Nov 23 Nov 04 Dec 22 Dec 02 Jan
START FINISH 2016 17 Jan 28 Jan 01 Feb 12 Feb 16 Feb 27 Feb 13 Mar 24 Mar 28 Mar 08 Apr 12 Apr 23 Apr 22 May 02 Jun 06 Jun 17 Jun 21 Jun 02 Jul 09 Jul 20 Jul 25 Jul 05 Aug 09 Aug 20 Aug 23 Aug 03 Sep 05 Oct 16 Oct 21 Oct 01 Nov 06 Nov 17 Nov 21 Nov 02 Dec 20 Dec 31 Dec
>> You may also like.... Extend your trip with a Central America BOLT (Buses Or Local Transport) tour. See page 87.
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
PANAM
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Central America BLT
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CAYMAN ISLANDS
Balsas
Tour from AUD
$2159
JAM
13BELIZE Days Costa RicaHONDURAS
GUATEMALA Tour from NZD
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
NEW TOU R
COSTA RICA BLT Explore underwater reefs, brave river rapids, and trek deep into remote jungles; you’ll feel like a true adventurer on this 13 day tour around this exciting and colourful country. DAY 1 SAN JOSÉ >TIRIMBINA RAINFOREST RESERVE > SARAPIQUÍ (L ) Take a guided hike in the Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve which protects 865 acres of pristine forest. Walk across one of the longest hanging bridges in Costa Rica to admire many of the 420 species of bird and other cheeky residents. ) Pass by Guapiles, made famous DAY 2 GUAPILES & TORTUGUERO CANALS (L for its banana plantations across the Caribbean lowlands before stepping aboard your boat through the Tortuguero Canal. You’ll have the opportunity to see sloths and learn all about the endangered green turtle. ) DAY 3 TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK & CAHUITA ON THE CARIBBEAN (L Experience nature at its very best during your sunrise boat tour through the small canals of this National Park. Hit the road again and continue along the coastal road to the small town of Cahuita, with its incredible Caribbean feel. ) Explore by foot DAY 4/5 CAHUITA MARINE NATIONAL PARK > TURRIALBA (L or take to the water for snorkelling in the only “living” coral reef on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast. One of the most beautiful palm tree beaches in the country with golden sand and warm clear seas, you won’t want to leave. Travel deep into the heart of densely vegetated gorges, passing gushing waterfalls and serene pools.
DAY 6 TALAMANCA MOUNTAIN RANGE > MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL ) This morning’s early start will see you passing through towns including PARK (L Juan Vinas and Paraíso and the city of Quepos before arriving in Manuel Antonio, just in time for a golden sunset on the Pacific coast. DAY 7-9 LA FORTUNA, ARENAL VOLCANO AREA > MONTEVERDE CLOUD ) Hike around Manuel Antonio National Park - famed for being an excellent FOREST (L combination of beach and nature and cross the Aguacate Mountains to La Fortuna, at the foot of the famous Arenal Volcano. On your free day hire a bike and ride through the rain forest where the Volcano and Arenal Lake meet. See the 140m deep crater formed over an ancient caldera and the most important fresh water lake in Costa Rica, it’s like something out of a movie set. Take a hike inside the humid grounds of Monteverde Private Reserve and see if you can spot mangoes and wild cotton. ) Experience pure adventure and DAY 10 MONTEVERDE > RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA (L excitement with a 1300 foot mountain waterslide which cuts its way through some of Costa Rica’s tropical forests, you definitely won’t forget this in a hurry! ) DAY 11-13 RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK, HERMOSA BEACH (L > SAN JOSÉ With another day in the National Park, check out the active stratovolcano and in the afternoon, head to Hermosa Beach on the Papagayo Gulf. Hermosa meaning “beautiful” in Spanish, is aptly named, as you’ll see from the champagne colour sands and its location between two mountains. Enjoy one last relaxing day at the beach before returning to San José with a bag full of wonderful memories and a whole bunch of new friends!
$2399
Budget Lodging
SALVADOR TREK ELINCLUDES
Boat trip through the Tortuguero National Park & Canals Mountain water slide at Rincón de la Vieja Guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park Sunrise boat trip through the rainforest Informal Spanish lessons from your tour leader Swimming & snorkelling on Caribbean & Pacific beaches Ample exotic bird & wildlife viewing Experience Monteverde’s stunning cloud forest Rincón de la Vieja National Park volcanic geothermal visit
NICARAGUA
The Grand Canyon CARIBBEAN SEA
Arenal NP La Fortuna
Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve
Sarapiquí Tortuguero NP
Rincón de la Vieja NP Monteverde
Guapiles
Cahuita Marine NP
Hermosa Beach
San José
Manuel Antonio NP
Turrialba COSTA RICA PANAMA
Talamanca Mountain Range PAC I F I C OC E A N
Guided scenic boat ride across Arenal Lake Visit to the Green Turtle Information Centre National Parks and reserves - Tirimbina Rainforest, Tortuguero, Cahuita Marine, Manuel Antonio, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde & Tenorio
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation (L ): 12 nights hotel, lodges & eco lodges on a twin/triple share basis • Professional bilingual tour leader • Private transportation
ESSENTIAL INFO • Meals: 12 x Breakfast, 1 x Lunch, 1 x Dinner • Group Size: Max 15 • NOTE: A sleeping bag is not required on this tour.
Surfing lessons * Snorkeling tour * Sea kayaking * Canopy zipline tour * Hanging bridges canopy walk * Canyoning * Night hiking * Chocolate Factory & Museum * Canopy zipline tour * Rio Negro Tubing Adventure * Frog Pond Museum * Horseback ride * Damas River mangrove tour * Ecological Farm - Plant a tree * White-water rafting on the Pacuare River * Arenal Biking tour (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SAN JOSÉ TREK CODE: CRA
START FINISH 2015 11 Jan 23 Jan 25 Jan 06 Feb 15 Feb 27 Feb 08 Mar 20 Mar 29 Mar 10 Apr 12 Apr 24 Apr 19 Jul 31 Jul 02 Aug 14 Aug 16 Aug 28 Aug 01 Nov 13 Nov 15 Nov 27 Nov 29 Nov 11 Dec 20 Dec 01 Jan
START FINISH 2016 10 Jan 22 Jan 24 Jan 05 Feb 14 Feb 26 Feb 06 Mar 18 Mar 27 Mar 08 Apr 10 Apr 22 Apr 17 Jul 29 Jul 31 Jul 12 Aug 14 Aug 26 Aug 30 Oct 11 Nov 13 Nov 25 Nov 27 Nov 09 Dec 18 Dec 30 Dec
>> You may also like.... A Hermosa Beach extension - stay 2 extra nights in Hermosa before heading back by bus to San José for one night. Includes private transfer to San José airport. Prices from AUD$339/NZD$376 (twin sharing) or AUD$513/NZD$570 (single). - see our website for more details. Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Central America BOLT U
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TREK INCLUDES BAJA PENINSULA
Embrace a kaleidoscope of colour at a Mexican market Walk amongst waterfalls and clear limestone pools Explore the cathedrals and traditions of the capital city of the Yucatán
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico
MEXICO CITY TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN BOLT
Mérida Mexico City
Puebla
If you want to combine tropical beaches, ancient ruins and all of the excitement and style of Latin America then Mexico is most certainly for you. This is a truly amazing Aztec adventure and if you fancy jungle trekking in search of hidden pyramids one day, before snorkelling in warm clear shallows the next, then jump on-board and enjoy the ride.
) Wave adiós to the ancient pyramids and urban excitement of DAY 3/4 PUEBLA (L Mexico City as you head further south to the colonial streets and handicraft markets of Puebla. Get ready for plenty of haggling as well as having the chance to hike up a volcano or make the delicious local sauce, mole poblano.
DAY 5-7 OAXACA > OVERNIGHT BUS Take the bus to Oaxaca where you’ll be met by a mix of native and colonial buildings including the legendary UNESCO site of Monte Alban. Explore markets, stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets or simply sit in the square people-watching or sampling one of the many styles of tequila. From here take the overnight bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. ) The effects of Spanish colonialism are DAY 8/9 SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS (L littered throughout Mexico, and nowhere is this more evident than the cobbled streets of San Cristóbal de las Casas. A bike or horse ride will take you out of the city to discover what life was like before the arrival of the early European explorers. ) > OVERNIGHT BUS Wind your way through the jungle to DAY 10/11 PALENQUE (L the ancient city of Palenque where you’ll find one of the finest collections of Mayan architecture and carvings in existence. This is where things go slightly Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft and as you walk under waterfalls and swim in limestone pools you’ll definitely be forgiven for having a little smile to yourself. Next we take the overnight bus to Mérida. ) Explore the museums, galleries and cathedrals of Mérida, the DAY 12/13 MÉRIDA (L capital city of Yucatán. This is a great chance to soak up Mexican life amongst the markets and mansions of this cultural hub and if you’re still hankering for more Mayan ruins then the site of Uxmal is easily within reach. ) > PLAYA DEL CARMEN Chichén Itzá is just one of those DAY 14/15 CHICHÉN ITZÁ (L ‘must see’ Mayan moments and you’ll have the option to explore today. After you’ve had your fill of pyramids, inscriptions and gigantic stone staircases then it’s time to let your hair down and celebrate in Playa del Carmen. Although close to Cancun, Playa isn’t as full-on and if you’re hoping for a spot of snorkelling or simply watching the sunset with a tropical cocktail or two then why not – you deserve it.
Please note: BOLT trips are run by our trusted sister company.
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San Cristóbal de las Casas
Chichén Itzá
Playa del Carmen Tulum
Tikal Ruins
Roatán San Ignacio Island BELIZE
Rio Dulce
GUATEMALA
Panajachel Copán /Chichicastenango EL SALVADOR San Jorge La Laguna Antigua
PLUS...
• All Transport: Public and/or private bus, metro & overnight bus • Professional bilingual tour leader •
HONDURAS
Comayagua NICARAGUA
Ometepe Island La Fortuna/Arena Isla Bastimentos
OPTIONALGranada ACTIVITIES
• All accommodation (L ): 12 hotel nights, 2 nights overnight bus
Wi-Fi The majority of hotels have Wi-Fi available in either the rooms or common space.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 16
Soccer match * Teotihuacan MonteverdeRuins * Cholula visit, Puebla Alban COSTA * Monte San José PANAMA Ruins, Oaxaca * Villages tour, San RICA de Talamanca Cristóbal de lasPuerto CasasViejo * Bicycle rental * Lagunas de Montebello * Mountain bike Boquete Santa tour * Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls Catalina * Volcano climb * Palenque & Bonampak ruins * Guided jungle hike * Boat trip to Santiago de Atitlan and San Pedro * Bonampak Camping, Palenque National Park * Uxmal Ruins tour * Celestún Bird Sanctuary * City tour, Mérida * Cenotes tour, Mérida * Chichén Itzá ruins * Cenote Ikil * Dos Ojos Cenote snorkeling tour... and much more (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS MEXICO CITY TREK CODE: BMC
START FINISH 2015 03 Jan 17 Jan 10 Jan 24 Jan 17 Jan 31 Jan 24 Jan 07 Feb 31 Jan 14 Feb 07 Feb 21 Feb 14 Feb 28 Feb 21 Feb 07 Mar 28 Feb 14 Mar 07 Mar 21 Mar 14 Mar 28 Mar 21 Mar 04 Apr 28 Mar 11 Apr 04 Apr 18 Apr 11 Apr 25 Apr 18 Apr 02 May 25 Apr 09 May 02 May 16 May 09 May 23 May 16 May 30 May 23 May 06 Jun 30 May 13 Jun 06 Jun 20 Jun 13 Jun 27 Jun 20 Jun 04 Jul 27 Jun 11 Jul
START FINISH 2015 04 Jul 18 Jul 11 Jul 25 Jul 18 Jul 01 Aug 25 Jul 08 Aug 01 Aug 15 Aug 08 Aug 22 Aug 15 Aug 29 Aug 22 Aug 05 Sep 29 Aug 12 Sep 05 Sep 19 Sep 12 Sep 26 Sep 19 Sep 03 Oct 26 Sep 10 Oct 03 Oct 17 Oct 10 Oct 24 Oct 17 Oct 31 Oct 24 Oct 07 Nov 31 Oct 14 Nov 07 Nov 21 Nov 14 Nov 28 Nov 21 Nov 05 Dec 28 Nov 12 Dec 05 Dec 19 Dec 12 Dec 26 Dec 19 Dec 02 Jan 26 Dec 09 Jan
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Caye Caulker
Palenque M E X I C O
Oaxaca
DAY 1-2 MEXICO CITY (L ) An incredible mix of old and new awaits in Mexico City and as you find out more about your travelling companions and tour leader at your late afternoon welcome meeting your pulse will already be starting to race just that little bit faster. Over the next couple of days you’ll have the chance to acclimatise on a guided tour of both the city and the surrounding area with a whole host of archaeological, cultural and exciting options ensuring you really get to hit the Aztec trail at full pace.
Toe-tap to a mariachi band in Mexico City Escape the Mexican heat in San Cristóbal de las Casas Bask on Playa del Carmen’s white sand beaches
>> BOLT on a little more.... Why not continue your BOLT experience to Antigua, San José or even Panama City? See pages 87, 88 & 89
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
Central America BOLT U
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$1295
Mexico, Belize & Guatemala
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$1440
Buses or Local Transport
BAHAMA
TREK INCLUDES Travel south through legendary Central America Enjoy sand, sun and fun in Playa del Carmen Learn the history of ancient Guatemalan ruins Kick back on the beautiful coast of Belize
BAJA PENINSULA
Experience traditional Guatemalan life with a homestay in San Jorge La Laguna Enjoy colonial buildings and surrounding volcanoes in Antigua Haggle in the markets of Chichicastenango
Tikal, Guatemala
Mérida
PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO Mexico ANTIGUA BOLT City Puebla From Caribbean sunsets to hidden Mayan temples, this is your Oaxaca chance to explore and be amazed as you cross the border from Mexico to Belize and Guatemala. Taking in underwater life in Caye Caulker, the white sands of Tulum and the cobbled streets of Antigua where Mayan culture is still well alive.
DAY 1 PLAYA DEL CARMEN (L ) Early arrivals will need to tear themselves from the beach before getting together with fellow travellers at today’s late afternoon welcome meeting. ) Take a scenic local bus trip south to the gorgeous beaches and DAY 2/3 TULUM (L warm waves of Tulum. White sand, cocktails and palm trees have never looked so sweet and if you’d like the opportunity to get your first taste of Mayan ruins then Tulum is the best place to start, as the ruins look out over the turquoise sea. ) Say ‘adiós’ Mexico and ‘what’s up?’ Belize as you journey DAY 4-6 CAYE CAULKER (L across the border on what promises to be a real culture jolt to remember. Once in Belize you’ll be whisked over to the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker where you’ll be able to swim, snorkel and wind-surf amongst some of the most incredible marine reserves on the continent. ) After bidding the manatees and coral reefs a fond farewell DAY 7/8 SAN IGNACIO (L it’s time to travel in-land as you encounter the forest-covered highlands that sit beyond Belize’s capital city, Belmopan. Get ready for rushing rivers, tumbling waterfalls and ancient ruins, with a chance to visit the ceremonial temples of Xunantunich and the incredible caves of Tunichil Muknal.
DAY 9 TIKAL Today is free however, there’s no better way to spend it than visiting the awesome Tikal temples which are the crown and glory of Flores– don’t miss this one. ) Next stop is one of the absolute legends of the Central DAY 10/11 RIO DULCE (L American circuit – the awesome Rio Dulce River in Guatemala. This has long been a draw for boaters and if you’re looking for things to do on your free day then why not take a tour of Lake Izabel or explore up river in search of manatees and hot springs. ) Take the rural bus to Antigua for a taste of delicious local street DAY 12 ANTIGUA (L food before settling down for the night in preparation for tomorrow’s meeting with your host family and your stay in a traditional Guatemalan home. ) > SAN JORGE LA LAGUNA Pick up a gift for your DAY 13 CHICHICASTENANGO (L host family at the handicraft stalls of Chichicastenango before heading to San Jorge La Laguna for a real opportunity to practise your Spanish and learn more about the customs and lifestyles of Guatemala as you stay with a local family. Sample a traditional homecooked dinner and breakfast and enjoy the views of Lake Atitlan - regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world.
) Salsa lessons, volcano treks and strolls over cultural cobbles DAY 15-17 ANTIGUA (L are all possible in Antigua and as you prepare for your trip home you’ll be left in no uncertain terms as to the beauty of this irresistible part of the world.
Please note: BOLT trips are run by our trusted sister company.
Playa del Carmen Tulum
CAYMAN ISLANDS
JAMAICA
Caye Caulker
Palenque M E X I C O
) Today it’s time to make the most of Guatemala’s natural DAY 14 PANAJACHEL (L beauty as you swim, hike or kayak within a stunning volcanic backdrop.
Chichén Itzá
Tikal Ruins
San Cristóbal de las Casas
BELIZE
San Ignacio Roatán Island
Rio Dulce
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
Comayagua Panajachel Copán /Chichicastenango EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA /San Jorge Antigua La Laguna Ometepe Island La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano NP Granada OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES PLUS... Isla Bastimentos Monteverde Tulum ruins * Cenote snorkeling * Snorkel • All accommodation: Panama COSTA San Josétrip half/full Sunset RICA day * Sea kayaking ), 1 night homestay, 14 hotel nights (L PANAMA * City Caye Caulker * Manatee tour * River Puerto Talamanca 1 night camping (no sleeping bagViejo de sail, tubing * Barton Creek Cave * Bicycle hire required) Boquete Santa * Mountain Pine Ridge day trip * Half-day • All Transport: Boat & public Catalina caving * Butterfly farm * Canoe rental and/or private bus
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner • Professional bilingual tour leader •
Wi-Fi The majority of hotels have Wi-Fi available in either the rooms or common space.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 16
* Cahal Pech & Caracol Ruins * Sunrise tour of Tikal Ruins * Guided private tour, Tikal National Park * Birdwatching boat tour, Flores * Lake Peten Itza boat tour, Flores * Boat trip to Livingston, Rio Dulce * Natural hot springs, Rio Dulce * Salsa lessons * Bicycle tour, Antigua * Volcano hike, Antigua * Santiago Zamora village tour, Antigua... and much more (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS PLAYA DEL CARMEN TREK CODE: BPA
START FINISH 2015 13 Jan 29 Jan 20 Jan 05 Feb 10 Feb 26 Feb 24 Feb 12 Mar 10 Mar 26 Mar 24 Mar 09 Apr 07 Apr 23 Apr 21 Apr 07 May 05 May 21 May 19 May 04 Jun 16 Jun 02 Jul 14 Jul 30 Jul 11 Aug 27 Aug 25 Aug 10 Sep 15 Sep 01 Oct 13 Oct 29 Oct 10 Nov 26 Nov 08 Dec 24 Dec 29 Dec 14 Jan
START FINISH 2016 12 Jan 28 Jan 26 Jan 11 Feb 09 Feb 25 Feb 01 Mar 17 Mar 22 Mar 07 Apr 05 Apr 21 Apr 19 Apr 05 May 03 May 19 May 17 May 02 Jun 07 Jun 23 Jun 05 Jul 21 Jul 02 Aug 18 Aug 16 Aug 01 Sep 30 Aug 15 Sep 20 Sep 06 Oct 18 Oct 03 Nov 15 Nov 01 Dec 13 Dec 29 Dec 27 Dec 12 Jan
>> BOLT on a little more.... Why not continue your BOLT experience to San José or Panama City or start from Mexico City? See pages 86, 88 & 89
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Central America BOLT
Tour from AUD
17 Days
$1455
BAHAMA ISLANDS
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
Tour from NZD
& Costa Rica
$1620
TURKS &
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Buses or Local Transport
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TREK INCLUDES
Mexico Teotihuacan City Puebla Concepción Volcano, Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
ANTIGUA TO SAN JOSÉ BOLT
Oaxaca
Admire the dramatic scenery surrounding San José Chichén Itzá Enjoy laid back sightseeing in Mérida Playa del Carmen Antigua and Granada Explore the steamyTulum Monteverde cloud forest Bargain hard in local markets
San Cristóbal de las Casas
BELIZE
Tikal Ruins
San Ignacio Roatán Island
Rio Dulce
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
Panajachel Copán /Chichicastenango EL SALVADOR San Jorge You won’t want to miss this Central American adventure thatLa Laguna Antigua
takes in the beaches, volcanoes, forests and jungles of some of the most incredible countries on the planet – Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. Sink your teeth into local flavours, see wildlife in its natural habitat, snorkel amongst the multi-coloured fish and meet the locals on this Central American odyssey. DAY 1 ANTIGUA (L ) Tonight it’s time to meet your tour leader and check out the colonial cobbled streets of Antigua where you can soak up the Spanish architecture, explore vibrant markets and heritage museums and make sure to try tasty local treats like Tamales and Pepian. Arrive early and take the chance to hire a bike and explore the lush volcanic mountains that form a permanent backdrop to this awesome city. ) Travel through the wild, untouched countryside of eastern DAY 2/3 COPÁN (L Guatemala as you head to Copán in Honduras. Discover more about the mysterious Mayans with the chance to explore the ancient temples, pyramids and statues of Copán that are famed throughout the land. ) Now to head to the island paradise of Roatán Island DAY 4/6 ROATÁN ISLAND (L and to soak up the laid back beach vibe. Here you can snorkel, swim and jump into the gorgeous warm waters of the Caribbean or simply chill out on the white sands before cooling off with a cheeky beer in the evening as you get to sample the local night life. ) Return to the mainland by ferry and local bus and head for the DAY 7 COMAYAGUA (L beautiful colonial architecture of Comayagua in Honduras. ) Travel across the border into Nicaragua, where you’ll make DAY 8/9 GRANADA (L your way to the ancient colonial city of Granada. Cobbled streets and bustling markets await you with plenty of opportunities to explore the incredible surrounding area of volcanoes and lakes either on foot or by boat. ) Next stop is the agricultural island of Ometepe which DAY 10/11 OMETEPE ISLAND (L sits in the largest lake in Central America - Lake Nicaragua. This is simply a breathtaking experience and will bring you closer to the wildlife, the people and the volcanic landscapes of this remarkable country. ) Wave farewell to the monkeys and beaches of Ometepe DAY 12/13 MONTEVERDE (L Island as you continue your travels south to the lush green cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica. This is the home of hundreds of species of plants, birds and mammals which means that however you choose to explore, you’ll be in for a really wild time. ) Monkeys, lakes DAY 14/15 LA FORTUNA/ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK (L and volcanoes – oh my! This is what it’s all about and with a whole host of different activities to try within the realm of Arenal Volcano, you’ll never forget Costa Rica. ) Do you know the way to San José – you most certainly do! DAY 16/17 SAN JOSÉ (L Take your time to relax and explore amongst the artisan markets and cultural museums of Costa Rica’s capital city. Gold, handicrafts and seafood are all on offer on your final day in Central America and as you bid adiós to San José don’t forget to finally get round to sending those postcards.
Please note: BOLT trips are run by our trusted sister company.
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HAITI
Caye Caulker
Palenque M E X I C O
Spot wildlife on Ometepe Island such as monkeys & green parrots Frolic into warm Caribbean waters off Roatán Island CAYMAN Travel through the heart of ISLANDS JAMAICA Central America
Comayagua NICARAGUA
Ometepe Island La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano NP Bocas del Toro
Granada Monteverde COSTA San José RICA Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Boquete
Panama City
Santa Catalina
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
PLUS... • All accommodation (L ): 16 hotel nights • All Transport: Boat, public and/or private bus, taxi & ferry • Professional bilingual tour leader •
PANAMA
Wi-Fi The majority of hotels have Wi-Fi available in either the rooms or common space.
ESSENTIAL INFO • Group Size: Max 16
Copán Ruins * Natural Hot Springs * Macaw Mountain Reserve * Snorkeling tour, Roatán Island * Masaya Volcano, crater lake, boat tour * Kayaking tour * Mombacho Volcano hike * Bicycle rental * Concepción Volcano * Maderas Volcano hike * Ojo de Agua natural spring * Night walk, Monteverde * Butterfly garden, serpentarium and insects farm * Coffee & Chocolate tour * Cloud Forest walking tour * La Fortuna waterfall * Stand up paddle board * Hanging bridges * Poas National Park tour * Poas Volcano * Irazu Volcano, Ososi Valley, Lankester garden tour... and much more (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
TOUR DATES DEPARTS ANTIGUA TREK CODE: BAA
START FINISH 2015 28 Jan 13 Feb 04 Feb 20 Feb 25 Feb 13 Mar 11 Mar 27 Mar 25 Mar 10 Apr 08 Apr 24 Apr 22 Apr 08 May 06 May 22 May 20 May 05 Jun 03 Jun 19 Jun 01 Jul 17 Jul 29 Jul 14 Aug 26 Aug 11 Sep 09 Sep 25 Sep 30 Sep 16 Oct 28 Oct 13 Nov 25 Nov 11 Dec 23 Dec 08 Jan
START FINISH 2016 13 Jan 29 Jan 27 Jan 12 Feb 10 Feb 26 Feb 24 Feb 11 Mar 16 Mar 01 Apr 06 Apr 22 Apr 20 Apr 06 May 04 May 20 May 18 May 03 Jun 01 Jun 17 Jun 22 Jun 08 Jul 20 Jul 05 Aug 17 Aug 02 Sep 31 Aug 16 Sep 14 Sep 30 Sep 05 Oct 21 Oct 02 Nov 18 Nov 30 Nov 16 Dec 28 Dec 13 Jan
>> BOLT on a little more.... Why not continue your BOLT experience to Panama City or start from Playa Del Carmen or even Mexico City? See pages 86, 87 & 89
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices.
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Central America BOLT BAHAMA ISLANDS
Tour from AUD
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$1260
Costa Rica & Panama
Tour from NZD
$1395
Buses or Local Transport HAITI
TREK INCLUDES
Mexico Teotihuacan City Puebla Coffee Plantation, Boquete, Panama
Oaxaca
SAN JOSÉ TO PANAMA CITY BOLT
Chichén Itzá Mérida Splash about in the crystal Playa del Carmen clear Caribbean Sea Mix with locals in Tulum San José
Enjoy beachside fun at Bocas del Toro Caye Caulker Explore the eclectic streets BELIZE Tikal Ruins of Panama City San Ignacio Roatán Island
Palenque M E X I C O
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Soak up the Santa Catalina surfCAYMAN vibe DialISLANDS the relaxation upJAMAICA a notch in Boquete Chill out in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Flores
Rio Dulce
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
Comayagua Panajachel Copán /Chichicastenango EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA San Jorge La Laguna Antigua Blessed with an untouched white sand coastline, lush national Ometepe Island parks and untold opportunities to explore and have fun, this La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano NP tour of Costa Rica and Panama is the perfect introduction to Granada Bocas del Toro Monteverde Central America. Nature trails, surfing communities and some Panama COSTA San José RICA close encounters of an animal kind make this an absolute treat. PANAMA City Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Boquete DAY 1 SAN JOSÉ (L ) Take your time to relax and acclimatise prior to meeting the rest of Santa your group and your tour leader at this evening’s welcome meeting. San José is a really Catalina eclectic capital city and you’ll quickly discover a blend of modern shops and artisan handicraft stalls as well as lots of museums and surrounding national parks if you want to start exploring straight from the off. ) Today is where your adventures start DAY 2-4 PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA (L to really hot up as you travel overland by local bus to the coastal town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Over the next couple of days you can choose to learn to surf, explore the area by bike and get up close and personal to the sloths, monkeys, racoons and snakes of Cahuita National Park.
• All accommodation: 12 hotel nights
) Next stop are the legendary limits of Panama and once DAY 5-7 BOCAS DEL TORO (L you’ve crossed the border you’ll be free to explore an incredible array of white sand and lush green islands that have got ‘exotic paradise’ stamped all over them.
• Professional bilingual tour leader
) You may be departing one tropical screen-saver but don’t despair DAY 8/9 BOQUETE (L as you’re heading for another where hot springs, volcano treks and some darn fine coffee are all ready and waiting to make your acquaintance. Boquete is pretty much regarded as one of the finest spots for lovers of nature anywhere on the planet and you haven’t already fallen head-over-heels with Central America then you certainly will do now. ) Head out to the Pacific coastline as you use local DAY 10/11 SANTA CATALINA (L transport to take you to some of the most remote and undeveloped locations on the Central American trail. This is where those surf lessons in Puerto Viejo come in handy but if you just fancy kicking back and relaxing or visiting beautiful Coiba National Park then you’ve still got plenty of time left to do so. ) Last stop is the capital and your final couple of days will DAY 12/13 PANAMA CITY (L be spent amongst the world-famous sites of Panama City and from the UNESCO World Heritage old quarter of Casco Viejo to the thoroughly modern lanes and locks of the Panama Canal, this is your chance to really absorb every last drop of Central American culture. Taboga Island, Soberania National Park and Isla Barro Colorado can all be visited however, if you just want to write your postcards as you sup yet another cup of local coffee then who could blame you?
Please note: BOLT trips are run by our trusted sister company.
PLUS...
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
• All Transport: Boat, public and/or private bus & taxi
•
Wi-Fi The majority of hotels have Wi-Fi available in either the rooms or common space.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Bicycle rental, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca * Cahuita National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca * Kekoldi Iguana Reserve, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca * Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca * Surf lesson, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca * Calderas hot springs, Boquete * Coffee Plantation tour, Boquete * Guided bicycle tour, Boquete * Rock climbing, Boquete... and much more (Some activities may be seasonal)
>> See website for more details & prices.
• Group Size: Max 16
TOUR DATES DEPARTS SAN JOSÉ TREK CODE: BSP
START FINISH 2015 06 Jan 18 Jan 13 Jan 25 Jan 20 Jan 01 Feb 27 Jan 08 Feb 03 Feb 15 Feb 10 Feb 22 Feb 17 Feb 01 Mar 24 Feb 08 Mar 03 Mar 15 Mar 10 Mar 22 Mar 17 Mar 29 Mar 24 Mar 05 Apr 31 Mar 12 Apr 07 Apr 19 Apr 14 Apr 26 Apr 21 Apr 03 May 28 Apr 10 May 05 May 17 May 12 May 24 May 19 May 31 May
START FINISH 2015 26 May 07 Jun 09 Jun 21 Jun 16 Jun 28 Jun 30 Jun 12 Jul 14 Jul 26 Jul 28 Jul 09 Aug 04 Aug 16 Aug 11 Aug 23 Aug 25 Aug 06 Sep 01 Sep 13 Sep 08 Sep 20 Sep 22 Sep 04 Oct 06 Oct 18 Oct 20 Oct 01 Nov 03 Nov 15 Nov 17 Nov 29 Nov 08 Dec 20 Dec 15 Dec 27 Dec 22 Dec 03 Jan 29 Dec 10 Jan
Please ask your agent for our latest dates & prices including 2016.
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Treknical details About our Tours Adventure We offer active holidays! Hiking in National Parks and forests, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, sea kayaking, canoe trips, mountain biking, swamp tours and so much more... All levels of adventure are available. From soft adventures which mix cities, small villages and National Parks to higher levels of adventure in Alaska and public transport tours in Central America. Many of our itineraries are ideal for first time visitors to the Americas, while others have been designed with the return visitor in mind. That’s why many ‘Trekkers’ keep travelling with us again and again!
Small Groups We believe there is no better way to travel than in a small group of like-minded individuals from around the world. We usually maintain a limit of 14 people on most of our tours, providing the security of group travel and the flexibility of independent discovery. Occasionally groups may be up to 16 people.
Age Limits Our TrekAmerica tours are designed specifically for passengers aged between 18 to 38. Consequently, they tend to focus on activities and nightlife that appeal to that age range. The minimum age on our Christmas and New Year trips and our Historic Hollywood: Stars and Bars Urban Adventure is 21. The legal drinking age is 21 in the USA, 18 in Central America, and either 18 or 19 in Canada, depending on the province. Please note that TrekAmerica does not condone underage drinking on our tours.
Language Although passengers come from many countries around the world, all tours are conducted in English.
Tour Leaders Our tour leaders are a special breed! They have contributed hugely to our success. The tour leader and the group work as a team and are jointly responsible for arranging everything en route - to suit the group and the individual. We provide the right kind of person to handle the multitude of needs that arise throughout any tour. We are very selective in our choice of people; we employ men and women from many professional backgrounds, who lead active lifestyles themselves. It is our belief that the most important ingredient for the success of any tour is the tour leader, and we are extremely proud of the high professional standards set by our
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tour leaders for over 40 years. Our training programme begins with recruiting the right people and developing their natural talents to be great team leaders. New tour leaders receive substantial training in all areas, with specific attention being paid to group dynamics and leadership. In addition, they receive various forms of instruction from our Training and Operations teams including first-aid, driving techniques, vehicle maintenance, meal menu planning and emergency procedures. When leaders complete their training, they receive hands-on education in the field, from managers and senior tour leaders who can relay the benefits of years of experience and knowledge. We are very proud of our training programme. Our level of customer satisfaction underscores it!
Management Team We believe we have the most experienced management in the North American adventure travel industry. Our most senior managers have been with TrekAmerica since at least 1995 and our managing director even started as a tour leader! Collectively our management team has an average of over 15 years experience with the company!
Transport
You’ll travel in a private van which is driven by your tour leader. All of our vans have air conditioning and excellent stereo systems, and seatbelts which must be worn at all times when the van is in motion. All luggage, equipment and other necessities are stored in a specially designed trailer or storage area to maximise space and comfort in the vehicle. When you are travelling within mainland USA our vans are fully equipped with free Wi-Fi (fair usage policy applies). Every group is virtually self sufficient and able to explore the back roads ‘where the crowds can’t go’. For BOLT (Buses or Local Transport) tours through Central America, we will use public and private transport. This style of transport is only used on BOLT tours.
Luggage All luggage is stored in a specially designed trailer or in the back of the vehicle, so please don’t bring more than one medium sized suitcase, soft holdall or rucksack (maximum 20kg) and your sleeping bag. Your suitcase/ rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it’s a tough one. Small hand baggage may be carried inside the vehicle. We cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged luggage. Some hotels may store extra luggage, sometimes at an additional cost. Please ask us for more details.
Camping We have made camping easy and fun, so don’t worry if you have never camped before! We provide all the necessary camping equipment
including tents, foam sleeping mats, cold food storage containers, camp lights, stoves and other camping accessories. The only thing you need to bring is a sleeping bag. Our high quality tents are very easy to set up and take down on your own, and your leader will show you how. We camp with two in each spacious four person tent, which leaves more than enough room for your luggage. Home sweet home! Many campgrounds are situated in stunning settings giving our groups opportunities not found by conventional tourists. When we camp near major city destinations, nearly all the campgrounds have full facilities such as showers, pools, shops, and laundromats. Virtually all National Park campgrounds have pay showers, flush toilets and basic facilities. Occasionally, our groups will choose to stay in more isolated areas or ‘bush camps’ where the surroundings will quickly make you forget any lack of facilities. Most camping trips will spend some nights in budget hotels or hostels during the tour, usually in the cities. This is based on multi-share or twin sharing. These night stops are shown by the ) on the itinerary for each tour. On some (L occasions we will stay in cabins, ranches or in a traditional Navajo Hogan as per the itinerary.
Participation
An essential part of your camping tour is helping with the daily camp duties. With guidance from your tour leader and our full range of camping equipment, the team spirit makes the chores easy and enjoyable. From setting up in the evening, to breaking camp in the morning, from unloading the vehicle, to shopping for food and preparing group meals, you’ll be part of the team.
Camping Tour Food Kitty On our camping tours, our groups share in the preparation and cooking of the food. The Food Kitty is normally collected by your tour leader at the beginning of the trip in cash. On longer trips the food kitty may be collected in installments. Supplies, excluding soft drinks and alcohol, are purchased from the Food Kitty, and each member of the group pays US$10 per day, or for trips in Canada CAD$10 per day. This covers three meals on most days whilst camping, eating fresh foods that we purchase as we travel to satisfy the international flavour of the group - a healthy way to travel at an unbeatable price. Naturally, this does not cover hotel stops or when Trek groups choose to sample regional cuisine at local restaurants.
Budget Lodging Tours (BLTs) We use a combination of hostels, hotels, motels and cabins on our Budget Lodging Tours. Accommodation will be arranged on a single sex, multi or twin share basis (Hogan stays are mixed sex). Where possible we will keep the group together but this cannot be guaranteed, we will try to accommodate couples, however twin rooms cannot be guaranteed. There is no Food Kitty collected on our Budget Lodging Tours and meals will need to be paid for locally. However, a lunch kitty has proven a popular alternative to three meals out. This is optional and our leader will help organise it for those groups who choose this option. You do not need to bring a sleeping bag for the majority of BLT tours, but a sleeping
bag will be required on the Southern BLT, Northern BLT and Grand BLT.
Buses Or Local Transport (BOLT) Tours We use hotels on a twin share basis on BOLT tours and only occasionally multi share. Travel options range between first class buses, public and private transport, overnight sleeper coaches, ferries, water taxis and mini buses. Meals and optional activities need to be paid for locally.
Optional Activities On each tour there are numerous activities and attractions to choose from. Some of the more prominent ones for each trip are listed under the ‘Optional Activities’ section on each tour page. These options are not included in the holiday price because not everyone will want to participate in each activity. Our leaders know where to get the best group rates available for various attractions and activities, and activity providers have been assessed for quality and safety. This way each member of the group can choose exactly what they want to do according to their own taste and budget. For a detailed list and prices please refer to our website.
Sleeping Bags You need to bring your own sleeping bag for all our camping trips. We recommend a ‘three season’ bag during the summer months and a ‘four season’ bag the rest of the year, as some nights can be cool to cold, especially in mountainous and desert areas. We supply a foam pad to sleep on, but if you prefer added comfort, you are encouraged to bring your own self-inflating sleeping pad and pillow. You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on our BLT trips or BOLT trips, apart from the Southern BLT, Northern BLT and Grand BLT where you will need one.
Frequent Trekkers Discount & Benefits If you’ve travelled with TrekAmerica before, then you are eligible to join our Frequent Trekkers Club and save on your next Trek. You can save 5% when you’ve travelled with us, then after you’ve been on your third trek you will save 10%. These discounts are valid for you and anyone travelling with you and can also be combined with any last minute discount, and multi trip discounts up to a maximum saving of 20%. For full details, terms and conditions and to join see www.trekamerica.co.uk/FTC
Multi Trip Discount Get 5% off by combining two or more tours - does not apply to tours which are already ‘combination’ tours (e.g. Grand Trek, Trailblazer or BOLTs) as they already have a multi-trip discount applied.
Combination Tours Please note that some tours featured in this brochure may be part of a longer combination tour. For example, the Southern Sun and the Northern Trail comprise the 7 week Grand Trek. On seven tours (the Pacific Dream, Coast to Coast Express, Grand Trek, Grand BLT, Trailblazer, Great 48, Canadian Express BLT and Desert & Rockies BLT
scheduling requirements may necessitate a change of tour leaders at the mid-point of the tour, and the passenger mix may change as well. Although we endeavour to maintain the same leader for the BOLT tours, they may change from time to time. Combination tours may run in different directions at different times of the year. Being able to combine these tours allows us to offer more departures and a greater selection of departure dates and gateway cities.
Anyone that has not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the US port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the United States. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Before you go & on tour
Medical
Passport & Visas It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for your tour. As a general rule you will need a passport with at least six months validity following the end of your trip. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going, and where you are from. It is important that you check which visas you will need, and apply for each of the necessary visas whilst in your home country. Please bear in mind that some tours may spend time in more than one country. Visas are not currently required by holders of UK, EU, Australian, New Zealand or US passports for the following countries: Canada Costa Rica Nicaragua Mexico Guatemala Belize Honduras Other nationalities should consult the relevant embassy. We keep the above visa information as up to date as possible, but it is important that you check this for yourself.
Rules for entry into the USA Holders of UK, Australian, New Zealand and most EU country passports are eligible to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver program is open to people for travel in the USA for up to a 90 day stay. For more information about who is eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, and the eligibility requirements please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/. Residents from countries who cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Programme must consult their relevant embassy for more information. All eligible travellers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for electronic travel authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). If you are planning to transit in the USA or intend to stopover on the way to your destination, you will still need to apply for an ESTA. You must apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before travelling to the USA. You can apply for an ESTA at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. You will require your passport details and your address in the US (you can use the starting point hotel address). At the time of publication there is a USD$14 fee for the electronic approval (ESTA). Your ESTA will be valid for a period of two years, or until your passport expires. We recommend you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel.
Photo Credits Our thanks to the following for their valuable assistance in the production of this brochure: Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Chicago/ Illinois, Florida, Memphis, Mexico, Nashville, Utah, Wyoming & Yukon Tourist Boards, Alaska Stock, BigStock Photos, Corbis Images,
You should consult your doctor concerning which inoculations are advisable and necessary for the specific areas that you will visit. Illness or dental problems can spoil your holiday, so it’s always wise to have a thorough check-up before you leave home.
Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance, and helicopter rescue service). Evidence of such insurance must be provided to your TrekAmerica tour leader at the start of your trip or you may be refused carriage. We offer an insurance policy that is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our holidays; particularly the many optional activities offered - see page 95. Please note we can only offer cover for passengers residing within the European Union. For those outside the EU we recommend Journeyman Services who have a tailored policy for Trek America clients. Visit www.journeyman-services. com. If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. There may be cheaper policies available, but this does not necessarily mean they are better value - we strongly advise you check fully what will and won’t be covered. In particular, cover provided by credit cards is often very restricted. You will be asked to provide details of your insurance policy, including insurer, policy and phone number on the morning of your trip departure. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.
Tour Departures and Finish
Tours begin and end at our gateway hotels. You will normally depart at approximately 7.30am (check your tour voucher for exact details). On the final day, your tour will normally arrive at the finishing point hotel around 5.00pm. If you require hotel accommodation for this night, you MUST book in advance. Some of our tours may start or finish earlier, please see each tour description for any variations. We recommend you book your return flight for the day after your tour finishes. If you do have to return home the day your tour finishes, please make sure your flight does not depart before 9.00pm.
make the most of your time in North America, but please understand that there will be certain times each day that your leader will need to be off duty from work. Due to these restrictions, particularly after the longer driving days, your leader may not be able to join you for some of the daily activities or may need to tend to other work duties. Please be assured that your leaders will provide you with the best information required to enjoy each trip day safely and to its fullest. They will provide maps, suggested activities and restaurants, and may decide to join you and the group on their own time off, but please consider that there will also be times when their interaction is limited by their working hours. Our leaders take great pride in their level of customer service and will do everything they can to provide you with the trip of a lifetime. Please also respect that they need their own time to rest and recuperate in order to operate your trip safely and with great energy.
Pre and Post Tour Hotels
Our gateway hotels are conveniently located in each of our departure and arrival cities. Room rates are usually based on twin share as most passengers prefer to stay with other travellers at an affordable price - it’s also a great opportunity to make friends with fellow travellers. We can also offer a ‘Full Room’ rate for single or double occupancy for passengers on the same booking. Reservations at our gateway hotels can be made at the time of booking or by contacting us. Pre and post tour accommodation can only be guaranteed when booked more than 35 days prior to departure. After this, it may be available on a request basis - please ask us. Pre and post accommodation cancelled between 8 weeks and 35 days of departure is subject to an amendment fee of UK£25/Euro30/US$40/AUS$40/NZD50. Accommodation is non refundable within 35 days of departure.
Transfers to Pre and Post Tour Hotels
You will need to make your own way to and from our pre/post tour hotels. You will find detailed instructions on how to get to our hotels in your pre departure ‘Trek Tips’ information, which we send to you with your confirmation/invoice. Note: For New York, please use Newark Airport (EWR), For Antigua, please use Guatemala City Airport. For Playa Del Carmen, please use Cancun Airport.
Spending Money
We would like to note that US Law regulates the total number of hours your tour leader is available to work. Our trips are designed to
ATM’s and cash machines are readily available throughout the Americas and major credit cards are widely accepted, with the exception of Alaska where cash facilities may be more remote.. Travellers Cheques are generally accepted and can be a safe way to take your funds but aren’t always the most practical, as foreign money exchange facilities, especially in Central America, can be limited. If using Travellers Cheques you should purchase US Dollar cheques. Credit cards are not accepted for the Food Kitty and many optional activities. Pre-paid credit cards can be a cost effective and safe way to take funds overseas. See: www.fairfx.com/trekamerica
Getty Images, Doug Geeting Aviation, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Maverick Helicopters, Shutterstock, James Bartram, Geo Bellini, Stephen Bendit, Mark Brennan, Rozanna Burns, Nicole Bozzuto, Melissa Chiella, Katie Clarke, Benjamin Collier, Steven Conter, Michael Davidson, Mads Ellehoj, Katelin Erickson, Valerie Esser, Dave Falsetti, Alex Fornes, Christy Forsyth,
Jennifer Frame, Erin Gavlock, Russell Grange, Hayley Griffiths, Joseph Gryniewicz, Erin Halloran, Rich Hanson, Paul Hartman, Andrus Hernandez, Michael Hornsby, Janine Jaeger, Steve Kaye, Charles Knowlton, Melissa Kondor, Ben Koss, Jeff Layton, Lisa Loeffelbein, Avery Marvin, Ryan Martin, Alex Mass, Thomas McNamara, Rebecca Moon, Tavis Moses, Vicki Muenchow,
Working hour regulations for our Leaders
It is customary to tip waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers, local guides and any person who provides a service for you. Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of US$5-7 per passenger per day if the leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations.
Climate and Clothing Depending on the particular tour and time of year, be prepared for both warm and cold temperatures. You can expect most days to be pleasant, but nights generally range from cool to cold. Warm clothing is essential, including wool socks, sweaters, hat, gloves, walking/hiking shoes, rain jacket and warm coat. Our Winter Sun tours stay at hotels in colder destinations, but we recommend a warm four-season sleeping bag for camping nights, as the weather can be very unpredictable.
Itinerary changes
We endeavour to run all tours as they are published in this brochure; however, it is sometimes necessary to alter itineraries to adapt to local conditions and park entrance regulations. We will notify you in case of any major alterations to your tour. In most cases, your tour leader will provide a more detailed trip outline at the beginning of your particular tour.
Trek Tickets
Electronic vouchers for your tour and accommodation will be emailed to you upon final payment and approximately 6 weeks before departure. You can print off the PDF or download to your smartphone. If you would like your tickets earlier for any reason, please contact us.
Trek Tips
You will receive a copy of our pre-tour joining and packing instructions with your tour and hotel voucher, approximately six weeks before departure. To help you better prepare for your upcoming Trek, you can also download a copy of these Trek Tips from our website. These notes have been prepared to provide you with the most essential details that you will need to know about your forthcoming Trek, however, it is not intended to be a complete guide. Your Tour Leader will provide you with more detailed information en route.
Park Permits Our US division, PEAK Adventure Travel North America, doing business as TrekAmerica is an equal opportunities service provider operating under a variety of Commercial Use Authorizations and Special Use Permits from the United States National Park Service, United States National Forest Service, United States Bureau of Land Management, Park Service of Canada, the Hopi Indian Nation and the Navajo Indian Nation.
Any Last Questions? If you have any questions or would like further information on any aspect of our tours, please consult your local agent.
Matt Newman, Sophie Pealing, Rebecca Pottebaum, Ian Rozner, Erin Pryor, Iain Shiels, Jason ‘Soubs’ Soubliere, Lindsey Steele, Megan Sullivan, Stephen Szucs, Louise Thornton, Claire Tomlinson, Vinzenz Van Den Berg, Andy Wellsster, Philip Wheatley, Brian Wilson, Jenna Witts, Leah Yanoff, Juli Zacchini.
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Pre and post tour hotels Tours begin and end at our gateway hotels, departing around 7.30am (check your tour voucher for exact details), and finishing at the hotel around 5pm, so it’s a great idea to book a room at the beginning and end of your tour. Our gateway hotels are conveniently located in or near each of our departure and arrival cities. Room rates are usually based on twin share as most people prefer to stay with other travellers at an affordable price - it’s also a great opportunity to make friends with your fellow travellers. If you require hotel accommodation, you MUST book in advance. We recommend you book your return flight for the day after your tour finishes. If you do have to return home the day your tour finishes, please make sure your flight does not depart before 9.00pm. You can book nights at our gateway hotels either online at time of booking your tour or by calling our sales team.
Pre & post tour hotel rates Prices in AUD/NZD
Full Room†
Per person twin share*
Anchorage $152/$168 Antigua BOLT Cancun $63/$70 Honolulu Las Vegas $67/$74 Los Angeles $81/$90 Mexico City BOLT Miami $85/$94 New Orleans $112/$124 New York area $119/$132 New York area (NY to Niagara Mini only) Panama City BOLT Playa Del Carmen BOLT San Francisco $108/$120 San José $63/$70 San José BOLT Seattle $87/$96 Vancouver $112/$124
$266/$294 $55/$65 $111/$123 $206/228 $118/$130 $142/$158 $63/$75 $149/$165 $196/$217 $209/$231 $225/$250 $84/$100 $100/$120 $189/$210 $111/$123 $65/$77 $153/$168 $196/$217
* Prices are per person per night for a bed in a twin share room with another Trek America passenger (we will match you with another solo traveller where possible with the exception of BOLT tours). † A full room rate for single or double occupancy by passengers on the same booking. All prices are correct at the time of print but are subject to change. Many hotels offer free airport transfers. Please see Trek Tips for information. For tours departing or finishing in the New York area we suggest using NEWARK, NJ Airport (EWR). For tours departing or finishing in Antigua we suggest using Guatemala City (GUA). For tours departing or finishing in Playa del Carmen we suggest using Cancun (CUN). Please see our website for more information.
Images from top: Alexis Park (Las Vegas), Best Western (Bryce Canyon), Hampton Inn (Vancouver).
>> Staying in town? Make the most of your time in the city with unique city tours and experiences. See page 81 for more details or visit www.trekamerica.com/city
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Optional activities Optional activities TrekAmerica tours include a whole host of amazing experiences and inclusions, but there are also lots of optional activities for you to choose from during your trip. We keep these optional so you have the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don’t. You can decide during your trip what you’d like to do, so you could choose a baseball game in San Francisco, halibut fishing in Alaska, to bike around Yosemite National Park or fly high over the Las Vegas Strip. These optional activities are paid for locally and can be booked once you are on tour via your Tour Leader. The main optional activities available on our tours are listed on each brochure page, and you can find a list of guideline prices for these on the individual tour pages on our website.
GRAND CANYON Scenic Helicopter Flight If you’re heading to the Grand Canyon, you can’t miss out on the opportunity to soar above it. Climb on board a once-in-a-lifetime Maverick Grand Canyon helicopter flight to get a completely different perspective of this incredible natural phenomenon. 30 minute flight US$254 /45 minute flight US$284 Book locally with your tour leader Look out for this symbol on applicable tours.
Keep in touch on the road Phone cards, SIMS, handsets
FairFX currency cards
TrekAmerica has partnered with e-kit to provide some of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with family and friends while on tour. E-kit’s international calling cards, pre-paid SIMs or even international mobile handsets make keeping in touch a breeze.
As a TrekAmerica traveller, you’re eligible for a free FairFX prepay currency card, a popular way to carry your spending money while on tour. FairFX offers better exchange rates than traditional High Street foreign exchange providers and there are no fees when you use it in shops and restaurants. Funds can also be uploaded at any time via the internet or phone, from anywhere in the world.
Please note this SIM will only work in the United States Lower 48. If you are travelling to Alaska, Canada or Mexico we recommend you purchase an International SIM on arrival. * 50MB free data when you pay for shipping.
Exclusive All TrekAmerica customers are eligible for a FREE US 4G SIM card and 50MB Free Data* Offer: See www.trekamerica.ekit.com/freesim for more details
Exclusive Apply as a TrekAmerica customer and Fairfax will waive the account fee (normally £9.95) Offer: See www.fairfx.com/trekamerica for more details
TrekAmerica Gift Vouchers - the ultimate gift! Give a gift that will never be forgotten - a life changing travel experience! TrekAmerica Gift Vouchers are a great idea for a birthday, graduation or Christmas present, so why not help someone on their way to experiencing the ultimate American road trip. TrekAmerica gift vouchers come in two denominations, twenties and fifties, and can be purchased in three different currency values - British Pound, Euro or USD.
To purchase TrekAmerica gift vouchers call us on +44 (0) 208 682 8920.
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Flights Book your international fflights with us for full ATOL protection For anyone leaving from a UK airport we would be pleased to book your flights in conjunction with your tour. We have preferred contracts with many international carriers, and we have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry and regularly offer airline specials. We are also ATOL protected and IATA licensed.
Preferred airlines:
Payment We normally only require an initial deposit when you book, then final payment eight weeks prior to departure, whereas many flights booked online are an instant purchase requiring full payment immediately, as well as being non-changeable and non-refundable. Peace of mind We can temporarily hold seats on a flight. This allows you to finalise your plans, safe in the knowledge your seats are secure. We use quality scheduled airlines and will always pass seating, meal and other requests onto the airlines, subject to individual airline charges. Service & experience
With over 40 years of experience, and having undergone specialist flight training, we are the best at finding the flight perfectly suited to your individual needs and have access to premium economy and business class fares.
Flexibility
If you decide to change the dates of your flights, you can usually do so once free of charge up to eight weeks before your flight departure, subject to availability and airline rules. This is particularly useful as occasionally trips can change, as can your plans. If you’re combining your TrekAmerica tour with other travel plans, we are able to book flights on any dates to fit your schedule - not just the day before/after your tour. We can also fly you in and out of a variety of cities, not just the city where your tour starts or finishes.
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FINANCIAL SECURITY AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND Any flights forming part of the holiday arrangements are subject to the conditions of the carrying airline, which in most cases limit the airline’s liability to the passenger in accordance with International Law and conventions. Copies of the conditions of carriage and any conventions which may apply are available on request. Trek America Travel Ltd is a bonded holiday operator licensed by the CAA, ATOL no. 6576. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for advance booking. Please note that ATOL bonding only applies to bookings made within the UK that 6576 include international flights from the UK. For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.
Please call for a flight quote
Policies tailored specifically for our trips You must have travel insurance to travel with us. We offer a comprehensive policy which is completely tailored for your TrekAmerica trip. Check out some of the great benefits below:
Insurance It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include medical repatriation, helicopter and air ambulance costs). If you would like to organise your own insurance, please ensure it covers you for all the optional activities you plan to do. Please note you will be asked to provide details of your insurance policy before you embark on your trip. If you would like to organise your insurance through us, we have been working with the same reputable Insurance Broker for many years, Campbell Irvine, who have specifically designed our policy to cover the many optional activities offered on our holidays. So whether you’re scuba diving, horse riding, canoeing or mountain biking you can rest assured that you are covered when travelling with us. With the TrekAmerica policy there are other specialised features, such as cover for additional transport charges, if you are delayed in joining a trip due to airline delay.
SINGLE TRIP POLICY UP TO 10 DAYS
AUD$77/NZD$90
UP TO 17 DAYS
AUD$118/NZD$138
UP TO 25 DAYS
AUD$145/NZD$170
UP TO 50 DAYS
AUD$237/NZD$278
ADDITIONAL MONTH AUD$118/NZD$138 EXCESS WAIVER
AUD$21/NZD$24
BE AWARE:
Every activity you can do on one of our trips is covered, including ziplining, kayaking, whitewater rafting and horse riding.
Cover of up to £150 to catch up your tour if your arrival is delayed.
Helicopter repatriation - if you break an ankle in the Grand Canyon and need to be airlifted, it will be very expensive!
Cancellation cover, including your tour deposit with no excess payable.
No elevation limit for hiking (go as high as you dare!)
No limit on water grading for whitewater rafting.
Our annual policy covers up to 10 weeks for any single trip, and as many trips in the year as you like!
...and much more!
SUMMARY OF COVER Section A
Section B
Section C Section D
Section E
• Not all insurance cover is the same! You need to look at the small print of the coverage and services that are provided. As the insurance market grows more and more competitive, many companies are cutting the levels of cover and benefits in order to keep the costs down. You get what you pay for! • Whilst many of the major credit cards provide limited Travel Accident cover, they do not usually include cover for other major risk areas such as Medical Expenses, Delay and Cancellation and Curtailment. • Make sure you have cover for the whole duration of your trip and covering every activity you may do.
Section F Section G
Medical Expenses £5,000,000 In Patient Benefit £200 Criminal Injuries £5,000 Personal Liability £2,000,000 Personal Accident £25,000 Permanent Loss of Sight £25,000 Loss of Limb(s) £25,000 Permanent Total Disablement £25,000 Death £10,000 Cancellation or Curtailment £5,000 Delayed Departure or Arrival £100 Hi-jack of Aircraft £3,000 Delayed Tour Expenses £150 Personal Effects £2,000 (Valuables Limited £350/ Single Article Limit £250/ Disc Collections £200) Money £500 Passport and Visas £250 Temporary Loss of Baggage £100 Legal Expenses £15,000 Winter Sports Extension
EXCESSES: £70 per claim per person per section unless stated in the terms of the policy document.
ANNUAL POLICY PER ADULT AUD$247/NZD$290 (Includes up to 4 children, 18 & under) FAMILY AUD$383/NZD$450 (Includes 2 adults & up to 4 children, 18 & under) EXCESS WAIVER
AUD$34/NZD$40
CANCELLATION ONLY PER ADULT
AUD$77/NZD$90
The Annual Multi-Trip insurance offers many additional advantages and is often better value if embarking on a longer trip or if you are a frequent traveller. (Not available for persons aged 66 and over) • Worldwide cover. • Covers many types of adventurous activities – for example scuba diving (NB there are exclusions relating to non brochured, independently arranged activities) • Includes 4 weeks winter-sports cover at no additional charge. • 10 weeks cover for any single journey. • One single certificate covers your travel insurance needs for an entire year, allowing any number of trips. • Available to anyone resident in Europe during the duration of the policy. • Children 18 and under FREE. Up to 4 children aged 18 and under at time of booking can go free and are covered to travel independently e.g. school trips. Children must be named on policy and reside permanently with a parent who is an insured person.
For those who already have Travel Insurance coverage through another organisation such as Camp America, CCUSA, Camp Leaders or Au Pair agencies, we offer cover for cancellation of your trip due to an insurable reason. Please note this policy is not adequate cover on its own to join our trips. It is a supplementary policy.
FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON INSURANCE, OR TO GET YOURSELF COVERED PLEASE ASK YOUR AGENT. All prices were correct at the time of going to print.
All premiums and policy details show are correct at time of going to print and are valid for policies issued up to 31/12/2015 and are inclusive of Insurance Premium tax currently at 20%. TrekAmerica is an Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. PLEASE NOTE For persons aged 56-65 years at the time of arranging insurance, double the premium is charged for the single trip policy. For those 66 years and above please refer to Campbell Irvine on 0844 826 2722 for details on how to arrange cover. Our policy includes the insurer’s 24 hour Medical Emergency Assistance service who are experts in providing friendly and professional medical emergency help around the clock. This is only a summary of cover. Full details of the cover provided are shown on your policy document which will be emailed to you upon receipt of payment of premium. Please read it carefully to ensure you understand the cover provided which includes certain terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses as this insurance is being sold to you on a Non Advised basis from a single insurer. In particular, cover is excluded for any pre-existing medical condition for which you or any person upon whom travel depends are suffering, such as a relative. If in doubt please contact the insurer’s medical helpline on 0844 826 2686. Should you wish to see a specimen, a copy will be made available prior to purchase upon request. If the insurance does not meet your requirements you may return the documentation within 14 days of the purchase or prior to travel if this is sooner and, providing no claim has been made, obtain a refund. The policy will only cover those residing within the E.U. For details of insurance coverage for those outside the E.U, see our website.
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Tour conditions Please read these booking conditions carefully, they form an important part of the contract for your holiday. All holidays advertised in our brochure and on our website are operated by Trek America Travel Limited, registered number 4803471 (hereinafter called ‘the Company’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’), a member of PEAK Adventure Travel Group Limited. Trek America Travel Limited is an equal opportunity service provider operating under a variety of Commercial Use Authorisations and Special Use Permits from the United States National Park Service, the United States National Forest Service, the United States Bureau of Land Management, the Park Service of Canada, the Hopi Indian Nation and the Navajo Indian Nation. All holidays are sold subject to the following conditions: Insurance Please note: Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory for all Trek America Travel Limited travellers and it is a condition of accepting your booking that you agree you will have obtained adequate and valid travel insurance for your booking by the date of departure. 1). Your Financial Protection The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked from us and for your repatriation in the event of our insolvency. We will provide you with financial protection for any ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday that you buy from us by way of our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6576, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority (‘CAA’). When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us, you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claim which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday, all money accepted from you by a travel agent acting as our agent is held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times, but subject to the agent’s obligation to pay it to us for so long as we do not fail. If we do fail, any money held at that time by the agent, or subsequently accepted from you by the agent, is and continues to be held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us. When you buy arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday, all money accepted from you by a travel agent acting as our agent is held by that agent on our behalf at all times. The price of your holiday includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (‘APC’) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices.
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We will provide you with financial protection for any package holidays you buy from us that do not include travel by air by way of a bond held by ABTA. For further information, visit the ABTA website at www.abta.com. If you book arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or a package holiday, the financial protection referred to above does not apply. We are a Member of ABTA, membership number Y0696. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. 2). How to Book To make enquiries about our holidays you can contact us in several ways: directly over the telephone, via our website www.trekamerica.co.uk or www.trekamerica. com (‘Website’), through an approved travel agent or by email. To make a booking you must pay the relevant deposit and agree to our terms and conditions online. For bookings which include visits to United States National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, you must also complete, date and submit to us Exhibit B. The person making the booking (the ‘lead name’) must be 18 years old or over and possess the legal capacity and authority to make the booking and accepts these booking conditions and the terms set out in Exhibit A (and if applicable, Exhibit B) on behalf of everyone in their party. Whether you book alone or as a group, we will only deal with the lead name in all subsequent correspondence, including changes, amendments and cancellations. The lead name is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the personal details or any other information supplied in respect of yourself and any other person travelling on the booking and for passing on any information regarding the booking or any changes made in relation thereto, to all persons travelling on such booking, including but not limited to information on schedule changes or copies of booking confirmations. You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit to us at the time of booking of at least 10% of your selected travel arrangements (minimum GB£100/Euro150/ US$160/AUS$170/NZD200 per person and GB£375 per person for the Coast to Coast Express tour. You may also be required to pay for any non-transferable and non-refundable items such as National Park entrance fees and permits. We will then invoice you for the remainder of the cost due before you travel, which you must pay not later than 56 days before departure. If your tour is 42 days or longer your final balance is due 12 weeks prior to departure. If you book less than 56 days before departure, full payment (less any payment which must be paid locally) must be made on booking. If you do not pay the balance by the due date your booking will be cancelled and you will forfeit your deposit and any other relevant charges. If you do not pay the local payment on the due date your booking will be cancelled (and we shall have no further liability to you) and cancellation charges will be levied as appropriate. Please note that all payments made on a credit card (whether deposits, part payments or final balances) will be subject to a credit card fee of 1.45% (inc. VAT). If we accept your booking, we will issue a Confirmation Invoice. A contract will exist between us from the date we issue the Confirmation Invoice or if you book within 7 days of departure the contract will exist when we accept your deposit payment. When you receive the Confirmation Invoice please check the details carefully and inform us immediately if anything is incorrect. Names on travel documents must exactly match those in your passports. Unless we are responsible for the mistake, we will not accept liability if an airline or other supplier refuses boarding because the name(s) shown in your passport differ from those on your ticket. Travel documents will be sent or emailed to you approximately 6 weeks before the departure of your holiday, and will not be issued unless payment of the due balance has been received and any cheques have cleared. If you live outside the UK we will normally email any trip information documents. If requested in the trip information documents you must reconfirm the reservations, timings and check-in details of your flight with the airline concerned at least 72 hours before departure. This applies to your outward flight and to your return flight. If you miss a flight or suffer any disruption as a result of not following our instructions as to reconfirmation we will have no liability to you.
For those holidays where an additional local payment is required the additional amount is displayed in the price panel. A local payment is a portion of the holiday cost which must be paid directly to the tour leader or our representative at the start of your holiday. If the price of your holiday includes a local payment this must be paid in the currency specified in the brochure or trip notes. Please note that your holiday price will not be considered to have been paid in full until the local payment has been made. Tourist taxes, resort fees or similar that are charged locally may be implemented or changed without prior warning. We do not accept responsibility for these costs, which must be paid by you and are not included within your holiday price. Your personal safety is of paramount importance to us and therefore it is imperative that you advise us at the time of booking of any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people’s enjoyment of the trip. It is a condition of your booking that you and all members of your party provide certain information that may be sent to governmental authorities and border control and security agencies for the purpose of security and counter terrorism. This is known as Advance Passenger Information, sometimes known as APIS. For the United Kingdom, it may be referred to as ‘E-Borders’. The information you must provide will include, but not be limited to, full name - as shown in your passport or travel document, gender, date of birth, country of citizenship, emergency contact information, travel document type, number, country of issue and expiry date, and for travel to the U.S., your country of residence and the address for your first night’s stay. When you book your flight through the Company, you must provide this information to the Company with your initial reservation or by accessing your account on our website. In all cases this information must be provided to us no later than 14 days prior to departure or you are subject to cancellation without refund. When you arrange your own flight directly with the airline, you must provide this information to the airline between 6 months and 24 hours before departure. Passengers who are denied boarding or entry for improper documentation/failure to provide required information will receive no refund. Persons under the age of 18 travelling to an international destination must carry a notarised letter of consent signed by both parents and/or legal guardian. We may transfer your booking to another company within our group, but this will have no effect on your holiday arrangements. 3). Prices, Surcharging & Air Passenger Duty All prices we advertise are accurate at the date published, but we reserve the right to change any of those prices from time to time. Prices include a cost for fuel that was estimated at the date of this publication. Prices on our website are updated regularly. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including the cost of any peak-season supplements, upgrades or additional facilities which you have requested. Prices quoted in this brochure are based on exchange rates published by OANDA on 02/08/2013. Changes in transportation costs, including without limitation the cost of fuel, dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports and exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked. However, there will be no change within 30 days of your departure. Any changes in taxes, entry fees and/or charges that we collect at net cost on behalf of local and government bodies will be passed on to you in full or refunded to you in full (Net Cost Charges). We will absorb and you will not be charged for any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums, Net Cost Charges and any amendment charges. You will be charged for the amount over and above that, plus an administration charge of £1.00 per person together with an amount to cover agents’ commission. If this means that you have to pay an increase of more than 10% of the price of your travel arrangements, you may either accept a replacement holiday from us of equivalent or similar standard and price (at the date of the change) if we are able to offer you one or you may cancel your holiday booking and receive a full refund, except for any amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your final invoice. If any change in our costs would cause a reduction in your holiday price, we will not make refunds of amounts less than 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums, Net
Cost Charges and any amendment charges, but we will refund in full amounts exceeding such 2%, after deducting an administration charge of £1.00 per person. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place. We will consider an appropriate refund of insurance premiums paid if you can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy. Dates and itineraries shown for holidays are indicative only and subject to change. Air Passenger Duty “APD”, which is payable by all passengers departing from UK airports, is included in the price of your holiday/flight ticket. The price of your holiday will include APD for an economy seat. If you upgrade to a premium cabin this will be included in the upgrade cost. In view of the current volatility of world oil prices, a fuel supplement may be added to the price of your holiday at the time of booking. 4). If you Change or Cancel your Booking 4.1. If, after our confirmation has been issued, you (i) make a change to your existing booking, we will charge an amendment fee of GB£50/Euro60/US$80/AUS$80/NZD100 per booking for each change or (ii) wish to change to another of our holidays or change departure date, we will try to make the changes subject to availability, provided that notification is received in writing at our offices from the lead name at least 56 days before departure and you pay £50 per booking to cover our administration costs. 4.2. In addition to the fee we charge, any alteration, whether a change to an existing booking or a change to another holiday or departure date, will also be subject to payment by you of any costs imposed by any of the suppliers providing the component parts of the holiday. If the holiday to which you transfer is more expensive than the one you originally booked, a further deposit will also be payable. Any alteration by you within 56 days of departure will be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and will be subject to cancellation charges. 4.3. Subject to section 4.4, where you are unable to travel you can transfer your booking to another person, providing the following conditions are met: a) you notify us in writing at least 56 days before departure and give us authority to make the transfer; and b) your request is accompanied by all original travel documents which you have received and the full name and address of the person to whom you wish to transfer your holiday booking (“transferee”); and c) the transferee accepts the transfer and these booking conditions, and fulfils any conditions that apply to the booking; and d) the transferee shows us evidence of their holiday insurance, as your policy cannot be transferred, and the premium cannot be refunded; and e) payment is made by you of an administrative charge of a minimum of GB£100/Euro120/US$160/AUS$170/ NZD200 per person plus payment of all costs charged or levied by those supplying your travel arrangements, and the holiday must be paid in full at the time of the transfer. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the holiday price and other associated expenses. 4.4. Some airline carriers and other transport providers treat name and departure detail changes, such as date and time changes, as a cancellation. Accordingly you may have to pay for the cancelled ticket and be required to pay for the full cost of a new ticket. 4.5. You, or any member of your party, may cancel your holiday at any time providing that the cancellation is made by the lead name in writing. Notice of cancellation will be effective upon receipt by us of your written communication. As we start to incur costs from the time the contract is confirmed we will retain your deposit and in addition will apply other cancellation charges as shown below. These charges are based on how many days before your booked departure we received your cancellation notice. These charges are a percentage of the total cost of your booking, not including your insurance premium. If you want to cancel one or more passengers on the booking you will have to pay a proportion of the applicable cancellation charge based on the number of passengers you wish to cancel from the booking:
Period before departure when notice of cancellation is received
Cancellation charge per person as percentage of total booking price
Tours 42 days or longer, cancelled 85 days before departure.
Loss of deposit
Tours 42 days or longer, cancelled between 57 to 84 days before departure.
25% of the holiday cost
More than 56 days before departure
Loss of deposit
Between 56 and 43 days before departure (inclusive)
50% of the holiday cost
Between 42 and 31 days before departure (inclusive)
75% of the holiday cost
30 days or less before departure (or failure to join the holiday or failure to pay any local payment due) (inclusive)
100% of the holiday cost
Please note that for certain travel arrangements e.g. many scheduled transport providers, the cancellation charge may be higher than those shown. In certain cases a 100% cancellation fee applies as soon as the booking is made and the ticket is issued. Please ask for full details of cancellation charges at time of booking. We strongly recommend you to take out insurance that includes cover against irrecoverable cancellation costs. Additionally, you will remain responsible for the full amount of your insurance premium and this will not be refunded in the event of your cancellation. You may however be able to transfer this cover to another holiday. If you are travelling on a scheduled flight, we cannot give you any refund until we have received your old travel documents, including tickets. 4.6. It is recommended that reservations for pre and post tour accommodation are made at least one month before the departure date of the tour. If you cancel a reservation for pre and post tour accommodation that has been confirmed after final payment has been made, and is between 56 days and 35 days of departure, then an amendment fee of GB£25/Euro30/US$40/AUS$40/NZD50 will be charged. If a reservation for pre and post tour accommodation is cancelled within 35 days of departure then such accommodation cost becomes 100% non-refundable. For the avoidance of doubt, this clause only applies to pre and post tour accommodation. 4.7. All communications relating to this contract (in particular any requests to cancel or amend your holiday arrangements) must be from the lead name in writing and in English and delivered by hand, fax, email or sent by recorded delivery post to Trek America Travel Limited, 16/17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London, SW12 0NE. 5). If we Change or Cancel your Booking We reserve the right to cancel your booking or change any of the facilities, services or prices described in our brochures or website. We will endeavour to advise you of any changes known at the time of booking. We plan the arrangements for your holiday many months in advance and may occasionally have to make changes, most of which are minor. Flight timings and carriers shown in the brochure are for guidance only and subject to change. Your Confirmation Invoice will show the latest planned timings. Your actual flight timings will be shown on your invoice and is displayed on www.checkmytrip.com which you should check carefully as soon as you receive it. A change of carrier will not be considered a major change. If a major change becomes necessary, we will advise you of the change as soon as possible. Whether a change is ‘major’ depends on the nature of the holiday and may include: a significant change of destination, a change in accommodation to that of a lower category, a change in time of your scheduled departure or return flight by more than 12 hours (but not a flight delay); or a change of UK departure airport (excluding changes between London airports, London, Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations and between Dover/Folkstone ports). A delay to your flight that we need to make within 24 hours before you are due to depart will not be considered a major change unless the change is for more than 24 hours. These changes are only examples and there may be other significant changes which constitute major changes. When a major change occurs, you will have the choice of either: (a) accepting the change; or (b) accepting a replacement holiday from us
are publicised at EU airports and are also available from affected airlines. However, you should note that reimbursement of the cost of a flight that forms part of your holiday is the responsibility of your holiday airline and will not automatically entitle you to reimbursement of the cost of your holiday from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in this section 5. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline will be deducted. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Aviation Consumer Advocacy Panel on 020 7453 6888 or at www.caa.co.uk. 6). Conditions of Carriage & Limitations 6.1. Except in instances of personal injury or death, where the Company is found to be liable for damages in respect of its failure to carry out the contract, the maximum amount of such damages, compensation and loss of enjoyment will normally but not necessarily be limited to three times the basic holiday price shown on the Confirmation Invoice (or on the latest Amendment Invoice issued). Our liability in all cases will be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to the contractual terms of the companies that provide the transportation for your travel arrangements. These terms are incorporated into this contract; and any relevant international convention as detailed below. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any conventions. You can ask for copies of the transport companies’ contractual terms, or the international conventions, from our offices Trek America Travel Limited, 16/17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London, SW12 0NE. 6.2. If any international convention applies to, or governs, any of the services or facilities included in your holiday arranged or provided by us, or provided by any of our suppliers, and you make a claim against us of any nature arising out of death, injury, loss or damage suffered during or as a result of the provision of those services or facilities, our liability to pay you compensation and/or the amount (if any) of compensation payable to you by us will be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to that provided for by the international convention concerned (in each case including in respect of the conditions of liability, the time for bringing any claim and Period before Compensation the type and amount of any damages that scheduled payable per can be awarded). International Conventions departure date person which may apply include, without limitation: when we notify in respect of international air travel, the you of a major Warsaw Convention 1929 (as amended) or change or the Montreal Convention 1999; in respect cancellation of rail travel, the Berne Convention 1961; in respect of carriage by sea, the Athens Before balance Nil Convention 1974; in respect of carriage by due date road, the Geneva Convention 1973; and, in £20 Between balance respect of hotels, the Paris Convention 1962. due date and For the avoidance of doubt, this means that 14 days before we are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitations of compensation contained departure date in any of these Conventions or any other (inclusive) international conventions applicable to your £30 Between 13 days holiday. Other than as set out above, and and the date of as is detailed elsewhere in these booking departure (inclusive) conditions, we shall have no legal liability whatsoever to you for any loss or damage. This standard compensation payment will not 6.3. If you purchase any optional activities that are not part of your pre-booked itinerary, affect your statutory or other legal rights. We the contract for the provision of that activity will only make one compensation payment will be between you and the activity provider. for each full-fare-paying adult in the holiday The decision to partake in any such activity booking. Any children not paying the full is entirely at your own discretion and risk. If adult fare will receive 50% of these amounts. you do have any complaint about, or problem Children using a free child place will not receive any standard compensation payment. with, any optional activity purchased in resort your claim should be directed to the activity We strongly recommend that you make provider and not to us. However, should you no travel arrangements to your point of departure, make any connecting travel that is or any member of your party by misadventure non-refundable or non-changeable or incurs suffer illness, injury or death during the period penalties or incur any costs in respect of visas of your holiday from an activity which does not form part of the arrangements made by or vaccinations until such time as your travel us or an excursion purchased through us, we itinerary has been confirmed. If you make such arrangements which you are then unable shall, where appropriate and subject to our absolute discretion, try to help if we can. We to use due to a change in your itinerary we shall not be liable to you for the cost of those may help everyone on your holiday booking up to a total cost to us of £5,000 cost as long arrangements. Circumstances amounting to “force majeure” as the following conditions are met: (i) you must ask us for such assistance within include any event which we or the supplier of 90 days of the misadventure; the service(s) in question could not even with (ii) you must make a claim under your all due care, foresee or forestall such as (by insurance policy’s legal expenses or other way of example and not by way of limitation) appropriate section. You must show us proof war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, that your insurance company has received industrial disputes, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, natural your claim; and (iii) in the event of there being a successful or nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, acts of God, unavoidable claim for costs against a third party or a suitable insurance policy or policies being in and unforeseeable technical problems with force, you must repay us the costs actually transport for reasons beyond our control or incurred by us in giving this assistance that of our suppliers, closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual 6.4. If you are joining the holiday locally (i.e. or potential adverse weather conditions, and not starting with the group from the UK) our any other similar events. responsibility does not commence until the appointed time, we shall not be responsible Under European law (European Community for any additional expenses incurred by you Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004), you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/ to meet up with the group. If the group arrival is delayed to the local joining point we will or compensation from your airline in cases provide you with the same room and board of denied boarding, cancellation of and basis as will be provided to the group. If the delays to flights. Full details of these rights of equivalent or similar standard and price (at the date of the change), if we are able to offer you one; or (c) cancelling your holiday, in which case you shall receive a full refund of all monies paid. In the event that we notify you of a major change to your holiday, you must notify us of which option you accept as soon as possible. We may also have to cancel your holiday arrangements. Operation of all holidays is dependent on a minimum number of persons booking the holiday. If that number is not achieved, we reserve the right to cancel the holiday. However we will not cancel your holiday less than 4 weeks before the scheduled departure date except for reasons of force majeure (as defined below) or failure on your part to pay the deposit and/or final balance, or any other reason beyond our control. Where we cancel your booking where you are not in breach of these booking conditions and other than for reasons of force majeure, we will offer you either a refund of the monies received by us in respect of the booking, or offer you, if available, a replacement holiday from us of equivalent or similar standard and price (at the date of the change). If we are forced to cancel your holiday after departure we will, wherever possible, make suitable alternative arrangements. If we are unable to make such alternative arrangements, or you reject these for good reason then we will return you to your point of departure and refund you for any unused services, if appropriate. Please note that if you book a holiday departure date that is “guaranteed”, in rare instances your holiday may run with less than 5 passengers and there will be no forced cancellations. Where we make a major change to or cancel your holiday (where you are not in breach of these booking conditions), except where a major change or cancellation arises from circumstances amounting to force majeure, consolidation due to minimum numbers not being attained, failure on your part to pay the deposit and/or final balance, or for any other reason beyond our control, we will pay you, as a minimum, compensation as detailed below. Any compensation payable will be on these scales, based on how many days before your booked holiday departure we tell you of a major change or cancellation:
delay is for more than 24 hours we will provide you with the same services and itinerary that were detailed on your confirmation to enable you to continue with your holiday, although you may, at your discretion, remain at the local joining point for the arrival of the group. 6.5. We may operate trips in regions where standards of quality, accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, medical facilities and other infrastructure may, at times, be lower than those which would be expected in the UK. The suppliers of the services and facilities included in your holiday should comply with local standards where they are provided. All Company holidays, but especially those in remote regions, or regions with dangerous wildlife, involve a risk of injury, loss or damage to property, inconvenience and discomfort. Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the hazards involved in this kind of holiday, including injury, disease, loss or damage to property, inconvenience and discomfort and by completing our booking form, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these booking conditions and agree to assume all risks associated with the holiday to the maximum extent permitted by law. The whole philosophy of this type of travel is one that allows alternatives and a substantial degree of on-trip flexibility. The outline itineraries given for each holiday must therefore be taken as an indication of what each group should accomplish, and not as a contractual obligation on our part. Changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, flight cancellations, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness, or other unforeseeable circumstances. It is a fundamental condition of joining any of the holidays described in this brochure that you accept this flexibility, and acknowledge that delays and alterations and their results, such as inconvenience, discomfort, or disappointment, are possible. If we are unable to complete the proposed itinerary owing to the reasons stated above, we will either transport you to the end point of the itinerary, or return you to the starting point, or provide an agreed alternative itinerary. Pro rata refunds will be given for services not utilised in such circumstances wherever possible. If a passenger is unable, or does not choose, to complete an itinerary outlined for a holiday, the Company is not liable to supply alternative itineraries, excursions, accommodations, services or staff for the period when the passenger is not present with the group. 6.6. Please note that the timings of air, sea, road or rail departures are estimates only. These timings may be affected by operational difficulties, weather conditions or failure of passengers to check in on time. 6.7. Flight Notice, Flight Information & EU Blacklist This is a notice required by European Community Regulation (EC) No.889/2002. This notice cannot be used as a basis for a claim for compensation, nor to interpret the provisions of the European Community Regulation (EC) No. 889/2002 or the Montréal Convention, and it does not form part of the contract between the carrier(s), us and you. No representation is made by the air carrier(s) or us as to the accuracy of the contents of this notice. Air carrier liability for passengers & their baggage: This information notice summarises the liability rules applied by Community air carriers as required by Community legislation and the Montréal Convention. Compensation in the case of death or injury: There are no financial limits to the liability for passenger injury or death. For damages up to 113,100 Special Drawing Rights (“SDRs”) the air carrier cannot contest claims for compensation. Above that amount, the air carrier can defend itself against a claim by proving that it was not negligent or otherwise at fault. Advance payments: If a passenger is killed or injured, the air carrier must make an advance payment, to cover immediate economic needs, within 15 days from the identification of the person entitled to compensation. In the event of death, this advance payment shall not be less than 16,000 SDRs. Passenger delays: In case of passenger delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for passenger delay is limited to 4,694 SDRs. Baggage delays: In case of baggage delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for baggage delay is limited to 1,131 SDRs. Destruction, loss or damage to baggage: The air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage to baggage up to 1,131 SDRs. In the case of checked
baggage, it is liable even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. In the case of unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if at fault. Higher limits for baggage: A passenger can benefit from a higher liability limit by making a special declaration at the latest at check-in and by paying a supplementary fee. Complaints on baggage: If the baggage is damaged, delayed, lost or destroyed, the passenger must write and complain to the air carrier as soon as possible. In the case of damage to checked baggage, the passenger must write and complain within seven days, and in the case of delay within 21 days, in both cases from the date on which the baggage was placed at the passenger’s disposal. Liability of contracting & actual carriers: If the air carrier actually performing the flight is not the same as the contracting air carrier, the passenger has the right to address a complaint or to make a claim for damages against either. If the name or code of an air carrier is indicated on the ticket, that air carrier is the contracting air carrier. Time limit for action: Any action in court to claim damages must be brought within two years from the date of arrival of the aircraft, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived. Basis for the information: The basis for the rules described above is the Montreal Convention of 28 May 1999, which is implemented in the European Community by European Community Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97 (as amended by European Community Regulation (EC) No. 889/2002) and national legislation of the Member States. 6.8 In accordance with European Community Regulation (EC) No. 2111/2005, Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a `Community list’ which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the European Community. The Community list is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/ modes/air/safety/air-ban/. 6.9 In accordance with European Community Regulation (EC) No. 2111/2005 we are required to advise you of the actual carrier operating your flight/connecting flight/ transfer. We do this by listing carriers to be used or likely to be used as follows: American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, KLM, Delta Airlines, Virgin. The airline may use wide and narrow-body jets. Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. Such a change is deemed to be a minor change. Other examples of minor changes include alteration of your outward/ return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same standard. Some flights may need to stop en route. If we know about this in advance we will tell you. Flight times shown in the brochure, on the website and on your booking confirmation are not guaranteed. Actual flight times are shown on your tickets. Flight times are local times based on the 24-hr system. 6.10. Please check with the airline regarding luggage allowance limits and the maximum allowable single item baggage weight. If you have a medical condition, serious illness, recently undergone surgery, or have suffered a recent accident, you must advise us and your airline and you may need to be cleared for travel by the airline which will involve obtaining a Fitness to Fly Certificate from your GP. 7). Complaints If you have a complaint about your arrangements whilst away, you must immediately notify our local representative or your tour leader and the relevant supplier of the service. If you are not happy with their action in response please follow this up within 30 days of your holiday’s completion by writing to us at Trek America Travel Limited, 16/17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London, SW12 0NE, giving your booking reference and all relevant information. We will acknowledge your written notification within 7 days and aim to provide a full response within 28 days. We can usually sort out any complaints you may have. But if we cannot agree, you can use the Arbitration Scheme devised for the travel industry by ABTA and administered independently, providing the dispute fits within the rules of the scheme. This is a simple way of sorting out complaints and there are limits on the costs you might have to pay. You do not have to appear in person, but can send documents to explain your complaint. Details and application forms are available from ABTA, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ. If you prefer, you can take your complaint to the County Court or another suitable court. Information regarding complaints may be shared with other tour operators. 8). Details of Insurance Adequate and valid travel insurance is mandatory for all clients while on one of
our holidays. You are strongly advised to insure yourself against any possible risk that may occur and in particular to ensure that you have sufficient insurance in respect of dependent relatives. You are required to carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested by Company employees or suppliers. The insurance scheme we recommend is designed to cover all activities included in our itineraries and the featured optional extras. Please note, however, that this policy may not cover you for any activities you purchase that are not pre-booked nor featured in official Company literature. If you choose not to take the insurance we recommend you are responsible for ensuring that you are in possession of travel insurance for the entire duration of the holiday in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation (including without limitation helicopter rescue and air ambulance), cancellation and curtailment, with cover/benefits equal to/ greater than the insurance we recommend. If you make your own insurance arrangements you must ensure that there are no exclusion clauses which limit cover for the type of activities included, or the altitudes attained, in your holiday. Passengers travelling on vehicles owned by the Company are covered by passenger liability insurance up to a maximum of £3 million per group per incident, and by completing our booking form you acknowledge that the Company has taken all reasonable steps to safeguard its liability in this respect. 9). Visa, Health, Passport, Travel Documentation Whilst we are able to provide basic advice to clients regarding passports and visa requirements, you should check with the appropriate embassy, consulate or British Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the exact requirements for your chosen holiday and date of travel. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct passport and visas to gain access to any country/ region included in the travel arrangements which you purchase from us. If you fail to do so, we have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer, nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. In some cases, countries will refuse entry to clients who have criminal records. Should you be concerned about this, please check with the embassy or consulate of the countries to which you are travelling. The lead name is entirely responsible for ensuring that all members of the group have the correct and valid documentation for travel. We cannot accept responsibility for any failure to comply resulting in any costs or fines being incurred and we advise you to check with your passport office or the consulate in question if you have any queries. Clients travelling overland to certain destinations may need to also pass through controls of other countries en-route so this should be allowed for with any passport/visa applications. When travelling to the U.S. you must have the correct passport to travel on the Visa Waiver Programme or have obtained the correct visa, valid for your stay. Each person wishing to visit the U.S. must have either: i) an e-passport (if your passport is issued after 26 October 2006), or a machine readable passport (containing a digital photograph) if your passport is issued after the 26 October 2005 and a Visa Waiver Form or ii) a valid passport and a valid visa which must be obtained before travel from the U.S. authorities. The U.S. authorities require passengers travelling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Programme to register on the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). If you have not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel you may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at the U.S. port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the Visa Waiver Programme guarantees admission to the U.S. As with most countries, the final decision is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. You can apply online by completing the application form at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and paying a fee. If you are refused boarding or denied admission at the U.S. port of entry, you will still be subject to our cancellation charges in accordance with the terms of our contract with you. For additional specifics about the Visa Waiver Programme please consult the Visa Waiver Programme information on the U.S. Embassy London website www.usembassy.org.uk. We recommend that you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel and recommend you register at least 72 hours before departure. Please Note: when you register for ESTA you must have a valid passport at the time of registration. If you have applied for a post dated passport (for example to reflect a change in name) this passport will not be valid until the effective date noted in the passport. Children and
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Tour conditions continued... minors wanting to travel with a Visa Waiver Form must hold their own machine readable passport or e-passport. Please note that the nationals of some countries can only travel to the U.S. if they have a valid visa as they are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme. There is a $14 fee per person charge which is payable by credit or debit card when applying. As announced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this fee will recover the costs incurred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. This is subject to change. The Cuban authorities require proof of valid medical insurance before allowing visitors to gain entry to the country. It is essential that you have a copy of a valid travel insurance policy, insurance certificate or other suitable evidence in your possession on arrival at the Cuban airport, port or marina. Please ensure that you keep the policy documents easily to hand upon arrival. U.S. residents visiting Cuba must ensure that any medical insurance policy that they purchase covers them for travel to Cuba. Please note that for some trips we need to request special permits, and as such we will require your passport details prior to accepting your booking. Furthermore, if you renew your passport after you have booked, you may be required to take your old passport with you to maintain the validity of the permit. We are able to advise on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months prior to travel for the latest health requirements, recommendations for your destination and any costs. Where you do not do so and either are not allowed to enter any country, or suffer personal injury or death as a result, we have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. Clients with existing medical problems, pregnant women and anyone who has recently visited other countries should check requirements with their general practitioner. When assessing whether holidays or expeditions will operate we use information from our local offices in conjunction with advice from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other relevant government bodies. It is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with the travel advice provided by these government bodies. Check the UK Government departments’ website at https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad for advice and the latest information about passports, travel and living abroad, including without limitation foreign travel advice to specific countries. For information regarding possible dangers at international destinations, contact the Travel Advisory Section of the U.S. State Department, tel: (202) 647 - 5225, or on the web at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/ cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html For medical information, contact the Center for Disease Control, tel: (404) 332 - 4559, or on the web at: www.cdc.gov/travel 10). Local Laws & Customs Laws and customs of the country/ies you visit can be very different to those in the UK. Be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend, especially if you intend to visit religious areas. There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK. You are strongly advised to check with the appropriate embassy, consulate or British Foreign and Commonwealth Office or https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for further information regarding local laws and customs of the country/ies you plan to visit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with, and respect local laws and customs. If you fail to do so, we will have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. 11.) Data Protection and Privacy Trek America Travel Limited’s Privacy Policy sets out what information we collect, how we collect it, and what we do with it. Our Privacy Policy applies to you and is available on our website at http://www.trekamerica.com/ Pop_up/privacy_policy.htm and through other channels. In all your dealings with us you must ensure that others you represent are aware of the content of our Privacy Policy and consent to your acting on their behalf. For the purpose of providing you with our services, we need to process and disclose
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your information, including any information about other persons on your booking, as necessary and to the relevant suppliers of your holiday arrangements. Sometimes it may be mandatory to do so, and sometimes this may require us disclosing and processing your information outside of the UK/ European Economic Area (EEA). Controls on data protection in countries outside of the EEA may not be as strong as the legal requirements in the UK. We may process your information in accordance with our registration with the Office of the Information Commissioner, and disclose the same to our group companies for business purposes and to companies and our service providers who act as “data processors” on our behalf, or to credit and fraud agencies (some of whom are located outside the UK/EEA). By booking with us you agree for your insurers, their agents and medical staff to exchange relevant information and sensitive personal data with us in circumstances where we/they need to act on your behalf or in the interest of passengers or in an emergency. If you do not agree to our use of your information, we cannot engage/do business with you or accept your booking. We may from time to time contact you with marketing material in respect of our holiday divisions and our group companies. Our websites will assume you agree to e-communications when you make a booking. You may indicate your preference regarding receiving third party direct marketing material. You are entitled to a copy of your information held by us (for a fee of £10) once you have completed our Data Subject Access Request form. You have the right to ask in writing not to receive direct marketing material from us. Please send your written requests to Trek America Travel Limited trading as Trek America, Legal Department, TUI Travel House, Crawley Business Quarter, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9QL. Consumer Data: To provide your holiday and ensure that it runs smoothly, we (and your travel agent, if you use one) need to use information such as your name and address, special needs, dietary requirements, etc. Please be informed that we must pass it to suppliers of your travel arrangements, including airlines, hotels and transport companies; we may also supply it to security or credit checking companies, and to public authorities such as customs and immigration. When you make this booking, you consent to this information being passed to the relevant people. Information held by your travel agent is subject to that company’s own data protection policy. U.S. Privacy Notice: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender for the purpose of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C section 114, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and 49 C.F.R parts 1540 and 1560. You may also provide your Redress Number, if available. Failure to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA privacy policies, or to review the system of records and the privacy impact assessment, please see the TSA website at www.tsa.gov. Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the Company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional or marketing purposes, including without limitation promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video shows and the internet. 12). Tour Leader Authority & Behaviour On an active group holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the tour leader, who represents the Company. The tour leader is not an employee of the Company, however they are appointed by the Company to guide your holiday. If you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in our reasonable opinion or the reasonable opinion of the tour leader or another person in authority your behaviour is disruptive, threatening or abusive, causes unnecessary inconvenience or is causing or likely to cause damage to property, danger, distress or upset, disturbance or annoyance to others or puts any other traveller or our staff or agents in the UK or resort in any risk or danger, on the telephone, in writing or in person, we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If the Captain of your flight or ferry or any of our overseas staff or agents believes that you could be disruptive or that you are suffering from a contagious disease, they can also refuse to let you proceed
with your travel arrangements, restrict your movements on board, disembark you from the ferry or aircraft, or remove you from your accommodation or excursion. If this means you are not allowed to board the flight outbound from the UK, we will treat your booking as cancelled by you from that moment, and you will have to pay full cancellation charges. If this occurs overseas then you will become responsible for your own return home and any other members of your group who cannot or will not travel without you. In any of these circumstances no refunds or compensation will be paid to you and we will not be liable for any costs or expenses you incur. If you are refused carriage because of your behaviour, or you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your airline may pass on your details and date of refusal of carriage to other airlines for their information. This in turn may make it difficult for you to book other airline tickets. In any of these circumstances, no refunds or compensation will be paid to you and we may make a claim against you for any damages, costs and expenses (including legal expenses) incurred as a result of your behaviour including but not limited to (i) repairing or replacing property lost, damaged or destroyed by you, (ii) compensating any passenger, crew, staff or agent affected by your actions and (iii) diverting the aircraft or ferry to remove you. Criminal proceedings may also be instigated. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people’s enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking. In the U.S., the legal drinking age is 21. The Company does not condone the use of alcohol by those under the legal drinking age and in no way condones or encourages intoxication or the use of illegal drugs. If you are over the legal drinking age and you chose to drink, we urge you to do so responsibly and ask that you remember that the excessive use of alcohol or any use of illegal drugs can result in severely impaired judgment, injury and/or death. You should also know that the underage use of alcohol or any use of illegal drugs can result in imprisonment. Your participation in this holiday is an acknowledgement by you that you will act as a mature adult and will be responsible for your own decisions. For the purpose of this section, reference to “you” or “your” includes any person in your party. 13). Your Accommodation Any accommodation we arrange for you must only be used by those people named on your Confirmation Invoice (or on the latest Amendment Invoice issued). You are not allowed to share the accommodation or let anyone else stay there. You are responsible for the cost of any damage caused to your accommodation or its contents during your stay. These charges must be met by you and may have to be paid locally. 14). Trip Details Tour information on the website supersedes any other written material that you may have in regards to your tour. The website will be considered the most up-to-date and accurate. 15). Special Requests We will consider special requests such as vegetarian meals, high or low floor preferences in the accommodation, when you book. We will tell you whether there is a charge for the request. We can only guarantee requests for which there is a charge, or those that are confirmed in writing. It is your responsibility to advise us of any special requirements. 16). Participation Requirements All clients are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking that they are fit and able to complete the itinerary of their chosen holiday as described in this brochure. No unaccompanied minors (those under 18 years of age) can be accepted however (a) minors aged between 6 -17 years may accompany their parents on holidays designated as family adventures, city breaks or villa holidays and (b) older teenagers may be allowed to join group holidays provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. The minimum age for children on family adventures is 6 years old and family volunteer holidays, 10 years. The tour leader is not responsible for any activity which you undertake, because you are in the best position to know your own individual competence with respect to any activity you engage in. Agreeing to our terms and conditions and Exhibit A (and if applicable, Exhibit B) signifies your agreement to this. Anyone suffering from mobility impairment, illness or disability or undergoing treatment for any physical or medical condition must declare the true nature of such condition at the time of booking and make arrangements
for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during the holiday. Failure to make such disclosure will constitute a breach of these booking conditions and result in such persons being excluded from the holiday in which case all monies paid will be forfeit. Under European law, if you are disabled or have difficulty moving around, you can receive assistance when you fly. This free service is available to anyone with mobility problems, for example, because of their disability, age or a temporary injury. To take full advantage of the service you need to pre-book 48 hours in advance of the flight. You can book assistance and find out more via our website www.trekamerica.co.uk. 17). Law & Jurisdiction - Mandatory Applicable Law and Exclusive Forum Selection If you booked your holiday in any jurisdiction other than in Scotland or Northern Ireland (including any booking via the Internet), this contract, and any other claim or dispute arising from or related to this contract, will be governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising out of it. If you booked your holiday in Scotland, this contract, and any claim or dispute arising from or related to this contract, will be governed by Scottish law and the courts of Scotland shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising out of it. If you booked your holiday in Northern Ireland, this contract, and any claim or dispute arising from or related to this contract, will be governed by Northern Irish law and the courts of Northern Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising out of it. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the courts of your country of domicile nor the courts of the country where your holiday is to take place nor any other courts shall have jurisdiction instead of or in addition to the courts of the jurisdiction set out above as appropriate. 18). Liability Our liability in respect of claims involving death or personal injury: Where the holiday is a package within the meaning of The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992, and your claim is brought within the jurisdiction of and under the laws of either England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland the following will apply and sets out our liability (including any limitation as to damages) to you. We are responsible to you for the proper performance of our obligations under the contract irrespective of whether those obligations are provided directly by us, or by third party service providers engaged by us acting within the proper course of their employment. Subject to the limitations of damages set forth in this Agreement, we are liable to you for any damage caused to you by our failure to perform the contract or by our improper performance of the contract, unless that failure is: (i) attributable to you; (ii) attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services and are unforeseeable or unavoidable; (iii) due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and could not have been avoided even if all due care had been taken; (iv) due to an event which even with all due care we could not foresee or forestall. The release of liability and assumption of risk that you must sign before we accept your booking (Exhibit A and, if you book a National Park element with your holiday, Exhibit B) will not be relied upon by the Company or any third party provider of services and we will not seek to exclude your rights to bring a claim or to exclude liability for death or personal injury provided that your claim is brought within the jurisdiction of and under the laws of either England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. 19). Severability In the event that clause 17 of this contract is struck down, invalidated or disapplied for any reason whatsoever by any court whatsoever, clauses 17 and 18 shall be severed from the remainder of the clauses of this contract, which shall remain valid and enforceable. 20). US Forum This clause shall apply where a U.S. court has struck down, invalidated, disapplied or declined to enforce or have regard to clause 17 of this contract for any reason whatsoever, or in the event that acclaim in respect of death or personal injury is issued or filed, or you threaten to issue or file, in a court within the United States of America and where: a. you have stated your intention in correspondence to issue or file the claim in a U.S. court or have issued or filed court proceedings in a U.S. court; and/or b. you have issued or filed proceedings in a U.S. court and that court has indicated it
will accept jurisdiction, despite the provision of clause 17 of this contract, and for any reason; and c. the claim is against Trek America Travel Limited, PEAK Adventures Travel Group Limited, or any of their owners, affiliates or subsidiaries, or any of the third party suppliers who are responsible for the provision of services in the U.S. The following will apply and sets out our liability to you. I. THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AS DETAILED AT EXHIBIT A AND EXHIBIT B (WHERE YOU BOOK A NATIONAL PARK ELEMENT TO YOUR HOLIDAY) THAT ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTY HAVE SIGNED WILL APPLY IN FULL TO YOUR CONTRACT AND TREK AMERICA TRAVEL LIMITED, ANY OF ITS OWNERS OR AFFILIATES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PEAK ADVENTURES TRAVEL GROUP LIMITED, AND ANY OF THE THIRD PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, MAY RELY ON THE PROVISIONS AND EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS DEFENSE OF YOUR CLAIM. II. THE TERMS OF EXHIBIT A AND EXHIBIT B (IF YOU HAVE BOOKED A NATIONAL PARK ELEMENT WITH YOUR HOLIDAY) ARE INCORPORATED INTO THIS CONTRACT. WE ARE TO BE REGARDED AS HAVING ALL BENEFIT OF ANY LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS CONTAINED IN EXHIBIT A AND EXHIBIT B. YOU CAN FIND THE EXHIBIT A AND EXHIBIT B WORDING AT http://www.trekamerica.co.uk/ booking_terms.html. YOU CAN ASK FOR A COPY OF EXHIBIT A AND/OR EXHIBIT B BY WRITING TO US AT: TREK AMERICA TRAVEL LIMITED, 16/17 GRANGE MILLS, WEIR ROAD, LONDON, SW12 0NE. YOU MUST EITHER SIGN AND RETURN OR ELECTRONICALLY AGREE TO EXHIBIT A AND EXHIBIT B (IF RELEVANT) BEFORE YOUR BOOKING WILL BE CONFIRMED BY US. III. MANDATORY ARBITRATION: YOU AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING, RELATING OR REFERRING TO A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES DUE TO INJURY OR DEATH WHICH OCCURS DURING OR IN CONNECTION THE HOLIDAY AND WHERE THAT CLAIM IS COMMENCED OR TRANSFERRED TO U.S. JURISDICTION SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION ACCORDING TO THE THEN EXISTING RULES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION IN AN ARBITRATION CONDUCTED IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A. SUCH PROCEEDINGS WILL BE GOVERNED BY SUBSTANTIVE DELAWARE LAW. THE DISPUTE WILL BE RESOLVED BY A SINGLE ARBITRATOR WHO MUST BE A LAWYER ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN THE COURTS OF AT LEAST ONE STATE IN THE U.S. AND HAVE A MINIMUM OF FIFTEEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CIVIL LITIGATION. THE ARBITRATOR SO DESCRIBED WILL BE SELECTED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION. EACH PARTY TO THE DISPUTE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT ON A SINGLE OCCASION TO VETO THE DESIGNATION OF AN ARBITRATOR SO SELECTED. THE PARTIES WAIVE THE RIGHT TO RELY ON ANY STATE LAW OR STATUTE WHICH CREATES AN EXCEPTION TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT DISPUTES BE RESOLVED PURSUANT TO ARBITRATION IN THE MANNER SET FORTH HEREIN. IV. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION OR LEGAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY THE CUSTOMER IN U.S. JURISDICTION, THE PARTIES HEREBY SPECIFICALLY AND KNOWINGLY IRREMOVABLY AND FOREVER RELINQUISH AND WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THAT EITHER PARTY MIGHT HAVE TO DEMAND A JURY TRIAL. V. WHERE THE CUSTOMER CHOOSES OR THREATENS TO BRING A CLAIM UNDER THIS CONTRACT (OR RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE HOLIDAY), IN THE U.S. COURTS ANY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES. IF THE RIGHT TO SEEK ARBITRATION IS FOR ANY REASON WAIVED BY BOTH PARTIES, OR IF JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ANY ARBITRATION DECISION IS SOUGHT, ANY ACTION OR LEGAL PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE ANY PROVISION HEREOF, OR BASED ON ANY RIGHT ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO, THIS CONTRACT (OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY LEGAL CLAIM WHATSOEVER RELATED TO THE HOLIDAY (INCLUDING ANY CLAIM BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY)) SHALL BE BROUGHT EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF IT HAS OR CAN ACQUIRE JURISDICTION, IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND ALL OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND OF THE APPROPRIATE APPELLATE COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR LEGAL PROCEEDING AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OR JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Real Americas Real Adventure
Introducing TrekAmerica’s sister company
Grand American Adventures Can’t get enough of America? Our sister company Grand American Adventures offers the widest range of specialist tours in North America, along with adventures through Central and South America. Available to travellers of all ages and focussing on the natural and cultural sides of the Americas, there’s no better way to experience the lesserknown areas and really get under the skin of this exceptional continent.
Come and experience epic journeys through the national parks of the west and northwest, celebrate the musical and historical regions of the south, delve into cowboy life on a traditional ranch stay or raft a stretch of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The possibilities are endless, and this is what we live for.
Real Americas, Real Adventure.
Call 0333 003 8240
2099 Visit: www.grandamericanadventures.com
16/17 Grange Mills, Weir Road London SW12 0NE United Kingdom Tel: 0844 576 1358 Fax: 0208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@trekamerica.co.uk
www.adventureworld.com
SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE TOURS
ADVENTURE WORLD NEW ZEALAND Call: UK 0800 899 111 Email: canada@adventureworld.co.nz TrekAmerica Travel Ltd
TREKAMERICA
Call: 0844 576 1358 ADVENTURE WORLD AUSTRALIA Visit: Call: 1300trekamerica.com 363 055 Email: info@adventureworld.com.au Email: info@trekamerica.co.uk
100% America
100% Adventure
USA, Canada, Alaska & Central America
NORTH AMERICA Toll free: (1) 800 TREK USA (873 5872) Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@trekamerica.co.uk
WORLDWIDE Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8920 Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@trekamerica.co.uk
ABTA No.Y0696 Unlicensed Entity Disclaimer:
IfABTA you request Adventure World to arrange for the provision of products or services by a person or company - THE TRAVEL ASSOCIATION which is not licensed accordance with applicable law, Adventure World accepts no liability (whether in Trek America Travel in Ltd. is a member ofany ABTA, membership number Y0696. contract, for negligence or otherwise) for anyofloss or damage suffered you of asConduct. a result. We are obliged to maintain a high standard service to you by ABTA’sby Code We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of, or in Prices in thiswith brochure are based on costs and exchange rates as at September 1, 2014. connection this contract. Licence no. NSW 2TA5870 WA9TA1399 Further A.B.N. 69information 122 505 631on the Code and arbitration can be found at http://www.abta.com Trek America Travel Ltd. is a member of PEAK Adventure Travel Group Ltd (Registered Australian Company Number 131 952 513)
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2015/16
Original Adventures since ’72
2015/16