Best of the American West Hiking Tour

Best of the American West Hiking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Las Vegas

Arrive in Las Vegas and check into your accommodations. Depending on your arrival schedule, you’ll have some free time before meeting up with your group and guide to review the journey ahead.

Dinner and the rest of the evening are yours to enjoy at leisure – but don’t enjoy it too much, there’s an adventure to come!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Las Vegas
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 The Road to Zion

It’s an early start this morning as you hop in the minibus and set off for Zion National Park. A three-hour drive later, you arrive at one of the most spectacular parks in America. Zion offers a range of environments to explore, from thick forest to barren desert and everything in between.

The Riverside Walk trail is a great way to start the trip. It’s a straightforward hike along the base of The Narrows, a famous canyon. Dip your feet in the cool waters that cut through the canyon and gaze up at the sheer walls that flank your route.

Overnight in a hotel just outside the park.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Springdale
Distance: 1 ½ hours, 3.2km, minimal elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3 Starry Desert Skies

Now that you’re warmed up, it’s a much longer hike today along the Angels Landing trail. It’s one of Zion’s most popular hikes, and for good reason – the views from its high points and spectacular, and thrilling sections hiking with the help of a chain will get your heart pumping!

Following the hike, hop back in the minibus and make the two-hour drive to Bryce Canyon. The orange rocks of its massive natural amphitheatre are a sight to behold. Once the sun has set, take a short outdoor walk with your group for a stargazing session – one of the best places in America for it!
Overnight Location: Motel in Bryce Canyon City
Distance: 4 hours, 8km, 453m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4 The Colours of Bryce Canyon

Today’s hike takes you right into the heart of Bryce Canyon National Park. Descend into the amphitheatre and marvel at the wild shapes and colours of these rocky environments. Rain and snowmelt have shaped and eroded these hoodoos over thousands of years, resulting in some of the most unique towering formations found worldwide!

After your hike, you’ll have the option to tack on an additional activity. Hop on horseback for a true western adventure or take to the skies in a helicopter for a breathtaking vista.
Overnight Location: Motel in Bryce Canyon City
Distance: 4-5 hours, 9km, 475m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5 Visiting Lake Powell

After breakfast, hop in the minibus for a three-hour drive to Lake Powell. America’s second-largest artificial lake, Powell emerges from the desert like a dream. Over 300 kilometres long and with a perimeter ten times as long as that, there’s plenty to explore!

Head with your guide to Horseshoe Bend, a celebrated scenic spot overlooking the Colorado River. A visit to Antelope Canyon is highly recommended, with incredible orange curves shaping the impossibly smooth canyon walls. For a truly immersive experience, embark on a longboat cruise to Rainbow Bridge, a natural sandstone monument of special significance to many Indigenous groups in the region.
Overnight Location: Motel in Page
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6 The Great Grand Canyon

It’s another three-hour drive to start the day, heading for the most famous stop along the journey: the Grand Canyon! Your next two days are spent exploring this majestic formation in all its glory.

The first day’s hike is a trip along the rim of the canyon. Peer down to the Colorado River, snaking its way through the canyon floor 1.6 kilometres below. Incredible vistas accompany your every step along the top of this world-renowned site.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Grand Canyon
Distance: 3 hours, flexible distance
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7 Descending the Canyon

Your second day in the Grand Canyon provides an opportunity to hike down into the canyon itself. Descend amongst steep cliffs and remarkable formations as you explore the depths of the canyon. An impressive array of wildlife calls these ledges home, with reptiles, mountain goats, and even coyotes roaming the slopes.

The South Kaibab Trail is your route today, with the option to take a longer hike if the group can manage. Another opportunity for a helicopter ride awaits in the afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Grand Canyon
Distance: Cedar Ridge: 3 hours, 5km, 350m of elevation gain
Skeleton Point: 5-6 hour, 9.6km, 600m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 8 Free Day in Las Vegas

It’s an early start today for a long drive back to Las Vegas (approximately 5 hours). Check into your hotel, then enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Take in a show, visit a casino, or enjoy one of the city’s world-class restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Las Vegas
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 9 The Deserts of Death Valley

Hit the road early this morning for the drive to Death Valley National Park. Today’s exploration of the park is done mostly by bus, although there will be some opportunities to hop out for a short hike here and there.

With only five centimetres of annual rainfall, Death Valley is one of the driest places on Earth. Yet there are no shortage of sights to spot. Gold Canyon, the Badwater Basin, and even the Devil’s Golf Course are all totally unique attractions worth checking out.

Overnight in a motel northwest of the park.
Overnight Location: Motel in Bishop
Distance: Various (depending on conditions)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10 Over the Tioga Pass

Today’s destination is the endlessly scenic Yosemite National Park, and the drive there is no less impressive! Take the Tioga Pass through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the highest mountain pass in all of California. Stop along the way at Mono Lake, one of North America’s oldest and most unique bodies of water.

You’ll have the opportunity for an afternoon hike in Yosemite along the Dog Dome trail before checking into a hotel just outside the park for the first of two overnight stays.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Yosemite
Distance: 3 hours, 4km, 360m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11 The Wonders of Yosemite

It’s time to explore the highlights of mythical Yosemite! A short drive brings you to the trailhead of Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. From here on out, the views in every direction are nothing short of staggering.

You’ll gaze over Half Dome and El Capitan, world-famous granite monoliths that never fail to inspire. Nine distinct waterfalls pour into the valley, headlined by the breathtaking Yosemite Falls tumbling nearly 2,500 feet from its peak. Before you return to the hotel, stop in the valley to see the waterfalls from below, rainbows stretching across the cascading spray.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Yosemite
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 12 West to San Francisco

Depart the park and head for San Francisco, a 3 ½-hour drive west from Yosemite. Spend a half-day with your guide and group exploring the many charms of this beautiful city.

Ride a cable car through the hilly neighbourhoods, immersing yourself in the different cultures and neighbourhoods that make up the city. Of course, the Golden Gate Bridge and its nearby park (which is actually larger than New York’s Central Park) is a must! Enjoy dinner at your leisure at one of the city’s countless delectable restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in San Francisco
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13 Departure

After breakfast and check-out, depart San Francisco via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast