Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several. Seeing El Capitan and Half Dome again after 33 years. Climbing to Angels Landing in Zion NP. Seeing the Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. The Navajo experience at Monument Valley and descending to Plateau Point in the incomparable Grand Canyon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a different leader each week. Both of them were very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long days travelling and carry plenty of water. Eating out is a great pleasure but allow for the 18%tips.

Suggestions

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Monument Valley is truly inspirational but the Grand Canyon however must be our highlight, it is after all, well, much grander than the others. Awesome! You will hear this said a lot on your travels but this is really what the word is all about. You may feel the helicopter trip is a very expensive option but we took it, really enjoyed it and have no doubts whatsoever as to money well spent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

On these trips driver and courier are one, not an easy role with many long day's driving followed by checking in and admin procedures. Ron Prince was a safe and patient driver and organised the days well. He periodically stopped at (super)markets so that we could buy breakfast foods, drinks etc. whilst he shopped with the luncheon kitty. This made a great difference to the economies of the trip and the daily picnics he planned became a feature of each journey.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If there are two things we UK travellers cannot get our heads round its bargaining and tipping. The good news is you don't bargain in the West except perhaps at a local Trading Post, but then why just hit on the indigenous people? However tipping is a part of a culture you must quickly embrace especially in the leisure industry, where staff who provide services essential to your trip are poorly paid. Simply put, it is the anticipation of a generous tip which elicits the high standard of service which exists and conversely it is deserved. Not to adequately tip your waiter, maid, driver etc. on the basis of personal economy is both unfair and insulting. Unless of course you have had poor service in which case it is customary to say why you think this is so.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fantastic shapes of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. were so out-of-this-world and Monument Valley brought back lovely memories fo the old Westerns we used to watch as kids.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader did everything to make our trip as good as it was. She was a great driver and organizer as well as being knowledgable about the places we passed through. She was also caring and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take layers because the weather is unpredictable especially in the mountains, whatever the season.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to choose as there were many but sunrise at the Grand Canyon was very unique as you could watch the many ridges in the canyon gradually catch the light until the whole view was illuminated and then take an early morning hike!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lana did a terrific job - she was always full of energy and happy to answer questions! She strived to make sure we all had a great experience whilst on the trip and organised everything very well!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can, spend a day or two in San Francisco prior to the trip starting and if you plan on visiting Alcatraz be sure to book tickets as far in advance as you can. I'd also recommend hiring a bike and cycling over the Golden Gate bridge. Some days on the trip we started fairly early in the morning so be prepared for those.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking over the edge of Bryce Canyon was wonderful OR the precarious climb up to Angel's Landing and then just looking...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Devon was very informative and patient. He had a great sense of humour and was passionate about his country. He even tried to teach me the rules and tactics of baseball - what a sport (him, that is). He adjusted the schedule to allow us see a few extra sites. He even even had a word with an obliging barman who slid a glass cold turkey down the bar for me to catch. He was my 'dad'. Devon deserves a pay rise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Packing and unpacking frequently does not suit all travellers and many hours on the road can be uncomfortable. It terms of money, is important to allow for tips. The cost of tips took some of us by surprise. Top up with water whenever you can (our guide was excellent at reminding us). When you've taken the trouble to save up, book and travel, do everything.

Suggestions

The optional trip to Antelope Canyon was money well spent. The colours and images were lovely. Likewise, the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon was memorable. In Zion NP, DO make the effort to walk up the 'scary' extra bit from Scout's Landing to Angel's Landing. I stayed up there for 45 minutes. Very rewarding. The tackiness of Las Vegas was worth experiencing once. The blue skies over the indoors Venetian Grand Canal, the atmosphere of the casinos, the lights and sounds and the enormous breakfast at the Paris Hotel - all need to be seen, experienced, heard and savoured...at least once in a lifetime.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having avoided looking at pictures before going, the evening view from the rim of Bryce Canyon is unbelievable and unforgettable. Views stretch the equivalent of north London to the south coast!  We weren't planning on taking the helicopter ride at the Grand Canyon but the closure of the National Parks (this was the only one we missed) prompted us to take the plunge. Even flying over the canyon it is impossible to take in the scale and to realise the river is a mile below. The change in the vegetation coming from the Sierra Nevada to Mono Lake, with its tufa rocks and wildlife, was almost instantaneous and summed up the trip in terms of the ever changing scenery. The trip around Monument Valley with the Navajo guide was all that was expected from the films.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rebecca was full of enthusiasm and sought to meet everyone's needs. She did a sterling job as driver (safe and comfortable), guide, luggage handler, hotel booker inner, lunch organiser etc., etc. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Very limited time in San Francisco so worth considering travelling a day or two beforehand. The National Park walks are at a fairly high altitude so be aware of this for both for breathing and temperature. 

Suggestions

There is limited room in the tour minibus with a full party.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gosh, there were several! Yosemite is just so beautiful and idyllic - I had been before but I still found it stunning.I really hadn't been sure if I would be able to brace myself to make it to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, but I did, and the spectacular view at the top was a wonderful reward!Wading in the Narrows at Zion National Park was a very memorable experience - a beautiful setting and the water was lovely (after the initially quite bracing sensation of stepping into it!).Monument Valley is as amazing as you hope it will be, given what a familiar location it is from films and TV. The jeep tour followed by dinner with the Navajo is extremely enjoyable, inspiring and fun. How can you beat sitting outside under the stars eating dinner by a campfire in Monument Valley?!The Grand Canyon: even standing there in person, looking at it in the sunset, I still found it hard to truly get my head around the sheer scale and beauty of it. The true meaning of the adjective 'awesome' has been somewhat undermined as it used too lightly now, but in the case of The Grand Canyon, it truly is legitimate to describe it as 'awesome'. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex Yakshe was great fun, very organized, well informed and keen to ensure that we were all having the best-possible holiday experience. In a group you are always going to get varying tastes and interests, and he did everything that he could to accommodate different requests and/or suggestions.People on holiday tend to put their brains into a bit of a 'powered-down setting', and for my own part I appreciated that he seemed to be completely un-phased by having to explain things more than once (or twice, or three times...!).Alex has an infectious enthusiasm and energy, and I surprised myself by willingly waking very early to greet several sunrises. I'm not usually much of a morning person but it was undoubtedly worth it and in fact I would highly recommend it! It was pretty cool to get to attend a rodeo one evening, and also very educational.Importantly, he regularly emphasized safety considerations and taking the right kit with us, and we were well drilled in keeping ourselves properly hydrated - very important in the kinds of conditions that we were often hiking in.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take aqua shoes or water-proof sandals so that you do have the option to wade in the Narrows at Zion National Park. You couldn't do it without appropriate footwear and it is a lovely experience.Remember to take a spare camera battery or camera-battery charger, and a spare memory card (or a memory card with *a lot* of capacity) as you will want to take many, many photos! If you are considering whether or not to do this trip - DO IT!

Suggestions

One of the most amazing trips I have done. I left the USA feeling really very envious of their fabulous national parks, which are run and managed so well. I met some lovely people, had a lot of laughs, saw some amazing sights that I will never forget. It really doesn't get any better than this!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk through The Narrows at Zion was glorious - you do need waterproof shoes/sandals for this as there are large and slippery rocks to negotiate, we didn't need a wetsuit but we did have our swimwear on just in case it got particularly deep. I also loved the Monument Valley jeep tour with the Navajo (stay for dinner and you'll drive back under the stars) and Bryce Canyon and its Hoodoos were 'awesome'.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was fantastic! He took very good care of us all and was extremely well organised and knowledgeable. Often the group split up to do different walks or activities and he always made sure that could be accommodated. He was endlessly patient, despite our constant stream of questions about everything from the colour of American cheese to gun legislation, and he did his upmost to ensure that everyone was having a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely take waterproof sandals/shoes so that you can do the Narrows walk. Take a good camera (plus charger) as there is so much you will want to take photos of. Unless you can read on a bus, don't bother taking a book as you won't have time to read during the day and you will be far too tired to read at the end of it!

Suggestions

If you are at all nervous about signing up alone, don't be! You'd be surprised at how quickly the group bonds and you will start talking to people from the minute you meet up in reception, the size of the group (not to mention the bus!) means it's almost impossible not to be friendly!

Most Inspirational Moment

The entire trip was inspirational! Yes there are some long drives (one our leader aptly named "Van Appreciation Day") but there is so much to see even that long day passed too quick. The walks were definitely the highlights of course. The Yosemite walk up the waterfall trail was superb, especially walking in the spray from the falls and the sun created rainbows through which we walked - pure magic! Angels Landing in Zion was very exciting and Pam & I will never forget it - standing on the narrow ridge with vertiginous drops on either side of us - wow again! Bryce Canyon was wondrous, the Hoodoos have to be seen to be believed. We walked the Fairyland Trail and the name is spot on. It was early morning and we were the only ones on the trail, silence, birds singing and amazing rock formations all around. We would love to go back and explore more! Of course the Grand Canyon is the most awesome site - it is immense! Walk in the early morning though - it was like an oven! Which did we prefer? Hmm they all have their qualities but we opt for Zion & Bryce, there is something about them that wants us to go back and explore them more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brady our leader was great. He went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed the trip. He even added on some extra locations and little surprises which were not on the itinerary. He gets our vote as leader of the year! He also did all the driving too and was VERY safe, at no time did we feel uncomfortable in the van.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pam & I have been on over 12 trips with Exodus now and the leader has always accompanied us on the walks. However due to some quirk of the parks regulations in the USA in this case he cannot accompany you! But the trails are so easy to follow that you cannot get lost and it was not a problem. Bearing that in mind though ensure you take some first aid with you as the leader would normally carry it for the group! Also follow all his instructions regarding water - you need LOTS of it on the walks. We didn't manage the walk through the narrows in Zion due to lack of time, but in the itinerary it does not mention the need to hire wet suits as the water can be waist deep in places!One last word - the van holds about 13 travellers and would be very cramped with a full complement. As there were only 7 in our group we could spread out and swap seats as we went along. This added to the pleasure and comfort of the trip.

Suggestions

On reflection my wife and I think this is the best trip we have ever been on and probably ranks as the best holiday we have ever had. If you fancy it - DO IT. You will not be disappointed!

Most Inspirational Moment

Bryce Canyon, a place I have wanted to see for many yéars, was breathtaking; the colours and shadows ever changing with the different quality of light.  Hugging a bristle cone pine was a long-held ambition and I achieved it!! Clambering up to Angel's Landing was the scariest thing I have ever done, so I'm not sure that it was inspirational, perhaps just foolhardy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brendan was a superb and efficient leader, aware of our needs as a group, and sensitive to individual needs.  He went out of his way to take us to interesting places, such as star-gazing away from any source of light, and really wanted us to see the very best of his country. He was enthusiastic, generous with information about all the places we went to, a really good and careful driver, and on top of that  had a good sense of humour and fun.  His organisation of picnic lunches, hotel keys etc. was second to none, and he was universally appreciated and liked.  In short, he could not have been bettered! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a very full and busy schedule, as stated in the trip notes.  There are some early starts. At this time of year,ie October, heed the advice about about taking and wearing layers, as we encountered frost and snow as well as warm conditions.  At times, the day-time temperature was hot, but when the sun went in, it got very cold, so carry extra layers while walking. 

Suggestions

I would just like to add that we had a superb holiday, enhanced by good company, a fantastic leader, and out of this world scenery.