Western Family Discovery

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

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Day 1
Start Las Vegas.
Welcome to the neon city in the Nevada desert. This brash, iconic city offers families the chance to explore the over-the-top casinos, see a show, shop or simply indulge in a spot of people watching. A welcome meeting will be held at approximately 18:00 hrs in the evening with free time afterwards to explore the cityscape at night and see the neon lights in all their glory.
Alexis Park (or similar)
Days 2-3
To Grand Canyon N.P via Route 66
Leaving Las Vegas your first stop is a dtreat the kids to an ice cream from the ose of real Americana as you travel along an original section of Route 66 stopping at the quirky town of Seligman. Pick up some souvenirs for friends back at home and classic Snow Cap Diner before arriving at the mighty Grand Canyon.

Your family will never forget the moment they lay eyes on one of the world's greatest natural wonders. For the ultimate thrill ride, take a scenic helicopter flight or a nature walk along the rim for some spectacular views. Did you know that only 5% of visitors to the famous canyon ever venture inside? Get your family hooked on being in the great outdoors with a great hike to Ooh Aah Point or Plateau Point for incredible views looking both up and down. After watching a glorious sunset make sure you head over to the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater for an incredible audio-visual experience and learn all about how the canyon was discovered and how the area has developed.
Participatory Camping
Campsite varies depending on departure
Optional Activities:
Helicopter flight US$289
IMAX Theater US$10
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 4
Navajo guided backroads tour through Monument Valley.
You've seen the movie; now it's your chance to run like Forrest Gump on the iconic stretch of road en route to Monument Valley! Discover the hidden secrets of this tribal land and learn more about the Native American culture and way of life on your included Navajo guided backroads tour. Arriving in this iconic landscape will have you thinking that you have stepped right into a Western movie set, with the towering red rock buttes and mesas. There is nothing quite as amazing as a night sky in Monument Valley.
The View (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 5
Bryce Canyon National Park; walk the Navajo or Queen’s Garden Trail.
On the road again, and your next stop is at one of the most photographed places on the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend. Believe us, it is nothing short of impressive. Next up is Bryce Canyon National Park with its fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as 'hoodoos'. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty, so depending on what you and your family are after, there's plenty of choice! The Navajo Trail enables you to hike right in amongst the unique rock formations. Some of you may prefer to hike on the Queens Garden Trail or to remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing colours as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky. Transfer to the campsite at Kodachrome Basin State Park, named after a National Geographic Society exhibition which came to the park and was amazed by the changing colours of the sandstone chimneys, creating a beautiful spectacle as the sun crossed the sky. This quiet campsite will allow you to experience true desert life and enjoy some quality time with the family.
Kodachrome Basin State Park (or similar)
Optional Activities:
Western horseback riding US$65-$90
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 6
To Zion N.P; hike to the Zion Narrows.
The next destination is Zion National Park, named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their 'promised land'. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of Southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With an early arrival today and two nights here, you'll have plenty of time to explore after setting up camp. The perfect thing to do today is walk along a section of the Virgin River called 'The Narrows', if weather conditions permit. In The Narrows, dry feet are not an option as you are actually hiking through the Virgin River in between towering walls, and as the day heats up, the cool water and shadows of the canyon can be very pleasant indeed and you and your family can enjoy a quick dip.
Zion Canyon Campground (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 7
Zion N.P; Watchman’s Trail and Emerald Pools Hike
You have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. Hire a bike or enjoy some western horseback riding. There are many great trails but a really good option to start with is the Watchman Trail. It is a steady uphill climb until you reach the viewpoint which offers stunning views of Watchman Peak. In the afternoon you and the family can find some welcome shade while walking the Emerald Pools trail.
Another hike option is Angels Landing, which due to its popularity cannot be booked by a tour operator and requires individual customers to apply for a permit via a seasonal lottery. We have included more details on how to go about this in the ‘Is this trip for you?’ section.
Zion Canyon Campground (or similar)
Optional Activities:
Western horseback riding US$45-$90
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8
Visit Rhyolite ghost town
Travel west via Rhyolite ghost town on the Nevada/California border, a former gold rush town that was once prosperous but later abandoned in the 1920s. Check out the remains of this well-preserved ghost town, and feel the spirit of the old gold prospectors in the wild west stirring on the wind as you visit the jailhouse, schoolhouse and train station. Tonight you will overnight in Tonopah.
Best Western Hi-Desert Inn (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
Days 9-11
Travel straight to Yosemite National Park
Today you traverse your way from east to west traversing the 3,000 metre-high (10,000 ft.) Tioga Pass over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You'll travel past the eerie shores of Mono Lake before arriving at Yosemite National Park, which sits nestled in the Sierra Nevadas of Northern California. Here green forest meets towering granite walls. After a visit to see the amazing Giant Sequoia trees, Yosemite Valley beckons. Here you may cycle, take a dip in the Merced River or wander the meadows.
Hike the Mist Trail, arguably one of the most outstanding day hikes from Yosemite Valley. The trail has some superb views as you walk across picturesque bridges up towards Vernal Falls, where the spray from the falls will cool you down on a hot summer's day and create rainbows along the trail. Continue walking to reach another beautiful waterfall, Nevada Falls, and return via the John Muir Trail for perfect afternoon views and - if you're lucky - you may even spot Black Bears and coyotes that sometimes roam the surrounding areas. Junior Ranger programs are available at most national parks which gives kids and families the opportunity to uniquely explore and learn about the national parks and how they can help protect them today and into the future.
Yosemite Lakes (or similar)
Optional Activities:
Bike rental US$12-$34
Float trip on the Merced River US$31
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 12
To San Francisco
Make your way through California's historic gold country to the 'City by the Bay', or San Francisco as it's more commonly known! Enjoy a brief orientation tour around the city including a close-up view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the chance to walk across it. Completed in 1937, this iconic suspension bridge stretches for 2.7 km (1.7 miles) and is probably the most photographed bridge in the world. Unfortunately, your tour must come to an end but if you decide to stay on, there's plenty to keep you entertained but the best introduction to the city is to jump on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. If you want to visit Alcatraz on this day, you'll need to book your ticket online in advance with Alcatraz Cruises.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to take fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

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Essential Info

For anyone leaving from the UK we would be pleased to book your flight in conjunction with your tour. Please contact us for competitive prices on flights departing from most UK airports.

If you are booking your own flights, you are free to arrive at any time on day one but it is advisable that you arrive in plenty of time to reach your joining hotel and attend your welcome meeting. We also suggest that you book your return flight the day after your tour finishes. If you have to return home on the day your tour finishes, please make sure that your flight does not depart before 21:00 hrs.

Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations, changes to your flights, or any missed flights. We are unable to delay a tour, or finish a tour early due to your flight times.

Visas

United States

British, New Zealand, Swiss and most EU passport holders do not need a visa (and enter the country under the Visa Waiver Program), provided they are in possession of an onward air ticket when entering the USA. Visas for the USA are required by some nationalities and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies. All passengers travelling to and from the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to hold a machine-readable passport (MRP). A MRP has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine. The US now charges $14 for the visa waiver program and must be paid by credit card. The US authorities have introduced a mandatory requirement for all passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for an Electronic Travel Authority. As of 21 January 2016, any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify for the VWP. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London website. More information and all necessary Internet links can be found on our USA visas page.

Vaccinations

United States

There are no mandatory vaccinations required for this trip.

Eating and Drinking

11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 9 dinners

Most of the meals are included whilst camping. Your tour leader will coordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners. Occasionally, you will eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget for these meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6-$12, lunches from US$8-$15 and dinners from US$13-$30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per bottle. Please be aware that a tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We will do all we can to accommodate for various dietary requirements but in certain parts of North America certain food types can be limited.

Weather

The West is known for its very dry spring, summer and autumn weather and outstanding blue, sunny skies. Being as far south as Southern Europe and Northern Africa, temperatures are normally much warmer than in Northern Europe. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on the elevation you are at. Generally, the higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature. In summer, Yosemite, Bryce and the Grand Canyon offer pleasant temperatures ideal for hiking whereas some of the deserts might experience hotter temperatures. On warmer days, the leader will opt for early morning and late afternoon walks, leaving time for midday rest. The hottest time of day in the desert is actually 3pm, and most nights will be mild to warm. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms in the summer months, and look out for the plentiful mountain wildflowers.

San Francisco

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded as Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely).

This is a busy tour aimed at families travelling with children aged 8 and over. You will need to be reasonably fit to do some of the hikes, but all are optional day walks and there are a variety of routes and trails for all abilities.

Please note that due to federal laws in the Grand Canyon N.P your tour leader can't hike with you. They will, however, prepare you for all available walks. The leader will also advise those who do not wish to participate of the other options available in the area. Some of the areas are remote and hiking or relaxing will be the only possible entertainment, so you should be prepared for this.
The trails vary a great deal - in the more developed parks they are well maintained and defined, whilst in the remote parks we might be following a sandy, rocky creek bed or hike cross country over open desert terrain. Crossing shallow streams (Zion) can be expected. Most of the walking is at moderate altitudes and therefore should not cause any altitude-related problems. Hiking options in Yosemite are quite varied and can be strenuous.
This tour will visit many of the most famous National Parks. Driving distances are considerable but we have tried to ensure a steady pace with time for relaxing. On several of the days we will leave early. Please do note that the West is a big place and the distances might seem long compared to Europe!

While camping, members of the group are expected to fully participate, including erecting and dismantling your own tent, and preparing meals and washing up after meals.

Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year. There are opportunities for optional activities during your tour. Your tour leader will organise these on your behalf and you will pay locally in cash. You’ll find the main optional activities listed above under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour.

Our tours are a unique holiday experience and much of your enjoyment will come from the team spirit of your group and the fun you’ll have together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a sure guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm!

Angels Landing Hike in Zion National Park:

During the itinerary we have time to enjoy Zion National Park and its network of trails. One of the more strenuous and popular hikes in Zion is called ‘Angels Landing’. In response to growing concerns about crowding and congestion on the trail, the National Park Service in the USA has recently announced that after April 1, 2022, everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit. Permits cannot be booked by a tour operator and instead individual customers would need to apply for a permit via a lottery system – unfortunately there is no guarantee of being successful in receiving a permit via this system.

There are two options in the Permit Lottery System: Seasonal Lottery (you can apply for a permit 1-3 months before trekking date) and Day-before Lottery (you can apply for a permit the day before your planned hike). All guests are responsible for applying for their own permits if they wish to attempt this hike.

Zion is renowned for its hiking and there are many excellent trails with wonderful views, such as the Watchman’s trail or the Narrows. Our group walk will be planned to discover these alternative trails. Anyone who is successful in securing their own permit will be able to hike at Angels Landing whilst the group complete an alternative trail.

All guests interested in further information about Angels Landing permits, such as application dates and prices should visit National Park Service page found here.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Accommodation

Camping

We use National and State Park campsites and also a wide assortment of private campgrounds. Most will have flush toilets and hot showers, however please be aware that some campgrounds may charge an additional fee of $1-$3 for showers. You will sleep in tents, which 2 people will share. Our camping equipment also includes field kitchens, inflatable sleeping pads, food storage and camp lanterns and chairs. Most campsites have a quiet time from 22:00 hrs to 07:00 hrs. Please respect your fellow campers who are there to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of camping.

An essential part of a camping tour is helping out with the day to day camp duties and everyone will assist with the setting up and packing up of the campsite. Your tour leader will provide guidance on what to do, and typically it will only take 15 minutes to set up or break down the tents and camp kitchen. Before you know it you’ll be enjoying ‘home sweet home’ in the great outdoors.

Your tour leader will also co-ordinate and assist the group with food shopping, preparing meals and cleaning up. Sharing the camp duties is a great way to bond with your fellow travellers and the group camaraderie is all part of the experience.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

See all experts

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.