Heart of National Parks Self-Drive

This comprehensive self-drive gives you the chance to discover some of the most-visited National Parks in America’s southwest, including the remarkable Grand Canyon, beautiful Yosemite and the extreme landscapes of Death Valley. You’ll also take in the much-loved city of San Francisco, the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas and many other iconic cities.

MEAL PLAN
No meals are included.

ACCOMMODATION
Is in 3 star hotels. In remote areas such as National Parks or small towns this standard may not exist and accommodation may be more simple and basic. Hotels will be confirmed with final itineraries.

TOUR INCLUDES
Prices include an Alamo rental car on a rental only basis including unlimited mileage and size depending on the number of people in your party. A one-way drop off charge of approx. US$300 is payable locally. Please call for details of allocated cars and Alamo’s rental packages. A comprehensive step-by-step self-drive holiday guide with maps, driving instructions and sightseeing information is included in your Heart of National Parks self-drive.

GRATUITIES
Tipping is common practice in North America. We recommend  between 10-15% for waiting staff, barmen and guides and smaller amounts for

doormen and porters.

TRAVEL TIPS
Please note that USA National Parks require passes and these are not included. We recommend pre-booking your National Park Pass online at www.nps.gov/fees for a charge of around $80 per vehicle. Passes can also be obtained at the Parks. Pack sunhats, glasses and sun cream if travelling in the summer months as temperatures in the National Parks can get extremely hot. Early booking is also recommended if travelling June to September.

NB
In the event of the Tioga Pass being closed due to road or weather conditions (generally from early November through to late May), travel will be via Fresno with an

overnight stay, and your second night in Yosemite will not be included.

DAY 1 - LOS ANGELES
Arrive in Los Angeles and collect your rental car from Alamo. See the famous Hollywood sign and peruse designer boutiques in this celebrity playground.

DAY 2 - LOS ANGELES TO SAN DIEGO
Leave Los Angeles and drive to San Diego for two nights. Visit Cabrillo National Monument, located in a stunning park with views of Coronado and San Diego’s harbour and skyline. The 14-foot sandstone statue honours the day Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on what is now the USA’s west coast (approx. 120 miles).

DAY 4 - SAN DIEGO TO PALM SPRINGS
Drive to Palm Springs, home to Joshua Tree National Park. This 800,000-acre desert park looks barren in the summer but hosts a plethora of animals including bighorn sheep, golden eagles, tortoises, lizards and snakes. Fascinating plants that thrive in this harsh environment include Joshua trees, creosote bush and cholla cactus, and the park also boasts rugged, rocky mountains and granite monoliths (approx. 139 miles).

DAY 5 - SAN DIEGO TO SCOTTSDALE
Take a slow drive to Scottsdale, visiting Sedona or Montezuma's Castle on your way into the arid Arizona Valley. Relax in the warmth of the Arizona sun poolside at your hotel, perhaps take a balloon flight for amazing views of the desert landscapes or visit the interesting Desert Botanical Gardens (approx. 278 miles).

DAY 6 - SCOTTSDALE TO GRAND CANYON
Leave Scottsdale this morning for the stunning Grand Canyon, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Enjoy a full day exploring the Canyon before perhaps taking a short hike or a helicopter flight over this spectacular National Park (approx. 261 miles).

DAY 8 - GRAND CANYON TO CORTEZ
Continue to Colorado, stopping for a night in Cortez. Visit Mesa Verde National Park, home to over 4,000 archaeological sites that give a fascinating insight into the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here from 600-1300AD. Perhaps book a tour of one of the park’s 600 ancient cliff dwellings, such as Cliff Palace, Balcony House or Long House (approx. 425 miles).

DAY 9 - CORTEZ TO KAYENTA
Drive back into Arizona, this time to Kayenta for one night. Kayenta is the gateway to Monument Valley, known as Eighth Wonder of the World. Scattered with with spectacular sandstone formations, this vivid red valley famously featured in the classic Tom Hanks film Forrest Gump (approx. 118 miles).

DAY 10 - KAYENTA TO PAGE
Arrive at Lake Powell in Page, where you’ll spend the next two nights. This breathtaking man-made reservoir boasts spectacular views, sparkling turquoise waters, red-rock walls and sandy beaches. You might wish to take an optional boat cruise on the lake (approx. 100 miles).

DAY 12 - PAGE TO BRYCE CANYON
Depart for Bryce Canyon National Park. The canyon is in fact a giant natural amphitheatre that was created by the gradual erosion of the Paunsaugunt Plateau’s eastern side, and features brilliantly-coloured spires formed by wind and rain over the years (approx. 155 miles).

DAY 13 - BRYCE CANYON TO LAS VEGAS
Leave Bryce Canyon for Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world. Stay here for two nights of non-stop fun! Take in one of the spectacular shows, walk around the jaw-dropping hotels and try your luck at the casinos (approx. 257 miles).

DAY 15 - LAS VEGAS TO DEATH VALLEY
Drive on to Death Valley National Park, a magnificent region of stark extremes that features desert dunes, snow-capped mountains, multi-coloured layers of rock and watery canyons. One of the hottest places on earth, here you’ll find rare desert wildlife and historical sites (approx. 118 miles).

DAY 16 - DEATH VALLEY TO YOSEMITE
Journey through the lush California valleys to Yosemite. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Yosemite with its wonderful cascading waterfalls and lakes, massive granite domes and fragrant pine trees (approx. 300 miles).

DAY 17 - YOSEMITE TO SAN FRANCISCO
Continue to San Francisco for two nights. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf, take a ferry across to Alcatraz, walk around Chinatown and the shops of Union Square or hire a bike and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito (approx. 191 miles).

DAY 19 - SAN FRANCISCO TO MONTEREY
Leave San Francisco and drive to Monterey for a true taste of authentic, iconic California. Try fresh Monterey Bay seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf and cruise your car along Pebble Beach’s famously scenic 17-Mile Drive or the Big Sur coastline’s Highway One (approx. 112 miles).

DAY 20 - MONTEREY TO SANTA BARBARA
Drive to Santa Barbara, a sun-drenched resort known as the ‘American Riviera’ and surrounded by mountains, valleys and beaches. Visit rolling wineries, visit the Botanic Gardens and spend time shopping in boutiques and dining in fantastic restaurants (approx. 248 miles).

DAY 21 - SANTA BARBARA TO LOS ANGELES
Arrive back in Los Angeles to return your rental car (approx. 95 miles).