Rocky Mountain Adventures

An unforgettable American adventure through some of the most rugged and spectacular National Parks and mountain ranges in America. Exclusive to Kuoni, this self-drive visits the spectacular site of Mount Rushmore and the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone.

MEAL PLAN → No meals are included.

ACCOMMODATION → Is in three star hotels but in remote areas such as National Parks or small towns this standard may not exist and accommodation maybe more simple and rustic. 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. An approximate $300 drop off charge is payable locally on the Rocky Mountain Adventures and Canyonlands extension itinerary. 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 Rocky Mountain Adventures self-drive and Canyonlands extension.

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. Be sure to 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 between June to September.

DAY 1 → On arrival at Denver airport collect your rental car and drive to your central Denver hotel for a one night stay. Denver is a city that can be easily explored by foot. During your short time in the city, explore the many museums including the Denver Art Museum or visit Denver Zoo.

DAY 2 → Depart Denver this morning and start your ascent into Rocky Mountain National Park and the state of Wyoming. Cheyenne, the state capital, is located on the brink of the Great Plains. Explore this famous rodeo town by horse drawn carriage and catch a glimpse of early life in Cheyenne at the Frontier Days Old West museum (approx. 101 miles).

DAY 3 → Leave Cheyenne for your long drive to South Dakota and majestic Mount Rushmore National Park. Make a stop at Fort Laramie en route, a former military post for pioneers who crossed the Oregon Trail. Continue to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, an epic structure where the faces of four great presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are carved in the mountain. Stay overnight in Rapid City (approx. 308 miles).

DAY 4 → Leave the Black Hills of South Dakota this morning and head back in to Wyoming and Sheridan, the perfect base to visit the Big Horn Mountains. With an interesting historic district which was the occasional home of Buffalo Bill Cody, this is a captivating Victorian style town (approx. 244 miles).

DAY 5 → Continue west today on your scenic drive to Cody. Named after ‘ Buffalo Bill Cody’, the town has long been a symbol of The Old American West. Make a visit to the city’s major tourist attraction, the Buffalo Bill Historic Centre before continuing on to the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone. This beautiful park spreads across the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and is populated with dense forests, wildlife, towering peaks and deep river canyons. Make sure to visit Old Faithful Geyser, which spouts steaming plume shots lasting two to five minutes high in the air. Take time also to visit Lake Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs. Stay overnight in the Yellowstone area (approx. 250 miles).

DAY 7 → Drive through the rugged snow capped mountains which welcome you to Grand Teton National Park. With over 200 miles of hiking trails and adventure sports such as rock climbing and mountain biking there is plenty here to keep sport enthusiasts happy. Continue on to the lively and sophisticated town of Jackson Hole for the rest of the day and night (approx. 123 miles).

DAY 8 → Travel through scenic southern Idaho to Salt Lake City in the Mormon State of Utah. Visit the State Capitol Building, Temple Square and the Tabernacle and experience its thriving arts and cultural scene (approx. 276 miles).

DAY 9 → Head back into the state of Colorado today making a stop en route at Dinosaur National Monument, which was discovered in 1909, and is one of the largest dinosaur fossil beds in North America. Continue on to Steamboat Springs, well known for its winter skiing and historical Old Town (approx. 335 miles).

DAY 10 → Continue through Rocky Mountain Park on Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous roadway in North America. Arrive in Estes Park for your overnight stay (approx. 138 miles).

DAY 11 → Homeward bound today as you drive back to Denver via the lively university town of Boulder (approx. 69 miles).

DAY 12 → Time for further exploration or last minute shopping before you take your car back to Denver airport.

CANYONLANDS FROM £665 REF A0096

DAY 9 → Leave Salt Lake City today and head south to Bryce Canyon National Park. Be amazed at its weird and wonderful landscapes with fragile colourful rock pinnacles and spires which change colour with the sun. Stay overnight near Bryce Canyon National Park (approx. 270 miles).

DAY 10 → Continue to Zion National Park this morning for a visit to see the dramatic rock formations carved by forces of water, wind and time. Carry on your journey to stunning Lake Powell, where blue waters lap against towering red rock canyon walls. Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in America and offers many water based activities including waterskiing and kayaking. Stay overnight at Lake Powell (approx. 248 miles).

DAY 11 → Your next stop is Monument Valley, which has been the film set of many popular Western movies. Offering gigantic open spaces that are punctuated by towering sandstone monoliths, this is one of America’s most famous backdrops (approx. 113 miles).

DAY 12 → Drive to the majestic Grand Canyon today, one of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders in the world. At 217 miles long and 18 miles wide and in places over a mile deep this is sure to be one of the highlights of your self-drive. The best way to see the Grand Canyon is either at sunset or sunrise from the South Rim or by plane or helicopter which can be booked locally (approx. 196 miles).

DAY 13 → On the way to Las Vegas make a stop at the mighty Hoover Dam for some photographic opportunities, before arriving in the madness of Las Vegas for a two night stay. You can choose to be as busy or relaxed as you wish. Stroll up and down the Strip and be amazed at the iconic and jaw dropping hotels, catch a show or concert or relax poolside (approx. 276 miles).

DAY 15 → Your journey ends today upon check out of your hotel. Return your rental car off in time for your onward journey.