Classic West

Arrival. Vehicle pick-up at the airport

You will have a chance to have a first look at Los Angeles, and will settle in at your hotel for 2 nights.

Nicknamed “the city of angels”, Los Angeles is known for its cinema, chic neighborhoods, celebrities, legendary beaches and Palm trees, but the city is equally renowned for its museums and shops. Los Angeles offers you all the choices you can imagine.

Suggested excursions: Oldies Car tour; Universal Studios; Warner Bros Studios.

Distance to destination: 450 km

Located on the southernmost tip of Nevada, along the Colorado River, where Nevada, California, and Arizona meet, Laughlin is now a major tourist destination for gambling and water sports. Did you know that the early town consisted of a motel and bar that catered to gold and silver miners? Welcome to the West!

Distance to destination: 330 km

Morning drive to Grand Canyon, a superb geological phenomenon. This is most certainly one of the highlights of your trip. Walk along the South Rim to see one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring wonders in the world. The Grand Canyon is the result of millions of years of wind and water erosion. It’s an endless expanse of shapes, colors and impenetrable shadows. The Colorado River flows over a mile below the canyon rim.

Suggested excursions: Helicopter ride; Jeep Tour

Distance to destination: 280 km

Drive along the scenic Desert View Drive with a stop at the Desert View Watchtower. Modeled after ancient Puebloan watchtowers, the Watchtower at Desert View features murals by Hopi artist Frank Kabotie. You will have the chance to climb the stairs to the top for an outstanding view of the Canyon and the surrounding areas. Leave for Monument Valley, where you will find yourself surrounded by dark red hills. Visit of this imposing area where numerous westerns have been filmed. This 25 mile-long and 16-mile wide desert plain overflows with gigantic sandstone monolithic structures rising high above the valley.

Suggested excursions: Jeep Tour.

Distance to destination: 200 km

Page is your getaway to Lake Powell, an artificial lake created by the damming of the Colorado River, and Antelope Canyon. Continue your daily exploration with a visit of Horseshoe Bend, a canyon formed in the shape of a horseshoe by the Colorado River. The overlook is 1,280 meters above sea level and the Colorado River is at 975 meters above sea level making it a breathtaking 305 meter drop.

Suggested excursions: Antelope Canyon tour; Lake Powell Cruise

Distance to destination: 240 km

Drive to Bryce. The scenery is beautiful, in particular throughout the Dixie National Forest. En route, make a stop in Kanab. Locals refer to Kanab as «Little Hollywood» due to its history as a filming location for western movies and television series such as Daniel Boone, Gunsmoke, and The Lone Ranger. Bryce Canyon, one of the most fascinating natural parks of Utah, will be your next stop. The Mormons discovered this site in the 19th century. The dazzling shapes and shades of the memorable pink cliffs constantly vary from dawn to dusk.

Distance to destination: 420 km

The drive to Las Vegas sees a mandatory stop at Zion National Park, the oldest park in Utah; this Canyon will impress you with cathedral-shaped rocks, some of which are more than 900 meter high. There is also a great diversity of plant and animal life due to the park’s unique geography.

You will then go from the calm and serenity of the parks to the lights and extravagance of the legendary city of Las Vegas. Oasis lost in the desert of Nevada, Las Vegas is the city where luxury and entertainment are at its finest as the lights, games, glitz, and stars shine throughout the night.

Suggested excursions: Sun buggy; Mob Museum; Cirque du Soleil show.

Distance to destination: 500 km

This morning, cross the Nevada desert on the way to Pahrump and Shoshone. On entering the state of California, you descend to the impressive Death Valley, approximately 320 feet below sea level. This area is so desolate that the first cowboys who ventured here described it as “no stream to drink from, no tree to hang from”.

Approaching the Sierra Nevada mountains, get ready for a big natural change. Green trees will accompany you to Mammoth Lakes, one of the most renowned California ski resorts. Make a stop at Mono Lake and the ghost town of Bodie.


* Passengers may be relocated to Bakersfield (Hampton Inn & Suites Bakersfield North) between Jan 1 and Jun 30 and Oct 6 and Dec 31, should the Tioga Pass be closed

Distance to destination: 166 km

Access to Yosemite National Park will happen from the Tioga Pass. Yosemite will surprise you with its fresh Alpine landscapes: pine forests, magnificent waterfalls and sheer white monolithic cliffs. Hike around Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls. Spend some time in the Pioneer Village in the southern part of the park.

Distance to destination: 300 km

Drive down from the mountains and across the fertile agricultural lands of Central Valley. Route towards the Pacific to reach San Francisco, cultural capital of the American West. Enjoy the incredible views of the Bay, one of the most impressive in the world. You will spend here the last 2 nights of your Classic West tour.

Ride a cable-car on a steep hill, go to Chinatown, see the Golden Gate Bridge, go shopping in Union Square or visit the famous Alcatraz prison. Walk around the city, take a cable car and explore the diverse neighborhoods. Rent a bike to cross the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and explore the picturesque town of Sausalito across the bay. You are in San Francisco!

Suggested excursions: Golden Gate bike tours; Alcatraz tour; Bay Cruise sail; Academy of Science.

End of the tour and car drop-off at the airport

If you want to extend your trip, don't miss our extension Highway1, 3 more nights on the coast to go back to Los Angeles!