Western Express Southbound Adventure Tour

From Joshua trees and the Grand Canyon to roadside burger joints and the cosmopolitan streets of San Francisco, this region is loaded with the intriguing and the incredible. Best of all, the San Francisco to Los Angeles itinerary is structured so that those short on time can experience the region's best. At any of the sights you'll get great pictures and a greater appreciation of what you're seeing. Best of all, national park entrances fees are included, so you can explore Yosemite and still try your luck in Las Vegas.

Highlights

Bask in the big city lights of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Live it up in Vegas, Hike through Yosemite, Check out Death Valley, Get your kicks on Route 66, Stare in wonder at the Grand Canyon, Snap pics of Joshua Tree National Park's iconic vegetation

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group. Yosemite NP Visit. Death Valley NP Visit. Grand Canyon NP Visit. Joshua Tree NP Visit. Route 66 Visit. Sunset at the rim of the Grand Canyon. Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas. Entrance fees to all national parks with hiking and walking excursions. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. June to September Tour Start Dates Only: Self
inflating mattresses and dome tents for camping by Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks.

Accommodation

October
May Start Dates: Hotels (7 nts). June
September Start Dates: Hotels (5 nts), participation camping (2 nts).

Meals Included

1 dinner

Transport

Air
conditioned private touring van, walking, hiking

About our Transportation

We use 15
passenger vans for up to 14 people plus the CEO/Driver for all our of our trips in North America. For groups of 8 and more travellers, we also use a trailer to carry luggage and camping equipment. These vans are durable vehicles that allow us to drive on most types of roads in North America. Each van has a front passenger seat and 4 benches that will accommodate 3 people each. No standing is permitted in these vehicles, but there is air conditioning to cool things down on warm days and mandatory seat belts to us secure and safe. This is not a physically demanding journey. However, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and limited space in the van. Please take note of the travel times and distances in the above itinerary. Despite some of the long days, most clients feel that the diversity of the North American landscape, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience!

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture
wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet. We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium
sized suitcase if you prefer. Heavy luggage is not recommended for the health of the CEO, who will take a lead in loading the storage trailer. Due to space in the trailer, we will not be able to accommodate more than one piece of main luggage per person. A good size day
pack (20
35L) is also essential to carry your personal gear for the day, as access to luggage between destinations will be limited. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light jacket. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.