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Rio Bravo

Tours and Cruises16 days

San Francisco, USA

San Francisco›Mammoth Lakes›Las Vegas›Bryce Canyon National Park›Layton›Yellowstone National Park+6 more

Available departures

Languages

Jun

Sep

Guaranteed

Characteristics

Group tour with local courier / guide
in English only
breakfast included
departures are guaranteed (subject to availability)
starting from 35 days before departure, availability is on request
minimum age: 8 years
the journey involves changes in temperature and altitude,

Itinerary

Day 1 — San Francisco

Arrival and independent transfer to the hotel, San Francisco’s iconic streets twist up and down its many hills and scenic bridges connecting it to the mainland – chief among which the red Golden Gate. San Francisco is a charming, multi-faceted city, regarded as a liberal, enlightened oasis in a rather conservative America.. Accommodation,

Day 2 — San Francisco

Breakfast, morning orientation tour of the city, appointment in the hotel lobby at 8.00, departure from hotel at 8.30, your guide will hold a sign saying “Travalco” in red; or will be wearing a red T-shirt with the Travalco logo, get to know this exiting city through this half-day tour which will include highlights such as the Civic Center, Japan Town, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour will conclude at one of the area’s most popular destinations, Fisherman’s Wharf. The Wharf offers unobstructed views of infamous Alcatraz Island and consists of a long, coast-side row of seafood restaurants, street vendors and entertainers, souvenir stores, and beautiful ocean scenery, afternoon at leisure for optional activities. Accommodation,

Car

Day 3 — San Francisco → Mammoth Lakes

Breakfast, departure to, Continue towards Sierra Nevada, where the landscape, deep valleys giving way to vast forests, varies as much as the climate., Shaped by its primeval glaciers, the landscape of Yosemite Valley is one of the most breathtaking mountain views in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., During the panoramic tour you will have the chance to gaze at the Half Dome, the sheer rock formation of El Capitan, and the park’s many forests and waterfalls. The highest flow rate is in springtime, after the thaw; the flow starts lessening in May-June, and by August there’s hardly any flow left., continue to Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Lakes is a pleasant resort, both in summer and winter. Its quaint landscapes, typical of Sierra Nevada, were shaped by glaciers and volcanoes thousands of years ago., When the Tioga Pass is closed due to snow, accommodation is set in Fresno, Visalia or Bakersfield instead of Mammoth Lakes.. Accommodation,

Car

Day 4 — Mammoth Lakes → Las Vegas

Breakfast, departure to Las Vegas, From the wooded tops of the Sierra to the to the moon-like desert of Death Valley., Death Valley takes you back to what Earth looked like millions of years ago. In the summer the weather is especially scorching, reflecting on the names of the places in the area: Funeral Mountains, Furnace Creek, Dante's View, Coffin Peak, Devil's Golf Course ..., Crossing the Death Valley might be dangerous when the temperature raises above 35°-40° – if need be, an alternative road will be chosen. A detour can also be made in the event of sudden floods., arrival at Las Vegas, a night-time guided visit (not included) is a must-do. Accommodation TG Chelsea TRU604,

Car

Day 5 — Las Vegas → Bryce Canyon National Park

Breakfast, departure to Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon is, in fact, not a canyon: it’s a breathtaking natural amphitheatre full of spires and arches and pinnacles, jutting out in dazzling colours against the sky, moulded by the rain and frost in bizarre shapes to create a unique mountainscape., Stop-offs at the main scenic spots. Accommodation,

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Day 6 — Bryce Canyon National Park → Layton

Breakfast, departure to, lunch en route (not included), The capital city of Utah rises on the bank of the Great Salt Lake, surrounded by the splendid Wasatch mountains. Founded by Mormons in 1847, it stands at the heart of Utah’s history, culture and religious customs. It hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games., short panoramic tour, Pernottamento a Layton. Accommodation Charlesmark,

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Day 7 — Layton → Yellowstone National Park

Breakfast, departure to Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone is one of the largest parks in the USA, and the oldest national park in the world (it was opened in 1872). What truly makes it unique, though, is its enormous central area, which is in fact the huge caldera of a dormant volcano (the last eruption dates back to 640,000 years ago). Thousands of geysers outburst in the caldera, and several other geothermal features can be seen there – hot springs, mudpots, acid lakes. The area is also home to many animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, moose, deer, cougars and coyotes., One of the highlights of the visit is the Old Faithful geyser, the most famous amidst the many impressive hydrothermal vents of the park (over 10,000). Old Faitfhul projects thousands of gallons of boiling water into the sky every time it erupts (approximately every 30 minutes)., overnight stay in the park or in the closest available location, accommodation is very basic, with no TV or WiFi. Accommodation Dann Carlton Quito,

Day 8 — Yellowstone National Park

Breakfast, full day tour of, The park may be too large to be fully explored, you may nevertheless witness its most remarkable geothermal features, enjoy the most scenic views and catch a glimpse of the fauna, especially bison, following the Grand Loop Road. Accommodation,

Car

Day 9 — Yellowstone National Park → Salt Lake City

Breakfast, The scenic Teton mountains jut out against the sky in the flat, large prairie, amidst lakes, waterfalls and forests where moose and bison roam free. The tallest peak of the range is Grand Teton, with a height of more than 4,000 m., in the afternoon continue to, Jackson is the typical base-camp for visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton. This lovely, Old Western town has turned into a popular winter and summer resort for hipster youth; it offers several sushi bars and fashionable clubs., short panoramic tour, continue to Salt Lake City, From Wyoming to Utah., arrival at Salt Lake City in the evening. Accommodation Athena,

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Day 10 — Salt Lake City → Moab

Breakfast, arrival at, The 150-million-year old red sandstone has been hollowed out by the wear of wind and water in sinuous arches, spires and sheer precipices, panoramic visit, continue to Moab, The village of Moab stands at the very heart of the canyon region. Moab is the starting point to explore the national parks of Arches and Canyonlands, or to go rafting down the rapids of the Colorado river.. Accommodation TOURS EN CABRIOLET,

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Day 11 — Moab → Page (Lake Powell)

Breakfast, departure to, The Utah scenery gets more and more impressive as you proceed southwards. The road twists up and down a primeval rocky landscape, through petrified dunes, bizarre shapes – like the sombrero stone that gave the town of Mexican Hat its name – , and the serpentine meanders hollowed out by the San Juan River., Monument Valley is arguably the most famous landscape of the American West – and possibly the most breathtaking one. The red sandstone crests, jutting out from the desert, were the iconic setting of numberless blockbusters – above all “Stagecoach” (1939). The park stretches over the land of the Navajo Nation, between Utah and Arizona., Stop at the observation deck of the visitor center and enjoy a spectacular all-around view, Off-road valley floor tour with a Navajo guide – an exciting drive through the red sandstone crests (optional – not included)., continue to Page (Lake Powell), Lake Powell was formed when the Glen Canyon Dam was erected on the Colorado river. The reservoir, surrounded by an immense desert, makes for a striking landscape – its turquoise water clashing with soaring cliffs made of red sandstone.. Accommodation,

Car

Day 12 — Page (Lake Powell) → Williams

Breakfast, free morning. You can go for an optional excursion (not included) to Antelope Canyon, Just a few kilometers away from Page, a rift formed by the wear of water carving through the rock in peculiar shapes created a spectacular slot canyon called Antelope Canyon. The canyon is divided in two: the Upper Antelope Canyon, which is easily accessible; and the Lower Antelope Canyon, equipped with ladders. Both parts of the canyon are equally scenic - depending on the time of the day and the season, otherworldy light tricks will take your breath away., departure to, Enter Navajo Nation land and Painted Desert, see the old Cameron Trading Post on the way., The Grand Canyon is the most famous and most spectacular example of river erosion - an inconceivable abyss formed by the wear of the Colorado River. The Canyon is 1,500 m deep, 450 km long and 16 km wide. Its layers disclose the geological history of the last 2 billion years and its rocks change color according to the time of the day - your first glimpse of this majestic landscape will leave you speecheless. The Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a truly unforgettable sight., Stop-offs at the main scenic spots, possibility to take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (not included), continue to Williams. Accommodation Full Day Premier Wildlife Tour - T3,

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Day 13 — Williams → Palm Springs

Breakfast, You pass through Kingman, a mining town, and Williams, a pleasant village among the pines of the Kaibab Forest, the terminus of the Grand Canyon Railroad. Both are located on the historic Route 66 and thrive on memories and souvenirs of a bygone era., departure to, unscheduled lunch (not included), continue to Palm Springs, Palm Spring is known as an elegant vacation resort for wealthy retirees, Hollywood intellectuals, and Baby Boomers pining for the ’50s and ’60s – the bygone days when celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Kirk Douglas, and even Presidents like Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy, came to Palm Springs on their holidays. Futuristic constructions like the Tramway Gas Station and the Coachella Savings and Loans building date back to the same period. The idyllic atmosphere of Palm Springs evokes the peacefulness of a Greek island.. Accommodation Best Western Plus Harbor Plaza And Conference Center,

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Day 14 — Palm Springs

Breakfast, visit of, The area of the park with the Joshua Trees is located at an ecological crossroads, at the meeting point between the Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. The result is a surprising flora, which includes the tree from which the park takes its name (a variety of yucca)., return travel to Palm Springs, the rest of the day is free. Accommodation Best Western Plus Harbor Plaza And Conference Center,

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Day 15 — Palm Springs → Los Angeles

Breakfast, Panoramic tour of Los Angeles – Hollywood, Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre, Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills., Los Angeles – the land of Hollywood, Disneyland and Universal Studios, where life is as carefree as can be. With its ever-shining sun, palms in the breeze, movie stars with their fancy houses in Beverly Hills, wonderful museums, futuristic buildings, and surfing spots, Los Angeles truly makes for an unforgettable destination.. Accommodation Fjærland Fjordstove Hotell,

Day 16 — Los Angeles

Breakfast, Rooms have to be vacated in the morning, independent transfer to the airport. You can use the free hotel shuttle.. End of the tour,

Notes

LUGGAGE: porterage is included for one medium-size baggage (max. 23 kg). Due to limited storage room, we cannot assure you can bring along extra baggage on the bus. In the event of extra storage room available, a fee of $7 will be applied to any extra luggage, to be paid to the courier at the beginning of the tour. Note, however, that we cannot know in advance whether any extra storage room will be available. Due to security reasons, you cannot deposit your extra baggage at the first hotel of the tour.. ROOMS: rooms only have one or two beds. “Triple”, “quadruple”, “family” room refers to the number of the guests, who will sleep in the beds provided (max. 2). The possibility of adding a rollaway bed – even if requested at the time of reservation – is subject to availability, with a supplement to be paid on site. Likewise, special requests for double or separate beds; adjoining, high-floor, low-floor rooms etc. are always upon request and these services can never be considered as granted.. DISABLED PEOPLE: disabled travellers can take part to the tour as long as they are self-sufficient. This is because means of transport are not equipped with a wheelchair platform; in addiction, due to insurance and security reasons, neither the guide nor the driver are allowed to help passengers getting on board. Disabled passengers must thus travel with an assistant of their own, to provide them all the help they might need during the tour. All bookings are on request.. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: before the start of the tour, all the participants must make sure they possess the required documents to enter the destination countries, and that such documents are comprehensive and valid.. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: a list of optional services, to be paid by credit card or in cash, will be offered to you on site. The courier is under no obligation to provide assistance to the passengers for excursions purchased before departure.. MINIMUM AGE: At least 8 years, although we recommend a minimum of 12. People younger than 18 years (21 for Las Vegas) must share their room with a traveller of age; otherwise, hotels will refuse to accept them in.. SMOKING: smoking is prohibited in hotels and on coaches.. HOTEL, CHECK IN: People younger than 18 years (21 for Las Vegas) must share their room with a traveller of age; otherwise, hotels will refuse to accept them in.. HOTEL, DEPOSIT: at the time of check-in, you will be asked to provide a personal credit card as guarantee for extra expenses. If you are using a company credit card, you must get an authorisation from your company. The hold as guarantee for extra expenses changes according to the category of the hotel. The hold will be unblocked between 3 and 10 days after check-out date; more days might be required if the credit card is linked to a non-American bank. We suggest you bring along at least two credit cards.. HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.. START OF THE TOUR: please show up at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before departure. You are strongly advised to be punctual. No refund is provided for passengers failing to meet at designated time.. TIPS: not included – but virtually mandatory, unless service is badly disappointing. Suggested tips: $5-6/day per person for the courier; $4-5/day per person for the driver.. MEALS: not included when not specified. COACH SEATING: seats are variably assigned day by day.. REFUNDS: If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund; also, no refund will be given for any portions of the tour unused by the traveler. TRANSFERS: not included when not specified. When included, a supplement for private transfer is applied in the event of arrival/departure late in the evening/night or early in the morning (usually between 8pm and 7am). A supplement is always charged to individual passengers.,

Starts from

16 days / 13 nights – from San Francisco to Los Angeles

Meals

Key: B breakfast,

Price includes

Italian-speaking guide, air-conditioned motorcoach, admissions, visits and excursions: as scheduled, accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar), meals: breakfasts, hotel/airport shuttle transfer upon departure (no assistance is provided),

Price does not include

Administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage, meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, tips, porterage, transfer to the hotel on the first day, air travel and taxes, everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes",

Optional visits

Ask your guide for suggestions on optional excursions (to be paid on site – no obligation to buy). Please find below a list of the approximate prices per person. We cannot guarantee that any of the listed optional will be provided. They will be subject to time availability and to several other factors.
Lombard Street, Sausalito, and Ferry Tour
cruise in the San Francisco Bay
Las Vegas by night
Monument Valley Tour – $55 (adults), $45 (children)
North Canyon Tour by helicopter
Grand Canyon airplane tour
Los Angeles beach tour – $39 (adults), $29 (children)

Cancellation policies

35 days or more from the start of the tour, no penalty, 34-20 days 50%, 19-10 days 75%, 9-1 days or no show 100%.,