departures are guaranteed (subject to availability)
starting from 30 days before departure, availability is on request
minimum age: 7 years
the journey involves changes in temperature and altitude,
Itinerary
Day 1 — Los Angeles
Complimentary shuttle service is available to transport passengers from the airport to the Four Points by Sheraton LAX hotel. Shuttle stops are located on the Upper/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal under the red “Hotel & Parking Lot Shuttles” sign. Shuttles are easily identifiable and display the hotel name above the front windshield of the vehicle. Passengers should reconfirm the shuttle stops at the Four Points by Sheraton LAX with the driver prior to boarding., If you arrive between 18 and 20, please go to the ATI hospitality desk for check-in. If you arrive after 8 PM, ask at the reception if there are any messages regarding the tour and refer to the poster with all the instructions at the ATI hospitality desk (pronounced EI-TI-AI).. Accommodation,
Car
Day 2 — Los Angeles → Phoenix
Breakfast (with surcharge), appointment with the guide (by 7.30) in the lobby of the hotel. The guide will accompany you during the tour, Please be on time. Consider how long you need for breakfast (not included), and the line at the reception for check-out, departure for at 8, 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. Its residents and visitors take pleasure in playing golf and tennis, sunbathing by the pool, and shopping at the Desert Hills Outlet, featuring 130 luxury boutiques., Continue through Indio, where the world-famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been taking place since 1999: three April days echoing with rock and alternative music, where popular musicians and bands draw thousands of enthusiastic visitors., arrival at Phoenix, Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, is a huge urban sprawl seemingly built around shopping malls. It is located in the aptly named Valley of the Sun, since the sun does shine for about 300 days a year. Summers are extremely hot, but during the rest of the year the weather is very pleasant, making nearby Scottsdale, with its luxury resorts, swimming pools and golf courses, a popular destination.. Accommodation Kyoto Granbell,
Car
Day 3 — Phoenix → Grand Canyon South Rim
Breakfast, North of Phoenix and Scottsdale, the road winds through the Sonora desert, dotted with the iconic candelabra-shaped Saguaro cactuses that can reach heights of up to 15 m., visit along the journey, Sedona is home to many artists and art communities. Quaintly set amidst canyons and red stones, often used as backcdrop for Western movies, the town is regarded as a New Age haven by those who think that its mountains shed a cosmic energy flowing through the Earth., North of Sedona, Route 89A will lead you into Oak Creek Canyon, a stunning gorge made of rocks with vivid red, pink and orange hues dotted with large cottonwood trees., You will soon find yourself in the Kaibab National Forest, an expansive forest thick with blackjack pines, Douglas firs, aspen and juniper. The forest borders the Grand Canyon., 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. Accommodation,
Car
Day 4 — Grand Canyon South Rim → Page (Lake Powell)
Breakfast (with surcharge), Enter Navajo Nation land and Painted Desert, see the old Cameron Trading Post on the way., 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 Mai Chau Ecolodge,
Car
Day 5 — Page (Lake Powell) → Bryce Canyon National Park
Breakfast, Cross the bridge over the Colorado River close to the great Glen Canyon Dam to get an amazing view of Lake Powell, the second biggest artificial lake in America. Its turquoise water clashing with the red sandstone hues create a splendid effect. Enter Mormon Country in Utah through the town of Kanab - the picturesque area served as backdrop for many Western movies., Kanab, Utah’s “Little Hollywood”, is a small town in an extremely scenic location. Standing at the crossroads of the Southwest's main national parks, it provided the setting for many Western movies from the 30's all the way to the 70's., continue 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., panoramic visit. Accommodation,
Car
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon National Park → Las Vegas
Breakfast, departure to, Majestic red-stone precipices, petrified dunes eroded by the wind: welcome to Zion National Park, where jaw-dropping views surprise you at every corner., Leaving behind the last rocky cliffs of Utah, continue across the Nevada desert, all the way to the dazzling glare of Las Vegas, glittering with golden skyscrapers., a night-time guided visit (not included) is a must-do. Accommodation TG Chelsea TRU604,
Day 7 — Las Vegas
Breakfast (with surcharge), free day, You can spend the day – or, even better, the night – exploring the many themed casinos: CityCenter and the Cosmopolitan, Wynn Las Vegas, the Venetian, the Fountains at the Bellagio, the Mirage Volcano, Treasure Island, Paris Las Vegas and the Tour Eiffel, Caesars Palace with its Forum Shops’ talking statues, New York-New York, MGM Grand, the Excalibur Castle, and the Luxor Pyramid.. Accommodation,
Car
Day 8 — Las Vegas → Mammoth Lakes
Breakfast (with surcharge), Photo opportunity at the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign., departure to Mammoth Lakes, visit along the journey, 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 ..., Stop off at Furnace Creek Ranch and Zabriskie Point – the viewpoint which gave its name to a well-known movie by Michelangelo Antonioni (1970)., 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., Continue towards Sierra Nevada, where the landscape, deep valleys giving way to vast forests, varies as much as the climate., arrival at 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 9 — Mammoth Lakes → Modesto
Breakfast (with surcharge), departure to, Cross the Tioga Pass (about 3,000 m a.s.l.): a grand, picturesque scenery., 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 Modesto. Accommodation Aegean View Aqua Resort,
Car
Day 10 — Modesto → San Francisco
Breakfast (with surcharge), early morning departure to, panoramic tour of the city upon arrival, 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., a night-time guided visit (not included in the price) would be an inspiring experience. Accommodation,
Day 11 — San Francisco
Breakfast (with surcharge), free day. Ask your guide for suggestions on visits and excursions, board the famous city tram and head to Fisherman’s Wharf. You will have the chance to taste local fish and crab soup, or some mouth-watering Ghirardelli chocolate. Take a peek at the sea lions loafing in the sun and let your eyes wander to the island of Alcatraz and its infamous former federal prison. Or take a trip to Napa Valley to taste the local wine, while enjoying a gorgeous landscape (optional excursion - not included).. Accommodation,
Day 12 — San Francisco
Breakfast (with surcharge), Rooms have to be vacated in the morning. End of the tour,
Notes
LUGGAGE: Each passenger traveling on an ATI Tour Directed Motorcoach tour is allowed one piece of checked baggage per person due to space limitations. Additional luggage will be charged at $7.00 per person per day. Due to security reasons,extra baggage can't be left at the first hotel of the tour. Due to the nature of this holiday, bags are handled many times, so a durable and clearly labeled bag is required. ATI will issue you a special ATI luggage tag which should remain on your customer’sbag at all times to help ensure the bag is delivered to, and retrieved from, the hotel room at each destination. ATI does not assume liability for damaged or lost luggage. Passengers must, therefore, ensure that they have luggage that is reasonably sturdy. 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: bookings for motorcoach tours for children less than seven (7) years of age are not accepted. For all tours, children and young adults under the age of 21 must be accompanied by and share their room with an adult at least 21 years of age. Some hotels may also require that at least one of the room occupants is 21 years of age or older. 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
11 days / 9 nights – from Los Angeles to San Francisco
Meals
Breakfast (with supplement to be paid at the time of reservation). The breakfast package includes: daily breakfast, 1 buffet lunch and 1 buffet dinner in Las Vegas,
Price includes
Bilingual (English-speaking) local courier / guide, air-conditioned motorcoach, airport/hotel shuttle transfer upon arrival (no assistance is provided), admissions, visits and excursions: as scheduled, accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar), hotel porterage (1 baggage per person),
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, 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.. Helicopter Grand Canyon: North Canyon 25 min $199 / Imperial Tour 45 min $289
Monument Valley in a jeep, 60 minutes $39.
Western-style dinner at Bryce Canyon (with supplement) $36
Las Vegas by night (Optional High Roller)
$29 (without High Roller) / $65 for adults and $49 for children (with High Roller)
Sonoma and Napa Valley full day $85
San Francisco by night with dinner in Chinatown $59 adults / $49 children
Walk among the sequoias and Sausalito $42
Cruise in the bay in San Francisco, 1 hour: $29 adults / $19 children.,
Cancellation policies
Up to 30 days before the start of the tour, no penalty, from 29 to 8 days 400 EUR per person, from 7 to 1 day 500 EUR per person, after that deadline or no show 100%,
