Best Of America (Ex New York)

All content by Intrepid

43 days (ex New York)

Destinations visited: USA, New York City, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$5,465

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Description

Looking for a grand all-American adventure? Then this 43-day cross-country round trip will really tick all the boxes. If it's big cities you love then this adventure will take you to New York, Las Vegas, Chicago and San Francisco. Enjoy the great outdoors? Travel through some of best national parks in the country including Yosemite and Yellowstone. Throw in the musical meccas of Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis for good measure, as well as a rodeo and casino or two, and you have one exceptional trip which truly showcases the best of the US.

Highlights

Experience the vibrant life of New York.
Retrace America's history in Philly and DC.
Visit the birthplace of jazz and the home of country music.
Experience Navajo culture in ancient Monument Valley.
Be awed by the natural majesty of the Grand Canyon.
Roll dice in Las Vegas and Reno.
Follow pristine hiking trails in Yosemite.
Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran.
Wander by bubbling geysers in Yellowstone .
Get rowdy at a rodeo in Cody .
Road trip across the vast American Prairies.
Eat deep dish pizza in Chicago.
Experience the sheer power of Niagara Falls.

Itinerary

Day 1 New York

The Best of America odyssey gets underway in one of the world's most enthralling cities - New York, New York.

Days 2-3 Washington DC

Absorb history in Philadelphia. Admire Washington's grand avenues.

Day 4 Appalachian Mountains

Survey the grand peaks of the Appalachian Mountains.

Day 5 Nashville

Travel to Nashville - a true haven for country music lovers.

Day 6 Memphis

Journey to the home of the Blues, Memphis.

Days 7-8 New Orleans

Explore New Orleans, known for its cuisine and architecture.

Day 9 Houston

Opt to visit the NASA Kennedy Space Center while in Houston.

Day 10 San Antonio

Drop by the Alamo.

Day 11 Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Witness an exodus of bats from the giant Carlsbad Caverns.

Day 12 Santa Fe

Explore the sandstone pueblo of the Aztec Ruins National Monument.

Day 13 Mesa Verde National Park

Travel to Mesa Verde, known for its well-preserved cliff dwellings, and see the sombrero-shaped rock formation of Mexican Hat.

Day 14 Monument Valley

Meet members of the Navajo tribe on an optional jeep tour through Monument Valley - the largest Indian Reservation in America.

Days 15-16 Grand Canyon

With photo opportunities galore and the option of a scenic flight, our visit to the Grand Canyon will overwhelm.

Days 17-18 Las Vegas

Leave the peace of the national parks behind and roll into Vegas, aka 'Sin City'.

Day 19 Death Valley/Sierra Nevada

Travel through Death Valley en route to Sierra Nevada.

Days 20-21 Yosemite National Park

Discover huge granite cliffs, sparkling waterfalls and iconic wildlife. Yosemite National Park is sure to leave you spellbound.

Day 22 San Francisco

Continue the adventure in America's majestic bay city, San Fran.

Days 23-24 Yosemite National Park

Pass giant redwoods and colossal cliffs.

Day 25 Lake Tahoe

Enjoy swimming in the blue-green waters of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in America.

Day 26 Reno/Salt Lake City

Call into Reno before arriving in Salt Lake City. Visit the historic Temple Square area.

Days 27-28 Jackson Hole/Grand Teton National Park

Raft in Jackson Hole or hike in Grand Teton.

Days 29-30 Yellowstone National Park

Continue travelling through Yellowstone, skirting around geysers and trying to spy grizzlies.

Day 31 Cody

Get acquainted with Cody, 'Rodeo Capital of the World'.

Day 32 Devil's Tower National Monument

Hike around the iconic monolith of the Devil's Tower.

Days 33-34 Mt Rushmore/Custer State Park

See past heads of state at Mt Rushmore and its Indian counterpart, Crazy Horse Memorial. Later, spot roaming bison at Custer State Park.

Day 35 Badlands National Park

Spend the night livin' it up cowboy style at a ranch in Badlands.

Day 36 Minnesota

Put the mind in neutral as the Best of America trip heads out across the Great American Prairies, bound for Minnesota.

Day 37 Milwaukee

Cross the mighty Mississippi and travel through Madison en route to Milwaukee, famed for its brewing industry.

Days 38-39 Chicago

Try Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza, and take a trip up Willis Tower for impressive skyline views.

Day 40 Lake Erie

Lake Erie is a playground for all kinds of sports - get among it!

Day 41 Niagara Falls

Be awed by the sheer power and velocity of Niagara Falls.

Day 42 Finger Lakes

Relax by the picturesque Finger Lakes and lap up the spoils of wine country.

Day 43 New York City

The Best of America trip ends on a high note in the heaving metropolis that is Manhattan.

Group Size

Maximum of 13 travellers per group

Departure Guarantee

Departure is guaranteed

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (34 nts), Hostel (5 nts), Hotel (3 nts)

Transport

Van

Budget

Allow USD $645 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$5,465

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