Experience America Westbound

All content by Intrepid

22 days (ex New York)

Destinations visited: USA, New York City, San Francisco, 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.

LAST MINUTE OFFER

Leave Jul 11, 2012 and save 25% $2,306

from USD$3,075

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Description

Explore great frontiers and world-famed landmarks on this oversized overland adventure from New York to San Francisco. From Mount Rushmore's peaks and the mighty falls of Niagara down to the vast Great Salt Lake, this is a journey of big distances and big thrills - jam-packed with mighty marvels and natural wonders. Add to that the microbreweries of Milwaukee, the cowboys and rodeos of Cody and the gangster history of Chicago, there's plenty of extraordinary experiences to clock-up in this larger-than-life travel adventure.

Highlights

Arrive early to explore neon-clad Manhattan.
Make a splash at sprawling Lake Erie.
Camp at a cowboy ranch in Badlands.
South Dakota.
Come face-to-face with past presidents on Mount Rushmore.
Travel into Custer State Park and spot brawny bison.
Be inspired by the Crazy Horse monument.
Get rowdy at a rodeo in Cody.
Visit the bubbling geysers in Yellowstone National Park .
Take a punt in Reno.
Nevada.
Follow pristine hiking trails in Yosemite park.
Experience the grandeur of Niagara Falls.

Itinerary

Day 1 New York

Welcome to neon-clad New York. Manhattan is an unbelievable city to explore so perhaps arrive early and walk around Central Park, visit Soho or check out art at the Met.

Day 2 Finger Lakes Region

Containing some of the United States' deepest lakes, the Finger Lakes region also boasts excellent vineyards

Day 3 Niagara Falls

Visit Niagara Falls and be stunned by the sight and sound of 2.5 million litres of water cascading every second.

Day 4 Lake Erie

With a combined surface area the size of the UK, Lake Erie is a playground for all kinds of sports. Spend the night near Toledo.

Days 5-6 Chicago

Discover gangster legends at street level in Chicago city or for an elevated view, visit Willis Tower.

Day 7 Milwaukee/Madison

Indulge in a knees-up at a microbrewery in Wisconsin's Milwaukee county before heading to Madison, reputedly the USA's safest and friendliest town.

Days 8 Mitchell South Dakota

After a long drive across the Great Plains, arrive at Badlands National Park. Discover a region of windswept geological oddities before enjoying a night at a cowboy ranch.

Day 9 Badlands National Park

Days 10-11 Mount Rushmore/Custer State Park

Travel across South Dakota to see the famous presidents on Rushmore. Explore Custer State Park and observe scores of roaming bison.

Day 12 Devils Tower National Monument

Admire the carved image of the legendary 19th-century Sioux chief at the Crazy Horse monument. Experience 'gold rush fever' in Deadwood and marvel at Devil's Tower.

Day 13 Cody

Known as the 'Rodeo Capital of the World', Cody boasts the USA's only seven-nights-a-week rodeo during summer.

Days 14-15 Yellowstone National Park

Travel to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Skirt around the geysers, which bubble from below the earth and try to spot grizzlies, elk and coyotes.

Days 16-17 Grand Teton National Park/Jackson Hole

Venture into Grand Teton National Park, home to dramatic scenery and iconic wildlife and perhaps choose from a number of well-marked Teton hikes. Continue to the Jackson Hole, a picturesque valley.

Day 18 Salt Lake City

Pass through distinctly European villages en route to Bear Lake. Enter the city of Mormons and visit Temple Square.

Day 19 Lake Tahoe

Drive west to the Great Salt Flats. Admire the surreal scenery before crossing the border into Nevada, passing through Reno. Camp overnight near Lake Tahoe.

Days 20-21 Yosemite National Park

Make tracks into magnificent Yosemite National Park. Gaze in awe at giant redwoods, colossal cliffs and rushing waterfalls. In free time, why not head out for hike on one of the many trails through Yosemite park.

Day 22 San Francisco

End the American Westbound Experience with a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Sightseeing here is second to none – perhaps stay on after the tour and visit Alcatraz or watch the sea lions frolic at Fisherman's Wharf.

Group Size

Maximum of 13 travellers per group

Departure Guarantee

Departure is guaranteed

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (18 nts), Hostel (3 nts)

Transport

Van

Budget

Allow USD $330 for meals not included.

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

from USD$3,075

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