Hiking in the Parks of the American West

Day 1 – Spain – Las Vegas

Departure by scheduled flight to Las Vegas. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time to enjoy Las Vegas. At night we will be amazed by the illuminated city. Lodging.

Day 2 – Las Vegas – Snow Canyon National Park (220 km / 2.5 h)

Breakfast. In the morning our guide will visit us and explain the program.
Afterwards, we will move on to nearby St George. We will walk over beautiful smooth rocks, pass through a lava tube, cross moqui stone fields and even see dinosaur footprints.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).
Snow Canyon: 2-3h, elevation gain: +/-100 m.

Day 3 – Zion National Park – Bryce Canyon (190 km / 2 h)

Breakfast. Zion National Park is famous for its impressive 800m sandstone walls that rise defiantly into the sky.
We will hike to Angel’s Landing, a huge sandstone dome towering over the narrow valley of the Virgin River, with unforgettable views. Weather permitting, we will wade through the famous narrows and at sunset we will visit Bryce Canyon for an amazing sunset.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).
Angel’s Landing: 4-5h, 8km elevation gain: +/- 450 m
Narrow: 1-2h, 3-5 km, elevation difference +/-0m

Day 4 – Bryce Canyon

Breakfast. Bryce Canyon National Park is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. and an ideal place for photography lovers.
We will walk observing the beautiful contrast between the reddish rock formations, the green of the pines and the blue of the sky.
Optionally, we can make a tour of the park on horseback.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).
Queens Garden / Peekaboo Loop: 5h, 13 km, +/-300m
Other hikes available

Day 5 – Bryce Canyon – Lake Powell – Page (240 km / 2.5 h)

Breakfast. Early departure to Lake Powell. Lake Powell was created by the damming of the Colorado River. Here the red sandstone walls are reflected in the deep blue water, offering unforgettable images. We have the day to explore this huge man-made lake. Optionally we can visit Antelope Canyon. We will reach Horseshoe Bend, one of the most photogenic bends of the Colorado River.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).

Day 6 – Page – Monument Valley – Grand Canyon (450 km / 4.5 h)

Breakfast. After a short drive we will arrive at the famous Monument Valley, home of the Navajo Indians and encounter one of the most unforgettable images of the American West. The isolated mesas and red hills surrounded by an empty, sandy desert have been filmed and photographed countless times over the years.
In addition, the Monument Valley area and the Navajo reservation provide excellent opportunities to admire Native American culture.
We will also be able to observe how some Navajo artisans make their objects and buy handmade items. Optionally we will take a jeep tour with the Navajos through the valley to find hidden beauties such as the “Ear of the Wind” or “Big Hogan”.
In the afternoon we will drive to the Grand Canyon through the Painted Desert.
We will arrive at the east entrance of the park and stop to enjoy the sunset.
Lodging at the park entrance and half board (picnic type).

Day 7 – Grand Canyon

Breakfast. We will spend the day in this amazing place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although many visitors come here, only a few hike its trails. We can choose between walking along the west rim of the crater that offers great views (3-4h, elevation gain +- 300 m), or walk inside the canyon to Plateau Point (8-12 h, elevation gain +- 1,150 m).
By park regulations, the hikes are self-guided.
At the end of the day, we will enjoy another unforgettable sunset.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).

Day 8 – Grand Canyon – Death Valley (500 km / 4.5 h)

Breakfast. In the morning we will have the opportunity to take an impressive helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (optional). Then we will travel along Route 66, crossing the deserts of Nevada, to Death Valley, where we will stay at a hotel near the entrance of the park.

Day 9 – Death Valley National Park – Mammoth Lakes (400 km / 4h)

Breakfast. In the morning we will enter Death Valley Park, characterized by its high temperatures, being one of the hottest places on the planet (up to 50 ºC in the summer!). It is also one of the lowest places in the western hemisphere, located 100 m below sea level.
We will explore the golden sand dunes that contrast sharply with the brown and black hills, the Badwater waterfalls, Devil’s Golf Course formed by salt deposits, and the colorful formations of Zabriske Point. Temperatures permitting, we will hike through the Badlands.
In the afternoon we will drive through the Sierra Nevada to the ski resort of Mammoth Lakes, where we will stay in a centrally located hotel in the heart of town. If temperatures make it difficult to stay long in Death Valley, we will shorten the program here and hike around Mammoth.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).

Day 10 – Mammoth Lakes – Yosemite (200 km / 2 h)

Breakfast. In the morning we will explore Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes in the world. This lake is famous for its white tuff towers, formed by thermal waters. We will reach Tioga Pass and when we are at 3,030 m above the Sierra Nevada, we will arrive at Yosemite National Park (in May and October departures this pass may be closed due to snow so we will travel to Sonora Pass to reach Mammoth).
If weather and time permit we will hike to the top of Lembert Dome (3h) to enjoy the view of the Tuolumne Meadows.
We will stay in the park. Lodging is in rustic cabins with the basics (beds and bedding, cement floor, cloth walls and shared bathrooms).
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).
Lembert Dome: 3h, 8 km, +/-300m

Note: In spring and fall there may be snow at high altitude. Tioga Pass opens in late May or later. If Tioga Pass is closed, the group will travel to Sonora Pass to reach Mammoth.

Day 11 – Yosemite

Breakfast. Those who wish to climb Half Dome will need to get up at 6 am (requires a permit to be arranged in advance at www.nps.gov. Cost not included). The rest of the group will enjoy a more relaxed day. We will drive to Glacier Point, the most impressive viewpoint in the park, with views of the valley and Half Dome. From there, there are three trekking options, differing in length, difficulty and view. Two of them run inside the valley and the other skirts the ridge of the valley: Panorama Trail; 4 Mile Trail and Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop.
Afterwards, we will have an afternoon to relax in the valley as well as the possibility to rent a bike to visit the waterfalls or go on a rafting excursion on the Merced River.
At sunset, we will go out in search of bears and other animals.
Accommodation and half board (picnic lunch).

*Optional, not included: Half Dome: 8-10 h, elevation gain: +/- 1,500 m
(requires a permit to be processed in advance at www.nps.gov. Only 225 places are offered daily and permits are drawn between March 1 and 31, although a minimum of 55 places are always left to be drawn two days before each date. Cost not included).

Trekking options to choose from:
Panorama Trail: 4 -6h, elevation gain +200 m / – 900m
4 Mile Trail: 4-5h, elevation gain -900m
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop: 4h, elevation gain +- 200 m

Day 12 – Yosemite – Secuoias Forest- San Francisco (400 km / 4h)

Breakfast. In the morning we will head to the incredible forest of giant sequoias. We will be able to take a leisurely walk through an amazing forest of giant, ancient and millenary trees.
We will then leave Yosemite and head to the city of San Francisco.
Upon arrival, we will have time to walk across the famous Golden Gate Bridge and transfer to the hotel.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).

Day 13 – San Francisco

Breakfast. In the morning we will visit the city on foot and by streetcar.
We will discover its most hidden places as well as its famous landmarks, such as Union Square, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. Finally we will enjoy the fantastic views from the Coit Tower.
In the afternoon we recommend a harbor cruise in the bay, a tour to Alcatraz or a ferry ride to Sausalito (optional).
In addition, we will have a full-day streetcar pass to continue touring the city on our own.
Lodging and half board (picnic lunch).

Day 14 – San Francisco – Spain

Breakfast. Free time until transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Spain.