This tour takes in the real 'Jewels in the Crown' of America's
National Parks Service - from the heights of the Sierra Nevadas
to the depths of the Grand Canyon.

After a brief tour of San Francisco's highlights, we head east through Gold Country to the gates of Yosemite National Park. Enjoy an afternoon under the mighty Sequoias before setting up camp under the towering granite cliffs of Yosemite Valley.

Your next day will be filled with a variety of hiking and sightseeing options. Tackle the seventeen mile hike to Half Dome or just stroll under Yosemite Falls and El Capitan. We exit the park via the Tioga Pass and head for Nat-So-Pah Hot Springs to soak in the naturally therapeutic waters after crossing the vast Nevada desert.

Enjoy a full day exploring the wilderness and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. The first and largest national park in the continental United States, Yellowstone is home to Old Faithful Geyser and to most of the continent's big mammals, inlcuding permanent populations of buffalo, elk, wolves, mountain lion and two species of bear. Leaving the park, past the Grand Teton range, we reach Jackson, Wyoming - a ski resort town which still has a real cowboy feel.

Explore the past at Dinosaur National Monument and continue south to the capital of red rock country - Moab, the perfect base for three days of exploration and adventure in the nearby Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Endless opportunity awaits; take a sunset stroll to Delicate Arch or bike down the famous `Slick Rock Trail´, float down the Colorado on a scenic rafting trip or tackle the terrain high above on a guided Jeep tour.

From red rock country to Indian territory, we travel out of Utah and on to the Navajo Reservation. Met by a Navajo guide, we will be taken on an included Jeep tour of the Monument Valley Tribal Lands. Learn about the history and culture of the Navajo people. Hear how Native Americans have embraced this harsh environment, and how their relationship to the world around them constantly changes and evolves. Such a day could only be topped by a spectacular desert sunset.

Words, even pictures cannot describe the awe and beauty you will experience on catching your first view of the Grand Canyon. Once again, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the park at your own pace. Venture down the Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point, or just stroll along the more leisurely West Rim Trail and shuttle bus out to Hermit's Rest. Finish off the day with a scenic flight high above the Colorado River or take in the I-max film, "The Grand Canyon Experience".

Then on to one of the Southwest's best kept secrets - Zion National Park with its spectacular scenery and diverse backdrops to many easy hikes and short walks. Visit the cedar ridge high above the canyon floor or venture deep into The Narrows as you make your way up the Virgin River Gorge. Hike up to the spectacular Angel's Landing or relax by the Emerald Pools. Like all great adventures, your journey must also come to an end. Leaving Zion National Park we cruise into Las Vegas where the tour ends in the neon capital of the World.

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