Trip Notes NATIONAL PARKS OF THE WEST

Transcription

1 Trip Notes Trip Code: AFL Country: USA Amended: June 2013 Edition No: VB Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2013 NATIONAL PARKS OF THE WEST HIGHLIGHTS World famous national parks of Yosemite, Zion, Bryce and Monument Valley Vibrant, iconic cities of San Francisco and Las Vegas Varied selection of hikes with options to suit all abilities 2 days to explore the Grand Canyon SUMMARY This is a classic journey to the West's stunning highlights, taking one of the most loved travel routes from San Francisco to Yosemite, through the world famous parks of Utah and onto the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. Yosemite National Park surprises with jagged granite peaks and massive waterfalls. On the Colorado Plateau we find lush canyon oases, covered with ferns and wildflowers, massive red stone monoliths rising out of vast desert valleys and deep canyons cutting through earth's geological history. The stunning red desert scenery at Zion, Bryce and Monument Valley will amaze as will the sheer size and scale of the scenery in this stunning part of the world. Be prepared to be impressed! Not least by the the Grand Canyon, one mile deep and 277 miles long. There are well marked and maintained trails in all of the parks enabling hikes for all abilities, from gentle to arduous. We have selected walks that offer the best scenery (first rate photo opportunities!) as well as solitude. In addition to hiking there are plenty of optional activities such as horse riding, heli-flights and boat tours. There are good chances for wildlife spotting and with a little luck we get to see deer, coyotes, snakes and small mammals in the desert as well as an array of bird life. Spring offers fascinating desert wildflower blooms while autumn offers superb fall colours. This journey covers a large region and, although we have kept distances to a minimum, there will still be some long driving days. In most parks we stay several days to allow for proper exploration. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? This is a busy itinerary and you will need to be reasonably fit. All the walking is in the form of optional day hikes which allows walkers to do their own thing - it is essential that you have a reasonable knowledge of the outdoors and show a degree of common sense. The leader will suggest moderate day hikes and will often accompany the group on the walk chosen by the majority. The leader will also advise those who do not wish to participate on the other options available in the area. Please note, some of the areas are remote and hiking or relaxing will be the only possible entertainment. A few trails require some scrambling over rock slabs and gullies and some are rather exposed. The trails vary a great deal, as in the more developed parks they are well maintained and defined whilst in the remote parks we might be following a sandy, rocky creek bed or hike cross country over open desert terrain. Crossing shallow streams or wading through a creek (Zion) can be expected. Most of the walking is at moderate altitudes and therefore should not cause any altitude-related problems. Hiking options in Yosemite are quite varied and can be strenuous. This tour will visit many of the most famous national parks. Driving distances are considerable but we have tried to ensure 2 nights in most places. This is a relatively fast paced tour so on several of the days we will leave early and return after dark. Where we spend 2 nights, the day is usually spent at a park with minimum driving times. Please do note that the West is a big place and the distances might seem long compared to Europe! Legal Note: all group members joining this tour will be asked to sign a liability waiver at the start of the holiday Customer s Acknowledgement of Risk. This document limits the liability of our main supplier and is standard practice in the United States and on all their tours. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors. A copy of this document is available from Exodus if required. Exodus Travels Ltd Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: (44) Fax: (44) sales@exodus.co.uk

2 there has been heavy snowfall. In the event of this happening today's itinerary will be diverted. CH (L) Day 5 Zion National Park This is a full day of driving (9 hours) to reach Zion National Park. Zion exceeds all descriptions: the Virgin River has carved a dark red sandstone canyon so deep and impressive that it has to be seen to be believed. Famous for its soaring towers and massive monoliths, the first glimpses of Zion can be seen from pretty town of Springdale which it backs onto. CH Day 6 Zion National Park A highlight for many will be a trek to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. A steep ascent of 450m will reward you with breathtaking views of the valley below. The trail itself is around 8km with an exposed section at the top (those not wanting to hike the exposed portion can continue along the trail to alternative viewpoints). Depending on weather conditions, we may also be able to wade in the Narrows, a deep chasm cut into the red rocks. CH (L) LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the type of accommodation normally used (if different standards of accommodation are used - see accommodation section below for key to codes), and meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Those on group flights will arrive in San Francisco in the evening. Land Only clients should make their way to the start hotel today. CH Day 2 San Francisco The group will meet at 7:30am in the lobby to start the trip. Please eat breakfast and check out by this time. Please also have your passport and insurance information available for some last minute pre departure paperwork. One of the most popular cities in the world, San Francisco spreads over steep hills on a narrow peninsula. Impressive bridges connect the different parts of the city, the most famous being the Golden Gate Bridge. Our hotel is about one mile from Union Square and Chinatown. An early start is recommended so that we can take a short driving tour and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. We only intend to spend a morning in San Francisco, so if you want to spend more time here (and there is lots to do!) we suggest you fly a day earlier than the group. In the afternoon we move on towards Yosemite N.P. (300 km - approximately 4 hours). Straddling the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the park consists of the most unusual formations. Being of volcanic origin, the Sierra's geology consists almost entirely of granite. The last ice age's massive glaciers sawed some of the huge granite domes in half, cutting deep valleys. We will stay overnight at a hotel located outside of the park. CH Day 3 Yosemite National Park We have another early start this morning as we head into the beauty of Yosemite National Park. Shuttle buses provide convenient transportation within the park, giving us the flexibility to make arrangements for various hikes. The leader will spend the day hiking and exploring 'The Valley' with the group. Along the 'John Muir Trail' we can climb up to the massive waterfalls of Vernal and Nevada and have a chance to take a refreshing dip in their waters. CH (L) Day 7 Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon is our next highlight and we aim to arrive in the afternoon as the soft light bathes the rock formations below. At sunset the delicate stone towers shimmer in hues of red and orange - an incredible sight. We take an invigorating hike along the rim before returning to our hotel near the entrance of the park, our home for the next two nights. CH (L) Day 8 Bryce Canyon We have all day to explore the wonderland of rocks on hidden trails that wind through the stone towers at Bryce. The colour contrast of the red, orange and yellow rock towers with the deep blue skies is unreal. Gnarled conifers grow between the rocks, adding to the contrasting colours. Hiking trails may include Navajo and Peek a boo Loop or even Fairyland Loop Trail. Look out for E.T. amongst the hoodoos! Those who are interested have the option to take a horse ride through the stone tower formations. In the afternoon we enjoy far reaching views of the desert below as we drive to and hike at bristlecone pine-covered Rainbow Point. CH (L) Day 9 Lake Powell We leave Bryce's Plateau and begin descending into the red desert. Weather permitting, we take a desert track through tortured landscapes of monoclines and uplifts. In only a few hours we reach the man-made Lake Powell (approx. 2-3 hrs.) Lake Powell was created by damming the mighty Colorado River just above the Grand Canyon. Its shoreline extends over 3,000km (due to its twisty flooded canyons) and offers some of the most stunning scenery of the West: sheer cliffs of red sandstone rise straight out of blue-green waters. In the afternoon, we can either relax at the lake or choose to explore Antelope Canyon. Antelope may be the world's most famous slot canyon, sinuously carved with flowing walls of red sandstone polished by flash floods. You can choose to hike the lower canyon, a more adventurous slot, or take your camera to photograph the famous slot as the light falls in from the top (entrance fee charged by Navajo families, circa US$30). CH (L) Day 4 Yosemite National Park Leaving the valley we soon arrive at the higher reaches of Yosemite N.P where the scenery changes from manzanita and ponderosa pine covered hillsides to alpine meadows studded with granite domes. We enjoy the fantastic Olmsted Point and then pass by the amazing turquoise waters of Tenaya Lake. At 2,700m we reach Tuolumne Meadows and then hike to the top of Lembert Dome where we are rewarded with incredible views. In the afternoon we drive over the Sierra's Crest at 3,031m and descend into the high desert of the Owen's Valley. Time permitting we stop to marvel at ancient Mono Lake and its salty waters. We spend the night at a cosy hotel in the scenic ski town of Mammoth. Please note that the Tioga Pass used today can sometimes be closed if 2

3 Day 10 Monument Valley In the morning we drive for three hours to Monument Valley in time for an afternoon sunset jeep tour (optional), when light strikes the stone monoliths in dazzling colours. This is Indian country: the local Indians, the Navajos, still reside and farm in this valley. The highly recommended jeep tour goes through the valley to marvel at the huge stone stumps, mesas, arches and sand dunes that lie hidden in this beautiful valley. We can also visit some exquisite rock art panels of the Anasazis, as well as smaller ruins tucked into alcoves in Monument Valley, great for those with an interest in pre-columbian art and archaeology. CH (L) Day 11 Grand Canyon A drive through the Painted Desert takes us to our last highlight of the journey - the Grand Canyon (around. 250 km - approximately 4 hours). Neither words nor pictures can describe the Grand Canyon. Though far from being the world's deepest, it is certainly the grandest of all canyons and its size is incomprehensible to those peering into the gorge from the top; 16km wide and over 1,500 metres deep! Some of the rock layers exposed are over 1.7 billion years old and light plays with forms and colours as the sun moves across the sky, offering an ever-changing panorama. In the afternoon we should have time to walk along the West Rim Trail. As we head out we soon leave the crowds behind and enjoy the views and solitude for the next two nights. Please note that, due to federal restrictions in Grand Canyon N.P, the leaders cannot hike with the group. They will fully prepare you for all the trail options prior to your hikes. CH (L) FOOD & TRANSPORT Food Eight lunches are included. Usually these will be sandwiches (cheese/ ham/salad) made by our own fair hands. Fruit, crisps and cereal bars are also available at lunchtimes. Other meals will need to be paid for individually. The hotels are mostly centrally located and there are typically several choices for meals. At Bryce National Park and Monument Valley the choices are more limited as they are located in less developed areas. On average, breakfasts and lunches range from US$6-20, dinners from US$13-30, depending on if you opt for a picnic, fast food or a sit down meal. These prices do not include alcoholic beverages. For meals not included in the itinerary we suggest that you allow at least US$300 - although you could spend much more, depending on what you order. Most restaurants offer vegetarian options and can accommodate dietary restrictions. Please note that when eating group meals, a tip of approximately 20% is automatically added to the bill in many U.S. restaurants. Transport We use a comfortable 15-seater van with a trailer for all luggage, food and camping equipment. When it is a full group, it can be a little tight in the vehicle but these vans are the standard small group transportation in the US. They have a high ground clearance allowing us to drive on graded dirt roads and access places that do not have paved roads. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Day 12 Grand Canyon Today you have a chance to opt for a more challenging hike into the depths of the canyon along the Bright Angel or Kaibab Trail, or board a plane or helicopter for an unforgettable flight across the canyon (extra charge). CH Day 13 Las Vegas We say goodbye to one of the world's greatest sights and head back west towards Las Vegas (approx. 6 hours). There might be some time for last minute shopping once we arrive in Las Vegas. In any case, you have all night to enjoy the craziest city in the world! CH Day 14 Las Vegas Those on group flights depart today, Land Only clients are free to leave at any time after breakfast. Our hotel in Las Vegas provides a courtesy airport shuttle. For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and will arrive in the UK the following day. ACCOMMODATION At night we will relax in comfortable hotels and lodges where we can reminisce about the day's adventures. Accommodation is generally centrally located but at times, due to economic and space considerations, they are located thirty minutes from the park gates. Some of the hotels provide luxuries such as pools (generally, open only in summer months) - perfect for relaxation after an active day in the great outdoors. Single Accommodation: A single supplement can be requested, but we cannot guarantee availability; single rooms must be booked and paid for in advance. Please let us know as early as possible if you would like to pay a single supplement. KEY TO ACCOMMODATION: We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description. CH Comfortable Hotel, Lodge or Gite - twin rooms with en suite facilities, reliable electricity and water supply, good service and some added amenities. The West is known for its very dry spring, summer and autumn weather and outstanding blue, sunny skies. Being as far south as southern Europe and Northern Africa, temperatures are normally much warmer than in northern Europe. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on the elevation you are at. Generally, the higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature. Spring and autumn will offer perfect hiking days in the deserts and cooler days at higher 3

4 elevations. In summer, Yosemite, Bryce and the Grand Canyon offer pleasant temperatures ideal for hiking whereas some of the deserts might experience hotter temperatures. On warmer days, the leader will opt for early morning and late afternoon walks, leaving time for mid-day rest. Please note the hottest time of day in the deserts is actually 3pm. Most nights will be mild to warm. In the summer months you should be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms. Spring offers stunning displays of desert wildflowers, Summer offers mountain wildflowers and in Autumn the tree colours are beautiful. On early and late departures there is a chance that the higher elevations at Yosemite (Tuolumne Meadows at around 2,700m) cannot be hiked due to cold weather. In that case we would add a second day of lower elevation hiking in Yosemite N.P. such as at the Sequoia Trees at the Tuolumne Grove or gentler walks around Mirror Lake. These departures will also have much colder nights at Yosemite; we recommend you bring thermal underwear on those departures due to the colder mountain nights. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 15 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Virgin Atlantic (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. When hiking we stick to marked trails to reduce our impact on the local environment. Throughout the trip we employ a 'leave no trace' policy in regard to litter - everything taken into the park is taken out to preserve the local environment. We recycle wherever possible on the trip and all leaders are trained in responsible tourism to enable them to follow best practice and enforce our 'leave no trace' policy. We encourage all clients to use reusable water bottles and refill them from taps rather than throwing away plastic bottles. Local shuttle services are used for transportation within national parks and entrance fees paid to the parks visited support conservation efforts. The maximum group size on this trip is restricted to 13 in order to reduce the environmental impacts of visiting remote areas. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. British, New Zealand, Swiss and most EU passport holders do not need a visa (and enter the country under the Visa Waiver Program), provided they are in possession of an onward air ticket when entering the USA. Visas for the USA are required by some nationalities, including South African, Greek and Portuguese passport holders. JOINING THE TRIP IN SAN FRANCISCO 14 days, normally start San Francisco Sat, end Las Vegas Fri Airport transfers for our North American programmes work slightly differently to elsewhere in the world. Please note there is no group transfer available in San Francisco. The start hotel can be reached from the San Francisco International Airport by shuttle, which leaves approximately every 10 minutes. There are several companies available including Super Shuttle and Lorries and all cost around $15 per person, excluding tip. They are available 24 hours a day and can be found just outside the terminal. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic. You can pre-reserve Lorrie's shuttle on line. Please go to for more information. All passengers travelling to and from the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to hold a machine-readable passport (MRP). A MRP has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine. The US now charges $14 for the visa waiver program and must be paid by credit card. The US authorities have introduced a mandatory requirement for all passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for an Electronic Travel Authority. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London website. More information and all necessary Internet links can be found at Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. 4

5 Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time California time: GMT -7 hours Central Mountain Time: GMT - 6 hours Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 8 and 13 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of USA is the US Dollar (USD), with an exchange rate of 1.5 to the UK. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATMs are extremely widely available in the USA and Credit cards are generally accepted in shops and restaurants. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Entrance fees to all national parks and Monument Valley, which are part of the itinerary, are included in the tour cost. We suggest you allow an average of US$10 per day for personal expenses like drinks, postcards, stamps, small souvenirs, laundry etc. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) There are several opportunities for optional activities during this tour. The cost of the most important ones are as follows: Antelope Canyon sunset boat tour approx.us$50 Antelope Canyon slot canyon hike approx. US$30 Jeep Tours Monument Valley approx. US$45 Horse-riding at Bryce Canyon approx. US$45 Scenic flight or helicopter flight at Grand Canyon from US$180- US$245 Sun hat Sandals Swimming costume Sunglasses You should bring your belongings in a rucksack or soft holdall/kitbag; a suitcase is not suitable for this trip due to space restrictions in the vehicle that we'll be travelling in. Optional items: We recommend clothing that can be worn in layers; i.e. trousers, shorts, light shirts and sweatshirts or jumpers. If you have a choice, a fleece jumper and waterproof jacket are much better than bulky/ heavyweight sweaters/ jackets. Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 20kg. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Deserts National Audubon Society Nature Guides Excellent technical book, with lots of colour photos of animals, birds and plants. Native America Insight Guides (APA Publications) Informative, with beautiful photography. Anasazi - Ancient People of the Rock D Muench & D Pike (Harmony Books) Interesting background information on the culture of the Anasazi Indians, with lots of photos. If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? Tipping (leader and local staff) Tipping is a way of life in North America and, while obviously not compulsory, it is expected. We reccommend a tip of approximately US$50-60 for your leader. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Water/windproof jacket (for rain and wind protection) Fleece jacket or wool sweater for warmth Light weight walking boots Mosquito repellent Daysack Water bottles to carry 1-2 litres Torch with battery replacements Strong sunscreen 5

6 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay by cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 6