Itinerary
1. Bay Area - Elko
Visit the California State Capital - Sacramento. Founded in 1849, Sacramento was at the heart of the gold rush, Pony Express and first continental railroad. In the afternoon head through the famous Donner Pass and enter Nevada - nicknamed the Silver State. Overnight stay in Elko.
Hotel: Red Lion Elko
2. Elko – Jackson – Grand Teton – Yellowstone National Park
Pass through Twin Falls - Idaho, as views of the Snake River gorge highlight this area. Continue to the state of Wyoming and visit the western town of Jackson Hole. Arches made of elk antlers decorate the central plaza in this town with plenty of shops and restaurants around the area. In the afternoon visit Grand Teton National Park. The tallest peak rises to 13,770 feet. Twelve of the peaks in Teton reach above 12,000 feet and support a dozen mountain glaciers. Overnight in West Yellowstone.
Hotel: Yellowstone Park Inn & Suites
3. Yellowstone National Park – Pocatello
Visit Yellowstone National Park, the first and oldest National Park in the United States. Highlights include: Yellowstone Canyon, Mud Volcano, Mammoth Springs, Hot Springs, and the most famous being "Old Faithful". There are also various wildlife that inhabits the Park likes bison, elk, and bear. Overnight stay in Pocatello.
Hotel: Hotel Inn Pocatello
4. Pocatello – Salt Lake City – Bryce Canyon National Park - Panguitch
Arrive in Utah's state capital - Salt Lake City. Visit the famous Temple Square and learn about the Mormon settlement in depth. Later in the Afternoon, head to the famous Kennecott copper mine. The mine covers an area of about 1,900 acres and is twice as deep as the world tallest building. Then, explore Bryce Canyon National Park. The limited archeological findings indicate that this area was used primarily for hunting with most habitation in the river valleys below. Over time, erosion has carved colorful limestone into thousands of spires, fins, arches and mazes. The formations collectively called "hoodoos," and are arranged and tinted with various colors. Overnight stay in Panguitch.
Hotel: New Western Panguitch
5. Panguitch – Zion National Park – Las Vegas
Visit Zion National Park. The name Zion is a Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge. Experience the dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs. Overnight stay in Las Vegas.
Hotel: Circus Circus Hotel
6. Las Vegas - Hoover Dam - Grand Canyon (South Rim or West Rim Skywalk) - Las Vegas
Grand Canyon (South Rim) National Park:
The Grand Canyon offers one of the most spectacular examples of erosion not found anywhere in the world. Canyon National Park is a designated World Heritage Site and is unmatched in the incomparable vistas that it offers to visitors on the rim. Today, take an excursion to this incomparable National Park.
OR:
Grand Canyon West Rim “The Skywalk”:
Your journey begins from stopping by the Magnificent Hoover Dam and then on to the Majestic Hualapai Indian Reservation where is located at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon (Admission & lunch are excluded). You can walk along the rim of this great wonder of nature - unblemished by modern civilization. You may walk on the Skywalk (Optional tour: $32). David Jin, the man who conceived and funded Skywalk makes this U-shaped platform, which extends 70ft over the edge and about 4,000 feet over the canyon floor. You may also elect to take a helicopter flight into the Grand Canyon & cruise along the Colorado River aboard a pontoon boat (Optional tour: $169).
All activities at Grand Canyon West are CASH payment only. (All these services are operated by the local companies. Fee will be paid to local companies directly, not part of our tour fare.) Tour Guide will collect the fee on the tour and reserve the services for passengers.
Mandatory admission fees:
$ 67-Grand Canyon West Admission and one lunch for Chinese meals (Or Vegetarian meal)
or $ 70-Grand Canyon West Admission and one lunch for Native Indian meals
Optional tours:
$ 32-Skywalk
$169-Helicopter & Pontoon Boat Trip
OR: Free time on your own in Las Vegas
Hotel: Circus Circus Hotel
7. Las Vegas – Bay Area
On the way back to the Bay Area, drive by Edwards Air Force Base and Barstow. You can take a flight to your next destination (airfare purchased separately).