Wild Western USA

11 days
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Small Group Tour
Get a dose of national parks, cities and the iconic Route 66 on this 11-day adventure through the USA’s wild west. Start with a side of glitz and glam in Los Angeles, then swap the concrete jungle for the cactus gardens of Joshua Tree National Park and explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend three nights near Yosemite National Park, uncovering highli...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Explore the unusual rock formations, striking desert cactus gardens and unexpected oases of Joshua Tree National Park.
    • Spend two nights soaking up all that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer, with trips to the South Rim, Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon.
    • Road trip along the historic Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road', and get a dose of old-school Americana at the eccentric town of Seligman.
    • Swap natural wonders for the world-class dining, shows and museums of Las Vegas for two nights – there's more to the city than just the bright lights!
    • Spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park with two full days of exploration. Join your leader on hikes to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Falls and more.
    • Where better to end your adventure than in San Francisco, multicultural 'City by the Bay'. With the option to extend your visit a couple of days, you won’t be wanting to go home just yet.

What's this trip about?

    Get a dose of national parks, cities and the iconic Route 66 on this 11-day adventure through the USA’s wild west. Start with a side of glitz and glam in Los Angeles, then swap the concrete jungle for the cactus gardens of Joshua Tree National Park and explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend three nights near Yosemite National Park, uncovering highlights like Half Dome, the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite Falls, then head to the coast and move through constantly changing scenery to the City by the Bay, San Francisco. For those who want to hit the wide-open road and see the natural wonder of USA’s west, this extensive LA to San Fran adventure is just the ticket.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 to 17 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySanta Monica
End CitySan Francisco

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • High Adventure

Destinations

Attractions

  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Death Valley
  • Grand Canyon
  • Las Vegas
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco
  • Yosemite National Park

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
    • Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance
    • Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
    • Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
    • Visit to Mono Lake
    • Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Los Angeles

Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting today at 6 pm. If you arrive in the city early, you might like to explore the home of movie stars – stroll Rodeo Drive for a bit of people-watching or amp up the culture with a trip to the Getty Centre o...

Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park

Today, you’ll head away from the coast and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Sitting between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park is famous for its spectacular desert plants – including the park’s namesake Joshua trees – along with cacti and Mojave yuccas. The ...

Day 3 Grand Canyon National Park

Drive along a section of the famous Route 66 to Grand Canyon National Park, stopping in at the eccentric Seligman. The town is a vibrant slice of retro America, and a great place to get a feel of the old days with its many kitschy shops, diners and photo ops. Maybe tr...

Day 4 Grand Canyon National Park

Start your day off with a leader-led tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. You’ll be taken to some incredible viewpoints and see couple famous sights, like Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon, before finishing at Hermit’s Rest. You’re then free to choose your adventure...

Day 5 Las Vegas

Head out of the Grand Canyon and cross the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas. Vegas may be known for its casinos and late-night antics, but there's plenty more to it than meets the eye. You could check out the Neon Museum or the Mob Museum, take in a Cirque du Soleil show or simply enjoy the people watching as you stroll along the Strip.

Day 6 Las Vegas

Today is as clear as the blue skies in the deserts of Nevada. There are no planned activities until another meeting in the hotel lobby today at 6 pm, where you may meet some new travellers on your wild west adventure. After your briefing, why not go check out one of the all-you-can-eat buffets on offer with your new and updated crew.

Day 7 Sierra Nevada Mountains

Leave the bright lights of Vegas behind and drive into the eastern Sierra Nevada. Sandwiched between Central Valley and Death Valley, this is a scenic trip that’ll take you to the town of Bishop, where you’ll camp the night. In town, maybe go to Erick Schat’s European-style bakery for a delicious treat, or perhaps pay a visit to some nearby natural hot springs.

Day 8 Yosemite National Park

Prepare for some spectacular mountain scenery as you depart from Bishop and head west to Yosemite National Park. This morning, stop at the crystal-clear Mono Lake before continuing through the Tioga Pass (snow levels permitting) into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mou...

Day 9 Yosemite National Park

Head into the national park this morning, and join your leader for an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk...

Day 10 Yosemite National Park

Today, venture back into the national park and continue exploring with your leader. As a group, you’ll decide how you want to spend the day. Instead of hiking, you might like to hire a bike and explore Yosemite Valley on two wheels. You can also visit the park's museu...

Day 11 San Francisco

Leave Yosemite behind today and drive west to San Francisco. The 'City by the Bay' has a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You might like to check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street, or catch the tram down to the waterfront. The trip ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,025
Price per day$275
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
20 May 2025
30 May 2025
$3,025
03 Jun 2025
13 Jun 2025
$3,025
17 Jun 2025
27 Jun 2025
$3,145
08 Jul 2025
18 Jul 2025
$3,145
15 Jul 2025
25 Jul 2025
$3,145
05 Aug 2025
15 Aug 2025
$3,265
19 Aug 2025
29 Aug 2025
$3,265
02 Sep 2025
12 Sep 2025
$3,265
09 Sep 2025
19 Sep 2025
$3,265
16 Sep 2025
26 Sep 2025
$3,145

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (6 nights),Hotel (3 nights),Hostel (1 night)

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip. NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS ON CAMPING TRIPS Our leaders in the US and Canada are also responsible for driving the van and navigating across the country. The allowable driving times for drivers is strictly controlled in North America. This ensures our drivers are well rested and are not over-tired from too many hours on the roads. Our North American camping trips are built around the co-operation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the leader. Your leader will show the group how to set up and use the camp equipment, and form work groups to take turns cooking, cleaning and shopping. Everyone is expected participate and carry their share of the workload, making camp chores easier. If the whole group participates it will be quicker, easier and more fun. It's strictly forbidden for non-qualified rangers to present any information about some National Parks in North America, therefore we adopt a system (as requested by the park rangers) where our leader will encourage travellers to visit the information centres in the National Parks for details about the site.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. BEARS Whilst travelling throughout North America it's not uncommon to encounter bears within campsites and national parks. Your leader has been specifically trained for these situations and, if camping, will inform the group on how to 'bear proof' the camp in the evenings or when the site is unattended. There's absolutely no reason to be alarmed by this possibility as it is extremely rare for bears to approach humans.
Age Requirements
15 to 17 years
Additional Information

Finish point

  • We are currently contracting a great new hotel for this trip
  • .
  • San Francisco
  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Alternate Finish point

  • For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
  • 20 May 2025 (SSRVC250520), 03 Jun 2025 (SSRVC250603), 17 Jun 2025 (SSRVC250617), 08 Jul 2025 (SSRVC250708), 15 Jul 2025 (SSRVC250715), 05 Aug 2025 (SSRVC250805), 19 Aug 2025 (SSRVC250819), 02 Sep 2025 (SSRVC250902), 09 Sep 2025 (SSRVC250909), 16 Sep 2025 (SSRVC250916), 30 Sep 2025 (SSRVC250930), 07 Oct 2025 (SSRVC251007), 19 May 2026 (SSRVC260519), 02 Jun 2026 (SSRVC260602), 16 Jun 2026 (SSRVC260616), 30 Jun 2026 (SSRVC260630), 07 Jul 2026 (SSRVC260707), 14 Jul 2026 (SSRVC260714), 28 Jul 2026 (SSRVC260728), 04 Aug 2026 (SSRVC260804), 11 Aug 2026 (SSRVC260811), 18 Aug 2026 (SSRVC260818), 25 Aug 2026 (SSRVC260825), 01 Sep 2026 (SSRVC260901), 08 Sep 2026 (SSRVC260908), 15 Sep 2026 (SSRVC260915), 22 Sep 2026 (SSRVC260922), 29 Sep 2026 (SSRVC260929), 06 Oct 2026 (SSRVC261006)
  • Stanford Court San Francisco
  • 905 California Street, Nob Hill,
  • San Francisco
  • CA 94108
  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  • Phone: +1 4159893500
Trip ID
intrepid-SSRVC

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