USA Wine, Desert & Coast

32 days
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Small Group Tour
From the arid desert of Death Valley and the blinding lights of Las Vegas to the sun-blessed celebrities of Los Angeles and the towering trees of Sequoia National Park, the United States’ west is incredibly diverse. Meet Native Americans in Nevada, beer lovers in Portland and culinary connoisseurs in Sonoma. With a range of activities for foodies, adventure e...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Stroll down Pier 39 in San Francisco
    • Feel the heat of the desert in Death Valley
    • Stare into the abyss of the Grand Canyon
    • Go celebrity-spotting in Los Angeles
    • Kayak along the waters of Monterey
    • Walk along the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
    • Hit the rapids of the Deschutes River in Bend
    • Checkout Portland, the greenest city in America

What's this trip about?

    From the arid desert of Death Valley and the blinding lights of Las Vegas to the sun-blessed celebrities of Los Angeles and the towering trees of Sequoia National Park, the United States’ west is incredibly diverse. Meet Native Americans in Nevada, beer lovers in Portland and culinary connoisseurs in Sonoma. With a range of activities for foodies, adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, you will fall in love with the unique culture and exuberant locals of the western states.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CitySan Francisco
End CitySeattle

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • High Adventure

Destinations

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
    • all other activities are optional and at your own expense
    • If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
    • the cost will not be refunded

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 San Francisco

This chilled out waterfront city greets you briefly, but it is as swift a kiss as the breeze off Pier 39. If you'd like extra time to explore the wonders of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and SoMa, journey to this gorgeous city a few days early.

Day 2 Sonoma

Welcome to wine country. Explore the vast stretches of rolling vineyards, quaint farms and acres of parkland around this scenic valley. Perhaps visit the home and final resting place of author Jack London and, of course, sample some the region’s best wine and cheese.

Day 3-4 Yosemite NP

Be dwarfed by the world’s largest living tree, the giant sequoia tree, spot bucks prancing in the wild and gaze in wonder at the 3,081 sq km that is America’s most popular national park. Yosemite is an historic emblem of California and offers visitors incredible hikin...

Day 5 Sequoia National Park

Welcome to the land of giants, where every huge mountain has a twin plunging canyon. The major drawcard of this region is visiting the Giant Forest, where breathtakingly tall trees stretch up to 80 metres. Perhaps climb the impressive Moro Rock, which will elevate tre...

Day 6-7 Death Valley

It may sound grim, yet Death Valley is anything but. Explore huge sand dunes, sculptured rocks and volcanic craters before taking a stroll on the stunning salt flats. It is bizarre, unearthly and hot – but worth every moment.

Day 8-9 Las Vegas

There is no greater contrast than the serene surroundings of the great outdoors and the mouth of ‘Sin City’. Play responsibly, chomp away at an all-you-can-eat buffet, see a volcano at the Mirage, meet a gladiator at Caesars and spot the Eiffel Tower and pyramids on the strip. That’s Vegas, baby.

Day 10 Zion National Park

Discover some of Utah’s most captivating sights in Zion National Park. Stare up in awe at the enormous sandstone cliffs, be mesmerised by cascading waterfalls, rock-hop across gently flowing streams on the path out to the Emerald Pools and discover the unique flora and fauna that call this park home.

Day 11 Lake Powell

Leave behind the ‘city on lights’ and enter the desert of Arizona. Enjoy the wide open spaces and sleep overnight in a ranch hand’s bunkhouse at Lake Powell. Relax in a sandstone cave, walk around the area or get active on the lake, whether in flippers or on a kayak or boat.

Day 12 Monument Valley

Learn about the Navajo Indians, the largest Native American tribe in the US, at Monument Valley, where more than 200,000 native people live. Go for a walk past giant sandstone pillars and rock pinnacles in this truly unique and breathtaking landscape.

Day 13-14 Grand Canyon

Taking between three and six million years to form, the incredible Grand Canyon is the US's most famous national landmark and stretches 28 km wide, 365 km long and more than 1.6 km deep. Explore this site on foot while walking the South Rim Trail or hiking to Plateau Point. Alternatively, opt to take to the skies on a scenic helicopter ride over the spectacular valley.

Day 15 Prescott

Once the capital of Arizona, Prescott is now a small town with a whole lot of charm. Stroll though Prescott’s historic downtown and head to Whiskey Row, a place where America’s most famous cowboys and notorious outlaws once came to drink. Perhaps head to Prescott National Forest, see the stunning Willow and Watson lakes or hang about in town and watch a true blue rodeo show.

Day 16-17 Los Angeles

Journey to the ‘City of Angels’ to see the Hollywood sign, shop on Rodeo Drive or laze on Venice Beach. Explore the impressive collection at the Getty Center, including the art works of Van Gogh and Monet, or chase down the city’s best food trucks.

Day 18 Santa Barbara

Catch a train to Santa Barbara and be welcomed by white beaches and warm weather. Walk down Stearns Wharf for a breath of fresh air, visit the Museum of Art or sit down with a beer and view of the bay.

Day 19-20 San Luis Obispo

It claims to be the happiest place in America, so why not decide for yourself if this charming town’s proclamation lives up to its name. Visit Bubblegum Alley (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like), hike to the top of Bishop Peak for an impressive view or be blinded by the gaudy design of the glitzy restaurants at the world famous Madonna Inn.

Day 21-22 Monterey

Relax by the beach in Monterey, where the hikes are long and breezy, the seafood is fresh and the marine life is active. Visit the aquarium, explore the waters by kayak or journey down the coast to Big Sur to see pristine beaches, magnificent redwoods and some truly beautiful coastal landscapes.

Day 23-24 San Francisco

The ‘City by the Bay’ offers a barrel of impressive sights. See the Golden Gate Bridge, walk along Fisherman’s Wharf, explore Alcatraz or peruse some zany art in SoMa. Head to China Town for a delightful plate of chop suey, find your fortune in a cookie or indulge in ...

Day 25-27 Bend

Head to Bend for a few days of outdoor adventure. Depending on the time of year, either hit the rapids of Deschutes River or the slopes of the nearby snowy mountains. The rolling landscape is a great place for a bike ride or get vertical rock climbing the rugged count...

Day 28-30 Portland

In the Pacific Northwest, visit the intriguing up-and-coming city of Portland. As the greenest city in America, begin with a walk through Forest Park, the biggest inner-city park in the country or take in the tranquil air of the Classical Chinese Gardens. With the most breweries in the world found in Portland, be sure to relax with a beer and watch the bubbly characters of the city go by.

Day 31-32 Seattle

It may be cloudy and a little drizzly, but Seattle is anything but an indoor city. Head to the bohemian Pike Place Market, chill out with a latte in Hing Hay Park or take shelter from the rain at the Pacific Science Centre or Science-Fiction Museum. Seattle is all tha...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,375
Price per day$262
Last Updated: 12/3/2021

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

Hotel (25 nts), Motel (3 nts), Cabin (multishare) (2 nts), Hogan (1 nt)

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle, Train, Bus, Taxi, Plane, Metro,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle, Train, Bus, Taxi, Plane, Metro
Requirements
Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey. ,Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and don't involve a compulsory single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same gender in accommodation ranging from twin to multishare. Some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis and where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On a selection of our trips, you have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure that you have your own accommodation (where available). Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour - pre-trip and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader 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 credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Please go to our website for links to various travel insurance providers:
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service 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 areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable 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 leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader 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 Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: 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. www.intrepidtravel.com/safety
Meals Included

Meals introduction

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

Meals

1 Breakfast, 2 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Style descriptions

Original trips are classic Intrepid adventures. With a mix of included activities and free time, they offer plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace and take part in activities that really get beneath the skin of a destination. While the occasional meal may be included, you'll have the freedom to seek out your own culinary adventures. Accommodation is generally budget or tourist class (2-3 star), but you're as likely to find yourself as a guest of a local family as staying in a hotel or camping. Transport will vary as well. Depending on the destination and the itinerary you could find yourself travelling on anything from a camel to a train or a private safari vehicle. It's all part of the adventure! Original travellers have a desire to make the most of their travel time and really get to know a place, its people and cultures.

Finish point

  • The Moore Hotel
  • 1926 2nd Ave.
  • Seattle
  • WA
  • 98101
  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Trip ID
intrepid-SSSMC

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