Yosemite to Yellowstone Fly Drive 

Prices

Value package from: £3390
Standard package from: £3730
Superior packages from: £4425

You can mix and match hotels from our value, standard and superior options – call for package price.

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Day 1
Arrival San Francisco

After a non-stop flight taking just under 11 hours, we recommend not to collect your rental car as you will be tired and will pay high fees to park the vehicle during your 3 days in the city. Either take a readily available cab from the terminal (Approximately $45) or we can arrange a shuttle or limo transfer for you.

Hotels:
Value: King George Hotel
Standard: Hotel Adagio
Superior: Argonaut Hotel

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Day 2
San Francisco
Suggested activities (Not included in pre-paid cost)

Morning

This morning we suggest you take a city tour – especially if this is your first time to this fabulous city as it will allow you to get your bearings.

Afternoon

Enjoy a quick 10-minute ferry ride to the centre of the San Francisco harbour to the infamous former prison island – Alcatraz. The visit includes a taped tour of the prison (once home to such famous criminals as gangster Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly”). Note: We strongly suggest that you pre-book this very popular Alcatraz tour which in our opinion is not to be missed – let us know at time of booking. Do book early to avoid disappointment!

Evening

Seafood dinner at one of many restaurants along the waterfront or at one of the trendy restaurants in the SoMa (South of Market) area! After dinner, enjoy a musical show, an American Conservatory Theatre performance or a comedy club, and a nightcap in one of the many rooftop cocktail lounges.

Hotels:
Value: King George Hotel
Standard: Hotel Adagio
Superior: Argonaut Hotel

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Day 3
San Francisco
Suggested activities

Morning

Take a tour to Muir Woods, a forest of giant California redwood trees – some of the biggest trees in the world. On the way back, stop for lunch and shopping in the beautiful little town of Sausalito. Return to San Francisco by ferry or by bus; or take a walking tour of Chinatown with a dim sum lunch.

Afternoon

Free afternoon to shop! Explore Union Square’s department stores, small boutiques and art galleries; visit the neighbourhood shopping areas South of Market or Union Street; take a five-minute walk from downtown to the Embarcadero Centre, a three-level, four-building complex of 150 shops. Shop at the many complexes in the Fisherman’s Wharf area such as PIER 39, Ghirardelli Square and The Cannery and enjoy the musicians and street performers. Take a jeep tour of the area, or rent a bike and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and ferry back to San Francisco.

Evening

San Francisco has over 3,000 restaurants! Take your choice: For instance, an authentic Chinese banquet in Chinatown – the largest Asian settlement outside of mainland China, an elaborate Korean barbecue or an Italian feast in The City’s Italian section, called “North Beach” or how about a dinner cruise on San Francisco Bay. Enjoy dinner and dancing to a live band as you cruise past The City’s famous skyline at sunset.

PLEASE NOTE:

San Francisco is one of our favourite cities in the whole of North America & we would not recommend you spending any less than 3 nights in the city if this is your first visit. None of the tours or attractions mentioned in our suggested itinerary are included in your tour price, however, we would be very happy to make these arrangements on your behalf (subject to availability). In particular, as we have mentioned above, your visit to Alcatraz – as the ferry to the island can often be booked up days, or even weeks, in advance during the height of the season.

There are numerous festivals going on throughout the year in San Francisco, art, film and dance festivals and this is in addition to a packed sport scene, which includes the world famous San Francisco 49’ers. We are happy to help our customers with purchasing tickets and advising on events taking place during your stay, please ask for details.

Hotels:
Value: King George Hotel
Standard: Hotel Adagio
Superior: Argonaut Hotel

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Day 4
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
200 miles

Today you will collect your rental car. We have arranged for you to collect it from a convenient downtown location rather than having to go back out to the airport*. Please ask about the additional cost for the in-car satellite navigation that will guide you along your route.

This morning you will head west across the state to Merced and, following the Merced River, you will climb into the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range as you close in on Yosemite National Park.

Depending on your arrival time you may wish to drive into the main Valley Area. We suggest stopping and hiking to Bridalvail Falls and then proceeding up the route to the south entrance to the overlook that will give you a good view back into the main Yosemite Valley.

Hotels:
Value:  Miners Inn Motel, Mariposa
Standard: Yosemite View Lodge – Mountain View
Superior: Yosemite View Lodge – River View

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Day 5
Yosemite National Park
Suggested activities (Not included in pre-paid cost)

You have a full day for exploring and sightseeing in the main valley of the Yosemite Park. We suggest to first stop at the park visitor centre to pick up the latest information on hiking and other activities for this day. You will find many short hikes, but do suggest you take along water and snacks as there is nothing available along the main trails.

Yosemite National Park is one of the best known parks in the world, consisting of huge waterfalls, granite domes and peaks, wildflowers, meadows and forests of centuries-old sequoias, glacier-carved canyon and massive monoliths, A pair of waterfall cascades into a 20-mile long, half-mile wide and 1,000-foot deep canyon of eroded yellow stone.

The Tioga Road, California 120, crosses the Tuolumne Meadows and High Country. The highway, originally built as a mining road in 1182-3, was realigned and modernised in 1961. The road passes through an area of sparkling lakes, fragile meadows, domes, and lofty peaks that only 10,000 years ago lay under glacial ice. Scenic turnouts along the road afford superb views. At Tioga Pass the road crosses the Sierras crest at 9,945 feet, the highest automobile pass in California.

Yosemite Valley has sheer walls and a flat floor formed by alpine glaciers. You will see such amazing sights as El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. The most rugged section of Yosemite is Tuolumne Meadows and the High Country. Bridalveil Falls is a must it cascades 620 feet and Yosemite Falls is the tallest is the world. Visit Half-Dome, elevation 8, 842 feet, an 87 million-year-old rock dome and is Yosemite’s most famous monument.

Yosemite National Park is also home to the largest stand of giant sequoias trees and home of the Grizzly Giant, one of the oldest giant sequoias in the world.

Why not take a Guided ‘Yosemite Valley Floor Tour’ (2 hours):

On this two-hour tour, Rangers introduce some of Yosemite’s most famous sightseeing points in Yosemite Valley (You will see: Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls and more) and describe the history, geology, plant and animal life of the region. This year-round Yosemite Valley Floor tour provides a fuller knowledge and enjoyment of the park. Open-air trams operate from late Spring through early Fall. Late October through April, ride in an enclosed and heated motor coach with large windows allowing unimpeded views of Yosemite’s famous sights. Bring your camera along for postcard-perfect pictures. Pre-book this tour From just £21 per adult / £11 per child.

Hotels:
Value:  Miners Inn Motel, Mariposa
Standard: Yosemite View Lodge – Mountain View
Superior: Yosemite View Lodge – River View

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Day 6
Yosemite National Park

We strongly recommend getting out for a walk, there are trails to suit everyone and if you fancy treating yourself to an incredible experience why not hire a private guide for a personalised hike.

These hikes are designed specifically for you, based on your interests and ability. The guides will go at your pace, whether that is a stroll with children across a meadow, or a marathon day to the summit of Half Dome. The experienced local hiking guides are a wealth of information about Yosemite so that you can learn about what you are interested in – history, geology, or even figuring out what you want to do and see for the rest of your visit.

Prices start from £67 per person (based upon 2 people travelling) for a private guide for half a day (4 hours) and we do highly recommend that you pre-book this when you confirm your holiday with us.

Hotels:
Value:  Miners Inn Motel, Mariposa
Standard: Yosemite View Lodge – Mountain View
Superior: Yosemite View Lodge – River View

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Day 7
Yosemite National Park to Death Valley
310 miles

Start early today, whilst 310 miles may not seem a lot, the stunning drive will take time and today is a full day for sure. You will leave Yosemite View Lodge and re-enter the park once again this morning but take the route to the north (before the main valley) and then the drive over the Tioga Pass and across to the East Park Entrance. Here you will pick up the route of US-395 South heading towards your overnight stop in the heart of Death Valley.

Death Valley is a land of complete extremes. It is one of the hottest places on the surface of the earth with summer temperatures averaging well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It encompasses the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and is the driest place in North America. The valley is also a land of subtle beauties, morning light creeping across the eroded badlands of Zabriskie Point to strike Manly Beacon, the setting sun and lengthening shadows of the sand dunes at Stovepipe Wells and the colours of the wildflowers on the golden hills above Harmony Borax, Death Valley is a truly unique place and a complete contrast to what you have left behind at Yosemite.

Hotels:
Standard: The Ranch At Death Valley
Superior: The Inn At Death Valley

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Day 8
Death Valley to Las Vegas
160 miles

There is some sightseeing to do in the Death Valley area this morning, mainly to the south before heading east into the state of Nevada. Here you may take a more northern route into Lathrop Wells, or a southern route that will bring you into Pahrump. Either route will allow you to travel around the Taiyabe National Forest and into the city of Las Vegas.

There really is so much to do and see in Las Vegas that on leaving Death Valley we recommend you make a beeline for the bright lights to get the most out of you night there.

Choose from the endless choices of places to eat before finishing the night off at one of the world class shows that entertain nightly across the city that never sleeps.

Hotels:
Value: Circus Circus Hotel & Resort
Standard: MGM Grand Las Vegas
Superior: Vdara Hotel & Spa

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Day 9
Flight from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City
(Approx 1 hour)

This morning – drop off your car at the Las Vegas airport location before catching your flight up to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, collect your second vehicle from the airport location at Salt Lake City and head for your overnight hotel. Take the afternoon to explore Salt Lake City, head for Temple Square to learn about the Mormon history of the city and the Natural History Museum is also a good option here.

Hotels:
Value: Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport
Standard: Little America Hotel
Superior: The Kimpton Monaco Hotel

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Day 10
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
321 miles

An early start is recommended today as your destination is the breathtakingly amazing Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone is so big we recommend you try and group your experiences in different parts of the park each day. The roads running through Yellowstone make up a massive figure of eight. The lower loop of the figure of eight (the 142-mile Grand Loop Road) leads to most of the major landmarks / thermal features that are to be seen in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone’s legendary wildlife includes grizzly and black bears, grey wolves, buffalo, elk, pronghorn antelope, trumpeter swans, eagles and much more.

There is so much to see and do in Yellowstone…. We’ve allowed three nights here – but no time to sit back and relax – get out there and start exploring this spectacular wonderland.

Hotels:
Standard: Best Western Desert Inn (West Yellowstone)
Superior: Old Faithful Snow Lodge (National Park Lodge)

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Days 11 and 12
Yellowstone National Park

Some of the park’s top attractions include Old Faithful Geyser/Upper Basin, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hotsprings, Yellowstone Lake, Lamar Valley and Lower Geyser Basin to name but a few.

The iconic spots Old Faithful, Lower Falls, Yellowstone Lake will be familiar from paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling, enthralling experience. They’re not just as good as you’ve heard – they’re better!

Old Faithful is the park’s most popular attraction and everyone who visits for the first time should watch this world famous geyser erupt. There is also so much more to the area than just Old Faithful – take an hour or two to walk around the boardwalks and visit some of the many other geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin, such as Castle, Grotto, Riverside and Daisy.

A short drive away is Midway Geyser Basin, home to Grand Prismatic Spring – one of the largest anywhere in the world – as well as Excelsior Geyser, now dormant, but discharging thousands of gallons of water every minute.

Visit the Lower Geyser Basin, and Fountain Paint Pots. There is a boardwalk system running around and through the Fountain Paint Pots area, and it is a great place to go for a stroll, if the bison haven’t got there first! There is also a selection of other thermal features in the area, including a number of geysers, one or other of which almost always seems to be erupting.

Continue on to Madison and beautiful views of the Firehole River from Firehole Canyon Drive before heading to Norris Geyser Basin which has some terrific geyser examples notably Steamboat Geyser – the tallest in the world.

Hayden Valley – This valley, centrally located in the park is the first place to go to see wildlife in Yellowstone. As you drive along this beautiful broad valley you are likely to see hers of bison, scattered elk and maybe a grizzly bear. Many waterfoul also frequent this area including ducks, Canada geese and pelicans which can be found swimming or lounging near the Yellowstone River. There are a number of roadside turnouts along Hayden Valley allowing panoramic views of the Valley floor below.

Yellowstone Lake – This is the largest high-altitude lake in the lower 48 states, and it is breathtaking in grandeur. As you follow the long shoreline both east and north, you will see snow-capped mountains rising across the lake. On windy days, ocean-like waves break onto the shore. Be sure to visit Lake Village and walk through the Hotel. You might also want to sit on the porch of Lake Lodge and take in the view.

Grandest Canyon of the Yellowstone – Artist Thomas Moran’s paintings of this canyon, with its Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls, helped make Yellowstone a national park. One look and you understand why. The canyon is one of the great sights in the world and the only negative  thing about it is how difficult it is to tear yourself away. Short trails lead to observation stations at Inspiration Point and Lookout Point.

Mammoth Hot Springs, headquarters of the park, and home to a fascinating array of weird rock shapes, bright colours and sizzling hot springs. Elk are generally plentiful in this area, wandering around the old buildings, and, if you’re lucky, you might even see a whole herd. You can stroll through the ever changing terraces at Mammoth, admiring the travertine creations and hot springs.

Leaving Mammoth travel towards Tower Roosevelt, which is where the road to the park’s north east entrance, through the Lamar Valley, is. There is almost always wildlife to be seen in this area, even bears. At Tower Junction branch off the main upper loop road, and head through the Lamar Valley, towards the north east entrance to Yellowstone. This is a particularly beautiful part of the park, and where the keen wolf watchers are generally to be found. Somewhere along the way you can enjoy a sack lunch in the park.

Everyone wants to see a bear in the wild at Yellowstone, and the trip from Tower Junction to Tower Falls is one of the best places to do so. The spring can be a great time to go looking for bears, as you have the opportunity of seeing mothers with their new born cubs. Tower Falls is an impressive water fall. Assuming that it is open, the road from Tower Falls to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone towers up into the sky as it crosses the Dunraven Pass at almost 9000 feet. Then drop down to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Hotels:
Standard: Best Western Desert Inn (West Yellowstone)
Superior: Old Faithful Snow Lodge (National Park Lodge)

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Day 13
Yellowstone National Park to Jackson Hole
158 miles

The road between Yellowstone and Grand Teton is called the Rockefeller Parkway. It is only six miles and leads directly into the north entrance of Grand Teton. The main features of the park are the Grand Teton mountains and a number of beautiful lakes. It’s a great area to see lots of wildlife including moose.

Take a leisurely drive through Grand Teton National Park, before arriving in Jackson Hole – a quaint, touristy western town with plenty of places where you can kick back with a beer, enjoy a nice meal and relax for the evening. A visit to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Saloon is a must. You can experience a real western saloon where horses saddles are used as barstools!

Hotels:
Value: The Virginian Lodge
Standard: The Lexington Hotel
Superior: The Lodge At Jackson Hole

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Day 14
Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City
280 miles

Today you head back to Salt Lake City. Enjoy the scenic 5 hour drive as you head through the Snake River Gorge, Star Valley and Logan Canyon.

Be sure to stop in Garden City when you see the 10 foot high revolving milkshake as this is the birthplace of the “famous” raspberry shake, found at LaBeau’s Drive In.

Refreshed from your all American shake continue your journey back to Salt Lake City and the end of the most famous double national park tour in the world… well we think so anyway!

There are great restaurants to suit all tastes back in Salt Lake City but our picks for casual diners would be White Horse which offers modern American food in a great setting or for the Brew Pub fans head to Red Rock Brewing, offering great food and an amazing menu of micro-brewery beer.

Hotels:
Value: Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport
Standard: Little America Hotel
Superior: The Kimpton Monaco Hotel

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Day 15
Depart Salt Lake City

Return your car to the Salt Lake City airport location before catching your non-stop overnight flight home to the U.K. which takes just under 12 hours.

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Your holiday includes

• Scheduled Flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 nights
• Compact car rental based on Hertz – 14 day rental.
• Exclusive travel documentation portfolio including personalised maps, itinerary and driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers.

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.