Best of California's National Parks

Welcome to Nevada! Las Vegas will be your gateway to the grandeur of the Golden State. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, giving you plenty of time to bathe in Vegas’ glow. It’s recommended that you arrive a day or two early to really experience the city, allowing time to do the classics (think casinos, drive-through weddings and live shows) as well as scratching below the surface to see Las Vegas’ diverse neighbourhoods and thriving arts scene.

Leaving Sin City in the dust, you’ll road trip across state lines, getting a look at some of the most iconic landscapes of the American West. Cross the Mojave Desert, then watch as the arid plains transform into the lush green of California’s agricultural valleys before giving way to the peaks of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Enjoy the scenery during the drive, getting your first glimpse of the diversity of California’s landscapes, which you’ll get to know more closely over the next few days. Settle into your accommodation in the afternoon. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner at a local restaurant – here’s to the adventure ahead, through mighty mountains and towering sequoias!

Today you’ll experience the best of the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Guided by your leader, you’ll explore both parks on foot, driving between stops. Feel small as you stand in the shadow of giant sequoias that have towered over these landscapes for thousands of years. Stand next to the staggering General Sherman – the largest tree in the world by volume. Standing at a height of 83 m (275 ft), this tree is estimated to be 2200 years old. You’ll also see General Grant, which has been dubbed the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Feel the grandeur of the other specimens of Sequoia as you explore the rest of the Giant Forest – the ancient giant sequoia tree can only be found here, on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The experience of witnessing the sheer scale of these trees in person is unmatched. Closer to the ground, the forest is filled with sugar pines, incense cedars and white firs. You’ll also take in views of the canyons and mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada throughout today’s adventures. You may even drive through a tree at Tunnel Log, peer into Tharp’s Log and spot wildlife like marmots, black bears and bighorn sheep.

Your bucket list is going to get a little shorter today – venture into the world-famous Yosemite National Park for your first day of exploring. Get acquainted with the park’s awe-inspiring landscapes during a guided hike. Your leader will choose the best route based on today’s weather conditions. With a local by your side, you’ll get to see the best of the park on foot, going beyond the roadside viewpoints to walk among the landscape itself. Strewn with dramatic waterfalls, gigantic granite outcrops, sheer cliffs, lush meadows and dense forests of sequoia and pine, this is one of the most spectacular spots in the country. Your leader will teach you about the ecologically diverse landscape along the way. You’ll also drive up to Glacier Point for a view you won’t soon forget, looking down over the valley and across to the iconic Half Dome. After sunset, witness Yosemite as few visitors do as you join a naturalist from the Yosemite Conservancy for a guided stargazing experience. The park’s minimal light pollution makes it an excellent place to see the stars. Your naturalist guide will point out constellations, sharing their astronomical insights and local stories that’ll help you get to know Yosemite beyond the landscapes you’ve seen today. For the next two nights, you'll be staying in a hotel just a few minutes from the park's main entrance.

Get under the skin of Yosemite with another day of exploration. In the morning, head to Yosemite Valley for leader-led walks around some of the park’s best trails. This afternoon, choose from a range of optional activities to experience Yosemite your way. If you’re up for something active, you might choose to join your leader for a challenging yet rewarding hike along the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls for fabulous views. Or maybe hire a bicycle and pedal along the designated (and flat) paths through the valley. In summer, the waters of the Merced River are calmer, making it the perfect time for some scenic rafting. From the river, you can see rocks like El Capitan and the Half Dome beyond the wooded banks. Once you’ve seen the sights, regroup to cap off the day with a pizza picnic in the park for dinner. Share stories from your adventures with your group as you soak up the atmosphere of the park by night.

After saying fond farewells to Yosemite, swap the rugged wilderness of the Sierra Nevada for vibrant waterfront city life – it’s time to head west to San Francisco. Say hello to this energetic city by going for a walk across its most iconic landmark – the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, check into your hotel for the night. At sunset, you can hit the water for an optional catamaran cruise to see the bay from a different perspective, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island – this is the perfect farewell to a sun-kissed Californian adventure. Why not head out for dinner with your fellow travellers tonight to celebrate the journey you’ve shared.

With no activities planned today, your adventure ends this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring San Francisco, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.