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Yellowstone Rushmore and the Grand Canyon

16 Day Escorted Tour

USA, North America
12 Meals Included
13 Excursions
Intermediate Pace

Traversing seven US states and incorporating eight national parks, this epic adventure takes in some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes and natural phenomena. From the colossal deep-sided gorge of the Grand Canyon and the ancient cliff-side dwellings carved into the Mesa Verde National Park to the spiritual homelands of the Native American ancestors and recognisable backdrops to countless films, this itinerary gives you the best of the West.

Highlights

  • Marvel at the famed Mount Rushmore before visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial
  • Enjoy a tour of the Battle of Little Bighorn Site
  • Embark on a full-day tour of the colourful Yellowstone, the original National Park
  • Experience the colossal Grand Canyon
  • Witness the extraordinary scenery and wildlife of Grand Teton's National Park
  • Explore Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
  • Wonder at Las Vegas' neon lights

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Denver

Depart on your scheduled flight to Denver with British Airways. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay. Urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure in Colorado's most populous municipality and with 300 days of sunshine, a thriving cultural scene and natural beauty the Mile High City makes for one of the world's most spectacular playgrounds.

Day 2
Denver to Keystone

Breakfast

Following breakfast, it's time to depart Denver and journey to Keystone. En-route the tour will make stops at both Cheyenne and the former military and fur-trading outpost of Fort Laramie, which surprisingly, was never surrounded by a wall as the projected plans were deemed too dear thereby remaining an open fort depending upon its location and garrison for protection.

Day 3
Keystone to Mount Rushmore

Today begins with a visit to Mount Rushmore, where 18 metre-tall sculptures are carved into the granite rock of Presidents Roosevelt, Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson. Completed between 1927-1941, this monument famously appears in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest and was built to attract tourists from all of the country. Next continue to the Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountain monument which has been a work in progress since 1948. It is being carved out of Thunderhead Mountain and will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding into the distance with his arm out-stretched illustrating the phrase 'My lands are where my dead lie buried', a tribute to the Native American people. This afternoon you'll tour Badlands National Park, whose rugged beauty draws visitors to admire the striking geological deposits that contain one of the world's richest fossil beds.

Day 4
Keystone to Buffalo

Today takes you to Buffalo nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains, with a stop en-route at Deadwood. Deadwood is an entire city registered as a National Historic Landmark that has been restored to its former historical glory and reminiscent of the iconic backdrops seen in Spaghetti Western films. Since the discovery of gold in 1874, it became a thriving commercial centre in the heart of the Black Hills that once drew legends and legions alike in search of their fortune. Stay overnight in Buffalo.

Day 5
Buffalo to West Yellowstone

Breakfast

Depart Buffalo after breakfast and take a guided tour of the Battle of Little Bighorn, an armed engagement between Native American forces led by Chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, and the US Army, gallantly won by the former in order to protect their precious gold reserves. The tour continues to West Yellowstone, where you will spend the night.

Day 6
West Yellowstone

Breakfast

Enjoy a full day tour of the magnificent Yellowstone National Park, the world's first ever national park. Full of colorful hot springs, spouting geysers, bubbling pools and mud pots, Yellowstone is a wonderland of incredible natural scenery - be sure to have your camera at the ready to catch the world-famous Old Ye Faithful Geyser, a fountain of steam that rises more than 60 feet in the air. Explore mountains, forests and lakes and discover hundreds of species of mammals, birds fish and reptiles including bears, elk, moose and roaming buffalo. Retire to your hotel in West Yellowstone for your overnight stay. Please note: todays itinerary will be weather permitting in May and October, should the itinerary be affected, alternative arrangements will be made.

Day 7
West Yellowstone to Jackson

Breakfast

Following breakfast, drive onwards to Grand Teton National Park, a 1,300km reserve that boasts over two hundred miles of trails, pristine lakes, snow-capped mountains and extraordinary wildlife. Take in spectacular views before travelling to the valley town of Jackson Hole that was originally populated by indigenous tribes including the Shoshoni, Crow, Blackfoot and Bannock.

Day 8
Jackson to Salt Lake City

Breakfast & Lunch

Combining the amenities of a major metropolitan area with the friendliness of a quaint, mountain town, Salt Lake City is a beautiful vibrant destination perhaps better known as being the headquarters of the Mormon Church after Mormon forerunners fled persecution in Illinois and settled here over 150 years ago. Visit Logan Canyon, a canyon that runs through the Bear River Mountains where there'll be time to enjoy lunch al fresco (weather permitting) and admire the views through the valley that elevates to 2,400 metres.

Day 9
Salt Lake City

Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a walking tour of the city, Led by your Travel Director. You will hear about the Mormon history, beliefs and the meaning of a temple to them. Continue on to the Capitol Building with time to explore inside the building, thought of as one of the best places in the city. You will then have time to explore Temple Square further at leisure. The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore this wonderful city at your own pace.

Day 10
Salt Lake City to Cortez

Breakfast

Set out this morning on a scenic drive to Cortez, Colorado. Visit Arches National Park and discover a landscape of contrasting colours, landforms and textures. The park has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks, all formed by the elements over millions of years - an incredible sight to behold. Spend the night in Cortez, a town that sits alongside the Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway that circles through ancient Anasazi archeological, cultural and historic sites.

Day 11
Cortez

Breakfast

Today incorporates a tour of Mesa Verde National Park, offering a fascinating insight into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for 700 years in over 600 cliff dwellings carved into the rock face including the incredible Cliff Palace that has more than 200 rooms alone. Return to your hotel in Cortez for the evening.

Day 12
Cortez to Tusayan

Breakfast

After breakfast you will begin your journey to Tusayan, stoping en route at the Four Corners Monument, also known as Four Corners Tribal Park; the only unique landmark in the United States where four states intersect at one point - the corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado meet a granite and brass monument marking the location. You will have the opportunity to explore the visitor centre as well as enjoy a spot of shopping with stalls selling handmade jewellery, crafts and food. In the afternoon you have an opportunity to take an optional excursion with a narrated tour (at a fee) to Monument Valley, a red-sand desert area on the ArizonaUtah border known for its towering sandstone hills and a popular backdrop for Western films. Stay overnight in Tusayan, a gateway town to the Grand Canyon.

Day 13
Tusayan to Bryce Canyon

Depart for the Grand Canyon National Park. Overwhelming in scope and size and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this iconic natural treasure will leave you standing in awe and amazement at its sheer enormity and breathtaking beauty. The exposed rock at the base of the gorge dates back over two billion years thanks to the might Colorado river that weaves its way over 277 miles through the canyon. Continue to Bryce Canyon City where you will spend the night.

Day 14
Bryce Canyon

Breakfast

Distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the powerful forces of erosion, there is no place quite like Bryce Canyon. Marvel at its unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheatres carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah and feel the eerie atmosphere that the towering sorbet-coloured rock towers impose on walkers below. Return to your hotel in Bryce Canyon City for the evening.

Day 15
Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas

Breakfast

Conclude your tour with a final journey to the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas. En-route visit the cream, pink and red sandstone cliffs and canyons within Zion National Park that when viewed from below provides an altogether different perspective than the Grand Canyon and the chance to spot one of the 900 different plant species not found anywhere else in Utah. Enjoy a frivolous evening amongst dramatic architecture, bright lights and kitsch entertainment on the world-famous Sunset Strip.

Day 16
Las Vegas to UK or extension

Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK or continue on to your Las Vegas extension.

View Full Itinerary

This tour can be booked by calling 1800 804 006

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Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Drury Inn and Suites Denver Central Park
1 nights
Denver, USA
More details
Ramada Keystone Mt. Rushmore
2 nights
Keystone, USA
More details
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Extend Your Tour

Yellowstone Rushmore and the Grand Canyon with Las Vegas City Stay

4 Day Extension
from

€4,519

pp

Important Information

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €324.50pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

All UK passport holders must have a biometric e-passport and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you are expected to arrive back in the UK. Important note: if you do not have a bio-metric e-passport, you will be refused entry into the USA.

You will need to obtain an ESTA visa. This must be applied for at least 7 days before you are due to land in the USA. An ESTA can be applied for directly on the website of the Department of Homeland Security. The Fee for application is approximately $21.00 and payable via a Credit / Debit Card online. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

Alternatively we work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be who will be able to arrange the ESTA visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When Calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees or procedure, they will also advise you all of the information they will require in order to apply for the visa.

The US Government enforces a restriction on people who have travelled to Cuba since 2011. These travellers are no longer eligible to apply for the ESTA Visa Waiver program and need to apply for a US visitor's visa (B1/B2) via their nearest US Embassy. This ban includes transit, where you’re flying on to another country.

Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is strongly recommended that you check the latest health recommendations for travel to the USA with your GP at least 4-6 weeks before travel. Any medicines you may need during your journey should be packed in your hand luggage. We suggest it is worth taking a few first aid supplies such as travel pills, rehydration powder, plasters, stomach settlers, antiseptic cream, aspirin etc. Because these products can be more expensive abroad and familiar brands are not always available. It is not advisable to drink the tap water.

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in America is the United States Dollar (USD). You will be able to change currency both before you travel and whilst you are away. You will also have access to ATMs during your tour where you can withdraw money in the local currency . Major Credit and Debit Cards are widely accepted.

As normal practice you may be asked for your Credit / Debit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.

You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £700- £900 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.

Tipping Tipping is very common practice in America. It is customary to tip your guides and driver. Please allow approx. 8-11 USD per person per day for the Tour Guide and 7-10 USD per person per day for the Driver. (All tips will be collected by your tour director on the last day) Tipping at restaurants, hotel staff etc. is discretionary.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 30, and the maximum will be 45. If in the unlikely event there are less than 30 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

This is a fully escorted tour, you will be met on arrival in Denver and will be accompanied by a tour director throughout your stay ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Our standard transport for a USA Tour is an air-conditioned motorcoach with onboard facilities. Motorcoaches included on our USA tours are based on a capacity of 47-55 guests.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort, or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK.

In the USA, the Triple or Quad Room will be a double room with two queen size beds in the room. Most hotels don’t have additional space in the room to add any rollaway bed or sofa bed.

Breakfast (when Included) will be of a continental style, and at some hotels will be a “Grab & Go “ style. A Grab & Go will usually consist of Coffee / Juice and Bakery items. If you would like a full service hot breakfast, there are many locally eatery options outside of your hotel.

Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of local of dishes and flavours.

Vegetarian and Vegan meals can be catered for.

Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.

It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed counties water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way as the UK. Bottled Water will be available to purchase at Shops, Hotels & Lodges.

On your arrival in Denver you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Destination America, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Destination America representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.

If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:

Destination America E-mail: daoperations@destamer.com

Please find below the emergency contact details for Destination America: 24 hour Emergency number: 001 310-617-6635