Denver to San Francisco

Welcome to Denver. Set against the striking backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the city blends its Old West heritage with a modern skyline and lively urban atmosphere. On arrival at Denver International Airport, make your own way to the hotel. Here, you will meet your Tour Director.

Denver - Rocky Mountains National Park - Cheyenne. This morning, we take a short city tour of the “Mile High City”, including the gold-domed State Capitol. Its 13th step on the west side sits exactly 5,280 feet above sea level – one mile high.

A short drive from Denver brings us into Rocky Mountain National Park, where we feel truly on top of the world. Spanning 415 square miles, the park protects a dramatic landscape of mountains, forests and alpine tundra. The journey continues along Trail Ridge Road, aptly known as the “Highway to the Sky”. With sweeping views in every direction, we wind past towering peaks, travel above the treeline and cross the Continental Divide at 12,183 feet.

We then continue to Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, a city that captures the spirit of the Old West. Known as a historic railroad hub, Cheyenne is home to an impressive collection of steam engines, including Old Number 4004 – the world’s largest steam locomotive and one of only eight remaining Big Boys on display across the country.

Cheyenne - Rapid City. This morning, we visit Fort Laramie National Historic Site. First established as a private fur trading post, it later became the largest and best-known military outpost on the Northern Plains, playing a key role throughout America’s westward expansion.

We then travel through the striking landscapes of South Dakota’s Black Hills to reach Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Here, we come face-to-face with the carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln – a powerful symbol of the nation’s history and heritage.

Rapid City - Cody. Today, we cross back into Wyoming on our way to Cody, travelling through the scenic Bighorn National Forest. The landscape is defined by rolling hills, alpine lakes, rugged cliffs, dense pine forests and the striking Bighorn Mountains.

On arrival in Cody, we visit the Buffalo Bill Museum, which brings the spirit of the American West to life through its art and cultural heritage. The museum focuses on the life of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody – the town’s founder and a legendary figure of the frontier era.

This evening, you may wish to enjoy local attractions such as rodeos, gunfight re-enactments and cowboy music - all offered on a seasonal basis.

Cody - Yellowstone National Park - West Yellowstone. Today, we journey into America’s first national park – Yellowstone National Park – a true natural wonder. Here, the landscape is alive with geothermal activity, from erupting geysers to bubbling hot springs, alongside mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls and ancient volcanic features.

We visit iconic sights such as Old Faithful and Yellowstone Canyon. While these landmarks may be familiar from photographs, experiencing them in person is something else entirely.

This vast wilderness is also home to a rich variety of wildlife, including eagles, grizzly and black bears, bison and elk. Keep watch as we explore – wildlife sightings are a highlight of any visit.

West Yellowstone - Salt Lake City. Today, we travel through the scenic landscapes of southern Idaho en route to Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital and largest city, known for its strong Mormon heritage.

On arrival, we take in views of the State Capitol Building and visit downtown’s historic Temple Square, home to the six-spired Salt Lake Temple and the domed Tabernacle, associated with the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We then continue to our hotel.

Salt Lake City - Canyonlands National Park - Moab. Heading south this morning, we pass through Provo, home to Brigham Young University, on our way to Canyonlands National Park. Here, we explore a vast wilderness of canyons and striking rock formations carved over time by the Colorado River and its tributaries.

The park is divided into four districts – Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. We visit some of the most scenic viewpoints in the Island in the Sky district, a broad mesa set on sheer sandstone cliffs more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape.

We then continue to Moab, where we stay overnight.

Moab - Arches National Park - Moab. Today, we visit Arches National Park, one of Utah’s “Mighty 5”. Within the park, we discover a landscape of striking colours, textures and rock formations unlike anywhere else.

Home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, along with towering pinnacles and balanced rocks, this red-rock landscape is both dramatic and distinctive. The unique formations and ever-changing light create a truly memorable experience. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Moab - Capitol Reef National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce Canyon City. We begin the day with a visit to Capitol Reef National Park, an area of remarkable natural beauty. Established in 1937, the park protects a unique geological formation shaped by millions of years of uplift and erosion.

We then continue to Bryce Canyon, where we explore a landscape filled with multi-coloured sandstone spires and pinnacles, known as hoodoos. These distinctive formations create a striking and almost otherworldly scene.

This evening, weather permitting, you may wish to look up at the night sky, where countless stars and constellations are clearly visible in this remote and unspoilt setting.

Bryce Canyon City - Zion National Park - Las Vegas. Today, we travel to Zion National Park, where we see towering rock formations shaped over time by wind, water and the Virgin River. The park’s cliffs and dramatic landscapes offer a striking contrast to the surrounding desert.

This afternoon, we continue to Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World”. Here, the atmosphere shifts to bright lights, lively streets and round-the-clock entertainment, from shopping and shows to the famous casinos.

We stop at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome sign, where you may wish to take a photo to mark your visit.

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure in Las Vegas. You may choose to explore the city’s many shops, try your luck in the bustling casinos, take in a Broadway-calibre show or simply stroll along the famous Strip and soak up the atmosphere.

Las Vegas - Death Valley - Mammoth Lakes. After enjoying the bright lights of Las Vegas, we experience a striking contrast this afternoon as we enter the quiet and extreme landscape of Death Valley.

We stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch - Visitor Center, taking in the dramatic desert scenery, before continuing across the valley. We then ascend into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to reach the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes. Once a 19th-century gold mining settlement, the area is now known for its skiing terrain and impressive mountain views.

Mammoth Lakes - Yosemite National Park - San Francisco. Today, we travel via Tioga Pass into the scenic landscapes of Yosemite National Park. Here, we explore the valley floor, taking in its most celebrated sights, including the granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome, along with Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls, among the tallest in North America.

We then continue to San Francisco, one of the most iconic and well-loved cities in the United States.

Winter routing: Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions. In this case, we will overnight in Fresno or Visalia, and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible. This routing typically applies to departures between October and May, depending on snow conditions.

This morning, we enjoy a city tour of San Francisco, taking in highlights such as Union Square, the Civic Center and Fisherman’s Wharf. From its hilltop viewpoints, you can watch the fog drift through the Golden Gate – a scene that captures why many consider this one of America’s most beautiful cities.

The afternoon and evening are at leisure. You may wish to ride a historic cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf and sample a “Taste of San Francisco”, from fresh local seafood to the city’s famous sourdough bread or Ghirardelli chocolate.

Be sure to look out across the bay to Alcatraz Island, once home to notorious prisoners including Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly.

Your tour comes to an end today after hotel check-out. Make your own way to the airport or your next destination.