16 day America's Magnificent National Parks Insight Vacations tour

Inclusions

• 15 nights in first class hotels
• 15 full breakfasts, 1 highlight dinner of local cuisine at the Grand Canyon, 1 choice from a selection of restaurants in Billings and 5 three-course table d'hote dinners or buffets
• Travel by luxury 40-seat coach with more legroom
• Escorted by professional tour director
• Included sightseeing & premium highlights
• Airport transfer service on the first and last day of your tour

Itinerary

Day 1    Phoenix - Scottsdale
Your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel in Scottsdale. Hotel: Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa.

Day 2    Scottsdale - Grand Canyon
Today's first stop is in the Travel through Oak Creek Canyon on your way to one of the world’s great natural wonders - Grand Canyon National Park. Join a local specialist for an informative presentation about the amazing features of the Grand Canyon. Tonight, enjoy a private dinner in the Thunderbird Room while taking in the magnificent views of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges.

Day 3    Grand Canyon - Lake Powell
After a morning at leisure at the Grand Canyon, move on to the Historic Cameron Trading Post. Your journey continues on through the Painted Desert, a colourful fantasyland of mesas, buttes and badlands, and through the Navajo Indian Reservation. Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at your resort where you are guaranteed lake view rooms. The scenery is breathtaking with towering rock walls rising out of the water. Take a leisurely cruise on the spectacular Lake Powell and explore the scenic Antelope Canyon, with its dramatic steep sandstone walls. this evening enjoy an interpretive presentation about the diverse ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau. Hotel: Lake Powell Resort (Guaranteed Lake View Rooms).

Day 4    Lake Powell at Leisure
The entire day is yours to relax and enjoy the resort's facilities. Perhaps take a float trip down the Colorado River, or join our complimentary excursion to Monument Valley Tribal Park for a guided tour of this amazing landscape. The choice is yours.

Day 5    Lake Powell - Bryce or Zion
This morning, perhaps enjoy an optional float trip down the Colorado River. Later, visit the balanced rocks, gravity-defying bridges and rock spires of Bryce Canyon National Park. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Sunset Point to view the hoodoos. Time at leisure before checking in at the lodge. Selected departures will continue on to Zion National Park for the night. Hotel: Bryce Canyon National Park Lodge or Zion Park National Park Lodge.

Day 6    Bryce or Zion - Las Vegas
Travel through more amazing scenery to Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time at leisure. A complete change of scenery awaits upon arrival in glittering Las Vegas. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Day 7    Las Vegas - Salt Lake City
Travel on to Salt Lake City, host city of the 2002 Winter Olympics and home of the Mormon religion. Hotel: Salt Lake City Marriott City Center.

Day 8    Salt Lake City - Grand Teton National Park
See Temple Square before travelling across the Oregon Trail to Jackson, Wyoming. Continue to your lakeside lodge overlooking Jackson Lake and the stunning peaks and glaciers of Grand Teton National Park. Hotel: Jackson Lake Lodge.

Day 9    Grand Teton National Park - Yellowstone
Explore Grand Teton National Park, stopping to admire the incredible views at Jenny Lake. Move on to Yellowstone, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park and renowned for its geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife. After dinner, join a local guide for an informative sunset stroll through Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin. Hotel: National Park Lodges.

Day 10    Yellowstone sightseeing
Explore Yellowstone National Park: walk among the erupting geysers, see colourful bubbling mudpots and witness Old Faithful shooting over 120ft into the air. See free-roaming herds of buffalo, deer, elk and bear in their natural habitat, and don't miss the thundering Lower Yellowstone Falls.

Day 11    Yellowstone - Billings
Travel down the Shoshone Canyon through the Absaroka Rocky Mountains to the old Wild West town of Cody to visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, built in honour of one of America's great Western legends. Stay overnight in the old cattle town of Billings, Montana. This evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Billings.

Day 12    Billings - Custer State Park
Relive “Custer’s Last Stand” at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, before driving into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Join Kevin Costner’s Original Deadwood Tour and explore this once lawless town with a local expert. Relive the days of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, who made this town famous during the gold rush of the 1870’s. Now continue to Custer State Park, teeming with wildlife such as buffalo, deer and elk. Hotel: The State Game Lodge.

Day 13    Black Hills Excursion
Start the day at Crazy Horse Memorial, a gigantic sculpture dedicated to all Native Americans. Come face-to-face with four American Presidents at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 14    Custer State Park
Travel across the high plains into Wyoming. Stop at the historic Fort Laramie, site of one of the great frontier outposts, before continuing to Cheyenne for an orientation tour and overnight stay. Hotel: Little America Hotel & Resort Cheyenne.

Day 15    Cheyenne - Denver
Enter Rocky Mountain National Park and pass over Trail Ridge Road to the source of the Colorado River (weather permitting). Take an orientation tour of the Mile High City of Denver, before a farewell dinner with new found friends. Hotel: Denver Marriott City Center.

Day 16    Denver
A departure transfer to Denver International Airport is provided.

Departure dates and Prices*

Please an RACQ Travel consultant to find out about further discounts that may be available on 1300 096 166

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 30 April 2012
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share, land only
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Single Supplements apply
• Further conditions apply please see Insight Vacations 2012 USA brochure or speak to your RACQ Consultant