USA National Parks Road Trip (ends in LV, ages 18-35)

4 Dinner
9 Breakfast
1 Lunch

• Amarillo: A rainbow-coloured art installation. Made from Cadillacs in the desert. That glows in the dark. Why the heck not?
• Amarillo: Whether you take it rare, medium or well done, your dinner tonight will be served with a side of unforgettable.
• Albuquerque: We’ll gather at the gateway to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico for a truly unique experience, learning all about Pueblo history, culture and art while contributing towards its preservation.
• Denver: Your Trip Manager will take you on an orientation tour of Denver, exploring all the major sites like 16th Street Mall, McGregor Square, Denver Milk Market and more.
• Canyonlands National Park: So you can forget waiting around in the line!
• Arches National Park: So you can forget waiting around in the line!
• Grand Canyon National Park: You’ll discover the gargantuan beauty of Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and the Grand Canyon.
• Capitol Reef National Park: So you can forget waiting around in the line!
• Bryce Canyon National Park: Everything’s bigger in America: even the national parks. Red ‘hoodoo’ rocks and pink cliffs are the ideal backdrop for that magical sunset.
• Zion National Park: Navigate the red-sand landscape and see the epic canyon, hanging waterfalls and emerald pools.
• Zion National Park: Lunches don’t get more scenic than this!
• Lake Powell: You’ll be taken aback by its sprawling beauty!
• Horseshoe Bend: AKA the most-photographed stretch of the Colorado River, with very good reason.
• Grand Canyon National Park: So you can forget waiting around in the line!
• Grand Canyon: An experience you’ll want to relive in your mind. Over and over again. #travelgoals
• Grand Canyon National Park: So you can forget waiting around in the line!
• Grand Canyon National Park: One obligatory ‘road trip’ pic, coming right up.
• Las Vegas: As we make our way along the iconic Las Vegas strip, you’ll have the chance to pop out and get a pic of the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign.

Gather round, roadies, gather round. The unforgettable US adventure starts today here in dreamy Dallas, and our first port of call is Amarillo. Let’s go. Here we are. In true Americana Style, we’ll visit Cadillac Ranch – a unique art exhibit celebrating the golden age of Cadillacs. Next, we’ll beef up our evening with a Texan steakhouse dinner (and all the trimmings too.) But before we go any further, has anyone seen Sweet Marie?

Accommodation: Home 2 Suites (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Locations Visited: Fort Worth, Amarillo

Adios, Amarillo. Today we’re making our way to New Mexico – next stop, Albuquerque. This afternoon we’ll embark on a unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to the Pueblo Cultural Centre – dedicated to preserving Pueblo Indian culture. Afterwards, you’re free to explore the city however you like.

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Locations Visited: Amarillo, Albuquerque

We’ll make a flying start to the day today – literally. That’s right, today you have the opportunity to take a scenic Hot Air Balloon ride with your crew. Cameras at the ready folks. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to dreamy Denver. Here in Denver, you’ll check out all the major sites with your Trip Manager and fellow travelers, including the 16th Street Mall, McGregor Square and Denver Milk Market.

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Dinner
Locations Visited: Albuquerque, Denver

Today is your to explore Denver however you like. Don’t miss the botanical gardens, the Art Museum and the Science & Nature museum. Plus, you could catch an epic sunset from the City Park. There’s so much, and there’s no time to waste

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Locations Visited: Denver

Today we’ll leave Denver in our rearview. But before that, you have the chance to take part in ziplining! Then, with Moab firmly in our sights – here, we, go! Well hello there, Moab – home to rock art, dinosaur bones and plenty of national parks (which you’ll get to know pretty well with Contiki.) Tonight we’ll grab a bite to eat and then hit the hay – a big day awaits us tomorrow.

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Locations Visited: Denver, Moab

Our mission for the next few days is a simple (but very epic) one: tick the Big 5 national parks of Utah off our bucket list, starting with Canyonlands. Desert landscapes, with an almost perfect 8-shaped river running through it – Canyonlands is sure to stay with you for a while. Home to over 2,000 sandstone arches and sublime views, you’ll be posing for selfies left, right and centre here at the Arches. Back in Moab, with a head full of beautiful scenery and a camera-reel full of awesome content, we’ll hit the hay tonight, ready for more of the same in the morning!

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Locations Visited: Moab, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Moab

Wakey wakey, roadies. Today we’ll make our way to the next national park on our hitlist: Capitol Reef. Here in red rock country, your jaw will drop and the size, scale and utter beauty of Capitol Reef’s cliffs and canyons. Enjoy yourself on one of the USA’s very best hikes. And if you thought THAT was amazing, you’ll have the chance to go horse riding in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Accommodation: Bryce View Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Locations Visited: Moab, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park

This morning we’ll have a change of scenery and head to Zion National Park for the day. Journeying into the Zion Canyon, our jaws will drop at the towering white, pink and red Navajo sandstone cliffs, surrounded by hanging gardens, soaring peaks, wildlife and birdsong. We’ll spend most of today here, so pack some snacks and wear your best boots to get the most out of the day. There’s no shortage of trails of all different levels, not to mention restaurants and cafes. Back in Bryce, you’ll have the chance to kick back with your crew and chat about what an amazing day it’s been.

Accommodation: Bryce View Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Locations Visited: Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park

Today we’ll journey from one canyon to the next. We’ll finish up today at the big one, the Grand Canyon, but we have a few saucy stop-offs along the way. A meander of the Colorado river, which just so happens to be shaped like a horseshoe – Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself with this one! This reservoir is visited by over 2 million people every year, and once you catch it IRL you’ll understand exactly why. And now for the one you’ve been dreaming about (even more than the rest). The star of your USA itinerary. Yup, it’s the Grand Canyon. It’s about to get extra special too, because tonight we’ll be marveling at the sunset from the South Rim. Charge your phone, clear space on your camera, and prepare to weep.

Accommodation: Red Feather Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Locations Visited: Bryce Canyon National Park, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon National Park

You will be contemplating life, existence, and the immense size of the Grand Canyon with a free day to spend in Grand Canyon National Park. You can spend your day feeling a part of the wilderness as you go hiking through the exposed rock, but by far the most spine tingling experience at this natural wonder is one of our optional chopper rides through the UNESCO World Heritage site. Indulgent sure, but one of those life moments you deserve to treat yourself to.

Accommodation: Red Feather Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Locations Visited: Grand Canyon National Park

With the timeless beauty of the Grand Canyon imprinted in our brains forever, we’ll swap hiking boots for dancing shoes as we pull up in Sin City via the historic Route 66. We’ve reached the one and only Sin City. Upon arrival we’ll cruise the iconic strip & check out the Vegas sign. Feeling romantic? Stop by and see one of the many Elvis impersonators for a shotgun wedding ceremony, and maybe even get hitched yourself…(joking).Tonight, choose to hang out around Fremont Street or opt for a VIP nightclub experience for the kind of glitzy night out that only Vegas can provide.

Accommodation: The Strat Hotel & Casino (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Locations Visited: Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas

After partying it up in Las Vegas, we’ll take the scenic route through the Mojave Desert. And there you have it, folks. We may have ran out of road on our USA road trip but things could be worse – you’re in the City of Angels after all! There are plenty of activities here to keep the stars in your eyes, and if you’re strapped for ideas, you could always set about planning the next adventure with your new Contiki family (just a thought).

Locations Visited: Las Vegas, Los Angeles