5 Days | What’s the USA without Vegas, LA and the Grand Canyon?
This is the classic USA road trip with all of the hassle taken out. Jump on board a five-day whip around from LA to Vegas, covering all the hotspots with local knowledge to guide you. This trip will give you a taste of all the things that make the Wild West so iconic. Stroll among the bizarre flora of Joshua Tree National Park then spend two nights camping in Grand Canyon National Park, taking a stroll of the South Rim to some of the park’s best viewpoints. If you want to hit the road and leave the rest of the world in your dust but are a little tight on time, this LA to Vegas adventure is just the ticket.
Trip overview
- Start
- Santa Monica, United States
- Finish
- Las Vegas, United States
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- United States
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- SSRG
- Begin your adventure in Los Angeles, the city of Angels, and take the chance to explore the many sides of this diverse megacity.
- Take a leader-led walk through Joshua Tree National Park, among desert cactus gardens and unusual rock formations.
- Road trip along historic Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road', stopping in quirky Seligman for a dose of old-fashioned Americana.
- Spend two nights getting your fill of the winding gorges and rock formations of the Grand Canyon, and take a leader-led tour of the South Rim.
- Mark the end of your adventure in the bright lights of Las Vegas, swapping natural wonders for the city's world-class dining, shows and museums.
- Your accommodation on this trip will be a combination of camping and budget hotels. On the days you’re camping, this will be a participatory trip – meaning you should be prepared to help with activities like setting up camp, food prep and washing up. We’ll provide tents, sleeping pads and camp cookware, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
- That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 20 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- You’ll be travelling to the desert, which is often very warm during the day and can be cold at night. Please make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for all weather.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
1 breakfast
Private vehicle
Hostel (1 night), Hotel (1 night), Camping with facilities (2 nights)
- Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
- Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance
- Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
- Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
- Grand Canyon - Half Day bike rental - USD35
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
- Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in Santa Monica and finishes on arrival into Las Vegas at approximately 5pm on Day 5.
2. The group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms in Los Angeles, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 1 (Los Angeles) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
5. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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