PHOTOS

Itinerary

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Day 1: Miami & Key West, Florida

Here we go! This is going to be one heck of an adventure that will take you from the sublime sun sets of the Florida Keys all the way to those coffee shop mornings in Seattle. So, hold onto your sun hats as you depart Miami and head for the bright lights and uber-cool beach bars in Key West as you start as you mean to go on and celebrate the good times ahead.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 2: Key West & West Palm Beach, Florida
There’s no way that last night’s party is going to keep you from checking out the rest of Florida and as you travel north through some superb waterways, you’ll be right on track for West Palm Beach and your next overnight stop-over. With palm trees lining the boulevards and more fabulous opportunities to shop, explore and soak up the sun than you’d care to imagine, it’s no wonder that you’ll already be getting into the holiday vibe and we’re only on day two!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 3-4: Savannah, Georgia & South Carolina

The oldest city in the whole of Georgia is your aim for today and you’ll get your first chance to sample the music, heritage and grub of the Deep South as you make your base in Savannah for the next couple of nights. With just over 20 historic squares it’s easy to see why this was once the state’s colonial capital and if you’re looking for a combination of historic homes, park fountains and a huge helping of southern hospitality (devilled crab and smoked pork anyone?) then you’ll be in your absolute element.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 5: Raleigh, North Carolina

By now you should be getting to know your travelling companions fairly well and there’s no better place in North Carolina to let off some steam other than Raleigh, the second-largest city in the state. Oak trees are literally everywhere you turn as are museums, parks and live music venues which is why tonight promises to be a splendid excuse to have fun after a day spent exploring.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 6: Asheville, North Carolina
Wave goodbye to Raleigh as your Deep South stretch takes an altogether wilder turn as you enter the unique and freaky city streets of Asheville that serve as a great place to take stock and prepare for tomorrow’s exploration into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 7-8: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

This is what the Blue Ridge Mountains are all about and although this is America’s most-popular national park you’ll still be treated to a tranquil and inspirational natural experience that will stay with you for years to come. Loads of hiking trails give everyone the chance to soak up the misty mountain views and if you fancy a cheeky spot of white-water rafting then this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 9: Charleston, West Virginia

You just try and stop yourself singing ‘Country Road’ as you head northwards out of North Carolina and into West Virginia. The state capital and largest city is Charleston and that’s where you’ll be aiming for prior to tomorrow’s trip to Washington DC. Why not visit the Morgan’s Kitchen Plantation Museum, once used as a hospital and a kitchen for both sides during the Civil War, this log kitchen displays an open fireplace, various original jugs and containers, a table setting, spinning wheel, and a bear trap. The West Virginia State Capital building is impressive and makes for great photos.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 10-11: Virginia & Washington DC

Cross the great state of Virginia and hike a section of the Appalachian Mountains on your way to Washington DC, which is interestingly not in any state, but its own District – the District of Columbia (or DC for short). Your first evening in DC couldn’t get any better than with a self-guided illuminated view of the White House, Jefferson Monument and Capitol Hill as well as all of the other iconic landmarks that are known the world over. Thanks to the Smithsonian Institution’s generous attitude towards art and culture you’ll be able to enter the majority of the capital’s museums free of charge which is great news if you’re planning on saving your dimes for a night out in New York.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 12-13: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey & New York City

The states on this side of the country are pretty small so we can cover 5 of them in no time at all. Try to collect a souvenir from each state on your way through! After visiting the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and shouting ‘Adriaaaan’ from the steps leading up to Philadelphia’s Museum of Art, it’s time to move on to a few more famous film sites as you head for the city that never sleeps – New York City. The next two days will be crammed full of iconic buildings, historic monuments and more razzmatazz and bright lights than vendors selling pretzels and hot dogs. This is your chance to shop, bop and never stop amongst some of the world’s most famous landmarks, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.
Accommodation: Hostel included

Day 14-15: Connecticut, Rhode Island & Boston, Massachusetts

After you’ve had your fill of the Big Apple there are two more tiny states to tick off your list as you make tracks for the cobbled streets and cultural trails of Boston, which is renowned as being one of the key locations for the start of the American Revolution. Aside from the Freedom Trail (which takes in 16 revolutionary sites) Boston is also an absolute legend on the food and drink scene with a whole host of Irish bars, coffee shops and snack-joints providing the sustenance to keep you going until the wee small hours.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 16-17: Acadia National Park, Maine

Onwards and upwards through New England and into Maine which is not only the birthplace of Stephen King but also the home of Acadia National Park which is the perfect place to trek, picnic and mountain bike with the chance to go deep-sea fishing thrown in for good measure. This is all about exploring the great outdoors with mountains, woodlands, lakes and ocean views providing the backdrop to an exceptional array of scenery with Mount Desert Island providing the pick of the preserved natural areas.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 18-19: White Mountains National Park, New Hampshire

After your time spent in Maine it’s time to hop over to the neighbouring state of New Hampshire and over 100 miles of Appalachian Trail which criss-crosses throughout the White Mountains National Forest. The tree-covered trails provide not only some shaded respite from the sun but also plenty of optional activities that will have you hiking and camping amongst some of the best terrain that New England has to offer. As weather conditions can change in a flash you’re advised to pack accordingly although, with views above the timberline ranging from ‘WOW’ to ‘OMG’ a spot of drizzle will probably be the last thing on your mind.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 20: Lake George & Vermont

Just over 30 miles in length and 3 miles across, Lake George is pretty tricky to miss and as you head across the border into the maple syrup territory of Vermont you’ll be able to make the most of a stretch of water that has been attracting NYC’s wealthy and wise since way back in the 1800’s. This is a great chance to kayak, hike or simply rest up and relax in and around one of the most popular lakes on the east coast.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 21: Buffalo, New York State

Located on the shores of Lake Erie and packed-full of arts and culture, Buffalo is a totally worthwhile city to visit and as you’re a mere stone’s throw from the thundering water of Niagara Falls, this could well be a highlight that you wouldn’t previously have envisaged. Your visit to the famous falls takes place this evening and if you thought this incredible landmark looked cool in the day then try taking a look when it’s illuminated with coloured spot-lights at night – ‘magical’ just doesn’t do this experience justice.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 22: Cleveland, Ohio

Ok, Ok, one more visit to Niagara Falls has to be done and today you’ll be donning your waterproof poncho and clambering aboard the Maid of the Mist before you venture into the spray-drenching realm of pretty much the most famous water feature on the planet. After Niagara by day you’ll be skirting the edge of Lake Erie as you journey to Cleveland, Ohio, for a spot of free time and lake swimming.
Accommodation: Camping included.

Day 23-24: Van Buren State Park, Michigan

You should be getting the hang of ‘lake life’ by now and you’ll be pleased to know that for the next couple of nights you’ll be located within Van Buren State Park which promises 400 acres of woodland trails, gigantic sand dunes and a mile of sandy beach which has some excellent spots for swimming and generally taking it easy.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 25: Indianapolis, Indiana

And now for something completely different as you travel south to Indianapolis and the slightly kooky capital of Indiana. Guaranteed to feed your cultural, retail and night club needs, Indianapolis is an awesome city with indie brewery tours, ethnic food corridors and mind-bending live shows always proving popular.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 26: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Still pondering last night’s mind-tripping show you’ll continue south and into Kentucky where the world’s longest known cave system, the aptly named Mammoth Cave, is awaiting your exploration. This is twice the size of the world’s next largest cave setting with over 400 miles of sandstone and limestone passageways, corridors, rivers, stalactites and stalagmites providing an amazing adventure deep beneath the hills of Green River Valley.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 27-28: Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville has so much to offer as well as the inimitable country tunes and as you venture ever-further into America’s Deep South you’ll be treated to a whole host of things to do along the banks of the Cumberland River. Halls of fame, Civil War heritage, Elvis’s recording studios and more honky tonk bars than you can hit with a banjo – have fun y’all!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 29: Birmingham, Alabama

Time to get Lynyrd Skynyrd on your iPod as you check into Birmingham, Alabama, the home of southern jazz, Civil-Rights and juicy country-fried steak with butter beans – mmmm!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 30-31: New Orleans, Louisiana

If you’ve just started to get into jazz then prepare to crank it up a notch as you make your way into New Orleans’ historic French Quarter where you’re never far away from a sax or trumpet as well as some darn fine bars to kick up your heels. Your home for the next couple of nights is right in the beating heart of New Orleans and from tours along the Mississippi to plenty of Cajun cuisine, this is the perfect place to celebrate your 30th day on the road.
Accommodation: Hotel included

Day 32: Tupelo, Mississippi

For all you lovers of slicked back hair and rock & roll, Tupelo will certainly resonate as this is the birthplace of The King and a visit to the stomping ground and birthplace of Elvis Presley will no doubt inspire at least a couple of renditions of Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog etc.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 33-34: Clarksdale & Memphis, Tennessee

Stop by Clarksdale, which many claim to be the birthplace of Blues, to see the famous Crossroads of Highway 61. More musical heritage can, of course, be found in Memphis and as we turn our attention to Blues, Country and 60’s soul, we’ll stop for a couple of nights just to check that the largest city on the Mississippi has still got it going on. With Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and Otis Reading as our guides, this stop-over in Memphis is pure gold to music fans and the chance to visit Graceland and Sun Studios as well as the National Civil-Rights Museum presents a thoroughly absorbing tour no matter what you’re into.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 35: Arkansas & Mingo National Wildlife Reserve, Missouri

Aside from the music the south of America is also revered for its wildlife-packed swamps and rivers which is exactly what you’ll discover when you head west into Arkansas and the Mingo National Wildlife Reserve. This is a completely surreal experience and as you stroll over board-walks and into the very heart of swampland you maybe forgiven for getting that sinking feeling as you find yourself surrounded by over 20,000 acres of natural habitat for the local and migratory wildlife.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 36: St Louis, Missouri

After managing to scrape the swamp off those rhinestone boots you bought in Memphis it’s time to hit the ‘coasters and thrill rides at Six Flags, St. Louis, before checking out the night life or sampling the local beer on an Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 37-38: Chicago, Illinois

Cross the state of Illinois heading north and you’ll find your home for the next two nights surrounded by the shimmering towers, designer malls and all-important Lake Michigan views of Chicago. The Windy City is an exciting and fast-paced metropolis with a huge range of cultural museums, live music venues and deep-dish pizza houses, promising an extremely exciting stop-over as we near the half way stage of this incredible tour of America.
Accommodation: Hostels included

Day 39: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

After all of that deep-filled pizza indulgence you may consider taking it easy for the next few days however, you’re bound to find room for some tasty Wisconsin Dells fudge before you ease in the reigns. Aside from the sugar-laced loveliness, The Dells is jam-packed full of water parks, roller-coaster rides and chances to tour on land and water on-board an amphibious Wisconsin Duck bus.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 40: Black River Falls & Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ve made it to the half-way stage of this phenomenal tour and you’ll get the chance to celebrate in Minneapolis via a short break for lunch at Black River Falls. More cascading water lies in-store this afternoon at Minnehaha Falls and if you fancy going all ‘Man v’s Food’ then chomping into a `Jucy Lucy’ Burger before you check out America’s largest mall and the Minneapolis’ night life is definitely recommended.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 41: Des Moines, Iowa, Missouri & Kansas City, Kansas

There’s no place like home, and as you travel through Iowa, Missouri and into Kansas you’ll get to stop at Des Moines for lunch before reaching the heart of middle America. Steamboat museums, barbecue smoke pits and some fairly swanky country clubs provide plenty of options for your single night in Kansas.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 42: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

You’re on the southern trail again where the wind comes rushing across the plain as you head to Oklahoma City the home of cattle, cowboys and some of the wildest nightspots this side of Texas.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 43-44: Austin, Texas

Prizes go to the first person to spot a ‘Keep Austin Weird’ bumper sticker and as you enter the Lone Star state and try to shake off the Dallas theme tune, you’ll be able to discover just how Austin, Texas, has managed to gain the reputation as being one of the best live music locations on the planet. Aside from the music scene Austin also has over 50 parks and public swimming pools which will be great news if you need to cool off after a night out on 6th Street.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 45: San Antonio, Texas

Obviously as Texas is so vast, visiting another city was always on the cards and the chance to check out the restaurants, bars and tax-free shopping opportunities on San Antonio’s Riverwalk is certainly worthwhile before heading west into New Mexico. As an alternative to the retail therapy, San Antonio is also well-known as the site of the Battle of the Alamo and the chance to find out a bit more at the Alamo Mission presents a fascinating insight into America’s relationship with its neighbours south of the border.
Accommodation: Cabin included

Day 46-47: Carlsbad & Roswell, New Mexico

After taking in the stalactites and stalagmites in the Carlsbad Caverns you may be forgiven for thinking that things couldn’t get much spookier. We spend tonight camping outside Roswell hunting for aliens!
Accommodation: Cabin & Camping included

Day 48-49: Roswell & Santa Fe

Roswell is shrouded in mystery for all things of the alien kind. No trip to Roswell is complete without a visit to the Roswell UFO Museum & Research Center. Here, travellers can really explore the truth behind the mysterious crash of 1947. Moving onto Santa Fe, we soak up the artsy vibe of this oldest US capital city high in the desert foothills. Stroll down Canyon Road where locals are peddling their wares and get ready to hit the town tonight.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 50-51: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Buena Vista, Colorado

As you travel northwards and across the border into Colorado you’ll be well-aware of the ever-changing scenery that has formed the backbone of your tour and entering Great Sane Dunes National Park provides yet another chance to immerse yourself in some incredible landscapes. After a spot of sand-surfing and swimming in Medano Creek it’s time to spend a night surrounded by snow-capped mountains under a velvet blanket pin-pricked with twinkling stars as you camp out in Buena Vista at the foot of the Continental Divide. Trekking the trails or just meandering around the shops are all part of the Buena Vista social experience.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 52-53: Boulder & Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The moment when someone whispers ‘what’s that?’ is pretty much when you know that your wildlife trail has reached its zenith and the chance to hike amongst the fantastic formations of the Rocky Mountain National Park has to be up there with the best of them. Two days spent exploring and keeping your eyes peeled for eagles, elk and bears is definitely an experience to truly savour.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 54-55: Nebraska, Mount Rushmore, South Dakota & Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Check out the views as you travel further north through Nebraska into South Dakota where you’ll be treated to a photographic opportunity like no other as you edge ever-closer to the chiselled presidential features of Mount Rushmore. Step into the auspicious shadows of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln prior to paying your respects to another heroic icon from American history; Crazy Horse, who also has a mountain monument carved in his honour. Next, explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park and if you’re starting to get into your birdwatching you’ll have around 200 species to look out for, including: grouse, eagles and wild turkeys – gobble gobble!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 56: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

As you start your journey west of North Dakota and into Montana you’ll no doubt be discovering more about America’s often brutal past and nowhere more-so has this been immortalised other than the place of Custer’s last stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The national monument is a shrine to the Sioux and Cheyenne Native American’s struggle to survive in an ever-changing world and will no doubt present a pertinent chance to reflect as you pay your respects.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 57-58: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Make sure you keep your eye on your picnic baskets as you head into Yogi country and the awesome range of experiences that are abound in one of the best-loved national parks on the planet, Yellowstone. Spurting geysers, grazing buffalo, star-filled nights and no end of wildlife peeping out from lush green forest and valley trails make the next two days incredibly special.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 59: Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

Lunar landscapes don’t really get much more impressive unless you own a rocket and the chance to stroll across solidified lava flows, dotted with cinder cones and caves, is a slightly surreal experience that you’ll no doubt remember for many moons to come.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 60-61: Salt Lake City & Homestead Crater, Utah

Temples, museums, heritage parks and hip-hop clubs can be all found in Salt Lake City and if you fancy a bit of a hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tour then the Salt Lake Connect Pass is certainly the way to go. Also, if you’ve seen the film ‘127 hours’, you may be pleased to hear that our second day in Utah is all about the Homestead Crater in Blue John Canyon which is much closer to Salt Lake than Danny Boyle may have led you to imagine – don’t forget your swimmers or video camera.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 62-64: Moab/Arches National Park & Dead Horse Point, Utah

Photography students take note: if you’re searching for a sandstone archway juxtaposed against an infinite cobalt blue sky then this is where you implode with far too much choice. Arches National Park not only contains more than 2000 natural archways but it’s also considered to be an absolute adventure playground with mountain biking, Hummer safaris and canyon trekking all considered as good clean fun in the sun. The Tower of Babel, the Organ, Delicate Arch and Dead Horse Point State Park – it’s no wonder that Moab is Utah’s inspirational adventure capital.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 65: Monument Valley, Utah

More movie moments arise today as you hit the trail into Monument Valley and those legendary landscapes that have formed the backdrop to a whole host of Westerns as well as 2001: A Space Odyssey. Optional 4×4 tours with a Native American guide will take you deep into the heart of the valley where you’ll discover the sandstone formations and vast stretches of canyon lands that have long been the spiritual home of the Navajo nation.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 66-67: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Undoubtedly the highlight of any trip to Arizona, the Grand Canyon National Park is simply a breath-taking experience that you’ll want to play over again and again. Optional helicopter rides take you swooping through the valleys and buzzing over the river far below however, no matter how you decide to spend your time, the sun set on your first day will always prove to be a moment of divine intervention. If your first day was spent looking down then Day 67 is all about delving a little deeper and from the Bright Angel Trail down to Plateau Point the views of the gushing Colorado River have never looked so grand.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 68-69: Route 66 & Las Vegas, Nevada

There are road trips and then there’s the inimitable Route 66 and as you leave Arizona behind and head west into Nevada you’ll be beginning to get that tingling feeling that something special is just around the bend. After a cheeky stop-over in the long-preserved town of Seligman, it’s time to hit the slots, soak up the sights and party like you’ve just been on tour for 69 days, that’s right – you’re in Vegas baby! The Strip, the Fremont Experience, the Bellagio Fountains and a couple of nights in a hotel – is there any reason not to get excited?
Accommodation: Hotel included

Day 70: Los Angeles, California

So, you’ve just left Sin City and you’ve still retained the shirt on your back, where next? Well, there’s only one stop on the California trail that’s going to top Vegas and that’s the movie star-filled boulevards and beaches of LA. Los Angeles presents your first taste of the Pacific Coast with the most and from Venice Beach and Santa Monica to Mullholland Drive and the Hollywood sign, this is where your tour really gets the VIP treatment.
Accommodation: Hostel included

Day 71: Santa Barbara, California

Head away from the bright lights of Hollywood as you continue your Californian leg northwards and into the prestigious waterfront attractions of Santa Barbara. If you’re hoping to chill and watch the world go by over a coffee or drop from a local vineyard then you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do so as Santa Barbara boasts almost 700 eateries as well as a whole host of arts and crafts centres to help you get into the laid-back west coast vibe.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 72: Monterey, California

Any fans of John Steinbeck will find themselves in their absolute element today as you stroll through the historic canneries and coastal trails that have long been associated with one of America’s finest authors. This is a fabulous location to try to spot whales and sea lions emerging above the swells although, if you have the time, Monterrey Aquarium also presents an excellent chance to get up close to the local marine life and without the need for binoculars.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 73-74: Yosemite National Park, California

Just when you thought there was nothing else that could cap your tour you end up strolling around Yosemite National Park for a couple of days. Attempt to put your arms around a Giant Sequoia, dip your toes into the Merced River or simply marvel at the mountains as you hike or bike over some of the lesser-frequented forest trails – Yosemite NP is a simply mesmerising experience. With legendary land features (Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks) as well as some of the world’s highest waterfalls (Nevada, Vernal and Yosemite), it’s easy to understand why this is one of America’s most treasured national parks.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 75-76: San Francisco, California

Say goodbye to Yosemite and hello ‘Frisco as you reach the russet red arches of the Golden Gate Bridge and check out some of the world’s most famous folding footpaths. With a tour of the famous bridge included you’ll also be treated to an array of classic San Francisco highlights with a free day enabling you to discover Chinatown, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and even the foreboding walls of Alcatraz (make sure you book this well in advance of your tour as spaces fill up fast). Clam chowder, sea lions and cable cars by day combined with clubs, bars and speakeasys by night, San Francisco is just one of the places that you’ll want to return to again and again.
Accommodation: Hostel included

Day 77-78: Eureka & Redwood National Park, California

Hopefully you’ve saved room on your camera for a few more shots of California’s giants as over the next couple of days you’re going to be gazing skywards as you enter the realm of the tallest trees on the planet, the Giant Redwoods. Infinite prairies, sublime coastline and rushing river trails – there’s going to be much more to Redwood National Park than you may have first envisaged.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 79: Portland, Oregon

Your penultimate day on tour deposits you in Portland where you’ll have the chance to recount a few of many awesome highlights that you’ve experienced over the past 80 days. Ah, do you remember that night out in New York or hiking in the Appalachians? How about Chicago or the time you saw that grizzly in Yellowstone? All of these chapters in your life are yet to be written but written they will be and as you chat with your new-found friends amongst the micro-breweries and Voodoo Donut shops of Portland you’ll no doubt be blessed with an array of stories to last a life time.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 80: Seattle, Washington State

We love you Seattle! With Eddie Vedder ringing in your ears it’s time to say goodbye to your travelling companions after one last opportunity to get some souvenirs at the craft food board-walk empire of Pike Market. If you have any camera film left then the Space Needle is always worth a snap however, you may just want to save your last iota of memory for a group shot as your epic trip finally draws to a close.

So long, it’s been a blast – same time next year?

This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

ACCOMMODATION

All accommodation is included throughout.  Usually we will be staying campsites with all equipment included. In some cities we stay in hostels based on multi share.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

PRICE

• £6130
• €7849
• Please note there is a $10 per day food kitty which you also need to contribute to totalling $800 this is not included in price above

DATES

2015

• 24 Apr 15 – 12 Jul 15
• 08 May 15 – 26 Jul 15
• 22 May 15 – 09 Aug 15
• 05 Jun 15 – 23 Aug 15
• 19 Jun 15 – 06 Sep 15

2016

• 22 Apr 16 – 10 Jul 16
• 06 May 16 – 24 Jul 16
• 20 May 16 – 07 Aug 16
• 03 Jun 16 – 21 Aug 16
• 17 Jun 16 – 04 Sep 16