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Highlights
The American West unfurls its staggering beauty on this hiking adventure
Hike through the multi-coloured natural amphitheatre in Bryce Canyon.
Explore the Grand Canyon from above and below.
Take in the breathtaking Yosemite landmarks of Half Dome and El Capitan.
Spend free evenings in the beloved cities of Las Vegas and San Francisco.
The American West is full of legendary national parks to explore. From towering waterfalls to bottomless canyons, lush forests to parched deserts, this is one of the most diverse regions in the world. On this 13-day guided hiking tour, you’ll get to experience the very best of America’s most spectacular adventures.
Start by flying into Las Vegas and meet up with your guide and group to review the journey ahead. Set off for Zion National Park, walking beside a cool river slicing through the gorge. Then it’s on to Bryce Canyon for two nights, where the brilliant colours of the park’s hoodoos are sure to mesmerize all who visit! Visit Lake Powell, an American oasis, and then see sites that hold great significance to the native communities who call the region home. Next is the world-famous Grand Canyon – no trip to the American West is complete without it! Explore the rim of the canyon and then descend into its depths over a two-night stay. Then it’s back to Las Vegas for a night of fun (but not too much fun…there’s plenty of hiking ahead!). Drive through the otherworldly terrain of Death Valley, one of the world’s driest places, before crossing the Tioga Pass as you make your way into Yosemite. Spend two nights exploring this incredible landscape, with Half Dome, El Capitan and all the highlights in view. Finish with a day in San Francisco, taking in the sights and sounds of this beloved city.
It’s almost impossible to choose between the best parks of the American West – and on this tour, you don’t have to!
The American West is full of legendary national parks to explore. From towering waterfalls to bottomless canyons, lush forests to parched deserts, this is one of the most diverse regions in the world. On this 13-day guided hiking tour, you’ll get to experience the very best of America’s most spectacular adventures.
Start by flying into Las Vegas and meet up with your guide and group to review the journey ahead. Set off for Zion National Park, walking beside a cool river slicing through the gorge. Then it’s on to Bryce Canyon for two nights, where the brilliant colours of the park’s hoodoos are sure to mesmerize all who visit! Visit Lake Powell, an American oasis, and then see sites that hold great significance to the native communities who call the region home. Next is the world-famous Grand Canyon – no trip to the American West is complete without it! Explore the rim of the canyon and then descend into its depths over a two-night stay. Then it’s back to Las Vegas for a night of fun (but not too much fun…there’s plenty of hiking ahead!). Drive through the otherworldly terrain of Death Valley, one of the world’s driest places, before crossing the Tioga Pass as you make your way into Yosemite. Spend two nights exploring this incredible landscape, with Half Dome, El Capitan and all the highlights in view. Finish with a day in San Francisco, taking in the sights and sounds of this beloved city.
It’s almost impossible to choose between the best parks of the American West – and on this tour, you don’t have to!
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Best of the American West Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Las Vegas
Arrive in Las Vegas and check into your accommodations. Depending on your arrival schedule, you’ll have some free time before meeting up with your group and guide to review the journey ahead.
Dinner and the rest of the evening are yours to enjoy at leisure – but don’t enjoy it too much, there’s an adventure to come!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Las Vegas
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 The Road to Zion
It’s an early start this morning as you hop in the minibus and set off for Zion National Park. A three-hour drive later, you arrive at one of the most spectacular parks in America. Zion offers a range of environments to explore, from thick forest to barren desert and everything in between.
The Riverside Walk trail is a great way to start the trip. It’s a straightforward hike along the base of The Narrows, a famous canyon. Dip your feet in the cool waters that cut through the canyon and gaze up at the sheer walls that flank your route.
Overnight in a hotel just outside the park.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Springdale
Distance: 1 ½ hours, 3.2km, minimal elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3 Starry Desert Skies
Now that you’re warmed up, it’s a much longer hike today along the Angels Landing trail. It’s one of Zion’s most popular hikes, and for good reason – the views from its high points and spectacular, and thrilling sections hiking with the help of a chain will get your heart pumping!
Following the hike, hop back in the minibus and make the two-hour drive to Bryce Canyon. The orange rocks of its massive natural amphitheatre are a sight to behold. Once the sun has set, take a short outdoor walk with your group for a stargazing session – one of the best places in America for it!
Overnight Location: Motel in Bryce Canyon City
Distance: 4 hours, 8km, 453m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 4 The Colours of Bryce Canyon
Today’s hike takes you right into the heart of Bryce Canyon National Park. Descend into the amphitheatre and marvel at the wild shapes and colours of these rocky environments. Rain and snowmelt have shaped and eroded these hoodoos over thousands of years, resulting in some of the most unique towering formations found worldwide!
After your hike, you’ll have the option to tack on an additional activity. Hop on horseback for a true western adventure or take to the skies in a helicopter for a breathtaking vista.
Overnight Location: Motel in Bryce Canyon City
Distance: 4-5 hours, 9km, 475m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5 Visiting Lake Powell
After breakfast, hop in the minibus for a three-hour drive to Lake Powell. America’s second-largest artificial lake, Powell emerges from the desert like a dream. Over 300 kilometres long and with a perimeter ten times as long as that, there’s plenty to explore!
Head with your guide to Horseshoe Bend, a celebrated scenic spot overlooking the Colorado River. A visit to Antelope Canyon is highly recommended, with incredible orange curves shaping the impossibly smooth canyon walls. For a truly immersive experience, embark on a longboat cruise to Rainbow Bridge, a natural sandstone monument of special significance to many Indigenous groups in the region.
Overnight Location: Motel in Page
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6 The Great Grand Canyon
It’s another three-hour drive to start the day, heading for the most famous stop along the journey: the Grand Canyon! Your next two days are spent exploring this majestic formation in all its glory.
The first day’s hike is a trip along the rim of the canyon. Peer down to the Colorado River, snaking its way through the canyon floor 1.6 kilometres below. Incredible vistas accompany your every step along the top of this world-renowned site.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Grand Canyon
Distance: 3 hours, flexible distance
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7 Descending the Canyon
Your second day in the Grand Canyon provides an opportunity to hike down into the canyon itself. Descend amongst steep cliffs and remarkable formations as you explore the depths of the canyon. An impressive array of wildlife calls these ledges home, with reptiles, mountain goats, and even coyotes roaming the slopes.
The South Kaibab Trail is your route today, with the option to take a longer hike if the group can manage. Another opportunity for a helicopter ride awaits in the afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Grand Canyon
Distance: Cedar Ridge: 3 hours, 5km, 350m of elevation gain
Skeleton Point: 5-6 hour, 9.6km, 600m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8 Free Day in Las Vegas
It’s an early start today for a long drive back to Las Vegas (approximately 5 hours). Check into your hotel, then enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Take in a show, visit a casino, or enjoy one of the city’s world-class restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Las Vegas
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9 The Deserts of Death Valley
Hit the road early this morning for the drive to Death Valley National Park. Today’s exploration of the park is done mostly by bus, although there will be some opportunities to hop out for a short hike here and there.
With only five centimetres of annual rainfall, Death Valley is one of the driest places on Earth. Yet there are no shortage of sights to spot. Gold Canyon, the Badwater Basin, and even the Devil’s Golf Course are all totally unique attractions worth checking out.
Overnight in a motel northwest of the park.
Overnight Location: Motel in Bishop
Distance: Various (depending on conditions)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 10 Over the Tioga Pass
Today’s destination is the endlessly scenic Yosemite National Park, and the drive there is no less impressive! Take the Tioga Pass through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the highest mountain pass in all of California. Stop along the way at Mono Lake, one of North America’s oldest and most unique bodies of water.
You’ll have the opportunity for an afternoon hike in Yosemite along the Dog Dome trail before checking into a hotel just outside the park for the first of two overnight stays.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Yosemite
Distance: 3 hours, 4km, 360m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 11 The Wonders of Yosemite
It’s time to explore the highlights of mythical Yosemite! A short drive brings you to the trailhead of Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. From here on out, the views in every direction are nothing short of staggering.
You’ll gaze over Half Dome and El Capitan, world-famous granite monoliths that never fail to inspire. Nine distinct waterfalls pour into the valley, headlined by the breathtaking Yosemite Falls tumbling nearly 2,500 feet from its peak. Before you return to the hotel, stop in the valley to see the waterfalls from below, rainbows stretching across the cascading spray.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Yosemite
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 12 West to San Francisco
Depart the park and head for San Francisco, a 3 ½-hour drive west from Yosemite. Spend a half-day with your guide and group exploring the many charms of this beautiful city.
Ride a cable car through the hilly neighbourhoods, immersing yourself in the different cultures and neighbourhoods that make up the city. Of course, the Golden Gate Bridge and its nearby park (which is actually larger than New York’s Central Park) is a must! Enjoy dinner at your leisure at one of the city’s countless delectable restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in San Francisco
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 13 Departure
After breakfast and check-out, depart San Francisco via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Best of the American West Hiking Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour of the American Southwest is run as a custom tour for your group and the price depends on the number of participants.Important: This tour is not available for 2024 summer season. Please contact us for 2025 availability. Prices below are per person:
- Guided groups of 2: USD8075 per person
- Guided groups of 3: USD5950 per person
- Guided groups of 4: USD4675 per person
- Guided groups of 5: USD4750 per person
- Guided groups of 6: USD3525 per person
- Guided groups of 7: USD3225 per person
- Guided groups of 8: USD3075 per person
- Guided groups of 9: USD2950 per person
- Guided groups of 10: USD2795 per person
- Guided groups of 11: USD2725 per person
- Guided groups of 12: USD2675 per person
Accommodation on the Best of the American West Hiking Tour
This tour is based in comfortable 2 and 3-star lodges. Each property offers warm rooms with an ensuite washroom and daily breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement. Single occupancy upgrades will incur a USD1203 supplement fee.
What’s Included on the Best of the American West Hiking Tour?
Meals
12 breakfasts and 12 picnic lunches are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 12 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included between each point of accommodation during the journey, along with transfers to and from the start/endpoints of each day’s hike. A minibus with a luggage trailer is used for transport. Airport transfers can be added as a supplement.
Also Included
- Expert driver/guide throughout the trip
- All national park entrance fees
Not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- US customs fees
- Gratuities if desired
- Visas if required
- Fees for any activities not listed above
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single room upgrades
- Airport transfers
- How hard is the Best of the American West Hiking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the USA?
- Are meals included on the Best of the American West Hiking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Las Vegas to start this tour?
- Is the Best of the American West Hiking Tour in English?
- Where does the Best of the American West Hiking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the USA?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the USA?
- When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour is friendly for beginner hikers, with relatively short distances and well-established routes. However, some routes involve a significant amount of elevation change, and the hot conditions in some of these regions necessitate a reasonable fitness level. Good boots are essential, and previous hiking experience is recommended.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
12 breakfasts and 12 lunches are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking, as well as any optional activities you plan to do. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into the McCarran International Airport (LAS). From here, your hotel is a quick 10-minute taxi ride away, or you can book a pick-up as a supplement.
Yes, your guide and all support staff speak English.
The tour ends in the city of San Francisco. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 20 minutes away by taxi, or you can book a transfer as a supplement.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to visit this region for hiking is spring (April-June) or fall (September-November) as the summer temperatures can be very hot.
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The origins of Windigo date back over four hundred years to the hunt for the Northwest Passage. Sir Martin Frobisher was a principal figure in these early adventures, making several trips to the Arctic. While he didn’t find the Passage, he did bestow his name on today’s Frobisher Bay, where Iqaluit meets the sea. Little did Martin know that his descendent Charles Frobisher would start an adventure travel company many centuries later!
Since 1996, Windigo has been operating group adventure tours throughout North America. They’re proud to show off the very best of this magnificent land, from its highest snow-capped peaks to its longest roaring rivers and everything in between. A team of expert guides bring unrivalled passion to each and every adventure. Traveling with Windigo provides memories for a lifetime!
