Riding the West

Free day to explore Las Vegas, from the Bellagio fountains to the gondolas of the Venetian, via the very Roman Caesars Palace or the sharks at Mandalay Bay... Downtown Vegas is home to the legendary Golden Nugget, on the lively Fremont Street. For shopping, head to one of the city's many outlets or to the luxury boutiques.

Optional: Cirque du Soleil show (schedule depending on your travel dates), excursions, helicopter flights...

Overnight in Las Vegas.

Head for the great Utah parks, after a detour via the Valley of Fire and its stunning mineral scenery made up of petroglyphs, arches, and canyons.

On to surprising Snow Canyon, just a short drive from St George. The road through it reveals striking contrasts between basalt rock and sandstone in red-orange and ochre hues, so typical of the region.

Return to St George. Check in at the hotel. Overnight in St George.

Head to Springdale, the gateway to magnificent Zion National Park. The road linking Springdale to Mt Carmel Junction is superb, with incredible views. Stop after the switchbacks and the tunnel, then walk to Zion Overlook (approx. 30' round trip). After passing the beautiful sandstone arch of Red Canyon, arrive in Bryce City, at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Don't hesitate to drive the road through the park all the way to the end, then backtrack. Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Bryce City.

Descend into the natural amphitheater of Bryce Canyon, up close to the famous 'hoodoos', these sandstone spires with incredible colors that look like giant stalagmites. 

Leave Bryce via one of the most beautiful roads in the West, Scenic Byway 12, ranked among the 37 'All-American Roads'. 

The distance between Bryce and Torrey is not great, but crossing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is exceptional: a petrified wood forest, vestiges of the First Nations Anasazi, and incredible geological formations. Pure joy!

Arrival in the small town of Torrey, at the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park and the sandstone cliffs, the 'Red cliffs', that define it. 

Check in at the hotel. 

Overnight in Torrey.

Drive to Capitol Reef National Park, along the 'Waterpocket Fold', a 160 km-long mountain chain formed by a fold in the Earth's crust. 

Short detour in the Fruita area on the south side, which features beautiful rock formations (and even orchards).

Head for Lake Powell, before reaching Moki Dugway, a unique spot that will leave you speechless. Below these unpaved switchbacks stretches the majestic Valley of the Gods. 

Small detour to Gooseneck State Park, a breathtaking viewpoint over the San Juan River meanders. Then continue to Mexican Hat, on the banks of the San Juan, just north of Monument Valley. 

Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Mexican Hat.

Optional: overnight at The View hotel, on the Monument Valley site facing the Mesas (supplement).

Leave early to enjoy the road to Monument Valley, via the famous and photogenic Forest Gump Point.

From the visitor center (where The View hotel is located), hop into a pick-up for a guided tour led by your Navajo host, into the heart of this site immortalized many times by Hollywood (Easy Rider, Once Upon a Time in the West, Forrest Gump, Thelma & Louise...).

Then head for Page and Lake Powell, with a detour via Navajo National Monument, once inhabited by First Nations (Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute, Zuni, and Navajo), as evidenced by the cliff dwellings scattered along the canyon walls.

Arrival in Page. Check in at the hotel. 

Overnight in Page.

Head to Antelope Canyon, a 15' drive from Page. It's a 'slot canyon', carved into sandstone by erosion and wind. It forms a magnificent rock lacework, enhanced by the Navajo sandstone. Visit with a Navajo guide (included).

On leaving Page, stop at Horseshoe Bend, the most photographed meander of the Colorado. 

Head for Grand Canyon National Park, approaching from the south. With depths reaching 1,500 m, this extraordinary canyon stretches for more than 400 km!

It is magnified by a succession of beautiful viewpoints, easily accessible all along Desert View Drive.

Arrival at Grand Canyon Village. Check in at the hotel. 

Overnight in Grand Canyon Village.

The bravest will go to admire the sunrise over the Grand Canyon: it's magical! 

Optional: helicopter flight (it's quite expensive...).

Then, drive to Williams, along the legendary Route 66. The town was the last one crossed by the original Route 66 before being 'replaced' by the freeway in 1984.

Williams' Main Street is lovely, with its motels, vintage Route 66 signs, 'diners', shops and old gas stations. From Williams departs the tourist train of the Grand Canyon Railway, which reaches Grand Canyon Village. 

After Seligman, with its colorful shops (notably the one of the legendary Angel Delgadillo) and its old wrecks, then the famous Hackberry General Store, you arrive in Kingman.

Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Kingman.

Wake up early to get an early start, as today's stage is longer. 

Last stretch on '66', with beautiful switchbacks through the Black Mountains, before Sitgreaves Pass (1,095 m). 

Stop in Oatman, a small town straight out of a Lucky Luke comic, where donkeys have ruled since the late 19th century. Touristy but fun.

Then head for Death Valley National Park, in eastern California, which holds the world record for the highest temperatures, with 56.7°C recorded in 1913! 

Before reaching Furnace Creek, detour through the typical town of Shoshone, then on to Badwater, 88 m below sea level! Finish with 'Artists Drive', a small road bordered by rocks with improbable colors (late afternoon).

Check in at the hotel. Overnight in the heart of the park.

Early departure recommended, as today's stage is substantial. 

An essential morning detour to Zabriskie Point, to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Death Valley, with the badlands and their striated walls, enhanced by the rays of the rising sun! In the background: the salt flats and the Panamint Mountains. Grandiose...

Stop at Mesquite Sand Flats to walk among the pristine dunes. Then leave Death Valley towards the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, before crossing the Mojave Desert. 

After one last stretch on the steep switchbacks of the beautiful Angeles Forest Hwy (subject to being open when you pass), you reach the City of Angels via Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Marina Del Rey (or nearby).

Enjoy this day 'off' to discover the 'City of Angels'. 

Options are endless: Santa Monica and its pier, Venice with its 'Muscle Beach' and its lovely canals, Griffith Park and its observatory with stunning views over Downtown (and the famous 'Hollywood' sign)...

Or the beautiful, winding Mulholland Drive, home to many celebrities and great views over the Valley and L.A., Hollywood Blvd and the handprints of your favorite stars , etc. 

In terms of activities, there's plenty to choose from: the superb Getty Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum and its fine machines, the southern beaches (Manhattan, Huntington, Newport, Laguna...), Pasadena...

Or why not drive up to Malibu and its dream beaches , 45' away via the 101.

Overnight in Marina Del Rey (or nearby).

Free time depending on your return flight time. 

Drive to Los Angeles airport and return your rental car. 

Return flight. Arrival the next day on the Old Continent.

Extension of stay or route changes on request