Day 1

Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas! If you have purchased your airline tickets through YMT Vacations, you will be welcomed by a YMT representative and transferred to your hotel as part of your package. (Guests who have made their own air arrangements, need to proceed independently to the hotel). The night is yours to enjoy in this city with plentiful entertainment and lights! Overnight: Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino or similar

Day 2

Say goodbye to Las Vegas for now as you start your adventure through the Great National Parks of the Golden West today, beginning with a relaxing trip on your luxurious coach as we travel through the ever-changing desert landscape of Nevada to the farmlands of central California. If temperatures permit, our tour will lead through the Death Valley, the lowest point of elevation in North America. You will be able to see the Badlands and stop at Furnace Creek Ranch in the center of the park. If the expected temperature in the Death Valley rises above 115F, we will unfortunately not be able to include this visit for the safety and well being of our guests. Overnight: Best Western Hill House or similar

Day 3

Enjoy the panoramic vistas as we travel northeast to Kings Canyon National Park. The park is home to the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias depicted in many photographs by Ansel Adams. The landscape of this park and its jointly managed sister park, Sequoia National Park, is a testament to the beauty, size and diversity of nature. See the Giant Sequoia redwood trees, the largest trees in the world – with heights over 300 feet and trunks more than 40 feet wide! Overnight: Best Western Village Inn or similar

Day 4

Today you will visit the crown jewel of California’s National Parks: Yosemite! You will be in awe seeing the rock formations and waterfalls! Enjoy the day marveling at the magnificent scenery as you learn about the history of the park. This diverse land, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet, abounds with spectacular granite cliffs, giant waterfalls, towering trees, clear running streams and wildlife including mule deer, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, the great gray owl and coyotes., See Yosemite Falls (at 2425 feet, the tallest in North America) and famed Half Dome and other internationally recognized landmarks such as El Capitan where you will likely be able to observe mountain climbers trying their luck in an ascend. In the late afternoon we will continue to the Lake Tahoe region. Overnight: John Ascuaga’s Nugget or similar

Day 5

This morning we drive up into the mountains to visit majestic Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the USA, with 72 miles of pristine shoreline. Explore some of the serene hiking trails, the quaint shops or perhaps try your luck in one of the casinos. In the afternoon we visit historic Virginia City, a town that appeared almost overnight with the discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859. Hosting one of the country’s largest historical districts there is much to explore – Stroll along the authentic board sidewalks to visit the 19th century homes, museums and of course the ‘Bucket of Blood Saloon. Overnight: John Ascuaga’s Nugget or similar

Day 6

Today our tour takes us east as we will enter Humboldt County. We will stop in Winnemucca, a Cowboy Country town that also has a rich Basque heritage. A high desert hub for pioneers and miners, you can still see wagon wheel ruts near the Humboldt River, and vanishing ghost towns tucked into the hills. Our day ends in Elko. Overnight: Gold Country Inn or similar

Day 7

As we near Utah and Salt Lake City we will drive into the Oquirrh Mountains to tour the world’s largest man-made excavation - the Kennecott Copper Mine. At 2 2/3 miles wide, it can be seen from space; and it produces 150,000 tons of copper ore each day. During your visit you will be able to learn about Utah’s rich mining history and observe the mine’s mammoth operation first hand. Before we arrive in Salt Lake City for the night, you will see the Great Salt Lake just outside the city – nestled at the base of the beautiful Lakeside and Terrace Mountains. Upon arrival we will tour the major sites of Salt Lake City in a panoramic tour. See Temple Square, the historic Beehive House, modern Delta Center, the Salt Palace Convention Center, the State Capitol Building, and much more! Overnight: Red Lion or similar

Day 8

Surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges we will drive southwest from Salt Lake City. Admire the natural wonders that surround you, as we spend the day on a leisurely drive. Gaze upon the red-rock formations, high desert plains and valleys, and ancient landscapes that were the home to the dinosaurs millions of years ago. We arrive in Moab, our home for the next two nights. Overnight: River Canyon Lodge or similar

Day 9

For the past 150 million years, the more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches of Arches National Park have been sculpted by the natural erosion of wind, water, sun, and frost – creating an unmistakably unique landscape. You look with wonder at the red rock canyons, balancing rocks and unusual formations including Landscape Arch, Park Avenue Corridor, The Three Gossips, and elegant Delicate Arch. In the afternoon, we explore Canyonlands National Park, an outdoor wonderland of enchanting vistas carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. See spires, arches, canyons and Native American ruins. Learn the history and geology of this mystical region at the park Visitors Center. Tonight you will have the opportunity to join your fellow travelers for an incredible “Canyonlands By Night” boat tour and light show. Overnight: River Canyon Lodge or similar

Day 10

We are leaving Moab for another spectacular day surrounded by colorful rock formations. En route to Bryce Canyon, we will stop in Capitol Reef National Park. The area was named for a line of white domes and cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, each of which looks somewhat like the United States Capitol building. hence the name Capitol Reef. We will stop at the visitor center and view Petroglyphs before venturing through the Fruita area, where remnants of orchards still exist that were planted by early settlers. Then we head further south through the Dixie National Forest on to Bryce Canyon, with its spectacularly beautiful red rock sandstone formations. We will stay just outside the park for the night. Overnight: Bryce Canyon Lodge

Day 11

Today you are in for a visit to the grandest of all Parks in the West: The Grand Canyon! Our route takes us via the US 89 through Page and offers us views of the Glen Canyon Dam before we enter the Kaibab National Forest and finally see the spectacular Grand Canyon. You will stop at the first viewpoints driving into the park before we end the day by the South Rim, where we overnight in a National Park Lodge. The night and the sunset is yours to enjoy! There are ample of dining opportunities inside the park and a convenient shuttle bus takes you to them. Perhaps visit the famous El Tovar where several presidents have dined and rustic elegance awaits. This overnight location will afford early risers to witness the sunrise over the rim in the morning. A once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed! Overnight: Yavapai Lodge West

Day 12

Today it is almost time to bid farewell to nature’s beauty. We will return to the glittering lights of Las Vegas. We cruise down the Las Vegas Strip – more than 3 miles of one spectacular hotel after the other, to downtown and Freemont Street. In the evening, relive the days of the Rat Pack with an optional live swing show and dinner or try your luck in one of the casinos. Overnight: Golden Nugget or similar

Day 13

To round up the greatest National Parks of the Golden West, you will take a day excursion from Las Vegas to Zion National Park today. Carved by the Virgin River 225 million years ago, the park boasts steep color-splashed canyon walls, waterfalls, geologic formations, domes, and rock needles that assume the shape of cathedrals, statues, and monuments. The half-mile deep park floor is plus with foliage, as well as mule deer, wild turkeys, gray foxes and the occasional porcupine. A worthy farewell to a grand portfolio of parks that you were able to experience on this great tour! Overnight: Golden Nugget or similar

Day 14

It is time to bid farewell to newfound friends and fellow travelers and to return home. If you have made your flight arrangements with YMT Vacations, you will be transferred to the Las Vegas Mc Carran Airport as part of your package inclusions. Guests, who have booked their flights independently will have to make their own way to the airport.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations.

Note: By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.

The Motor Coach Experience