|
|
 |
|
July 13-26, 2012, 14 days, Friday-Thursday,
$1,199 + taxes & fees, $149, & air, $550, from St. Louis = $1,898.
|
|
|
Hi Carolyn, We want to go on the "National Parks of the Golden West Tour".
Tour Starts. Las Vegas, Nevada Tour Ends, Las Vegas, Nevada Tour Includes: 13-Nights Hotel Accommodations: Based on twin/double accommodations in moderate hotels. Sightseeing: Special events as listed in the itinerary. A full program
of optional excursions will be available at additional cost. Baggage Handling: To and from your hotel room throughout your tour for one piece of checked baggage
per person. Service:
A professionally trained driver-guide who is knowledgeable on the local area and will provide you with a wealth of information.
This friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS Witness the legendary waterfalls and soaring peaks of Yosemite Valley Discover Sequoia National Park, home to giant redwood trees with ancient
histories dating back before the dinosaurs See
the rock needles of Zion National Park and the stunning red rock formations of Bryce Canyon Visit the Grand Canyon and stay inside the National Park, perhaps rising
early to view the most spectacular sunrise in the world! View the famous natural landmarks formed by nature in Arches National Park and Canyonlands National
Park Explore the architectural
highlights of Salt Lake City and the enormous Kennecott Copper Mine Enjoy two full days in Las Vegas to enjoy the many dining opportunities, see the sights and attend
the amazing shows Our YMT
contact person is Tracy, same contact person we have had for all our tours, & her number is 800-736-7300, ext. 2235. She
will take care of our/your deposits/payments. Also, when you made your deposit please be sure to tell Tracy that you are with
the B-Jay Travel group (this is very important so you will be sure to be with our group). YMT’s
web site is: www.ymtvacations.com
Day 1, (Friday) – Fly to Las Vegas, NV: 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, (Saturday) – Death Valley and Bakersfield, CA: 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, (Sunday) – Sequoia & Kings National Park and Fresno: Enjoy the panoramic vistas as we take the short drive south to explore Kings Canyon
and Sequoia National Parks. The landscape of these dual parks is a testament to the beauty, size and diversity of nature.
View Mount Whitney, at 14,505-feet the tallest peak on the US mainland, and see the ancient Giant Sequoia redwood trees, the
largest trees in the world – with heights above 300 feet and trunks more than 50 feet wide! Overnight: Best Western
Village Inn or similar Day 4,
(Monday) – Yosemite National Park
and Reno/Lake Tahoe Region: 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, (Tuesday)
– Reno/Lake Tahoe Local Sightseeing: 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, (Wednesday) – Elko, NV: 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, (Thursday) – Kennecott Copper Mine via Salt Lake City: 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, (Friday) – Moab, UT: 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, (Saturday) – Sightseeing at Arches and Canyonlands National
Parks: 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, (Sunday) – Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks:
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, (Monday) – Grand Canyon National Park: 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, were we will stay for the night inside the park. 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, (Tuesday) – Las Vegas, NV: 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, (Wednesday) – Day Excursion to Zion National Park: To round up the greatest Nationalparks of the Golden West, you will
take a day excursion from Las Vegas to Zion Nationalpark 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 faxes 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, (Thursday) – Depart for Home: 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:Some of the sight-seeing and visits included in this tour require
2-3 hours of walking and some periods of standing. Steps, stairs and uneven ground will be encountered throughout this tour.
This should not pose a challenge for most people, but do consider these facts when booking this tour.
NOTE: Last minute reservations are some times possible. It is always better to make reservations early, but don't
be afraid to call at the last minute. I may have cancellations and can get you on the trip.
All trips pick up in Flora, Olney, Lawrenceville, other locations sometimes.
For more information about any trip or to
make a reservation contact Carolyn Bennett-McDonald @ 618-395-1270/ 877-395-1270 e-mail, b-jaytravel@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
