HIGHLIGHTS
- Learn about the ancient culture and history of the Anasazi Indians on a visit to Mesa Verde National Park, home to 600 traditional Indian cliff dwellings
- San Antonio is a little piece of Mexico in the USA. Visit the World Heritage-listed Alamo, an 18th-century mission and fortress, and take a stroll along the lively San Antonio River Walk
- The oldest capital in the US, sunny Santa Fe has an ancient history, a contemporary heart and a desert soul. With its adobe architecture and colourful art scene, it's not hard to see why Santa Fe's eccentric locals refer to their home as the 'City Different'
- The Grand Canyon National Park needs no introduction. You'll spend two nights in the park so there's a full day to explore properly. See the mighty canyon up close on a variety of hikes or take a helicopter flight overhead
- The Southern USA Road Trip tour starts in New Orleans and ends in Las Vegas. The Southern USA Road Trip is an Explorer tour that takes 10 days taking you from New Orleans to Las Vegas and through other destinations in North America.
Explore southern America on a road trip and discover what is surely one of the USA's kookiest corners. Beginning among the good vibes of New Orleans, head west into Texas, uncovering the historic riverfront of San Antonio along the way. From there it's on to New Mexico, home to the legendary Carlsbad Caverns, UFO sightings and 'the city different' – also known as Santa Fe. Finish up this adventure in Las Vegas after taking in the legendary Grand Canyon and sacred desert landscapes of Monument Valley. In a country that's all about the big, the bold and the bizarre, the America's southwest is not to be missed.
ITINERARY
Day 1:New Orleans
Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm today. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.
As there's a great deal to do in New Orleans, we recommend arriving a few days early to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, our reservations team will be happy to assist. Otherwise known as the 'Big Easy', New Orleans's eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun culture manifests itself in the city's architecture, cuisine and music scene. Take in the gaudy sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District and absorb the ambience of the French Quarter. In the evening, perhaps check out a jazz show and dance the night away in the bars along Frenchman Street.
ACCOMMODATION
As there's a great deal to do in New Orleans, we recommend arriving a few days early to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, our reservations team will be happy to assist. Otherwise known as the 'Big Easy', New Orleans's eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun culture manifests itself in the city's architecture, cuisine and music scene. Take in the gaudy sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District and absorb the ambience of the French Quarter. In the evening, perhaps check out a jazz show and dance the night away in the bars along Frenchman Street.
ACCOMMODATION
- Hotel
- New Orleans - Bourbon Street - Free -
- New Oleans - Cabildo - USD 5
- New Orleans - Cemetery Tour - USD 25
- New Orleans - French Market - Free - USD 25
- New Orleans - Mississippi River Steamboat Jazz Dinner Cruise - USD 63
- New Orleans - New Orleans School of Cooking - USD 29
- New Orleans - Presbytere - USD 6
- New Orleans - Preservation Hall Jazz - USD 15
- New Orleans - Ursuline Convent Tours - USD 5
- New Orleans - Voodoo Museum - USD 7
Day 2: East Texas
It's quite a journey from Louisiana into Texas (nearly 700 kilometres). You'll be on the road for around nine hours today, so sit back and enjoy the ride. There may be the chance to stop for a swamp tour along the way, and you'll get other chances to stop and stretch your legs as well.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
- OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- New Orleans - Swamp Tour
Day 3: San Antonio
Join the truckers along Highway 10 to San Antonio. Mexican-influenced San Antonio is the home of the Alamo, an original reconstructed Spanish-Mexican fort from the 18th century. On arrival, you can stroll along the famous River Walk or walk in the footsteps of Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie at the Alamo. Total driving time today is around three to four hours.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
- OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- San Antonio - The Alamo Mission - Free -
- San Antonio - Riverwalk - Free -
- San Antonio - The Alamo IMAX Theater - USD 14
Day 4: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
After traversing the state of Texas, enter the deserts of New Mexico on the way to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. One of the largest caverns in the world, Carlsbad Cavern is still only partially explored. Hike deep into the 'Big Room' and beyond. In the evening, witness the overwhelming sight of a bat flight - thousands of bats swarming out of the caverns. As the bats migrate south in October for the winter, this is a seasonal sight and is best viewed in July and August. Total driving today is about nine hours.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
Day 5:Santa Fe
Continue the journey north to Santa Fe today. The total drive should take around five hours. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the US. You might like to check out the pueblo architecture surrounding the town plaza or see the San Miguel Mission, the USA's oldest church. If you're an art buff, then a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is a must.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
- OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Santa Fe - San Miguel Mission - USD 1
- Santa Fe - Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - USD 12
- Santa Fe - Loretto Chapel - Free - USD 12
Day 6: Mesa Verde National Park
Continue on to Mesa Verde National Park, home to the largest and best-preserved cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians. The park protects over 4,000 known archaeological sites. Explore a cliff dwelling on a short walk, or (for a small fee) join a ranger-led walk to the harder-to-access sites. Total driving time today is approximately five hours.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
- OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Mesa Verde - Guided Tour of Ruins
Day 7: Monument Valley
After a drive through fascinating desert regions, reach Monument Valley. Monument Valley is so-named after the giant sandstone formations scattered across the desert. The backdrop for countless westerns, the valley is part of the biggest Indian reservation in the US and is home to more than 200,000 Navajo Indians. Perhaps see the sights from the back of a jeep with a Navajo guide. Visit areas only open to the Navajo, see traditional Navajo homes, hike up sand dunes and gaze at spectacular rock formations. Total driving time today is around three-and-a-half hours.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
- Monument Valley - Navajo-guided jeep tour (2.5 hrs) - USD 55
- Monument Valley - Jeep tour & overnight experience - USD 90
Day 8:Grand Canyon
Today drive from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon, stopping at a Native American trading post along the way. The total drive will take around four hours. Words don't do justice to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. This stunning gorge is 1.5 kilometres deep, formed by over six million years of erosion from the Colorado River. You'll spend two nights here, in order to allow a full day of exploration tomorrow.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
Day 9:Grand Canyon
Today is a free day to explore the Grand Canyon. Stroll along the meandering South Rim Trail or hike your way along the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you might even opt for a scenic helicopter flight over the area (at your own expense). In the early evening, relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities)
- Grand Canyon - Helicopter flight (45 mins) - USD 295
- Grand Canyon - Hiking - Free - USD 295
- Grand Canyon - IMAX movie - USD 15
Day 10: Las Vegas
Head out of the Grand Canyon and cross the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas. Along the way, you'll drive along a section of the famous Route 66, stopping in at the eccentric town of Seligman. The total drive will take around five hours.
Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness.
The trip finishes on arrival into Las Vegas and no accommodation is provided tonight. The arrival time depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 8pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you are staying in town for the evening, perhaps feast on an 'all you can eat' buffet, check out one of the many shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub. If you do wish to spend extra time in Las Vegas we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness.
The trip finishes on arrival into Las Vegas and no accommodation is provided tonight. The arrival time depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 8pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you are staying in town for the evening, perhaps feast on an 'all you can eat' buffet, check out one of the many shows on offer or party the night away in a Vegas nightclub. If you do wish to spend extra time in Las Vegas we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Las Vegas - Helicopter Tour of The Strip - USD 110
- Las Vegas - Limo (per group) - USD 300
- Las Vegas - Big Apple Express roller coaster - USD 15
- Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free - USD 15
- Las Vegas - Monorail - USD 5
- Las Vegas - Fremont Street Experience - Free - USD 5
- Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD 24
- Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD 20
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (1 night)
- Private vehicle
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Any international flights to New Orleans and from Las Vegas are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
- Travel insurance is not included in this Southern USA Road Trip tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.
