Welcome to Hooked on Cycling and Walking Holidays and our wonderful walking holiday in Western USA. This easy to moderate hiking tour through the Western United States allows you to explore the famous National Parks of the West on foot. The great National Parks you will visit during this hiking vacation are Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Zion, the Grand Canyon plus Monument Valley. In addition you will visit the bustling Las Vegas & San Francisco. This guided walking holiday has easy to moderate 3 to 6 hours hikes, the guide will also suggest alternate shorter or longer walks if you request each day. We will allow ample time to explore each National Park over several day. Each night you will stay in mostly centrally located and comfortable hotels near the National Parks. This fabulous vacation provides a well balanced mixture of nature, hiking and walking, world-famous sights, and cities.

Las Vegas Departures on 23rd May , 20th June, 8th August, 5th & 3rd October
San Francisco Departures on 5th June, 3rd July, 21st August, 18th September, 16th October
Guided walking holiday

Below if the schedule for Las Vegas to San Francisco - San Francisco to Las Vegas runs in the reverse direction
Day 1 - Arrival in Las Vegas
Arrival in Las Vegas, own transfer from the airport to the hotel, La Quinta

Day 2 – to Zion National Park
Today at 8 am your guide will welcome you at the hotel. Then we will drive to near by Zion National Park for an amazing hike to the Emerald Pools, where waterfalls cascade into an oasis of pools.
Majestic view lodge or Best Western Zion Park Inn
140 miles / 220 km or 2.5 hr drive
Emerald Pools 2- 3 hour hike

Day 3 - Hiking in Zion
Zion is famous for its 800m sheer sandstone walls which rise into blue skies.  We will hike to the Angel’s Landing, a huge sandstone dome rising over the narrow valley of the Virigin River, with unforgettable views. You can, if you want to, make it all the way to the top.  Time permitting we wade through the famous Narrows of the Virgin River. In the afternoon drive to Bryce Canyon in time for an amazing sunset. During summer evenings, a local rodeo is offered at our hotel (ca. $8). Bryce View Lodge
Angel’s Landing - 4-5 hrs, ca. 5  miles / 8 km, Elevation difference:  +/- 450m
Narrows: 1-2 hrs,  ca. 2-3 miles / 3-5 km, Elevation difference: +/- 0m
120 m / 190 km or 2 hr drive

Day 4 – Bryce Canyon National Park
For many visitors Bryce Canyon ranks among the most beautiful in the USA.  We have all day to enjoy this amazing park. Hiking trails wind through red and pink stone towers glowing in the sunlight. The color contrast between the red, green of the pines, and blue of the sky delight every photographer and nature lover. Those wanting to explore the formations on horse back can do so (optional ca $40). Late afternoon we head to Lake Powell, where we spend the night in Page. Quality Inn Page
Fairlyland Loop - 4-5 hrs, ca. 8 miles/ 13 km, elevation difference:  +/- 300m
Additional walks are available
140 miles / 220 km or 2.5 hr drive

Day 5 – Lake Powell
Lake Powell was created through the damming of the Colorado River.  Here dark blue waters reflect sheer dark red stone towers in an amazing color show offering unforgettable impressions.  We have all day to explore the area. We recommend a jeep tour to Antelope Canyon, “the” classic slot canyon (ca $30), a rafting tour on the Colorado River (half day ca $55), or for sunset a boat tour on Lake Powell (ca. $35).  Pink beaches invite those wanting a swim in the lake. 

Day 6 – Monument Valley with Navajo Native Americans
After a short drive we reach world famous Monument Valley of the Navajo tribe.  Here giant rock domes and mesas rise out of the valley into the blue sky and offer impressive photos. For decades the area has been used by Hollywood as favorite movie backdrop.  We highly recommend an unforgettable jeep tour with the Navajos through the valley (ca $30) to hidden beauty spots such as “Ear of the Wind” and “Big Hogan”. In the afternoon we head for Grand Canyon through the Painted Desert, which we reach via the East entrance. We stop to see the sights on the East Rim and are hopefully rewarded with an impressive sunset. Our nice hotel is at the entrance to the park.Quality Inn Grand Canyon or Holiday Inn Express
300 miles / 450 km or 4.5 hr drive

Day 7 – Into the Grand Canyon
We have all day to spend at this amazing sight.  The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and although plenty of tourists visit the area, few hit the trails.  If you prefer you can hike into the canyon to Plateau Point, or follow the leader along the West Rim, from where incredible views can be enjoyed.  There is time to enjoy another sunset.
Kaibab Ridge - 3-4 hrs, ca. 3 miles/ 5 km, elevation difference:  +/- 300m
Plateau Point - 8-12 hrs, ca. 12 miles/ 20 km, elevation difference:  +/- 1150m
Hike along the rim – up to 4 hrs, up to 8 miles / 13 km, elevation difference: +/- 50m

Day 8 – through the desert
In the morning you have the opportunity for a breathtaking helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (optional).  Then we travel via Route 66 through the hot deserts of Nevada. Our hotel is close to the entrance of Death Valley National Park.  Saddle West Casino in Pahrump
320 miles / 500 km or 4.5 hr drive

Day 9 – Through the Valley of Death
We reach Death Valley National Park shortly. This national park is in stark contrast to the red and green deserts of Utah. Here we find extreme weather conditions and temperatures, as this is one of the hottest places on earth.  In summer, temperatures can reach 50C.  In addition, being in a rift valley, Death Valley is also the lowest location in the Western Hemisphere at -100m. We explore the golden sand dunes, in contrast with the stark brown and black hillsides, Badwater with its poisonous springs, the Devil’s Golf Course formed by salt deposits, and the colorful formations at Zabriske Point. Temperature permitting we hike through the “Badlands”.  In the afternoon we continue along the 4400m crest of the Sierra Nevada to the ski resort Mammoth Lakes, where we stay in a centrally located hotel in the heart of the village.  In summer, we may spend the afternoon hiking in this area, and cutting our visit to Death Valley short. Sierra Lodge  
Badlands - 2-3 hrs, ca. 3 miles/ 5 km, elevation difference: +/- 200m
Hiking in Mammoth –  3-4 hrs, ca. 5 miles / 8 km, elevation difference may vary depending on hike
210 miles / 340 km or 3 hr drive

Day 10 – Giant Sequoia Trees and Tuolumne Meadows
In the morning we explore Mono Lake, one of the world’s oldest lakes, Mono Lake. Mono Lake is famous for its white towers, formed by hot springs.  We continue our journey over Tioga Pass, and over the crest of the Sierra Nevada at 3030m.  Weather permitting we hike to the top of Lembert Dome, where we enjoy expansive views over Tuolumne Meadow. Next we walk through a grove of giant sequoia, the biggest and some of the oldest trees in the world. Then we reach our accommodations in the heart of Yosemite Valley, in Curry Village.  Curry Village is the hub of accommodations in the valley.  It also provides direct access to all the hiking trails.  We will spend 2 nights in “tent cabins”, which are rustic cabins with beds and bedding, concrete floors, but canvas walls. Communal bathrooms.  The benefit of this accommodation is the direct access to hiking trails needed for those wanting to hike Half Dome.    Curry Village Tent Cabins

(April & October:  due to colder night time temperatures we overnight in a motel ca 40 min. from the entrance to the national park. In April / May Tioga Pass is closed and instead of walking in Tuolumne Meadows, we detour via the next northern pass, stopping to visit Bodie, one of the West’s best preserved ghost towns )
Lembert Dome – 3 hrs, ca 5 miles / 8 km, elevation difference:  +/- 300m
Sequoia Trees – 1-2 hrs, ca 4 miles / 6 km, elevation difference +/- 200m
80 miles / 130 km or 2 hr drive

Day 11 – exploring Yosemite on foot, bear watching
Our accommodations is located in the center of park. Those wanting to climb Half Dome can leave early this morning to challenge themselves on this peak. The rest of the group takes a more leisurely morning and drives up to Glacier Point, the most impressive view point in the park.  From here we marvel at the valley as well as the impressive walls of Half Dome. From here, 3 very different walks are offered that are different in length, difficulty and views:  two walks down to the valley, and one walk along the rim of the valley.  We recommend you enjoy the afternoon relaxing in the valley, rent a bike and visit the waterfalls, or raft down the Merced river on a hot day enjoying the scenery from a float trip (floating is possible only during certain safe water levels).  In the evening we look for wildlife and bear in the valley
Panorama Trail from Glacier Pt - 4-6 hrs, ca. 7 miles / 12 km, elevation difference: + 200m/-900m
4 Mile Trail – 4-5 hrs, ca 6 miles / 10 km, elevation difference:  -900m
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop – ca 4 hrs, ca 6 miles / 10 km, elevation difference: +/- 200m
Half Dome – 8-10 hrs, ca 13 miles / 20 km, elevation difference: +/- 1500m

12. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia
In the morning we head for the amazing grove of giant Sequoia at the southern end of the park.  We recommend we take the tram to the top of the grove (ca $20) and hike downhill back to our vehicle.  This allows for a leisurely walk through an amazing forest of ancient giants.  Then we leave the park and head for San Francisco, draped sinuously over coastal cliffs on the shore of the Pacific Ocean.   There is time to walk across the famous Golden Gate Bridge.  Our hotel is centrally located. Cova Hotel 3*, 1x
200 miles / 320 km or 4 hr drive

13. San Francisco
In the morning we explore the city on foot and cable car, and explore its hidden wonders as well as all the famous sights, such as Union Square, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf.  Last but not least we enjoy amazing views from Coit Tower.  You will be given a day pass for the cable car allowing you to explore the city in the afternoon on your own.  In the afternoon we recommend a harbor cruise on the bay, a tour of Alcatraz or a ferry ride to Sausalito (optional). 
City tour ca 3-4 hours. Ca 2-3 miles / ca. 4-7 km, elevation difference  +/-100 m

Day 14 – Departure
Individual departure.  We recommend you take an airport shuttle to the airport for about $15 pp.  

REVERSED TOUR
Day 1   arrival SFO, transfer on own to hotel
Day 2   city tour, afternoon on own
Day 3   drive to Yosemite, hike Mariposa Grove
Day 4   all day to hike Half Dome of Glacier Point trails
Day 5   drive via Tuolumne Meadows, hike, to Bodie SP and Mono Lake
Day 6   time for some hikes, on to Death Valley for sight seeing or hiking
Day 7   drive to Grand Canyon NP
Day 8   all day for hikes at Grand Canyon
Day 9   drive to Monument Valley, opt jeep tours, drive to Page
Day 10 all day at Lake Powell, time for hikes, rafting, boat tours, Antelope Canyon
Day 11  to Bryce Canyon NP, hikes
Day 12  to Zion NP, hikes
Day 13  hikes in Zion, on to Las Vegas
Day 14  departure

Minimum 6 persons , Maximum 13 persons
Difficulty: Level 2 Walks of between 4-6 hours always guided. 
Accommodation Nice typical 3 star hotels typical of the region you are staying in. If you are single and willing to share we do not charge the single supplement charge if we find you a room partner.

How to get there
Fly to San Francisco/Las Vegas for the tour start and from Las Vegas/San Francisco at the end of your tour 

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