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Welcome to Hooked on Walking holiday and our walking holidays in the United States of America. This particular hiking vacation in the US takes you to explore the US Rockies and the Grand Canyon. This walking holidays is a guided level 3 tour. The Rocky Mountains are considered by many to be a superb walking destination for outstanding wildlife and scenery. Let us show you many of the famous parks as well as wonderful hiking in the lesser known areas of the Rockies near Aspen, Steamboat and Ouray, known only to locals and insiders. Explore the majestic views of Grand Teton National Park, and the vast expanses of Yellowstone National Park, renown for its immense diversity of wildlife. Then you will explore the ancient ruins of Mesa Verde National Park, famous for its 1000 year old cliff dwellings, and Monument Valley, where we will spend a night under the stars. Last, but not least, you will cap off your walking adventure with hikes in and around the incredible scenery and breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon. We trek along its rim and descend into the canyon at Havasupai, where we spend 2 nights camping in the Grand Canyon proper.
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Available on the 4th and 25th July and 8th August.
Guided level 3 hiking tour.
Day 1 Arrival in Jackson, Wyoming
Transfer on own to the hotel.
2. SUNDAY – Grand Teton NP
Enjoy the cowboy town Jackson, which is nestled below the dramatic Grand Tetons, a steep mountain range on a slip fault. Join us on an wonderful walk along the base of Grand Teton along String and Leigh Lake. Great views abound. We stop for sight seeing and wildlife watching on our way to Tower Junction, a remote part of the park far away from the crowds. The area is known for its outstanding wildlife watching (wolves). We stay in very rustic cabins with communal bathrooms.
Hiking: ~12 km, 4-5 hours of hiking, +/- 200m
Drive time: ~100 miles / 160km, 2 hrs
Day 3 Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is the world’s oldest National Park. It protects the world’s most impressive geothermal area, along with one of the most densest collections of mega fauna: bison, wolf, elk, moose and, of course, bear. We hike to the top of Mount Washburn, where we often see wild goats, and then hike along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for amazing views along its rim
Hiking: ~10-15 km, 5-6 hours of hiking, +/- 500m
Drive time: ~40-60 miles / 100km, 1 hr
Day 4 Yellowstone National Park
We explore the area around Old Faithful where we walk through geothermal pools of multiple colors and past herds of wild bison. We then explore the areas around Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geysir Basin, and Mammoth Hot Springs. In the evening we go looking for wolves in Lamar Valley near our hotel.
Hiking: ~12-15 km, 5-6 hours of hiking, +/- 100m
Drive time: ~40-60 miles / 100km, 1 hr
Day 5 Through the high deserts to Colorado
In the rain shadow of the Rockies we drive south into the heart of Colorado’s Rockies. We cross the vast expanse of the ÒGreat American DesertÓ that challenged many emigrants coming West. We follow part of the old Oregon Trail through the dry prairie, before we enter the green hills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. After a long day on the road, nestle into your cozy motel in the heart of historic Steamboat – a renowned ski town. There is time to soak in the local Strawberry hot springs (small fee charged).
Drive time: ~500 mls/800 kms, 8 hours
Day 6 Colorado’s Rockies to Aspen
In the morning we hike along a famous trail past Fish Creek Falls. Then we continue south towards Aspen for the next stage of your adventure. Your cozy hotel is in the center of this renowned historic resort town founded by gold miners. There is time for a first stroll through this famous resort town.
Hiking: ~Fish Creek Falls, ~8m/13 km, +/- 1700 ft/600m, 5 hrs
Drive time: ~160 mls/250 kms, 3.5 hrs
Day 7 Aspen
Aspen must be one of the most picturesque towns in the USA. Started as a gold rush town, it is now home to some of the richest people in the country. The walking, though mostly unknown, is world class. We take a challenging loop walk on the Lost Man Loop over a steep pass above tree line and through hanging lakes and deep forests. This must be one of Colorado’s nicest hikes!
Hiking: ~15 km, 7 hours of hiking, +450m, - 700m
Day 8 Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells grace many postcards and rightfully so. They are beautiful peaks reflected in tranquil alpine lakes. We hike towards these proud peaks through dense aspen forests. The afternoon is off to enjoy in Aspen.
Hiking: ~10 km, 4 hours of hiking, +/- 200m
Day 9 Durango
Following remote mountain roads south through the Rockies to Mesa Verde. En route, we drive the famous Million Dollar Highway, considered by many to be one of the most scenic highways in North America. You have the opportunity to take the famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge railroad, voted among the 10 best railroad journeys. We overnight at the entrance to Mesa Verde.
Drive time: ~280 mls/450 kms, 5-6 hours
Day 10 Mesa Verde National Park / Monument Valley
Today we explore Mesa Verde, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can take a ranger led walk through 1000-year-old ruins, or hike the rims and mesas to impressive view points. Then we drive to Monument Valley for a highlight of the day: a night under the stars with the Navajo Indians. After approx. 3 hours we reach Monument Valley, where we board our jeeps and head out into the valley. Dinner is served over a campfire while we watch Navajo entertainment. 1 x camp.
Drive time: ~200 miles / 300km, 3 hrs
Day 11 Grand Canyon
We continue through the Painted Desert to the Grand Canyon. We reach the canyon in about 3 hours. Great views open in all directions! We take a leisurely hike along the West Rim of the canyon enjoying incredible views far away from the crowds. There is time for an optional heli flight.
Drive time: ~200 miles / 300km, 3 hrs
Day 12 Grand Canyon
We depart very early for our next adventure: a decent into the Grand Canyon to the famous turquoise waterfalls of Havasupai. We have to drive about 3 hours to get to the start of the hike. Here, at remote Hilltop, we meet our mules, that will carry our tents and luggage into the canyon (each passenger is allowed to bring a limited amount of gear only). We then descend into the canyon on a well maintained trail. After a 5-6 hour hike we reach our campground in the bottom of the canyon. We set up our camp next to a turquoise creek between waterfalls and enjoy the amazing Òinner canyonÓ scenery. Your guide prepares simple camp meals. Camp 2 nights.
Hiking: ~ 10miles/16 km, 5-6 hrs, -750m
Drive time: ~200 miles / 300km, 3 hrs
Day 13 Havasupai Waterfalls
We enjoy a full day at leisure to enjoy the waterfalls and scenery. You can choose to hike to the Indian village or bathe in the refreshing waterfalls.
Day 14 Las Vegas
Very early we hike out of the canyon to avoid the mid day heat. We should reach the canyon rim before noon. Those not wanting to walk can ride a helicopter or mule (approx. $100). We then continue to Las Vegas to our hotel, where we enjoy a shower and the comforts of a hotel.
Hiking: ~ 10 miles/16 km, 5-6 hrs, +750m
Drive time: ~200 miles / 320km, 3-4 hrs
Day 15 Departure
The hotel offers a free airport shuttle. You depart on your own.
Minimum group size: 6 Persons Maximum group size: 13 Persons
Minimum Age: 12 years
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What is Included
- English speaking driver-guides that also conduct all hikes
- Transport in 15 passenger vans with or without trailer depending on group size
- Entrance fees to National Parks and Monument Valley
- 8 nights hotel accommodations in 2-3 star hotels with private facilities
- 3 nights in rustic cabins with communal baths in Yellowstone NP
- 2 nights in tents in Havasupai, mules will carry the gear
- all meals while in Havasupai
- jeep overnight in Monument Valley with Navajo Indians, included are jeep tour, Native American entertainment, dinner and breakfast, overnight in tents
- breakfasts every morning – mostly continental (cold) breakfasts and some hot breakfasts
- 13 self made picnic lunches (breads, cold cuts, cheeses, trailmix, snacks, fruit) while traveling in the parks
- 3 dinners
- camping equipment and kitchen (tents, sleeping pads, kitchen) but no sleeping bag
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Extras
- All other meals
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Tips of $50-80 per person for the tour manager depending on his/her performance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional excursions
- Single supplement
- Travel Insurance
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2009 Prices
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Tour Code ROCGCAN
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing twin or double room
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£2009
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Single persons price
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£2630
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Extra Nights per person Las Vegas room only
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£88
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Extra Nights per person Jackson room only
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£134
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How to get there
Fly to Jackson for the tour start and from Las Vegas at the end of your tour. Most UK flights would be via Dallas and then a connection to Jackson.
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