The Grand Trek ex New York

Itinerary

Day 41-42, Finger Lakes, New York

Traipse the terrain of upstate New York, but make sure to add an extra day for the Big Apple itself. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 39-40, Ohio, Niagara Falls

Skirt Lake Erie to where its waters spill thunderously into Lake Ontario. Yep, we're talking Niagara Falls. Hop aboard the Maid of the Mist for the full hair-raising impact. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 36-38, Minnesota, Chicago

Breeze across lake-littered Minnesota towards the Windy City. Delve into the sports life where the Cubs, Bears, Bulls and White Sox reign supreme, dine in steakhouses, burger joints or sushi bars, then burst onto that sultry Blues scene. Accommodation: 2 nights Chicago hotel approx US$45 pppn in multi-share rooms paid locally.

Day 34-35, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Harsh lunar landscapes provide some eye-catching walks; don't forget Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument, giant memorials to giant figures in US history. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 33, Sioux Indian Lands

Span the immense plains populated by the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples of the Lakota Nation. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 31-32, Yellowstone National Park

Bubbling mud pools, erupting geysers and a whole stack of wildlife do the business here. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 29-30, Idaho and Nevada, Jackson

Across the western states, Jackson's rodeos, rafting and cowboy 'shoot-out' add extra "yee-haw". Accommodation: Camping included

Day 26-28, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe

Camera? Walking boots? Check. Both are essential kit in these sprawling wilds, packed with jagged granite, lush meadows and roaring cascades. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 24-25, San Francisco

Pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge, scale steep streets by clanking cable car then hotstep to an ultra-cool lounge bar or heaving club. Accommodation: 2 nights San Francisco hotel approx US$45 pppn in multi-share rooms paid locally.

Day 22-23, Pacific Coast, Monterey

After that fourday city flurry, at least cruising the coastal highway will be easy on the eyes. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 21, Los Angeles

Now spin a star-struck trail round Tinseltown, prepare for movie close-ups at Universal Studios theme park. Accommodation: 1 night hotel approx US$45 pppn in multi-share rooms paid locally.

Day 19-20, Las Vegas

Back to city life with one almighty bang! Clean out the casinos, stroll the The Strip, then hit the round-the-clock parties. That's Sin City for you. Accommodation: 2 nights Vegas hotel approx US$45 pppn in multi-share rooms paid locally.

Day 17-18, Zion National Park

A dip in Lake Powell cools you off ready for another jaw dropping slice of prime walking terrain. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 15-16, Grand Canyon National Park

All the epic sights so far will be dwarfed. Along drop-dead gorgeous trails or on an optional scenic flight, every new angle brings another sensational view. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 14, Monument Valley

Jeepers, the scenery takes another leap forward in the 'wow' stakes, as iconic red mesas loom from the Navajo dust. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 13, New Mexico, Arizona

Your border crossing barely puts a hiccup in the photogenic swathes of dusty orange scattered with brush and flowering cacti. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 12, Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Descend into this weird and wonderful limestone world, whose lumpy rock creations resemble melted wax. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 8, Texas

None of the other 47 continental states is bigger; come to think of it, everything seems vast in this pancake-flat expanse. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 6-7, New Orleans

Refuel on red beans and rice or a hearty bowl of gumbo. Now you're primed to browse the funky stores of Bourbon Street, ride the Street Charles Avenue streetcar or hunt out an intimate blast of jazz in some retro basement club. Accommodation: 2 nights New Orleans hotel approx US$45 pppn in multi-share rooms paid locally.

Day 5, Alabama

Roll into pretty-as-a-picture cotton country, a perfect spot to pitch canvas. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 4, Tennessee

In the Volunteer State, sign up to battle the rapids on a breathtaking whitewater rafting trip. Hey, we did say fast and furious. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 3, Virginia

From polished stone monuments to rocky paths, the Appalachians put on a great glimpse of the rugged outdoors. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 1-2, Washington DC

First stop, the capital calls. The 14 Smithsonian Museums inject a dose of culture, our illumination tour puts politics on the agenda, and the clubs throw in a heady mix of dance beats. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 11, Del Rio

Mexico is a mere stone's throw away, so break for the border with your compadres in tow. Accommodation: Camping included

Day 9-10, San Antonio

Don't get spooked at the Alamo, but locals reckon the old mission is chock-full of ghostly goings-on from its battle days. Accommodation: Camping included

Trip Details

Localpayments	Food Kitty: US$9 per day En-route Hotels: 9 nights approx US$45 pppn in multi-share rooms
Tourleader	Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
Transport	All transportation by private adventure vehicle
AccommodationIncluded	32 nights camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag)
Maxgroupsize	13
Endcity	NEW YORK
Startcity	NEW YORK
Included	Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist cruise, Crazy Horse Monument, Admission to Carlsbad Caverns & Universal Studios, Illumination Tour of Washington Monuments, Admission to all National Parks and Monuments as per the "Flexible Night Stops"
Optionalactivities	Las Vegas clubs and casinos US$FREE-US$100, Grand Canyon Scenic Flights US$100-275, I-MAX Theatre US$8-$12, Cycling in Yosemite Valley US$20, Western Horseback Ride US$45-$95, Navajo Guided Jeep Tours US$40-75, Whitewater rafting US$30-$150, Lake Tahoe Sunset Sailboat Cruise US$35-95, Western Rodeo (in season) US$9-$18, San Francisco Cable Car ride US$10-$20, Sunset Sailboat Cruise US$35-$95, Smithsonian National Museums US$FREE, Blues Clubs US$10-$20, New Orleans Jazz Clubs US$10-$20, Mississippi Steamboat Ride US$20-$75, Southern Mansion Tour US$10, Wet 'n Wild Water Park US$25, Swamp Tour US$20-$40, Sears Tower US$9, Sea Aquarium US$25, Excellent National Park hikes US$FREE
Nationalparks	Carlsbad, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Badlands, Mount Rushmore

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-04-08	2009-05-19	4+
2009-04-15	2009-05-26	4+
2009-04-22	2009-06-02	4+
2009-05-06	2009-06-16	4+
2009-05-20	2009-06-30	4+
2009-05-27	2009-07-07	4+
2009-06-03	2009-07-14	4+
2009-06-10	2009-07-21	4+
2009-06-17	2009-07-28	4+
2009-06-24	2009-08-04	4+
2009-07-01	2009-08-11	4+
2009-07-08	2009-08-18	4+
2009-07-15	2009-08-25	4+
2009-07-22	2009-09-01	4+
2009-07-29	2009-09-08	3
2009-08-05	2009-09-15	4+
2009-08-12	2009-09-22	4+
2009-08-19	2009-09-29	4+
2009-08-26	2009-10-06	4+
2009-09-02	2009-10-13	4+
2009-09-09	2009-10-20	4

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