NORTHERN TRAIL

21 days from

Mount Rushmore
DEPARTS NEW YORK AREA to LOS ANGELES
Trek Code:
NN
Destination:
Cross Country
Departs:
May-Sep
Accommodation:
Camping
Age Range:
18-38
Best of Trek:
  • > See cowboys towns to cosmopolitan cities
  • > Get soaked on a Niagara Falls boat cruise!
  • > Hike in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks
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Tour Overview

This Trek offers all the splendours of the north with a perfect balance of cities and National Parks. Coast to coast, from the thunder of Niagara Falls and the skyscrapers of Chicago, to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, then finishing along California's Pacific Coast, this tour covers it all.

Included Highlights
  • > Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist cruise
  • > Guided Chicago Bike Tour
  • > Walk amongst towering granite peaks
  • > Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
  • > Scenic walks and hikes
  • > City tours of San Francisco and Hollywood
  • > Sightseeing in Lake Tahoe
  • > National parks and monuments - Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone and Yosemite
  • > Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
  • > All transportation by private adventure vehicle
  • > 16 nights camping & equipment (except sleeping bag)
Optional Activities (paid locally)
  • > Whitewater rafting (in season) US$30-$200
  • > Great National Park hikes US$FREE
  • > Mountain biking US$45-$95
  • > Sunset Sailboat Cruise US$35-$95
  • > Western horseback riding US$45-$95
  • > Sea kayaking US$45-$250
  • > Blues Clubs US$10-$95
  • > Mountain hot springs US$5-$15
  • > Cycling in Yosemite Valley US$20
  • > Museums US$10-$20
  • > San Francisco cable car ride US$10-$20
  • > Willis Tower (previously Sears Tower) US$17-$23
  • > Cedar Point Amusement Park (in season) US$45
  • > Cycling in Yosemite Valley US$20 (Available in season only)
  • > Lake Tahoe casinos US$FREE
Trek Notes

This tour may operate in either direction.

In New York, we are now using the Hilton Newark Airport as our gateway and all tours will now depart from this property. The Hilton hotel offers full facilities including restaurant, bar, exercise room/spa and direct rail transportation in to central Manhattan. If you have previously booked accommodation with TrekAmerica, your booking will be transferred to this new hotel.

City Tours

If you are spending extra time in our gateway cities, you can now plan in advance by pre-booking unique city sightseeing day tours in addition to your TrekAmerica trip.

New York Village
  • NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES
  • All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your TrekAmerica trip, simply select your chosen city tour from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.

  • > View City Tours

Private Departures

Why not arrange your own TrekAmerica departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our classic "Trek" style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Flexible Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local conditions and passenger requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your Trek Leader you may modify certain night stops and highlights to give a truly unique experience!

As this tour departs at 0730 in the morning we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel. Please request at the time of booking.

This tour also departs from Los Angeles

Local Payments - Food Kitty: US$10 per day. En-route Hotels: Approx US$45 x 4 nights

  • Day: 1 New York Area & Niagara Falls

    From the New York area to the edge of Lake Ontario, the sensation of crashing water is stupendous, the noise immense, at America's greatest national attractions, Niagara Falls. Wait 'til you're down on the water aboard 'Maid of the Mist', where the cascades pound, churn and foam right before your eyes. That's what you call a front row seat!
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 2 Ohio

    Ask a "Buckeye" to tell you all about their state nut or how cool they think Cedar Point Amusement Park's rollercoasters are! Ride the Millenium Force - the greatest roller coaster in the world!
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 3-4 Chicago

    Our next stop is Chicago - the "Windy City", home to some of the greatest blues music in America. Soar up Willis Tower for dizzying views over the Windy City. Trawl the upmarket malls of Magnificent Mile and grab a slice of Chicago's deep-dish pizza before taking to peddle power on the included famous "Bobby's Bike Hike" tour.
    Accommodation: 2 en-route hotel nights paid locally

  • Day: 5-6 South Dakota & Badlands National Park

    Head out across the great prairies and America's original western frontier. Resident coyotes may utter the occasional howl as you settle back for some shut-eye under canvas. Then never mind the "bad lands", touching down here feels like a moon landing. Low-slung buttes, chiselled spires and saw-tooth ridges have a bizarre lunar quality as you swap some photos.
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 7 Sioux Indian Lands

    Yep, we're talking Mount Rushmore and the uniquely sculptured faces of our four greatest Presidents. Close by, another rock-carved epic is shaping up: the Crazy Horse monument, a nod to the famed Lakota Indian war leader, very impressive!
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 8 Cody

    Next, it's Wild Wyoming, in the heart of cowboy country, This is what Cody is all about. From its cowboy roots to its summer rodeos, shake a leg and try some two-step as the buckin' bronco rears its massive head!
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 9-10 Yellowstone National Park

    Pitch up in the world's first National Park, Yellowstone. This is a superb wilderness of spouting geysers, waterfalls and simmering mud pools. A-grade American stars grace the trails - keep your eyes peeled for this abundant wildlife. Large herds of bison and elk roam the park and if you're lucky, you may even see bear or wolf.
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 11-12 Jackson

    Feel the old frontier spirit alive and kicking in the truly western town of Jackson, Wyoming. Fresh from conquering the Snake River rapids, one of America's last great untamed rivers, on an optional whitewater rafting trip, corral your posse into the nearest watering hole. Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a fine tip, with saddles for stools and trophy cow horns above the counter.
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 13-14 Idaho/Nevada & Lake Tahoe

    You and your posse will pass a load more widescreen scenery as you edge westward across the Northern Great Basin. California is calling though - set sail on an optional sunset cruise or play the house in one of the flash casinos - though a gentle pedal boat ride, scenic parasailing or an energising jet-ski, may just as easily push your buttons.
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 15-16 Yosemite National Park

    Heading through Central California we take a scenic drive into the Yosemite National Park region with the chance to hike or bike through the extraordinary landscape of glacier-carved granite monoliths and spectacular waterfalls. Hike to Yosemite Falls, one of North America's highest, and capture El Capitan's great granite profile on camera. Keep your eyes peeled for the chance to view the park's abundant wildlife.
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 17-18 San Francisco

    San Francisco is next, "Everybody's Favourite City". Enjoy a full day to explore the city with plenty of time for shopping in China Town & Union Square, sightseeing and a stroll over the Golden Gate Bridge. Maybe take a cruise on the bay for an unforgettable sunset, then go bar hopping 'til the early hours. Mission, Marina or Haight-Ashbury Districts usually ticks the right boxes.
    Accommodation: 2 en-route hotel nights paid locally

  • Day: 19-20 Pacific Coast

    Head along US Highway 1 - the Pacific Coast Highway and splash the cash in historic Monterrey or stroll the coast around this seriously scenic peninsula. Skirt the awesome shoreline, as the highway snakes south beside the heaving ocean swell.
    Accommodation: Camping included

  • Day: 21 Los Angeles

    Roll into LA for your grand finale in time for a quick tour of Tinseltown and Hollywood Boulevard... that's a wrap!!

    This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

This tour also departs from Los Angeles

Book Your Trip Online

Comodo Secure Booking Engine

You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

If your chosen date is not available, this tour also departure from Los Angeles

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How to Book Online
1. Pick your chosen available departure date.
2. Select the number of passengers to book.
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine.
4. Complete all personal details and payment information.
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail.

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TrekAmerica Live - Our new community website

TrekAmerica Live will let you experience what travelling with TrekAmerica is really like, with photos, videos, blogs and our live forum being updated daily.

Whether you are simply interested in travelling to North America for the first time or you're an experienced Trekker, you'll get a true picture of what life is like on the road. Simply register for free and discover the real America today.


TrekAmerica Live features


> View an interactive map of destinations visited on this trip.

> View photos, videos and blogs posted by fellow Trekkers.

> Post messages to other Trekkers on our live forum.

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> Visit this tour on TrekAmerica Live



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