Why not add do some exploring before or after a ranch holiday in the US? We've been there and selected the best routes and sights that combine perfectly with the ranch we offer.
The USA has been linked with road travel for years. There are miles of large deserted roads, wide open spaces, and big comfortable cars. This truly is the best way to discover America at your own pace.
You'll never miss any of the "must see" sights in the area or spend hours driving to mediocre sights with our well planned routes and detailed trip notes. A very relaxing way to explore the best of the beautiful South West's culture, scenery and history. For complete peace of mind we give you a 24hr number for our local representative.
Spend time off the freeways exploring famous National Parks such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Grand National, Bryce Canyon, Hoover Dam or park the car and walk on the many recommended short hikes, soaking up the clear blue sky while spotting wildlife such as bison, elk and moose. Visit old mining ghost towns and try the local restaurants for dinner each evening. Or enjoy a few nights in vibrant western towns culminating in Las Vegas.
Trip length
8 days / 7 nights
Meeting point
Car rental pickup in start city
SAMPLE ITINERARY - USA EXTENSIONS 7 NIGHT FLY DRIVE
We have four extensions specificaly designed to combine well with the ranches we offer. These extensions are planned to show you all the best sights within easy range of the pick up points listed below.
We also offer 2 week fly drives from e.g. Las Vegas to San Francisco, or Denver to Las Vegas taking in all the must see sights. Small group guided trips and hiking/adventure guided trips are also available on set departure dates. Please contact us for itineraries. In addition we can tailor make itineraries on request.
NOTES - USA EXTENSIONS 7 NIGHT FLY DRIVE
Wyoming's and Montana's National Parks Billings to Billings
World-class national parks and UNESCO world heritage sites: Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton
Day 1 Pick up your car in Billings and and head into the mountains of Yellowstone and spend the afternoon looking for wolves in Lamar Valley. Your hotel is centrally located at the west entrance of Yellowstone. Hotel is Yellowstone Park Hotel for 3 nights. If you are arriving late in the day we can arrange for an overnight in Billings on the first night and departure to the Grand Canyon the following morning. Drive time 4 - 5 hrs.
Day 2 You have all day to explore Yellowstone National Park. Look for bison, wolf, elk, deer and many other large animals. The geothermal areas are world famous; this is the largest geothermal area in the world. Boardwalks and hiking trails leading to amazing sights, and also famous geysers. Return to your hotel, the Yellowstone Park Hotel.
Day 3 Today you will visit Grand Teton National Park, a beautiful mountain range south of Yellowstone. The park is on a slip fault creating the most impressive mountain ranges anywhere. We recommend you stop for lunch in the historic town of Jackson, where the shopping is fantastic and the Wild West comes alive during gun shootouts at the main plaza. In the afternoon return to your hotel in West Yellowstone (Yellowstone Park Hotel). Drive time about 5 hours round trip with sightseeing in between.
Day 4 Today is a long drive day. You will head north to Whitefish, Montana, near the Canadian Border. We recommend you drive via Virginia City, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Montana before heading onto the freeway. Whitefish is the gateway to remote Glacier National Park, an amazingly beautiful mountain park. En route you will pass several small towns of interesting history, such as mining, gold digging, and a Native American reservation. The hotel is Pine Lodge. Drive time 6-7hrs
Day 5 You have all day in Glacier National Park. We recommend you head into the park early to savour the East as well as Western sites. Of course the highlight of each visit is a drive up the Going to the Sun road, a road built during the 1930s. On top are very nice walks, with great views often right past mountain goats. Hotel is Pine Lodge.
Day 6 This is your last day in and around Glacier NP. If permitted by your car rental contract, drive to Fernie BC following the road 93 and then continue your visit through Alberta to finally reach Waterton Lakes National Park (driving time 7hrs). Alternatively, you can enjoy a boat cruise in Glacier NP to learn about the geology and history of the National Park. It is also possible to go on a guided walk with a park ranger. Your last night at Pine Lodge.
Day 7 Time toleave this remote part of Montana and head back to the civilization of Billings. You can either choose to cross the national park and head south via Great Falls, stopping at the Lewis and Clark museum, or take the more direct route via the freeways. The shortest route today is about 7hrs driving. Your hotel in Billings for the last night is the La Quinta.
Day 8
Departure
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Colorado and South West National Parks
Denver to Denver
Day 1 Pick up your car and head for your centrally located hotel in Denver. In the afternoon you have time to visit the famous capital and explore the historic downtown at night for a good, locally brewed beer and meal. The hotel is Comfort Inn, Downtown Denver.
Day 2 Head into the Rockies ! Heading west on I-70 you soon reach the turn off to Leadville, a famous historic mining town at nearly 3000m. If you are interested, we recommend you take a tour of the National Historic Mining Museum, a true hidden gem. Then drive over narrow winding Independence Pass with expansive views of alpine tundra into the narrow valley of Aspen. Soon you reach Aspen, where your luxurious lodge is located in the heart of town. Many consider Aspen their favourite vacation town, so we have scheduled a 2-night stay allowing you to savour all its delights, such as dining and shopping. Drive time about 3 hrs. The hotel is the Lenado.
Day 3 You have all day to enjoy and explore in and around Aspen. We recommend a gondola ride to the top of Aspen Mountain, or a horse back ride through Aspen forests. There are also interesting gold mines that can be visited. The shopping is superb in Aspen and so is the dining. Second night at the Hotel Lenardo.
Day 4 Today you will drive through remote areas of the Rocky Mountains. You will head towards Montrose and then into the scenically stunning San Juan Mountains. Your road leads you past the historic gold mining town of Ouray, nestled in a steep sided mountain valley and over the famous Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, one of the highest mountain towns in Colorado. From here you head to Durango, which once flourished during the gold rush era. Your lodge is in nearby Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. About 7 hours driving, hotel is Far View Lodge.
Day 5 You have the morning to explore the cliff dwellings of the ancient inhabitants of this region. Cliff Palace and Balcony House are impressive ruins showcasing the advanced culture of the Anaszai that once lived here. Rangers lead guided walks through the ruins. In the afternoon your route takes you through the desert of Utah to the adventure capital of the world, Moab. Two nights at Aarchway, Maob.
Day 6 Moab is surrounded by red rock cliffs of impressive beauty. Two rivers flow through deep canyons - the Colorado River and the Green River. Arches National Park, a favourite among many, is home to over 3000 stone arches. Canyonlands National Park protects a huge canyon system, of the Green and Colorado River. There is plenty to do here, from sightseeing in the parks to rafting on the Colorado River, or mountain biking over the famous Slick Rock Trail. Jeeping is also popular and you can choose to rent a jeep or take a guided tour. Second night at the Aarchway Moab.
Day 7 Today you head back to Denver. However the drive is fast as it's mostly freeway. You can choose to spend the morning in and around Moab, before you head back over the Rocky Mountains to conclude your adventure in Denver. Drive time about 5 hrs. Hotel in Denver is Comfort Inn Downtown.
Day 8 Departure
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Grand Canyon & Las Vegas & South West National Parks loop
Tucson to Tucson Visit all the major sites of the South West with ample time to explore the sights.
Day 1 Leave your ranch and collect your rental car. Make your way to Grand Canyon. Enjoy a visit to the very scenic Saguaro NP and visit the famous Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum. Then we leave the Sonora Desert and head north onto the Colorado Plateau. We soon reach Phoenix, a large city that we pass through. Soon we climb a steep grade and can observe how the scenery and plant life changes as we climb to the top of the Plateau. Leaving cacti forests, we soon reach green pine forests and the mighty Grand Canyon. Two nights in the Quality Inn Grand Canyon. Driving about 5 hours.
Day 2 The whole day is reserved for you at the Grand Canyon. Take a hike, or take a helicopter flight over the canyon (optional about $180). Second night at the Quality Inn Grand Canyon.
Day 3 Leaving the high desert we head west towards Las Vegas. We soon reach Las Vegas following route 66, and crossing the mighty Hoover Dam. Time permitting, we recommend a guided tour of the dam. Driving time about 4-5 hours. Your hotel is near the strip. Hotel is Best Western Mardi Gras.
Day 4
Enjoy Las Vegas for shopping or head straight to Zion National Park which can be reached in 2.5 hrs. Here we recommend you take the park shuttle into the amazing canyon, which was carved out of 700m deep red sandstone cliffs. The Virgin River created an amazing gorge, culminating in the famous "Narrows" - a slot canyon. You can wade through the canyon if you desire into the shady Narrows, a popular pastime. Your hotel is in the heart of Springdale, a very nice historic village with ample shopping. Hotel is Majestic View Lodge.
Day 5
Head into the mountains to Bryce Canyon National Park, an amazing wonderland of rock spires in red, purple and pink. The light contrasts wonderfully with the blue sky and green pine trees. We recommend a walk along the rim of the canyon for fantastic photo opportunities. You will stay at Bryce View Lodge for the night. Driving time is about 1.5hrs.
Day 6 Drive south to Page on Lake Powell (about a 3hr drive). Here you have time to visit the Dam's visitor centre before settling into your hotel in the heart of town. Hotel is the Quality Inn, Page.
Day 7 A long drive is ahead. We recommend you do a morning visit to the amazing slot canyon Antelope (about $30) before heading south and back to Tucson. The drive time is about 6 hrs. Return to your hotel in Tucson for one last night. Hote is La Quinta, Tucson.
Day 8 Departure
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Desert Winter Respite in Plush Sedona
This extension is offered to people who want to enjoy relax in some luxury after riding on the Grand Canyon Winter Pasture ride in December 2209/JAnuary 2010.
7 nights at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort centrally located in a large meadow with surrounding golf course and pool, outside dining terrace, close to shopping and restaurants. This is a great choice in this lovely area.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Route planning, all accommodation on a twin share basis (US hotels have 2 double beds in each room as standard), sometimes room only, sometimes B&B, detailed route maps with directions and trip notes with suggestions, additional excursions, timings adn off the beaten track must see sights.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Car rental (this will vary according to your requirements, contact us to arrange this), meals, entrance fees, excursions such as helicopter rides.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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