Best of the West

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Your three hour drive today takes you inland to beautiful Yosemite National Park. The mountains, sheer cliff faces and tree-laden valleys are a sight to behold, and, along with crashing waterfalls, create a memorable spectacle. Rangers at the visitor centre in Yosemite Valley will tell you all about the park and the many activities you can enjoy there, from rock climbing to wildlife talks.

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Leaving Yosemite behind, today's three hour drive takes you south to the plains of California's oil region and the town of Bakersfield. If you have the time it's worthwhile detouring east to see the enormous trees of Sequoia National Park. Here you'll find the famous General Sherman Tree; at almost 84 m (276 ft) and over 2,000 years old it's the tallest and oldest tree on Earth.

Continue your journey for four hours through the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains east to Death Valley National Park, stopping to explore scenic mountain villages and admire the breathtaking views on the way. The afternoon is free to explore the dramatic desert landscape of Death Valley, perhaps visiting Badwater Basin - the lowest point in North America at 86 m (282 ft) below sea level.

Leave the arid, otherworldly landscape of Death Valley behind and drive for around three hours through southern Nevada to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Once you've arrived you can make use of your hotel's many facilities, try your luck in a casino or head out to explore the bizarre sights of The Strip.

Spend a full day at leisure exploring Las Vegas. You may wish to see the spectacle of the city's many themed hotels and casinos, watch the impressive fountains shoot up to music at the Bellagio Hotel, or watch a world-class show, which include anything from music performances to circus acts.

Your three hour drive today is filled with spectacular mountain vistas as you wind your way towards Zion National Park. You may wish to stop for lunch and a spot of shopping in the delightful town of St George before arriving in Springdale, where you can make yourself at home at your hotel and enjoy views of the red rocks peaks of Zion National Park.

Zion National Park awaits your discovery today. The highlights of Zion are easily seen by taking a 9.7 km (six mile) scenic drive, but it's certainly worthwhile spending time on foot exploring the park's many beautiful walking trails.

Depart the lush green trees of Zion National Park and venture for two and a half hours into the arid desert scenery around Page, Arizona. This afternoon you may wish to take a boat trip on nearby Lake Powell, a vast reservoir on the Colorado River, which straddles the state border between Utah and Arizona.

Continue your journey east and make the two hour drive from Page to Monument Valley. Here you have the afternoon free to explore this dramatic copper landscape, an iconic panorama synonymous with the American Wild West. You can visit some of the ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and long-abandoned adobe and stone houses surrounded by 305 m (1,000 ft) canyon cliffs.

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Spend a full day at leisure exploring the Grand Canyon National Park. Don't miss an exhilarating helicopter trip over the canyon for an incredible bird's eye perspective of this natural wonder. Alternatively you may wish to take a hike down into the valley. It's definitely worth gazing out over the canyon at sunrise or sunset, when the park's at its most beautiful.

Depart the Grand Canyon and drive for two hours through the lush forests to the red rock region of Sedona. You could stop en route in the town of Flagstaff, which has several museums detailing the lives of the region's indigenous cultures and early settlers.

A day at leisure to explore Sedona; we highly recommend taking a 4x4 trip to explore the region's remarkable red rock scenery, or simply spend the day relaxing at the hotel. Nearby is Boynton Canyon, considered to be the birthplace of Yavapai Apache, and you'll find more well-preserved ancient cliff dwellings.

The final 185 km (115 miles) of your grand American road trip take you two hours south through the arid and rocky landscape of Arizona to Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport. Drop your car off at the depot in time for your return flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.