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Peregrine Travel Centre

Best of California’s National Parks

Best of California’s National Parks

From $ 4,634 AUD

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Description

Visit three of California’s iconic national parks on a seven-day adventure that’ll leave you with memories of sweeping mountainscapes and star-strewn skies. Come face-to-face with Yosemite’s diverse landscapes, exploring sprawling meadows, waterfalls, thick forest and granite peaks like the Half Dome and El Capitan – all with a local leader to take you beyond the typical photo stops. Gaze up at the mighty General Sherman and General Grant trees in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks – photos can’t capture the awe-inspiring feeling of standing beneath these ancient giants. Connect with the landscape more deeply when you join an expert from the Yosemite Conservancy after dark for a stargazing experience.

Trip Name
Best of California's National Parks
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
7
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Experience three of California’s most iconic national parks – Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon – in one epic week-long adventure.
  • Spend two days exploring Yosemite National Park's granite peaks, waterfalls and valley trails with an expert local leader, experiencing one of America's most celebrated national parks well beyond the roadside viewpoints.
  • Walk beneath ancient, giant sequoias that have stood for thousands of years – including General Sherman. Nothing quite prepares you for the scale of these mighty beasts!
  • Join a Yosemite Conservancy naturalist for a stargazing experience where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the landscapes, wildlife and stories that make Yosemite so extraordinary.
  • Spend more time soaking up California's spectacular wilderness, with your accommodation, transportation and national park logistics all taken care of.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Las Vegas
Welcome to Nevada! Las Vegas will be your gateway to the grandeur of the Golden State. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, giving you plenty of time to bathe in Vegas’ glow. It’s recommended that you arrive a day or two early to really experience the city, allowing time to do the classics (think casinos, drive-through weddings and live shows) as well as scratching below the surface to see Las Vegas’ diverse neighbourhoods and thriving arts scene.
Day 2 - Sequoia National Park
Leaving Sin City in the dust, you’ll road trip across state lines, getting a look at some of the most iconic landscapes of the American West. Cross the Mojave Desert, then watch as the arid plains transform into the lush green of California’s agricultural valleys before giving way to the peaks of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Enjoy the scenery during the drive, getting your first glimpse of the diversity of California’s landscapes, which you’ll get to know more closely over the next few days. Settle into your accommodation in the afternoon. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner at a local restaurant – here’s to the adventure ahead, through mighty mountains and towering sequoias!
Day 3 - Sequoia National Park
Today you’ll experience the best of the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Guided by your leader, you’ll explore both parks on foot, driving between stops. Feel small as you stand in the shadow of giant sequoias that have towered over these landscapes for thousands of years. Stand next to the staggering General Sherman – the largest tree in the world by volume. Standing at a height of 83 m (275 ft), this tree is estimated to be 2200 years old. You’ll also see General Grant, which has been dubbed the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Feel the grandeur of the other specimens of Sequoia as you explore the rest of the Giant Forest – the ancient giant sequoia tree can only be found here, on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The experience of witnessing the sheer scale of these trees in person is unmatched. Closer to the ground, the forest is filled with sugar pines, incense cedars and white firs. You’ll also take in views of the canyons and mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada throughout today’s adventures. You may even drive through a tree at Tunnel Log, peer into Tharp’s Log and spot wildlife like marmots, black bears and bighorn sheep.
Day 4 - Yosemite National Park
Your bucket list is going to get a little shorter today – venture into the world-famous Yosemite National Park for your first day of exploring. Get acquainted with the park’s awe-inspiring landscapes during a guided hike. Your leader will choose the best route based on today’s weather conditions. With a local by your side, you’ll get to see the best of the park on foot, going beyond the roadside viewpoints to walk among the landscape itself. Strewn with dramatic waterfalls, gigantic granite outcrops, sheer cliffs, lush meadows and dense forests of sequoia and pine, this is one of the most spectacular spots in the country. Your leader will teach you about the ecologically diverse landscape along the way. You’ll also drive up to Glacier Point for a view you won’t soon forget, looking down over the valley and across to the iconic Half Dome. After sunset, witness Yosemite as few visitors do as you join a naturalist from the Yosemite Conservancy for a guided stargazing experience. The park’s minimal light pollution makes it an excellent place to see the stars. Your naturalist guide will point out constellations, sharing their astronomical insights and local stories that’ll help you get to know Yosemite beyond the landscapes you’ve seen today. For the next two nights, you'll be staying in a hotel just a few minutes from the park's main entrance.
Day 5 - Yosemite National Park
Get under the skin of Yosemite with another day of exploration. In the morning, head to Yosemite Valley for leader-led walks around some of the park’s best trails. This afternoon, choose from a range of optional activities to experience Yosemite your way. If you’re up for something active, you might choose to join your leader for a challenging yet rewarding hike along the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls for fabulous views. Or maybe hire a bicycle and pedal along the designated (and flat) paths through the valley. In summer, the waters of the Merced River are calmer, making it the perfect time for some scenic rafting. From the river, you can see rocks like El Capitan and the Half Dome beyond the wooded banks. Once you’ve seen the sights, regroup to cap off the day with a pizza picnic in the park for dinner. Share stories from your adventures with your group as you soak up the atmosphere of the park by night.
Day 6 - San Francisco
After saying fond farewells to Yosemite, swap the rugged wilderness of the Sierra Nevada for vibrant waterfront city life – it’s time to head west to San Francisco. Say hello to this energetic city by going for a walk across its most iconic landmark – the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, check into your hotel for the night. At sunset, you can hit the water for an optional catamaran cruise to see the bay from a different perspective, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island – this is the perfect farewell to a sun-kissed Californian adventure. Why not head out for dinner with your fellow travellers tonight to celebrate the journey you’ve shared.
Day 7 - San Francisco
With no activities planned today, your adventure ends this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring San Francisco, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-04-202717-04-2027AUD $ 4,679-
03-05-202709-05-2027AUD $ 4,764-
09-05-202715-05-2027AUD $ 4,984-
23-05-202729-05-2027AUD $ 5,104-
06-06-202712-06-2027AUD $ 5,074-
20-06-202726-06-2027AUD $ 4,894-
04-07-202710-07-2027AUD $ 4,764-
18-07-202724-07-2027AUD $ 4,764-
08-08-202714-08-2027AUD $ 4,894-
22-08-202728-08-2027AUD $ 4,894-
05-09-202711-09-2027AUD $ 4,984-
12-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 4,984-
19-09-202725-09-2027AUD $ 4,984-
26-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 4,634-
10-10-202716-10-2027AUD $ 4,634-
17-10-202723-10-2027AUD $ 4,634-
09-04-202815-04-2028AUD $ 4,849-
16-04-202822-04-2028AUD $ 4,849-
01-05-202807-05-2028AUD $ 5,219-
07-05-202813-05-2028AUD $ 5,219-
21-05-202827-05-2028AUD $ 5,219-
04-06-202810-06-2028AUD $ 5,124-
11-06-202817-06-2028AUD $ 5,124-
18-06-202824-06-2028AUD $ 4,989-
02-07-202808-07-2028AUD $ 4,989-
09-07-202815-07-2028AUD $ 4,989-
16-07-202822-07-2028AUD $ 4,989-
23-07-202829-07-2028AUD $ 4,989-
06-08-202812-08-2028AUD $ 5,124-
13-08-202819-08-2028AUD $ 5,124-
20-08-202826-08-2028AUD $ 5,124-
03-09-202809-09-2028AUD $ 5,219-
10-09-202816-09-2028AUD $ 5,219-
17-09-202823-09-2028AUD $ 5,219-
24-09-202830-09-2028AUD $ 4,849-
08-10-202814-10-2028AUD $ 4,849-
15-10-202821-10-2028AUD $ 4,849-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map

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