2015 Trip Dossier

Cowboys & Indians Family Discovery

TOUR AT A GLANCE: 3 US States: Nevada, Utah & Arizona Length: 10 days Departs: Las Vegas Trip code: PCI

ACTIVE

 FAMILY

TRIP OVERVIEW HOTELS

Accommodation: 8 hotel nights in 3 star accommodation & 1 night mountain guest ranch

Meals: Included whilst at mountain ranch Please note: Minimum Start time: 07:30 age on this tour is 8 yrs old End time: 17:00 Please see our website for detailed destination information and insider tips.

Travel east to Zion National Park, where nature puts on a show all of her own. Hire a bike or walk up to the Emerald Pools (always a hit with the kids!) or try river tubing, before relaxing by the pool at the end of the day. It’s just a short drive to Bryce Canyon National Park; a sculptured fantasyland of rock spires and sandstone hoodoos. Next stop is your Mountain Guest Ranch where you’ll saddle up for a horseback ride and tuck into typical western chow, before retiring to the lodge or one of the rustic log cabins. Monument Valley has been home to the Navajo for generations. Your included Navajo guided backroads tour takes you off the beaten path and reveals more about the Native American culture and way of life. From the dusty trail you will head to the cooling blue waters of Lake Powell for two days. This huge man-made lake offers swimming and a range of watersports against an amazing natural backdrop. And just when you think you have run out of superlatives, the tour is topped off with one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – the Grand Canyon National Park. Enjoy the included IMAX film or opt for an unforgettable helicopter ride.

HIGHLIGHTS: Zion National Park’s hanging gardens and towering sandstone cliffs The ‘mysterious’ and ‘otherworldly’ hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park Authentic Western Ranch stay with horse-riding and home-cooked meals A Navajo guided backroads tour of sacred Monument Valley Sun and fun at the desert beaches and cool blue waters of Lake Powell Indescribable views at the incomparable Grand Canyon National Park

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? A family adventure to the heart of the Southwest, this active tour takes in stunning National Parks and sacred Indian lands. Explore on foot, cool off with a swim, and even ride a horse on your way through this colourful and culturally significant region. This active trip is suitable for families, especially those interested in National Parks and Native American history and culture.

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

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ITINERARY & DETAILS 2016 DEPARTURES Please note that 2016 departures will include an additional night in Las Vegas at the beginning of your tour. On this arrival day there will be a meeting at 18.00 with your tour leader and group, the tour will then depart the next day as per day one of the itinerary. Fully updated itineraries and dossiers will be available from the end of October 2015. Our latest departure dates can be found on our website and have been updated to include this additional hotel night. Day 1 - Las Vegas > Zion National Park – Departing Las Vegas you’ll take a comfortable and scenic drive into the State of Utah where you’ll reach your next destination, the remarkable Zion National Park where nature puts on a show of her own. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their ‘promised land’. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With two nights here, you will have plenty of time to explore. Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally Day 2 - Zion National Park – You have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. Hire a bike or visit the ghost town where “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was filmed. Walk up from the valley floor to Emerald Pools (always a hit with the kids!) or try rivertubing before taking a refreshing dip. For the more adventurous, there is the challenging option to ascend 2500 feet to experience unbeatable panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows and if you still want more there is also a chance to partake in some horse-riding in this authentic Southwest setting. Options: • River tubing in Zion US$15 Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally Day 3 - Bryce Canyon National Park – Leaving Zion National Park you climb in elevation to almost 8000 feet and drive across a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as ‘hoodoos’. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The Navajo or Peek-a-Boo Loop trails will enable you to hike right in amongst these unique rock formations. For those of you who prefer to remain on the rim and photograph the everchanging shadows and hues, make sure you stick around until sunset as this magical place is bound to impress you further with its spectacular colours. Options: • Western horseback riding at Bryce US$40-$80 Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally Day 4 - Mountain Guest Ranch, Utah – Next stop is an authentic Western Ranch nestled in the secluded high country of central Utah where you’ll spend a night in ranch house cabin-style accommodation, set amidst stunning mountain scenery. Whether you’re an experienced horse-rider or a novice, this is certainly the place to get on a horse and take a ride around the wide expanses and absorb the beauty of the great outdoors. As the sun goes down, grab your s’mores and sit around a camp fire exchanging stories like the cowboys have done so for all those years. Country-style hospitality and delicious home-cooked meals are all included during your stay at your new home on the range.

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

Accommodation: Mountain Ranch Stay | Meals: Included Day 5 - Monument Valley – In the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is sacred land to those who call it home. The red sandstone monoliths and the spectacular sunsets and sunrises have been the backdrop to countless ‘westerns’ featuring cowboys riding off into the desert. You explore the incredible array of rock formations on an included guided back roads tour and learn the magic and myth of the rich Native American culture. Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally Day 6/7 - Lake Powell – From the dusty trails you leave Navajo Territory and head towards the cooling blue waters of Lake Powell for two days. Located on the border of Utah and Arizona and created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Powell has a shoreline that stretches longer than the western coast of the USA! Many say that Glen Canyon was even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon before the dam was built. Now the lake is a haven for water sports or just relaxing in one of the many sandstone coves. An ideal spot for a family holiday, you’ll enjoy days of fun in the sun and stay a couple of nights in a hotel near this beautiful lake. Options: • Kayak rental at Lake Powell US$45 Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally Day 8/9 - Grand Canyon National Park – Leaving Monument Valley you drive towards the mighty Grand Canyon. Traversing the eastern entrance of the canyon, you catch your first glimpse of this amazing natural wonder at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, the Grand Canyon is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states. In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic helicopter flight over the canyon, which offers perspectives that you cannot see on foot. Also recommended is the film show at the IMAX Theatre, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. Alternatively, stroll the easy meandering South Rim Trail, hike your way down the more challenging trail to Plateau Point, or simply relax at the canyon’s edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world’s natural wonders and don’t forget to visit the gift shop for some local souvenirs. Options: • Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$244-$274 Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally Day 10 - Grand Canyon National Park > Las Vegas – Today you travel along the original Route 66 stopping in the quirky town of Seligman, a town filled to the brim of pure Americana road trip memorabilia and perfect for some photo opportunities before stopping for a view of the

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mighty Hoover Dam. Next up you complete your journey by travelling back to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of North America, home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls, there is definitely something for everyone in this utterly unique desert city! This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 5pm. We can book your 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 9pm.

INCLUSIONS • • • • • • • • •

Services of professional Tour Leader Transportation in customised vehicle 8 hotel nights on a twin share basis & 1 night Mountain Guest Ranch stay Entrance to Grand Canyon IMAX Theater Visit Seligman on the original Route 66 Driving tour of Las Vegas Strip Navajo guided backroads tour of Monument Valley Horseiriding at the ranch with home-cooked meals Entrance to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon National Parks

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES There are many opportunities for optional activities during your tour. Your Tour Leader will organise these on your behalf and you will pay locally in cash. You’ll find the main optional activities listed above under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices.

HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES IN CELSIUS (ºC) JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

2

MAY JUN

JUL AUG SEP

OCT NOV DEC

Bryce Canyon NP

HIGH LOW

-15

4 -13

7 -9

12 -5

17 -2

24 2

26 7

25 6

22 2

16 -3

8 -10

4 -13

Monument Valley

HIGH LOW

6 -4

8 -3

12 1

18 4

23 8

29 14

32 17

31 17

28 14

19 5

10 -1

6 -4

Grand Canyon NP Las Vegas

HIGH LOW

5 -8

7 -6

10 -4

15 0

21 4

27 8

29 12

27 12

24 8

18 2

11 -3

6 -7

HIGH LOW

13 1

17 3

20 7

25 10

31 15

37 20

40 24

39 23

34 19

27 12

19 6

14 1

Zion NP

HIGH LOW

11 -2

14 1

17 3

22 6

28 11

34 16

37 20

35 19

31 15

25 9

17 3

12 -1

C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF 30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF

PHYSICAL RATING/PREPARATION Active Our active tours are suitable for people of all levels of experience and fitness. Active tours are about exploring the places your visit so whether it’s sightseeing, walking, hiking, kayaking or biking you’ll be out exploring the places you visit. You’ll also be able to choose from a whole range of optional activities, and with everything from glacier trekking to horse riding or whitewater rafting, depending on your interest, budget and ability. Walks, hikes and activities cater to everyone from beginner to expert, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Family Our Family Discovery tours have been developed with both fun and safety in mind and are suitable for families with children aged 8 years or older. On our active family tours you will enjoy an incredible array of experiences and activities. Your Tour Leader will organise each day’s activities, and you don’t have to be athletic or have previous experience to enjoy our family holidays. Some of the activities are left as optional so you can tailor your tour according to your family’s level of adventure.

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

TOUR ITINERARIES Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your Tour Leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year. All details are provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, this information can change and should therefore be taken as an indication only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Grand American Adventures. If you have any questions, please contact us. Please also ensure that you download an up-to-date copy of this dossier before you depart to join your tour to ensure you have the most up to date information as occasionally our itineraries may be amended either in response to feedback from customers or for operational reasons. This dossier is valid for all tours departing in 2015. Itineraries may be subject to change with the publication of our 2016/17 brochure in Autumn 2015, at which point revised 2016 dossiers will be made available.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK When asked, “what was the best part of the tour”, previous travellers said: “Difficult to pick a favourite, I was blown away by it all. I loved the hiking! Great leader, great tour, great fun, I’d start it all again tomorrow.” – Mark Dilkins from England

BEFORE YOU DEPART PRE/POST TOUR HOTELS Grand American Adventures tours begin and end at designated hotels, which are conveniently located in our departure and arrival cities. Generally our tours depart from our gateway hotels at 07.30am and finish at around 5.00pm, so it is advisable to book a room in these hotels at the beginning or end of your tour. Please see the front page of this dossier for the specific start and end times of your tour. You can pre-book additional hotel nights before or after your trip based either on a twin share basis (where you will share with another traveller of the same gender) or a full room basis (for single occupancy or to share with someone else on your booking). For more information on our gateway hotels or to book, please contact our reservations team.

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Services who have a tailored policy for Grand American Adventures clients. Visit www.journeyman-services.com.

PASSPORT AND VISAS You will need a valid passport with six months validity following the end of your trip, together with the necessary visa(s) for the country/countries you are visiting. It is important that you apply for each of the necessary visas while in your home country. Please keep in mind that some tours may spend time in more than one country. For specific visa information, please consult the relevant embassies. Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have valid passport and the correct visas for your tour.

VISA AND RULES FOR ENTRY TO THE USA Please note: some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible.

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS We recommend you book your flight to arrive into the departure city at least one day prior to your tour’s departure; this will allow you some adjustment time and opportunities for sightseeing. We also suggest that you book your return flight the day after your tour finishes. If you do have to return home on the day your tour finishes, please make sure that your flight does not depart before 9pm. For anyone leaving from the UK we would be pleased to book your flight in conjunction with your tour. Please contact us for competitive prices on flights departing from most UK airports. Please note that all international and domestic flights are your own responsibility. We are unable to delay a tour, or finish a tour early due to your flight times. In the event you must leave the tour early for your return flight, you need to inform us at least two weeks before your tour’s departure, in addition it will be your responsibility to organize your own transportation to the airport.

CITY SIGHTSEEING 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 trip. Find out more at: www.grandamericanadventures.com/citytours

TRAVEL INSURANCE It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue service). You will be asked to provide details of your insurance policy, including insurer, policy number and phone number before embarking on the trip. We offer an insurance policy that is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our tours - particularly the many optional activities offered. If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. There may be cheaper policies available, but this does not mean it may be better value - we strongly advise you check fully what will and won’t be covered. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers. Please note: We can only offer cover for passengers residing within the European Union. For those outside the EU we recommend Journeyman

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

Travellers from the EU and certain countries are eligible to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. All eligible travellers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before travelling to the USA. At the time of compilation there is a US$14 fee for the electronic visa (ESTA]. The ESTA will be valid for a period of two years, or until a person’s passport expires. You should apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before you travel, and we recommend you carry your ESTA approval with you. You can apply for an ESTA at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Passengers that have not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the US port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visafree on the VWP, guarantees admission to the United States. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. Important reminder: If you are refused boarding or denied admission at the US port of entry you will still be subject to our cancellation charges in accordance with the terms of our contract with you.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS If you have any medical condition such as diabetes, epilepsy or asthma, take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the tour, you must tell us or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor’s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. All of our vehicles carry a basic first-aid kit, but for everyday use you should bring your own medical supplies, such as pain relievers, antibiotic cream and upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent.

VACCINATIONS There are no compulsory vaccinations for North America. However all travellers are advised to ensure that their diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccinations are kept up to date. Recommendations do change from time to time so please consult your doctor or vaccination centre for up to date information.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR SPENDING MONEY Your spending money needs to cover meals not included in the tour, drinks, personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs and snacks along the way. For hotel based tours we recommend you take at least US$50 dollars per person per day, but it’s better to bring more than you need rather than run short on tour. You will also need to budget for any optional activities you wish to do. ATM/Cash points are widely available in all major cities and 6576

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small towns, but may be limited in some off the beaten track destinations, so we suggest you have US$150 with you in cash. Please ensure that your credit or debit cards have international access and a PIN number to access your funds at the start of the tour.

so it is best to wear covered shoes with ankle support. If you do not own a pair of walking boots or trail shoes then trainers (sneakers) will suffice although this is a personal choice.

CLOTHES WASHING PRE-PAID CURRENCY CARDS It is personal preference as to how you take your money and it’s recommended to take some cash with you to be prepared when you arrive, but Grand American Adventures is pleased to endorse FairFX prepaid currency cards. Please ask one of our sales consultants or click on the link www.fairfx.com/grandamericanadventures to find out how to receive a FREE currency card, worth a retail value of £9.95.

TIPPING Although it may not be customary in your country, it is normal and expected in North America to tip waiters, bar staff and taxi drivers or any type of guide. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend upon their tips for their livelihood. A minimum of 15-18% is standard in restaurants. Your Tour Leader also works long and hard for you, so if the leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations, we recommend you consider a tip of US$5-7 per person, per day, in appreciation of the service you receive.

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE Each passenger will be allowed one bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg maximum). A small daypack and camera may also be carried in our vehicle.

PACKING TIPS CLOTHING Please keep in mind that our dress tends to be informal. It is advised that you take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to suit the season. Please see the temperature guide showing the highs and lows that can be expected in key locations that your tour visits. However please remember that this is just a guide and you may encounter a wide variety of temperatures en route due to altitude and unforeseen weather conditions - so it’s best to be prepared! Besides your essential clothing, here’s a checklist of other items you should take: • Waterproof jacket • Warm sweater / fleece • Casual ‘evening out’ clothes

You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes whilst you are on tour, and this can often be done at the hotel or in a local town. Ask your Tour Leader for local information.

BATTERY CHARGING Many of our travellers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. For hotel tours your hotel room will have an electrical outlet (just remember your international adaptor!) and we recommend that you bring a car charger. Every vehicle has two outlets for your use, but please bear in mind that thirteen people travelling with multiple devices can mean very little charge time per person per day, so it may be useful to bring along extra batteries just in case!

KEEPING IN TOUCH Whilst in the USA (lower 48 only) our vehicles are equipped with WiFi, so you can keep in touch with friends and family from the road. Please note: Access is limited to 5 passengers at any one time. Please check with your network provider as to whether your mobile phone will work in the Americas. Grand American Adventures has partnered with e-kit to provide some of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with family and friends while on tour. E-kit can provide international calling cards, prepaid SIMs or international mobile handsets. Grand American Adventures customers are eligible for a free USA 4G SIM card with 50Mb free data when you top up with $20, see www.grandamericanadventures.com/sim for more details.

EMERGENCY CONTACT In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call our toll free* 24-hour emergency contact number. Remember, if we don’t know about it we won’t be able to do anything about it. Phone number for family to contact you in case of emergency: Toll-Free (*in the US): 1 (800) 786 - 8735 International: 001 (707) 523 - 1800

• Hiking shoes / boots • Comfortable day shoes • Sandals or flip-flops • Warm hat / gloves • Swim wear • Sun hat / sunglasses • Camera / binoculars • Small flashlight / torch • Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% DEET) • Travel power adaptor (optional) • Toiletries / personal medicine

Please note airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your luggage - if in doubt check with your airline before travelling.

FOOTWEAR As our family tours are quite active, we recommend comfortable shoes to make walking and sightseeing more enjoyable. In National Parks, the trails tend you be of a decent standard although there may be uneven surfaces

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

JOINING YOUR TOUR TOUR AND ACCOMMODATION VOUCHERS A Tour Voucher will be emailed to you once your balance has been paid in full. Vouchers for any hotel nights you have booked before or after your tour as well as any additional day tours will also be sent to you. You can print off the PDF vouchers or download to your smartphone. For those without email access your vouchers will be posted. Please make sure that these vouchers are correct.

JOINING POINT You will need to make your own way to the gateway hotel or joining point for your tour. Please find the details for this tour below: Alexis Park Resort 375 East Harmon Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: 1-702 796 3300 6576

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Transfer: From the airport you may catch a taxi for approx. US$10. The CLS Shuttle service is also available for approx. US$7 per person. The trip takes about 5 minutes and transport services operate 24 hours a day. Most of our tours start at our gateway hotels at 7.30am. There are some exceptions, so please check your vouchers. Make sure you have your bags packed, have eaten breakfast and have checked out of your room before meeting your Tour Leader in the hotel lobby. You will spend a few minutes filling out paperwork and meeting your fellow travellers before departing the hotel.

ARRIVAL COMPLICATIONS Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it! If you have missed your tour departure, first check with the hotel to see if your Tour Leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to you missing your tour’s departure, so please be on time.

LUGGAGE STORAGE Although we cannot provide luggage storage facilities on this tour, some of our gateway hotels may offer this service. Please contact the hotel directly for further information.

FINISHING POINT Alexis Park Resort 375 East Harmon Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: 1-702 796 3300 Fax: 1-702 796 4334 All tours end on arrival at the gateway hotel in the terminating city. Most tours end at our hotel between 17.00 to 18:00 on the final day. Some tour activities scheduled for the last day may preclude an earlier arrival at the gateway hotel, so you should not book a departure flight that leaves prior to 21:00. You will be responsible for any transportation costs if you have to arrive for an earlier flight and you must make us aware of this well in advance of your tour departing. If you require accommodation for the last night, it is essential that you book this before your tour departs.

ABOUT OUR TOURS TRANSPORTATION You’ll travel in a private 15-Seater Ford vehicle which is driven by your Tour Leader. All luggage, equipment and other necessities are stored in a specially designed trailer or storage area to maximise space and comfort in the vehicle. The size of our vehicles allows us to reach more remote destinations not accessible to larger vehicles. All our vehicles are equipped with CD stereo systems (often iPod compatible) and air-conditioning. Whilst in the USA (lower 48 only) our vehicles are also equipped with WiFi, so you can keep in touch from the road.

ACCOMMODATION Hotel accommodation will be in clean, comfortable hotels or lodges with en-suite bathroom facilities, chosen for their friendly atmosphere and proximity to the highlights of the region. Accommodation on hotel based tours will be allocated on a twin share basis. Anyone under 18 will be assigned a room with an adult. If you have young children then you can request a room for three or four people at a discounted rate. These rooms are triple or quad share, rather than three or four bed rooms, if you are

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

interested in this option please request is at the time of booking. If you are a party of 1 adult and 2 children (under the age of 18) you will be allocated one room. On camping trips, one tent will be allocated for every 2 people.

SECURITY No matter where you find yourself in the world, you need to look after your valuables. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe where available, and do not leave valuables in the vehicle. When in doubt consult your Tour Leader. We would like to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for your safety and well-being. Whether you are taking public transport, going for a hike or taking part in an optional activity, we request that you carry yourself in a mature and responsible manner - not only for your own personal safety, but for that of the group and other travellers.

MEALS On hotel based tours, you will usually eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget for your meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6US$12, lunches from US$8-US$15 and dinners from US$13-US$30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per bottle. Please also be aware that a tip of approximately 15%-18% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Your Tour Leader may offer your group the option to operate a ‘lunch only’ food kitty, this has proven to be a popular alternative to three daily restaurant meals. Leaders will fully explain this option while on your tour, and the whole group will have to agree for this system to run. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling.

YOUR TOUR LEADER Your Tour Leader will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, they will drive the van taking you from A to B and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your Tour Leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your Tour Leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations, to provide in depth information. We would like to note that US Law regulates the total number of hours your Tour Leader is available to work. Our trips are designed to make the most of your time in North America, but please understand that there will be

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certain times each day that your leader will need to be off duty from work. Due to these restrictions, particularly after the longer driving days, your leader may not be able to join you for some of the daily activities or may need to tend to other work duties.

CAMP DUTIES An essential part of a camping tour is helping out with the day to day camp duties and everyone will assist with the setting up and packing up of the campsite. Your Tour Leader will provide guidance on what to do, and typically it will only take 15 minutes to set up or break down the tents and camp kitchen. Before you know it you’ll be enjoying ‘home sweet home’ in the Great Outdoors. Your Tour Leader will also co-ordinate and assist the group with food shopping, preparing meals and cleaning up. Sharing the camp duties is a great way to bond with your fellow travellers and the group camaraderie is all part of the experience.

THE GROUP The maximum group size is 13 and you will travel in a group with a few other families. Our family discovery tours are designed for children 8 years and over, and there must be a least one adult and one child under the age of 18 to travel on a family tour. Other than that, everyone is welcome on our family tours; single parent families, grandparents, aunties, uncles and family friends too – the more the merrier! Your fellow travellers will come from a range of countries worldwide (average of 2-3 nationalities per group), all sharing a passion for discovery. Our tours are a unique holiday experience and much of your enjoyment will come from sharing and bonding with other families. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a sure guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm!

RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL We are committed to offering low impact tours that benefit the places and communities we visit as well as our travellers. It is important for us all to be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National Parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas should and must be treated with respect. We have created a ‘Travellers’ Code of Conduct’ to help prepare and inform our groups of the various positive or negative effects they could have on a destination. This code includes following the ‘Leave No Trace’ ethic; this is an international campaign that is designed to help us minimise the impact on the National Parks and other wilderness areas that we visit. Our Tour Leaders will explain this code of conduct during the first night’s orientation talk and encourage you to follow it throughout the tour. We are proud supporters of Bay Area Wilderness Training (www.bawt.org), a charity based in Oakland California which works to connect disadvantaged children in the local urban area with the great outdoors. Their work helps to provide these young people with life changing experiences which they can apply to every day life. We also support the American Hiking Society (www.americanhiking.org), which champions conservation issues in the United States and represents millions of hikers committed to preserving America’s vast network of hiking trails and their surrounding ecosystems. Whenever possible, we use local accommodation and activity providers. We also shop locally for groceries, eat in small family-run restaurants and visit local shops whenever possible. This all brings economic benefit to the local communities that we visit.

Responsible Tourism on the Cowboys & Indians Family Discovery... In Monument Valley, we use a Navajo guide to show you their native lands. This gives you an opportunity to interact with and understand the community on an individual level; it also puts money back into the local economy to help sustain the future of their community. It is also important that we help to protect the fragile desert environment. The desert’s natural way to avoid sand erosion is by creating cryptobiotic soil which creates a living crust on the desert floor. This special soil helps the desert to protect itself from wind and rain erosion and promotes plant growth. All our Tour Leaders encourage our travellers to stick to the path to avoid damaging this special soil which can be hard to see. The overnight stay at an American guest ranch helps the preservation of this historic way of life. It helps to ensure that younger generations can enjoy this facility and learn new skills such as horse-riding, flyfishing, and outdoor cookouts.

AFTER YOUR TOUR FEEDBACK & REVIEWS We want to hear about your experience and stories from the road, so please feel free to e-mail us any comments, feedback or reviews whilst you are on tour or when you return home to: [email protected]. We value your feedback and tour reviews, which help us in developing and improving our programme. It’s input and suggestions from travellers like you that has helped make Grand American Adventures what it is today.

WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS! We can always use your holiday snaps and short videos to better depict and promote all the fascinating places we visit. Whether it’s just sitting around the campfire or strolling down The Strip, there’s no better way to share your Grand American Adventure. So if you just want to send over a couple of your best shots (max 10MB) please e-mail them to [email protected]. You know what they say, a picture’s worth a thousand words!

HOW TO BOOK Contact us by telephone, email or via our website to check availability for the tour you are interested in. We can normally hold a seat on ‘option’ for up to 3 days to allow you time to finalise your travel arrangements. In order to secure your place we require a deposit (full payment within 8 weeks of travel) and an agreement from you to our terms and conditions. Check availability early to avoid disappointment: www.grandamericanadventures.com

FURTHER QUESTIONS Please contact our UK Sales team on: Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8921 Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 Enquiries: [email protected] This dossier was last updated 31/07/2015

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: [email protected] www.grandamericanadventures.com

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ABTA No.Y0696

Accredited Agent 91-2-74330