Winter in the American West Self-drive Tour

When you arrive in Los Angeles, you can pick up your rental vehicle from the airport and start exploring the city right away. Cruise down Rodeo Drive and visit the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign for a few iconic photos. You can take in the fantastic views from the Griffith Park Observatory or visit Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach- nothing welcomes you to La like walking beachside along streets lined with pastel buildings.

In the morning you’ll hit the road and start your drive into the desert. You’ll travel through mountains, valleys, rolling sand dunes, and coloured canyons on your way to Death Valley. Take a hike up the Mesquite Flat Sand dunes near Stove Pipe Wells to explore the unique and beautiful landscapes.

Take your time on your drive to Las Vegas, discovering the pink, yellow, and green rocks at Artist Palette, then visit the Badwater Salt Flats which are the lowest point in the US. It feels like an alien planet in the middle of the flats!

Take a hike to view the rock formations in the Devil’s Golf Course and take in the views of the park from Dante’s View. When you arrive in Las Vegas you’ll want to explore the opulent hotels and casinos that line the famous Vegas strip.

In the morning you’ll drive to Zion National Park and spend the day exploring the spectacular canyons and fairy chimneys that make this area so fascinating.

From the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, you can take some of the trails to visit the slot canyons. The Riverside Walk goes to the bottom of the Narrow Canyon, or the Hidden Canyon trail will take you to the beautiful Emerald Pools.

At the end of the day, you’ll drive to Mount Carmel to find your hotel and possibly the local herd of bison.

As you drive towards Bryce Canyon, you’ll notice the beautiful contrast between the colourful rock peeking out of the sparkling snow. You can rent a pair of snowshoes to explore the trails that wind through the hoodoo rock formations or go for a hike. You can also book a guided hike with a park ranger when you arrive.

Early risers may want to go for a sunrise hike, however, the views from Sunrise and Inspiration Point are beautiful any time of day. Then you’ll head to Glen Canyon to visit the spectacular Lake Powell, where you can relax and take in the quiet scenery. Go for a hike to Horseshoe Bend and admire the spectacular view of the Colorado River snaking through sheer canyon walls.

End another beautiful day with a breathtaking sunset that you can watch from Wawheap Viewpoint before heading to your hotel in Page.

In the morning you’ll take a guided tour of Antelope Canyon, a spectacular natural formation made of brilliantly coloured sienna cathedrals, arches, and narrow passages that have formed over thousands of years. Expect today to be breathtaking!

After your explorations in Antelope, you’ll visit another Navajo site in Monument Valley. Here you’ll find massive red and orange rock formations rising above the valley floor. The park closes early during the winter months so you may have just enough time to watch the sunset behind the monoliths before you head to your hotel.

Start today with a scenic drive to explore Monument Valley. You’ll visit some of the iconic rock formations including Elephant Butte, Three Sisters, and Camel Butte. Stop at John Ford Point and Artist Point to take the perfect souvenir photos. If the weather and roads are bad, you can opt to take a guided tour before you drive to the Grand Canyon.

Take the Desert View drive for amazing views of the Colorado River and Cedar Canyon. If you arrive with enough time you can hike part of the Rim Trail that follows the dramatic edge of the canyon.

Spend the morning exploring some Grand Canyon trails! You can also rent fat bikes and ride over the ice and snow to discover more of the canyon. From here, you’ll drive south to Sedona, stopping in Flagstaff to see some of the historic hotels that still line the famous Route 66.

When you arrive in Sedona you can stroll through the Tlaquepaque, an artist's village with Mexican influence. Visit Red Rock State Park for some leisurely hikes and then end your day at Red Rock Crossing to watch the sunset over Cathedral Rock, where the view over the dramatic desert landscape is one you’ll never forget.

This morning you can visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, which is an amazingly preserved Native American cave site. Then you can start your drive to Phoenix, where you’ll be met with beautiful mountains and sunshine! When you’re in town you can visit the Roosevelt Row Art District to wander the eclectic shops, or the Heard Museum to learn about the First Nations who are indigenous to this region.

Next, you can head to Papago Park and take a hike on one of the trails that lead to Hole-in-the-Rock and the Desert Botanical Garden. You can hike Camelback Mountain for an amazing view of the city or visit the shops and restaurants of Scottsdale’s historic district.

Today you’ll have a long drive ahead of you as you journey to the coast. On your way, you can stop at Yuma, the gateway to Mexico on the Arizona and California border.

Once you make it to the ocean, take a moment to enjoy the coastal sea air and the San Diego sunshine when you arrive. Stretch your legs on a walk in Little Italy to browse the cafes, craft breweries, shops, and galleries.

Go for a beautiful morning walk in Balboa Park, or visit the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to get a glimpse of 19th-century life. Visit Coronado Island or Pacific Beach to spend some time near the water before you start your drive upstate.

You’ll take the Coast Highway and Highway 1 for a scenic drive along the seaside. When you arrive in LA you can get settled into your hotel and then go out and explore. Perhaps enjoy a visit to the lively restaurants and amusement park on Santa Monica Pier, then a walk along the beautiful beach!

Today you have unending choices for how to spend the day. You could visit Disney Land or Universal Studios, or take a tour of one of the Hollywood studios. You can also take a drive to Beverly Hills or enjoy an oceanside meal in Malibu. Tonight, you can celebrate an amazing trip with dinner out at one of LA’s amazing restaurants.

Today your tour ends after you check out. You can return your car rental at the airport before you begin your onward journey.