Yosemite And The Canyonlands: USA Trekking Holiday

Essential Information

Trip Profile

8 days walking. Altitude maximum 2740m, average 1500m.

Accommodation

12 nights participatory camping, 2 nights in hotels with en suite rooms.

Food

All camp meals included; room only in hotels.

Reality Check

This is a very busy tour and you will need to be reasonably fit to do some of the hikes, although they are all day-walks and therefore optional.

The walks are varied, so if you are travelling with someone who has different walking abilities, the tour is ideally suitable. Many of the day hikes allow walkers to do their own thing so it is essential for participants to have a reasonable knowledge of the outdoors and show a degree of common sense.

The leader will suggest moderate day hikes and will accompany the group on the walk chosen by the majority. The leader will also advise those who do not wish to participate on the other options available in the area.

Please note, some of the areas are remote and hiking or relaxing will be the only possible entertainment. This is a participatory camping trip so clients will be expected to help with the cooking, cleaning, pitching tents and tidying up.

A few trails require some scrambling over rock slabs and gullies, and some are rather exposed. They vary a great deal; in the more developed parks the trails are well maintained and defined, whilst in the remote parks we might be following a sandy, rocky creek bed or hike cross country over open desert terrain.

Crossing shallow streams or wading through a creek (Zion) can be expected. Most of the walking is at moderate altitudes and therefore should not cause any altitude-related problems. Hiking options in Yosemite are quite varied and can be strenuous.

Altitude varies from sea level to 2740m at Yosemite, and 2200-2400m at Grand Canyon and Bryce.

Driving distances are considerable but we have tried to ensure two nights in most places.

This is a relatively fast paced tour so on several of the days we will leave early and return after dark. Where we spend two nights, the day is usually spent at a park with minimum driving times.

Please do note that the West is a big place and the distances might seem long compared to Europe!

Normal group size and age

Normally 5 to 12, plus leaders/drivers. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

No experience is necessary; those who take weekend hill walks in areas like the Peak District or Cotswold’s at home should manage a B-grade trek; good health and reasonable fitness are important. These Moderately graded departures are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

Wilderness: Visit the deserts, jungles, plateaux, tundra and mountains of all seven continents, including Antarctica.

Photography: Fantastic opportunity to get behind the lens of your camera and get some expert advice from our award winning photographers who run specialist travel photography holidays.