Chicago to LA
Chicago to LA
Chicago to LA
11 Days Starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UCLA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Age range:
18-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure traveling across the USA from Chicago to Los Angeles with an 11-day trip.
You will draw a parallel to the Northern border of the country passing through iconic locations in search of the American spirit.
Enjoy a full day in Chicago with the sights we have in store for you, then take your time discovering the chich restaurants, art centers, and hopping nightlife venues of the Winding City.
Head to the stunning backcountry from there, tour the incredible Badlands National Park and get a taste of Native American history in the Black Hills.
From then on, it will be all about the mountains of Wyoming.
The breezy western air will take over, and soon you will get into the free spirit of the Southwest.
Take to the trails of Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon before a majestic finish including Las Vegas and California.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Meet your group and tour leader in the evening for an informal welcome at the hotel.
Until then, feel free to roam the famous downtown of Chicago like a local or rest up for our great adventure ahead!
Accommodation
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile - 3 Star
Day 2: Chicago
Start the day with a short tour of the city's highlights including Lake Shore Drive, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier.
Enjoy your personal leisure time for the rest of the day to explore the 'Windy City' Chicago on your own terms.
Freely marvel at the fascinatingly bold architecture of downtown Chicago or the inspiring artworks in one of the famous museums in town.
Accommodation
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown - 3 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Lake Shore Drive
Sightseeing of the Magnificent Mile
Sightseeing of Navy Pier
Day 3: Chicago - Mississippi River Crossing - Sioux Falls
Travel through the Midwest along farms abundant in corn and wheat fields and dairy farms.
Crossing the mighty Mississippi River, we ride into the state of Iowa to arrive just as Lewis & Clark Expedition did two centuries ago on the banks of the Missouri River.
We make our way to Sioux Falls for a refreshing rest.
Accommodation
Comfort Suites - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Mississippi River
Day 4: Sioux Falls - Badlands National Park - Mt. Rushmore - Rapid City
Travel westward through the vast and lush grasslands of South Dakota and onwards to Badlands National Park.
This natural wonderland, once home to the buffalo and antelope, is filled with amazing colorful natural rock formations.
Then we continue on to the Black Hills, sacred to the Native Indians and home to the famous Mount Rushmore.
After we finish soaking in the unforgettable views, we depart for Rapid City to spend the night.
Accommodation
Best Western Ramkota Hotel - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Badlands National Park
Sightseeing of Mt.
Rushmore National Memorial
Day 5: Rapid City - Bighorn Mountains - Cody
We continue our journey towards the wondrous lands of Wyoming, also known as "Equality State", home to twelve mountain ranges intermixed with vast deserts and rolling grasslands.
We will be resting for a big day tomorrow in Cody.
In case overnight in Cody is not possible due to poor weather or adverse road conditions in Yellowstone, we will be spending the night in Billings Livingston, Montana.
Accommodation
Buffalo Bill Village - 3 Star
Day 6: Cody – Yellowstone National Park
Drive past the mountains of Wyoming to Yellowstone, America's first National Park! Tag along your expert guide to enjoy an in-depth tour of this immense geothermal wonderland which includes waterfalls, geysers, canyons, colourful wildlife and more! Some of the incredible highlights will be Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Canyon's majestic falls, and the beautiful Hayden Valley.
Accommodation
Kelly Inn West Yellowstone Hotel - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Yellowstone National Park
Day 7: Yellowstone – Grand Teton National Park – Salt Lake City
Today we travel through Grand Teton National Park, as long as the weather permits, to witness magnificent mountain peaks towering over 4,000 metres and the local wildlife.
Visit the Snake River Outlook and try your eye at capturing the stunning landscape made famous by Ansel Adam's iconic shot in black and white.
Arriving in Utah, known for its Mormon Community, embark on a short tour of its capital, Salt Lake City.
See how the Mormon followers of Brigham Young built one of the best-planned cities in the country.
We visit the State Capital building, famed Temple Square and the Tabernacle before arriving at our hotel for the evening.
May we suggest an optional dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant for panoramic views of Temple Square?
Accommodation
Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites - 3 Star
Included Activities
Panoramic Sightseeing of Grand Teton National Park
Sightseeing of Snake River
Sightseeing of State Capital Building & Temple Square & the Tabernacle
Day 8: Salt Lake City – Bryce Canyon National Park
Embark for a journey to the spectacular Bryce Canyon and follow your guide on a tour through a multi-coloured world of sandstone spires and pinnacles, also known as “hoodoos”, that dazzle the eye.
This evening, weather permitting, make sure to gaze upon the enchanting night-sky with sparkling stars & breath-taking constellations.
Accommodation
Bryce View Lodge
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Bryce Canyon
Day 9: Bryce Canyon – Lake Powell – Grand Canyon – Flagstaff
Departing Bryce Canyon, we ride onwards to the stunning Lake Powell, where canyon walls of red-rock tower over crystal blue waters.
Lake Powell is the second-largest man-made lake in America, part of a series of lakes formed after the damming of the Colorado River.
Our next stop will be the world-famous Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven great natural wonders and most impressive sceneries of the world! Pause at the rim of the Canyon to fully experience and appreciate this mile-deep canyon and all its plunging gorges, rising spires, extinct volcanoes, and the snaking Colorado River.
Riding on the Historic Route 66, Flagstaff will be where we dream of the sights of the day.
Accommodation
Days Flagstaff (or similar)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Lake Powell
Grand Canyon National Park Visit
Sightseeing of Route 66
Day 10: Flagstaff – Seligman/Route 66 – Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas! In the morning, we hit the road for Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World”.
On the way, we will pass through the authentic town of Seligman on the famed Route 66, which looks as if it froze in time sixty years ago.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip.
Accommodation
The Strat - 4 Star
Included Activities
Panoramic tour of Seligman Town
Day 11: Las Vegas – Mojave Desert – Beverly Hills – Los Angeles
Riding towards the western coast to Los Angeles, enjoy views of the scenic Mojave Desert with views of characteristic Joshua trees clustered on the mountainous backdrop.
Arriving in L.
A.
, join your guide for a tour through the “City of Angels” including famed spots as Hollywood, Sunset Strip and parts of Beverly Hills, before reaching our hotel around 17:00.
Our trip will end in San Francisco after we say goodbye to newly-made friends.
Included Activities
Panoramic tour of the Mojave Desert
Sightseeing of Hollywood & Sunset Strip & Beverly Hills
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 and 3 star hotels & inns, superior lodges
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Meals
5 Breakfasts
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Transportation
A/C coach or mini-bus
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced tour leaders
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Orientation Walks
Organised orientation walks at some of the towns visited
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel and coach Wi-Fi ( where available )
What's Not Included
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Any flights not mentioned above
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Travel Insurance
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Meals not stated above
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Items of a personal nature
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Tips and gestures
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Entrance fees to the sights and museums
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
Maximum group size is 55
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No passenger under the age of 21
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.