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Trip Dossier 

Canyon Family Discovery 

Tour At a 

glance: 

3 US States: Nevada, 

Utah & Arizona 

Length: 10 days 

Departs: Las Vegas 

Trip code: PCY 

Active 

Please note: Minimum 

age on this tour is 8 yrs old 

 

FAMILY 

Accommodation: 

7 nights camping & 

2 hotel nights in 3 star 

accommodation 

Meals: All meals 

whilst camping 

+ 

CAMPING HOTELS 

Trip overview 

Head to Zion National Park, where the Virgin River cuts a snaking path between 

majestic sandstone walls. A short drive takes us to Bryce Canyon National Park, a 

fantastical place full of rock formations the Indians call ‘hoodoos.’ 

Moab is known as North America’s premier adventure playground! You can 

mountain bike or take a hummer tour on the slickrock trails, enjoy great hikes 

amongst some of the 2000 arches at Arches National Park, or relax and enjoy the 

awe-inspiring views. 

Journey through some of the most remote and protected wilderness in the desert 

southwest and spend a night under the stars on an overnight Rafting trip of 

the Colorado River. The raft hits some of its most well known and respected Grade 

III - IV rapids like “Satan’s Gut” and “Little Niagara” in the famous Big Drops. 

Now off to Monument Valley, one of North America’s most iconic landscapes, used 

as the set for countless Hollywood scenes, from Westerns to 2001: A Space Odyssey. 

Stay two nights at the Grand Canyon and explore the many trails and 

monumental observation spots. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise or opt for an 

unforgettable helicopter flight. Travel the original Route 66. 

Highlights: 

Zion National Park’s hanging gardens and towering sandstone cliffs 

Adventurer’s mecca, Moab—gateway to Arches National Park 

Overnight rafting trip through Cataract Canyon on the mighty Colorado River 

A Navajo guided backroads tour of sacred Monument Valley 

The indescribable views at the incomparable Grand Canyon National Park 

Visit the stunning Valley of Fire State Park 

Is this tour for me 

Set off for adventure in the majestic canyons of the Desert Southwest. Take in the 

desert’s display of rugged beauty in impressive National Parks, and then steel 

yourself for a once-in-a-lifetime overnight rafting trip in Cataract Canyon. This family 

trip takes on all the ‘Wild West’ has to offer, so it’s suitable for those with children aged 

8 and over who are interested in National Parks and adventurous activities. 

GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 ONE 

UK & Worldwide Sales and Reservations TEL: +44 (0)20 8682 8921 FAX +44 (0)20 8675 0551 

USA Sales TEL: 1 (800) 873 5872 Email: info@grandamericanadventures.co.uk 

www.grandamericanadventures.com 

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Accredited Agent 

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Itinerary & Details 

Day 1/2 - Las Vegas > Valley of Fire State Park > Zion National Park – 

Leaving the bright lights behind, it’s time to relax and go with the flow - the 

flow of the Virgin River that is, as it cuts a snaking path between tinted cliff 

walls. Or hike to the famed Angel’s Landing for an amazing birds-eye view. 

Okay, so getting up there can be devilish at times, but the trail puts Zion on 

a 360-degree display of this magnificent National Park. 

Options: 

• River tubing in Zion US$15 

Accommodation: Camping with meals included 

Day 3 - Bryce Canyon National Park – Leaving Zion National Park we 

climb in elevation to almost 8000 feet and traverse 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 ranging 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; or perhaps 

you would prefer to remain on the rim, photographing the ever-changing 

shadows and hues as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky. 

Options: 

• Western horseback riding at Bryce US$40-$80 

Accommodation: Hotel. Meals paid locally. 

Day 4/5 - Moab/Arches National Park – North America’s premier 

adventure playground! Mountain bike along slickrock trails, kick back and 

take in the scenery on an extreme Hummer tour, take a breathtaking stroll 

to Delicate Arch or just relax and enjoy the awe-inspiring views. 

Options: 

• Mountain biking in Moab US$45-$110 

• Extreme off-road hummer tour US$79-$91 


Day 6 - Overnight Rafting Trip – Step into your customised white water 

raft and conquer the 100 miles of Colorado River from Moab to Hite Marina 

through the legendary Cataract Canyon. Journey through some of the most 

remote and protected wilderness in the desert southwest and spend a night 

under the stars on one of the world’s greatest rivers. The elements and 

atmosphere conspire with heart-pounding action to create an experience 

you will never forget! 


Day 7 - Rafting Trip & Monument Valley – After breakfast we continue 

our rafting adventure down the Colorado River. The steepest descent of 

the Colorado River is encountered with these rapids. The raft hits some 

of its most well known and respected Grade III - IV rapids like “Satan’s 

Gut” and “Little Niagara” in the famous Big Drops. The raft trip ends with 

a relaxing cruise across Lake Powell, a stunning red rock and blue green 

water wonderland. 

We’re then on the road again and off to Monument Valley, one of North 

America’s most iconic landscapes, used as the set for countless Hollywood 

scenes, from Westerns to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Be amazed as our Navajo 

guide takes us deep into the sacred valley on an optional 4x4 tour under the 

azure Arizona sky. 

Options: 

• Navajo guided 4x4 tour of Monument Valley US$45-$55 

Accommodation: Hotel. Meals paid locally. 

Day 8/9 - Grand Canyon National Park – Canyon’d out yet We didn’t 

think so! Especially when we’re talking about one of the world’s seven 

natural wonders. Staying two nights is an open invite to explore some of 

those cliff-top walking trails and monumental observation spots. Enjoy 

a beautiful sunrise or an unforgettable helicopter flight ( ) over this 

incredible natural wonder. Enjoy an included pizza dinner overlooking the 

Grand Canyon at sunset. 

Options: 

• Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$244-$274 

• Grand Canyon IMAX theater US$15 


Day 10 - Grand Canyon National Park > Las Vegas – Trade in the wonders 

of the great outdoors for the wonders of Las Vegas with its incredible 

themed hotels, casinos and rides, and celebrate a great southwest 

adventure Vegas-style. 

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 

• 7 nights camping with equipment (except sleeping bag) 

& 2 hotel nights 

• Overnight whitewater rafting trip (no experience required) 

• Driving tour of Las Vegas Strip 

• Travel the original Route 66 and visit the town of Seligman 

• Zion National Park hikes 

• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Lands 

• Valley of Fire State Park 

• Sunset pizza dinner overlooking the stunning Grand Canyon 

• Entrance to Valley of Fire, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, 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 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

Bryce HIGH 2 4 7 12 17 24 26 25 22 16 8 4 

Canyon NP LOW -15 -13 -9 -5 -2 2 7 6 2 -3 -10 -13 

Monument HIGH 6 8 12 18 23 29 32 31 28 19 10 6 

Valley LOW -4 -3 1 4 8 14 17 17 14 5 -1 -4 

Grand HIGH 5 7 10 15 21 27 29 27 24 18 11 6 

Canyon NP LOW -8 -6 -4 0 4 8 12 12 8 2 -3 -7 

Las Vegas HIGH 13 17 20 25 31 37 40 39 34 27 19 14 

LOW 1 3 7 10 15 20 24 23 19 12 6 1 

Zion NP HIGH 11 14 17 22 28 34 37 35 31 25 17 12 

LOW -2 1 3 6 11 16 20 19 15 9 3 -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 





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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. 

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 2014. Itineraries may be 

subject to change with the publication of our 2015/16 brochure in Autumn 

2014, at which point revised 2015 dossiers will be made available. 

CUSTOMER Feedback 

When asked, “what was the best part of the tour”, previous 

travellers said: 

“The Zion Narrows hike and overnight canoe trip were amazing. Also it 

was great to have the company of another family.” – Lee Ingram from 

Australia 

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. 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. 

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. 

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 

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 





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ecommend 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 camping tours we recommend you take at least US$15 dollars 

per person per day, but it’s better to bring more than you need rather 

than run short on tour. For hotel stays we recommend you take at least 

US$50 dollars per person per day. 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 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. 

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 

• 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 

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 

however, this is a personal choice. 

CLOTHES WASHING 

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! 





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Keeping in touch 

Whilst in the USA our vehicles are also 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, pre-paid 

SIMs or international mobile handsets. All Grand American Adventures 

customers are eligible for a free SIM card plus US$5 calling credit, please 

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 

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 Hotel 

375 East Harmon 

Las Vegas, NV 89109 

Tel: 1-702 796 3300 

Fax: 1-702 796 4334 

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. 

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 Hotel 

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 5pm to 6pm 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 9pm. 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 our vehicles are also equipped with WiFi, so you can keep in 

touch from the road. 

ACCOMMODATION 

Grand American Adventures camping tours use National and State Park 

campsites and also a wide assortment of private campgrounds. Most will 

have flush toilets and hot showers, however please be aware that many 

campgrounds will charge an additional fee of $1-$3 for showers. You will 

sleep in high quality, heavy duty tents, which 2 people will share. Our high 

quality camping equipment also includes top of the line field kitchens, thick 

inflatable sleeping pads, food storage and camp lanterns and chairs. Most 

campsites have a quiet time from 10pm to 7am. Please respect your fellow 

campers who are there to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of camping. 

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 





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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 

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 

All of the meals are included whilst camping. Your Tour Leader will 

coordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty 

breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners. 

Occasionally, you will eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget 

for these meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6-12, lunches 

from US$8-15 and dinners from US$13-30; this does not include alcoholic 

beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per 

bottle. Please 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. 

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. 

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 at 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. 





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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 Canyon Family Discovery... 

We spend a significant amount of time at various National Parks on 

this tour, the included entrance fees help to preserve the status and 

upkeep of the park on a continued and sustainable basis. Interaction 

with National Park Rangers helps to preserve this role as an 

employment opportunity for local people and future generations. 

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. 

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: 

comments@grandamericanadventures.co.uk. 

You can also share your experience with all of our friends and fans on 

Facebook by logging on to: 

www.facebook.com/GrandAmericanAdventures. 

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 comments@grandamericanadventures.co.uk. 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: 


FURTHER QUESTIONS 

Please contact our UK Sales team on: 

Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8921 

Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 

Enquiries: info@grandamericanadventures.co.uk 





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