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USA Trek 2010 Round Trip from San Francisco: Fri, Jul 23 - Sat, Aug 28 Fri, Aug 27 - Sat, Oct 2 36 Days: $1478 plus $398 for food/parks. Hostel nights not included Frequent Crawler Program Points Awarded for this Trip: 10,000 Points for Free Trip: 100,000 Join the Frequent Crawler Club today!

A grand tour of the best of the U.S., with a mid-trip break to explore the New York/Boston area on your own!

Wake up in the Ruby Mountains of Northern Nevada and hike to the glacier-carved lakes of Lamoille Canyon, then unwind in one of our favorite hot springs. In the forested mountains of Salmon, Idaho, take an optional whitewater rafting trip on what Lewis and Clark referred to as "the river of no return." A hike to an incredible hot spring waterfall will follow.

At Grand Tetons National Park, hike around Jenny Lake to the base of Hidden Falls, or deep into Paintbrush Canyon, under the shadow of glacier covered peaks. In Yellowstone, discover a wilderness so amazing it was named the world's first National Park to preserve it. Wonder at the reliability of Old Faithful, before a beautiful drive along the Yellowstone River takes us through Hayden Valley--home to moose, bison, and even grizzly bears! Hike to Artist Point for views of Yellowstone Falls.

Dinner out is in Gardiner, Montana, a classic cowboy town. Seek a close encounter of the third kind at Devil's Tower in the South Dakota Black Hills, featured in the cult movie classic of the same name. On the Pine Ridge Reservation, sample authentic Indian Tacos cooked by our friends at the Cuny Cafe. Watch for prairie dogs en route to Scenic, South Dakota, a living ghost town, and for bison as we enter Badlands National Park.

Our next stop is the Great (forested) Plains of Minnesota, for a day of swimming and hiking. In the great metropolis of Chicago, marvel at the amazing architecture, explore museums, or hit the beach along Lake Michigan. At Niagara Falls, take the optional Maid of the Mist boat tour, or walk across the Canadian border for an even better view.

A morning arrival at the Delaware River gives you time for a swim and an optional float trip. After camping in the Catskill Mountains, we head for your drop off in New York City or Boston, where you'll have a week to explore New England on your own (we have suggestions for accommodation and/or transportation).

The second leg of your Green Tortoise adventure begins with a pick up in either Boston or New York. Our next stop is Washington DC, home to the Smithsonian Institution, an astounding collection of 18 museums and the National Zoo, all with free entrance. Explore the countless rooms of the Natural History Museum, or visit the fascinating Air and Space Museum. After hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we'll build our first Tortoise campfire under the stars, and wake to more hiking along the Appalachian range.

Our next destination is the incomparable New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter, browse the open-air markets for a taste of authentic Cajun and Creole foods, and enjoy the sounds of sidewalk Zydeco, Dixieland jazz, or soft Delta blues.

The next day finds us in famous Austin, Texas. Spend the morning swimming in the fresh water of gigantic Barton Springs, then head into town for the wonderful sightseeing, shopping and nightlife of Texas' capital. Next we head for Carlsbad Caverns, one of the most extensive cave systems in the world. Take an optional tour underground to see the unusual limestone formations in The Big Room, or wait for nightfall to bring out the giant swarm of almost one million Mexican Freetail bats.

In Canyon de Chelly, join a Navajo guide for an optional hike to the ruins of ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings, or take a self-guided walk along the White Sands Trail. An optional jeep tour in Monument Valley will reveal the secrets of a distinctive landscape of mesas and desert rock.

At Bryce Canyon, take the Rim Trail or the Fairyland Trail to view the bizarre wind-sculpted hoodoos of Bryce Amphitheater. In Zion National Park, climb to Angel's Landing to see the view that inspired the name. Spend time exploring the hanging gardens of Weeping Rock and enjoying the canyon views at Emerald Pools.

Finally it's time for a night out in the big city glitz of Las Vegas. Take a limousine tour of the Strip, or ride the high-speed roller coaster at New York, New York. If more fun in Vegas is your cup of tea, we can drop you off there or you can hop back on the bus and head for beautiful San Francisco.

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Please note this is a combination trip. Please call our office for details.

Flexible Itinerary means that we may alter an itinerary depending on weather, local events, etc. Although we make every attempt to run our trips as advertised, please be aware that the itinerary may change to give you the best trip possible.

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