The Great 48
Trek Tips® 2017
DEPARTS:
MIAMI to SEATTLE
TOUR CODE:
GRT
ORIGINAL
˜˜ DAY 40 BLACK RIVER FALLS MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA ( )
NATIONAL MONUMENT, IDAHO ( )
˜˜ DAY 59/60 SALT LAKE CITY HOMESTEAD CRATER UTAH ( )
˜˜ DAY 41 DES MOINES - IOWA,
MISSOURI - KANSAS CITY,
KANSAS ( )
˜˜ DAY 61-63 MOAB/ARCHES
NATIONAL PARK - DEAD HORSE
POINT, UTAH ( )
˜˜ DAY 42 OKLAHOMA CITY,
OKLAHOMA ( )
˜˜ DAY 64 MONUMENT VALLEY,
UTAH ( )
˜˜ DAY 43/44 DALLAS, TEXAS ( )
ITINERARY:
DAY 1 START 07.30 HRS
˜˜ DAY 1/2 MIAMI - KEY WEST, FLORIDA ( )
˜˜ DAY 3 DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA ( )
˜˜ DAY 4 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 5 CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA ( )
˜˜ DAY 6 ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA ( )
˜˜ DAY 7/8 GREAT SMOKY
MOUNTAINS, TENNESSEE ( )
˜˜ DAY 9 WEST VIRGINIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 10/11 WASHINGTON DC ( )
˜˜ DAY 12/13 MARYLAND - PENNSYLVANIA DELAWARE - NEW JERSEY - NEW
YORK CITY, NEW YORK ( )
˜˜ DAY 14/15 CONNECTICUT - RHODE ISLAND
- BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ( )
˜˜ DAY 16/17 ACADIA NATIONAL PARK,
MAINE ( )
˜˜ DAY 18/19 WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL
FOREST, NEW HAMPSHIRE ( )
˜˜ DAY 65/66 GRAND CANYON
NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA ( )
˜˜ DAY 45 LUCKENBACH, TEXAS ( )
˜˜ DAY 46 CARLSBAD, NEW
MEXICO ( )
˜˜ DAY 67/68 ROUTE 66 - LAS VEGAS,
NEVADA ( )
˜˜ DAY 47/48 SANTA FE, NEW
MEXICO ( )
˜˜ DAY 69/70 LOS ANGELES,
CALIFORNIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 49 GREAT SAND DUNES
NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO ( )
˜˜ DAY 71 SANTA BARBARA,
CALIFORNIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 50/51 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO ( )
˜˜ DAY 72 BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 52/53 NEBRASKA - BLACK
HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA ( )
˜˜ DAY 73/74 YOSEMITE NATIONAL
PARK, CALIFORNIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 54 THEODORE ROOSEVELT
NATIONAL PARK, NORTH
DAKOTA ( )
˜˜ DAY 75/76 SAN FRANCISCO,
CALIFORNIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 77/78 REDWOOD NATIONAL
PARK, CALIFORNIA ( )
˜˜ DAY 55 LITTLE BIGHORN
BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL
MONUMENT, MONTANA ( )
˜˜ DAY 79 PORTLAND, OREGON ( )
˜˜ DAY 80 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
STATE
˜˜ DAY 56/57 YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING ( )
DAY 80 FINISH 17.00 HRS
˜˜ DAY 58 CRATERS OF THE MOON
˜˜ DAY 20 GREEN MOUNTAINS, VERMONT ( )
˜˜ DAY 21 BUFFALO - NIAGARA FALLS, NEW
YORK STATE ( )
Seattle
˜˜ DAY 27/28 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE ( )
˜˜ DAY 29 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA ( )
IDAHO
Craters of the
Moon NM
Redwood NP
Theodore
Roosevelt NP
Little Bighorn
Battlefield NM
O R E G O N
˜˜ DAY 23/24 VAN BUREN STATE
PARK, MICHIGAN ( )
˜˜ DAY 26 MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL
PARK, KENTUCKY ( )
NORTH
DA KOTA
M O N T A N A
Portland
˜˜ DAY 22 NIAGARA FALLS - CLEVELAND,
OHIO ( )
˜˜ DAY 25 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ( )
M A I N E
WASHINGTON
Minneapolis
SOUTH
DAKOTA
Yellowstone NP
W Y O M I N G
White Acadia NP
Mountains
NF
M I N N E S OTA
Black River Falls
Niagara
Wisconsin M I C H I G A N Falls
Dells
Van Buren SP
Black Hills
Mount Rushmore NM/
Crazy Horse
San
Francisco
Yosemite NP
Big Sur
˜˜ DAY 30/31 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA ( )
Arches NP/Moab
Dead Horse
Point SP
Route 66 Grand
Canyon
NP
A R I Z O N A
O K L A H O M A
Oklahoma City
Dallas
X
A
DELAWARE
O H I O
Indianapolis
St Louis
MA RY L A ND
VIRGINIA
KENTUCKY
Mammoth
NORTH
Cave NP
CAROLINA
Asheville
Nashville
T E N N E S S E E Great Smoky
SOUTH
A R K A N S A S Memphis
Mountains CNP
AROLINA
Tupelo
G E O R G I A
Charleston
Clarksdale
Birmingham
MISSISSIPPI A L A B A M A
Savannah
S
LO U I S I A N A
Austin
Luckenbach
˜˜ DAY 33/34 CLARKSDALE MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE ( )
Washington DC
WEST
VIRGINIA
M I S S O U R I
N E W
M E X I C O
E
CONNECTICUT
New York
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia
West Virginia
Kansas City
T
Cleveland
INDIANA
K A N S A S
Great Sand
Dunes NP
Santa Fe
Chicago
ILLINOIS
C O L O R A D O
Monument
Valley
Carlsbad
Caverns NP
˜˜ DAY 32 TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI ( )
Des Moines
Rocky Mountain NP
U T A H
Las Vegas
CALIFORNIA
Santa
Barbara
Los Angeles
N E B R A S K A
Homestead
Salt
Crater
Lake City
MASSACH U SETTS
RHODE
ISLAND
NEW
YORK
Buffalo
P E N N S Y LVA N I A
I O W A
NEVADA
GreenVERMONT NEW
Mountains HAMPSHIRE
Boston
WISCONSIN
New Orleans
Daytona Beach
F LO R I DA
Miami
˜˜ DAY 35/36 ST LOUIS, MISSOURI ( )
Key West
˜˜ DAY 37/38 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ( )
˜˜ DAY 39 WISCONSIN DELLS, WISCONSIN ( )
>>View a detailed day-by-day itinerary at: www.trekamerica.co.uk/grt
Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team at:
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
TREK INCLUDES
S
ee thundering Niagara Falls by night &
on board a ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise
Cruise The Strip in style on a limo tour
of Las Vegas
Swim in the Homestead Crater, featured
in the movie ‘127 Hours’
Camp by Florida’s beautiful white sand
beaches
Hike in the Appalachian Mountains, the
‘Backbone of America’
B
e a culture vulture at the museums
and monuments of Washington DC
Explore one of 400 caves in the world’s
longest cave system, Mammoth Cave
National Park
Check out the live music scene in
Nashville, New Orleans, Memphis &
Luckenbach, Texas!
See the humble childhood home of the
king of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis, in Tupelo
Stand at the legendary Highway 61
Crossroads, the birthplace of the blues
xplore the caves & see bats in
E
Carlsbad Caverns
Run down the sand dunes in Great
Sand Dunes National Park
Spot incredible wildlife, from bear and
eagles in the Rocky Mountains, to bison
and elk in Yellowstone
PLUS...
ESSENTIAL INFO:
Say hello to the presidents at
Mount Rushmore
W
atch Old Faithful geyser blow its top
in Yellowstone National Park
E
xplore the wind-carved red
rock landscapes of Arches &
Monument Valley
W
atch the sun set over the spectacular
Grand Canyon
I ndulge in quirky Americana at an
original Route 66 roadside town
ee Giant Sequoias & Half
S
Dome’s granite profile in Yosemite
National Park
alk San Francisco’s Golden
W
Gate Bridge
Incredible walks & hikes
A
dmission to national parks, state
parks, national monuments & national
forests - Great Smoky Mountains,
Acadia, White Mountains, Van Buren,
Mammoth Cave, Carlsbad Caverns,
Great Sand Dunes, Rocky Mountain,
Custer, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt, Little
Bighorn Battlefield, Yellowstone,
Craters of the Moon, Arches, Dead
Horse Point, Monument Valley, Grand
Canyon, Yosemite & Redwood
D
rive the epic Pacific Coast
road spotting sea lions & iconic
McWay Falls
• Professional tour leader, camping fees,
equipment & private transportation
• Group Size: Max 13
• All accommodation
•
• Food Kitty: US$10 x 80 days
Wi-Fi available in your van
& some accommodation
67 nights 10 nights 2 nights
See website for specific
accommodation information.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally)
There are loads of exciting optional activities for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want
to and leave out the things you don’t. Below are the main optional activities for this trip although you’ll find more online, these can be
arranged once you are on tour via your tour leader and are paid for locally. Please note, all costs are subject to change.
Key West
•Snorkelling (US$45)
•Full day water sports package (US$150)
Washington DC
•Smithsonian National Museums (FREE)
•Bike rental (US$16-$75)
Austin
•Barton Springs (US$4)
New River
•White water rafting (US$70-$90)
New Orleans
•Jazz clubs (US$10-$20)
•Mississippi steamboat ride (US$30-$80)
•Mardi Gras World (US$20)
•Voodoo & Graveyard tour (US$20)
Grand Canyon National Park
•IMAX Theater (US$15)
•Helicopter flight (US$254-$284)
Memphis
•Tour of Elvis’ Graceland (US$35-$70)
•Civil Rights Museum (US$15)
Monument Valley
•Navajo guided 4x4 tour (US$55)
Moab
•Mountain biking (US$100)
•Float trip on the Colorado River (US$60$91)
•Extreme off-road hummer tour (US$90$100)
Las Vegas
•Clubs & shows (US$10+)
•Helicopter flight (US$124)
•Roller coasters (US$25-$40)
•Get married in Las Vegas - not legally
binding (US$220)
Yosemite National Park
•Bike rental (US$12-$34)
•Float trip on the Merced River (US$31)
Boston
•Walk the Freedom Trail (FREE)
•Visit the famous ‘Cheers’ bar (FREE)
San Francisco
•Cable car ride (US$5-$13)
•Bike Rental (US$8 per hour/$32 per day)
•Sunset sailboat cruise, San Francisco Bay
(US$45)
•Alcatraz Prison, book in advance with
Alcatraz Cruises (US$33-$40)
Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
Chicago
•Willis Tower (US$22)
•‘Bobby’s Bike Hike’ (US$35)
•Baseball game (US$20)
•Blues clubs (US$6)
San Antonio
•Alamo IMAX Theater (US$14)
•Visit the Alamo (FREE)
Nashville
•Country line dancing (US$10)
•Country Music Hall of Fame (US$25-$40)
•Country Western saloons (US$varies)
Acadia National Park
•Bike rental (US$20-$25)
•Sea kayaking (US$50)
Wisconsin Dells
•Waterparks (US$45-$55)
Birmingham, Alabama
•Civil Rights Institute (US$12)
Tupelo
•Elvis birthplace tour (US$8-$17)
Clarksdale
•Delta Blues Museum (US$10)
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team at:
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
JOINING YOUR TREK
Trek Joining Instructions
Your tour will begin at 07:30 hrs at the ‘Joining point’ hotel below. These
times do occasionally change so make sure you check your tour voucher for
the most up to date info on your departure date. Make sure you have packed
your bags, eaten breakfast and checked out of your room before meeting
your tour leader in the hotel lobby. You will spend a short while filling
out paperwork and meeting your fellow trekkers before getting on the road.
Finishing up
All good things must come to an end, and your trek will usually finish
at 17:00 hrs on the final day at the ‘finishing point’ hotel. If you need
accommodation after your tour, you must book this in advance. Do not book
a departure flight that leaves before 21:00 hrs on the final day of your tour.
You will be responsible for any transportation costs if you have to arrive for
an earlier flight.
JOINING POINT:
the Super Shuttle website
http://www.supershuttle.com
by searching for the “Courtyard Miami
Beach South Beach” when prompted.
Alternatively, you can arrange at the
airport by locating the Super Shuttle
representatives in blue or gold jackets.
If you wish to take a taxi, you can find
one outside the terminal and should
Transfer: If you are flying into Miami, take cost approximately US$40.00, and take
a Super Shuttle service for approximately 35 minutes depending on traffic. It is
US$21 per person which operates 24 hours expected to tip 10-15% for taxi fares.
a day. You can pre-book your transfer on
MIAMI HOTEL
Courtyard Miami Beach South Beach
1530 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach
Miami
Florida 33139
United States
Tel: +1 305 604 8887
FINISHING POINT:
SEATTLE HOTEL
Clarion Hotel
Seattle International Airport
3000 South 176th Street
Seattle
Washington State 98198
United States
Tel: 1-206 242 0200/
Fax: 1-206 242 1998
Transfer: The hotel is one mile
from the airport and provides a free
24-hour airport shuttle service (a
nominal tip of approx. US$2 per person is
recommended). Please arrange with the
hotel reception staff.
PACKING
Packing Tips
You know what the Scouts say... BE PREPARED! North America is huge,
and you’re likely to encounter lots of different climates during your trip.
Check the weather averages for the time of year you’re travelling and pack
accordingly. Here are some of the things that should be in your case as well
as your general clothes:
• Sleeping bag (If you are travelling on an early or late season trek, we
suggest you bring a 3 or 4 season sleeping bag)
• Pillow / Thermarest sleeping mat (optional as we supply a 10mm
camping mat)
• Towel
• Casual clothes and a few ‘evening out’ options
• Waterproof jacket
• Comfortable day shoes / sandals or flip-flops
• Sensible footwear for walking, ideally walking boots with ankle support,
but trainers with good grip will suffice
• Warm sweater / fleece / warm hat and gloves
• Day bag and water bottle
• Swimwear
• Sun hat / sunglasses
To book nights in hotels before or after your trip, contact our sales
team on: [email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% DEET)
• Toiletries / personal medicine
Arrival Complications
The unexpected can happen. Your plane may be delayed or you may
even miss it! If you have missed your trek departure, first check with the
hotel to see if your tour leader left you a message. If not, call the relevant
TrekAmerica emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to
help you catch up with the group. You are responsible for any extra travelling
expenses incurred because of a missed trek, so please be on time.
Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
• Camera & charger
• Travel power adaptor / USB car charger and cord
• Flashlight / Head torch
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team at:
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
Weather
Weather can be changeable so it’s wise to pack something to cover all
seasons! Here’s a guide to the average high and low temperatures in some
of the places you’ll visit to help you decide what to pack.
High/Low Temperatures
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Miami
HIGH
26
26
28
29
31
32
33
33
32
30
28
26
LOW
16
16
18
20
22
24
25
25
25
23
20
17
Washington HIGH
DC
LOW
9
10
15
19
24
29
31
30
27
20
15
9
-2
-1
3
8
14
19
22
21
17
10
6
0
New York
City
HIGH
6
7
9
16
20
27
29
28
24
18
12
13
LOW
-3
-3
1
6
12
17
20
20
16
10
5
4
Ohio
HIGH
5
6
12
19
24
29
30
30
26
20
13
6
LOW
-5
-5
-1
5
10
16
18
17
13
7
1
-4
10
Nashville
HIGH
8
11
16
22
26
30
32
32
28
22
16
LOW
-2
0
4
9
14
18
21
20
16
9
4
-1
New
Orleans
HIGH
17
18
22
25
28
31
32
32
30
26
21
18
LOW
8
10
13
16
20
23
24
24
23
18
13
9
Memphis
HIGH
10
13
18
23
27
32
33
33
30
24
17
11
LOW
0
2
7
12
17
21
23
23
18
12
7
2
Chicago
HIGH
-1
1
8
15
21
27
29
28
24
17
9
2
LOW
-11
-8
-2
4
9
14
17
16
12
6
0
-8
Oklahoma
City
HIGH
10
13
17
22
27
31
34
34
29
23
17
11
LOW
-2
1
5
10
16
20
22
22
17
11
4
-1
Yellowstone HIGH
NP
LOW
4
5
9
13
18
24
29
27
22
15
8
3
-8
-7
-4
-1
5
9
13
12
7
1
-4
-8
Salt Lake
HIGH
3
7
12
16
22
28
32
32
26
18
10
4
City
LOW
-3
-1
3
6
11
16
21
19
14
8
2
-3
Monument
Valley
HIGH
10
14
18
22
28
33
35
33
30
23
16
10
LOW
-6
-4
-1
3
8
12
17
16
11
4-
2
-7
Grand
Canyon NP
HIGH
7
8
12
16
22
28
30
28
25
18
12
7
LOW
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
6
10
10
6
1
-4
-8
14
Las Vegas
HIGH
14
17
21
26
31
38
41
39
35
28
19
LOW
1
4
7
11
16
21
23
23
19
12
6
1
Los
Angeles
HIGH
18
18
19
21
22
24
27
28
27
24
23
19
LOW
8
8
9
10
12
13
16
16
14
12
10
8
Yosemite
HIGH
7
91
4
20
24
29
31
30
27
21
14
8
NP
LOW
-4
-3
1
6
12
16
19
18
14
8
2
-3
San
Francisco
HIGH
13
15
16
17
17
19
23
22
21
20
17
13
LOW
7
8
9
10
10
11
15
14
13
12
10
8
Seattle
HIGH
7
9
11
14
18
21
24
24
20
15
10
7
LOW
2
3
3
5
8
10
12
13
10
7
4
2
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS
In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a
problem on tour, please contact us on the number below.
For all departures in the USA & Canada call:
From the US: Toll-Free:
1 (800) 786 – 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US:
001 707 523 – 1800
C / F Conversions:
-10ºC = 14ºF • 0ºC = 32ºF • 10ºC = 50ºF • 20ºC = 68ºF • 30ºC = 86ºF • 40ºC = 104ºF
READY TO GO? DON’T FORGET!
R
R
Trek vouchers
R
R
Sleeping bag
Pre
& post hotel
confirmation
Spending money
R
Flight
R
Visa
R
Travel Insurance
booking
confirmation
/ ESTA for entry
to the USA
These Trek Tips were last updated on 05/10/2016
Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team at:
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
A GUIDE TO
!
’
8
4
t
a
e
r
G
e
h
‘T
Camping and participation
Camp life can take some time to get used to, but embrace it and
you’re guaranteed to miss it when you get home. After all, nothing beats
sitting under starry skies around roaring campfire! So, what else do you
need to know?
• You’ll be required to put up and take down your own tent, help prepare
and cook meals, wash up, help load and unload the van, shop for
groceries and generally look out for each other.
• Your tour leader will create a rota to ensure jobs are distributed between
everyone so you won’t end up doing the dishes every night!
You’re thinking about embarking
on an 80 day, epic road trip... so what
should you expect?!
Holiday or adventure?
• Sometimes the best conversations and funniest stories come from
working together. Do your bit and this will soon become one of the most
rewarding parts of your trip.
If you’re worried about how you’ll sleep when camping there are a few
things you can bring with you to make you as comfy as possible.
• We’ll provide you with roll matt (100mm thickness) to sleep on but if you
think that won’t cut it, it’s worth investing in a self-inflating Therm-a-Rest
mat for a bit of extra padding.
If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, this may not be the right trip for you
and here’s why…
• If you’re a light sleeper then come prepared and bring ear plugs and an
eye mask.
• The Great 48 is not your typical holiday, it’s an active trip where you’ll
be expected to participate fully in camp life and explore. Sure there’s
down time, but there’s a lot to pack in too so think of it as an adventure
above all.
• The weather can be unpredictable in the USA so make sure you have
clothes for all weather and a warm sleeping bag.
• You’ll have new experiences every day, some of which will need you
to step out of your comfort zone; whether it’s dealing with unexpected
weather, tackling an activity you’ve never tried before or simply adjusting
to life on the road.
• Joining The Great 48 tour is an awesome way to learn more about yourself
and develop your skills. Whether it’s learning to cook, confidence building
or teamwork, the potential rewards from a trip like this are huge... but they
take some work too so be prepared.
Travelling in a group
You’ll be on the road with up to 12 international travellers from all over the
world; all with different backgrounds, opinions and lifestyles. This is an
amazing way to make new, life-long friends, but also comes with challenges
when you’re on the road for a long time.
How to make the most of 80 days with your new Trek family…
• Have fun and be adventurous! Your fellow travellers are aged 18-38 so the
trip and style of travel is aimed at this age group.
• Talk to each other. You’ll share the highs of the trip as well as the tired
mornings, travelling days and everything in between! If someone is
feeling down or missing home, help to perk them up and they’ll do the
same for you!
• Have a positive, can-do attitude and work together as a team. A bit of team
spirit will go a long way!
• Arrive with an open mind and willingness to chip in and this will be one
of the most amazing experiences you’ll ever have.
• Don’t be afraid to go solo for a while. There is free time and flexibility
built into the itinerary for you to spend your time how you want to, so bag
yourself some ‘me time’ if that’s what you need.
Pace & route
Crossing all ‘Lower 48’ US states in just 80 days is no mean feat, so this will
be a fast paced tour at times. This trip has been designed to not only to
cross all the states but to spend the most time in the top locations.
Jill Haworth (2014) - “What I’ve always loved about TrekAmerica is how
personal and flexible the tours can be. Despite having a set itinerary,
specifically laid out so that we could achieve our goal of visiting all 48
lower states, we were able to change parts of the route along the way to
accommodate passengers meeting up with friends and other tour leaders
who wanted to meet us and be a part of our legendary Great 48 trip.”
A few things to remember…
• We’ve tried to include as many two and three night stops as possible, but
there will be a few one night stops and some long periods of time on the
open road, through areas without those classic American highlights. The
US is a huge place and we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.
As this is a long trip it’s definitely worth considering whether you’re happy to
camp for 70 days before you book.
Spending money & food kitty
This is a trip of a lifetime so you definitely need to think about how much
spending money you’ll need. Things to consider when budgeting…
• Which of the optional activities are you going to want to do? You can find
all the prices for these on our website.
• US$10 a day for the Trek food kitty which is payable at the start of your trip
• On budget lodging nights you’ll eat in local restaurants, so you can get a
taste of American cuisine. You can buy food to suit your own budget, but
make sure you’ve got enough set aside.
• Don’t forget spending money for all those souvenirs you may want to buy
your friends and family back home. Snack stops can also mount up with
US treats hard to resist, so build something in here too!
You definitely don’t want to run out of money half way through your trip - in
our experience people always spend more than they think they will so
it’s best to over estimate. You certainly don’t need buckets of cash but a
bit of planning will make sure you have what you need, so you can just
concentrate on having a good time.
Why the food kitty works so well…
• Breakfast in a café after a tip and tax would otherwise set you back
approx. $10 for one meal alone – the cost of your daily kitty.
• You’ll buy food from local shops and supermarkets along the way.
• It’s a great way to eat fresh, healthy food with little waste.
• You can be as creative as you like. Bring a few ideas with you or pick up
some new recipes on the road. Oh, and be prepared for some friendly
camp meal competition!
• The kitty will also cover the cost of campfire wood and ice to keep food
fresh and cool.
• Your tour leader will keep track of how the kitty has been spent so any
time you want to see a record of where your money has gone, just ask.
Want to know more?
This information has been provided from our past experience and feedback
from previous travellers, to give anyone considering this trip a better idea
about what to expect. If you’re not sure about something or have any
questions at all, give us a call and our team will be happy to talk through the
trip in more detail.
“Freedom at its finest” – Jill Haworth
• Time on the road is ideal for getting to know your fellow Trekkers,
grabbing some extra sleep or simply chilling out and watching the world
go past your window. Put together the ultimate road trip soundtrack, stock
up on snacks and you’ll be winning!
“I f I had the chance I would do this trip
again in a heartbeat.” – Emily Cardus
Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team at:
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
CITY GUIDES
Stay a few extra days in the city before or after your tour and make
the most of our free city guides. With awesome top tips, all of the
must-see sights and tour leader recommendations, there’s plenty to
keep you busy!
www.trekamerica.co.uk/city-guides
aking the most
M
of your trip
KEEP IN TOUCH
CITY TOURS
As a TrekAmerica
customer receive a FREE
4G SIM card when you purchase
an inclusive data plan including
unlimited domestic calls and texts.
Make the most of your
time in the start and finish points of
your tour by booking city day tours
with TrekAmerica.
www.trekamerica.co.uk/ekit
www.trekamerica.co.uk/city
CURRENCY CARD
Get a FREE FairFX
currency card and top
up in advance for the best rates
available and no fees.
www.fairfx.com/trekamerica
HOP ON, HOP OFF
BUS TOURS
‘HOHO’, meaning ‘Hop On, Hop Off’,
is a great (and cheap) way to see a
city, and it’s super flexible!
www.trekamerica.co.uk/city
Before you go
Tour vouchers
Once your trip has been paid for in full, we’ll email you with your tour vouchers which you
can either print or download to your smart phone. If you’ve booked pre and post tour
hotels, your accommodation vouchers will also be sent at the same time. As a helpful
reminder, six weeks before travel all vouchers will be emailed again as a PDF. Please keep
these vouchers safe and refer to them for the full details of your trip.
Pre & post tour hotels
Tours usually start early and finish after 17:00 hrs so it’s a good idea to book hotel
accommodation before and after your trip. Please see page one of this document for
your exact start time. Hotels are conveniently located in each of our departure and arrival
cities and room rates are usually based on twin share as most people prefer to stay with
other travellers at an affordable price. It’s also a great opportunity to make friends with
fellow travellers! We can also offer a private room rate for single or double occupancy for
people on the same booking. Make sure you book your hotel well in advance as availability
is limited.
Flight arrangements
We can book flights departing from most UK airports, but cannot be held responsible for
any delays, cancellations or changes to your flights. We recommend you book your flight
to arrive into the gateway city at least one day prior to your Trek’s departure, this will
allow you some adjustment time and opportunities for sightseeing. If possible, book your
return flight for at least one day after your tour finishes. If you have to return home on the
day your Trek finishes, please ensure your flight does not depart before 21:00 hrs. We’re
unable to delay a tour, or finish a tour early due to your flight times.
Travel insurance
Passports, visas & rules for entry to the USA
It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for
your tour. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going,
and your nationality. It is important that you check and apply for each of the visas you
need whilst in your home country and you should consult the relevant embassy if you
need more information. Please bear in mind that some tours may spend time in more than
one country.
Rules for entry into the USA
Holders of UK, Australia, New Zealand and most EU country passports are eligible to travel
to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP is open to people for travel in
the USA for up to a 90 day stay.
All eligible travellers who wish to travel under the VWP must apply for an electronic travel
authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours
before arrival. You can apply for an ESTA at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. You will require
your passport details and your address in the USA (you can use the starting point hotel
address).
At the time of printing there is a US$14 fee for the electronic approval (ESTA). Your ESTA
will be valid for a period of two years, or until your passport expires.
All travellers wishing to enter the USA under the VWP will need to hold a passport with
an integrated chip (an ePassport). New rules exclude from the VWP most people who
have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 1 March 2011, and those who have dual
nationality of these countries. This means that existing ESTAs could be revoked, and you
will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
Residents from countries who cannot travel under the VWP must consult their relevant
embassy. For more information about who is eligible to travel under the VWP, and the
eligibility requirements please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/
Anyone that has 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 visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the USA. As with most countries,
the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry.
We keep the above visa information up to date as much as possible, but it is important
that you check this for yourself.
Immigration & customs
On entering a country you will need to proceed through customs. As long as you have a
valid passport and the necessary visa/s you should have no problems. You may be asked
how you intend to support yourself during your visit, if this happens please present your
return airline ticket and tour voucher.
Health requirements
If you have any medical condition such as diabetes, epilepsy or asthma, please take
prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the Trek,
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 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, upset
stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent.
Luggage allowance & storage
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical
and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance, and
helicopter rescue service). Our insurance policy is designed specifically to cover
the potential risks on our holidays-particularly the optional activities offered, and
covers those residing in the EU. Contact us for more information or to get yourself
covered or visit www.trekamerica.co.uk/insurance
The baggage allowance for your tour is one suitcase, soft holdall or rucksack (23kg
maximum) per person, plus a sleeping bag. A small daypack and camera can also be
carried in the van. Before you travel, please check the baggage allowance with the airline
you’re flying with as this may be less than 23kg.
Emergency Contact Details:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920
TrekAmerica is unable to offer luggage storage facilities however some of the pre and post
tour hotels we use can provide this service. Please contact them directly.
Clothes washing
You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes while on Trek. This can often be done at
the campsite, or in a nearby town. Ask your tour leader for local information.
Battery charging
Most of our Trekkers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent
battery charging during a tour. On camping tours it is often difficult to find a safe and secure
wall outlet to recharge these devices. Our vehicles have two standard 12 volt chargers. You
will need a 12 volt/cigarette lighter adapter to plug your USB charger in. Every vehicle has
at least two outlets for you to use. If your tour features some nights in hotels along the way
your hotel room will have an electrical outlet (don’t forget your travel plug).
Drinking ages / drugs
Whilst you’re away
Accommodation on Trek
TrekAmerica tours use national and state park campsites and also a wide assortment of
private campgrounds. Most will have flush toilets and hot showers. Some campgrounds
charge an additional fee of US$1-3 for showers. You will sleep in high quality, tents which
single travellers share with one other person of the same sex.
Most camping trips also spend some nights in budget hotels or hostels during the tour,
usually in the cities. This is based on multi-share or twin share. These night stops are
shown by ( ) on the itinerary for each tour. On some occasions we will stay in cabins,
guest ranches or other accommodation, as per the itinerary.
Please note, some hotels may require 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.
Wi-Fi on the road
Whilst in the USA our vehicles are equipped with free Wi-Fi, so you can keep in
touch with friends and family from the road. Free Wi-Fi will often be available at
campgrounds, hotels and hostels.
In order for us to provide this service, we operate a fair usage policy to ensure
everyone has equal access to Wi-Fi and is subject to a set data quota, sufficient for
normal usage. This means that you are not permitted to stream films / music or to
upload / download large files. If you do so, this will deplete the entire group’s data
allowance. For this reason, if you reach your data limit your tour leader may need to
turn off the Wi-Fi to ensure you do not run out of data in the latter stages of your trip.
Please note: In some remote areas you may not be able to pick up the Wi-Fi in the
van, and only five people can be connected to the Wi-Fi at any one time.
Food kitty & meals
We operate a food kitty system on all TrekAmerica camping tours. Your tour leader will
collect the food kitty payment of US$10 per day in cash so please ensure you have this
ready on your first day of the tour. Food kitty money will cover most meals when camping.
We will provide all cooking equipment and everyone will take turns to buy, prepare and
cook the food. For the days that you are staying in a city, you’re encouraged to try the
speciality foods that each city offers, so allow extra money for the nights you eat out in
local restaurants.
Spending money
We recommend you take at least US$15 per day for drinks, snacks and other incidentals.
You should also budget for tipping, as well as for the optional activities that you would
like to do. Guideline prices for the most popular optional activities are listed on the tour
pages on our website.
The legal drinking age in the USA is 21. If you are under the legal drinking age you will
be refused entry to bars and most nightclubs. Proof of age (ID) is your passport, so
never forget to take your passport on nights out. The tour leader will endeavour to find
alternative entertainment for those under 21, but this is not always possible. Obviously
these restrictions are not within TrekAmerica’s control.
Possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated. If anyone
is found with an illegal drug, they will be instantly removed from the tour.
Security
No matter where you find yourself in the world you need to look after your valuables. Use
your common sense! While in cities, do not leave valuables in the vehicle. While camping,
do not leave valuables in tents when away from camp. 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. When in doubt consult your tour leader.
Responsible travel
You and your fellow Trekkers are sure to be really excited for your trip, but please be
considerate to those around you. When you are in the campsites, especially the national
parks, remember that quiet hours are in effect. Please respect your fellow campers
who are there for the peace and tranquillity of camping. Have fun, but don’t forget to
think first!
Please also 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. TrekAmerica strives to operate tours
with minimum impact on the land. So, if you see a notice to ‘stay on the path’ or ‘pick up
litter’, please be a responsible traveller and understand that there is a good reason for
the notice.
And the rest...
Itinerary changes
We endeavour to run all tours as they are published; however, it’s sometimes necessary to
alter itineraries to adapt to local conditions and park entrance regulations. We will do our
best to keep you posted if that happens and your tour leader will provide a more detailed
trip outline at the beginning of your particular tour.
Working hour regulations for our leaders
We would like to note that US law regulates the total number of hours your tour leader is
available to work. Our trips are designed to make the most of your time in North America,
but please understand that there will be certain times each day that your leader will need
to be off duty from work. Our leaders take great pride in their level of customer service and
will do everything they can to provide you with the trip of a lifetime. Please also respect
that they need their own time to rest and recuperate in order to operate your trip safely
and with great energy.
We suggest you bring US$150 with you in cash to have with at the beginning of your trip.
ATM’s and cash machines are readily available throughout North America and major
credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country. All ATMs in the US charge to
withdraw money (from US$1-US$5). In some off the beaten track destinations ATM’s and
cash machines may be limited.
Pre-paid credit cards can be a cost effective and safe way to take funds overseas. See:
www.fairfx.com/trekamerica
Tipping
Although it may not be customary in your country, it’s normal and expected in North
America to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a
service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood.
A 15-17% tip is standard in restaurants and you should also expect to tip US$1 per drink in
bars, US$1-2 per bag for porters as well 10% for taxi drivers. It’s also typical to tip around
10% for local guides who provide optional activities.
Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a
discretionary tip of US$5-7 per passenger per day if your leader’s performance meets or
exceeds your expectations.
Emergency Contact Details:
From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800
From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800
Any QUESTIONS?
Please contact our UK Sales team
[email protected] or call +44 (0)208 682 8920