Southern Sun

Tour Overview

Experience the fast paced East, the slow moving South and the laidback West with exciting activities such as whitewater rafting, horseback riding and hiking on offer - don't forget about the nightlife of New Orleans and Las Vegas!

AU PAIR EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT

We are proud to offer Au Pairs an exclusive 20% travel discount off all published prices displayed in the Dates & Prices tab. To receive your discount enter "333000" into the Discount Code field on the first page of the booking system and enter your Counselor, Coordinator or Area Director's details when prompted. Alternatively, quote the code and details to our sales staff for telephone bookings. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

Included Highlights

Southern Sun Map

> Evening illumination visit to Washington DC monuments
> Limousine tour of Las Vegas Strip
> New Orleans' Bourbon Street
> Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset
> San Antonio's Riverwalk
> Alien spotting in Roswell
> Scenic walks and hikes
> National parks and monuments - Carlsbad Caverns, Monument Valley, Glen Canyon/Lake Powell, Grand Canyon and Zion
> Visit the Alamo
> Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
> All transportation by private adventure vehicle
> 16 nights camping & equipment (except sleeping bag)

Free Wi-Fi on the road

You can now check your email and update Facebook, Twitter and TrekAmerica Live while on the road with our wi-fi enabled vehicles. (Maximum 5 users at a time. Fair usage restrictions may apply. Only available in USA & Alaska).

Optional Activities (paid locally)

> Whitewater rafting US$30-$200
> Great National Park hikes US$FREE
> New Orleans jazz clubs US$10-$20
> Mississippi riverboat cruise US$40-$125
> Smithsonian National Museums US$FREE
> Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$220-$280
> Navajo Indian guided backroads tour US$50-$95
> Western horseback riding US$45-$95
> IMAX theater US$12
> Las Vegas casino shows US$20-$200
> Swamp tour US$20-$40

Mini Adventures

Our range of 3 - 4 day Mini Adventures are just the ticket for extending your tour and experiencing North America's most incredible 'must see' highlights. Check out the following adventures relevant to this tour.

NEW YORK TO NIAGARA FALLS MINI

> Scenic Drive through the Delaware Water Gap/Poconos
> Finger Lakes hiking & swimming
> Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist scenic boat cruise
> College town of Ithaca, NY
> Woodbury Common Outlet Mall
> View Mini Adventure

CALIFORNIA COAST MINI

> California Coast and culture
> Rugged Big Sur shoreline
> Monterey bars and shopping
> Santa Cruz's famous boardwalk
> San Francisco skyline views
> View Mini Adventure

City Tours

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 TrekAmerica trip.

NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES

All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your TrekAmerica trip, simply select your chosen city tour from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.

> View City Tours

Private Departures

Why not arrange your own TrekAmerica departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our classic "Trek" style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Flexible Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local conditions and passenger requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your Trek Leader you may modify certain night stops and highlights to give a truly unique experience!

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Local Payments - Food Kitty: US$10 per day. En-route Hotels: Approx US$40 x 4 nights

Important: You will need adequate travel insurance to join this trip. Download our insurance tips pdf for more information.

Day 1-2: New York Area & Washington DC

We head out of the New York area and on to Washington DC, the perfect introduction to the social, cultural and political history of the United States. Explore the best of America's Capitol - from the Smithsonian Museum to the Lincoln Memorial on a guided tour. During the day the city is awash with greenery, so once you're done with sightseeing, go people watching in the parks. Why not take advantage of the great nightlife in Georgetown!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 3-4: Virginia & Tennessee

You'll need no second invitation to appreciate the grand views of the rolling green slopes of the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. In Tennessee, choose to don a lifejacket, grip a paddle and bounce along a churning stretch of white water on an optional rafting trip. Pure adrenalin!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 5: Alabama/Mississippi

Next, travel into the 'Deep South' to Alabama and Mississippi for a taste of true southern hospitality. License plates proclaim you're in the 'Heart of Dixie' and the radio pumps out a hatful of country tunes to back this up.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 6-7: New Orleans

Beyond Mississippi we hit Louisiana, home of the Big Easy & Bourbon Street. Now we're talking all that jazz! We head into the enchanting French Quarter of New Orleans and hear the real deal at Preservation Hall, echoing with chirpy trumpets and smooth sax. New Orleans has more than just food, drink and music to offer, so after sampling a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's do the Huckleberry Finn thing and chug along the Mississippi River.
Accommodation: 2 nights en-route hotel paid locally

Day 8: Louisiana/Texas

Look for gators on our optional Louisiana swamp tour through the mysterious bayous of Cajun country (a must do!). The Lone Star bids you a big-hearted welcome for four nights in mighty Texas.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 9-10: San Antonio

Don your Davy Crockett hat and check out the Alamo, symbol of Texan pride and independence from Mexico. Or stroll the Paseo del Rio. If your Spanish is shaky, that's the cobbled 'river walk', bursting with greenery, cafes and boutiques.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 11-12: West Texas & Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The biggest state of the continental USA is also home to plenty of Mexican-American cuisine, "Tex-Mex", so spicy fajitas and tacos are on the menu tonight. Do you know your stalactite from your stalagmite? Carlsbad Caverns boasts over 100 limestone caves sporting glinting minerals and telling names like the Hall of the White Giant and Green Lake Room.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 13: Roswell, New Mexico/Arizona

A little alien spotting in Roswell could be on the cards today, and with the vast desert stretching out before us, we'll go wherever the mood takes us! If you choose Santa Fe for the night, its sure to works its charm on you with its artsy vibe and the best Mexican food in the USA.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 14: Monument Valley

Venturing into the desert southwest, we hit iconic Monument Valley, used in countless Hollywood scenes from Westerns to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Get 4x4-bound and flit between towering buttes and massive mesas. This is sacred Navajo land; take home their secrets, legends and the odd handcrafted keepsake. Tonight, experience a stunning sunset overlooking the valley.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 15-16: Grand Canyon National Park

No trip west is complete without a stop at the Grand Canyon and we have a full day tomorrow to experience the grandeur of one of the Earth's natural wonders. Pack your boots and don't forget your camera for a sunrise/sunset hike along the rim. For the more ambitious take the long hike down Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point or choose the "bird's eye" view on a scenic flight. As you watch the sinking sun paint it amber, maroon and red, its breathtaking immensity will still blow you away.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 17-18: Lake Powell & Zion National Park

Swim the deep blue waters of Lake Powell, formerly the great Glenn Canyon, or just sit back on the shore and soak up the powerful rays of this beautiful and surreal man-made desert oasis. Then onwards to Zion National Park. Explore the hidden canyons or maybe hike to Angels Landing. Okay, so getting up there can be devilish at times, but the famous trail puts on a full 360-degree display of this magnificent national park
Accommodation: Camping included

Day 19-20: Las Vegas

With a sudden burst of neon, Vegas is right in your face - the greatest show on earth. Watch out though - some dub this place 'Lost Wages'! Cruise "The Strip" in our included super-stretch limo, indulge in an all-you-can eat buffet, take in a show or just watch the amazing crowds and neon signs as the glitzy hotels try to out do each other with spectacular attractions. And if that's not enough, take a helicopter flight back down The Strip or just gamble the night away in one of the world class casinos. Oh, and there's a saying here: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Accommodation: 2 en-route hotel nights paid locally

Day 21: Los Angeles

Top it all off with a journey across the desert and some California sun as you roll into the larger than life LA scene. Hangin' out at the beach is a fine way to finish off the ultimate road trip!

This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you 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 21:00 hrs.

Book Your Trip Online

You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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How to Book Online
1. Pick your chosen available departure date.
2. Select the number of passengers to book.
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine.
4. Complete all personal details and payment information.
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail.