CROSS COUNTRY BLT
21 days from
- Trek Code:
- SLB
- Destination:
- Cross Country
- Departs:
- Feb-Dec
- Accommodation:
- Budget Lodging
- Age Range:
- 18-38
- > Party in Jazz central in Bourbon Street, New Orleans
- > See the sights of Nashville, Memphis and San Diego
- > Watch a stunning sunrise over the Grand Canyon
Tour Overview
This trek offers a perfect balance between the busy cities and quiet National Parks. Start with a visit to San Diego and the excitement of Las Vegas. Spend the days exploring the National Parks of the southwest and cross the prairies of Texas. Experience the "southern charm" of New Orleans and Memphis before completing your tour with a visit to the Nation's capital.
- > Evening illumination visit to Washington DC monuments
- > Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset
- > Scenic walks and hikes
- > Tour of Las Vegas Strip
- > Sightseeing in Nashville, Memphis, Austin and San Diego
- > National Parks and Monuments - Carlsbad Caverns, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon
- > New Orleans Bourbon Street
- > Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
- > All transportation by private adventure vehicle
- > 20 hotel/cabin/hostel nights on a multi-share basis
- > Great National Park hikes US$FREE
- > SeaWorld Adventure Park US$59
- > New Orleans jazz clubs US$10-$20
- > Mississippi riverboat cruise US$40-$125
- > Southern mansion tour US$10
- > Smithsonian National Museums US$FREE
- > Scenic Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$160-$400
- > Tour of Elvis' Gracelands US$20-$50
- > Navajo Indian guided backroads tour US$50-$95
- > IMAX theater US$8-$12
- > Las Vegas casinos shows US$20-$200
- > Limos in Las Vegas US$30
- > Rollerblading US$10-$20
- > Swamp tour US$20-$40
- > San Diego Zoo US$37
- > San Diego water sports US$20-$45
- > Las Vegas helicopter flight: US$80-$350
We use a combination of hostels, hotels and camping cabins on the Cross Country BLT. Most cabins are multi-share rooms sleeping 4 to 6 people with shared facilities and hostel nights are generally arranged on a single sex, multi-share basis, subject to availability. Where possible we will keep the group together and try to accommodate couples; however twin rooms cannot be guaranteed. A sleeping bag is required on the trip.
This tour operates in either direction.
In New York, we are now using the Hilton Newark Airport as our gateway and all tours will now end at this property. The Hilton hotel offers full facilities including restaurant, bar, exercise room/spa and direct rail transportation in to central Manhattan. If you have previously booked accommodation with TrekAmerica, your booking will be transferred to this new hotel.
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
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> 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 SOUTHBOUND
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> California Coast and culture
> San Francisco skyline views
> Santa Cruz's famous boardwalk
> Rugged Big Sur shoreline
> Monterey bars and shopping - > View Mini Adventure
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.
- LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK
- 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
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.
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 in the morning we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel. Please request at the time of booking.
This tour also departs from New York area
Local Payments - All meals paid individually in local restaurants.
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Day: 1-2 Los Angeles & San Diego
Head south from Los Angeles to San Diego on day one and check out SeaWorld or San Diego Zoo! Hold on, is that the beach calling? Sure is! Rent bicycles, rollerblades and surfboards at the beach and don your shades and soak up some rays.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 3-4 Las Vegas
Las Vegas - the greatest show on earth! Cruise "The Strip" in a super-stretch limo, indulge in an all-you-can eat buffet, take in a show or just watch the amazing crowds, neon signs and attractions that many hotel casinos have to offer. And if that's not enough, take a helicopter flight down The Strip or just gamble the night away in one of the world class casinos.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 5-6 Grand Canyon National Park
Holy Cow! This is a dead cert on your list of top stops! 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. Watching the sinking sun paint it amber, maroon and red, its breathtaking immensity will blow you away.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 7 Monument Valley
We hit the iconic Monument Valley next, used in countless Hollywood scenes from Westerns to 2001: A Space Odyssey and everything in between. If you choose, you can board a 4x4 and let your Navajo guide show off the huge hunks of red rock and share the fables of the sacred lands. Tonight, experience a stunning sunset overlooking the valley.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 8 Sanata Fe
Roswell's International UFO Museum makes for an entertaining stop on the Road to Santa Fe, which lays on the Southwestern charm by the bucket load. With 325 days of sunshine per year and bright blue skies, plus some of the best Mexican food in the USA, Sanata Fe won't disappoint.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 9-10 Carlsbad Caverns National Park & Texas
Head on to New Mexico and Carlsbad Caverns National Park to explore one of the largest cave systems in the World. Gnarled limestone stalagmites like the Witch's Finger reach upwards, while stalactites in the Bell Cord Room hang from the cavern ceilings. Next, prepare for a big welcome as you enter the Lone Star State, otherwise known as the great state of Texas, the birthplace of Buddy Holly and the world's largest cotton growing region.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 11-12 Austin, Texas & Louisiana
Austin is the "Live music capital of the world" and home of great BBQ. This city is packed with "Texas sized" excitement and is sure to impress. We then say goodbye to Texas and head into bayou country, Louisiana. Maybe an early night to prepare ourselves for the next destination?
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 13-14 New Orleans
Your soundtrack grows jazzier in the Big Easy. Spice up your trip with lipsmacking Cajun and Creole fare, ride a steamboat on the Mississippi River, relax to the sounds of a Jazz or Dixieland band in the French Quarter and join the ongoing party on Bourbon Street. New Orleans has more than just food, drink and music to offer. Join a swamp tour into the alligator habitat of southern Louisiana, to view all sorts of wildlife on the mysterious bayous of Cajun country.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 15-16 Memphis
Memphis, the Birthplace of the Blues is our next "jazzy" destination. Strolling along Beale Street must be on your checklist to see the influences that Blues and Jazz music has had on America. But top billing goes to Graceland, former home of the King himself, Elvis Presley.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 17-18 Nashville & Virginia
Off to the centre of American music in Nashville, Tennessee - the shining star of the country music scene. Hit The District - centre of city nightlife - laze in the parks, trawl the malls or learn to line dance; cowboy boots or sequinned denim anyone? Next, touch down in Virginia, home of the Appalachian Mountain Range.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 19-20 Washington DC
Travel to the Nation's Capital, Washington DC, the centre for cultural and political history of the United States. Want to know a secret? Go undercover at the International Spy Museum. Make tracks to the zoo, then see where big-hitting political animals shape the nation on an included monument tour.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
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Day: 21 New York Area
Leaving the capital behind we head north through Pennsylvania to the New York Area and the end of our cross country adventure. This tour is not scheduled to spend any time in New York City so make sure you book extra hotel nights and explore the sights and sounds of the Big Apple on your own. Splurge along Fifth Ave, hit the top of the Empire State Building, or soak up the trendy, laidback vibe of Greenwich Village before heading home.
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.
This tour also departs from New York area
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.
If your chosen date is not available, this tour also departure from New York area
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Contact Us: Seats may be available. Please contact us.
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.
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