Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive San Francisco
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your rail journey across the USA begins today in San Francisco. Home to cable cars, world-class restaurants and a bustling cultural scene, San Francisco never ceases to amaze newcomers as well as locals.
Enjoy an enthralling discovery of San Francisco. Stop at the Golden Gate Bridge, said to be the most famous bridge in the world. You will also meet a community of sea lions which lives at the popular Fisherman’s Wharf.
Day 3 - San Francisco, Yosemite National Park
At Merced, board a coach to Yosemite National Park, where you’ll enjoy a tour of the Valley Floor taking in views of Half Dome, the 914-metre El Capitan and the spectacular Bridalveil Falls. Afterwards, head back to Merced to spend the night.
Arriving in Bakersfield, you’ll be transferred by coach across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas in the state of Nevada.
Explore some of the incredible sights and highlights of Las Vegas at leisure today. The monorail is a great way to discover the amazing spectacles of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Absorb the atmosphere and enjoy an extraordinary selection of entertainment choices on your doorstep including the world-famous casinos.
Day 6 - Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Flagstaff
Head across Nevada to Arizona, via the towering Hoover Dam. Enter Arizona and drive the legendary Route 66. Arrive in Flagstaff for a two-night stay amid 500 picturesque acres of ponderosa pine forest.
Created by the Colorado River over a period of six million years, the Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world and has rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 12,000 years. Arrive at the South Rim, which is the main viewpoint of the canyon, to take in dramatic vistas.
Day 8 - Flagstaff, Monument Valley, Durango
After breakfast, you’ll feel like you’re in an American Western film as you drive through Navajo country and Utah’s Monument Valley. The region evokes a bygone era, where cowboys herded cattle across the hills and Native Americans performed rituals passed down through generations.
Day 9 - Durango and Silverton Railroad
Travel through breathtaking canyons and past emerald-green rivers to Silverton. Enjoy a spectacular rail journey to Grand Junction, offering stunning views of the Colorado River, towering mountains and colourful rock formations.
Day 10 - California Zephyr
Board your overnight train to Chicago. You will journey high up into the Rockies and across the plains.
Enjoy the morning on the train. Arrive in Chicago this afternoon. Here, you’ll disembark with plenty of time to enjoy an evening at leisure, familiarising yourself with the dynamic vibe of this major city.
Today, we enjoy a Chicago Architecture Cruise, seeing some of the city's greatest buildings from the river. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Stroll through Chicago’s downtown parks, including Millennium Park, or head to one of the city’s many museums and art galleries, such as the Art Institute of Chicago.
You are free to explore Chicago further today, and there are sure to be many more incredible city sights to discover. Later this evening, you will board the Lake Shore Limited for the overnight journey to Buffalo.
Arrive in Buffalo and transfer to Niagara Falls. Perhaps explore the falls from the water on a river tour (own expense).
Day 15 - Niagara Falls, New York City
Today, board the Maple Leaf service to New York City for a day-long train journey. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Grand Central Station.