We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
USA |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.70 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$1.70 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.70 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$6.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$22.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$32.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$30.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
$10.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Although a little cooler in the north, California’s sunshine is abundant from May to October and temperatures range close to the sub-tropical ideal. Bear in mind that inland desert areas, especially around Arizona and Nevada can be extremely hot in the summer months (45°C), although temperatures can drop dramatically at night. At the start of the season there may still be some snow around in the High Sierras and it can be cold and during the height of summer be prepared for thunderstorms and some brief but intense summer downpours.
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Additional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/ weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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Bring only the bare essentials - one main bag plus a small daysac for walking and for personal items. Main luggage cannot be accessed during the day. Soft luggage is more practical. Bring plastic bags to keep things dry. Laundry facilities are available at various points during the trip. Total allowance: 30lbs/14kgs, as it is stored in the trailer during travel.
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Clothing
Pack for hot conditions for June, July and August departures. Dress is informal. A warm fleece or sweater is essential for cooler nights in the desert. Include a long sleeved shirt and warm trousers. Also a lightweight waterproof jacket, swimwear and a sun hat.
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Footwear
Lightweight walking/hiking boots with good ankle support, trainers and/or sandals for travelling (ones that can get wet).
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Equipment
Bring a water bottle (1-2 litre capacity), high factor sunblock, plastic bags to keep things dry and a (head) torch and a towel. You may find a walking pole useful. You may need insect repellent especially in June and July.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Country info
Area: 9,826,630 sq km.
Population: 301 million.
Language: English, Spanish, Indo-European, Asian and Pacific Islands.
Religion: Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim.
Local Time: California & Nevada GMT -8. Arizona & Utah GMT -7.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 110v. North American style plugs.
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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Most tourist information centres and national parks will have maps available for their specific areas. Alternatively Rand McNally produce excellent maps for each state and the western USA.
Recommended Books: Ansel Adams & Michael L. Fischer: Yosemite, John Wesley Powell: Exploration of the Colorado River, Michael Wallis: Route 66: The Mother Road, Gerd Kittel & Freddy Langer: The Final Cut: Route 66.
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
