Arrive in San Francisco and make your way to your hotel, which will be your base for the next two nights. Spend the following day exploring this beautiful city and its many wonderful attractions including bustling Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, colourful Chinatown, or shopping until you drop in Union Square.

This morning collect your car and drive through the lush California valleys to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is best known for its stunning waterfalls, deep valleys, ancient giant sequoia trees and massive granite domes, making it one of America’s most beautiful parks. There are several great viewpoints within the park, including Tunnel View which offers one of the most special views of Yosemite Valley including El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls.

Head via the Tioga Pass* to Death Valley, the hottest and driest national park in America. Located 282 feet below sea level, the landscape here is extreme filled with desert dunes, sculpted rocks, snow capped mountains and salt flats.

* In the event of the Tioga Pass being closed due to weather or road conditions (generally from November to late May), travel to Death Valley will be via Fresno, or Bakersfield, where we recommend you overnight, before continuing to Death Valley the following day

Leave the desert landscape of Death Valley behind for the bright lights and non-stop entertainment of Las Vegas, one of the most glamorous cities in the world. Take in one of the spectacular shows, visit the jaw-dropping hotels or try your luck in one of the many casinos.

Today drive into the state of Utah to visit Zion National Park, famous for its deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons, lush forests, and soaring mountains. A popular way of exploring the park is on a hike, and there are a range of hiking trails to suit all abilities including hikes through the Virgin River where permits are required.

Drive to Bryce Canyon, via the beautiful Zion Mount Carmel Scenic Byway, and then carry along Scenic Byway 12, one of America’s most beautiful drives that takes you past awe-inspiring red rock scenery. On arrival at Bryce Canyon National Park, stop at the visitor centre to learn about the geology of the park and talk to the park rangers, and then soak up the colourful and unique rock formations called hoodoos.

Today is a day of contrast as we drive from the desert and rock landscape to the blue shimmering waters of Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in North America. Enjoy swimming, water-skiing, or take a boat cruise out to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest natural arches in the world or visit nearby Antelope Canyon.

Head east to the dramatic landscapes of Monument Valley, one of the most photographed places in America, made famous by western movies and for being the filming location of the award-winning film Forrest Gump. Highly recommended whilst at Monument Valley is to join a jeep tour to get up close to the huge stark buttes with a local Navajo guide at either sunrise or sunset.

Continue through the Navajo Indian Reservation and make a stop at the Cameron Trading Post to sample authentic Navajo taco and then arrive via the east entrance at the Grand Canyon for a two-night stay. Enjoy the following day visiting the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s great natural wonders, ride along the rim on the free national park shuttle buses between different vantage points or for a special treat take to the skies on a helicopter flight.

Take a slow drive to Scottsdale, making a quick stop in Williams, a Route 66 town to see interesting Route 66 murals and memorabilia. A recommended stop is Sedona, surrounded by immense red and orange buttes and mesas, or Montezuma’s Castle on the way into the arid Arizona Valley and the relaxing resort of Scottsdale. Enjoy your final couple of days poolside or visiting the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Time for some last-minute sightseeing or shopping before dropping off your car at Phoenix airport and boarding your homebound flight to the UK.