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19 Day Conducted Tour
       
America's Golden West 

For only $3,499
per person twin share
This price includes airport taxes & levies

Tour departs Sydney & Melbourne March 26 & returns April 14, 2012
This is spectacular value for a tour to the U.S.A. as all of the follwing are included:
  • Return Air fares from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles with China Eastern Airlines. 
  • A wonderful 16 day coach tour through California, Arizona & Nevada, visiting Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park, Sacramento and San Francisco. 
  • A 2 night Shanghai stopover. 
  • Good accommodation, mainly 3 to 4 star. 
  • Some meals. 
  • All transport and transfers.
  • Services of American and Chinese tour guides, and if there are 12 or more passengers there will be an Australian tour leader.   

If you don't have someone to twin share with, but wish to travel at twin share rates, we will do our best to match you up with another traveller, but this is not guaranteed. For anyone requiring a single room there will be an extra charge of $819.

Note: For Brisbane passengers there will be flights to Sydney for $205 per person return.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Map

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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 Itinerary for America's Golden West Adventure

Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner

26.03.12 Australia - Shanghai
Sydney passengers depart Sydney at 12 midday on China Eastern Flight MU 562, arriving in Shanghai at 7.20pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Melbourne at 12 midday on China Eastern Flight MU 738, arriving in Shanghai at 7.20pm.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Ramada Wujiaochang Hotel or similar in Shanghai for a two night stay.

27.03.12
(B/L/D)		 Shanghai
After breakfast you are transferred to the Bund for an elevator ride in the Shanghai World Financial Centre (94th floor), to get a birds eye view of Shanghai city. You will have a chance to stroll along Nanjing Road. Then visit the Chenghuangmiao shopping market which is full of different kinds of small shops. Enjoy a boat cruise on the river in the evening.

28.03.12
(B)		 Los Angeles
After breakfast you are transferred to Shanghai airport for your flight.
Depart Shanghai at 1pm on China Eastern flight MU 583, arriving in Los Angeles at 10.05am the same day (you cross the international date line).
Upon arrival in Los Angeles, you are transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from your flight, or to explore Los Angeles.
Your tour director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

29.03.12
 Los Angeles
Free day in Los Angeles for your own exploration. You may choose to visit Hollywood or many other fascinating activities.
30.03.12 Los Angeles - Palm Springs - Scottsdale
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the world's 'Capital of Glamour,' including a drive through Hollywood and famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Stop in the desert oasis of Palm Springs with its distinctive wind farms, 5000 swimming pools, and 90 golf courses. Ocotillo and cholla cacti dot the desert landscape as you cross the great Colorado River and continue into Arizona, where the unmistakable saguaro stands sentinel. Arrive in the mountain-ringed desert resort of Scottsdale in the late afternoon.
31.03.12 Scottsdale - Sedona - Grand Canyon - Flagstaff
Your first stop is Sedona, a thriving centre for New Age arts set in canyon country. Next, we pass through the weather sculptured rock formations of stunning Oak Creek Canyon and up onto the Mogollon Rim, passing the San Francisco peaks and arriving at one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. There is time to stroll the canyon rim. Overnight in Flagstaff.
01.04.12
(B)		 Flagstaff - Las Vegas
Leave the mountain town of Flagstaff on historic Route 66 and cross the old Mojave gold strike country, which still bears traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. By late afternoon, reach Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and glamorous shows.
02.04.12
 Las Vegas
The morning and afternoon are free for you to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or explore the varied casinos.
03.04.12 Las Vegas
Another full day at leisure. Your tour director will have plenty of activities to choose from and will recommend favourite restaurants and shopping areas.
04.04.12 Las Vegas - Mammoth Lakes
A day of striking contrasts as you journey across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California and ascending into the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. Overnight in Mammoth, a popular alpine resort area surrounded by beauty and majesty, and within easy reach of Yosemite National Park.
05.04.12 Mammoth Lakes - Yosemite National Park - Sonora
Cross the high Tioga Pass and enter Yosemite National Park, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, giant granite domes, pinnacles and mountains soaring as high as 1,219 metres (4,000 feet) above the valley floor. On to Sonora, once a thriving centre during the Gold Rush era and well known for its collection of Victorian homes.
06.04.12
(B)		 Sonora - Sacramento - San Francisco
This morning we visit Sacramento, California's historic state capital. Home to more than 40 art galleries and dozens of museums. There's time to visit historic Old Town, the nation's largest collection of Gold Rush era buildings. We continue west to the 'Golden Gate City' of San Francisco, famous for it's hills and cable cars. Our included sightseeing tour takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. 
07.04.12
 San Francisco - Wine Country Excursion
This morning, cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge to wine country for a guided tour and wine tasting at one of the many wineries. Next up us Sonoma, a picturesque valley known for its wine grapes. Afterward, visit the pristine waterfront community of Sausalito. Free time to explore this quaint, Mediterranean-style village's shops, galleries and breathtaking views.
08.04.12 San Francisco
This morning, visit the famous and fascinating Alcatraz Prison. Get a close up look at the infamous federal penitentiary that was off limits to the public for years. Afterward, the day is yours to do some more exploring in the 'City by the Bay'.
09.04.12 San Francisco - 17 Mile Drive - Carmel - Monterey
This morning, visit Fisherman's Wharf, known for it's historic waterfront, delicious seafood, and unique shopping. Next we take the spectacular 17 Mile Drive and watch the waves of the Pacific Ocean en route to Carmel. Situated on Carmel Bay and nestled in a pine forest, the one-square-mile village of Carmel is incredibly dynamic, yet still quaint and picturesque. During your free time, why not visit Carmel village, where you can relax, unwind and enjoy the peaceful, European ambiance as you stroll through winding streets and explore secluded alleyways and courtyards.
This afternoon, explore Monterey and Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck's novel.
10.04.12
(B)		 Monterey - Solvang - Lompoc
This morning we pick up the Old Spanish Mission Trail to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. There's time to walk the flower lined village streets and enjoy the quaint 'Old World' architecture. Tasty bakery treats and perhaps a Danish smorgasbord for dinner all add to the unique experience of Solvang.
11.04.12
(B)
 Lompoc - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles
It's a short drive south to coastal Santa Barbara. Sightseeing includes a photo stop at the historic mission and a visit to the pier. Follow the Pacific coastline past the fine sandy beaches of Malibu and Santa Monica, reaching Los Angeles in the late afternoon.
12.04.12 Los Angeles
This morning you are transferred to Los Angeles airport for your flight home.
Depart Los Angeles at 12.30pm on China Eastern flight MU 685, arriving in Shanghai at 5.30pm the following day (13.04.12). 
13.04.12 Arrive in Shanghai from Los Angeles at 5.30pm. Transfer to your next flight.
Sydney passengers depart Shanghai at 8.20pm on MU 561, arriving into Sydney at 10.00am the next morning (14.04.12).
Melbourne passengers depart Shanghai at 8.20pm, arriving into Melbourne at 10.00am the next morning (14.04.12).
Note: The ground operator for the tour in the U.S.A. is Cosmos.
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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's America's Golden West Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 12 weeks prior to departure.
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired. Macleay Valley Travel offers Suresave Travel Insurance.  Please note that we can only process  your travel insurance when we have received full payment for the insurance and the signed Suresave Travel Insurance application form, located on the last page of the Suresave Travel Insurance information booklet. Until this time the travel insurance cannot be processed and will not be valid. Macleay Valley Travel will bare no responsibility for any consequences that may occur as a result of an incomplete insurance application.    
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. A visa waiver is required for travel to the United States of America for all Australian passport holders. At present the cost for a visa waiver is $14 per person. No visas are required for the Shanghai stopover if you are travelling on an Australian or New Zealand passport.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes - Air taxes and Fuel Levies are included in the basic tour price if the tour is paid in full on or before the due date on the final invoice. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to charge for any increase in Air taxes and Fuel Levies if the tour is not paid in full by the due date.
Not  Included in the Cost - Travel insurance, visas and all items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. are not included in the cost.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.
Breakaway Fee
All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set itinerary will incur a breakaway fee. The breakaway fee for most deviations including a post-tour extension on this tour is $55 per person. Please inquire with our office for prices on any pre-tour extensions. 
Airfare Upgrades
Business class international airfares can be arranged for this tour from an additional price of $4,830 per person, subject to flight availability. Please inquire with our office for a specific price for this airfare.
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of our tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Health and Fitness -Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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