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26 Day Conducted Tour
       
USA Pacific Coast Explorer Tour
With Alaskan Cruise
For only $5,985
per person twin share

This price includes airport taxes & levies

 Tour departs Australia September 2 and returns September 27, 2012
This is great value for a tour of this magnitude as all of the following are included:
  • Air fares from Sydney into San Diego and out of Seattle with Hawaiian Airlines.     
  • A 14 day tour along the Pacific Coast of the USA from San Diego to Seattle, visiting the exciting cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland.  
  • A 7 night unforgettable Alaskan cruise of the Inside Passage aboard Holland America's luxurious MS Oosterdam in an inside cabin. An outside cabin would cost an extra $326 per person, and a verandah cabin would cost an extra $684 per person.
  • A 2 night stopover in Hawaii, staying at the Sheraton, Waikiki Honolulu.  
  • Good accommodation, mainly 3 - 4 star. 
  • All transport and transfers. 
  • Services of American tour guides and if there are 14 or more tour participants there will be an Australian tour leader.
For anyone requiring a single room there will be an extra cost of $1,950.

For Brisbane and Melbourne passengers we can arrange flights to Sydney for $205 per person return.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Tour Map

Booking Form

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 Itinerary for USA Pacific Coast Explorer Tour with Alaskan Cruise

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

02.09.12 Sydney - Honolulu
Depart Sydney at 9.20pm on Hawaiian Airlines flight HA 452, arriving in Honolulu at 10.50am the same day (you cross the International Date Line).  
Depart Honolulu at 1.15pm on flight HA 16, arriving in San Diego at 9.35pm.
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.  

03.09.12 San Diego
Enjoy blue skies on 70 miles of beaches with a Mediterranean climate. This morning features a sightseeing tour including downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, Coronado Island and Old Town San Diego. This afternoon, experience San Diego at your leisure. Take in the Maritime Museum or the celebrated San Diego Zoo. 

04.09.12 San Diego - Los Angeles
Today, continue on your coastal journey to Los Angeles, the "City of Angels" and home to Universal Studios as well as your favourite musical and film celebrities. Tour Los Angeles and visit Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where nearly 200 movie stars have left their hand and footprints and see the popular Hollywood Walk of Fame.

05.09.12 Los Angeles
The day is free for your own exploration. Visit Hollywood and the Hollywood History Museum, located in the old Max Factor Building. Stroll Olvera Street, the heart of the original Spanish Mission, or visit the Getty Centre with its wonderful art collection. This evening your Tour Director will have plenty of suggestions for dining and shopping.
06.09.12 Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Solvang - San Luis Obispo
This morning leave the motion picture capital of the world behind as you follow the shoreline from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara. The Spanish influence is apparent in Santa Barbara with quaint whitewashed and tile-roofed buildings. Visit the impressive 200 year old Mission with its world famous twin bell towers. Afterward, enjoy a stroll along the wharf and lunch on your own. Up next is a visit to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. Free time to browse through the charming shops featuring Danish imports and rich pastries.
07.09.12
(B)		 San Luis Obispo - San Simoen - 17 mile Drive - Monterey
This morning we will travel along the scenic Big Sur Coast Highway and journey to San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle, the opulent mansion of wealthy newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. See the splendid antiques, art treasures and exotic possessions. Next visit the resort town of Carmel, a popular haven for writers, artists and celebrities. Another high point on today's journey is the beautiful 17 Mile Drive, with views of famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and the tenacious Lone Cypress. Next, travel to Monterey, made famous by John Steinbeck's Cannery Row. 
08.09.12
(B)		 Monterey - San Francisco
This morning, leave the Monterey coast behind and journey up the peninsula to San Francisco, the "City by the Bay". Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour includes the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman's Wharf. Afterward, take a boat trip to Alcatraz Island and learn the history of this notorious former prison.
09.09.12 San Francisco
The day is free for independent exploration. Perhaps return to Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy its stores, markets and excellent waterside eateries. Stroll along Grant Street or maybe take a cable car ride. Tonight join our optional evening out with dinner at Fisherman's Wharf followed by an illumination tour of San Francisco.
10.09.12 San Francisco - Wine Country - Eureka
Leave San Francisco and cross over the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge. Head north into the wine growing valley of Sonoma. Enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting at one of the well known wineries. Afterward, travel the Avenue of the Giants. This world famous scenic drive is a 31 mile portion of highway 101 with 51,222 acres of redwood groves.
11.09.12
(B)		 Eureka - Redwood National Park - Bandon By The Sea - Coos Bay
Travel the coastal highway through Redwood National Park with its majestic sequoias, then drive to the seacoast town of Bandon by the Sea. A sightseeing tour will show you its beauty and charm, and includes a photo stop at the Bandon Lighthouse. Overnight in the town of Coos Bay.
12.09.12 Coos Bay - Florence - Newport
Today is all about scenic beauty at a leisurely pace. First is the quaint town of Florence, one of Oregon's most beautiful and charming cities along the coast. Time on your own to explore historic Old Town with its shops, boutiques and coffee houses. From Florence, continue north through the Siuslaw National Forest past popular beach resorts to one of Oregon's favourite vacation spots - Newport on pretty Yaquina Bay. Late this afternoon, visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
13.09.12 Newport - Tillamook - Portland
For a taste of the dramatic Oregon coastline we follow the Three Capes Scenic Route to Tillamook. Watch for the signs that tell you the brief story of the ghost community, now gone, that existed there 35 to 55 years ago. Enjoy a break in Tillamook, best known for its famous cheese and tasty saltwater taffy, before heading to Portland, Oregon's largest city. A sightseeing tour shows why Portland is better known as the "City of Roses" with its numerous parks and beautiful flower gardens. Visit the largest rose garden in the U.S. - Washington Park International Rose Test Garden.
14.09.12 Portland - Seattle
Today, cross the majestic Columbia River and head north into Washington State to the Volcano Visitors Centre to learn of the dramatic eruption of Mount St. Helens. Then, weather permitting, see the ice-clad dormant volcano Mount Rainier before reaching Seattle. This afternoon's sightseeing includes the Seattle Centre, site of the 1962 World Fair and the 605 foot high Space Needle, and a stop at the colourful Pike Place Market.
15.09.12 Seattle
The day is free for you to explore the "Emerald City." Perhaps take a sightseeing tour that soaks up the Asian flavour of the International District. Explore downtown, take a ferry across Puget Sound, or just relax and experience the spectacular views of Elliott Bay and enjoy fresh seafood.
16.09.12
(D)		 Seattle
Transfer early this afternoon to your Holland America Cruise Ship for a 7 night journey aboard the MS Oosterdam. The MS Oosterdam is a Vista class cruise ship which has 11 passenger decks and was christened in 2003 by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. The Oosterdam is a very polished ship with extensive use of crystal and marble to give it a premium feel. The ship features a large globe in the central atrium which has to be seen to be believed. The ship is also equipped with pools, bars, internet centre, basketball court, photo gallery, lounges, bars and much more.          
17.09.12
(B/L/D)		 At Sea
A relaxing day at sea provides time to explore the ship's many amenities.
18.09.12
(B/L/D)		 Scenic Cruising: Tracy Arm
This narrow, 26 mile long fjord is another of Alaska's most dramatic glacier settings. Waterfalls appear at every turn, and icebergs make their way to the sea in all sorts of wondrous shapes. Tucked away at the end of this remarkable waterway are two very active reminders of the Ice Age: the twin Sawyer Glaciers, calving icebergs into the jade coloured inland sea.
19.09.12
(B/L/D)		 Juneau
Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, Alaska's capital city of Juneau has massive Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield at its back door.
20.09.12
(B/L/D)		 Sitka
The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian Settlement. Choose to stroll through an old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close up look at some of the city's most prized arts crafts and Russian relics.
21.09.12
(B/L/D)		 Ketchikan
Built out over the water and up weathered stairways, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass narrows and drapes the mountains with a hospitable air.
22.09.12
(B/L/D)		 Victoria
A touch of England awaits: Afternoon Tea, double decker buses, the famed Butchart Gardens - a brilliant tapestry of colour spread across 50 blooming acres.
23.09.12
(B)		 Seattle
Disembark this morning and transfer to your Seattle hotel for an overnight stay.
24.09.12 Seattle - Honolulu
Early morning transfer to Seattle Airport.
Depart Seattle at 9.20am on Hawaiian Airlines flight HA 21, arriving in Honolulu at 12.30pm. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu for a 2 night stay.
25.09.12
(B)		 Oahu - Honolulu
Breakfast at hotel. Today you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing with a visit to Pearl harbour and the USS Arizona, the Hawaii State Capital Building, King Kamehameha Statue, which stands in front of Aliiolani Hale. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
26.09.12
(B)		 Honolulu - Sydney
Breakfast at hotel. Afterwards transfer to the airport for you flight to Sydney.
Depart Honolulu at 12.45pm on Hawaiian Airlines flight HA 451, arriving in Sydney at 7.20pm the next day (27.09.12).
Note: The ground operator for this tour in the USA is Cosmos.
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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's USA Pacific Coast Explorer Tour with Alaskan Cruise
Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 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 - 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.  

Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.

Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Some Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.
A visas waver is required for travel to the United States if America for all Australian passport holders The cost of the visa waiver is US$14.00 per person. 

Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. Also travel insurance. 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.

Basic Tour Price & 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.

Breakaway Fee - This particular tour uses a group airfare which does not permit a deviation from the standard tour. However we can arrange individual flights to cater to any of your needs. Please inquire with our office for the extra cost involved for your proposed travel arrangements.

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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