Gate 1 Travel
Grand Canyon, Zion & Las Vegas Explorer
7 days · Escorted Value
Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon
The best short-week option for first-timers wanting the Southwest icons without a long commitment.
Guided & Escorted Trips
The United States is really a dozen trips in one country, which is exactly why choosing a tour package matters. A guided journey turns the logistics of national park permits, long interstate drives and seasonal timing into someone else's job, so you can focus on the Grand Canyon at sunrise or a lobster shack in Maine. On this page we compare real, well-known operators and realistic routes so you can see at a glance what your money buys.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Prices are indicative “from” rates — confirm live with the operator.
The packages below span quick regional escapes and epic coast-to-coast crossings, from budget-friendly small groups to fully private luxury. Prices shown are indicative 'from' rates in USD per person, based on typical 2026 departures and double occupancy. Actual fares move with season, departure city and airfare inclusion, so treat them as a starting point for comparison rather than a quote.
Use the comparison table for a fast shortlist, then drop into the sections for tours by duration, small-group and guided options, luxury and private travel, dedicated advice for seniors and accessible travel, all-inclusive packages with airfare, themed trips and a region-by-region breakdown. We close with an honest look at the best tour companies for the USA and a short FAQ.
| Tour | Duration | Route | Group | Style | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| America's Great National ParksTrafalgar | 14 days | Scottsdale to Rapid City via Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Arches, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Mount Rushmore | Max 44 | Guided Coach | $4,725 | Compare dates & prices |
| Spectacular CaliforniaGlobus | 10 days | Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Yosemite, San Francisco | Max 40 | Guided Coach | $3,299 | Compare dates & prices |
| America Coast to CoastCollette | 18 days | New York, Washington DC, Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles | Max 38 | Guided Coach | $5,899 | Compare dates & prices |
| America's Historic EastGate 1 Travel | 9 days | Boston, Newport, Cape Cod, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC | Max 42 | Escorted Value | $1,899 | Compare dates & prices |
| Enchanting Canyonlands & ColoradoInsight Vacations | 11 days | Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, Durango, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountains, Denver | Max 32 | Premium Guided | $4,590 | Compare dates & prices |
| Route 66: Chicago to LATrafalgar | 15 days | Chicago, St Louis, Tulsa, Amarillo, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles | Max 44 | Guided Coach | $4,995 | Compare dates & prices |
| New England Fall FoliageCollette | 8 days | Boston, White Mountains, Stowe, Woodstock, Berkshires, Mystic | Max 40 | Guided Coach | $2,899 | Compare dates & prices |
| Grand Canyon, Zion & Las Vegas ExplorerGate 1 Travel | 7 days | Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon South Rim | Max 42 | Escorted Value | $1,549 | Compare dates & prices |
| Pacific Northwest & National ParksGlobus | 12 days | Seattle, Mount Rainier, Portland, Columbia Gorge, Crater Lake, Redwoods, Napa, San Francisco | Max 40 | Guided Coach | $3,899 | Compare dates & prices |
| Private Luxury SouthwestTrafalgar | 9 days | Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Santa Fe | Private | Private Chauffeured | $8,450 | Compare dates & prices |
| Deep South: Music, History & CuisineInsight Vacations | 10 days | Nashville, Memphis, Tupelo, Clarksdale, New Orleans, Baton Rouge | Max 32 | Premium Guided | $3,750 | Compare dates & prices |
| Alaska Wilderness & DenaliCollette | 11 days | Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks, Kenai Fjords, Seward | Max 38 | Guided plus Rail | $5,499 | Compare dates & prices |
How long you have shapes everything. A week suits a single region such as the Southwest parks or the historic East; ten to twelve days lets you own California or the Pacific Northwest; and two weeks or more opens up the full national parks loop or a true coast-to-coast crossing. As a rule, longer tours lower your cost per day but raise the total, so match the trip length to both your calendar and your legs.
Gate 1 Travel
7 days · Escorted Value
Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon
The best short-week option for first-timers wanting the Southwest icons without a long commitment.
Collette
8 days · Guided Coach
Boston to Mystic via Vermont and New Hampshire
An eight-day seasonal loop that fits neatly into a single autumn week off.
Globus
10 days · Guided Coach
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Ten days is the sweet spot for covering California end to end at a comfortable pace.
Globus
12 days · Guided Coach
Seattle to San Francisco
Just under two weeks to link Rainier, Crater Lake and the redwoods without rushing.
Trafalgar
14 days · Guided Coach
Scottsdale to Rapid City
A fortnight is what the full Western parks circle really needs to breathe.
Collette
18 days · Guided Coach
New York to Los Angeles
For travelers with the time to cross the entire continent in one unforgettable sweep.
Guided touring takes the stress out of American distances, while smaller groups trade a little cost for more intimacy and flexibility. Premium brands like Insight Vacations cap numbers around 32 with roomier coaches, while value operators run fuller buses to keep prices low. Decide what you value more: the lowest fare or the smaller footprint and quieter photo stops.
Insight Vacations
11 days · Premium Guided, Max 32
Las Vegas to Denver
Fewer travelers and extra-legroom seating make the long scenic drives noticeably more comfortable.
Insight Vacations
10 days · Premium Guided, Max 32
Nashville to New Orleans
A culture-rich small-group route with insider access to venues and kitchens.
Trafalgar
14 days · Guided Coach, Max 44
Scottsdale to Rapid City
A well-drilled Travel Director and Be My Guest meals bring warmth to a larger group.
Globus
10 days · Guided Coach, Max 40
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Reliable mid-size guiding with strong included sightseeing at a fair price.
Gate 1 Travel
9 days · Escorted Value, Max 42
Boston to Washington DC
The best-value guided option in the East if you are happy with a fuller coach.
When comfort and control matter most, private and luxury touring puts you in an upgraded vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide and hand-picked lodges. You set the pace, add helicopter flights or wine tastings, and skip the group timetable entirely. Expect roughly two to three times the price of a coach tour, in exchange for space, flexibility and standout stays.
Trafalgar
9 days · Private Chauffeured
Phoenix to Santa Fe
Your own driver-guide, premium lodges and the freedom to linger where the light is best.
Insight Vacations
11 days · Luxury Small Group
San Francisco to San Diego
Insight's Luxury Gold tier layers on exclusive dining and a dedicated concierge along the coast.
Collette
10 days · Private Custom
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce
A tailor-made parks itinerary with private guiding and optional scenic flights over the canyons.
Globus
8 days · Private Chauffeured
Boston, Newport, Cape Cod, Kennebunkport
Gilded Age mansions and coastal inns explored privately at an unhurried autumn pace.
Older travelers and those with mobility needs are exceptionally well served in the United States, but the details vary hugely by tour, so ask specific questions before booking. Key things to confirm: the daily walking distance and number of stairs, whether coaches have low entry steps or a lift, how much unpacking you do (fewer hotel changes means less strain), altitude on parks routes, and the availability of accessible rooms with roll-in showers. Below are choices that tend to suit slower-paced and accessible travel, but always request the operator's mobility rating and a detailed day-by-day before you commit.
Collette
9 days · Low-Step Coach, City Focus
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC
Mostly flat city sightseeing with elevators at major sites and short walking distances; ask for Collette's 'Easy' activity-level departures and an accessible room block.
Globus
9 days · Relaxed, Fewer Hotel Changes
San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco
Longer two-night stays reduce packing and unpacking; boardwalks and paved viewpoints keep most highlights step-free. Confirm coach lift availability.
Gate 1 Travel
7 days · Scenic, Limited Walking
Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim
The South Rim's paved Rim Trail and shuttle system suit wheelchair and walker users; request ground-floor rooms and note the mile-plus altitude if you have heart or lung conditions.
Collette
8 days · Scenic Drives, Minimal Hiking
Boston, Vermont, New Hampshire, Berkshires
Much of the color is enjoyed from the coach and short paved stops, ideal when long walks are not an option. Ask about lift-equipped coaches for this route.
Gate 1 Travel
6 days · Museum & Monument Focus
Washington DC, Mount Vernon, Williamsburg
Smithsonian museums and memorials are largely accessible with elevators, ramps and rentable wheelchairs, and the flat National Mall is easy to navigate at your own speed.
Collette
8 days · Warm-Climate, Flat Terrain
Miami, Everglades, Naples, St Petersburg, Orlando
Flat Florida terrain, boardwalk airboat access and accessible resort pools make this a gentle winter escape; confirm roll-in shower rooms when booking.
For a single price that covers intercontinental flights, hotels, most meals, guiding and internal transport, look to operators that bundle air. Gate 1 Travel and Collette both offer air-inclusive pricing from major gateways, which simplifies budgeting and often protects you if flights are disrupted. Compare carefully: an air-inclusive price only beats booking separately when the routing and departure city suit you.
Collette
18 days · All-Inclusive with Airfare
New York to Los Angeles, incl. internal flights
International and internal air, 17 nights of hotels and 24 meals bundled into one cross-country price.
Gate 1 Travel
12 days · All-Inclusive with Airfare
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, San Francisco
Gate 1 folds round-trip air into a value Western parks loop, often the cheapest all-in way to see the Southwest.
Gate 1 Travel
10 days · All-Inclusive with Airfare
New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Niagara Falls
Flights, hotels and guided touring across the classic East in one tidy package.
Collette
11 days · All-Inclusive with Airfare
Anchorage to Seward via Denali and Fairbanks
Air, glass-dome rail, lodges and a fjords cruise combined for a fuss-free far-north adventure.
Gate 1 Travel
9 days · All-Inclusive with Airfare
Los Angeles to San Francisco
A wallet-friendly coastal package that includes flights from major US and international gateways.
If you travel for a passion rather than a checklist, a themed tour goes deeper. Whether it is Napa and Sonoma wine country, the blues trail through the Delta, adventure hiking in the parks or a guided self-drive along the coast, these trips are built around a single strong idea and the specialists who know it best.
Insight Vacations
10 days · Food, Wine & Culture
Nashville, Memphis, Clarksdale, New Orleans
Live blues, soul food and Creole kitchens on a route that treats music and cuisine as the main event.
Globus
7 days · Food & Wine
San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, Monterey
Cellar-door tastings and farm-to-table dinners across the country's most famous vineyards.
Trafalgar
12 days · Adventure & Hiking
Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Arches, Moab
More trail time and active excursions for travelers who want to earn their canyon views.
Gate 1 Travel
10 days · Self-Drive
San Francisco, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego
A structured self-drive with booked hotels and a route pack, so you keep the freedom without the planning.
Trafalgar
15 days · Cultural Road Trip
Chicago to Los Angeles
Diners, neon and roadside Americana on the ultimate themed drive across the heart of the country.
The USA rewards a regional approach. The Southwest is red rock and canyons; California is coast and vineyards; New England is history and fall color; the Pacific Northwest is forests and volcanoes; the South is music and food; and Alaska is raw wilderness. Pick the region that fires you up, then choose a tour that focuses there rather than trying to see everything at once.
Trafalgar
14 days · Western Parks
Scottsdale to Rapid City
The definitive Southwest-and-Rockies loop through the country's most famous parks.
Globus
10 days · West Coast
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Everything California from beaches to Yosemite in one clean north-south sweep.
Collette
8 days · Northeast
Boston to Mystic
The Northeast at its most photogenic, timed for peak autumn color.
Globus
12 days · Northwest
Seattle to San Francisco
Cool, green and volcanic scenery from Puget Sound to the redwoods.
Insight Vacations
10 days · South
Nashville to New Orleans
The musical and culinary soul of the American South.
Collette
11 days · Alaska
Anchorage to Seward
Glaciers, wildlife and the tallest peak in North America.
The right operator depends on your budget, pace and taste for group size. Here is an honest comparison of the major players that run strong USA programs, with the kind of traveler each one suits best.
Guided Coach, Max ~44
Broad USA range with polished Travel Directors and signature Be My Guest local dining. Suits first-timers who want reliable, well-organized guided touring at a mainstream price.
Guided Coach, Max ~40
Strong included sightseeing and slightly more relaxed pacing than some rivals. Suits travelers who want classic guided value with a bit more room to breathe.
Guided Coach, Max ~38
Deep itineraries, generous meal counts and air-inclusive options, plus clear activity levels. Suits travelers who want inclusive touring and specialist routes like Alaska.
Escorted Value, Max ~42
The value leader, with low headline prices and frequent air-inclusive deals. Suits budget-minded travelers happy with fuller coaches and a no-frills approach.
Premium Guided, Max ~32
Smaller groups, extra-legroom coaches and upgraded hotels, with a Luxury Gold tier above. Suits travelers who want premium comfort without going fully private.
Luxury All-Inclusive, Max ~24
High-end, near-everything-included touring with standout access and stays. Suits travelers who want luxury and are happy to pay well above coach prices.
Tailor-made quote
Our specialists compare the operators and build a tailor-made USA itinerary around your pace, budget and travel style.
Late spring and early autumn are ideal for the national parks and coast-to-coast routes, while late September to mid-October is peak for New England foliage and summer is best for Alaska.
Generally no; the indicative 'from' prices are land-only unless a package is specifically labeled air-inclusive, as in the all-inclusive section above.
It varies by brand, from around 24 on luxury tours and 32 on premium small-group trips up to about 44 on mainstream value coaches; the exact cap is listed on each card.
Many are, especially city and coastal routes, but always request the operator's activity level, daily walking distance and accessible-room availability before booking.
Aim for six to twelve months ahead for peak-season and foliage dates, as popular departures and single rooms sell out early.
Yes; most operators offer private or tailor-made versions at a higher price, giving you your own guide and vehicle and full control of the pace.