Our Vehicles
Our private vehicles are customised to ensure your comfort whilst on tour. With a new fleet of Ford vans in North America and a variety of Mercedes/Toyota and other vehicles in Latin America, all luggage, camping equipment and other necessities are secured in a specially designed trailer or storage area. Vehicles are equipped with large windows and stereo systems so you'll be cruising down the road in style, and every group is virtually self-sufficient and able to explore where the crowds can't go. It may be necessary from time to time to utilise alternative vehicles for the ones described above or in the brochure, or in some cases to utilise complimentary public transportation (including trains/airplanes/ferries/buses) as local operating conditions permit.Back to top
Passport & Visas
You will need a valid passport, together with visas where necessary for the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central/South American countries. It is important that you apply for visas while in your home country.Note on US Electronic System for Travel Authority (ESTA): If you are travelling to the USA, the US authorities have introduced a requirement for passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for Electronic Travel Authority. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London website. www.usembassy.org.uk If you are refused boarding or denied admission at the US port of entry you will still be subject to our cancellation charges in accordance with the terms of our contract with you. We recommend that you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel. All queries in relation to this requirement should be addressed via the US Embassy Consular department.
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Tour Departure & Finish
Grand American Adventures tours begin and end at our gateway hotels. You will normally arrive at your leisure on day 1 and then meet the group at approximately 7.30 am on day 2 (check your tour voucher/itinerary for exact details). On the final day your tour will normally arrive at the hotel at approx 6.00 pm (1800 hours). However, some tours vary from these times - please check specific itineraries. If you require hotel accommodation this night, you must buy an accommodation voucher at the time of booking. Please do not book a flight on the last day of your tour that departs prior to 9pm for international flights.Back to top
Gateway Hotels
Nearly all of the Grand American Adventures tours include the arrival day in the tour price so that you may self-transfer to the hotel at leisure. We can pre-book additional nights before and after the trip in twin-share accommodation (or single rooms upon request). We encourage you to make your hotel requests at the time of booking to avoid amendment fees once your trip is booked. Hotels cancelled within 5 weeks of the tour departure are nonrefundable. Feel free to contact our sales team with any questions.Back to top
Airport Transfers
All Grand American Adventures passengers self-transfer/taxi to our hotels in North/Central/South America. You will find detailed instructions on how to get to our hotels on our Gateway Hotel page .Back to top
Hotel Accommodation
Grand American Adventures books comfortable 3 star tourist class hotels and lodges that are ideally located close to the national parks. Some tours might feature a cowboy ranch in Arizona or a historic lodge inside Yosemite National Park; most of our hotels in Costa Rica have swimming pools; and we stay at rustic mountain lodges in Patagonia. Providing more comfort, our In Depth tour portfolio (and National Park Lodges tour) stay in the historic national park lodges and nearby resorts that offer exceptional atmosphere and comfort. Specific information is detailed in the tour Footnotes; and all lodging accommodation is always included in the tour price as per the itinerary.Back to top
Our Campgrounds
Camping within and alongside the national parks is an ideal way to access nature's beautiful trails. Grand American Adventures uses high quality camp tents, field kitchens and camp chairs so you can comfortably relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Our leaders help to prepare delicious meals (included in the price while camping) so you can eat fresh, hearty meals on the road.Grand American Adventures tour leaders will organise food shopping, meal preparation and clean up on camping based itineraries in North America (except for tours visiting Alaska). With instruction from the tour leader, passengers will set up, pack their tents/gear and assist leaders as requested. Typically it takes only 15 minutes to set up one's tent and camp kitchen. For Alaska and Central/South America camping based itineraries, passengers will also be required to assist the leader with food shopping/preparation/clean up and setting up/packing their tents and kitchen. Our tour leaders will be happy to assist and you will find it fun to lend a hand with the daily picnic lunches or dinner parties. Central and South America camping based tours are typically led by one leader with a driver. For further information, please see the tour's Footnotes.
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Sleeping Bags
Grand American Adventures supplies all camping equipment needed EXCEPT a sleeping bag. If pre-requested, a good quality sleeping bag can be purchased for tours departing Los Angeles, Seattle and New York Area. Regular standard bags are $45, with warmer bags for early and late season trips available for $80.On our lodging tours a sleeping bag is not required as all bedding is provided.
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Luggage
All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle, so please don't bring more than one medium sized suitcase or rucksack (maximum 20kg) and your sleeping bag. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. Small hand baggage may also be carried inside the vehicle.Back to top
Group Size
Grand American Adventures average group size is 11 people and travellers come from all over the world with a common desire to explore the beautiful outdoor destinations together. While many of our camping based tours are led by two leaders (except Alaska & Central/South America), for groups with 8 or less passengers, one leader will run the tour.Back to top
Medical
Illness or dental trouble can spoil your holiday, so it's always wise to have a thorough check-up before you leave home. You should also consult your doctor concerning which inoculations are advisable and necessary for specific areas.Back to top
Spending Money
It is essential that you carry local currency or U.S. dollars on tour for optional activities, souvenirs or restaurant meals. Cash points may not be readily available, and credit cards will not be accepted for local activities. You should also bring some USD traveller's cheques to be sure that you may access funds during your trip.Back to top
Age Group
Grand American Adventures Camping, Lodging and Walking Tours are designed for adults over 18 years old. While most passengers are 25-55, we get many people both above and below this range who prefer to travel in a small group unrestricted by age.On our Family Discovery Tours the average age of children is 13 years old and the minimum age (accompanied by their parents) is 8 years old.
For safety reasons, travellers over 55 will be asked to complete a self-declaration of fitness, although experience has shown us that our senior travellers are often in the best shape!
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Languages
Although passengers come from many countries around the world, Grand American Adventures tours are conducted in English.Back to top
Climate & Clothing
Climate varies sometimes dramatically, with the regions and altitudes we pass through, but temperatures will generally be hot during June, July, August and early September and warm at other times. For early and late season tours, we strongly recommend that you bring a warmer sleeping bag and jacket, as temperatures fall at night - especially in mountainous areas and in the north. While you will mainly wear casual, light clothing on your tour, you will certainly need a warm sweater, and something smarter for evening wear when we are closer to the big city night-life. Hikers and walkers need to bring adequate footwear.Back to top
Guided Day Hikes
Our leaders enjoy spending as much time as possible on the trail with their groups. As interests and capabilities do vary, our leaders will typically guide day hikes according to each group's needs and the difficulty of the hike. On tours with two leaders, they will either guide separate hikes or offer additional activities and support. It will not always be possible for every hiker to be accompanied by a guide when groups divide up to explore different trails.N.B. Grand Canyon/Grand Teton National Parks regulations limit group size and do not allow guided hikes.
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