United States

Get off the tourist trails and explore the hidden treasures of Hawaii: postcard-perfect beaches, majestic waterfalls, giant craters and lava-spewing volcanoes

Venture north to the unspoiled wilderness of Alaska to hike, raft and kayak through pristine landscapes of overwhelming beauty and grandeur

Discover the magnificent geothermal landforms, forests and rich wildlife of Yellowstone, the United States’ first national park

Explore the dramatic cliff-faces and striking rocky landscapes of the national parks of the West—Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Death Valley

Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Grand Canyon with a multi-day adventure hiking and camping in of one of Earth’s most spectacular environments

Please be prepared for a wide range of temperatures.

You may be travelling through areas with wide differences in climates.

Remember that Western USA experiences a wide range of temperatures, depending not only on season and location but also on altitude.

Western USA is as far south as southern Europe, experiencing strong sunshine. Make sure you protect yourself against the strong sun. At altitude, and in spring and autumn, morning temperatures are often brisk or cold, warming up fast after the strong sun rises. We recommend a layering system for clothing, so you can adapt to the temperature changes without problems.

As in most deserts, it is the sun that determines the temperatures, making night time temperatures much colder than daytime temps. Summer (June – early September) temperatures are always hot. However even at altitude, like in Yosemite, Bryce and Grand Canyon, temperatures can be cold at night and in the morning. In the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada and Wyoming a cold front could be experienced even in the summer, lowering temperatures significantly.

When visiting these areas be prepared for inclement weather even in the generally warm summer season.

If your trip takes place in the winter, be prepared for snow in Southwest USA. Winter is primarily sunny, with clear air and cold temperatures and very likely it will snow (temperatures are approximate depending on region and elevation however in Utah it is a high of 5-10 degrees Celsius during the day and freezing overnight). In the Grand Canyon it is cold and snowy from December to March. Las Vegas temperatures can drop to freezing overnight however it rarely snows. Day are shortest in December, so expect less sunlight.

Throughout the US various time zones are adhered to:

Eastern Time is -5 hours behind UTC/GMT

Central Time is –6 hours behind UTC/GMT

Mountain Time is –7 hours behind UTC/GMT

Pacific Time is –8 hours behind UTC/GMT

Alaska Time Zone is –9 hours behind UTC/GMT

Hawaii-Aleutian Time is –10 hours behind UTC/GMT

English, Spanish, Indo-European languages, Asian and Pacific island languages

US Dollar

ATM's and credit cards are widely available/accepted.

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Electricity in The United States is 120 Volts, at 60 hertz. The most common pin type is A. (2 flat prong).

Electricity in The United States is 120 Volts, at 60 hertz. The most common pin type is A. (2 flat prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.