Wild Wonders of the West

Explore the entertainment capital of the world: Las Vegas. Hit the casinos, explore the Strip and perhaps enjoy a cabaret performance or an evening show. Ride the gondolas of Venice, ascend the Eiffel tower and see the Pyramids of Egypt, all in one hedonistic city. While you’re here, you’ll take a thrilling flight over the yawning chasm of the Grand Canyon. Touching down into Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll walk the trails and admire the spectacular views.

Take in the vast expanse of Bryce Canyon, which is not actually a canyon at all but a giant natural amphitheatre. Choose to view the canyon from either Sunrise Point or Sunset Point, which unsurprisingly offer the best angles on the sunrise and sunset respectively. To take in the best of the jagged scenery, set off on the 11-mile Rim Hike or drive the 18-mile Rim Road Scenic Drive, passing the Aquarius Plateau pink cliffs, the bright red Natural Bridge and the many hoodoos (rocky spires).

Hike the deep red sandstone cliffs and narrow slot Canyons of Zion National Park. Zion is an unusual national park, because here you walk along the floor of Zion Canyon and gaze up at the towering rocky walls all around you, instead of walking around the rim. This gives you a whole new perspective on the canyon, allowing you to better appreciate its size. While you’re here, be sure to call in at the Zion Human History Museum to learn more about the park’s original inhabitants.

Hike the winding pathways and kayak the calm Snake River in Grand Teton National Park, set among the glorious scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Admire the dramatic rock formations and numerous natural wonders, including the beautiful Oxbow Bend, home to many birds, the impressive Teton Glacier and the stunning peaks of the Cathedral Group. Raft the rivers, climb the rock faces and explore snow-covered forests.

The world’s first national park, established in 1872, and a world heritage site, Yellowstone is filled with bubbling geysers, bright blue lakes and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Over three million visitors per year flock to Yellowstone’s boiling mud pools, lakes and wildlife-filled valleys. Watch out for grizzly bears, bison, elk and big cats; for your best chance of spotting them, head out in the early morning or evening when the animals are at their most active.

Look out for elks in Jackson Hole, a region famous for its wild mountain scenery and wildlife including bison, pronghorn and grizzly bears. If you’re here in summer, hike the network of trails or have a go at horse riding, while if you’re here in winter, skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is your best bet. You can learn more about the region’s Old West heritage at the Jackson Hole Museum, filled with Native American artefacts and items from the nearby national parks.