Wine lovers’ California

This route is ideal for wine lovers or those who want to go off the well-beaten track. Start by taking in the sights of San Francisco before heading into wine country where you can sample the best of Sonoma and its once Mexican colonised town--not forgetting to stop off at John Muir Woods to see its giant redwood trees. Go on to enjoy the world-renowned wines of Napa Valley as well as some of the area’s finest cuisine. The lush valley is also great for cycling, trail walking and kayaking on the river. Complete your journey back in San Fran.

Key information

Destinations	Western USA
Activity	Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Culinary, Wine
Physical Level	Easy
Season	January - December

Suggested itinerary

Walk the hills of San Francisco

Day 1–3 in San Francisco

Crammed into less than 50 square miles and with a population of less than a million, small San Francisco packs a mighty punch. Its patchwork of different neighbourhoods -- Mission District, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown and many more -- all offer a different side to the city, while the big attractions -- Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf -- are all worth the visit.

This is also a city of culture. There are Michelin-starred restaurants. There are pop-up diners and incredible food trucks. There is a world-class music scene and plenty of outdoor adventures, from whale-watching at Land's End to hiking in Mount Diablo. Just watch out for the earth tremors -- San Francisco's proximity to the San Andreas faultline means it experiences several hundred tremors a year.

Don't miss

Enjoy the coastline of San Fran

Take a stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf, explore the Marina District before experiencing the lively city at night. Stop at the spectacular Golden Gate bridge that connects San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean to enjoy a classic view of the skyline. Perhaps even take a boat to the infamous Alcatraz.

Sample California's best wine

Day 4–7 in Napa Valley

Napa Valley is filled with lush vineyards that can be visited on foot or with the vintage railcars of the Napa Valley Wine Train which covers 36 miles. The family owned wineries offer guided tours, and some hotels even have their own. When you’re not drinking wine, enjoy kayaking on the Napa River and enjoy the region’s famous cuisine.

Don't miss

Sonoma wine tasting

Sonoma Valley’s vineyards produce some of California’s best and most varied wine. Spend a couple of days here wine tasting and exploring the town which dates back to Mexican colonial times. Closeby are the John Muir Woods where you can marvel at rare giant redwood trees.

Return to San Francisco

Day 8 in San Francisco

Head back to San Francisco for your onward departure.

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	Family, Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Solo Travel

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Destinations	Anchorage, Denali National Park, Great Kobuk Sand Dunes
Activity	Family, Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Solo Travel
Tour Type	Small group tour
Physical Level	Strenuous
Season	June - September

Denali is America’s quintessential National Park. While most visitors experience the park via its main northern corridor, the Denali Park Road, the south side of the park sees little annual visitation and remains completely road-less and virtually unexplored. Accessing the park by bush plane from Talkeetna, Alaska, your first treat will be a phenomenal floatplane flight up the Ruth glacier near Denali. You’ll then spend 3-days and 3-nights camping and hiking Denali’s wild side from the comfort of a wilderness basecamp situated on the edge of the mighty Ruth Glacier, and only 17 miles from the summit of North America's highest peak. Your wilderness camp, near the shore of a small glacial lake, puts you right in the epicenter of the Alaska Range and in a place where you will feel humbled by the scale and majesty of Denali National Park.

With a light daypack, you’ll spend your days hiking miles of vast tundra and exploring the seemingly endless glaciers; returning to camp each evening for a delicious feast under the midnight sun. See Denali in a way that few ever have, and experience Denali Unexplored!

	Accommodation	Three nights camping. All equipment provided: expedition quality tents, group tarps, all cooking equipment & eating utensils, basecamp privy with toilet supplies.
	Guided excursions	Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 guest to guide ratio.
	All meals	All meals from lunch on day one through lunch on the final day of the itinerary. Breakfasts include steel cut oats, scrambles, homemade granola and cereal, locally roasted coffee, assorted tea and cocoa. Lunches could include an Italian club torta sandwich, asiago bagels and Alaska lox, a curried tuna pita, crackers with genoa salami with a roasted red pepper goat cheese spread. Snack mixes and energy bars available throughout the day. Dinners could include pasta carbonara, Alaska reindeer rotini, chicken and chipotle enchiladas, and more. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements catered for on request.
	Ground transfers	Ground Transportation to Talkeetna on Day 1. Roundtrip scenic bush flights from Talkeenta to Denali National Park. Scenic train ride from Talkeetna to Anchorage.

Alaska Multisport Adventure

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Destinations	Anchorage, Chugach National Forest, Denali National Park, Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park
Activity	Family, Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Solo Travel
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Noatak River & Great Kobuk Sand Dunes

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Destinations	Anchorage, Noatak National Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Great Kobuk Sand Dunes
Activity	Family, Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Kayaking, Active, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Solo Travel
Tour Type	Small group tour
Physical Level	Strenuous
Season	June - August

Spanning from the heart of the Brooks Range to the Chukchi Sea on the western coast of state, the Noatak River is home to abundant wildlife including the 500,000-strong Western Arctic Caribou Herd. The Noatak is also one of the largest wilderness river basins and also one of the longest untouched rivers on earth. With class I & II whitewater, the river is fun for both novice and experienced boaters, and the hiking along the river is simply astounding.

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	Accommodation	10 nights camping. All equipment provided: expedition quality tents, group tarps, all cooking equipment & eating utensils, basecamp privy with toilet supplies. Lodging on the night one at the Pikes Waterfront Lodge.
	Guided excursions	Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 guest to guide ratio.
	All meals	All meals from dinner on day one through lunch on the final day of the itinerary. Breakfasts include steel cut oats, scrambles, homemade granola and cereal, locally roasted coffee, assorted tea and cocoa. Lunches could include an Italian club torta sandwich, asiago bagels and Alaska lox, a curried tuna pita, crackers with genoa salami with a roasted red pepper goat cheese spread. Snack mixes and energy bars available throughout the day. Dinners could include pasta carbonara, Alaska reindeer rotini, chicken and chipotle enchiladas, and more. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements catered for on request.
	Ground transfers	One way bush flights from Fairbanks to the Noatak River All bush flights between the Noatak, Kobuk Valley, and Kotzebue
	Internal flights	One way commercial flight from Kotzebue to Anchorage.