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Arizona and California are the traditional home to astronomy in the US and many world class observatories lie within their borders. This tour combines beautiful national parks, the eclipse and Meteor Crater with several observatories both historic and modern. In Los Angeles we'll see JPL, the nerve centre of all the planetary missions. The tour can be extended to view the transit of Venus from Hawaii.

• None available

> This tour is operated by our sister company.

> Eclipse Information - Eclipse Track:
The annular eclipse of 2012 will begin on 21st May in China before crossing the sea to Japan and onwards across the Pacific Ocean, before passing through the International Date Line and making landfall in the continental US on 20th May. Our choice of viewing location in Southern Utah reflects both the stunning intrinsic beauty of the area and the high probability of clear skies for the eclipse. This late afternoon annular eclipse should illuminate the rocks in a warm pastel glow of pink and orange hues.

> Our Observation Point / Weather Prospects:
We will be based at Bryce Canyon and although the weather prospects are exceptionally good, the decision about the precise observing location won't be reached until closer to the time of the eclipse as the weather will be monitored over the preceding days. The average cloud cover across the region in May is very low with typically less than 20% of the sky covered. What cloud there is along the eclipse track is due mostly to the influence of the prevailing westerly wind on the mountains, and areas on the leeward side of range tend to enjoy longer hours of sunshine.

> Dr John Mason:
The eclipse part of the tour will be led by our astronomy expert Dr John Mason who will enrich the trip with his infectious enthusiasm for astronomy

An applied physicist by profession, John has been actively involved in science for over 30 years, with astronomy, astrophysics and space technology as his main areas of expertise. He is currently Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre in Chichester.

Dr Mason lectures extensively in the UK and overseas on a wide range of scientific topics to audiences of all ages and varying degrees of expertise. He is a sought-after speaker with an international reputation as an enthusiastic and entertaining communicator of science. He is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television and has appeared many times with Sir Patrick Moore on BBC TV's The Sky at Night.

Dr Mason has also published numerous technical and more popular articles in journals, magazines and newspapers, and has authored or edited over 70 books on astronomy, astrophysics, space exploration and the Earth sciences. He is currently Co-Editor with Sir Patrick Moore for the Yearbook of Astronomy.

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

Day 1: Las Vegas

You arrive in Las Vegas, check in to our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day and evening to experience the bright lights of Las Vegas or simply relax in the hotel.

Day 2: Drive to Zion National Park

We take a 3 ½ hour drive to Zion National Park, where we will have the afternoon to explore this unique landscape of reddish and tan coloured Navajo sandstone. Zion National Park covers an area of 229 square miles with Zion Canyon being 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep. A number of unusual plants and animals can be found in the park four life zones; desert, riparian, woodland and coniferous forest. You will have an opportunity choose from a wide range of optional activities or walks in the canyon or explore by yourself.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 3: Bryce Canyon

Today we drive 3 ½ hours to Bryce Canyon National Park (approx 3hr) where we will stay for two nights and base ourselves to view the annular eclipse.

Bryce Canyon is a giant natural amphitheatre which has been created by erosion. It is famous for its the bright red, orange and white spiral pillars of rock known as Hoodoos which were formed by wind, water and ice erosion.

In the evening we will gather together for our eclipse briefing. Astronomy expert, Dr Mason's enthusiastic and inimitable lecturing style provides a great opportunity to learn about the science of eclipses and how best to enjoy them. He will also expand upon the itinerary for the eclipse day and the viewing location.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 4: Bryce Canyon - Eclipse

This morning will be at your leisure to explore the beautiful scenery around Bryce Canyon. The hotel is very close to rim on the canyon where there are many well laid out trails for you to follow which vary from strenuous trails leading into the canyon to easy routes around the rim. May is an excellent month to enjoy the nature of the area from the wildflowers which will be in bloom to the fauna which includes chipmunks, deer and birdlife.

In the afternoon, Astronomy expert Dr Mason will lead us to our chosen observation site to view the eclipse which will end shortly before sunset. Returning to the hotel we will enjoy an eclipse celebration meal.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 5: Lake Powell

Today we take a 4 hour drive to the town of Page which is located on the southern shore of Lake Powell. We have the afternoon to explore or take part in optional excursions including lake cruises.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 6: Drive to Grand Canyon

After breakfast we drive 4 hours to Grand Canyon National Park where we will be spending two nights. The Grand Canyon is a place of extraordinary superlatives. This steep sided canyon stretches 277 miles in length and is up to 18 miles wide with a depth of over a mile. 2 billion years of the earth's geological history have been exposed by the Colorado River cutting through layer after layer of rocks.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 7: Grand Canyon

Today you have the whole day to explore this wonderful spectacle. There are many optional activities including scenic helicopter flights and IMAX cinemas to trails along the rim or down into the canyon for the more adventurous.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 8: Drive to Flagstaff

This morning we take a 2 hour drive to Flagstaff which lies on the south-western edge of the Colorado Plateau. After checking into our hotel you will have a few hours to relax or walk around the city.

Mid afternoon we visit Lowell Observatory where we will have a guided tour of the telescopes and key historic equipment. In the evening we have exclusive use of the Clark refractor which will give us a great opportunity to view the stars and planets over Flagstaff. Both Mars and Saturn will be evening objects around this time.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 9: Meteor Crater

This morning we visit the Meteor Crater, just one hour's drive east of Flagstaff.

The crater was created about 50,000 years ago from a nickel-iron meteorite. This famous crater is 170m deep and a mile wide. During our visit we will be able to walk along part of the crater rim and visit an exhibition in the visitor centre. In the afternoon we drive back to Flagstaff where you will have the afternoon at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 10: Drive to Tucson

This morning we take a 4 hour drive to Tucson where we will be spending three nights. Tucson is a great base for visiting the observatories of Southern Arizona. This afternoon you have at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 11: Mt Graham Observatory

This morning will be an early start for our drive to Mt Graham International Observatory, an 3 ½ hour drive from Tucson. Set on the highest peak of the beautiful Pinaleno Mountains the observatory is home to the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope and the Large Binocular Telescope.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 12: Kitt Peak

Today we have a full day visit to Kitt Peak Observatory located 2 hours from Tucson. Located on Quinlan Mountains; it is famous for hosting the first telescope (91 cm reflector) to search for near earth asteroids and the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, the largest of its type in the world. The group will be given a VIP private tour of the observatory which includes all the major telescopes on the peak.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 13: Drive to Palm Springs

After breakfast we start our 7 hour drive to Palm Springs where we will be staying for two nights. This evening will be at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 14: Palm Springs

A free day to enjoy the popular vacation destinations of Palm Springs known to locals as "Hollywood's Hideaway". Guests can spend a day on one of the many outstanding golf courses or pampering themselves in one of the many local spas. There is also plenty of opportunity for shopping and world class dining. The more active may wish to Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount Jacinto for superb views and outstanding hiking opportunities.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 15: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Today we have a tour of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, only 30 minutes away from Central LA. JPL is the premier facility for the operation of planetary missions and over the past half century has managed missions to each of the planets. The laboratory is currently working on Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and Exploration Rovers on Mars.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 16: Los Angeles

This morning your tour ends at the hotel, a final opportunity to say goodbye to new found friends.
Meals: Breakfast included

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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