Majestic Sierra Parks
Featuring one-way travel by Domed Rail Car


October 2-9, 2011 (GD)
8 days 6 nights
  


Domed rail car travel explores the California coast from Los Angeles to Monterey, followed by a luxury motor coach tour from Monterey to the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains. Enjoy a deluxe private dome rail car tour from Los Angeles to Monterey, serving superb meals with included wine & cocktails.

Highlights of the Monterey area include the Monterey Aquarium, home to more than 500 species of marine life and a one-million gallon fish tank and shopping at adjacent Cannery Row. You’ll rave about the route along Carmel’s Scenic 17 Mile Coastal Drive, with stops in the towns of Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach Lodge, & Lone Cypress Point, and free time in quaint Carmel Village, known for its unique shops and art galleries. Additional destinations include the National Steinbeck Center, in Salinas, home of author, John Steinbeck.

Then try your luck in Coarsegold for two nights at the deluxe Indian gaming casino. Experience California’s Natural Wonders in three National Parks. The most well-known park is Yosemite National Park, featuring the Valley Floor tour, including Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome Rock. Second is Kings Canyon National Park Grant Grove, home to General Grant Tree & Fallen Monarch, followed by Sequoia National Park featuring the Giant Forest, home of the General Sherman Tree, a 275-foot high redwood tree with a 36-foot diameter.

Read our blog post about the luxury train ride.

Read our blog post about Yosemite National Park.

Read our blog post "By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea!"

     

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
  • Downtown Los Angeles (1 night) w/ free time
  • Deluxe private dome rail car from Los Angeles to Monterey. Relax in your restored vintage dome car and enjoy superb meals onboard including wine & cocktails
  • Spectacular scenery of California coast and Sierra Nevada Mountains
  • Monterey Aquarium
  • Free time in Cannery Row
  • 17-Mile Drive with a stop in Pacific Grove, at Pebble Beach Lodge, and Lone Cypress Point
  • Free-Time in Carmel Village
  • Dinner at Fisherman's Wharf
  • John Steinbeck Country and a visit to the National Steinbeck Center
  • Lunch at John Steinbeck's original boyhood home
  • Casino Gambling and 2 night stay at Chukchansi Casino, Coarsegold, CA
  • California's Natural Wonders in 3-National Parks:
  • Yosemite National Park with Valley Floor Tour
  • Stop at World Famous Ahwahnee Lodge for lunch
  • Kings Canyon National Park picnic lunch at Grant Grove
  • Sequoia National Park Giant Forest

TRIPS INCLUDES
  • Round trip commercial airfare from Indianapolis
  • Home pick-up & return Indy metro area
  • Airport transfers
  • Transportation by luxury coach
  • 7 nights accommodations
  • Baggage handling
  • 13 meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunch, 4 dinners
  • Attractions highlighted in itinerary
  • All taxes and gratuities, except driver and Tour Manager
  • Professional Tour Manager
  • Operated by an Interlude Travel Partner
  • Guaranteed Departure
 
PRICING DETAILS (Cost per Person)*
Double $2,699
Single $3,229
Deposit $500 per person
Balance Due 65 days prior to departure
Cancellation Insurance: $192 (D), $232 (S)
*Air departure from Indianapolis included; airfare pricing subject to change. Call for pricing from other departure cities.


TRAVEL ITINERARY

Day 1: Indianapolis / Los Angeles
Fly to LAX International Airport. Meet our tour manager and transfer to downtown LA for 1 night at a downtown hotel. Free time to see Disney Performing Arts Center, Cathedral of the Angels. Millennium Biltmore or similar, Los Angeles, CA

Day 2: Train from Los Angeles to Monterey
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by shuttle van to meet your tour manager at LA's Union Station. Board our deluxe private dome rail car for our mid-morning departure. Ride the rails north along the scenic California coast and through the interior farmlands to Monterey. En route enjoy gourmet meals plus included wine & cocktails. Arrive in Salinas in early evening and transfer to your Monterey Bay All Suites hotel for a two night stay. Embassy Suites Hotel, Monterey CA (L, D)

Day 3: Monterey / Carmel
Morning visit to the world famous Monterey Aquarium. Home to over 500 species of marine life & a one-million gallon fish tank. Free time for shopping at adjacent Cannery Row. This afternoon, motor along scenic 17 Mile Drive with stops in Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach Lodge, & Lone Cypress Point. Free time in quaint Carmel Village to shop & browse the art galleries. Return to your hotel for a cocktail hour prior to a seafood dinner at Fisherman's Wharf. Embassy Suites Hotel, Monterey CA (B, D)

Day 4: Monterey / Coarsegold
Motor east to Salinas, lettuce capital of the world and boyhood home of author John Steinbeck. Visit the National Steinbeck Center, dedicated to the life and works of one of America's most endearing authors. Learn about his novels "East of Eden" and "The Grapes of Wrath". Enjoy a home cooked lunch at the original house of young Steinbeck. Then drive across the fertile San Joaquin Valley, past Fresno, to the town of Coarsegold and your new deluxe Chukchansi Indian gaming casino for 2 nights.
Chukchansi Casino, Coarsegold, CA (B, L, D)

Day 5: Coarsegold / Yosemite National Park-Day Trip
Spend a full day exploring one of America’s truly great natural wonders - Yosemite National Park - originally set-aside for posterity by Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Enjoy a tour of the Valley floor with stops at Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome Rock. In June, all the falls should be overflowing from the spring snow melt and the fall foliage is truly a site to behold. Stop at the world famous Ahwahnee Lodge for an included lunch before returning to your hotel for free time and dinner on own. Chukchansi Casino, Coarsegold, CA (B, L)

Day 6: Coarsegold / Tulare
Motor up into the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains along scenic General’s Highway, named in 1875 by conservationist John Muir. Visit Kings Canyon National Park and marvel at the awesome 6,000 foot deep granite canyon carved by the Kings River. Stop for a picnic lunch at Grant Grove, home to General Grant Tree & Fallen Monarch. Then arrive at Sequoia National Park to visit the Giant Forest, home of the General Sherman Tree, a 275-foot high redwood tree with a 36-foot diameter. Later, arrive at your hotel in Tulare before departing for your Farewell Dinner. Best Western Tulare or similar, Tulare, CA (B, L, D)

Day 7: Tulare / Los Angeles
Return by coach to the Central Valley as you make your way back to Southern California. Overnight at LA airport hotel. (B)

Day 8: Los Angeles / Indianapolis
LAX airport for your return flights home. (CB)

NOTE: This tour involves high altitude day visits to Sequoia & Yosemite parks (7,200 feet) but no overnights here. It is advisable to check with your doctor if you are affected by high altitude.

Commercial Air: Book Now to ensure your place on this trip because this trip operates on commercial air. Space is limited and may not be available less than 90 days before departure. Included airfare pricing subject to change.

Cancellation policy: if insurance is not purchased, cancellation charges are: 65days and earlier: full refund; 64 and less days prior to departure: no refund.
Call Interlude Tours today for reservations!    (317) 913-0387