National Parks by Private Air
Duration: 11 days
Highlights:
• View the astonishing natural wonders of Yosemite, including its towering giant sequoias
• Hike the Grand Canyon with private guide customized to your interests
• Visit the secluded, and rarely seen, slot canyons of Secret Canyon, as well as the graceful natural arches of Arches National Park
• Cruise on Lake Powell for a leisurely day on a private high-speed powerboat, going ashore for excursions or kayaking the placid waters
• Explore Grand Teton National Park with a privately guided wildlife-spotting excursion and horseback trail ride
• Spend a full day exploring in Yellowstone, site of Old Faithful and home to free-roaming bison and bears, with privately guided hikes tailored to your interests
Request a quote
A&K DMCs’ specialised services are only available on a business-to-business basis, to travel industry advisors. We regret that we cannot provide quotations for consumers.
Send itinerary to client
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Fresno/Transfer to Oakhurst
Upon arrival into Fresno, you are privately transferred one hour to your luxury accommodations, nestled in the rolling foothills at the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Enjoy lunch at Erna’s Elderberry Restaurant at Chateau du Sureau. This afternoon, join your private driver-guide to explore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Gaze upward at some of the more than 500 mature trees stretching majestically skyward, their trunks exceeding 100 feet or more in circumference; some of these trees are among the oldest living things on earth. Following your tour, return to your hotel.
The Estate by the Elderberries is comprised of the luxurious Relais & Châteaux property Château du Sureau, the award-winning The Elderberry House Restaurant, the relaxing Spa du Sureau and the private Villa Sureau. This nine-acre property is nestled in the rolling foothills at the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Located in a stunning landscape, the Estate is reminiscent of the French countryside where beauty and old-world charm await
Overnight: Chateau du Sureau
Meal Plan: L
Day 2 - Private Yosemite National Park Experience
Encompassing a deep valley set into the massive granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Northern California, Yosemite National Park has a majesty that few other places on earth can rival. Cascading waterfalls, ancient giant redwoods and towering rock outcroppings are just a few of the natural features on display. Fresh mountain air, soaring forests, flowering meadows, flowing rivers, melting glaciers and a diversity of flora and fauna all help to make Yosemite an unforgettable experience.
Set out with your guide for a full day exploring the National Park including several major waterfalls and rock formations of Yosemite Valley, plus portions of the high country. Along the way, your guide will point out little-known treasures, off-the-beaten path trails, and sites that best fit your interests. Break for lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
In the late afternoon, meet and enjoy a private walk with John Muir in Yosemite Valley (or rather an expert historical reenactor of the great naturalist and environmentalist, whose writings help spur America to protect its natural treasures). Learn about Muir's deep love for the area and his incredible adventures while he lived there, and enjoy some of his fierce and eloquent advocacy that resulted in the protection of what is now Yosemite National Park.
Overnight: Chateau du Sureau
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 3 - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks | Explore and Hike
This morning, meet your private driver-guide for an incredible day trip to explore Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. See some of the world’s largest trees including General Grant and General Sherman (the world's largest tree!), Auto Log, Morro Rock, Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls, the enchanted meadow and more. Your guide will customize your experience to meet your personal interests including hidden gems and trails not frequented by mass of visitors to this special region.
Delve into Kings Canyon National Park - the deepest canyon in the United States by following the dramatic Kings River deep into the canyon and experiencing spectacular geological features along the way. Your private driver-guide will know just where to go for the best photos and opportunities for wildlife sightings. A delicious picnic lunch is included.
Overnight: Chateau du Sureau
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 4 - Private Grand Canyon National Park Tour
After breakfast, you are privately transferred one hour to the Fresno, where you will depart on your private charter flight to Grand Canyon National Park. With its staggering dimensions — 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and over a mile deep — Arizona’s Grand Canyon occupies a special place in the mythology of the American West. Carved out of layers of rock over untold millennia by the mighty Colorado River, the canyon welcomes millions annually who come to descend to its floor, fly over its vast expanse or simply stand on its rim and behold the view.
Join your private guide for a hike along the canyon’s rim. Explore trails and viewpoints little-used by other visitors as your guide unlocks the history, geology, flora and fauna of this natural wonder, lending an added depth and perspective to everything you see. In the afternoon, stop at the historic lodges and buildings on the rim, including the studio of photography pioneers Emery & Ellsworth Kolb, where you visit a floor of the studio not open to the public. Enjoy lunch at the historic El Tovar Lodge, located right on the edge of the South Rim with views into the canyon. In the late afternoon, depart on your private charter flight to Page, where you are transferred 30 minutes to Amangiri in Canyon Point.
Tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views of colorful, stratified rock the spectacular Amangiri Resort offers guests unprecedented access to the dramatic four corners region of the US. The resort features a dining room open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, library, gallery, full-service Aman Spa, a wide array of activities, swimming pool, hot tub, lounge and expansive living room.
Overnight: Amangiri
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 5 - Private Lake Powell Cruise
From twisting slot canyons to hanging gardens to lofty peaks and mesas, Lake Powell provides access to some of the most amazing scenery and geologic formations on the Colorado Plateau. Featuring partially submerged canyons, the contrast of the red rock and blue waters is stunning. Enjoy an exclusive excursion in a high-speed powerboat with your private captain on Lake Powell today.
With its 2,000 miles of shoreline, the lake offers unlimited opportunities to explore, and the day is yours to enjoy the sun and scenery. Your aquatic itinerary is completely customizable to your tastes: exercise with a little kayaking on the lake or go ashore and hike to the most photographed geological wonder of the American West, Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
Overnight: Amangiri
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 6 - Secret Canyon | Off-Road Adventure
Today join your private guide for an excursion to secluded Secret Canyon, a slot canyon with high, undulating walls. Your visit includes a guided, private off-road drive through the desert, rolling hills and wash-beds, where you can search for coyotes, foxes, bobcats, owls, hawks and other desert wildlife.After visiting the slot canyon, enjoy a short walk to Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Take in the various angles and views of the Colorado River as it meanders around a rock promontory, creating the Horseshoe Bend loop beloved by visitors and photographers from around the world. Spend the afternoon at leisure enjoying the amenities and activities offered by your resort.
Overnight: Amangiri
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 7 - Moab | Arches National Park | Jackson Hole
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your private charter flight to Moab, Utah. Upon arrival, join your guide for a private tour of Arches National Park. Arches features the greatest concentration of natural stone arches in the world, offering spectacular displays of the natural forces of erosion at work. Hit the trails with your guide to discover unusual geologic formations, such as the 60-foot-tall, freestanding Delicate Arch; the Marching Men, seven towers lined in a row in the Klondike Bluffs area; and the Eye of the Whale, a fin-style natural arch that’s weathered into Entrada sandstone.
After lunch in Arches, continue by air to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and drive to the luxurious Amangani for check-in. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Overnight: Amangani
Meal Plan: B
Day 8 - Private Grand Teton National Park Tour | Wildlife in Nature & Art
Early this morning set out with your private naturalist guide to search for wildlife in Grand Teton National Park. For rugged, snow-capped peaks that jut upward into brilliant blue sky, and verdant, pristine valleys laced with rivers, forests, wildflowers and wildlife, few places in North America can rival Grand Teton National Park.
Today, what was once the isolated province of fur trappers and homesteaders is a bountiful natural treasure set aside for all to enjoy. Animals are at their most active as you set out, providing good opportunities for finding the park’s iconic species, including bears, moose, antelope, bison and elk. Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided to allow for close views from a safe distance, and a gourmet picnic lunch is included. Plenty of time is allotted for stops and photography, and the day will be tailored to your interests.
This afternoon switch gears with a look at the local art scene. One of Jackson's premier art experiences is the National Museum of Wildlife Art, where a museum docent leads you on a private tour of the galleries and shares insight on the artists and exhibits. The museum collection holds over 5,000 pieces from more than 500 artists. In addition, the museum grounds overlook the National Elk Refuge and the Gros Ventre Range. Enjoy the rest of your evening at your leisure.
Overnight: Amangani
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 9 - Private Yellowstone by Land and Air
This morning, transfer to the Jackson Airport. Depart on your private charter flight to West Yellowstone where your guide is waiting to take you on an amazing adventure in one of the world’s most incredible natural settings.
Yellowstone National Park’s 3,000+ square miles of wide-open spaces invite visitors to experience breathtaking topography with views of hydrothermal wonders like geysers and hot pools, while diverse wildlife, at home in their natural environment, vie for your attention. Keep your eyes peeled for wolves, bison, bears, elk, moose and more. Your naturalist driver-guide tailors the experience to your interests, with stops at many of the park's signature destinations, and, if desired, can lead you on short walks with fascinating stories about the region and its history as the first national park in the world.
Enjoy an al fresco picnic lunch during the tour and return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Amangani
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 10 - Jackson | Hike & Snake River Float
Enjoy a morning at leisure, perhaps setting out with your driver-guide for some sightseeing in Jackson or a beautiful hike in the region – customized to your interests and abilities. Later this afternoon, set out on a private float trip down the Snake River in a traditional wooden dory. Sit back and relax with incredible views of the Tetons. From the unique vantage point of the water, enjoy the opportunity to serenely view any wildlife that might be milling along the river’s edge this time of day. After an hour or so of leisurely exploration on the water, arrive at a camp in time to enjoy a delicious multi-course dining experience with spectacular views.
Overnight: Amangani
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 11 - Depart Jackson Hole
After breakfast, meet your private driver for a transfer to Jackson Airport for your departing flight.
Overnight:
Meal Plan: B