Highlights

U S Tours Flexible Pricing:

• Customizable Comps
• Net Rates
• Luxury or First Class Hotels & Meals
• Motorcoach Transportation & Professional Tour Managers are available

Whatever you want, U S Tours will be happy to structure tour prices to match your needs.  Just let us know!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Thursday, September 9 – Reno, NV – Optional Reno Sightseeing Tour – Casino Lodging

Today, arrive in Reno, NV where you enjoy a four-night stay at one of the local casinos.  Enjoy a nice casino buffet dinner followed by a free evening for gaming. (D)

**Groups arriving in Reno earlier in the day will enjoy a Reno driving tour that features the best of Reno highlighting Millionaire’s Row, the River Walk and Kayak Adventure Park, Windy Hill and more.

Day 2 – Friday, September 10 – Lake Tahoe Sightseeing Cruise – Carson City Guided Tour – Free Evening in Reno

After breakfast, depart for Lake Tahoe for a two-hour sightseeing cruise on Lake Tahoe. Sail from South Lake Tahoe, Nevada 7 miles across the lake to Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed spots in the Western United States. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, snow-capped mountains, Fannette Island, Vikingsholm Castle, Eagle Waterfall, Rubicon. You may see a variety of wildlife from Bald Eagles, Black Bears, Wild Geese and Trout.  Lunch will be on your own today. Food & beverages are available for purchase onboard the cruise.

Then head to Carson City, NV for a guided tour. You will see the Governor’s Mansion, the Bliss Estate and others in the historic home district including the Krebs-Peterson Home (film location for John Wayne’s last movie “The Shootist.”) You will also see the Capitol Buildings and Mall, the Nevada State Museum (formerly the U.S. Mint), and the Nevada State Railroad Museum.

Following the tour, return to Reno where you enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own at the casino. (B)

Day 3 – Saturday, September 11 – Great Reno Balloon Race & VIP Club Tent w/breakfast – Hot Air Balloon Morning Glow – Virginia City, NV – International Camel and Ostrich Races –  Camel Race Festival Parade – Virginia City Outlaws Wild West Comedy Show

It’s an early morning today as you begin the day in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park for the Morning Glow Mass Ascension, one of the most popular events of the annual Reno Balloon Races. The Great Reno Balloon Race started in 1982 with just 20 balloons but now features over 100 balloons each year.  Just look into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about.

This show provides a spectacular array of Balloons as they glow, twinkle and fly against the dark morning sky. You have a pass for the VIP Club tent on the east side of the park and has a heated indoor/patio outdoor seating area and includes a catered breakfast with Champagne, Bloody Marys and Mimosas.

Then it’s on to the Virginia City for the International Camel and Ostrich Races. Get up-close to camels, ostriches, zebras, emus, and more as professional and amateur jockeys gallop, swerve, and falter their way to the finish line. The event features quirky races, entertainment, surprises, food trucks serving up carnival-style treats, craft and artist vendors, a wide variety of beverages at the event bars, official Camel Races merch, and camel rides for that must-have photo-op. Lunch will be included today.

You have reserved seating and food and beverage throughout the afternoon. Here you have a pass for the VIP Hospitality Tent and prepare for the afternoon’s feature event, the Camel Races.

There are 2 seating options, both with limited availability: Premium Shaded Seating & VIP Seating.

Premium Shaded Seating includes:

• Shaded bleacher seating close to the action on the east side of the arena
• Access to food trucks, vendors, and event bar
• Free shuttle to and from C Street

OR

VIP admission includes: (as available)

• Bleacher seating close to the action inside the VIP Tent
• Exclusive access to the air-conditioned VIP Tent
• Exclusive access to the fully stocked VIP Bar
• One (1) lunch coupon per person valid at any event food truck
• Two (2) drink coupons per person valid at the VIP Bar for alcoholic drinks or at any event food vendor for non-alcoholic drinks
• Access to food trucks, vendors, and event bar
• Free shuttle to and from C Street

While the camels are not known for their agility and speed, these desert troopers hit the racetrack as a nostalgic reminder of the Comstock Lode’s bonanza days. Fictitious stories of Virginia City’s Camel Races date back to the tall tales of Mark Twain. But it was not until 1959 that the first race was actually run. Movie Director John Huston won that race on a camel borrowed from the San Francisco Zoo.

There is a parade after the races, following which you time to relax or explore the town. You then head to the Main Street for the Camel Hump to C Street where the camels are walked through the downtown area and possibly even into one of the bars in town.

The afternoon also features the Virginia City Outlaws Wild West Comedy Show. For more than 25 years, the “Outlaws” have performed explosive Wild West Gunfight Shows at the western amphitheater. Their “Hysterically correct” performances have entertaining history with a comedic twist.

This evening, dinner will be included at a local restaurant. Return to your hotel in Reno for the night. (B,L,D) 

Day 4 – Sunday, September 12 – Virginia City, NV – Camel Race Festival Activities – Virginia City Guided Tour – Virginia & Truckee Railroad – Dinner at the Gold Hill Hotel

After breakfast, return to Virginia City this morning and enjoy the many festival activities in town. Walk the wooden boardwalks, explore the historic buildings, shops and museums. The town looks much the same as it was 140 years ago. Lunch will be on your own today.

You will also enjoy a guided tour of historic Virginia City. This was the boomtown home of Mark Twain when he reported for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise from 1862-64. Also included is a guided tour of the Fourth Ward Schoolhouse, the last one of its kind still standing in the United States.

Next, you board one of the historic trains of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Virginia City. This fully narrated 20-minute train ride features the scenery of the Virginia Range with possible sightings of wild mustangs.

This evening, dinner is included at the Gold Hill Hotel.  This historic hotel housed many celebrities during the Silver Rush and there is wonderful memorabilia here to enjoy.  Following dinner, return to Reno for the evening. (B,D)

Day 5 – Monday, September 13 – Depart for Home

 After breakfast, depart for home. (B)

Tour Map