❓ FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions Australian travellers ask about our Americas itineraries.
Are these itineraries bookable tours or planning guides?
Both. Every itinerary on this page is a detailed self-drive or multi-destination plan that you can either follow independently (free planning guide) or book through Cooee Tours as a customised private trip. When booked through us, we handle flights, accommodation, rental cars, tours, and 24/7 support — the itinerary is the framework, we customise everything around your dates, pace, and budget. Nothing on this page is a group tour.
How do I choose which itinerary is right for me?
Start with two questions: how long do you have, and what interests you most? For 7-10 days, the Southwest Loop or California PCH. For 14 days, the Southwest Full Loop or West Coast Complete. For 21+ days, the Extended Southwest, full Pacific Coast Highway, or a Grand Tour combining regions. If you're after national parks specifically, use the National Parks planning guide as your starting point — it organises parks by region.
Can I combine multiple itineraries?
Yes — our most ambitious clients combine the 14-day Southwest Loop with a 7-day California PCH extension for a 21-day USA Grand Tour. Another popular combination pairs a week of California (LA-San Francisco) with 7 days in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle-Portland-Olympic). We design combinations that minimise flight connections and avoid backtracking. Contact us for custom multi-region planning.
Do the itineraries include flights from Australia?
When booked through Cooee Tours, yes — we include return flights Australia to the USA as part of the package. The AUD costs quoted on each itinerary are all-in (flights + accommodation + rental + activities + park fees + insurance support). If you want to book flights separately using points, we deduct the flight cost from the itinerary price and build the ground package accordingly.
When will more Latin America itineraries be added?
We're progressively adding detailed itineraries for
Peru (14-day Classic), Patagonia (16-day hiking), Galápagos (honeymoon luxury), Costa Rica (family wildlife), and Mexico (foodie deep-dive) through 2026. In the meantime, the
Americas Itinerary Inspiration blog contains seven condensed sample Latin America trips with AUD budgets, and our Americas Specialist can build any of them fully customised on request.
How far ahead should I book?
For USA trips: 4-6 months minimum for flights and rental cars, 6-12 months for in-park lodges (El Tovar, Zion Lodge, Yosemite Ahwahnee). For Peru trips involving Machu Picchu: 3-4 months for Sacred Valley hotels and Inca Trail permits. For Galápagos cruises: 8-10 months. For Patagonia peak season (Nov-Feb): 6-8 months. We recommend starting the conversation at least 6 months before travel for any Americas itinerary.
Is there a best time of year for Americas trips generally?
Depends on where.
USA: April-June and September-October are the universal sweet spots (avoiding summer heat and winter closures).
Peru: April-October is dry season.
Patagonia: November-March (austral summer).
Galápagos: year-round but June-November is cool/dry.
Costa Rica: December-April for dry season. Check each itinerary page for specific timing guidance, and our
Best Time to Visit blog for the full hemisphere breakdown.