As TrekAmerica celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2012, guests are being invited to enjoy some the most popular festivals and iconic events across America, Canada and Mexico.

The North American specialist’s new 2012/13 brochure contains a range of special departures, including Mardi Gras in New Orleans (4 to 21 February), Semana Santa in Antigua (1 to 8 April), Canada Day in Ottawa (1 July), Independence Day in Washington DC (4 July), the 100th Calgary Stampede (6 to 15 July) and New Year’s Eve in either New York or Las Vegas (31 December).

TrekAmerica has also introduced a new tour for its birthday, with people now able to explore the spectacular southwest USA whilst staying in comfortable budget lodging accommodation. The 21-day Westerner 3 BLTwill take travellers on a round-trip, starting and finishing in Los Angeles and including the highlights of San Francisco, Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Monument Valley and Las Vegas. From £1739pp (land only) the price includes 20 nights’ accommodation, private transport, some sightseeing and an experienced local leader. Flight inclusive prices available from £2389pp.

With more than 50 tours to choose from, the new 2012/13 brochure continues to concentrate on giving small groups of 18 to 38 year olds the chance to get off the beaten path for less - a style of travelling that has led TrekAmerica to be voted the ‘Best Tour Operator to the USA’ for the second year running at the prestigious 2011British Travel Awards.

To ensure travellers get more out of their trips, TrekAmerica has also introduced fully-guided Urban Adventures in its key gateway cities of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Highlights range from taking in the real Harlem and getting up close to the stars and bars of LA, to sampling Californian wines in San Francisco and experiencing world-class urban kayaking in Seattle’s Lake Union.

For those that aren’t scared of getting wet, TrekAmerica’s Canyon Adventure now includes an overnight white-water rafting experience. From 2012, the 10-day adventure around the Southwest’s national parks will get adventurers’ adrenaline pumping as they raft 100 miles down the Colorado River from Moab through Cataract Canyon to Hite Marina in just two-days. From £889pp (land only) the tour includes 9 nights’ camping, private transport, some sightseeing, the overnight rafting trip, a 4WD tour of Monument Valley and an experienced local leader. Flight inclusive prices available from £1619pp.

Individuals that want to feel the thrill of a true American adventure but don’t fancy white-water rafting can chose from a range of activities across TrekAmerica’s existing tours. Options include a survivor adventure course, Zodiac whale watching, caving, an extreme off-road Humvee experience, western horseback riding and overnight at a cowboy camp.