The American Civil War
About the tour: The American Civil War
Tour Introduction
Join us as we delve into the history of the American Civil War, as we take a look at the war which raged for four years, from 1861 to 1865. We fly into the US where we partake in a series of tours seeing some of the battles most iconic locations. In Washington D.C. we enjoy a tour of the Museum of American History and offer guests the opportunity to pay a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. We visit the iconic Gettysburg, which is often referred to as the Civil War’s turning point, and Antietam the site of the bloodiest battle in American history. As well as visits to Lynchburg, Appomattox, Petersburg and Richmond, we also see Bull Run, where two major battles took place.
Tour Includes
- 7 nights hotel on a room-only basis
- Return flights to Washington D.C. with one checked-in suitcase
- Fully escorted in the USA by a Specialist Historical Guide
- Airport transfers in the USA
- Hotel porterage (1 bag per person - air tour only)
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Tour Itinerary
For customers living outside of the UK, if you want to make a booking you will need to provide a UK postcode on our online booking system. If you are not able to provide a relevant UK postcode then you can enter the postcode for London Victoria Coach Station – SW1W 9TP. You should then be able to proceed to complete your booking.
If you do encounter a problem then you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to help.
Please Note : After completing your booking, a member of our Customer Service team will be in touch to make sure everything is okay.
Either e-mail our Reservations Department or call on 01709 830 333 and they will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
Day 1
Fly to Washington D.C. where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 2 - Washington D.C.
This morning we take an included half-day city tour by coach. We begin the tour with an introduction to Civil War history at the Museum of American History. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Washington DC (2)
Key Visits
- Musuem of American History
- Washington DC
Day 3 - Gettysburg
We travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this morning for a tour of the well-known battlefield. The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 is often quoted as the Civil War’s turning point and resulted in the Confederates, under General Robert E. Lee, retreating to Virginia after their attempted second invasion into Union territory. Abraham Lincoln, in November of the same year, delivered his famous Gettysburg Address here at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery. In the evening, join our included ‘Ghosts of Gettysburg’ tour. Stay overnight in Gettysburg.
Gettysburg (3)
Key Visits
- Gettysburg
- Gettysburg National Cemetery
Day 4 - Antietam Battlefield & Harper’s Ferry
Included visit to the battlefield of Antietam (admission included), the bloodiest one-day battle in American history, where Lee’s invasion of Maryland was ended. Onwards to Harper’s Ferry, where in 1859 John Brown led his famous party of 21 men and secured the federal armoury. The slave uprising was to precipitate the onset of the Civil War. Overnight in Harper’s Ferry.
Antietam Battlefield (3)
Key Visits
- Antietam Battlefield
- Harper's Ferry
Day 5 - Lynchburg, Virginia
We travel to Lynchburg, an important central transportation centre for the Confederacy army, as well as having a large hospital for Confederate soldiers, and scene of the Battle of Lynchburg in 1864. We take a tour of the town before spending a night here.
Lynchburg (2)
Key Visits
- Lynchburg
Day 6 - Appomattox, Petersburg & Richmond
We travel first to Appomattox, where in 1865 General Lee surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant, which signalled the end of the Southern States’ attempt to create a separate nation. The surrender set the stage for the emergence of an expanded and more powerful Federal Government and the end of the war led directly to the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution – ending slavery, providing citizenship and male suffrage. We visit the American Civil War Museum and then on to the Petersburg Battlefield (admission included), where the Union Army held the Confederates in a 292-day siege, the longest in American warfare. Travel to nearby Richmond for an overnight stay.
Petersburg (3)
Key Visits
- Appomattox
- American Civil War Museum
- Petersburg
Day 7 - Arlington Cemetery
We return to Washington for an overnight stay, arriving late morning. Spend the afternoon in the capital or join our included visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Designated a military cemetery on June 15 1864, veterans and military casualties from every one of the nation’s wars since the American Civil War are interred in the cemetery. During the guided visit you will see many of Arlington’s famous memorials, including the Eternal Flame of the Kennedy grave, and the world-famous Tomb of the Unknowns.
Arlington Cemetery (2)
Key Visits
- Arlington Cemetery
Day 8
Today we head to Manassas/Bull Run, where two battles took place, before transferring to the airport for the return overnight flight home.
Manassas (2)
Key Visits
- Manassas
Day 9
Arrive in the U.K.
Day 1
Make your own way to our hotel in Washington D.C. where you will join the tour.
Day 2 - Washington D.C.
This morning we take an included half-day city tour by coach. We begin the tour with an introduction to Civil War history at the Museum of American History. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Washington DC (2)
Key Visits
- Musuem of American History
- Washington DC
Day 3 - Gettysburg
We travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this morning for a tour of the well-known battlefield. The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 is often quoted as the Civil War’s turning point and resulted in the Confederates, under General Robert E. Lee, retreating to Virginia after their attempted second invasion into Union territory. Abraham Lincoln, in November of the same year, delivered his famous Gettysburg Address here at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery. In the evening, join our included ‘Ghosts of Gettysburg’ tour. Stay overnight in Gettysburg.
Gettysburg (3)
Key Visits
- Gettysburg
- Gettysburg National Cemetery
Day 4 - Antietam Battlefield & Harper’s Ferry
Included visit to the battlefield of Antietam (admission included), the bloodiest one-day battle in American history, where Lee’s invasion of Maryland was ended. Onwards to Harper’s Ferry, where in 1859 John Brown led his famous party of 21 men and secured the federal armoury. The slave uprising was to precipitate the onset of the Civil War. Overnight in Harper’s Ferry.
Antietam Battlefield (3)
Key Visits
- Antietam Battlefield
- Harper's Ferry
Day 5 - Lynchburg, Virginia
We travel to Lynchburg, an important central transportation centre for the Confederacy army, as well as having a large hospital for Confederate soldiers, and scene of the Battle of Lynchburg in 1864. We take a tour of the town before spending a night here.
Lynchburg (2)
Key Visits
- Lynchburg
Day 6 - Appomattox, Petersburg & Richmond
We travel first to Appomattox, where in 1865 General Lee surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant, which signalled the end of the Southern States’ attempt to create a separate nation. The surrender set the stage for the emergence of an expanded and more powerful Federal Government and the end of the war led directly to the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution – ending slavery, providing citizenship and male suffrage. We visit the American Civil War Museum and then on to the Petersburg Battlefield (admission included), where the Union Army held the Confederates in a 292-day siege, the longest in American warfare. Travel to nearby Richmond for an overnight stay.
Petersburg (3)
Key Visits
- Appomattox
- American Civil War Museum
- Petersburg
Day 7 - Arlington Cemetery
We return to Washington for an overnight stay, arriving late morning. Spend the afternoon in the capital or join our included visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Designated a military cemetery on June 15 1864, veterans and military casualties from every one of the nation’s wars since the American Civil War are interred in the cemetery. During the guided visit you will see many of Arlington’s famous memorials, including the Eternal Flame of the Kennedy grave, and the world-famous Tomb of the Unknowns.
Arlington Cemetery (2)
Key Visits
- Arlington Cemetery
Day 8
Depending on your flight time you can choose to continue the tour as described below or alternatively make your own way to the airport.
Today we head to Manassas/Bull Run, where two battles took place, before transferring to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Manassas (2)
Key Visits
- Manassas
Specialist Battlefield Guides
All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.
Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.
Hotel
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
Omni Shoreham Hotel or similar, Washington (nights 1 & 2)
Courtyard by Marriot Gettysburg or similar, Gettysburg (night 3)
Clarion Hotel Harper's Ferry or similar, Harper's Ferry (night 4)
Hilton Garden Inn or similar, Lynchburg (night 5)
Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown or similar, Richmond (night 6)
Washington Hilton or similar (night 7)
Please Note: due to local laws at least one person in each room booked must be 21 years of age or over.
Travel Options
Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.
Transfer vehicles are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Stop 24 Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.
One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.
When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.
Travel Extras
With an overnight stay, a Door-to-Door pick up or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...
Join coach at Interchange
+ Find out moreJoin your tour coach at the interchange.
On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Door-to-Door service
+ Find out moreOn Battlefield tours of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. Our Door-to-Door Service collects you from your home and takes you to meet your transfer vehicile, then brings you back at the end of the holiday. Door-to-Door Service is available within a 20-mile radius of one of our free joining points and is from £90 per car, return (up to 4 passengers per vehicle).
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
