Day 1-2 ARRIVE SALT LAKE CITY
Welcome to Salt Lake City! A complimentary transfer is provided to the tour hotel where your Tour Director will be on hand to greet you and answer any questions you may have about the exciting days ahead. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Day 2-3 SALT LAKE CITY - JACKSON (2 NIGHTS)
north into Idaho, trace the footsteps of the pioneers at the Oregon Trail in Montpelier. Through interactive exhibits, you’ll travel vicariously with a covered wagon train in America’s great western migration and experience the thrills and challenges of the old Oregon Trail. Then cross into Wyoming on your way to scenic Jackson, which stands in the shadows of the icy peaks of the Grand Tetons. Get spectacular 360-degree views of the Snake River Valley and Grand Teton National Park on an exciting aerial tram ride to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain.(Full Breakfast)
Day 3-4 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
If you like, hit the water this morning on an optional guided float trip down the Snake River (seasonal). Then spend the day discovering the natural glories of Grand Teton National Park with its snow-capped mountains, pristine alpine lakes and evergreen forests. From Jenny Lake to the jagged peaks of the Teton Range, you’ll find exhilarating vistas everywhere you look. And keep your eyes open for some of the area’s abundant wildlife, including moose and elk drinking from the rivers, bison munching on grass, and beavers putting the finishing touches on their elaborate dams. Overhead, watch for majestic bald eagles, graceful blue herons and the dozens of species of songbird that call the park their home. This evening, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of Jackson.(Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 4-5 JACKSON - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Then it’s onward to Yellowstone, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. You could spend a year in Yellowstone and still only scratch the surface of its wonders. Explore the impressive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its stunning waterfalls and look out for bison, elk and bears through Hayden Valley. Watch in wonder as Old Faithful’s waters arc nearly 130 feet into the air—as it has approximately every hour at least since the Washburn Expedition discovered it in 1870. Take a guided walk with a local expert among the spouting geysers, bubbling mudpots and turquoise hot springs and learn about the geothermal dynamics of this amazing wonderland. Tonight, dine in the park; before retiring for the night, be sure to step out and take in the great panorama of stars.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5-6 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - CODY - SHERIDAN
Head north to the town of Cody, named for its most famous native son, Buffalo Bill. Get a glimpse into the fascinating history of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Historical where you can delve into the culture of the cowboy, the role of the firearm in the opening of the West to settlers and the culture and art of the Plains Indians. This evening, enjoy true western hospitality with a Be My Guest Dinner experience hosted by photographer and Sheridan native Diana Volk. Volk welcomes you to her private ranch - home to a herd of buffalo, deer and horses - and shares tips on photographing wildlife and scenery in this spectacular region. Then, kick back to western entertainment and a feast of western grub served family style - with authentic teepees and the Big Horn Mountains as your photogenic backdrop.(Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
Day 6-7 SHERIDAN - DEADWOOD - RAPID CITY (2 NIGHTS)
Proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt America’s first national monument, the majestic Devil’s Tower rises nearly 1,300 feet above the Belle Fourche River in eastern Wyoming. You might recognize the iconic monolith from the climactic scenes of the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. After exploring the area around the eroded core of this ancient volcano, head into the Black Hills of South Dakota and the boomtown of Deadwood, which arose after the discovery of gold in the 1870s. Explore the town on a private trolley tour and learn a bit about its founding, expansion and decline from your entertaining guide. Journey on to Rapid City, where you have the option of visiting Mount Rushmore this evening to see its magical nightly illumination ceremony.(Full Breakfast)
Day 7-8 BLACK HILLS SIGHTSEEING
This morning discover more of the natural and manmade wonders of the Black Hills with a drive through stunning scenery on your way to see Crazy Horse Memorial, a massive mountain carving of the famed war chief of the Oglala people. Next is a visit to Mount Rushmore, designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum to celebrate the “founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the United States” through enormous carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. This afternoon is yours to do as please. If you like, embark on an optional excursion into the wild, eroded badlands of South Dakota. This evening, raise a glass of wine to your Tour Director and fellow travel companions at a festive Farewell Dinner.(Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 8-9 DEPART RAPID CITY
Bid farewell to your travelling companions and take a complimentary transfer to Rapid City Airport.(Full Breakfast)