Overview
Experience the wonders of the West through its best-known national parks and gold-mining towns on this colourful holiday. If you’re interested in seeing stunning scenery and amazing wildlife, this National Parks tour is for you. Stay two nights inside Yellowstone National Park, where you’ll view the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and stand in awe as you hear the roar of the water and view the glorious falls of Yellowstone’s impressive Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. Witness Old Faithful as it explodes into the air and admire the herds of bison, elk, and other wildlife as you explore the park. Similarly, in Grand Teton National Park, enjoy beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake and the rugged mountains—a dramatic sight indeed. Get back to nature and allow a sense of peace to envelope you as you take in the scenery.
Mount Rushmore offers the astounding monument of four U.S. Presidents as well as spectacular scenery and wildlife, including Rocky Mountain goat, mule deer, and bison. Also visit Crazy Horse Memorial, built in honour of the Sioux Indian chief, and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, commemorating the famous battle where Custer was defeated by the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Drive through Black Hills National Forest with its timbered mountains, rugged rock formations, canyons, grasslands, streams, and lakes.
On this National Parks tour, Globus has included some out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Visit Tatanka to learn “The Story of the Bison” and to learn about the Lakota people. Globus has also arranged a chuckwagon cookout and Wild West show in Jackson. All of this and more—including time in Jackson—await you on this marvellous holiday through some of the West’s national parks.
UK - Denver
Day
1
Fly to Denver and transfer to your hotel for one night.
Welcome to Denver. Explore the “Mile High City” on your own this evening.
Denver - Rapid City
Day
2
Meet your Tour Director this morning and head north to Wyoming, then continue into the Black Hills. At 6 pm, join your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Rapid City - Excursion to Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore Memorials
Day
3
After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honour of the fearless Sioux Indian chief whose fame is derived from the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Afterward, explore MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—carved on the face of a mountain. Maybe stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views, or visit the Information Center.
Rapid City - Deadwood - Sheridan
Day
4
This morning, enjoy a drive through BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST and experience the area’s colourful history on a guided tour of DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear the stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit TATANKA to learn “The Story of the Bison” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Then, continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.
Sheridan - Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument - Cody
Day
5
Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT, the site commemorating one of America’s most famous battles. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum. Afterward, continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, arriving in Buffalo Bill’s Cody, with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River.
Cody - Yellowstone National Park
Day
6
This morning, visit the BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST, a fine museum of historic weapons and Western art. Then, continue through Shoshone National Forest to YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forest. Enjoy several photo stops along the way to your hotel, including world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. SPECIAL FEATURE: Enjoy two nights inside Yellowstone National Park. Each lodge has its own unique setting and atmosphere. Lodges featured are the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Grant Village, and the Canyon Lodge. Specific lodges will be confirmed in your documents. NOTE: The routing and areas visited within Yellowstone are subject to favourable weather and/or road conditions. When conditions are unfavourable, routing may be adjusted accordingly.
Yellowstone National Park
Day
7
Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pot to see the bubbling mud. Continue on to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for magnificent views of the Canyon and the spectacular Lower Falls—almost twice as high as Niagara Falls! Next, stop at Mammoth Hot Springs and take a short trail walk through steaming limestone terraces.
Yellowstone National Park - Grand Teton National Park - Jackson
Day
8
Journey south into breathtaking GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK. Visit beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake at the foot of the rugged spires for a delightful walk along the shore. Enjoy a freshly made HUCKLEBERRY SHAKE while enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Continue to the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, travel by horse-drawn covered wagon into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner at the BAR T-5 CHUCKWAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show. Feast on slow-cooked chicken made in traditional Dutch ovens, along with other local specialties.
Jackson
Day
9
Spend a full free day to enjoy this spectacular playground. Perhaps choose an optional float trip along the Snake River or stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink at one of the swinging-door saloons.
Jackson - Salt Lake City
Day
10
Today’s journey continues alongside some of Wyoming’s most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah, home to five national parks. Arrive in Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young in 1847. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital city and its historic monuments. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Salt Lake City - UK
Day
11
Your tour ends this morning with guests departing on independent schedules.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
Home landing in the UK
Day
12
Things to note
This platinum tour is operated by our sister company Globus.
This holiday visits National Parks and other remote locations where facilities may not be up to the first-class standard expected from a Globus tour. Some lodges within the parks do not have air-conditioning, T.Vs and other amenities expected from most Globus hotels.
Enjoy the spectacular fall colours of the West on our special Fall Foliage departures: September 12 - September 29 (if Mother Nature permits).