National Parks & Canyon Country

Overview

Cross Sioux Indian territory to see great granite tributes to US presidents and a fallen tribal leader; journey through a surreal landscape of regal peaks and soundless canyons; and experience the smouldering eruptions of Yellowstone.

Maximum elevation on this tour is 9,033 ft.

UK - Denver

Fly to Denver where you will transfer to your hotel for two nights.

Your tour starts today.

Denver

'The Mile High City' of Denver is the capital of Colorado and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. An attractive city with broad streets, a tree-lined pedestrian mall leading to the gold-domed State Capitol and Larimer Square in the city's historic heart. There are also some fine museums and galleries to explore.

Denver - Cheyenne - Black Hills of South Dakota - Keystone

Meet your tour director this morning and head north to Wyoming; then continue into the Black Hills.

Keystone - Crazy Horse - Mount Rushmore - Deadwood

See Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument carved out of a mountain that pays respect to the great Native American hero, Chief Crazy Horse. Drive deep into the Black Hills, through what was Sioux Indian territory, to see the stunning granite faces of Mount Rushmore, a giant monument to four great American presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Afterward, visit Tatanka: The Story of the Bison, and experience the richness of the Lakota people. On to Deadwood, a lawless frontier town during the 1876 Gold Rush, where Jack McCall murdered Wild Bill Hickok during a poker game. Overnight here, and discover Deadwood’s Wild West ways as you walk in the footsteps of legends like Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock.

Deadwood - Cody

This morning, head through high country, where open-range cattle kings made war on the homesteaders in the 1890s. Drive past Sheridan in the Bighorn Mountains, site of battles between the U.S. Cavalry and the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Crow Indians. Overnight in Buffalo Bill’s frontier town of Cody.

Cody - Yellowstone National Park

Proceed through Shoshone National Forest to Yellowstone National Park. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Artist Point for views of the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Overnight in Yellowstone National Park. NOTES: Accommodations used by Cosmos in Yellowstone National Park are typically open from late May through late September. Departures before or after these opening dates will stay in West Yellowstone. Routing and areas visited in Yellowstone National Park are always subject to favourable weather, gate access, and road conditions; therefore, routings may be adjusted.

Yellowstone National Park

Today, explore more of America’s first national park by returning to visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and the reliable “blow” of Old Faithful. In addition to superb mountain scenery, the park is one of the world’s principal wildlife preserves and a photographer’s paradise.

Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Park - Jackson

Head south into magnificent Grand Teton National Park, one of America’s last preserves of wild solitude. Its 13,770-foot-high ridges are crested with snow most of the year. Stroll along the shores of beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake before ending the day in the Wild West town of Jackson with its wooden sidewalks and swing-door saloons. This evening, join an optional barbecue cookout and Wild West show or independently stroll along the old-time boardwalks and have supper at a swing-door saloon.

Jackson - Alpine

The day is free in Jackson to explore the shops and museums of historic downtown. Maybe join a scenic trip down the Snake River? Enjoy an 8-mile float trip that begins at Pritchard Creek and passes nesting areas of bald eagles and ospreys. Overnight in Alpine located on the banks of the Snake River.

Alpine - Salt Lake City

Today, travel to Salt Lake City, Utah’s vibrant capital. Set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, this centre of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, “This is the place.” An included sightseeing tour offers a glimpse of Temple Square, the Capitol Building, and the beautiful downtown area.

Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon National Park

Journey through sagebrush landscape to Bryce Canyon National Park with its 20 miles of sandstone cliffs and ever-changing colours. See some of Earth’s most brilliant shades of rock, sculpted by nature into pillars called “hoodoos.”

Bryce Canyon National Park - Zion National Park - Page

First stop today is Zion National Park with its landscape carved over millions of years by rushing streams. Steep canyons, stone towers, and verdant vegetation form the scenery of Zion. Then, head east into Page on the shores of Lake Powell, originally built to house workers during the construction of the massive Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back the waters of 186-mile-long Lake Powell.

Page - Painted Desert - Grand Canyon

Enjoy an optional flight over scenic Monument Valley. Then, cross the Painted Desert and head through Kaibab National Forest before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park in the early afternoon. Marvel at one of the Natural Wonders of the World as you experience amazing views. You’ll have plenty of time to do some viewing before dusk, as your accommodation is inside the national park.

Grand Canyon - Las Vegas

For a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, take an optional helicopter flightseeing trip over the Grand Canyon, with incomparable views of flame-coloured walls plunging 7,000 feet into the Colorado River. Leaving the high country of Arizona, we pass through Williams on famous Route 66, and then the old Mojave gold-strike country, which still has traces of century-old ghost towns. Arrive in Las Vegas—a neon desert oasis packed with spectacular hotels and casinos.

Las Vegas - UK

Your tour ends today.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in Las Vegas.

Home landing in the UK