Marvel at the West's premier natural wonders on this multi-state vacation. Your trip starts in Rapid City, South Dakota, with visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Tour Tatanka and Deadwood, once a wild gold-mining town. Visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana and tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated. Continue to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park to see magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon, Lower Falls, and world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. Journey into breathtaking Grand Teton National Park for a delightful walk along glacier-fed Jenny Lake, and experience a chuck wagon cookout, Wild West show, and free time in Jackson.Next, it’s on to Salt Lake City for a sightseeing tour; then marvel at the “hoodoos” and dramatic landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Continue to the shores of Lake Powell for an afternoon cruise. Cross the Painted Desert to the spellbinding Grand Canyon, where you will witness amazing and mouth-dropping beauty. Your hotel is located near the rim of the Grand Canyon, giving you a rare opportunity for great views and more time to explore the stunning landscapes. Finally, travel part of the legendary Route 66 to Las Vegas, where this spectacular vacation ends. On this vacation through some of the West’s premier national parks, you’ll see breathtaking scenery that cannot be found anywhere else!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Rapid City. Welcome to the heart of America! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Day #2 Rapid City. After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor 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. (B)
Day #3 Rapid City–Deadwood–Sheridan. This morning, enjoy a drive through BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST and experience the area’s colorful history with 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 [LF] 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. (B,D)
Day #4 Sheridan–Little Bighorn Battlefield–Cody. Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD, 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, stopping at Shell Falls en route to Cody, with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River. (B)
Day #5 Cody–Yellowstone National Park. This morning, visit the BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER, 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 forests. Enjoy several photo stops on the way to your hotel, including world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. (B,D) SPECIAL FEATURE: Enjoy a 2-night stay inside Yellowstone National Park. Each lodge has its own unique setting and atmosphere. Lodges featured are the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Specific lodges will be confirmed in your documents.NOTE:The routing and areas visited within Yellowstone are subject to favorable weather and/or road conditions. When conditions are unfavorable, the routing may be adjusted accordingly.
Day #6 Yellowstone National Park. 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, with magnificent views of Yellowstone 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 among the steaming limestone terraces. (B)
Day #7 Yellowstone National Park–Grand Teton National Park–Jackson. Journey south this morning 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 before ending the day in the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, travel by horse-drawn covered wagons into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner at the [LF] BAR T-5 CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show. Feast on slow-cooked chicken made in traditional Dutch ovens, along with other local specialties. (B,D)
Day #8 Jackson. Full day at leisure 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 swing-door saloons. (B)
Day #9 Jackson–Salt Lake City. 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 before dinner tonight at historic Temple Square. (B,D)
Day #10 Salt Lake City–Bryce Canyon National Park. Today, travel through sagebrush landscape to BRYCE CANYON, a national park with a beauty all its own. Take a leisurely drive with photo stops to capture the bright red, yellow, and pink pillars called “hoodoos.” The balance of the day is at leisure, and your overnight is at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. (B,D)
Day #11 Bryce Canyon National Park–Zion National Park– Lake Powell. Travel to ZION NATIONAL PARK with its dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs resembling temples and cathedrals. With your sightseeing tour you’ll have an opportunity to experience the park up-close and personal. Then, continue into Arizona and the town of Page, nestled on the shores of Lake Powell. Appreciate its majestic beauty on an afternoon CRUISE to Glen Canyon Dam and the “tapestry” walls of Antelope Canyon. (B,D)
Day #12 Lake Powell–Painted Desert–Grand Canyon National Park. This morning you may wish to join our optional flight over Monument Valley for a bird’s-eye view of the red sandstone monoliths, made famous by many Western movies and TV shows. Afterward, cross the Painted Desert with its ever-changing color scheme, and catch your first glimpse of the world-famous GRAND CANYON, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. An afternoon arrival allows plenty of free time to explore the canyon rim on your own. Be sure to take an evening stroll to savor the magnificent sunset. (B,D)SPECIAL FEATURE:Your hotel tonight is located near the rim of the Grand Canyon, a rare opportunity for great views and a significant extra by traveling with Globus.
Day #13 Grand Canyon National Park–Las Vegas. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. Then, travel on part of legendary Route 66 to Las Vegas, one of America’s most famous cities. Enjoy a sightseeing tour while en route to your resort hotel, located in the heart of the “Strip” for easy access to all the mega-casinos and amusement parks. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day #14 Las Vegas. Your tour ends this morning with guests departing on independent schedules. Transfers are provided to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. (B)
