Compare America's Greatest Treasures with Rapid City Start by Cosmos vs Yellowstone Discovery by Insight Vacations
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Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 9 days | 7 days |
Price From | $ 2,349 | $ 4,611 |
Price Per Day | $ 261 | $ 659 |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | No | No |
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Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description | Go west for adventure and treasured discoveries on this affordable American vacation through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah. From the stomping grounds of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok to the lofty peaks of the Grand Tetons, you’ll experience the Wild West with its stunning vistas and historic lore. Pass through the Black Hills of South Dakota where the legends of the frontier made their mark and stand at the national monuments to presidents at Mount Rushmore, and to Native American legend, Chief Crazy Horse. Follow the trail of pioneers and history-makers to Wyoming—home of Buffalo Bill and the spectacular natural splendor of Yellowstone National Park. From Old Faithful and thundering waterfalls to the desert of the Great Salt Lake, your journey through the American West is a tale to be told for years to come. | Venture into Montana's outstanding national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton- on a Limited-Edition Tour. With up to just 17 fellow guests, you'll enjoy breathtaking natural beauty, mountains, geysers, wildlife watching, picnics and the fresh open air. Your adventure starts in Bozeman, with the opportunity for a hike or some archery in Big Sky, before you embark on a four day voyage into the magnificent Yellowstone National Park, the most in-depth exploration that we offer. See famous geysers and hot springs, view wildlife after-hours with a Local Expert and join a myriad of gentle hikes around the intriguing features of the park. A memorable finale awaits at Grand Teton National Park, famed for its beautiful mountains. With sustainable travel at its core, this tour brings you closer to nature, including an opportunity to learn about the National Elk Refuge, its habitat preservation for endangered species and the nationally significant Jackson Elk Herd, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. |
Day 1: RAPID CITY
Welcome to Rapid City. Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2: RAPID CITY–CRAZY HORSE–MOUNT RUSHMORE–DEADWOOD
Visit 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. 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.
Day 3: DEADWOOD–CODY
This morning, head through high country, where open-range cattle kings made war on the homesteaders in the 1890s. Drive past Sheridan and then ascend into the alpine region of the Bighorn Mountains, and the site of the Battle of Tongue River. Overnight in Buffalo Bill’s frontier town of Cody.
Day 4: CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE
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 West Yellowstone.
NOTES:Routing and areas visited in Yellowstone National Park are always subject to favorable weather, gate access, and road conditions; therefore, routings may be adjusted.
Day 5: WEST YELLOWSTONE. DAY EXCURSION TO 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. (CBreakfast)
Day 6: WEST 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. This evening, consider an optional barbecue cookout and Wild West show. You’ll travel by horse-drawn covered wagon into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner and entertainment before returning to Jackson. (CBreakfast)
Day 7: JACKSON
Time to relax in Jackson or maybe embark on an optional scenic trip down the Snake River. Enjoy an 8-mile float trip that passes nesting areas of bald eagles, ospreys and a plethora of other bird species and wildlife. The afternoon is free to explore the historic downtown area of Jackson.
Day 8: JACKSON–SALT LAKE CITY
Today, travel to Salt Lake City, Utah’s vibrant capital. Set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, this center of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, “This is the place.” An included sightseeing tour features the Capitol Building, and the beautiful downtown area.
Day 9: SALT LAKE CITY
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Salt Lake City further. (Breakfast)
Day 1: Welcome to Bozeman
Arrive in Bozeman, enjoy views of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, and transfer to your hotel. Your time is yours to get to know this charming town. May we suggest, taking a stroll along the friendly Main Street or visiting the Museum of the Rockies? In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delicious Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Big Sky, Big Nature Relaxed Start
Wake up at your own pace with a relaxed start in Bozeman before you transfer to Big Sky. Take in the scenery as you drive through high alpine meadows, drop into the rocky Gallatin Canyon and travel alongside the river, under the gaze of the iconic lone peak of Big Sky Mountain. With its wide skies and breath-taking views, Big Sky is a nature lover's paradise and the gateway community to Yellowstone National Park. This afternoon, enjoy an Insight Choice. Choose to take a guided or self-guided hike among the wildflowers, roaring streams and distant snowclad peaks. Alternatively choose to test your archery skills with the Lone Peak as your backdrop.
Day 3: Hello Yellowstone!
Depart Big Sky in the morning and enter the vast wonderland of Yellowstone National Park. The world’s first National Park, Yellowstone spans over 2.2 million acres and is full of natural wonders, geothermal phenomena and diverse, free-roaming wildlife. Spend the morning sightseeing and wildlife spotting in West Yellowstone with your Travel Director, look out for wolves, bear, elk and moose. In the late afternoon join a Local Expert for an after-hours, wildlife sightseeing visit, a unique Insight Experience. Step off the beaten track to learn about bird and animal migration patterns and behavior. Stop for a delicious picnic dinner of local delicacies and wine, and listen to stories of life in and out of the park.
Day 4: Hot Springs and Hiking in Yellowstone Relaxed Start
This morning enjoy a relaxed start before spending the day sightseeing in Yellowstone National Park. Join your Travel Director to explore the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces, one of the major geyser basins in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. Partake in one of two gentle hikes: the Mammoth Terraces Trail passes many of the most beautiful and historic hot spring terraces of the park and snakes up to a wonderful outlook; the Beaver Ponds Trail rambles through sagebrush meadows, trees and beaver ponds. Keep a look out for wildlife, including a large variety of water birds. The afternoon is yours at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing dip in the Boiling River Hot Spring, where cold water from the Gardner River mixes with the hot spring to make one of the few official soaking areas in Yellowstone. Don’t forget your bathing suit! (Weather dependent).
Day 5: Yellowstone's Grand Canyon Relaxed Start
This morning relocate to a new area of the park and take a gentle hike along the Ribbon Lake Trail for sweeping views of the Grand Canyon, the Park and its waterfalls, lakes and thermal features. Stop for lunch in Canyon Village and take time to explore the fascinating Canyon Visitor Education Center. Here you can see, hear and learn about the geological history of Yellowstone. In the afternoon, continue sightseeing around the stunning Yellowstone Lake. Head to the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum to learn all bout the many bird species that inhabit the park.
Day 6: Yellowstone's Famous Old Faithful
Set off this morning for your final day of sightseeing around the park, spending most of the day around Old Faithful. The spectacular Upper Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin are also home to Castle Geyser, Crested Pool, Sapphire Pool, Grand Prismatic Spring and the Excelsior Geyser Crater. In the afternoon, choose from a variety of hikes - maybe take a walk to Fairy Falls, which, at 200 feet (61 m) high, is one of Yellowstone's most remarkable waterfalls. Join your fellow travelers in the evening for a delicious Celebration Dinner.
Day 7: Mountain Peaks and the Wild West - Departures
Today head to Grand Teton National Park and marvel at the stunning mountain peaks as you immerse yourself in this wildlife haven with your Travel Director. Savor a taste of the old Wild West as you visit Jackson Hole, with free time to explore and have a delicious lunch in the authentic town of Jackson. After lunch, meet a local expert at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center and partake in a Make Travel Matter® Experience as you learn about the National Elk Refuge which manages a habitat for the nationally significant Jackson Elk Herd as well as for endangered species, birds, fish and other big game animals. In the late afternoon, bid farewell to the beautiful national parks and your fellow travelers, then transfer to Jackson Hole Airport arriving at 16:00. Please note this time when booking flights, or perhaps maybe extend your stay in Jackson with optional extra nights.