Compare Roaming Western Trails by Tours of Distinction vs Passport to Southeast Alaska: By Hiking Boot, Kayak & Boat by Road Scholar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,789 | $ 4,949 |
| Price Per Day | $ 474 | $ 495 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Description |
Blaze an unforgettable trail experiencing the legends and lore of America’s Wild West. This trip includes a medley of manmade and natural attractions – of gargantuan proportions - from Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, to Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Channel your inner pioneer spirit as you meet a colorful cast of characters in Cody, and the rough and tumble town of Deadwood. Unwind in the splendor of Jackson Hole’s profoundly beautiful landscape brimming with wildlife. Watch herds of buffalo graze against majestic mountain ranges as you float on Snake River, marvel at the timely precision of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, and have a close encounter with the nation’s first National Monument, Devil’s Tower in this small group guided tour. |
Alaska is one-fifth the size of all Lower 48 states combined but has a population smaller than Rhode Island. Come hike, kayak, learn about and explore this idyllic place. |
Day 1 - Arrive Salt Lake City, Utah
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to be an early Frontiersman, now is your chance! Transfer to the airport for your flight to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our local guide and our awaiting motor-coach. Enjoy a city tour of Salt Lake City, where we will see downtown, the Capitol, Temple Square and more. We will check into our hotel before our ‘welcome’ dinner.
Day 2 - Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY
This morning, we will head over to Temple Square after breakfast. Here we will have a chance to see the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcast performance. After, we say goodbye to Salt Lake City as we travel north along the shores of the Great Salt Lake. We will travel through Logan Canyon to beautiful Bear Lake for an included lunch. We will arrive into the fun town of Jackson, WY. Once we check into our hotel, the evening is free to explore the many shops, art galleries and restaurants on your own.
Day 3 - Jackson - Yellowstone National Park
This morning after breakfast, we are in for a wonderful experience as we are introduced to Grand Teton National Park on a half day scenic float trip on the Snake River! Enjoy amazing views of the Teton Mountains and wildlife viewing opportunities as your guide explains the geology and history of the area. After the float trip, we continue sightseeing of Grand Teton which will include: Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Next, we enter into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, for sightseeing including the heart of the park, Old Faithful. There will be time to witness an eruption and explore Old Faithful Village and the many thermal features in the area. Later this afternoon, we travel to West Yellowstone and check into our hotel. This evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Yellowstone National Park - Cody, WY
After breakfast, we head back into Yellowstone National Park for another day of sightseeing. We will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and pass through Hayden Valley and along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. As we exit the park, we enter into the historic town of Cody, where we will tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is five museums under one roof. Tonight, we enjoy food and entertainment at the Cody Cattle Company with a chuckwagon style dinner, traditional cowboy music and some laughs. Then, there is exciting cowboy action at the Cody Nite Rodeo!
Day 5 - Cody - Rapid City, SD
We will depart Cody after breakfast and continue East crossing the Bighorn Mountain. Our first stop is at Devil’s Tower National Monument for sightseeing of the country’s first National Monument. Later this afternoon, we will arrive at the historic town of Deadwood for sightseeing. This is a rough and tumble western town famous for outlaws, gunslingers and lawmen alike. There will be time to explore the town and have dinner, on your own, before continuing on to Rapid City, SD for a two night stay.
Day 6 - Rapid City
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Badlands National Park for sightseeing. This famous park consists of nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. After lunch, we travel to Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge to get up close and personal with the residents of this park as you head out on a Wildlife Jeep Safari to view the buffalo herds and much more. Next, we make our way to the Crazy Horse Monument for sightseeing of the unfinished mountain carving and insight into the Lakota culture. Then, join the group for an included dinner followed by a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as we attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony!
Day 7 - Rapid City - Cheyenne, WY
We start our day after breakfast with a beautiful drive to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, where we will have morning views of this magnificent monument. Depart the Black Hills and take your journey south returning to the plains of Wyoming. We make a stop at Fort Laramie National Historic Site for sightseeing and a picnic lunch. This afternoon, we continue to the capitol city of Cheyenne and check into our hotel. After, we have time to freshen up, we will enjoy a ‘farewell’ dinner, at the hotel.
Day 8 - Depart Cheyenne
After breakfast, we take a Trolley Tour of Cheyenne. After, a nice introduction to the city, we arrive at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds to experience a ‘Behind the Chutes Tour.’ The Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena is the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo each July. Get a first-hand look at what goes on during the rodeo from behind the scenes. This exiting tour follows the path of the bulls and broncs as the animals are rounded up and threaded through the maze of gates on their way to the chutes and out into the arena with cowboy in tow. A special experience awaits as we step into the chutes and finish the tour by walking across the arena. This afternoon, we will enjoy a western lunch before departing Cheyenne for the Denver International Airport for your departing flight.
Day 1 Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation Juneau, AK
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program will be led by the Group Leader and local experts unless specified otherwise. Transportation will vary each day between taxis, vans, small buses, or converted school buses. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
In the hotel's meeting space, we will enjoy a buffet including main dishes, vegetable, salad, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, water.
Day 2 Explore Juneau, Hiking, Kayaking, Bonfire Juneau, AK
Getting on/off shuttle; minimal driving. Kayaking at a leisurely pace for approximately 2.5 hours in 2 person kayaks; walking for approximately 1 hour on dirt/sand/gravel paths. Walking up to 2.5 miles in the afternoon. Sturdy, waterproof boots and rain gear are highly recommended for kayaking. We also recommend bringing synthetic gloves, rain hat, and waterproof bag to store valuables and camera gear. Walking poles will be supplied if needed during the kayak trip.
We will divide into two groups for our interpretive hiking and kayaking adventure. We will board our shuttle to meet our kayak outfitter, then transfer to the trailhead where we will being our hike to a remote beach. From here, we'll launch our double kayaks and begin our nature paddle. Following our kayak trip, we'll return to the beach, where we'll have lunch around a bonfire.
We’ll hike back to the trailhead and return to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is ours to enjoy as we please.
At leisure.
In our hotel meeting space, we’ll enjoy a buffet, including choices such as egg dishes, cereals, toast, yogurt, fresh fruit, plus coffee, tea, and water.
We’ll enjoy a meal on the beach featuring Alaskan delicacies harvested by local businesses and Alaskan families. The menu will include dairy, fish, shellfish, and nuts. An alternate menu is not available for this meal.
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Day 3 Mendenhall Glacier, Free Time, Flight to Gustavus Gustavus, AK
Getting on/off shuttle; driving about 1/2 hour, 18 miles total. Flight time under 1/2 hour. Walking under 1 mile; hiking approximately 5 miles in length.
We will check out and store our luggage at the hotel. We'll head to the Mendenhall Glacier to explore the area around the glacier’s base. Known as Sitaantaagu, meaning “the Glacier Behind the Town,” it is only 12 miles from downtown Juneau, allowing easy access to the 13-mile long glacier. Mendenhall Lake was created by melting ice and runoff from the glacier, flowing out through the Mendenhall River. We will meet with local experts who will lead us on a hike. Following our field trip, we will return to Juneau.
We'll walk next door to the Alaska State Museum for a self-directed exploration of the museum, which is the repository for the state's history, highlighting the distinct native cultures of Alaska. Afterwards, we'll return to the hotel to shuttle to the airport for our short flight to Juneau. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel.
At leisure.
Hotel buffet.
In the hotel meeting space, we’ll enjoy a buffet lunch with coffee, tea, water. Other beverages available for purchase.
At the hotel, we will enjoy a late plated meal with choice of appetizer or salad, main course, dessert. Coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Day 4 Glacier Bay National Park Boat Trip Gustavus, AK
Getting on/off 150-passenger, high-speed catamaran with covered areas. Boat trip will take approximately 8 hours. Minimal walking.
We'll board a heated, high-speed catamaran with a National Park Service ranger to spend the day on the waters of Glacier Bay to view tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountains, whales, stellar sea lions, seabirds, seals, eagles, and possibly some bears along the shore. We'll travel to the face of the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, two of the many tidewater glaciers found in the National Park.
We'll continue our exploration through the bay watching for calving glaciers, floating ice, and wildlife. Isn't that what Alaska is all about? After our stunning ride, we will return to shore and walk back to the lodge.
At the lodge, we will meet our kayak instructors for tomorrow’s trip and receive a short orientation for our coming adventures.
At the lodge, we will enjoy an early buffet including a chef's specialty dish, eggs, meats, biscuits, potatoes, oatmeal, cereals, pastries, fruits, plus coffee and juice.
Aboard the catamaran, we’ll enjoy a boxed meal including a sandwich, fruit, cookie, plus coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water.
Lodge plated meal.
Day 5 To Point Adolphus, Kayak Field Trip Gustavus, AK
Getting on/off shuttle; driving under 1/2 hour, 10 miles total. Kayaking for 2.5 hours at a time, split in 2 alternating groups. Non-kayak boat for resting will accompany our kayaks. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
We will drive to a water taxi headed to Point Adolphus for our kayak adventure. Once on shore, our experts will provide the essentials to paddle safely and efficiently. We'll paddle out and watch for whales and other wildlife with plenty of time to take photographs, and to enjoy the true Alaskan wilderness. After a great morning of paddling, we'll head back on the water taxi to Gustavus.
Those who kayaked in the morning will enjoy some independent time while the second group kayaks. Our Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
At leisure. There will be another opportunity to attend a ranger-led lecture about Glacier Bay if we choose.
Lodge buffet.
En route to Gustavus, we will enjoy boxed lunches including sandwiches.
Lodge plated meal.
Day 6 Free Time, Hike, Transfer to Juneau Juneau, AK
Getting on/off shuttle; driving under 1/2 hour total. Flight time under 1/2 hour. Hiking up to 2 miles over varied terrain.
After our last few days full of adventure, take some time for rest and relaxation with a morning at leisure. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions for independent exploration around the lodge. We'll check out of the lodge this morning and store our luggage for our transfer in the afternoon.
We'll get moving again with a beautiful hike on the Nagoonberry Loop Trail led by our Group Leader. After our hike, we will transfer to the airport for our late afternoon return flight to Juneau. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and check in.
At leisure.
Lodge buffet.
At the lodge, we will enjoy a plated meal including appetizer or salad and main course. Coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
We will enjoy a buffet dinner in the hotel's meeting space including main course, sides, salad, dessert. Coffee, tea, water included. Other beverages available for purchase.
Day 7 Fast Ferry to Haines, Alaska Indian Arts Haines, AK
Getting on/off ferry; riding for 3 hours. Walking up to 3 miles along even terrain.
We’ll transfer to the dock where we’ll board the fast ferry. We’ll enjoy educational commentary during the journey from Juneau to Haines, as well as make stops for wildlife viewing. We may be lucky enough to see eagles, whales, sea lions, and harbor seals. Along the way, we will also make a stop at the Eldred Rock Lighthouse, built in 1905 and the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska.
We’ll arrive in Haines and check in to our hotel. We’ll then explore the area at Fort William H. Seward with a local expert to learn about the history of the fort, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978. It was authorized by President William McKinley in December 1898 to house infantry until it was closed in 1945. Currently, the fort houses an art colony. We will then walk to the nearby Alaska Indian Arts, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Coast Native Tribes. A local expert will lead as we observe totem poles and a carving studio. This will be followed by time on our own to explore the town. Our Group Leader will offer some suggestions.
We'll depart for an evening scenic drive with an expert naturalist. We'll experience the incredible natural beauty and wildlife along the river.
At the hotel, we will enjoy a buffet featuring a variety of hot and cold options.
On the ferry, we will enjoy salmon chowder along with sourdough bread, cookie, coffee, tea, water. Other snacks and beverages available for purchase on the ferry.
At the hotel restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated meal featuring creative and unique main dishes prepared from locally caught and grown ingredients, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Day 8 Bald Eagle Preserve, Klukwan Village, Afternoon Hike Haines, AK
Getting on/off shuttle; driving about 1.5 hours total. Getting in/out of rafts; rafting 1.5 hours total. Hiking up to 4 miles on mostly flat, groomed paths.
Our expert naturalists will give a safety briefing at the hotel. We will then board our 16-foot oar rafts and heading out on the Chilkat River. We will be joined by a naturalist, who will discuss topics like local ecology, the history of Haines, and more. From the Alaska Department of Natural Resources: “The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the State of Alaska in June of 1982 to protect the world’s largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat.” The preserve consists of 48,000 acres of river bottomland formed by the intersection of three rivers and is home to Klukwan, the mother village of the Tlingit Nation. After our float, we will pull out at the site of a Klukwan village, where elders will provide a presentation about Tlingit culture and history. We will view the historical collection of the Whale House Clan. They will go on a walkthrough of the Traditional Knowledge Camp, where we will learn about adze carving for tribal canoes and smoking salmon. We’ll then listen to historical storytelling presentations We will then return to the hotel by shuttle.
Our expert naturalists for today's adventure will meet us at the hotel and lead us on a hike through the rainforest, over boardwalks, bridges and creeks to Battery Point. Full of wildflowers in the early summer, it is bordered by the Chilkat River with views of the snowcapped mountains and Lynn Canal. We will then return to the hotel.
At leisure to rest and relax or take a walk through town.
At the hotel, we’ll enjoy an early plated breakfast at the hotel including eggs, breakfast meats, English muffin, fruit, coffee, juice, water.
At the hotel, we will have boxed lunches with a pre-selected sandwich.
At the hotel, we'll enjoy a plated meal.
Day 9 Fast Ferry to Juneau, Mount Roberts Tramway Juneau, AK
Getting on/off ferry; riding 3 hours. Hiking on groomed trails. Distance based on personal preference.
We'll check out and transfer to the dock, where we'll board our fast ferry that will take us back to Juneau. We'll enjoy interpretation from an expert and keep our eyes peeled for wildlife sightings. When we arrive in Juneau we'll transfer to our hotel.
We'll make our way to downtown Juneau, where we’ll have a chance to ride the Mount Roberts Tramway. In operation since 1996, the Mt. Roberts tram makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot Mount Roberts from the docks to a height of about 1,800 feet. At the top, we will enjoy expansive views of Juneau and Gastineau Channel and have some time for exploration at the Mountain House, Chilkat Theater, and Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery.
We'll have a program wrap up sharing our favorite memories with our fellow Road Scholars. Take the rest of the evening to relax and prepare for your departure the next day.
Hotel buffet.
In the hotel meeting space, we'll enjoy a buffet meal. Coffee, tea, lemonade, water included. Other beverages available for purchase.
In the hotel meeting space, we'll have a buffet meal. Coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Day 10 Program Concludes Juneau, AK
Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m.
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
At the hotel, we will enjoy a buffet breakfast with coffee, tea, water, juice. This concludes our program.
