Duration: 11 Days
The mining boom may have been more than a century ago, but it’s never too late to strike gold in America’s West. Filled with dazzling nuggets of wonder, this National Parks holiday takes you deep into the golden wilderness of untamed South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Back-to-back visits to some of the country’s most renowned national parks bring you face-to-face with the monumental sculptures of Mount Rushmore, the explosive geysers of Yellowstone National Park, and the towering spires of Grand Teton National Park. Plus, visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and the gold rush towns of Cody, Jackson, and Deadwood shed light on some of the 19th century’s most famous battles and barroom brawls. After meeting herds of elk, bison, and other area locals, city slickers can get their fix with a visit to lively Salt Lake City. Kick off your national parks holiday by kicking around Colorado’s cosmopolitan capital. The list of things to do in the “Mile High City” is easily a mile long. Museums and music, breweries and boutiques, and performing arts and parks await.
Traveller Notes
- We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- Routes and areas visited in Yellowstone are subject to weather and/or road conditions.
- This holiday visits national parks and other remote locations where some facilities may not be up to the first-class standard you expect from Globus. Some lodges within the parks do not have televisions and other amenities you would expect from most Globus hotels.
- Enjoy spectacular fall colours on our Fall Foliage departures: August 29-September 19 (Mother Nature permitting).
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Denver!
Enjoy free time in the Mile-High City this evening.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains is the perfect place to kick back with a view of the sunset over Mount Evans while enjoying a local IPA or Colorado coffee after dinner. Explore the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.
The City of Presidents
Meet your Tour Director this morning and enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Hills to Rapid City. At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS From a distance, the Black Hills of Dakota cut a dark figure rising above the plains, giving it the Lakota name of Paha Sapa (black hills). Upon closer inspection, this region is overflowing with western wildlife and natural wonders that go on as far as the eye can see. Keep an eye out where the deer and the antelope play - as well as herds of bison that roam the rolling hills.
Stone-Faced Patriots
After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MONUMENTAL HISTORY Visit the dramatic depiction of Chief Crazy Horse at the massive memorial built in honour of the fearless Sioux Chief - forever remembered for 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. Take a stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views of this moving monument or visit the Information centre.
Sheriffs & Sharpshooters
This morning, enjoy a scenic drive through Black Hills National Forest and experience the area's fascinating history on a guided tour of Deadwood. Then, continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local family-run restaurant featuring true Rocky Mountain hospitality. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The legendary town of Deadwood is home to the ghosts of the Wild West, where bold frontiersmen and optimistic gold miners set down stakes in this untamed mining town. Hear the rip-roaring stories of legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Potato Creek Johnny while exploring the streets where shoot-outs and sheriffs ruled the day.
Buffalo Bill & Brave Warriors
Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, arriving in Cody - named for its native son, Buffalo Bill Cody. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY HISTORY 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.
Legends of the Wild West
This morning, visit the Buffalo Bill centre of The West, a comprehensive 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. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Cavalry scout, Pony Express rider, ranch hand, wagon train driver, city planner, railroad contractor, bison hunter, fur trapper, gold prospector, Native American advocate, feminist, and inventor of modern Show Business, William Cody's legend rides on as a symbol of the unbridled possibilities of the early American West. "Buffalo Bill" Cody's horsemanship and sharpshooting skills gained notice by the U.S. Army and his Wild West shows endeared him to the elite audiences of Europe.
The Living Earth
Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pot to see the bubbling mud. See the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser and 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. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Designated as a national park by law 150 years ago, President Ulysses S. Grant worked to preserve and protect the wild landscapes, native heritage, spectacular wildlife, and extraordinary geologic and ecological phenomena that make this Rocky Mountain paradise a treasure today and for future generations to treasure. From geysers to grizzlies and great bison, no one leaves the park without being changed forever by the natural wonder witnessed in any of its 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness.
Glacial Giants
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 [LF] huckleberry ice cream while enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Continue to the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, enjoy an experience dinner at [LF] Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West show. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITES
LOCAL TASTES Experience the Wild West with a horse-drawn covered wagon ride through the forest to Cache Creek Canyon. Enjoy an authentic Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West Show, while dining on slow-cooked chicken from a traditional Dutch oven, along with other delicious western specialties. Pull up a seat and dig in to a traditional chuckwagon cookout complete with Wild West show. Wagons ho!
Peak Experiences
Spend a full free day to explore this spectacular Rocky Mountain town beneath the Grand Tetons. (B)
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Jackson with an optional float trip along the Snake River, stroll along the downtown boardwalks to enjoy a drink at one of the local saloons, or explore one of the many galleries that call Jackson home.
This is the Place!
Today's journey continues alongside some of Wyoming's most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah. Arrive in Salt Lake City and 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. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT The capital city of Utah was first established in 1847 by early pioneer settlers led by Brigham Young, who exclaimed, "This is the right place," upon seeing its vistas and verdant landscapes. More recently, the city played host to the 2002 Olympics and now offers a vibrant downtown with a variety of stores, attractions, and restaurants.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Salt Lake City on your own? Extra nights are available for purchase (B)
