Itinerary Details
America's National Parks With Denver And Canyon Spirit Rail Journey
Day 1: DENVER, COLORADO 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 Blue Sky while enjoying a local IPA brew or fresh-brewed coffee after dinner. Explore the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.
Day 2: DENVER–RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA 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 South 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. Watch for deer and antelope, as well as herds of bison that roam the rolling hills.
Day 3: RAPID CITY. EXCURSION TO CRAZY HORSE & MOUNT RUSHMORE MEMORIALS 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 honor of the fearless Lakota 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 and visit the Information Center.
Day 4: RAPID CITY–DEADWOOD–SHERIDAN, WYOMING 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 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.
Day 5: SHERIDAN–LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT–CODY 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.
Day 6: CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Spend Your Day Your Way in Cody Explore more of Cody with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
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 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.
Day 7: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 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 the first national park in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant, this preserved and protected paradise of wild landscapes, native heritage, spectacular wildlife, and extraordinary geologic and ecological phenomena remains a treasure today and for future generations. From geysers to grizzlies and great bison, visitors are forever changed by witnessing this natural wonder in abundance across 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness.
Day 8: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON 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. Continue to the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, enjoy dinner at [LF] Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West show. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Wagons ho! 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 into a traditional chuckwagon cookout.
Day 9: JACKSONPeak Experiences Spend a full free day exploring this spectacular Rocky Mountain town beneath the Grand Tetons. Enjoy freshly made huckleberry ice cream from a local shop during your leisure time while enjoying the beautiful surroundings today. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
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.
Day 10: JACKSON–SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 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 place,” upon seeing its vistas and verdant landscapes. The city played host to the 2002 Winter Olympics and offers a vibrant downtown with a variety of stores, attractions, and restaurants.
Day 11: SALT LAKE CITY Say goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver and enjoy a free day to explore Salt Lake City. (B)
Day 12: SALT LAKE CITY-EMBARK CANYON SPIRIT RAIL (formerly Rocky Mountaineer)-MOAB Ridin’ the Rails Depart Salt Lake City in the morning aboard the Canyon Spirit train, where you’ll indulge in breakfast and lunch, as well as a selection of included snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Travel past Provo, through the historic Thistle Tunnels, cross Soldier Summit, and descend the steep and scenic Price River Canyon. Enjoy sweeping views of majestic rock formations of the Book Cliffs as you make your way into Thompson Springs. Disembark the train and visit Canyonlands National Park on an included tour. Discover the stunning vistas of the Island in the Sky District—featuring Shafer Canyon, Grand View Point, and Green River Overlook. Later, arrive in the adventurous town of Moab with time to enjoy the sunset or dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L)
Day 13: MOAB-CANYON SPIRIT RAIL (formerly Rocky Mountaineer)-GLENWOOD SPRINGS Colorful Colorado Explore the breathtaking beauty of Arches National Park on an included scenic tour this morning. Or enjoy free time in Moab with a leisurely start to the day. This afternoon, depart Moab on the Canyon Spirit train and travel east crossing the Utah-Colorado border. Continue through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area with views of Parachute Creek and Mount Logan, while following the picturesque Colorado River. Take in the beautiful red rock formations, desert cliffs of Ruby Canyon, and the mountain vistas. Overnight in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado. (B,L,D)
Day 14: GLENWOOD SPRINGS-CANYON SPIRIT RAIL (formerly Rocky Mountaineer)-DENVER Mile High City Depart Glenwood Springs and travel onboard Canyon Spirit, with sweeping views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River as you cross the Continental Divide en route to Denver. Soon, you’ll arrive in the Mile High City of Denver. Transfer to the hotel in Denver. (B,L)
Day 15: DENVER Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Denver on your own? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
