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AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS May 23 - June 1, 2006 10 Days $1679 |
Tour Highlights
| Day 1 Salt Lake City. Welcome to Salt Lake City! This evening mix and mingle with your traveling companions at the 6 p.m. welcome reception. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. (WR) |
| Day 2 Salt Lake City-Jackson. Morning sightseeing focuses on the city’s many historic monuments, including Temple Square and the University of Utah-site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Continue northward into Wyoming, and reach the all-western town of Jackson. This evening enjoy the BAR-T-5 CHUCKWAGON COOK-OUT and wild west show. (B,D) |
| Day 3 Jackson. Jackson Hole Aerial Tram. Depart for the alpine village of Teton, where you’ll board an AERIAL TRAM that will carry you to the summit of 10,450-foot Rendezvous Peak. From the top, enjoy a spectacular panorama of the Teton Range and the Jackson Hole Valley. The afternoon is at leisure in Jackson; perhaps join an optional float trip on the Snake River. Float in a comfortable raft beneath the towering peaks of the Grand Tetons and watch for wildlife as your experienced local guide gives an informative narration. Evening is at leisure to stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink in one of the swing-door saloons. (Note: Jackson Hole Aerial Tram operates from late May until the third week of September. Tours arriving in Jackson before or after these dates will instead enjoy a guided tour of the world-renowned National Museum of Wildlife Art. The operation of the tram is always subject to favorable weather conditions.) (B) |
| Day 4 Jackson-Grand Teton National Park-Yellowstone National Park. Morning is free in Jackson to explore the array of shops and museums in the historic downtown area. Then head north through GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK and on to YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. Admire famous Old Faithful geyser that has been erupting consistently for over 100 years. (B,D) |
| Day 5 Yellowstone. Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake. A scenic drive with a stop at Fountain Paint Pots. At Mammoth Hot Springs take a short trail walk through steaming limestone terraces. Rejoin the loop road and enjoy several photo stops with the best perhaps at Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara. (B,D) |
| Day 6 Yellowstone-Cody. Near the east exit of the park, watch for wildlife. Leave Yellowstone for Cody, named after dashing Buffalo Bill Cody. This afternoon visit the BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER, a fine museum of weapons and western art. Later enjoy free time or an optional raft trip on the Shoshone River. (B,D) |
| Day 7 Cody-Little Bighorn Battlefield-Sheridan. Enjoy this morning’s scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains on your way to the LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum. Then head to the cattle town of Sheridan. (B,D) |
| Day 8 Sheridan-Rapid City. Journey through the rolling hills of Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, arriving in South Dakota. Tour DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterwards visit TATANKA, “The Story of the Bison,” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Continue to Rapid City. (B) |
| Day 9 Rapid City. Visit to Mount Rushmore. The day begins with a visit to CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief. Afterwards explore MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Maybe stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views or visit the Information Center. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a special Globus Farewell Celebration Dinner. (B,D) |
| Day 10 Rapid City. Tour ends this morning with tour guests departing on independent schedules. |
| SALT LAKE CITY Sightseeing tour, welcome reception JACKSON Ride aerial tram up Rendezvous Peak, chuckwagon dinner YELLOWSTONE Sightseeing tour CODY Visit Buffalo Bill Historical Center LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD Sightseeing and visit museum DEADWOOD Sightseeing tour, visit Tatanka MOUNT RUSHMORE Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial RAPID CITY Globus Farewell Celebration Dinner |
MEALSWelcome reception (WR); American breakfasts daily (B); 6 three-course
dinners with choice of entrees (D), including a Globus Farewell
Celebration Dinner in Rapid City |