Compare America's National Parks by Globus vs Yellowstone Discovery by Insight Vacations
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,999 | $ 4,611 |
| Price Per Day | $ 400 | $ 659 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | 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 vacation 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. | 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: ARRIVE IN RAPID CITY
Welcome to Rapid City! At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BLACK HILLS From the four faces carved high on the granite peak of Mount Rushmore to the rocky spires of granite, the Black Hills exemplify the American West and its native history with a rugged beauty and wild serenity you’ll not soon forget.
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Day 2: 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. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT MONUMENTAL HISTORY Visit the dramatic depiction of Chief Crazy Horse at the massive memorial built in honor 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 Center.
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Day 3: RAPID CITY–DEADWOOD–SHERIDAN
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. (Breakfast,Dinner)
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.
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Day 4: SHERIDAN–LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT–CODY, WYOMING
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. (Breakfast)
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.
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Day 5: CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Legends of the Wild West This morning, visit the Buffalo Bill Center 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. (Breakfast)
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.
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Day 6: 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. (Breakfast,Dinner)
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.
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Day 7: 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. 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. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL 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!
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Day 8: JACKSON
Peak Experiences Spend a full free day to explore this spectacular Rocky Mountain town beneath the Grand Tetons. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE 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.
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Day 9: 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. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC 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.
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Day 10: SALT LAKE CITY
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Salt Lake City on your own? Extra nights are available for purchase. (Breakfast)
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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.
