Compare Roaming Western Trails by Tours of Distinction vs Heart of the Winter in Yellowstone by Road Scholar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,789 | $ 3,849 |
| Price Per Day | $ 474 | $ 550 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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N/A |
| 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. |
Witness Yellowstone National Park in winter as veils of snow create a stunning backdrop for bubbling hot springs, thermal pools, pristine landscapes and the region’s unique wildlife. |
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, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Gardiner, MT
Hotel check in from 4:00 p.m.
Program Registration: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Orientation. In the hotel conference room, 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 is staffed with both a resident instructor who will give lectures and lead field trips and a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. Only “over snow vehicles” are allowed in Yellowstone National Park during the winter months. All of our travel in the park will be via snow coaches — specialized van-type vehicles that travel over snow and ice, moving at slow speed limits (25 mph). During our time in snow coaches, the instructor will provide commentary along the way and at stops to view winter landscapes and wildlife. The snow coaches are heated; however, warm footwear and warm layered clothing are necessary outdoors. During our time in Yellowstone, we will have coupons to order from the menu. Periods in the daily 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. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
At the restaurant adjoining the hotel.
Day 2 Yellowstone Overview, Mammoth Hot Springs Gardiner, MT
Some short walks on snow-packed trails or boardwalks. Walking about 1.75 miles; several hundred stair steps (downhill), elevation change approximately 300 feet.
In the hotel conference room, our Instructor will present an overview of Yellowstone National Park. This natural history presentation will discuss wildlife, geology, biology, human history, and more. After our instructor lead lecture, we’ll head out mid-morning via motorcoach for Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. We’ll walk among the Mammoth Terraces to observe her ever changing, graceful, travertine beauty. About two tons of travertine (a form of limestone) are deposited daily as hot, mineral-laden water wells up from beneath the earth's crust to add to terraces that began building thousands of years ago.
We will continue our exploration of Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone, including time to visit the Albright Visitor Center.
At leisure. Our Instructor and Group Leader will be available for questions and conversation.
Hotel buffet.
At a grill in Mammoth Hot Springs, we will have coupons to order from the menu.
At the restaurant adjoining the hotel.
Day 3 Yellowstone Winter Wonderland by Snow Coach Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Getting in/out of heated snow coaches; short walks on snow-packed and sometimes icy trails or boardwalks.
We will check out of our hotel, and board the snow coaches and begin exploring the parks interior. Heading South past, swan lake flats, obsidian cliff and norris geyser basin. Our destination for the first day will be the mighty Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Our learning adventure will continue on along the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers. The Firehole River is lined by several geyser basins which make Yellowstone so famous.
At leisure. You might like to bundle up and take a short stroll outside under Yellowstone's star-filled sky mid mountain-scented, winter air, or relax in the lobby area's comfortable seating near an inviting fireplace.
Hotel buffet.
In the Park, we’ll have sack lunches.
At the restaurant in the Old Faithful Snowlodge. .
Day 4 Exploration at Fountain Paint Pot and Norris Geyser Basin Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Getting in/out of heated snow coaches; short walks on snow-packed trails.
We’ll board snow coaches for a field trip to explore the many thermal areas in and around Old Faithful. We will be stopping along the way at various sites, including geyser basins, waterfalls, and possible wildlife sightings.
Our naturalist-led exploration of Yellowstone continues as we make the return back to Old Faithful for the evening.
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Lodge buffet.
In the field, we’ll have sack lunches.
At the restaurant in the Old Faithful Snowlodge.
Day 5 Upper Geyser Basin, Snow Coaches to Gardiner Gardiner, MT
Getting in/out of heated snow coaches. Walking up to 1 mile; snow-packed, geyser basin paths and boardwalks.
We’ll check out of the lodge and leave our luggage to be loaded onto the luggage transport coach. We’ll then set off with our Instructor on a field trip to explore the Upper Geyser Basin and experience all four thermal features: hot springs, mud pots, geysers, and fumaroles (steam vents). Another great day to put cameras and binoculars to good use.
Boarding our snow coaches, we’ll make the return for an unforgettable voyage back to the Mammoth area via steaming, pungent Midway and Lower Geyser Basins. Ahead, our snowcoach trail flanks pristine Gibbon River to Gibbon Falls and northward to Mammoth area. Because only over the snow vehicles are allowed in Yellowstone during the winter, we will transfer to vans at the Mammoth Hot Springs area and ride down the hill into Gardiner, Yellowstone's Northern gateway town, for hotel check in.
At leisure. After a long day of adventure, enjoy some relaxation.
Lodge buffet.
Lodge buffet.
At the Restaurant adjacent to the hotel.
Day 6 Yellowstone's Northern Range Gardiner, MT
Getting on/off a bus. The drive to Cooke City is about 52 miles; approximately 2 hours one way Walking about 1 mile through the day; packed snow and ice on trails, snow-packed parking areas.
We’ll set out by bus for a field trip into Yellowstone's northern range to view and learn about this vital habitat. Our naturalist will discuss the natural history of area wildlife including predation, winter range, populations, reintroduction, and current issues. Bring binoculars in case we are fortunate enough to spot wildlife that might include bison, elk, wintering waterfowl, bald and golden eagles, bighorn sheep. We’ll continue on through the northern range to an old mining town known as Cooke City, named after a mining investor Jay Cooke, Jr.
We will board our bus and head back through Yellowstone's northern range, an expansive valley along the Lamar River, keeping our eyes open for wildlife as we enjoy our instructor’s commentary along the way.
In the hotel conference room, we’ll gather one last time as a group with our Instructor who will review our grand adventure in Yellowstone’s winter wonderland. We’ll have time for any final questions and answers. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning. Advance reservations required for airport shuttle (not included in program price).
Hotel buffet.
Sack lunches.
In the restaurant adjoining the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Day 7 Program Concludes Gardiner, MT
If you made an advance reservation for the airport shuttle, it departs from outside the hotel at 8:30 a.m. Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.
