Day 1 : Fly to Montana

We fly to Missoula and check in to our comfortable accommodations. The evening is at leisure to get acquainted with your fellow traveling companions.

Day 2 : Whitefish

Our day begins with a visit to The Historical Museum of Fort Missoula, a 32-acre park that tells the story of western Montana’s past. Walk through over 20 preserved historic buildings and structures dating back to 1863, including Grant Creek Schoolhouse, Quartermaster’s Storehouse, Frenchtown Mill Stones, and much more. Afterwards, we travel north from Missoula to Whitefish, viewing some of the most spectacular scenery our nation has to offer in Montana’s Big Sky Country. Along the way, we break for a delicious Welcome Lunch in Polson and take in amazing views of Flathead Lake and the surrounding Flathead National Forest. Arriving in Whitefish, we stop at a nearby mountain resort to enjoy a scenic gondola ride to the mountaintop for bird’s-eye views. We then check in to our overnight accommodations and have a restful evening.

Day 3 : Going-to-the-Sun Road

After an included breakfast, we’re off to Glacier National Park, which features over 20 glaciers and 200 lakes as standing reminders of the last Ice Age. We board vintage 1930s Red Buses with roll-back tops for a journey on one of the world’s most scenic routes, Going-to-the-Sun Road. Throughout this drive, learn more about the park’s history from an expert guide, take in views of the towering mountains, and gaze upon a variety of majestic wildlife including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, and moose. Enjoy lunch within the park at St. Mary Village before we continue to Great Falls and check in to our accommodations for the evening.

Day 4 : Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

We begin our day with a tour of the Lewis & Clark Historic Trail Interpretive Center and relive the explorers’ brave journey. Overlooking the beautiful Missouri River, this center includes exhibits, artifacts, films, and a two-story diorama of the expedition’s portage of the river’s waterfalls. After an included lunch, we visit the C.M. Russell Museum, an art complex that’s dedicated to Charles Marion Russell. Known as one of America’s greatest artists, his primary focus was the signature “cowboy art” that showcased Western cultures, landscapes, and wildlife. We then depart for Helena, Montana’s capital and the heart of this Big Sky State. We check in to our hotel for the next two nights and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 5 : Gates of the Mountains

Following our included breakfast, we embark on a guided city tour of Helena. Learn about the storied history of this vibrant city and marvel at the Gothic-style cathedral, which rivals those in Europe with its stunning towers and stained-glass windows. Our tour makes stops at various intriguing attractions, including the Montana State Capitol building and Cathedral of St. Helena. This afternoon, we board a riverboat to discover the epitome of Montana’s natural beauty, Gates of the Mountains, coined by famous explorer Meriwether Lewis. A guide narrates our journey down the scenic Missouri River, sharing historic stories of Lewis and Clark’s explorations. As we marvel at the rugged scenery with towering limestone cliffs to both sides of the boat, keep watch for intriguing wildlife. Tonight, we enjoy an included dinner together and return to our hotel.

Day 6 : Yellowstone National Park

This morning, we begin our drive to Gardiner, Montana, the original gateway to America’s first national park. Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 to protect a large variety of wildlife and preserve the world’s most extraordinary collection of geysers and hot springs. We have free time in the Mammoth Hot Springs area to explore nature’s beauty before traveling through the northern loop of Yellowstone, where we may have the opportunity to be part of the notorious bison traffic jam. This evening, we travel to West Yellowstone for our accommodations with shops and restaurants conveniently nearby.

Day 7 : Old Faithful

After an included continental breakfast, we return to Yellowstone National Park to enjoy a full day of soaking up the natural wonders with a guided tour. During our adventure, we make stops at Old Faithful, the world's most famous geyser, and Artist Point. Have your camera ready to capture stunning views of Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls and the multicolored Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A scenic drive then takes us through Hayden Valley, a region of lush forest meadows and haven for wildlife. Watch for bison and other fascinating animals! We depart Yellowstone this afternoon and settle in for a comfortable two-night stay in Jackson, Wyoming.

Day 8 : The Grand Tetons

This morning, we visit Grand Teton National Park, boasting picturesque views of shimmering lakes, rolling meadows, and soaring mountain ranges with snow-capped peaks. Watch for elk, bison, fox, moose, and bald eagles as we venture through the park and take advantage of premier photo opportunities. Learn about the past, present, and future of this protected area with immaculate exhibits and a short video during our stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center. We also visit the Chapel of the Transfiguration, a rustic log chapel with 100-year-old history and picture-perfect vistas of the Tetons, including Grand Teton. Tonight, we enjoy a covered wagon ride in Cache Creek Canyon to our included dinner – a tasty barbecue cookout accompanied with music and songs of the Old West!

Day 9 : Salt Lake City

Step aboard our comfortable motorcoach this morning for a scenic drive, taking us from Jackson into Salt Lake City. Along the way, we break at Bear Lake Overlook to stretch our legs as we take in spectacular views of the turquoise water nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains. After settling into our accommodations, enjoy one more wonderful dinner with your tourmates before the second half of your grand adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 10 : Leisure Day

Take advantage of a full day in Salt Lake City to spend as you wish! Just steps from the hotel you’ll find City Creek Center, an expansive mall with over 100 shops and eateries, or you may also enjoy exploring nearby attractions such as historic Temple Square, the Church History Museum, or Clark Planetarium.

Day 11 : Moab

Our day begins with a visit to see the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square as they record a performance for the longest-running radio broadcast of its kind in the country. Next, we travel to Moab for two wonderful evenings and have dinner at Moab Brewery.

Day 12 : Arches National Park

Enjoy an included continental breakfast each morning during our stay in Moab. Today, we explore the beauty of Arches National Park with an expert local guide. This is the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches, which are the result of erosion and weathering. In the afternoon, we visit Dead Horse Point State Park, considered Utah’s most spectacular state park, where scenic overlooks provide breathtaking panoramas of sculptured pinnacles and buttes.

Day 13 : Monument Valley

We depart Moab this morning and visit Newspaper Rock, one of the finest examples of petroglyphs in the United States. Next, a stop at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum allows us to view an impressive collection of Native American artifacts. After an included lunch, we discover Goosenecks State Park. Here, we overlook the San Juan River, its course zigzagging more than six miles in less than one linear mile! We then venture to the Monument Valley Visitor Center. The rugged, untouched beauty of this area has been used to portray the Old West in many motion picture and television westerns. Tonight, we indulge in a delicious dinner buffet.

Day 14 : The Grand Canyon

Today, we visit the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon with stops at spectacular overlooks for perfect viewing and photo opportunities. Stretching 227 miles along the Colorado River, this natural wonder varies from four to an incredible eighteen miles in width and reaches a depth of almost one mile below the South Rim. This evening, we relish the unique experience of staying within Grand Canyon National Park, right on the canyon's rim! Marvel at the colors and changing light of sunset while gazing out upon the magnificent canyon.

Day 15 : The Grand Staircase

Sweeping panoramas and surreal landscapes surround us during our last stop at Grandview Point before departing the Grand Canyon. We travel along the Grand Staircase on our way to incredible Zion National Park. Carved by the Virgin River over millions of years, it’s a spectacular example of cliff and canyon landscapes. After dinner at Red Rock Grill, we enjoy a memorable overnight in Zion National Park, nestled among towering rock formations.

Day 16 : Zion National Park

This morning, enjoy free time to explore the park by tram as you learn the history and geology of the region. View soaring cliffs, waterfalls, and rock formations described as thrones, steeples, and cathedrals. Later, we travel to the Bryce Canyon area and unpack for two relaxing nights.

Day 17 : Bryce Canyon

Today, we board our motorcoach to explore the stunning vistas of Bryce Canyon National Park with several photo stops. Admire its natural wonderland of towering spires and erosion-sculpted rocks called hoodoos. The afternoon is yours to discover more of Mother Nature’s awe-inspiring creations within the park. This evening, we enjoy a cowboy dinner and live music at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill.

Day 18 : Salt Lake City

Our day begins with a visit to Bryce Wildlife Adventure, a museum featuring an impressive collection of 1,100 animal mounts and 1,600 butterflies from all around the world. We then travel back to Salt Lake City for time at leisure and later gather for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate our new friendships and travel memories.

Day 19 : Fly Home

We return home with incredible memories from our western national parks grand adventure.