Seek out grizzly bears and listen for the call of wolves. Watch vast herds of grazing elk and bison and follow trails to ancient spouting geysers. Gaze at snow capped mountains and icy glaciers and walk through flower filled meadows to magnificent waterfalls. Hear tales of the Wild West and delve into cowboy history. See some of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders and step back into an era of adventure on this very special tour.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly to Rapid City. Your Tour Guide and local guide will meet you and will be on hand throughout the tour. Overnight Rapid City.

• Mountain Carvings And Wild West Legends - 2
  

  Journey through South Dakota. The Black Hills rise out of the prairies and the beautiful countryside is reminiscent of Europe’s Alpine foothills. Craggy, imposing faces greet you at Mt Rushmore. The famous granite sculptures of Presidents Roosevelt, Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson are carved 60ft high and are as grand and enduring as the contributions of the men they represent. At Crazy Horse stop to admire a larger sculpture where work is still in progress to create a memorial to a famous North American Indian Leader. As you drive into the Black Hills hear tales of American folklore. Step back in time at Deadwood, famed home of Calamity Jane and scene of legendary Wild Bill Hickok’s murder. You can almost hear the ‘crack of a whip’ and voices from another time as you wander through the restored gambling saloons and casinos. Cross the border into Wyoming, the ‘Cowboy State’. Overnight Hulett.

• ‘Skyscrapers’ And Rodeos - 3
  

  Devil’s Tower National Monument looms over the Belle Fourche River Valley. This granite wonder was once hidden below the earth’s surface. Erosion has stripped away rock layers revealing a ‘skyscraper’ steeped in Indian legend and protruding from the flat and open expanse. Leave the great plains and climb into the majestic Rocky Mountains, Wyoming’s scenic beauty is at its most splendid here. Buffalo Bill gave his surname to the village of Cody, today it is the ‘Rodeo Capital Of The World’. For a real ‘taste of the west’ join the ‘boys and gals’ at the Cody Nite Rodeo. (June-August). Ask your Tour Guide for more information. Overnight Cody.

• Buffalo Bill Country - 4
  

  Discover more ‘wild west’ history on a visit to the Buffalo Bill Historic Centre. Learn about the life of the famous cowboy, view collections of paintings, and learn about Indian art and cultural history. See an impressive display of antique firearms and get an introduction to the natural history of Yellowstone. Leave Cody for the drive along Chief Joseph Road, the views are amazing and on a clear day you can see for 100 miles.

• An Introduction To Yellowstone - 4
  

  Yellowstone is a wonderland of steaming geysers, thundering waterfalls and panoramic vistas. Mountain peaks soar above the landscape and forests of spruce and fir tower over wide valleys where wildlife roam. Meadows brim with a dazzling array of wildflowers and the air is clear and fresh. Lamar valley, scattered with ponds and large boulders is a favoured habitat of the abundant elk, and bison. Stop to view the grazing herds; late afternoon is a perfect time to view the wildlife. Overnight Cooke City.

• A Morning With Bears And Wolves - 5
  

  Rise with the sun and return to the Lamar Valley. Chortling cranes patrol the skies and you may catch sight of soaring bald eagles too. A good pair of binoculars is vital as you scan the landscape; see if you can spot the tawny coat of a grizzly. These bears are larger than their black relatives and also distinguished by a slightly upturned nose. If you want to see wolves this is the place to be, the famous Druid Peak pack resides here. Canis Lupus thrives in an environment where the prey base is huge and the Lamar River provides a natural insulation from most human contact.

• An Afternoon At The Hot Springs - 5
  

  The sheer size of Mammoth Hot Springs will come as a surprise; these step-like terraces are formed as heated water moves along a fault, carrying calcium and bicarbonate. The springs constantly change shape and colour, sometimes dormant for years they may suddenly burst into life again. As the afternoon draws to a close look out for moose, these odd looking but charming creatures have a preference for this area of the park as does the trumpeter swan, the heaviest flying bird in Yellowstone. Overnight Mammoth Hot Springs.

• Tracks And Trails, Geysers And Waterfalls - 6
  

  Start the day with a walk up to the Mammoth Hot Springs before continuing into the Upper Loop. Take the path through the breathtaking Norris Geyser Basin, geysers and hot springs are tucked in amongst the trees of a regenerating forest. In some areas hot, acidic water emits from the bowels of the earth preventing the growth of any vegetation and creating a beautiful but desolate landscape. Follow your guide along the trails to the ‘Grand Canyon’ of the park. Here the Yellowstone River has carved a deep path through the mountains and created a waterfall twice the height of Niagara. Take in the spectacular sight and sound of the falls as they cascade into the gorge below. The colours here are quite wonderful and ever-changing. Black and grey, pink and purple streak across the many layers of rock but it is iron that has the greatest influence staining it to shades of yellow that gave a name to a river and the national park. Overnight West Yellowstone.

• Old Faithful And Wildlife At The Lake - 7
  

  Tour the Lower and Midway Geysers before arriving at the parks most famous attraction. Old Faithful bursts into action frequently with eruptions reaching up to 184ft. Have your camera ready for the perfect shot. Follow the road to Yellowstone Lake and spend the afternoon on the lookout for bears, you may spot the smaller black species this afternoon. Pelicans are frequent visitors, watch as they fish directly from the water with their long orange bills. Your guide may point out ospreys too, perhaps waiting to swoop down on their next prey. Otters love this watery environment and these playful creatures are a regular sight along the shoreline. Overnight Yellowstone Lake or Grant Village.

• Soaring Peaks Of Grand Teton National Park - 8
  

  Leave Yellowstone and travel south into neighbouring Grand Teton National Park. Soaring snow-capped peaks, crystal clear lakes and icy glaciers are the distinguishing features of this wild landscape. Stop at stunning Jenny Lake for breathtaking views over the Teton Mountain Range

• Wild West And Steaks - 8
  

  Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Jackson Hole, a combination of wild west town and ski resort. Shop for cowboy memorabilia and souvenirs of Yellowstone . Tonight dine in one of the many fine steak restaurants in Alpine. Overnight Alpine.

• Idaho Falls And The Mormon City - 9
  

  Follow the Snake River across the border into Idaho at the western edge of the Rocky Mountains. Here the river cascades over rocks creating the Idaho Falls. Visit the city of the same name before crossing the border again, this time into the state of Utah. Salt Lake City is a monument to the early Mormon settlers and founders of this beautiful city. Join a guided tour and visit Temple Square, with its famous Mormon Tabernacle. See the Capital Building and Governors’ Mansion and travel the old Mormon Trail restaurants are particularly good in Salt Lake City, ask your Tour Guide for recommendations for your last evening. Overnight Salt Lake City.

• Travelling - 10 to 11
  

  Return flight to the UK, arriving on Day 11.

Accommodation

• Days Inn, Rapid City (3-Star) - 1 Night
• Best Western Devil’s Tower Inn, Hulett (3-Star) - 1 Night
• Comfort Inn, Cody (3-Star) - 1 Night
• Soda Butte Lodge, Cooke City (3-Star) - 1 Night
• Yellowstone Lodges (3-Star) - 3 Nights
• (Typically 1 Night Each At Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon Lodge & Old Faithful Lodge)
• Flying Saddle Lodge, Alpine (3-Star) - 1 Night
• Red Lion Hotel, Salt Lake City (3-Star) - 1 Night

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 7:05 am

Includes

Not Included