CLASSIC LODGES AND PARKS OF THE WEST SEPTEMBER 13 23, 2018 Escorted by Ms. Christine Friedt Vacation Highlights: 11 Days / 10 Nights from Rapid City, SD to Salt Lake City, UT Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 5 three-course dinners Tour escort throughout the duration of the trip Prices and Important Dates Trip Price: $3995 per person double occupancy Credit card add 3% $350 pp deposit Single room supplement: $1090 Journey s Club discount available Price includes- Land Package, roundtrip airfare from Grand Rapids, transfers, and services of a trip escort. Bag fees are traveler responsibility. Travel Insurance: Contact wetravel for pricing. The wetravel Experience wetravel escorts our travelers on every trip, making certain that things run as smoothly as possible. Christine Friedt & Debi Termaat, the wetravel escorts, advocate for individuals as well as the group to ensure that any problems which crop up are handled quickly, allowing you to enjoy the best possible experience. Our trips provide the best of all worlds, the ability to travel to domestic & foreign destinations in the most convenient, cost-efficient & stress-free way possible. Your experienced escort handles every detail, answers questions & connects fellow travelers interested in optional excursions & free time exploration. You will have peace of mind knowing your escort is available prior to & throughout the trip. On this fun-filled National Parks tour, discover the majestic parks and
historic lodges of the American West. Begin in Rapid City, South Dakota, gateway to the Black Hills, and end in Salt Lake City with overnights along the way in some of the West's classic lodges. In Custer State Park, stay two nights at the historic State Game Lodge, a gracious stone and wood lodge set in a beautiful mountain valley that served as the Summer White House for President Coolidge. In Spearfish Canyon, stay at Spearfish Canyon Lodge, nestled in the heart of one of the world's most breathtaking canyons surrounded by lofty pines and spectacular cliffs. Enjoy a 2-night stay at Yellowstone National Park s classic lodges, giving you the opportunity to breathe in the spectacular beauty and witness the amazing wildlife. You'll also overnight in Cody and Jackson. In addition to overnight stays in the classic lodges, this National Parks tour features visits to Badlands National Park to see its stunning scenery, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Old West town of Deadwood, stunning Grand Teton National Park, and Jackson, where you'll have time to explore on your own. Globus has also arranged some special experiences for you, such as a backcountry buffalo safari and chuckwagon cookout in Custer State Park. Just wait until you see these majestic creatures in their natural environment! You'll also visit the world s largest excavation site for mammoth remains from more than 26,000 years ago in Hot Springs. All of this and more are waiting on this tour of the West s classic lodges, breathtaking scenery, and historic sights what a grand vacation!
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description. DAY 1 Arrive in Rapid City Welcome to Rapid City, gateway to the Black Hills. At 6:30 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. DAY 2 Rapid City Badlands National Park Custer State Park After breakfast, enjoy an orientation tour of Rapid City, then visit BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. Afterward, there s time to explore Wall Drug, known for its quirky roadside signs and free water. Later this afternoon, travel into the backcountry and enjoy a BUFFALO SAFARI and CHUCKWAGON COOKOUT. (B,D) SPECIAL FEATURE: We overnight at the historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. This gracious stone and wood lodge is set in a beautiful mountain valley, surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest. Built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lodge served as the Summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge and was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. DAY 3 Custer State Park This morning, we travel to Hot Springs to visit the world s largest MAMMOTH SITE, where scientists are currently excavating remains of mammoths that were trapped and died in the pond more than 26,000 years ago. After a short tour, you ll have time to stroll the sidewalks of the dig area and see the paleontology laboratory. Next, visit CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief whose fame is derived from the Battle of Little Bighorn. The remainder of the day is yours to relax in Custer State Park. Perhaps try some fly-fishing, mountain biking, or take a nature walk. (B,D)
DAY 4 Custer State Park/Mount Rushmore/Deadwood/Spearfish Canyon Today, visit one of the world s largest stone monuments: MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL. At Mount Rushmore, the solid granite faces of four presidents loom more than a thousand feet overhead. We then continue on a guided tour of the Old West town of DEADWOOD, where Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane are laid to rest on Boot Hill. We spend the night deep in the heart of one of the most breathtakingly beautiful canyons in the world. The location for scenes from the movie Dances with Wolves, Spearfish Canyon Lodge sits nestled among lofty pines and spectacular cliffs. (B,D) DAY 5 Spearfish Canyon/U-Cross Ranch/Cody This morning, drive through scenic Spearfish Canyon and across the grassy plains of Wyoming. Enjoy lunch at an authentic WESTERN RANCH. Next, we cross the Bighorn Mountains via Shell Creek Canyon to Buffalo Bill s Wild West town of Cody, Wyoming. (B, L) DAY 6 Cody Yellowstone National Park Enjoy a leisurely visit to the BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST, a fascinating tribute to frontier America. Later, depart for YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, America s first national park, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forest. (B,D) SPECIAL FEATURE: Enjoy a 2-night stay inside Yellowstone National Park. Each lodge has its own unique setting and atmosphere. Lodges featured are the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Specific lodges will be confirmed in your documents. NOTE: The routing and areas visited within Yellowstone are subject to favorable weather and/or road conditions. When conditions are unfavorable, the routing may be adjusted accordingly.
DAY 7 Yellowstone National Park Today you will see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with its Upper and Lower Falls. Watch for herds of bison in Hayden Valley, and view many of Yellowstone s geothermal sites, including Old Faithful Geyser. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B) DAY 8 Yellowstone National Park/ Grand Teton National Park/Jackson This morning, tour GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK. The jagged Tetons form a perfect backdrop behind Jenny and Jackson Lakes. Next up: the Western town of Jackson. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own. You may choose to see a shootout in Town Square, shop for souvenirs, or relax with a cold drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. (B) DAY 9 Jackson Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional float trip down the Snake River. (B) DAY 10 Jackson/Salt Lake City Follow the Snake River and lovely Star Valley en route to Utah. Wind along the shores of beautiful Bear Lake before climbing through the Wasatch Mountains and on to the Great Salt Lake Basin and Salt Lake City. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,D) DAY 11 Salt Lake City After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to newfound friends as your tour comes to an end with an included transfer to the Salt Lake City International Airport. (B)
First Class Hotels: Rapid City, SD: The Rushmore Hotel Custer State Park, SD: State Game Lodge at Custer State Park Lead, SD: Spearfish Canyon Lodge Cody, WY: Holiday Inn Buffalo Bill Village Cody Jackson Hole, WY: Rustic Inn at Jackson Hotel Creekside Salt Lake City, UT: Radisson Hotel Downtown Salt Lake City Dates, Itineraries, Prices, Escort subject to change.