Black Hills, Badlands & Buffaloes

Day 1 – Welcome to Rapid City!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a flight arriving in Rapid City, South Dakota this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and travel to downtown Rapid City – one of the most charming and patriotic cities in America, featuring life-sized bronze statues of our nation’s presidents. After a brief orientation tour of Rapid City, we’ll check-in to an upscale, full-service, centrally-located hotel to begin a five-night stay. This evening we’ll experience the Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show and begin with time at leisure to explore the Dances With Wolves film set. When the supper bell rings, grab your handmade tin plate for the best chuckwagon in the West while the Fort Hays Wranglers take the stage for the Black Hills’ most popular variety show. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Rapid City, Deadwood

This morning we’ll be joined by a local guide and travel to the historic mining town of Lead, South Dakota and visit the Sanford Underground Research Facility Visitor Center. We’ll learn about this dedicated science facility (housed in a former gold mine) and the world-class research that is occurring nearly 5,000 feet underground! This afternoon we’ll enjoy sightseeing and time at leisure in the Wild West town of Deadwood where on August 2, 1876 Wild Bill played his last hand of poker – aces and eights – and ever since it’s been known as the “Dead Man’s Hand.” Later, we’ll visit Tatanka – Story of the Bison, featuring a larger-than-life bronze sculpture featuring 14 bison pursued by three Native Americans riders. We’ll visit Chapel in the Hills, the unique chapel built in 1969 as an exact reproduction of the Borgund Stavkirke in Laerdal, Norway which was built in 1150. Set in a beautiful natural setting, the chapel museum showcases how Scandinavian immigrants lived and features a gift shop housed in an authentic Norwegian Stabbur. We return to the hotel with the balance of the evening at leisure with a variety of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Black Hills, Wind Cave, Custer State Park

This morning we’ll be joined by a local guide and travel into the famed Black Hills of South Dakota. We’ll stop to admire Crazy Horse Memorial – referred to as “the Eighth Wonder of the World in Progress.” Later this morning we’ll arrive in Wind Cave National Park, where bison, elk and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America’s oldest national parks. We’ll enjoy time at leisure to explore the exhibits within the visitor center, and if available once the cave tour schedule is released in the coming months, we’ll also experience an “easy,” ranger-guided cave tour during our visit. Note that all cave tours are 60-75 minutes in length and require a minimum of 150-300 stairs – both up and down – along a 1/2 to 2/3-mile route. Visitors with limited mobility may find the cave tours too strenuous. Should cave tours be unavailable for any reason, we’ll instead enjoy an in-depth visit to Crazy Horse Memorial. This afternoon we’ll visit Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge – the summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge. We’ll board a jeep and get an up-close view of some of the Park’s 1,400 free-roaming buffalo, as well as possible sightings of elk, wild burros, and golden eagles while on a guided buffalo “safari.” This evening we’ll enter one of the Park’s mountain meadow canyons for an included chuckwagon cookout. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 – Rapid City, Wall, Badlands National Park

This morning we’ll be joined by a local guide and visit Black Hills Gold for a fascinating factory tour to see how Black Hills gold is cast, shaped, ground, polished, soldered, cleaned, wriggled and engraved by skilled artisans. We’ll travel to Wall, South Dakota and visit the world-famous Wall Drug with time at leisure to browse this fascinating complex of shops, art galleries and restaurants that has been serving road-worn travelers since 1931 with their famous, free ice water. We’ll continue to Badlands National Park – a study in contrast of nature’s chaos and wild beauty. We’ll stop at the visitor center and make several photo stops at scenic outlooks along the Loop Road to admire the dramatic landscape here that features layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Late this afternoon we’ll return to the hotel with the balance of the evening at leisure. Or, take advantage of an optional free excursion to experience the Evening Lighting Program at Mount Rushmore. This patriotic and inspirational program in the outdoor amphitheater includes a ranger talk, short film and the lighting of the memorial. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Black Hills, Rapid City

With our local guide onboard, this morning we’ll turn back the clock to Dakota territorial days as we enjoy a ride aboard the 1880 Train from Keystone to Hill City. This vintage steam train will ramble through Black Hills back-country and climb several “I-think-I-can” grades. We’ll continue to Mount Rushmore National Memorial – where American history is alive in stone. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and the Sculptor’s Studio. A stroll along the Presidential Trail provides more intimate views of the 60-foot faces and perhaps some of the area’s wildlife. We return to Rapid City and visit the Prairie Edge Gallery and the Dahl Arts Center where we’ll enjoy an included dinner amongst the Cyclorama Mural of American History. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Rapid City, Journey Home

This morning we’ll visit The Journey Museum, an interactive museum that provides an incredible trek through time – from the violent upheaval that formed the mystical Black Hills over 2 billion years ago to the continuing saga of the Western Frontier. After time at leisure for lunch on your own in downtown Rapid City, we’ll visit Bear Country USA – a unique drive-through wildlife park where we’ll see black bear, elk, reindeer, cougars, bighorn sheep and buffalo up-close. After time at leisure for lunch on your own in downtown Rapid City, we’ll continue to the Rapid City Airport for a return flight arriving in Los Angeles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a similar flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.