Yellowstone, Glacier & Grand Teton

Day 1 – Welcome To Montana!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at the Los Angeles International Airport this morning for a scheduled nonstop flight arriving in Kalispell, Montana this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own in downtown Kalispell, a vibrant mountain town tucked between the splendorous mountains of Glacier National Park and the crystal blue water of Flathead Lake.

Day 2 – Glacier National Park

Following an included breakfast, we’ll travel to Glacier National Park and enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge which sits on the shores of Lake McDonald. We’ll then board vintage, 1930s Red Buses or “Jammers” and travel through the heart of Glacier National Park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, crossing the Continental Divide at the 6,664-foot high, Logan Pass. Along the journey, we’ll stop at the Logan Pass Visitor Center and pass through a geographical wonderland of alpine scenery featuring jagged peaks, deep green forests, pristine lakes and meadows. Your experienced driver-guide will provide in-depth commentary and point out any bald eagles, bear, moose, deer and mountain goats we may encounter. The Red Buses are both a symbol of the park and a reminder of a time when adventurous travel was done with style. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the Many Glacier Hotel where we’ll enjoy a two-night stay in “lakeside” rooms. Located in the northeastern area of Glacier National Park known as the “Switzerland of North America," this historic lodge is located on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake in a spectacular lakeside setting. Considered the “heart of the park,” this secluded national park lodge that is surrounded by massive mountains, active glaciers, sparkling lakes and abundant wildlife, features a magnificent, towering lobby and rustic, yet comfortable rooms offering modest amenities and old-world style accommodations. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Glacier National Park

This morning we’ll see the glaciers in this magical valley from the seats of two historic wooden boats while on a two-boat, two-lake cruise. Board Chief Two Guns and cruise across Swiftcurrent Lake with views of Grinnell Point. Disembark and walk 0.2 miles over a steep hill to the shores of Lake Josephine and board the Morning Eagle for a cruise across Lake Josephine with views of Salamander and Gem Glaciers. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure for your own exploration around the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Lake, an area considered to be a hiker’s paradise. (Breakfast)

Day – 4 Glacier National Park to Helena

This morning we’ll visit Glacier Park Lodge. Known as “Big Trees Lodge,” this historic hotel built in 1913 features immense Douglas Fir logs that were brought in by train and assembled by a crew of 75 men over a year and a half. We’ll enjoy an included picnic lunch enroute to Helena for an overnight stay and included dinner at a locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 – Helena to Yellowstone National Park

This morning we’ll continue south, arriving in Yellowstone National Park this afternoon. We’ll begin our exploration of our nation’s first national park at Mammoth Hot Springs where we can walk along the boardwalks through the Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces for up-close views of these steaming hydrothermal features that resemble an inside-out cave. We'll continue into the heart of Yellowstone National Park to the Old Faithful area, where we'll arrive at the Old Faithful Inn and begin a two-night stay at this historic lodge. A national historic landmark, Old Faithful Inn is the most requested lodging facility in the park, partially because the Old Faithful Geyser erupts right outside. Built in 1903-1904 with local logs and stone, the Inn is one of the largest log-style structures in the world. The towering lobby features a massive stone fireplace and a hand-crafted clock made of copper, wood and wrought iron serving as focal points. (Breakfast)

Day 6 – Yellowstone National Park

This morning we’ll join a local guide for an entire day exploring our nation’s oldest and most spectacular national park! This is a mysterious land of steaming geysers, bubbling mud pots, fumaroles and hot springs – in fact, it contains more geothermal features than the rest of the world combined! We’ll visit the Norris Geyser Basin, both the Upper Falls and Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, travel through the scenic Hayden Valley, visit Fountain Paint Pot and Grand Prismatic Spring, and see the serene Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, we’ll enjoy an included boxed lunch and we may encounter herds of buffalo and other wildlife. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 – Grand Teton National Park

This morning we’ll travel south to Grand Teton National Park where America’s youngest and most rugged mountains pierce the clouds in majestic splendor. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge before we board rafts for a Snake River float trip through Grand Teton National Park. Our knowledgeable guide will point out any moose, elk, beaver, bald eagles or other wildlife. We'll continue to the historic and trendy Western town of Jackson where we'll enjoy an overnight stay at an upscale hotel within walking distance of the charming Town Square (Breakfast)

Day 8 – Grand Teton National Park, Journey Home

Following an included breakfast, we'll join a local guide for sightseeing to include the Mormon Row Historic District and sights in Grand Teton National Park. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the Jackson Hole Airport for our scheduled nonstop flight to Los Angeles. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a 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 destinations. (Breakfast)

Note: The maximum elevation on this tour is over 8,000 feet. The walking can be strenuous due to the high elevations. Travelers should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances. National park lodge rooms do not have air conditioning, internet, television or radio.

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.