Marvel at the West's premier natural wonders on this 13-day vacation. Start in Rapid City and visit the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Tour Tatanka and Deadwood, once a wild gold mining town, and visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. After time at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, it’s on to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Admire Old Faithful before staying in the all-western town of Jackson where you will experience a chuck wagon cookout. Next, it’s on to Salt Lake City for sightseeing; then Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are next with their dramatic landscapes. Continue into Arizona to Page, on the shores of Lake Powell, for a sunset dinner cruise. Cross the Painted Desert to the amazing Grand Canyon. Finally, take legendary Route 66 to Las Vegas, where this spectacular vacation ends.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Rapid City Mt. Rushmore
Welcome to the heart of America! This evening, mix and mingle
with your traveling companions at the Welcome reception. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. (WR)

Day 2 Rapid City
The day begins with a visit to CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief whose fame is derived from the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Afterward, explore MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—carved on the face of a mountain. Maybe stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views, or visit the information Center. (B)

Day 3 Rapid City–Sheridan
This morning, enjoy a drive through BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST and experience the area’s colorful history with a tour
of DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear the stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit TATANKA, “The Story of the Bison,” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Then continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan, which sits at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. (B)

Day 4 Sheridan–Little Bighorn Battlefield–Cody
Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD, the site commemorating one of America’s most famous battles. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum. Afterward, continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, stopping at Shell Falls en route to Cody, with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River. (B,D)

Day 5 Cody–Yellowstone National Park
This morning, visit the BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER, a fine museum of historic weapons and western art. Then continue through Shoshone National Forest to YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. Travel along Grand Loop road to Artist Point on the south rim with magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon and the spectacular Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. Next, stop at Fountain Paint Pots to see the bubbling mud. Rejoin the loop road and enjoy several photo stops along the way to your hotel, including the infamous Old Faithful Geyser. (B,D)

Day 6 Yellowstone National Park–Grand Teton National Park
Journey south this morning into breathtaking GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK. Visit beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake at the foot of the rugged spires for a delightful walk along the shore before ending the day in the all-western town of Jackson. This evening, experience dinner at the BAR-T-5 CHUCkWAGON cook-out and wild west show. (B,D)

Day 7Jackson
Full day at leisure to enjoy this spectacular playground of America. Perhaps take a stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink at one of the swing-door saloons. (B)

Day 8 Jackson–Salt Lake City
Today’s journey continues alongside some of Wyoming’s most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah, home to five national parks. Arrive in Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young in 1847. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital city and its historic monuments. (B)

Day 9 Salt Lake City–Bryce Canyon
Today, travel through sagebrush landscape to BRYCE CANYON, a national park with a beauty all its own. Take a leisurely drive with photo stops to capture the bright red, yellow, and pink pillars called “hoodoos.” The balance of the day is at leisure and your overnight is at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. (B,D)

Day 10 Bryce Canyon–Zion National Park
Travel to ZION NATIONAL PARK, with its dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs resembling temples and cathedrals. With your sightseeing tour, you’ll have an opportunity to experience the park up-close and personal. Then continue into Arizona and the town of Page, nestled on the shores of Lake Powell
Powell Appreciate its majestic beauty on a sunset dinner CRUISE. (B,D)

Day 11 Lake Powell–Painted Desert–Grand Canyon
This morning, you may wish to join our optional flight over Monument Valley forr a bird’s-eye view of the red sandstone monoliths, made famous by many western movies and shows. Afterward, cross the Painted Desert, with its ever-changing color scheme, and catch your first glimpse of the world famous GRAND CANYON, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. An afternoon arrival allows plenty of free time to explore the canyon rim on your own. Be sure to take an evening stroll to savor the magnificent sunset. (B,D)

SPECIAL FEATURE: Your hotel tonight is located on the rim of the Grand Canyon, a rare opportunity for great views and a significant extra.

Day 12 Grand Canyon–Las Vegas
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. Then travel on part of legendary Route 66 to Las Vegas, one of America’s most famous cities. Enjoy a sightseeing tour while en route to your resort hotel, located in the heart of the “Strip” for easy access to all the mega-casinos and amusement parks. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)

Day 13 Las Vegas
Tour ends this morning, with tour guests departing on independent schedules. Transfers are provided to the Las Vegas Airport. (B)