Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons

Day 1 : Fly to Spokane

We fly to Spokane and check-in to our hotel for a one-night stay. The evening is at leisure to get acquainted with your fellow traveling companions.

Day 2 : Montana

We travel through Washington and Idaho into Montana’s Big Sky Country and view some of the most spectacular scenery our nation has to offer. We enjoy a Holiday Vacations Welcome Lunch in Missoula, MT before continuing our journey north. Along our route enjoy incredible views of Flathead Lake and the surrounding Flathead National Forrest. Accommodations are in Whitefish this evening.

Day 3 : Going-to-the-Sun Road

After an included breakfast, we board vintage red touring cars for a journey on one of the world’s most scenic routes, the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Glacier National Park features over 20 glaciers and 200 lakes as standing reminders of the last ice age. Wildlife in Glacier National Park includes bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk and moose. Enjoy lunch today at St. Mary’s Lodge, then continue our journey with a scenic trek to Great Falls, where we enjoy our overnight accommodations.

Day 4 : Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

We begin our day with a tour of the Lewis & Clark Historic Trail Interpretive Center and relive the explorers’ brave journey. Overlooking the scenic Missouri River, this center includes exhibits, artifacts, films, and a two-story diorama of the expedition’s portage of the river’s waterfalls. Our next two nights are in Helena, Montana’s capital city.

Day 5 : Gates of the Mountains

After a relaxing morning, we depart for a tour of Helena. Highlights of the tour include a stop at the Montana state Capitol Building and the Cathedral of St. Helena. During our visits we learn all about the storied history of Montana’s capital city and marvel at the Gothic-style cathedral, which rivals those in Europe with its stunning towers and stained glass windows. Majestic scenery envelopes us this afternoon during a boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains. These spectacular limestone cliffs and sheer rock walls were described by Lewis as “a most sublime and extraordinary spectacle.”

Day 6 : Yellowstone

This afternoon we arrive in Gardiner, Montana, the original gateway to America’s first national park. We have lunch on our own and free time in the Mammoth Hot Springs area before departing through the northern loop of Yellowstone. Yellowstone was established in 1872 to protect a large variety of wildlife and preserve the world’s most extraordinary collection of geysers and hot springs. We stay inside the park this evening.

Day 7 : Old Faithful

A park guide joins us today to explore Yellowstone National Park. We stop at Old Faithful, the most famous geyser in the world, before viewing the paintpots, bubbling hot springs mixed with clay. Have your camera ready to capture stunning views of the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls and the multicolored Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Our scenic drive takes us through Hayden Valley, a region of lush forest meadows. Watch for bison and other wildlife! We depart Yellowstone this afternoon and settle in for a comfortable two-night stay in Jackson, Wyoming.

Day 8 : The Grand Tetons

This morning we visit Grand Teton National Park. At the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center, there is time to view a video and explore the fantastic exhibit on the history of Grand Teton National Park. We make several photo stops and visit the Chapel of the Transfiguration, a rustic log church with glorious views of the majestic Tetons. Our included dinner tonight features a covered wagon ride in Cache Creek Canyon. Enjoy a tasty barbecue cookout along with the music and songs of the old West!

Day 9 : Salt Lake City

Another scenic drive takes us from Jackson into Utah and Salt Lake City. Tonight we celebrate with our new friends at a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner at the Roof Restaurant. Our accommodations this evening are in downtown Salt Lake City.

Day 10 : Fly Home

We return home from Salt Lake City with photos and memories of scenic western America.