Day 1 : Fly to Missoula

We fly to Missoula 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 north from Missoula to Whitefish, viewing some of the most spectacular scenery our nation has to offer in Montana’s Big Sky Country. Along the way, we stop for a Holiday Vacations Welcome Lunch in Polson with incredible views of Flathead Lake and the surrounding Flathead National Forest. In the afternoon we stop at Big Sky Orchards to tour their family-run hops farm and visit the cherry orchard. 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, 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 at St. Mary’s Lodge before continuing the journey to Great Falls where we arrive at 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 day in Great Falls includes a visit to the C.M. Russell Museum, an art complex whose primary focus is the signature “cowboy art” of Charles Marion Russell. 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 visit, 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 unfolds before us during an afternoon boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains. The spectacular limestone cliffs and sheer rock walls were described by Meriwether 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. 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 have free time in the Mammoth Hot Springs area before traveling through the northern loop of Yellowstone. Our accommodations this evening are in West Yellowstone.

Day 7 : Old Faithful

A park guide joins us to explore Yellowstone National Park. During our tour we make stops at Old Faithful, the world's most famous geyser, and the Artists Paintpots, bubbling hot springs mixed with clay. Have your camera ready to capture stunning views of Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls and the multicolored Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. A 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. Later we visit Mead Ranch. The Mead family has lived and raised cattle on the original ranch homestead for over 100 years. Our included dinner tonight features a covered wagon ride in Cache Creek Canyon. Enjoy a tasty barbecue cookout along with music and songs of the Old West!

Day 9 : Salt Lake City

After an included breakfast, another scenic drive takes us from Jackson into Salt Lake City. On the way we will visit Munk Family Farms, located in beautiful Cache Valley, and see their carousel milking parlor in action. Tonight, we celebrate with our new friends at a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner. Our accommodations this evening are in downtown Salt Lake City.

Day 10 : Fly Home