Parks And Canyons Spectacular

2012 Season
Departs From: Rapid City

From 2,223EUR

Length:  14 days from Rapid City to Las Vegas

Overview

Marvel at the Wests premier natural wonders on this multi-state vacation. Your trip starts in Rapid City, South Dakota, with visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Tour Tatanka and Deadwood, once a wild gold-mining town. Visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana and tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated. Continue to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park to see magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon, Lower Falls, and world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. Journey into breathtaking Grand Teton National Park for a delightful walk along glacier-fed Jenny Lake, and experience a chuck wagon cookout, Wild West show, and free time in Jackson.

Next, it’s on to Salt Lake City for a sightseeing tour; then marvel at the “hoodoos” and dramatic landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Continue to the shores of Lake Powell for an afternoon cruise. Cross the Painted Desert to the spellbinding Grand Canyon, where you will witness amazing and mouth-dropping beauty. Your hotel is located on the rim of the Grand Canyon, giving you a rare opportunity for great views and more time to explore the stunning landscapes. Finally, travel part of the legendary Route 66 to Las Vegas, where this spectacular vacation ends. On this vacation through some of the West’s premier national parks, you’ll see breathtaking scenery that cannot be found anywhere else!

Duration:  14 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
24 May, 2012	06 June, 2012
26 May, 2012	08 June, 2012
31 May, 2012	13 June, 2012
15 June, 2012	28 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	29 June, 2012
21 June, 2012	04 July, 2012
23 June, 2012	06 July, 2012
06 July, 2012	19 July, 2012
07 July, 2012	20 July, 2012
13 July, 2012	26 July, 2012
14 July, 2012	27 July, 2012
19 July, 2012	01 August, 2012
21 July, 2012	03 August, 2012
28 July, 2012	10 August, 2012
03 August, 2012	16 August, 2012
10 August, 2012	23 August, 2012
11 August, 2012	24 August, 2012
17 August, 2012	30 August, 2012
18 August, 2012	31 August, 2012
24 August, 2012	06 September, 2012
25 August, 2012	07 September, 2012
30 August, 2012	12 September, 2012
31 August, 2012	13 September, 2012
01 September, 2012	14 September, 2012
07 September, 2012	20 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	21 September, 2012
13 September, 2012	26 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	28 September, 2012
20 September, 2012	03 October, 2012
21 September, 2012	04 October, 2012
22 September, 2012	05 October, 2012
27 September, 2012	10 October, 2012
28 September, 2012	11 October, 2012
29 September, 2012	12 October, 2012

City Highlights

Rapid City
Orientation

Mount Rushmore
Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial

Black Hills National Forest
Scenic drive

Deadwood
Sightseeing tour; visit Tatanka

Little Bighorn Battlefield
Sightseeing tour and visit museum

Cody
Visit Buffalo Bill Historical Center

Yellowstone National Park
Stay two nights inside the park; sightseeing

Jackson
Grand Teton National Park tour; chuck wagon cookout

Salt Lake City
Sightseeing tour

Bryce Canyon National Park
Sightseeing tour

Zion National Park
Sightseeing tours

Lake Powell
Cruise

Grand Canyon National Park
Sightseeing; overnight lodging near the rim

Las Vegas
Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner

Notes:

Maximum elevation on vacation: 9,033 ft.
Fall Foliage: Enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the West on our special Fall Foliage departures: September 13-September 29 (if Mother Nature permits).

Day 1   Arrive in Rapid City. Welcome to the heart of America! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2   Rapid City. After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit 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–Deadwood–Sheridan. This morning, enjoy a drive through BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST and experience the area’s colorful history with a guided tour of DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear the stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit TATANKA to learn “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 at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. (B,D)

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 approximately 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)

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, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forests. Enjoy several photo stops on the way to your hotel, including world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. (B,D)

Note:
The routing and areas visited within Yellowstone are subject to favorable weather and/or road conditions. When conditions are unfavorable, the routing may be adjusted accordingly.

Day 6   Yellowstone National Park. Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pots to see the bubbling mud. Continue on to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon and the spectacular Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. Next, stop at Mammoth Hot Springs and take a short trail walk among the steaming limestone terraces. (B)

Day 7   Yellowstone National Park–Grand Teton National Park–Jackson. 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, travel by horse-drawn covered wagons into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner at the BAR T-5 CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show. (B,D)

Day 8   Jackson. Full day at leisure to enjoy this spectacular playground. Perhaps choose an optional float trip along the Snake River or stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink at one of the swing-door saloons. (B)

Day 9   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 before dinner tonight at historic Temple Square. (B,D)

Day 10   Salt Lake City–Bryce Canyon National Park. 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 11   Bryce Canyon National Park–Zion National Park–Lake Powell. 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. Appreciate its majestic beauty on an afternoon CRUISE to Glen Canyon Dam and the “tapestry” walls of Antelope Canyon. (B,D)

Day 12   Lake Powell–Painted Desert–Grand Canyon National Park. This morning, you may wish to join our optional flight over Monument Valley for a bird’s-eye view of the red sandstone monoliths, made famous by many Western movies and TV 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 near the rim of the Grand Canyon, a rare opportunity for great views and a significant extra by traveling with Globus.

Day 13   Grand Canyon National Park–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 dinner. (B,D)

Day 14   Las Vegas. Your vacation ends this morning with guests departing on independent schedules. Transfers are provided to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. (B)

Meals:  American breakfasts daily (B), 8 three-course dinners (D) including a special farewell dinner in Las Vegas

Hotel Information:  RAPID CITY Radisson Rapid City (F), SHERIDAN Best Western Sheridan Center (MF), CODY Holiday Inn Buffalo Bill Village (F), YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Yellowstone Park Lodges (NP), JACKSON Rustic Inn (F), SALT LAKE CITY Radisson Hotel (F), BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (F), LAKE POWELL Lake Powell Resort (F), GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Grand Canyon Lodges (NP), LAS VEGAS Treasure Island (SF)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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