Day 1
Fly to Las Vegas
Welcome to Las Vegas! Check into your hotel and relax or maybe do some exploring. Perhaps visit exclusive shops, try your hand at a slot machine or simply relax by the pool. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. (WR)
Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (SF)
Day 2
Las Vegas - Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
Depart the glittering neon gulch of Sin City for the gorgeous wonderland that is Zion National Park. Marvel at the graceful slot canyons, towering cliffs and awe-inspiring monoliths, all carved out over 200 million years from the orange sandstone. Then it’s onward to
Bryce Canyon, home to the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos, those tall limestone spires that rise majestically from the desert floor. (FB D)
Hotel: BW Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (F)
Day 3
Bryce - Salt Lake City
Leave the red rock canyons and travel north to Utah’s capital. See the famed Temple Square, the Mormon headquarters and home to the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This evening, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to Mormon founder Brigham Young’s former home, followed by dinner at the Lion House, featuring pioneer-style ambiance and home-style cuisine. (FB)
Hotel: Hilton Salt Lake City Center (SF)
Day 4
Salt Lake City - Jackson
Get a glimpse of the route of the pioneers as you cross the Oregon Trail and enter Wyoming. Scenic Jackson stands in the shadows of the icy peaks of the Grand Tetons. This evening, join your Travel Director and travelling companions for a dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of town. (FB D)
Hotel: Antler Inn (MF)
Day 5
Jackson - Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks (2 nights)
If you like, hit the water this morning on an optional guided float trip down the lovely Snake River (seasonal). Then traverse Grand Teton National Park with its snow-capped mountains, pristine alpine lakes and evergreen forests on the way to Yellowstone, established in 1872 as the world’s first National Park. This afternoon, join a Local Expert to explore the spouting geysers, bubbling hot springs and mud paint pots. (When the south entrance is closed due to weather conditions, the itinerary will travel west from Jackson via Idaho and enter
Yellowstone National Park through the west entrance.) (FB D)
Hotel: National Park Lodges (NP)
Day 6
Yellowstone National Park Sightseeing
You could spend a year in Yellowstone and still only scratch the surface of its wonders. Today, explore the impressive Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with its stunning waterfalls and a chance to see wandering herds of bison, elk and even the occasional grizzly bear. You’ll have the chance to stroll the boardwalks to view more of the park’s fantastical geothermal activity—and no trip to Yellowstone is complete without a sighting of Old Faithful as its waters arc over 40 metres (130 feet) into the air. This evening, relax under the great basin of stars in one of the country’s most beautiful wild places. (FB)
Day 7
Yellowstone - Cody
Head north to the banks of the great Shoshone River and the town of Cody, named for Wild West showman Buffalo Bill, its most famous native son. Get a glimpse into the lively history of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. (FB)
Hotel: The Cody (F)
Day 8
Cody - Sheridan
This morning, leave the town of Cody and head for the Big Horn Mountains. Drive through the mountain range on your way to scenic Big Horn Lake where you will depart for a guided lake cruise and be awestruck by some of the most beautiful outdoor scenery in the northwest United States. Back on land, enjoy a private Highlight Lunch along the banks of the picturesque lake. This afternoon, travel on to Sheridan where you stay for the night. (FB HL)
Hotel: Sheridan Holiday Inn (F)
Day 9
Sheridan - Rapid City (2 nights)
Proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt as America’s first national monument, the majestic Devil’s Tower rises nearly 396 metres (1,300 feet) above the Belle Fourche River in eastern Wyoming. You might recognize the iconic monolith from the climactic scenes of the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Now it’s off to gaze in wonder at the Crazy Horse Memorial, the massive mountain sculpture of the great Oglala war chief. Return to Rapid City this afternoon for an evening on your own. (FB)
Hotel: Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites (SF)
Day 10
Rapid City Sightseeing
This morning discover the natural and man-made wonders of the Black Hills with a drive through stunning scenery, before a visit to Mount Rushmore, designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum to celebrate the “founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the
United States.” This was expressed through enormous carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. (FB)
Day 11
Rapid City - Denver
Traverse some of the West’s most varied terrain today as you travel through the heavily forested Black Hills and the expansive grasslands of Wyoming on your way to Denver, the Mile High City. This evening, join your Travel Director and travelling companions for a festive Farewell Dinner. (FB FD)
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Denver (Deluxe)
Day 12
Depart Denver
Say so long to your newfound friends this morning. A complimentary transfer connects you to Denver International Airport. (FB)
Day 13
Arrive back home.
What's Included
- Return transatlantic flights
Sightseeing Highlights
- Zion National Park: Discover Zion Canyon’s dramatic towering cliffs
- Bryce Canyon National Park: View the colourful and whimsical hoodoos
- Salt Lake City: Enjoy an orientation tour including Temple Square
- Jackson: Overnight in this authentic Old-West Town
- Grand Teton National Park: View soaring peaks and abundant wildlife
- Yellowstone National Park: Spend two nights in America’s first National Park
- Cody: Visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center
- Big Horn Lake Enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the lake.
- Black Hills: View Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorials
- Denver: Stay in the heart of the Mile High City
Dining Highlights
- 11 full breakfasts
- 1 lunch: Highlight Lunch with wine at Big Horn Lake
- 5 evening meals:Welcome Reception with light appetisers and drinks with your Travel Director in Las Vegas, 3 three-course dinners, Farewell Dinner with wine in Denver
First Class Highlights
- 11 nights First Class accommodation
- Airport Transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 12
- Complimentary keepsake photo and My Journey book
- Audio Headsets For all guided visits and included sightseeing
Insider Experiences
- Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.
- Local Expert Take an interpretive walk among the geysers and hot springs at Yellowstone National Park.
29ºC
29ºC