American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
$5761
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
13 Days Starting and ending in Salt Lake City (UT)
Visiting: Salt Lake City, Jackson, Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Devils Tower, Badlands National Park, Black Hills, Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AAPASM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the rugged and wild West during this 13-Day tour. Start in Salt Lake City, and then head to Jackson & the Grand Tetons. The adventure continues to Yellowstone National Park where you will walk beside the rainbow-hued hot springs and watch Old Faithful spew water more than 120 feet into the air. In Cody, see a firearms collection at the Buffalo Bill Center. Travel to Devils Tower, a butte of igneous rock jutting from the craggy Black Hills mountains. Here, you will also learn about the Western legends Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Then head to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the visages of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt are carved into the mountainside. And ascend 563 feet to the top of Crazy Horse Memorial, named for the Lakota warrior, and stand face-to-face with the world’s largest mountain carving.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Ucross: Live the American frontier dream with a scenic morning country horseback ride.
- Ucross: Take a leisurely fishing outing and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Top Rated Highlights
- Jackson: Historic Jackson, where the majestic peaks of the Teton Range act as your constant backdrop. Feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you walk through the town's famous landmark arch of tangled elk antlers. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town’s boutiques and stores, which blend the Old West and the modern West harmoniously.
- Yellowstone National Park: The world’s first National Park, Yellowstone spans 2,219,789 acres and even has its own Grand Canyon. The park is home to half of the world’s hydrothermal features, more than 10,000, of which over 300 are geysers. Yellowstone is also a wildlife paradise. Some 1,700 species of plants and 400 species of birds, fish and mammals live in the park, including bison, wolves, bears, elk and moose.
- Grand Teton National Park: Travel through a mountainous landscape like no other. Witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) from the valley floor and keenly watch for exciting wildlife that call these mountains home. Including the grizzly bear, bald eagles, moose, bison, and elk.
- Yellowstone National Park: Catch the renowned colourful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 metres) into the air. The Upper Geyser Basin boasts the highest concentration of spouting geysers, hot springs and steaming fumaroles in the world.
- Cody: Explore the award-winning Buffalo Bill Center of the West, known for its excellent Western art collection and natural history.
- Yellowstone National Park: Travel out of Yellowstone NP through Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains to the Wild West Town of Cody.
- Black Hills: View the awe-inspiring Devils Tower National Monument, a butte that protrudes from the landscape and is considered sacred by the Lakota and other tribes.
- Custer State Park: Continue venturing through the Black Hills to arrive at Custer State Park. Renowned for its beautiful landscape and abundance of wildlife. Home to a famous herd of 1,500 free roaming bison, accompanied by elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions and feral burros.
- Badlands National Park: Steep yourself in all that is the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Preserved here are 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires, blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. The unique beauty of this landscape is like no other. Sightseers as well as scholarly scientists are attracted to the area for its astounding beauty and the opportunity to gaze into an ancient world.
- Black Hills: View iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial where carvings of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt overlook the landscape.
Make Travel Matter
Philip: Discover the past, present, and future of the Lakota people at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. Walk the trails through displays of 19th-century living quarters. Local artists present culture and tradition through their crafts and storytelling. Your visit contributes to the sustainability and resilience of the Lakota community.
Authentic Dining
Salt Lake City: At 18:00, join your Travel Director for a dinner with wine where you'll have the chance to mingle with fellow guests.
Ucross: Savour a hearty ranch style dinner prepared by your local hosts.
Custer: Toast to the finale of your trip at a dinner served at your lodge in Custer State Park.
Insight Choice
Ucross: Live the American frontier dream with a scenic morning country horseback ride.
Ucross: Take a leisurely fishing outing and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City
Accommodation: Sheraton Salt Lake City
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Salt Lake City
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Situated between Wasatch Range and the Great Salt Lake, this mountainous city is perfect for lovers of the outdoors, with a strong focus on skiing and hiking. Savour a dinner accompanied by wine in the company of your fellow travellers.
Day 2: Jackson And The Tetons
Location: Jackson
Accommodation: Elk Country Inn, Jackson Hole
Accommodation Name: Elk Country Inn, Jackson Hole
Meals Included: Breakfast
Before leaving Salt Lake City, take in the State Capitol building. Drive along the scenic Logan Canyon, over the Wasatch Mountain Range, and up to the Bear Lake. Stop for lunch near Bear Lake offering views of beautiful turquoise waters. Then, head north across the Oregon Trail to historic Jackson. Have your cameras ready for the famous elk antlers at central square, while eager shoppers will find a number of charming traditional boutique galleries to browse. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with your hotel located only a short walk away from Jackson's Town Square.
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Accommodation Name: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up to a mountainous view like no other and witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 13,775 Ft (4,199 m) from the valley floor. This morning, you have the opportunity to partake in an optional scenic float down the Snake River inside Grand Teton National Park. In keeping with today’s rustic country charm, you’ll enter Yellowstone, the world’s first National Park. Known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife, you’ll experience Wyoming in all its glory. Keep an eye out for black bears or wolves. Tonight you’ll stay in one of Yellowstone's National Park Lodges, allowing you to experience the park after hours, in its natural habitat.
Day 4: Geysers And Colourful Mudpots
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Accommodation Name: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Meals Included: Breakfast
Savour the surreal surroundings of Yellowstone with a relaxed start. Walk among the rainbow tinted hot springs and watch the erupting geysers as you take in the history of the park on an informative stroll with your Travel Director. Catch the renowned colourful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 metres) into the air. In the afternoon, enjoy the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as you take in stunning natural wonders. While driving through Hayden Valley, famous for its wildlife, keep an eye out for wolves, bears, elk and hundreds of bison. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to relax.
Day 5: The Ranch At Ucross
Location: Cody
Accommodation: Ranch at UCross, Clearmont
Accommodation Name: Ranch at UCross, Clearmont
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set off on your travels through the stark Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains, leading you to the Wild West Town of Cody. Channel your inner showman and learn more about America’s great Western legends at the Buffalo Bill Centre, known for its Western art collection, firearms, and natural history. Travel through the Bighorn National Forest to the Ranch at UCross. Take in the rustic charm as you're hosted at a traditional Wyoming Family ranch. Start off the evening with a cocktail hour in the historic Ranch House bar. After a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a fire pit with live entertainment, including country, folk and bluegrass music.
Day 6: Devils Tower Into The Black Hills Relaxed Start
Location: Devils Tower
Accommodation: Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Accommodation Name: Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Live the American frontier dream and begin your day with a scenic country horseback ride accompanied by a Ranch Hand. If playing cowboy isn’t your thing, perhaps go fishing, or merely relax and take in your beautiful surroundings, the choice is yours. Make your way to Devils Tower, an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the surrounding Black Hills. You'll learn why this symbolic landmark is considered sacred to the Lakota and other local tribes. Experience Spearfish Canyon, a favoured spot among wildlife enthusiasts, and one famous for its elvish woodland beauty. The limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon itself.
Day 7: Custer And The Wild, Wild West
Location: Badlands National Park
Accommodation: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Accommodation Name: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
A day for those looking to explore the Wild West, try to spot the fastest mammal in North America, the pronghorn antelope as you cross the great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our first stop this morning is the Oglala Lakota Living History Museum for a one-of-a-kind MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Visit Badlands National Park in South Dakota, 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. A hidden gem in the national park system, the unique beauty of the Badlands landscape is unlike any other.
Day 8: Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills Relaxed Start
Location: Black Hills
Accommodation: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Accommodation Name: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, see the granite faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Later, you'll experience the Crazy Horse Memorial - the world's largest mountain carving in honour of the Lakota warrior. With exclusive access not available to the general public, guests ascend 563 feet (172 metres) and have the opportunity to face the monument up close. Tonight, celebrate your travels over dinner with your Travel Director and new found friends.
Day 9: Depart For Denver
Location: Denver
Accommodation: The Westin Denver Downtown
Accommodation Name: The Westin Denver Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you'll say goodbye to your fellow travellers and head to Denver. Prepare to continue your adventure on the Rocky Mountaineer as you enjoy a relaxing evening at your hotel before embarking on the rail journey of a lifetime the following morning.
Day 10: Denver To Glenwood Springs On The Rocky Mountaineer
Location: Glenwood Springs
Accommodation: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer
Accommodation Name: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Rise early this morning and make your way independently to Union Station where you will Check in and board a coach for a quick transfer to the Rocky Mountaineer train. Hop on and get comfortable as you wave goodbye to Denver and cross the Continental Divide. Take in the spectacular views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River through panoramic windows. Enjoy the staff’s commentary and comradery of your newfound friends while indulging in the menu and service. Perhaps you’ll even choose to step out onto the vestibule to get a breath of fresh air and experience the many tunnels that have been carved into the mountains before arriving at the resort town of Glenwood Springs where you will disembark and enjoy an overnight stay.
Day 11: Glenwood Springs To Moab
Location: Moab
Accommodation: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer
Accommodation Name: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return to the Rocky Mountaineer this morning and leave charming Glenwood Springs behind. Another day of awe-inspiring sights awaits as you make your way across the Colorado-Utah border. Stunning mountain views, red sandstone landscapes and even occasional wildlife such as pronghorn emerge as you approach Moab, the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Part ways this afternoon and transfer to your Moab hotel. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please.
Day 12: Moab
Location: Moab
Accommodation: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops
Accommodation Name: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops
Enjoy the day exploring Moab at your own leisure. Known as the Adventure Capital of Utah, there is no shortage of activities to choose from in Moab.
Day 13: Moab And Depart Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City
Your adventure with Rocky Mountaineer ends as you transfer from Moab to downtown Salt Lake City ending at the Grand America Hotel. Make your own way to the airport or book another night in town on your terms.
What's Included
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Meals
3 dinners with wine, 10 breakfasts, and 1 lunch are included.
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Activities
Choose between a scenic morning country horseback ride or a leisurely fishing outing at Ucross.
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Travel Director
A highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
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Baggage Handling
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
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Tips and Taxes
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, as well as all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any commentary.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Luxury Coach
Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Enhanced Hygiene Protocols
Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a scenic float down the Snake River inside Grand Teton National Park are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Flights
Flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included and need to be arranged separately.
Dining Summary
3 Dinner with Wine (DW)10 Breakfast (B)1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
Insight Experiences
Black Hills: Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the Native American people. A special Insight Experience awaits as you are taken up to stand face-to-face with this impressive sculpture. Measuring 641 feet (195 metres) long and 563 feet (172 metres) high, the piece takes the record as the world’s largest mountain carving.
Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are offered at Ucross during the tour?
At Ucross, you can choose between a scenic morning country horseback ride or a leisurely fishing outing, allowing you to enjoy the serene surroundings and live the American frontier dream.
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What wildlife might I see during the tour?
During the tour, you may encounter a variety of wildlife including bison, wolves, bears, elk, moose, grizzly bears, bald eagles, and pronghorn antelope, especially in places like Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Custer State Park.
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What is the significance of Devils Tower on the tour?
Devils Tower is an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the surrounding Black Hills and is considered sacred by the Lakota and other local tribes. It is a significant landmark that you will visit during the tour.
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How does the tour incorporate cultural experiences with the Lakota people?
The tour includes a visit to the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, where you can discover the past, present, and future of the Lakota people through displays of 19th-century living quarters, local artists' crafts, and storytelling. This visit contributes to the sustainability and resilience of the Lakota community.
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What are some of the geological features highlighted in Yellowstone National Park during the tour?
In Yellowstone National Park, you will see unique geothermal features such as the colorful bubbling mud pots and the Old Faithful geyser, which shoots water over 120 feet into the air. The park also features the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Upper Geyser Basin, known for its high concentration of spouting geysers, hot springs, and steaming fumaroles.
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What is the Rocky Mountaineer experience like on this tour?
The Rocky Mountaineer experience includes a scenic train journey from Denver to Moab, where you will enjoy spectacular views of rugged canyons, the Colorado River, and red sandstone landscapes through panoramic windows. The journey includes commentary from the staff and opportunities to enjoy the menu and service on board.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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