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Yellowstone, Grand Tetons & Mt. Rushmore Tour

This exciting 11-day escorted tour takes you through rugged frontier towns of the Old West, to beautiful National Parks, and along awe-inspiring vistas. Your tour to the Old West begins in Chicago, where you will board the California Zephyr to Salt Lake City. In Salt Lake City, take time to tour this historic capital city as well as the lovely Heber Valley before continuing on to Jackson, WY, and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The last leg of your trip will take you to the Black Hills of South Dakota and Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, and an excursion aboard the Black Hills Central Railroad.
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Salt Lake City ? Jackson Hole ? Grand Tetons ? Yellowstone National Park ? Mt. Rushmore
Yellowstone, Grand Tetons & Mt. Rushmore Tour :: Vacations By Rail ::

Tour Inclusions
One-way transportation aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago to Salt Lake City.
Transportation aboard a deluxe motorcoach
One night on board Amtrak's California Zephyr
Hotel accommodations
16 meals
Salt Lake City sightseeing
Excursion aboard the Heber Valley Railroad
Snake River float trip
Jackson Rodeo*
Guided tour of Yellowstone
Visit to Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Tour of Deadwood and Boot Hill
Visit to Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore
Excursion aboard the Black Hills Central Railroad
Tour of Badlands National Park
Services of a professional tour manager
Airport transfer from Deadwood to Rapid City, SD
Baggage handling
Maps and destination information
Taxes and service charges
Sightseeing and Scenic Highlights Include:
Moffat Tunnel
Byers, Glenwood, and Ruby Canyons
Temple Square
Grand Teton National Park
Snake River
Yellowstone National Park
Mammoth Hot Springs
Old Faithful
Upper and Lower Falls
Hayden Valley
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Devil's Tower
Deadwood
Boot Hill
Badlands National Park
Crazy Horse Memorial
Mount Rushmore
Yellowstone, Grand Tetons & Mt. Rushmore Tour Itinerary




First 4 days are all filler and a waste of time.

Day 5 - Discover Jackson
After breakfast at the Teton Steakhouse, hit the water for a float trip along the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park. Keep an eye out for elk and other wildlife of the area. Your route includes the National Elk Refuge with close to 5,000 wintering elk as well as the largest bison herd in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Later, root for modern day cowboys at the Jackson Rodeo*. Overnight Best Western Plus The Lodge at Jackson Hole (Parkway Inn and Spa for 2012 departures). (B)

Day 6 - Yellowstone National Park
Your journey today takes you to Yellowstone, the country's first National Park. As you travel to your lodge, located right inside the park, you may catch a glimpse of majestic herds of buffalo and awe-inspiring rock formations. Afer you check into your room, there will be time to explore this remarkable natural landmark. Overnight Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park. (D)

Day 7 - Explore Yellowstone National Park
Start your morning with breakfast followed by a guided tour of Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872, Yellowstone has the world's most extensive region of geothermal activity with thousands of hot springs that dot the landscape. Scenic highlights include Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Falls, Old Faithful, the Hayden Valley, and the Upper and Lower Falls. Keep an eye out for the Park's wildlife, including wolves, grizzly bears, bison and elk. Overnight Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park. (B)

Day 8 - Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Wyoming is steeped in Old West history. Today visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center where you'll learn about Buffalo Bill Cody's early days riding for the Pony Express as well as his exploits as an expert tracker, sharpshooter, and showman. In addition to this Western hero, you'll learn about Annie Oakley. Sitting Bull, and Texas Jack. The Historical Center has been preserving and celebrating the history of the Old West since 1917. Overnight Holiday Inn. (B, D)

Day 9 - Deadwood / Crazy Horse Memorial / Mt. Rushmore
This morning travel to Deadwood, South Dakota, keeping an eye out for Devil's Tower National Monument, towering 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, along the way. Deadwood was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. It has preserved the history and legends of the Wild West from it's beginnings as a mining town to its status as a haven for outlaws, gamblers, and gunslingers. Your tour of the town takes you along the same streets walked by Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, past stately Victorian homes, and restored gambling palaces. You'll also visit Boot Hill, the final resting place of Deadwood's famous and citizens.

Later today, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. The memorial is a tribute to the Native Americans who lived in these beautiful hills and consists of the mountain monument, the Indian Museum of North America, and the Native American Cultural Center Your tour closes with one of the most inspiring sites in our nation's landscape, Mount Rushmore. The towering visage of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt stands as a stirring memorial to the country's greatest leaders. Overnight Holiday Inn Express (overnight Hampton Inn for September 4 departure).

Day 10 - Black Hills Central Rarilroad / Badlands National Park
After breakfast, embark on an excursion through South Dakota's Black Hills aboard the Black Hills Central Railroad. Refurbished early 20th-century train cars take travelers along the same route once used by miners and the carvers of Mount Rushmore. Scenic highlights include the Black Hills National Forest and breathtaking views from Harney Peak. Your travels continue with a visit to Badlands National Park for a guided tour. Keep an eye out for bison and bighorn sheep. This evening join your group for a farewell dinner at K Bar S Lodge. Overnight Holiday Inn Express (overnight Hampton Inn for September 4 departure). (B, D)

Day 11 - Memories of Western Adventure
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning but you will have memories of your Wild West adventure to last a lifetime. Group transfer to the Rapid City airport today for your flight home after 12:00 pm. (B)

Hotel Accommodations
Embassy Suites: Guests will enjoy two-room suites that include high-speed wireless Internet access as well as hotel amenities that include a pool, whirlpool, and fitness center.

Holiday Inn Express: Located near Mt. Rushmore, the hotel features a business center, fitness center, indoor pool, whirlpool, and laundry facilities.

Grant Village: Located on the southwestern shore of Yellowstone Lake?about 20 minutes from Old Faithful? the complex includes six 2-story buildings, each containing 50 rooms. There are two restaurants with lake views, a lounge, and a small gift store.

Holiday Inn, Sheridan: Guest rooms include high-speed Internet access and hotel amenities include business services, fitness center, indoor pool, spa facilities, sauna, whirlpool, putting green, game room, guest laundry, two restaurants and one lounge.

Best Western Plus The Lodge at Jackson Hole: Located near Jackson's wonderful shops and restaurants, hotel amenities include an indoor/outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, sauna, guest laundry, business center, and complimentary shuttle to downtown Jackson.

Hampton Inn: Located in the heart of Rapid City, this 82-room hotel features a swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center, business center, and guest laundry among other amenities.

I'd skip the package & Crazy Horse and do Yellowstone, the Tetons and the nearby smaller parks.
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