| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1
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Depart Home / Arrive Bozeman, Montana
Your “Best of the West” journey begins in Big Sky Country with a Welcome Reception and trip briefing.
Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman  |
2
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Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The world’s first national park is a wilderness of craggy peaks, alpine lakes, magnificent canyons, and a huge variety of wildlife. Upon arriving in the park, you’ll take a tour to view many of the park’s highlights, including the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, the Brink of the Falls where the river plunges 300 feet into Yellowstone Canyon, and Dragon Mouth Springs.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B) |
3
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Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders are the focus of this morning’s tour, as you view Firehole Canyon, Fountain Paint Pots, and Middle Geyser Basin. The highlight, of course, is Old Faithful, which never fails to inspire awe with its roaring plume of steam and boiling water. After enjoying lunch in the Old Faithful area, the afternoon and evening are free to explore the grandeur of Yellowstone.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B,L) |
4
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Yellowstone / Jackson Hole, Wyoming
You’ll love the drive from the high plateau of Yellowstone to the valley of Jackson Hole, where the Grand Tetons soar above glacial lakes. We’ll follow Lewis Canyon out of Yellowstone, then tour Grand Teton National Park, with a stop at the Mt. Moran Lookout and a drive on the Jenny Lake Loop.
Cultural Connection: Following lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit Jackson Hole’s Wildlife Refuge Center to meet Ken Thomasma, Old West expert and author. Ken will discuss Sacajawea and her journey with Lewis & Clark. On some departures, Ken’s son Dan Thomasma, a musician and historian of the music of the Old West, will meet the group instead to share songs and stories from pioneer days. Tonight you may choose to see the famous Jackson “Shoot Out” in the town square (seasonal) or perhaps dine at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Parkway Inn (B,L) |
5
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Jackson Hole / Salt Lake City, Utah
Enjoy a scenic drive to Salt Lake City, with lunch en route. Cultural Connection: Your introduction to the city will be a panoramic city tour, including a stop at Temple Square for a guided walking tour led by a Mormon missionary. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City  (B,L,D) |
6
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Salt Lake City
Cultural Connection: The day begins with a demonstration on researching your family tree at the renowned Family Search Center of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints.
Then, tour the 2002 Winter Olympic Site in Park City. You’ll then have the evening at your leisure.
Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City (B) |
7
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Salt Lake City / Moab, Utah
The day begins with a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (on select departures). Then travel to Moab through Red Rock country, stopping en route for lunch and a visit to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. Tonight join us for an optional “Canyonlands By Night” barbecue and float trip.
Best Western Canyonlands Inn (B,L) |
8
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Moab / Kayenta, Arizona
As you tour Arches National Park, marvel at Balanced Rock, Parade of Elephants Arch, and other amazing geological phenomena. After an included lunch, continue on a scenic drive through Utah to Navajo Nation land. Enjoy time on your own this evening.
Hampton Inn Monument Valley (B,L) |
9
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Kayenta / Grand Canyon, Arizona
Cultural Connection: Experience the classic western landscape of Monument Valley on a morning mini-coach tour led by a Native American guide. See the mesas and soaring buttes familiar from movies and television. After an included barbecue lunch, you’ll head to the Grand Canyon where you’ll view the IMAX film, “Grand Canyon — The Hidden Secrets.” During your free time this evening, you may want to take part in the park’s many
evening events!
Maswik Lodge (B,L) |
10
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Grand Canyon
Enjoy a full day at this famed landmark. Free shuttle service and National Park Service programs make exploring at your own pace easy and rewarding. You can also choose to take an optional “flightseeing tour” over the canyon.
Maswik Lodge (B) |
11
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Grand Canyon / Bryce Canyon, Utah
Our scenic route to Bryce Canyon National Park, gives you an opportunity to visit the site of enormous Glen Canyon Dam. Enjoy lunch with views of Lake Powell.
Bryce Canyon Lodge (B,L) |
12
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Bryce Canyon
Today, enjoy the breathtaking views of Rainbow Point, Fairyland, and Natural Bridge in Bryce Canyon National Park on your included highlights tour. The park is renowned for eerie, wind-carved red-rock formations known as “hoodoos.” Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure taking in the splendor of these unique rock formations.
Bryce Canyon Lodge (B) |
13
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Bryce Canyon / Zion National Park, Utah
Enjoy a morning drive through spectacular landscapes, stopping at Red Rock Canyon. Upon arrival at Zion National Park, stop for lunch, visit the park museum, then view the IMAX film “Treasure of the Gods”. Afterward, enjoy a tram ride through the canyons and cliffs of Zion.
Zion Lodge (B,L) |
14
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Zion National Park / Las Vegas, Nevada
Depart Zion, driving through the picturesque scenery of Utah and Nevada. After an included lunch, enjoy a short panoramic drive of the fabulous Las Vegas Strip to your hotel. You’ll have the evening free, with time to take in a glittering Las Vegas show.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino  (B,L) |
15
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Las Vegas
Spend the day at leisure in Vegas. Enjoy your Deluxe resort hotel on the Strip! Savor a Farewell Dinner this evening.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (B,D) |
16
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Las Vegas / Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
(B) |
Note: Breakfast will be provided daily at the hotels. At the hotels in Moab and Kayenta, breakfast is continental (cereal, danish, juices, tea, coffee). All others are full breakfasts.
On
some departures, your hotel accommodations in Yellowstone, Salt Lake
City, Moab, Bryce Canyon, and Zion may be substituted with similar
accommodations. At the Grand Canyon, some departures stay at the Thunderbird Lodge, located right on the rim of the Canyon. |
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