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CANADIAN ROCKIES AND NATIONAL PARKS 15 DAYS / AUGUST 14 Day 1. Welcome aboard our motorcoach to begin a special adventure to the magnificent Canadian Rockies. During the next 15 days we will journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. We begin our trip to the scenic West as we travel across Iowa and into Nebraska. Lodging: Marina Inn, South Sioux City, NE Day 2. This morning we visit the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. This remarkable flamboyant Byzantine building is decorated each year with colored grain and grasses. This afternoon we travel through the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Formed by wind and erosion these sharply eroded buttes and spires form a beauty that is stark and simple. We take a break at Wall Drug Store, the famous oasis that has welcomed tourists for many years. Lodging: Days Inn, Rapid City, SD Day 3. This morning we stop at Mount Rushmore before continuing west across northern Wyoming along the eastern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains and enter Montana. At Crow Agency we’ll stop to see the site and hear the story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand. Lodging: Best Western Clocktower, Billings, MT Day 4. The vast plains roll into mountains and vast forests under the “Big Sky” as our day progresses through Montana. This afternoon we’ll visit the CM Russell Museum and Log Cabin Studio of the famous cowboy artist. Lodging: Best Western Heritage Inn, Great Falls, MT Day 5. Today we cross over the border into Canada and enter the province of Alberta. This afternoon we arrive in Calgary, the eastern gateway to the Canadian Rockies. We’ll explore Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s largest living historical village, including a pioneer Northwest Mounted Police outpost and 1910 Main Street. Lodging: Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, Calgary, AB Day 6. This morning we arrive in Banff and meet our guide for a scenic drive into Banff National Park – showcase of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Lake Louiseis the spectacular setting for an included lunch before returning to Banff for the evening. Unpack and enjoy a two-night stay surrounded by the majestic beauty of towering peaks and alpine valleys. Breakfast is included each morning. Lodging: Inns of Banff, Banff, AB (2 nights) Day 7. Our guide will join us for another day of exploring the wonders of nature in Banff National Park and The Columbian Icefields in Jasper National Park. We’ll board snow coaches to “run up the glacier”, step out onto 200 feet of ice and peer down deep crevices. Enjoy a full day of awesome scenery before returning to our lodging in Banff. Day 8. We travel along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies to “Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump”. This most unusual place is on the Black Foot Indian Reservation. You’ll have free time to explore this unique museum. Later this afternoon we arrive in Waterton Lakes National Park. The hues of purple, red and green and the chains of valleys and peaks that encompass the tranquil lake are best viewed from our evening boat ride. You’ll have time here to walk and enjoy the view from our lake side accommodations in the village. Dinneris included this evening at our motel. Lodging: Bayshore Inn, Waterton Park, AB Day 9. This morning we travel to the US portion of this International Peace Park – Glacier National Park. Here, we board special vista-topped vehicles for the 50 miles of twisting, climbing, precipice-hugging “Going to the Sun Road”. Dense primitive forests, waterfalls tumbling from glacial snow masses and sparkling lakes that feed the alpine meadows make this one of the most scenic roadways in the world! Lunch is included while visiting Glacier National Park. Our own motorcoach will meet us when we arrive on the other side of the park and deliver us to our accommodations. Lodging: Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Kalispell, MT Day 10. We travel the length of Montana along the western slopes of the Rockies and understand why this is called “Big Sky Country”. At Missoula we’ll visit the Smokejumpers Base Aerial Fire Depot. You’ll enjoy the resort town of West Yellowstone this evening. Lodging: Gray Wolf Inn, West Yellowstone, MT Day 11. A park guide will share information on the natural phenomenon, spectacular geography and wildlife of our nation’s first national park – Yellowstone. We’ll view some of the 10,000 thermal spectacles that comprise the world’s largest geyser basin. Ancient volcanic steam vents emit uncanny sounds and display themselves as bubbling mud pots and spurting geysers. Late this afternoon we travel through forested Sylvan Pass to Pahaska Teepee – site of Buffalo Bill’s hunting lodge. Then we travel a few miles further to the town named after this famous American character of the old west. Lodging: Comfort Inn, Cody, WY Day 12. This morning we visit the famous Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Late this afternoon we arrive in Casper, a ferry crossing site on the old Oregon Trail. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center tells the story of the pioneers and of the trails they traveled. Lodging: Hampton Inn, Casper, WY Day 13. Today we leave Wyoming and travel along the Platte River in southern Nebraska. Lodging: Holiday Inn Express, North Platte, NE Day 14. It’s a short drive this morning to the famous Harold Warp Pioneer Village. You’ll have time to explore the three city blocks and 30 buildings of collections. Vintage tractors, locomotives, antique autos and historic flying machines tell of man’s progress since 1830. This afternoon we continue our journey towards home. Lodging: Drury Inn, St. Joseph, MO Day 15. We return home today with wonderful memories of this once in a lifetime tour of the most beautiful National Parks in North America. Included Meals: 11 Breakfasts 3 Lunches 1 Dinner
Tour Cost: $1480 per person Child/Teen $2429 per person 4/room $2599 per person 3/room $2959 per person 2/room $3999 per person single
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