Exploring Big Sky Country

Step outside, take a deep breath in, and look around you – you’re in big sky country. Montana is wilderness, adventure, and beauty, and you’re about to see what makes it unique, as well as its crown jewels. Today, arrive in Bozeman, the jumping off point to explore the northern and southern loops of Yellowstone, America’s first national park. Get your cameras ready and your boots laced tight, there’s a good chance you’re going to come across roaming bison, roaring geysers, and more.
Hotel Name: AC Hotel Downtown

This morning, pass through Yellowstone’s western gate and venture into the Lower Loop, the road that encircles the entire lower half of the National Park. Your first stop will be at the Grand Prismatic Spring, where steaming azure-blue waters clash brilliantly with the bright orange of the clay earth surrounding it. You’ll quickly learn why this is one of the most photographed spots in the entire park – its unearthly beauty is something to behold. The best spot to take it all in is at the overlook, and you’ll have enough time to take the 20-minute hike up if you choose. Afterwards, head to Old Faithful, the legendary geyser that you can “set your watch to.” Enjoy lunch on your own, walk the boardwalk trails surrounding Old Faithful, and check the time on the next eruption. No drive through Yellowstone is that quiet, though – you’ll want to gaze out your window at the mountains, plains, cliffs, and forests. Bison, elk, bears, eagles, wolves, and antelope call this incredible slice of wilderness their home, and you might spot them at any time.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Holiday Inn

Visit Area: Bozeman

Today, explore Yellowstone’s northern loop. Your first stop will be Mammoth Hot Springs. Here, bubbling pots of geothermal water trickle down the step-like terraces, creating incredible shapes and colors. Explore the boardwalks that wind through the steaming landscape. Next, head to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone lookout, where you’ll find yourself standing over the massive, 20-mile-long canyon. Its craggy walls are streaked with brilliant whites, pinks, and oranges from the volcanic minerals contained in the rocks. The Yellowstone River roars along at the bottom over three different waterfalls. Later today, return to your hotel in West Yellowstone.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Yellowstone

This morning, head through the sweeping vistas of Montana’s Paradise Valley. In the distance, you’ll see the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains to the east, and the Gallatin Range of the Rocky Mountains to your west. You’ll arrive in the capital of Montana, Helena, a city with rich gold rush history and beautiful Victorian era architecture. These days, the “Queen City of the Rockies” is less known for gold and more known for its great local restaurants and microbreweries, as well as a stunning trail system in the surrounding landscape.

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Dinner Included
Hotel Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown

Visit Area: Old Faithful
Old Faithful is a geyser located in Yellowstone National Park in the state of Wyoming. It is one of the most predicable geographical features on Earth, erupting almost every 63 minutes. When the geyser erupts it can shoot anywhere from 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of boiling water to a height of 106 to 185 feet lasting from 1.5 to 5 minutes.

Start your day today with a local guide showing you around the beautiful and welcoming mountain city of Helena on a narrated, train trolley tour. See the opulent mansion district, marvel at the Cathedral of St. Helena, and roll by governor’s homes. Pass by a restored miners’ village, enjoy the unique architecture along Last Chance Gulch, and catch a glimpse of the Old Fire Tower. Then head to Butte, the “Richest Hill on Earth”, where for more than a century, copper was king. You’ll tour the town with a local Butte historian and hear fascinating tales about its storied past (and present). At the World Museum of Mining, you’ll have a chance to venture underground with experienced guides to see the original shaft station. Tonight, return to Helena for an evening at leisure.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Mammoth Hot Springs

Today, venture to Great Falls, where the mighty Missouri River thunders down from the Rocky Mountains, over five waterfalls to the great plains below. This was a massive obstacle for Lewis and Clark’s expedition in 1805. They had to carry their boats over land for a month to make it from the lower falls to the upper falls. You will not have to work that hard, because it’s your choice! Visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center where you can learn about the trials of the legendary expedition -OR- explore the exhibits at the C.M. Russell Art Museum during a guided tour, where you’ll see the art of Charles Russell, a cowboy-turned-artist from the turn of the century, as well as his original home and log studio. Afterwards, continue to St. Mary, the eastern entryway to Glacier National Park.

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Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Great Bear Lodge at St. Mary Village

Visit Area: Yellowstone Grand Canyon

Head into Glacier National Park to board one of the 1930’s vintage red buses and venture down one of the most breathtaking roads in North America, Going-to-the-Sun Road.* Sit back and admire the views of the valley as your “jammer,” one of the experienced guides, drives you through this natural landscape. Relax and take in all the majestic sights, before heading to the town of Whitefish where forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains unfold in every direction.

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Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Grouse Mountain Lodge

Visit Area: Helena

This morning, enjoy some leisure time in the quaint, picturesque town of Whitefish. Always listed as one of America’s 25 prettiest towns, indulge yourself with time to stroll around, do some shopping, or just relax. Perhaps you’ll stop for lunch at one of the great restaurants found along Central Avenue or buy some Huckleberry jam from a local shop. A true favorite in Montana, huckleberries can be found in snacks, drinks, candy, and more. Your morning leads into an adventurous afternoon, because it’s your choice! Grab a paddle and get ready for a white-water rafting adventure -OR- take the calmer, scenic route on a float down the Flathead River. No matter which style river journey you choose, the awe-inspiring views of Glacier National Park await. Tonight, tell tales about your river escapades while sitting down for a mouth-watering barbeque dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Butte

Depart Whitefish and drive south, journeying along the western edge of beautiful Flathead Lake. Carved by the ancient glaciers that give Glacier National Park its name, Flathead Lake stretches almost 200 square miles. Quaint, small towns dot the shores here, built with the beautiful backdrop of nature behind them. You might even spot some orchards, growing Flathead cherries. Encompassing most of the lake is the Flathead Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. At one point, these tribes had territories that stretched out of Montana and into Idaho, British Columbia, and Wyoming. The Hellgate Treaty of 1855 set aside Flathead Lake for the tribes, reducing their lands to a fraction of what it once was. Tribal land was once again shrunk in 1904 by over half a million acres. Despite all of this, the Tribal way of life continues on to this day, passed down from elders to children though a rich oral and spiritual tradition. Get a glimpse into these traditions when you meet a descendant of the last Kootenai chief, and learn about the importance of the land in native life. Then, experience an Impact Moment at the Smokejumper Visitor Center to learn about the heroes who fight fires in North America. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure in Missoula.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Holiday Inn Downtown

Admittance: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Center or C.M. Russell Art Museum
Visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls, where you can learn about the trials and travails of the legendary expedition and watch a movie. Or, explore the exhibits of the C.M. Russell Art Museum during a guided tour. You’ll see the art of Charles Russell, a cowboy-turned-artist from the turn of the century, as well as his original home and log studio. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center Activity Level 1: Self-guided tour of interpretive center. Tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. C.M. Russell Art Museum Activity Level 1: Docent led tours of the museum's highlights. Tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Your day in Missoula starts off with a visit to the Museum of Mountain Flying. Aircraft as well as interactive history displays that interpret and preserve the history of mountain flying and smoke jumping. Next, visit the Holt Heritage Museum, located on the Lolo Trail which was used by Lewis and Clark in 1805 and 1806. A private museum built by Bill and Ramona Holt, the extensive collection tells the story of Western Montana – from cowboys and rodeo’s, to the native Nez Pierce and Salish/Kootenai cultures. This evening, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner with your fellow travelers, where you can raise a glass and toast to a wildly fun Montana adventure.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Glacier National Park
Located at the boarder of Canada and the United States, just across from the province of Alberta in the state of Montana, Glacier National Park is made up of pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. It offers historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans.

Say goodbye to Big Sky Country and its beautiful sights as you head home.

Breakfast Included

Drive By: Going-to-the-Sun Road
An incredible feat of engineering, this 50-mile pathway snakes its way up steep slopes, through narrow tunnels, past waterfalls and along some of the most spectacular mountain views in Glacier National Park. There are numerous turnoffs along the road where one can safely stop to take pictures and admire the views. The road's apex is at Logan Pass at an elevation of 6,646 feet.