2013 Western National Parks by Amtrak/Air
Sept 12-23, 2013
Deadline to sign-up is May 31st!
Day 1 – To Minneapolis – Amtrak (9/12 Thu) Depart Michigan and travel west through Wisconsin to Minnesota and arrive in the late afternoon, (Lunch & Dinner included)
we will have a little time before we catch our train for a cross country train ride through the northern United States. All night travel by train.
(Amtrak – Sleeping accommodations are extra)
Day 2 – Amtrak – Kalispell (9/13 Fri)
Your train travel continues today as you make your way to Montana near Glacier National Park. In Whitefish we will transfer a short distance to our overnight accommodations in Kalispell for a two night stay.
Day 3 – Glacier National Park (9/14 Sat) Sightsee Glacier National Park via the world famous "Going to the Sun Highway," amid magnificent snowcapped peaks, gleaming lakes, and the virgin forests of the McDonald Valley. Vintage Red Jammer touring cars take us on this 52-mile drive that crests the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and is famous for its majestic mountains and deep valley floors. We’ll stop for lunch on own at Lake St. Mary Lodge. Then we will skirt the southern border of the park on our way back to Kalispell.
Day 4 – Glacier - West Yellowstone (9/15 Sun)
Depart East Glacier and travel south through the Big Sky Country of Montana. We will travel in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark as we make our way to the Capitol city of Helena for a tour of the Capitol Building and time for lunch on own. Continue south to the Gallatin National Forest and arrive West Yellowstone for a two night stay. The rest of the evening is free to explore this fun gateway town on your own. Everything is within walking distance, we suggest a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
we will have a little time before we catch our train for a cross country train ride through the northern United States. All night travel by train.
(Amtrak – Sleeping accommodations are extra)
Day 2 – Amtrak – Kalispell (9/13 Fri)
Your train travel continues today as you make your way to Montana near Glacier National Park. In Whitefish we will transfer a short distance to our overnight accommodations in Kalispell for a two night stay.
Day 3 – Glacier National Park (9/14 Sat) Sightsee Glacier National Park via the world famous "Going to the Sun Highway," amid magnificent snowcapped peaks, gleaming lakes, and the virgin forests of the McDonald Valley. Vintage Red Jammer touring cars take us on this 52-mile drive that crests the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and is famous for its majestic mountains and deep valley floors. We’ll stop for lunch on own at Lake St. Mary Lodge. Then we will skirt the southern border of the park on our way back to Kalispell.
Day 4 – Glacier - West Yellowstone (9/15 Sun)
Depart East Glacier and travel south through the Big Sky Country of Montana. We will travel in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark as we make our way to the Capitol city of Helena for a tour of the Capitol Building and time for lunch on own. Continue south to the Gallatin National Forest and arrive West Yellowstone for a two night stay. The rest of the evening is free to explore this fun gateway town on your own. Everything is within walking distance, we suggest a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
Day 5 – Yellowstone (9/16 Mon)
Today we will explore Yellowstone! The nation's first national park is a mysterious land of steaming geysers and bubbling mud pots - a land so amazing that the first explorers to bring back tales of Yellowstone were called liars. Some of Yellowstone's most famous highlights are, the scenic Hayden Valley and the awe-inspiring "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone." We will have a chance to see both the Canyon's upper and lower falls, where the mighty Yellowstone River has cut its way through sheer rock to cascade down hundreds of feet to the foaming torrents below. After this breath-taking view, we will make our way around Yellowstone's famous Lower Loop to the colorful Fountain Paint Pots, with one of the most complete collections of thermal features in the park, before arriving at Yellowstone's most famous landmark, Old Faithful. We'll have time to witness the geysers hourly display and check out the well-stocked gift shop; then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you choose.
Day 6 – Yellowstone – Grand Teton (9/17 Tue)
We will begin our day exploring more of Yellowstone! Make our way back past Old Faithful area to Yellowstone's southernmost boundaries and the Grand Teton National Park. As we travel through the Tetons you will see America's youngest and most rugged mountains piercing the clouds in majestic splendor. Stop for pictures at magnificent Jackson Lake Lodge. You will also want photos of Jenny Lake's picture-postcard setting, then arrive in the Old West town of Jackson this afternoon. Tonight, join the group for an evening of authentic western food and entertainment in the shadows of the Grand Tetons at the Bar-J Chuckwagon Cookout. (Dinner included)
Day 7 – Jackson – Salt Lake City (9/18 Wed)
Depart Jackson this morning and travel through western Wyoming surrounded by silver streams, soaring peaks, and lush meadows. Drive through the rugged Snake River Canyon, stopping in pastoral Starr Valley. Arrive in Evanston for lunch on your own, then travel to Utah Olympic Park near Park City. Enjoy a guided tour of this amazing facility that hosted events for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and continues to host World Cup events. Many of the guides are winter Olympians in training. You will see the Utah Ski and Olympic Museum, three Nordic Jumps along with the Bobsled and Luge Track, which has some of the fastest ice on earth. Continue on to Salt Lake City for a short city tour and your overnight accommodations. Evening free to explore the “Crossroads of the West” on your own.
Day 8 – Bryce Canyon – Kanab (9/19 Thu)
Depart Salt Lake City and travel south leaving the Rockies behind and entering the red rock wonders of the Colorado Plateau. Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park just in time for lunch on your own followed by an afternoon of sightseeing. The hues and intricate shapes of Bryce Canyon carry even the most mature adult away into a fairyland fantasy. The Paiute Indians used a word to describe Bryce that translates into, "red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon." Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce, for whom the canyon was named, described it as "a hell of a place to lose a cow." You need not be a pioneer or an Indian to decide for yourself how best to describe it. One thing is certain, you'll love Bryce Canyon. After some eye-popping sightseeing take a short drive to Kanab, a small town also known as “Little Hollywood” due to the hundreds of movies filmed in the area, and check in for a two night stay.
Today we will explore Yellowstone! The nation's first national park is a mysterious land of steaming geysers and bubbling mud pots - a land so amazing that the first explorers to bring back tales of Yellowstone were called liars. Some of Yellowstone's most famous highlights are, the scenic Hayden Valley and the awe-inspiring "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone." We will have a chance to see both the Canyon's upper and lower falls, where the mighty Yellowstone River has cut its way through sheer rock to cascade down hundreds of feet to the foaming torrents below. After this breath-taking view, we will make our way around Yellowstone's famous Lower Loop to the colorful Fountain Paint Pots, with one of the most complete collections of thermal features in the park, before arriving at Yellowstone's most famous landmark, Old Faithful. We'll have time to witness the geysers hourly display and check out the well-stocked gift shop; then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you choose.
Day 6 – Yellowstone – Grand Teton (9/17 Tue)
We will begin our day exploring more of Yellowstone! Make our way back past Old Faithful area to Yellowstone's southernmost boundaries and the Grand Teton National Park. As we travel through the Tetons you will see America's youngest and most rugged mountains piercing the clouds in majestic splendor. Stop for pictures at magnificent Jackson Lake Lodge. You will also want photos of Jenny Lake's picture-postcard setting, then arrive in the Old West town of Jackson this afternoon. Tonight, join the group for an evening of authentic western food and entertainment in the shadows of the Grand Tetons at the Bar-J Chuckwagon Cookout. (Dinner included)
Day 7 – Jackson – Salt Lake City (9/18 Wed)
Depart Jackson this morning and travel through western Wyoming surrounded by silver streams, soaring peaks, and lush meadows. Drive through the rugged Snake River Canyon, stopping in pastoral Starr Valley. Arrive in Evanston for lunch on your own, then travel to Utah Olympic Park near Park City. Enjoy a guided tour of this amazing facility that hosted events for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and continues to host World Cup events. Many of the guides are winter Olympians in training. You will see the Utah Ski and Olympic Museum, three Nordic Jumps along with the Bobsled and Luge Track, which has some of the fastest ice on earth. Continue on to Salt Lake City for a short city tour and your overnight accommodations. Evening free to explore the “Crossroads of the West” on your own.
Day 8 – Bryce Canyon – Kanab (9/19 Thu)
Depart Salt Lake City and travel south leaving the Rockies behind and entering the red rock wonders of the Colorado Plateau. Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park just in time for lunch on your own followed by an afternoon of sightseeing. The hues and intricate shapes of Bryce Canyon carry even the most mature adult away into a fairyland fantasy. The Paiute Indians used a word to describe Bryce that translates into, "red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon." Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce, for whom the canyon was named, described it as "a hell of a place to lose a cow." You need not be a pioneer or an Indian to decide for yourself how best to describe it. One thing is certain, you'll love Bryce Canyon. After some eye-popping sightseeing take a short drive to Kanab, a small town also known as “Little Hollywood” due to the hundreds of movies filmed in the area, and check in for a two night stay.
Day 9 – Grand Canyon North Rim (9/20 Fri)
Today we will experience nature's masterpiece, the Grand Canyon. First cross the Arizona Strip before climbing the beautiful Kaibab Plateau. Reaching elevations over 8,000 feet, the Kaibab was a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt and is home to a rich variety of wildlife including elk, deer, turkey and the unique white tailed Kaibab Squirrel. Stop at Jacob Lake Inn, an old fashion family run lodge started in 1923, then enter Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, *A UNESCO World Heritage Site, for sightseeing. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. You will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty. The North Rim receives one tenth the number of visitors compared with the more developed South Rim and thus provides a much quieter and more natural Grand Canyon experience. Visit Grand Canyon Lodge, a National Historic Landmark located right on the canyon rim, with free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, return to Kanab with the evening free.
Day 10 – Zion – Salt Lake City (9/21 Sat)
Next we are off to see Utah's oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. An early Mormon settler described the park's massive formations as "temples built by hands, not of man." The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. We will have the opportunity to explore Zion Canyon, a brilliant green canyon set against the backdrop of sheer red cliffs, with an occasional lacy waterfall fanning out from the rocks. Visit beautiful Zion Lodge with free time to wander the grounds and have lunch on your own. The free shuttle system will allow you to explore the canyon and the many hiking trails at your own pace. This afternoon continue traveling north and make your way back to Salt Lake City. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. (Dinner included)
Day 11 – Fly to Chicago (9/22 Sun) We will transfer to the airport and fly into Chicago. We will then overnight in Milwaukee. (Dinner included)
Day 12 - Arrive Home (9/23 Mon)
We will motor coach home today. You will take not only the memories of incredible scenic attractions, but also the friendships of those who have shared these days with you.
Please Note: Airlines and Amtrak cannot give us prices yet so the prices we have included for that part are a guesstimate.
So the price may have to be adjusted next year because of fuel prices. We tried to get as close as we could.
We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary if needed.
$4332 Single
$3594 Each, Dbl
$3399 Each, Triple
Reservations must be accompanied by a $700 deposit.
Call 906-288-3734 to signup
Today we will experience nature's masterpiece, the Grand Canyon. First cross the Arizona Strip before climbing the beautiful Kaibab Plateau. Reaching elevations over 8,000 feet, the Kaibab was a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt and is home to a rich variety of wildlife including elk, deer, turkey and the unique white tailed Kaibab Squirrel. Stop at Jacob Lake Inn, an old fashion family run lodge started in 1923, then enter Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, *A UNESCO World Heritage Site, for sightseeing. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. You will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty. The North Rim receives one tenth the number of visitors compared with the more developed South Rim and thus provides a much quieter and more natural Grand Canyon experience. Visit Grand Canyon Lodge, a National Historic Landmark located right on the canyon rim, with free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, return to Kanab with the evening free.
Day 10 – Zion – Salt Lake City (9/21 Sat)
Next we are off to see Utah's oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. An early Mormon settler described the park's massive formations as "temples built by hands, not of man." The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. We will have the opportunity to explore Zion Canyon, a brilliant green canyon set against the backdrop of sheer red cliffs, with an occasional lacy waterfall fanning out from the rocks. Visit beautiful Zion Lodge with free time to wander the grounds and have lunch on your own. The free shuttle system will allow you to explore the canyon and the many hiking trails at your own pace. This afternoon continue traveling north and make your way back to Salt Lake City. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. (Dinner included)
Day 11 – Fly to Chicago (9/22 Sun) We will transfer to the airport and fly into Chicago. We will then overnight in Milwaukee. (Dinner included)
Day 12 - Arrive Home (9/23 Mon)
We will motor coach home today. You will take not only the memories of incredible scenic attractions, but also the friendships of those who have shared these days with you.
Please Note: Airlines and Amtrak cannot give us prices yet so the prices we have included for that part are a guesstimate.
So the price may have to be adjusted next year because of fuel prices. We tried to get as close as we could.
We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary if needed.
$4332 Single
$3594 Each, Dbl
$3399 Each, Triple
Reservations must be accompanied by a $700 deposit.
Call 906-288-3734 to signup
