Itinerary Details
Majestic Montana & Yellowstone
Day 1 ARRIVE IN BOZEMAN, MONTANAWelcome to the “Wild West” town of Bozeman At 5 pm, join your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Bozeman with a country music dance lesson. Twist, twirl, and turn during a lesson for country swing at a local social club. No experience (or partner) needed to learn a few fun country western dance moves.
Day 2 BOZEMAN–LIVINGSTONTENT WITH A VIEW Visit the [LF] Museum of the Rockies for world-famous dinosaur fossils, historic Montana pioneer and exploration days plus see a Living History Farm depicting life in the 1900s. Travel from the forested Gallitin Valley to open plains surrounded by mountain ranges and converging rivers in the remarkable Paradise Valley. Make camp for the next two nights and enjoy modern-day “glamping,” in scenic rural Montana. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION Upscale glamping at Under Canvas in tents with ensuite bathrooms, plush linens, hot running water, private decks, and all the modern comforts of home. Best-in-class scenery, flanked by mountains and the Yellowstone River flowing north out of Yellowstone National Park provide the perfect back drop for a great night’s sleep under the stars.
LOCAL FAVORITE
NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY An immersive experience brings the Northern Rockies and Montana to life with pre-historic dinosaur fossils, a living history farm, and museum exhibits. A Smithsonian affiliate, Museum of the Rockies features natural wildlife and indigenous culture exhibits plus is an active research facility, working to deepen the understanding of the region's heritage.
Day 3 LIVINGSTON Start your day with a morning walk along the Yellowstone River. Gain tips from an outdoor photographer on the best way to point and click your camera phone to capture wildlife and natural surroundings. Spend the afternoon at the resort to appreciate Paradise Valley, rest in a riverside hammock or consider an optional excursion for fly fishing, scenic rafting river float (no experience required), horseback riding or kayaking. Enjoy dinner at the riverfront with locally sourced meat and seafood, fresh salads, and later, spend time stargazing with s’mores by the crackling campfire. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Located at the “Big Bend” in the Yellowstone River, Livingston was the original gateway city to Yellowstone Park with a train depot, saloons, hotels, and stunning scenery. Now the live music, fly fishing contests, local breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and modern saloons keep the local ranchers and visitors entertained in an Old West style.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
LOCAL ADVENTURES Embark on a bucket list activity in Paradise Valley during a hiking, kayaking, rafting, horse-back riding or fly-fishing optional excursion. Yellowstone County offers world-class fly-fishing with 120 miles of blue-ribbon trout water along the longest un-dammed river in the lower 48 states. Tailored for all ages and skill levels, the kayaking and rafting activities highlight the peaceful Yellowstone River Valley. Or discover Paradise Valley on horseback, ascending the mountains to discover spectacular views and wildlife in the natural habitat.
Day 4 LIVINGSTON–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKAmerica’s First National Park Using the original entrance to Yellowstone, the iconic Roosevelt Arch greets your entry to America’s First National Park. Visit Mammoth Hot Springs in the northern part of the park, where heat, water, limestone, and rock fractures have created a unique terrace feature. Enjoy lunch with a ranger to learn about the famous hot springs and park’s thermal features. Continue to the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, where local artists display and demonstrate nature photography, beadwork, storytelling, watercolor painting and more. Explore on your own with the remainder of the day at leisure in the park. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Local Indigenous artists, scholars, and members of the 27 associated tribes of Yellowstone National Park engage and educate visitors about the cultural heritage and historical connections with the park land at the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center. Part of the Yellowstone Forever Institute, it provides an ongoing Native presence in the park for visitors to also showcase the handiwork of tribal artists and encourage cross-cultural exchange.
Day 5 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKAnimals and Geysers Rise early for a memorable experience in Lamar Valley, the magical “Serengeti of North America.” [LF] You’ll have the perfect vantage point to spot thrilling wildlife in their natural habitat. Lamar Valley is home to elk, coyote, grizzly bears, wolves, and bison plus streams of fish and vibrant wildflowers. After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Upper Geyser Basin. Travel through the park today with stops to see the Lower Geyser Basin’s famous Fountain Paint Pots—named for the reds, yellows, and browns of the mud and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for the thundering Lower Falls, which are nearly twice the height of Niagara (weather permitting). (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
WILD AND WONDERFUL Situated in the northeast section of the park, Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley carves a vast U-shaped valley from millions of years of glaciers during the last ice age. An incredible and invigorating experience!
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Experience the beauty of Yellowstone with a guided walking tour of the Upper Geyser Basin. The greatest geothermal basin on Earth, this region also features the extraordinary sights of world-famous Old Faithful, which erupts with regularity throughout the day, as well as other less predictable geysers, including Castle, Daisy, Riverside and Grand Geysers.
Day 6 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE–BIG SKYThe Peak of Perfection Wake up this morning to the fresh, crisp air of Yellowstone and visit Grand Prismatic Spring. Depart Yellowstone National Park for the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone for an immersive experience en route to Big Sky, Montana. With Yellowstone in the rear-view mirror, the world-famous Rocky Mountain Spanish Peaks greet you in Big Sky. Savor the golden hour with spectacular views in Big Sky. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Tucked in the Gallatin River Canyon, near historic Bozeman and the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky is surrounded by dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery, expansive wilderness, and year-round amenities and trails for hiking, skiing, and horseback riding. Consider an optional excursion on the Big Sky gondola to walk in the clouds on the mountaintops.
Day 7 BIG SKYWild by Nature Enjoy a morning of leisure in Big Sky. Consider a hike and zipline experience at Ousel Falls or meander local walking paths in search of summer wildflowers. Tonight, shine up your boots and put on your cowboy hat for your visit to a working ranch with a delicious [LF] farm-to-table dinner. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Farm-to-table is not a trend here, it’s a way of life! The rivers, ranches and farms provide locally sourced protein and fertile ground gives producers sustainably grown ingredients within reach. The dining experience provides the growers and culinary artisans an opportunity to teach the importance of fresh, local, healthy food and supports local economies to ensure stability.
Day 8 BIG SKY–JACKSON, WY Journey on the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway for stunning views of the Grand Teton Mountains, Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, and the Chapel of Transfiguration en route to Jackson. Marvel at the spectacular Wyoming scenery on a Teton Village tram ride. Tonight, celebrate your adventure with a festive farewell dinner. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT The small log cabin-style Chapel of Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park was built in 1925 with local logs and labor, still hosts regular services and is on the National Register of Historic Places. An aspen stump serves as the pulpit and a glass picture window behind the altar provides a spectacular, memorable mountain view.
Day 9 JACKSONSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
