8 Day America's Cowboy Country

Welcome to Jackson Hole, America’s most famous cowboy town. Find yourself amid its rare blend of elegance and Western charm.

This morning it’s your choice! Enjoy a relaxing wildlife float trip -OR- an exciting whitewater rafting adventure! Both paths take you along the Snake River and offer up dramatic views of a grand landscape complete with a picnic lunch. Afterwards, wind through Grand Teton National Park, home to the youngest peaks in the Rockies. Keep your camera handy. There are plenty of opportunities to take photos. Later, get your first taste of the Old West at your welcome dinner where your ride in a covered wagon takes you past the Cache Creek Canyon for a night of Western hospitality at a chuck wagon dinner* with entertainment.

Today, visit incomparable Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world. Yellowstone, a true symbol of the West, stretches across 3,470 square miles and touches three western states. Famous for its geysers, hot springs and incredible wildlife – including free-ranging herds of buffalo – Yellowstone lives up to its reputation. Of course, no visit to Yellowstone would be complete without seeing its most famous attraction: Old Faithful. Watch in amazement as the geyser erupts, sending a fountain of steam more than 130 feet in the air! Later, travel to Cody with a journey along Lake Yellowstone and over Sylvan Pass. From the mountains to the prairies, the scenery is simply astounding.

This morning visit the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West – a tribute to one of the most colourful figures of the Old West. Make your way through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and cross through the territory of the Great Sioux Nation before turning in for the night in Sheridan.

En route to Rapid City, stop in Deadwood, a rowdy, rambling Western town and National Historic Landmark. Recreations of turn-of-the-century street lamps light the way through the restored architecture. A local guide introduces you to the history of the city, including a visit to Mount Moriah Cemetery, final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and other figures from the Wild West. You’ll also make a stop at Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: “Story of the Bison.” This interpretive centre features large, awe-inspiring sculptures depicting the relationship of bison and the Lakota Native Americans. Enjoy some time to amble through Deadwood where gold, gambling and gunpowder were once the order of the day. Later, arrive in Rapid City with time for independent exploration.

Today, learn more about this diverse region. Jump into the world of Black Hills gold on a tour through Riddle’s Black Hills Gold and Diamond Factory. See skilled artisans handcraft South Dakota’s official state jewellery. Then it is on to Custer State Park, where you’ll ride into the park in search of the herd of approximately 1300 free roaming buffalo (or bison) that grace the woods of Custer, along with pronghorn antelope and elk. Your guide will fill you in on the history and fun facts about the park’s wildlife. Next, prepare to be amazed by the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest mountain sculpture still in progress. The memorial includes the Indian Museum of North America, Native American Cultural Centre, the sculptor's studio, an orientation centre and theaters. Many Native American artists and craftspeople practice their art at the memorial and are on hand to discuss the influence their culture has on their work. Later, see one of the country’s most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore, whose four figures carved in stone represent the first 150 years of American history.

Today you visit rugged Badlands National Park. Upon arrival at the visitor centre, view its informative exhibits and displays and watch a film that introduces you to the area. Follow the Badlands Loop Road, a wonder of rock formations and vibrant colours caused by mineral deposits. Next, enjoy a stop at Wall Drug, a classic store from 1936, where there is time for lunch and browsing. This evening, a Lakota Native American will join you before your farewell dinner to discuss his dedication to his community and the Native American way of life, past and present.

Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many pleasant memories.