Itinerary Details
Majestic Montana & Yellowstone
Day 1: ARRIVE IN BOZEMAN, MONTANAYour Small Group Discovery Tour begins! At 6:00 p.m., 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 and enjoy restaurants, local microbrews, or live music in the vibrant downtown. Consider a walk on the Drinking Horse Mountain Trail or watch the sunset from Burke Park for panoramic views of the Gallatin Valley and Bridger Mountains.
Day 2: BOZEMAN–CHICO Healing Hot Springs Visit the 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 Gallatin Valley to open plains surrounded by mountain ranges and converging rivers in the remarkable Paradise Valley for dinner and an overnight stay at Chico Hot Springs Resort. Famed for soothing [LF] natural geothermal hot springs and a spectacular setting beneath the Absaroka Mountains, Chico Hot Springs is a Montana retreat rich in history and character, with rustic Western charm and stunning mountain views.
(B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Located just north of Yellowstone National Park, Chico Hot Springs is part of the region's remarkable geothermal landscape. The cherished Montana landmark known for soothing mineral-rich geothermal waters has drawn Native people and visitors for centuries for renewal and relaxation to the soothing mineral waters of the hot springs.
Day 3: CHICO– GARDINER–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKTrail Tips and River Trips Depart Chico for Gardiner and view the original entrance to Yellowstone, as the iconic Roosevelt Arch welcomes you 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 and learn about the famous hot springs and park’s thermal features. Later, join your Tour Director to explore 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 bubbling mud. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
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 4: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK America’s First National Park Rise early for a memorable experience in Lamar Valley, the magical “Serengeti of North America.” A perfect vantage point to spot majestic wildlife in their natural habitat, Lamar Valley is home to elk, coyote, grizzly bears, wolves, and bison plus streams of fish and vibrant wildflowers. Discover the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for the thundering Lower Falls, which are nearly twice the height of Niagara (weather permitting). Explore on your own with the remainder of the day at leisure in the park. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
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. This area provides an unforgettable wildlife watching opportunity from a safe vantage point.
Day 5: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA–BIG SKYNative Heritage & Conservation Heroes Wake up this morning to the fresh, crisp air of Yellowstone and visit the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, where local artists display and demonstrate nature photography, beadwork, storytelling, watercolor painting, and more. Depart Yellowstone National Park for the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone for an immersive experience enroute to Big Sky, Montana. With Yellowstone in the rear-view mirror, the world-famous Rocky Mountain Spanish Peaks greet you with the golden hour in Big Sky.
(B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
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 6: BIG SKYThe Peak of Perfection Admire the beauty of the Rocky Mountains from the river, walking path, or from the back of a horse during a free day in Big Sky. Tucked in the Gallatin River Canyon, near 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, riding, relaxing, or exploring. Celebrate nature and consider an optional excursion today to hike, ride, or climb to new heights in a gondola. Tonight, shine up your boots and put on your cowboy hat for a delicious [LF] ranch-to-table dinner at a historic Montana roadhouse and former hunting camp.
(B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Ranch (farm)-to-table is not a trend here, it’s a way of life! The rivers, ranches and farms provide locally sourced protein, greenhouses and fertile ground give producers sustainably grown ingredients within reach. The dining experience provides the growers and culinary artisans an opportunity to showcase the importance of fresh, local, healthy food and supports local economies to ensure stability.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more during free time in Big Sky with an optional zipline excursion, guided horseback ride, or a guided hike of Ousel Falls for breathtaking views. Get insider tips on where to dine and what to do from your Tour Director.
Day 7: BIG SKY–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON, WYOMING Highway to Heaven Journey over the Teton Pass for stunning views of the Grand Teton Mountains. Spend time in Grand Teton National Park and discover Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, and the Chapel of Transfiguration enroute to Jackson Hole for a two-night stay. Enjoy a free evening to explore on your own. From vibrant restaurants and Western saloons to unforgettable stargazing against the silhouette of the Tetons, Jackson offers the perfect blend of mountain-town charm and natural wonder after dark.
(B)
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 8: JACKSON. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKWild by Nature Set out for a morning of discovery in Jackson, where the spirit of the Old West meets the rugged beauty of the Tetons. Wander the historic district on foot, taking in its iconic boardwalks, western storefronts, and mountain-town charm, or choose an optional float trip on the Snake River for a peaceful journey through pristine scenery where wildlife sightings are always a possibility. This afternoon, ascend by tram in Teton Village and soak in sweeping views of Wyoming’s dramatic peaks, valleys, and open skies. Tonight, toast the unforgettable landscapes and extraordinary moments of your journey at a festive farewell dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in Jackson with an optional float trip along the Snake River for a river front perspective on the valley’s wild beauty, stroll the lively downtown boardwalks and step into a classic local saloon, or browse the town’s renowned galleries filled with western art, photography, and handcrafted treasures.
Day 9: JACKSONSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Jackson? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
