National Parks, Mount Rushmore and Little Bighorn

Overview
Natural geography offers a fascinating insight into the beginnings of the USA, with landscapes that date back millions of years. On this thrilling holiday, you’ll explore vast national parks, hear tales of the Wild West, and visit the immense Grand Canyon.

Highlights

• Just You Tour Manager as your host
• Return flights from Heathrow with United Airlines
• Use of an airport lounge in the UK
• 15 nights in hotels of a great standard plus 1 night in flight
• 17 meals: 15 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, 1 dinner
• Specialist Local Guides
• Welcome & farewell drinks
• Overseas transfers & other transportation
• Porterage
• Dedicated Just You representative to greet you at all UK airports

Itinerary

Day 1: UK to Denver
Today we’ll fly to Denver, Colorado.

Day 2: Rapid City
South Dakota’s Black Hills are an impressive sight, and Rapid City, where we’ll head today, is nestled on the eastern foothills. En route, we’ll stop at Cheyenne and Fort Laramie, where Chief Red Cloud signed the treaty that gave much land to the Sioux. We’ll arrive at Fort Hays for a Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show, located on the film set of the Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves, starring Kevin Costner.

Day 3: Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore, with its famous granite sculptures of Presidents Roosevelt, Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson, is our destination today. We’ll begin the day with breakfast overlooking the massive carvings, which are iconic monuments of the United States. We’ll also visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, and in the afternoon, explore Badlands National Park—an eerie landscape shaped by 35 million years of wind and water erosion.

Day 4: Deadwood
Our journey takes us through the Black Hills into ‘Wild West’ territory to the city of Deadwood, once frequented by the likes of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. We’ll continue to Sheridan for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Little Bighorn Battlefield
The historic battlefield site of Little Bighorn is where General Custer and the 7th Cavalry were outmatched by Crazy Horse. We’ll take a guided tour and learn about the events of that fateful day as we visit the markers where the soldiers fell.

Day 6: Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, the world’s oldest national park, is a wonderland of spouting geysers, terraced hot springs, boiling pools, and bubbling mud pots. We’ll visit Yellowstone Canyon, see Old Faithful erupt, and observe wildlife such as bears, elk, and buffalo roaming freely.

Day 7: Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is renowned for its stunning landscapes, featuring snow-capped peaks, serene lakes, and mighty glaciers. We’ll take in the vistas before traveling to the lively town of Jackson.

Day 8: Salt Lake City
We’ll visit Logan Canyon and Bear Lake for an included picnic lunch. Bear Lake, known as the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’ due to its unique turquoise-blue color, is a must-see before continuing to Salt Lake City.

Day 9: Salt Lake City
Founded by the Mormons, Salt Lake City is named after the Great Salt Lake. Spend the day exploring or join our optional excursion to the lake, which covers 2,000 square miles and is saltier than the ocean.

Day 10: Arches National Park
Arches National Park is home to the greatest concentration of red sandstone arches in the world. We’ll explore these unique rock formations today, shaped by the elements over millions of years.

Day 11: Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is famous for its cliff dwellings. We’ll visit Cliff Palace, the largest of these homes carved into the rock face, with more than 200 rooms.

Day 12: Monument Valley
First stop today is the Four Corners Monument, where Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona converge. We’ll then visit Monument Valley, known for its striking and unique rock formations, frequently featured in movies. An optional narrated four-wheel-drive tour is available today.

Day 13: Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon, shaped over millions of years by the Colorado River, is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights. From the South Rim, we’ll take in incredible panoramic views. Optional flights over the canyon are available for a bird’s-eye view of its immense scale. We’ll continue to Kanab, a town and desert frequently used as a film set.

Day 14: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its delicate spires of rock and vast natural amphitheatres. We’ll explore this geological marvel today, with the colours of the rocks changing as the light shifts throughout the day. Consider joining an optional star-gazing tour in the evening under the clear desert skies.

Day 15: Zion National Park
Today, we’ll explore Zion National Park, home to sheer cliffs, deep chasms, and rock formations. Then, we’ll head to the bright lights of Las Vegas, where you can join your Tour Manager for a city tour by night.

Day 16: Las Vegas to UK
Enjoy a morning at leisure before your late afternoon flight back to the UK.

Day 17: UK
Arrive back in the UK.