Heart of the Rockies

Grand Teton National Park

The Rockies are well renowned for their stunning beauty, from towering snow-tipped peaks to crystal lakes, for a varied look into nature and numerous settings that can present a variety of outdoor activities. And with the Heart of the Rockies excursion you'll find nine days of exploring the entire region, from Colorado to Wyoming to South Dakota to Utah! For an encompassing view of all the Rockies have to offer, it doesn't get much better than the Heart of the Rockies.

Day 1 - From the second your plane touches down you'll be taken care of with your tour director waiting to assemble the party. Once everyone is gathered, you'll jump right into your vacation with a tour of Denver. Along the tour, you'll stop by the 16th Street Mall for a little shopping and the option to take lunch on your own. Other sights experienced along the introductory tour are the Colorado State Capitol Building and Larimer Square. After becoming acquainted with Denver it will be off to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where you'll settle into the Plains Hotel. That night, a banquet will be held to help you become better acquainted with the rest of he travelers in your party.

Day 2 - Today will see you traveling to Fort Laramie for a glimpse into the 1800's. Next, you'll take to the road and head towards the famed Black Hills of South Dakota. You'll experience Custer State Park and its herds of roaming buffalo, and then head to Keystone to settle down for the night.

Day 3 - Day three will provide the chance to see some of South Dakota's most famed sights. Your first stop will be the site of the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse carvings. After taking in the iconic Mount Rushmore and witnessing Crazy Horse while still in its development stage, you'll find time for lunch before returning to Keystone. Once back in Keystone, you'll visit the Rushmore-Borglum Story Museum to learn more about Gutzon Borglum, the man responsible for the creation of Mount Rushmore. After dinner, you'll once again return to Mount Rushmore, this time experiencing the monument in monumental fashion, aglow in flood lights as a ranger guide shares tales and facts relating to the carving.
 
Day 4 - Today will offer a look into the cultures that have created the South Dakota area. Stops to Lead and Deadwood will present both a modern look into South Dakota and interesting insight into the history of the towns. Devil's Tower, the very first National Monument, will impress a sense of geology and how the shape of the land affected the culture of the local Indians. After lunch, you'll head to Buffalo, Wyoming. That night, you'll settle into the opulent Occidental Hotel and enjoy a catered dinner with the entire party.

Day 5 - When you awake on day five it will be time to pack up once more, this time heading for Cody, Wyoming. Once there, you'll visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and it's many facets - Whitney Art Gallery, Plains Indian Museum, Winchester Gun exhibit, and William Fredric Cody Wing. Once done at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center you'll depart Cody and head for Yellowstone National Park. Admire geysers, canyons, rivers, lakes and wildlife as you tour the iconic park.
 
Day 6 - On day six, you'll continue your exploration of Yellowstone. Sights seen along the tour will include the Mammoth Hot Springs, Fountain Paint Pots, and Old Faithful. After finishing the last leg of your Yellowstone tour it will be off to Jackson, Wyoming, passing through Grand Teton National Park along the way. In Jackson, you'll settle down for a two-night stay, and then attend a barbecue dinner at Bar-J Chuckwagon Cookout.
 
Day 7 - Today, you'll trek back to Grand Teton National Park where you'll spend the first half of your day floating the scenic Snake River. Along the float trip you'll take in sights of the Teton Mountains, various wildlife that inhabit the area, and the general beauty of the Wyoming wilderness. After the float trip, you'll break for lunch before returning to explore the rest of Teton National Park. Once back in Jackson, you'll have the rest of the day to yourself for shopping, sightseeing or simply resting.

Day 8 - Day eight will offer an intensive journey as you travel through Wyoming, Idaho and Utah! The journey will take you through the Snake River Canyon and Star Valley before breaking at Bear Lake and then the American West Heritage Center for lunch and a tour. Then, you'll continue on through the Antelope Island State Park, and eventually arriving in Salt Lake City. That night, you'll join your entire party for a farewell banquet at The Roof restaurant that overlooks Temple Square.

Day 9 - On your last day of the journey, you'll be treated by the sounds of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir before a noon departure to the Salt Lake City International Airport.
 
Even if you've already experienced a portion of the Rockies area, the Heart of the Rockies can still offer an amazing journey through region that touches upon all of the most iconic sites of the area for a look into nature that simply can not be found anywhere else.