Compare Parks & Canyons Spectacular with Denver by Globus vs America's Magnificent National Parks 2022 End Denver Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 5,709 | $ 6,771 |
| Price Per Day | $ 381 | $ 451 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Grand Canyon or Grand Teton? Yellowstone or the Black Hills? Wild Bill or Crazy Horse? You don’t have to decide which famous canyon, park, or personality to discover on your next tour of the Western U.S. With visits to the country’s most fascinating destinations in one spectacular vacation, this national parks tour is a buffet of bucket-list adventure. Dig into the natural wonders of Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks – as well as the manmade masterpieces of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial – as you digest the beauty of South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. A slice of cowboy life awaits in the Old West towns of Deadwood, Sheridan, Cody, and Jackson, where you’ll travel by horse-drawn wagons into the Cache Creek Canyon for a chuckwagon cookout. More adventure is served in the stunning landscapes of Lake Powell and the Painted Desert – and decadent Las Vegas. Kick off your national parks vacation by kicking around Colorado’s cosmopolitan capital. The list of things to do in the “Mile High City” is easily a mile long. Museums and music, breweries and boutiques, and performing arts and parks await. | Explore America's top national parks on this 15-Day guided tour. After an evening in Scottsdale, start your journey in bohemian Sedona, where spiritual seekers and nature lovers alike will revel in its red-hued mountainous landscape. Take a short jaunt to the Grand Canyon, where a Local Expert will show you the wonders of America’s most famed natural beauty. In Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Make Travel Matter and board all-terrain vehicles and ride through the desert with your Navajo guide. Glide through Zion National Park on a private shuttle, watching as the red mountains give way to the neon lights of Las Vegas, where you can take in a show or try your luck at poker. Finally, scale the 563-foot-tall Crazy Horse Memorial and stand face-to-face with the stone carving of the Lakota warrior. |
Day 1: DENVER, COLORADO
Welcome to Denver! Free time in the Mile-High City this evening.
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile-High City for a reason. This gateway to the Rocky Mountains is the perfect place to kick back with a view of the sunset over Mount Evans while enjoying a local IPA or Colorado coffee after dinner. Explore the best eateries in LoDo (lower downtown) or other exciting venues this beautiful city has to offer.
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Day 2: DENVER–RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
The City of Presidents Meet your Tour Director this morning and enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Hills to Rapid City. At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. Free time this evening. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS From a distance, the Black Hills of Dakota cut a dark figure rising above the plains, giving it the Lakota name of Paha Sapa (black hills). Upon closer inspection, this region is overflowing with western wildlife and natural wonders that go on as far as the eye can see. Keep an eye out where the deer and the antelope play – as well as herds of bison that roam the rolling hills.
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Day 3: RAPID CITY. EXCURSION TO CRAZY HORSE & MOUNT RUSHMORE MEMORIALS
Stone-Faced Patriots After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT MONUMENTAL HISTORY Visit the dramatic depiction of Chief Crazy Horse at the massive memorial built in honor of the fearless Sioux Chief – forever remembered for the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Afterward, explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—carved on the face of a mountain. Take a stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views of this moving monument or visit the Information Center.
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Day 4: RAPID CITY–DEADWOOD–SHERIDAN, WYOMING
Sheriffs & Sharpshooters This morning, enjoy a scenic drive through Black Hills National Forest and experience the area’s fascinating history on a guided tour of Deadwood. Then, continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local family-run restaurant featuring true Rocky Mountain hospitality. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE The legendary town of Deadwood is home to the ghosts of the Wild West, where bold frontiersmen and optimistic gold miners set down stakes in this untamed mining town. Hear the rip-roaring stories of legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Potato Creek Johnny while exploring the streets where shoot-outs and sheriffs ruled the day.
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Day 5: SHERIDAN–LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT–CODY
Buffalo Bill & Brave Warriors Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, arriving in Cody – named for its native son, Buffalo Bill Cody. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY HISTORY Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the site commemorating one of America’s most famous battles. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum.
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Day 6: CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Legends of the Wild West This morning, visit the Buffalo Bill Center of The West, a comprehensive museum of historic weapons and Western art. Then, continue through Shoshone National Forest to Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forest. Enjoy several photo stops along the way to your hotel. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Cavalry scout, Pony Express rider, ranch hand, wagon train driver, city planner, railroad contractor, bison hunter, fur trapper, gold prospector, Native American advocate, feminist, and inventor of modern Show Business, William Cody’s legend rides on as a symbol of the unbridled possibilities of the early American West. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s horsemanship and sharpshooting skills gained notice by the U.S. Army and his Wild West shows endeared him to the elite audiences of Europe.
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Day 7: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The Living Earth Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pot to see the bubbling mud. See the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for magnificent views of the Canyon and the spectacular Lower Falls—almost twice as high as Niagara Falls! Next, stop at Mammoth Hot Springs and take a short trail walk through steaming limestone terraces. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Designated as a national park by law 150 years ago, President Ulysses S. Grant worked to preserve and protect the wild landscapes, native heritage, spectacular wildlife, and extraordinary geologic and ecological phenomena that make this Rocky Mountain paradise a treasure today and for future generations to treasure. From geysers to grizzlies and great bison, no one leaves the park without being changed forever by the natural wonder witnessed in any of its 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness.
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Day 8: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON
Glacial Giants Journey south into breathtaking Grand Teton National Park. Visit beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake at the foot of the rugged spires for a delightful walk along the shore. Enjoy freshly made [LF] huckleberry ice cream while enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Continue to the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, enjoy an experience dinner at [LF] Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West show. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Out West, life’s simple pleasures never go out of style…like fresh Huckleberry ice cream served in the great outdoors of Jenny Lake. Another Local Favorite to experience the Wild West is aboard a horse-drawn covered wagon ride through the forest to Cache Creek Canyon. Enjoy an authentic Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West Show, while dining on slow-cooked chicken from a traditional Dutch oven, along with other delicious western specialties. Wagons ho!
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Day 9: JACKSON
Peak Experiences Spend a full free day to explore this spectacular Rocky Mountain town beneath the Grand Tetons. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in Jackson with an optional float trip along the Snake River, stroll along the downtown boardwalks to enjoy a drink at one of the local saloons, or explore one of the many galleries that call Jackson home.
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Day 10: JACKSON–SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
This is the Place Today’s journey continues alongside some of Wyoming’s most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah, home to five national parks. Arrive in Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young in 1847. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Capitol city and its historic monuments before arriving at your hotel. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT The capital city of Utah was first established in 1847 by early pioneer settlers led by Brigham Young, who exclaimed, “This is the right place,” upon seeing its vistas and verdant landscapes. Today, Salt Lake City remains the heart of the Mormon faith, as well as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, skiers, and a diverse population of ideas and lifestyles.
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Day 11: SALT LAKE CITY–BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Rock Stars Today, travel through sagebrush landscape to Bryce Canyon National Park. The balance of the day is at your leisure. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Explore Bryce Canyon’s fantastically sculpted rock formations called Hoodoos that resemble castle towers, cathedral spires, and squatting goblins. As the light changes throughout the day, the natural amphitheaters and canyons glow between distinct oranges, reds, and yellows creating a striking background for photographic masterpieces. Spend the day hiking into the park’s natural amphitheaters, photographing the changing light on the Hoodoos, or searching for one of the dozens of species that call this unique place home.
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Day 12: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK–ZION NATIONAL PARK–LAKE POWELL
Stones that Touch the Sky After breakfast, say goodbye to the Hoodoos and descend into a stunning ½-mile-deep canyon for Zion National Park. Enjoy a boxed picnic lunch on the front lawn of Zion Lodge with free time to explore. Continue into Arizona and the town of Page, nestled on the shores of Lake Powell. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATIONAL PARK PERFECTION Meaning a place of peace and refuge known to nourish the soul, Zion’s sandstone walls rise thousands of feet above the valleys and cliffs high above the canyon floor’s lush greenery and snaking Virgin River. Here, Native people and pioneers first gazed skyward at soaring cliffs of cream, pink, and red piercing the brilliant blue sky.
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Day 13: LAKE POWELL–PAINTED DESERT–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Life is Grand This morning, you may wish to join our optional flight over Monument Valley for a bird’s-eye view of the red-sandstone monoliths, made famous by many Western movies and TV shows. Afterward, cross the Painted Desert with its ever-changing colors, and catch your first glimpse of the world-famous Grand Canyon National Park. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Grand Canyon National Park spans 278 miles of the Colorado River on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Marvel at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World as you experience the dramatic views across one of the most spectacular examples of landscapes carved by water and wind found anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Afternoon arrival allows free time to explore the canyon rim on your own. Be sure to take an evening stroll to savor the magnificent sunset.
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Day 14: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Route 66 to Vegas! After a bit of free time this morning, travel on a stretch of legendary Route 66 to Las Vegas, one of America’s most famous cities. Enjoy a sightseeing tour while en route to your hotel, located in the heart of the “Strip” for easy access to all the mega-casinos and attractions. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (Breakfast,Dinner)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon, before driving to Las Vegas. Enjoy free time to stroll the bright lights of the Strip, maybe throw a few dice, or try your hand at the slot machines. Your Tour Director has all the tips you need to experience Vegas in style. Check your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and dining suggestions as well!
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Day 15: LAS VEGAS
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more in las Vegas? Additional nights are available for purchase. (Breakfast)
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Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix and Travel to Scottsdale
Welcome to Arizona, famous for its scenic road trips, towering Monument Valley, and of course the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Your airport transfer will whisk you to your hotel in Scottsdale where you can enjoy the facilities and grounds of this striking desert oasis. Why not head out and explore Old Scottsdale, a vibrant and unique urban downtown area that introduces you the best of the state? Here, you’ll be surrounded by retro wooden buildings, rodeo inspired artwork and a selection of local stores, all radiating a classic Southwestern flair. At 18:00, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner at Zuzu, where you will have the opportunity to mingle and get to know one another.
Day 2: Sedona and the Wonders of the Mighty Grand Canyon
Travel through world-renowned Red Country along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, one of only 20 designated All-American Roads nationwide. Explore bohemian Sedona with its shops and galleries, or simply take in the exceptional beauty of Red Rock Country before you make your way to the Grand Canyon. Follow Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Byway through Coconino National Forest, a breathtaking stretch of road recognized by Rand McNally as one of the Top Five Most Scenic Drives in America. On arrival, you can take an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. Whether you prefer a helicopter or a fixed-wing plane, you'll enjoy magnificent scenery with aerial views from above. Meet your Local Expert Canyon Tim at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to discover its wonders. You'll learn all about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formations and the human impact on this natural masterpiece. He'll also talk to you about the local flora and fauna, and where you might be able to spot them.
Day 3: Monument Valley and Lake Powell
Early risers will take advantage of the lodge location to witness one of Mother Nature's grandest shows on earth: a sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Travel along the South Rim Desert View Drive, skirting the South Rim of the canyon. We will stop at Desert View Point to see the historic Watchtower built by Mary Colter in the Puebloan style, the Colorado River turning north and the Painted Desert extending towards Navajo and Hopi Indian lands. Make Travel Matter as we will be supporting the Grand Canyon Conservancy and making a donation to support the development of the Desert View Inter-tribal Heritage Center. Head to the Cameron Trading Post, on of the oldest and most historic general stores in Arizona. Enter Monument Valley Tribal Park, where you'll join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet your Navajo Local Experts and board all-terrain vehicles with open sides for a private, off-the-beaten path exploration of this magical valley. Learn about Navajo history, culture and heritage from your expert as you travel deeper into the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Enjoy a Navajo cookout amid the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lakefront resort.
Day 4: Leisurely Lake Powell Relaxed Start
Today is entirely yours to do as you please. Partake in one of our popular optional experiences, explore on your own, or simply relax by the resort swimming pool with views of Lake Powell. As an optional activity this morning, let yourself be tempted by a gentle float trip down the Colorado River. Calmly float down the Colorado, past some of the most awe-inspiring sites, like the iconic Horseshoe Bend and Petroglyph Beach. In the evening, enjoy dinner with wine at the Red Heritage as you get the opportunity to watch local dancers talented in colorful powwow dancing, flute playing, and live drum music and enjoy a traditional dinner at this Navajo owned Native American Performing Arts Theater.
Day 5: Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
Journey across a wide-open landscape punctuated by colorful sandstone cliffs, sagebrush-covered flats, and high ridges dotted with piñon pine and juniper. Travel through Bryce Canyon Country on a portion of the Scenic Highway 89, recognized by National Geographic as the No. 1 Driver's Drive in the world. You will be struck by the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park, an otherworldly landscape of red rock pillars known as hoodoos, pink cliffs, and endless vistas. Follow the Rim Trail from Surprise Point to Bryce Point. Stops will be made at the major viewpoints and there will be time for a leisurely walk along Sunset Point or a more physical hike down the canyon. Either way, you will be spellbound by the beauty and majesty of this dramatic natural landscape.
Day 6: Zion National Park Relaxed Start
Journey across a wide-open landscape punctuated by colorful sandstone cliffs, sagebrush-covered flats, and high ridges dotted with piñon pine and juniper. Travel through Bryce Canyon Country on a portion of the Scenic Highway 89, recognized by National Geographic as the No. 1 Driver's Drive in the world. You will be struck by the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park, an otherworldly landscape of red rock pillars known as hoodoos, pink cliffs, and endless vistas. Follow the Rim Trail from Surprise Point to Bryce Point. Stops will be made at the major viewpoints and there will be time for a leisurely walk along Sunset Point or a more physical hike down the canyon. Either way, you will be spellbound by the beauty and majesty of this dramatic natural landscape.
Day 7: Salt Lake City
This morning you make your way out of Zion National Park and will transfer to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Your hotel is short walk away from Temple Square, which is the headquarters of the Mormon church. In the evening join for a dinner with wine at the hotel.
Day 8: Jackson and the Tetons
Before leaving Salt Lake City, take in the State Capitol building. Drive along the scenic Logan Canyon, over the Wasatch Mountain Range, and up to the Bear Lake Summit. Stop for lunch at Garden City, Utah while enjoying views of the beautiful turquoise waters of Bear Lake. You will then head north across the Oregon Trail to historic Jackson. Have your cameras ready for the famous elk antlers the central square, while eager shoppers will find a number of charming traditional boutique galleries to browse. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with your hotel located only a short walk away from Jackson's Town Square.
Day 9: Yellowstone National Park
Wake up to a mountainous view like no other and witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 6,562 feet (2,000 metres) from the valley floor. This morning, you have the opportunity to partake in an optional scenic float down the Snake River (signed waiver required) inside Grand Teton National Park. In keeping with today’s rustic country charm, you’ll enter Yellowstone, the world’s first National Park. Known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife, you’ll experience Wyoming in all its glory. Keep an eye out for black bears or wolves. Tonight you’ll stay in the National Park Lodges, allowing you to experience the park after hours, in its natural habitat.
Day 10: Geysers and Colourful Mudpots Relaxed Start
Savour the surreal surroundings of Yellowstone with a relaxed start. Walk among the rainbow tinted hot springs and watch the erupting geysers as you take in the history of the park on an informative stroll with your Travel Director. Catch the renowned colourful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 metres) into the air. In the afternoon, enjoy the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as you take in stunning natural wonders. While driving through Hayden Valley, famous for its wildlife, keep an eye out for wolves, bears, elk and hundreds of bison. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to relax.
Day 11: The Ranch at Ucross Relaxed Start
Set off on your travels through the stark Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains, leading you to the Wild West Town of Cody. Channel your inner showman and learn more about America’s great Western legends at the Buffalo Bill Centre, known for its Western art collection, firearms, and natural history. Travel through the Bighorn National Forest to the Ranch at UCross. Take in the rustic charm as you're hosted at a traditional Wyoming Family ranch. Start off the evening with a cocktail hour in the historic Ranch House bar. After a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a fire pit with live entertainment, including country, folk and bluegrass music.
Day 12: Devils Tower into the Black Hills
Live the American frontier dream and begin your day with a scenic country horseback ride (8) accompanied by a Ranch Hand. If playing cowboy isn’t your thing, perhaps go fishing or merely relax and take in your beautiful surroundings, the choice is yours. Make your way to Devils Tower, an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the surrounding Black Hills. This symbolic landmark is considered sacred to the Lakota and other tribes. Experience Spearfish Canyon, a favoured spot among wildlife enthusiasts and one famous for its elvish woodland beauty. The limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon itself.
Day 13: Custer and the Wild, Wild West
A day for those looking to explore the Wild West, try to spotting the fastest mammal in North America, the pronghorn antelope as you cross the great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Once in Deadwood, you’ll have the opportunity to join Kevin Costner’s Original Deadwood Tour. A Local Expert will tell you tales of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, who made this once lawless town famous during the Gold Rush of the 1870s. Continue on to Custer State Park, renowned for its beautiful landscape and abundant wildlife.
Day 14: Mountain Monuments of the Black Hills Relaxed Start
Travel to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Here, carvings of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt overlook the landscape. Next, head to Crazy Horse Memorial, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians. An exclusive Insight Experience awaits as you are taken up to stand face-to-face with this impressive sculpture. At 641 feet (195 metres) long and 563 feet (172 metres) tall the piece takes the record for the world’s largest mountain carving.Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a Celebration Dinner with wine, as you reflect on your adventure across the wide-open spaces of America's national parks.
Day 15: Depart Denver
Travel south from Custer State Park where your trip ends on arrival in Denver. A transfer is available to Denver International Airport. Airport arrival in Denver will be at 16:30 or choose to extend your stay in Downtown Denver.
