Legends of the American West

Welcome to Rapid City

Rapid City, United States

Your South Dakota and Wyoming trip begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Alex Johnson. A transfer is included from Rapid City Airport to Hotel Alex Johnson in downtown Rapid City, gateway to the Black Hills. This is where the antelope roam… along with bighorn sheep, elk, mountain lions, feral burros, and one of the last great herds of bison. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at your historic hotel, a Rapid City fixture since the 1880s.

Dinner

HOTEL ALEX JOHNSON

Buffalo Safari, Crazy Horse & Mount Rushmore

Custer, United States

Begin the day with a private, guided Buffalo Safari in a vintage touring vehicle in South Dakota's Custer State Park – home to a herd of approximately 1,500 bison! Then, majestic landscapes await you on a scenic drive in the Black Hills, where rock formations feature granite spires called “needles” that cut a jagged skyline. In the 1920s a state official got the idea to draw tourism to the area by carving images of famous Dakotans on them – which eventually led to the creation of Mount Rushmore. But first... in 1948, in response to Mount Rushmore, an Oglala Lakota elder commissioned sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to carve a memorial to the warrior Crazy Horse on the face of Thunderhead Mountain, to show “that we have heroes too.” At the gigantic Crazy Horse Memorial – expected to dwarf Mount Rushmore when completed, but still a work in progress carried on by Ziolkowski's family – you’ll see the sculptor’s dramatic model of Crazy Horse astride his war pony; visit the onsite museum and cultural center, dedicated to Native American heritage, art and traditions; and have lunch.

Next, some 17 miles away, arrive at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which evolved after sculptor Gutzon Borglum dismissed the original "local heroes" idea for a far grander project: national figures on the face of the granite mountain. Borglum’s masterpiece (known as The Shrine of Democracy) greets you on arrival at the mountain, and no matter how often you’ve seen it in photographs, the towering relief of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln on the white rockface above you is breathtaking in person. In fact, the presidential faces were carved (without permission) on a mountain known to the Lakota Sioux as The Six Grandfathers… which in turn inspired the Crazy Horse project in response. Return to your hotel and spend the evening as you please in Rapid City.

Breakfast, Lunch

HOTEL ALEX JOHNSON

How to be a cowboy... a day at a ranch

Buffalo, United States

Depart this morning for a journey to the T-A Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming. A cookhouse lunch greets you on arrival. The T-A is a working cattle ranch steeped in cowboy history and lore, the site of a pitched battle in the famous Johnson County War of 1892, which pit rival ranchers and their hired hands against each other for control of the range… a dispute that eventually required the intervention of the US Cavalry. Get an authentic taste of cowboy life as you saddle up for a guided horseback trail ride*, explore historic sites, take a wagon ride*, or try your hand at pitching horseshoes. You’ll also meet a horse-whisperer, watch a roping demonstration, and gain insights into the rugged spirit of the open plains. Continue on to Sheridan, the next stop on your Wyoming trip, for an overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

HOLIDAY INN® SHERIDAN

Cody, Buffalo Bill & a western evening

Cody, United States

Head out for Cody this morning, traveling through some fantastic scenery in Bighorn National Forest – a landscape that's ever-changing, of alpine meadows, waterfalls, glacier-carved valleys and mountain ranges. Continue on to Cody (a high point of your Wyoming trip), named for the larger-than-life western showman, William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill): buffalo hunter, army scout, Wild West Show entrepreneur, and tireless inventor of tall tales. Explore his legend at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums that will immerse you in American Western culture and mythology: galleries of art and artifacts (including works by famous artists like Remington and Wyeth), ephemera and historic objects, a firearms museum, and a center dedicated to the traditions, values, and histories of Northern Plains tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Pawnee and Arapaho.

Carry the spirit of the West with you to your overnight stay in town, where this afternoon you'll enjoy Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue – a program of authentic western music, poetry and comedy – and this evening attend the world-famous Cody Nite Rodeo (seasonal, June through August), a fixture here since 1938.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

BEST WESTERN PREMIER IVY INN & SUITES

Welcome to Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone N.P., United States

Tauck's Wyoming trip spends two nights in two different parts of Yellowstone National Park to immerse you fully in America's first national park – “America’s best idea” as described by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan. You'll view special film vignettes by the filmmakers throughout this trip, providing you with behind-the-scenes insights into the visionaries and explorers who shaped the West. Settle in at Lake Yellowstone Hotel late afternoon; built in 1891, the elegant, colonial-style hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places – its sun room and dining room offer absolutely enchanting views of Yellowstone Lake. Enjoy dinner à la carte and time at leisure this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LAKE YELLOWSTONE HOTEL

Yellowstone's Grand Canyon & geysers galore

Yellowstone N.P., United States

This morning, take a guided tour of some of Yellowstone’s 10,000 geothermal wonders including hot springs, waterfalls, fumaroles and mudpots. Wind along Grand Loop Road, through three of the largest geyser basins, and the Fountain Paint Pot (bubbling pools of paintlike, multicolored silica). Stand in awe at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, carved by the Yellowstone River, plunging over a thousand feet with miles of breathtaking gorges and torrential waterfalls. You’ll also visit Hayden Valley, once a lake-bed, now a vast plain that attracts herds of roaming bison.

Arrive at the Old Faithful Inn for lunch and an overnight stay; a national landmark built in 1904, the log and wood-shingle inn is a rustic work of art, featuring a towering lobby and a massive stone fireplace. This afternoon, it's all about exploring the Upper Geyser Basin – one of the largest concentrations of geysers in the world – and Old Faithful, only steps from your door. Seeing Old Faithful Geyser, the famous clockwork geyser that launches a steaming jet of water 145 feet skyward every 90 minutes, in person is... awesome.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OLD FAITHFUL INN

Jackson, United States

Your Wyoming trip takes you through awe-inspiring scenes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, stopping at Jenny Lake, the tranquil center of a landscape of jagged peaks of the Teton Range and alpine forest frequented by moose, deer and grizzly bears. Continue to the town of Jackson, once a magnet for fur trappers and now a trendy attraction in a vista of natural beauty with the ever-present Tetons for a backdrop.

Teton, United States

After exploring the town on your own (there are some great places for lunch), visit Grand Teton National Park's Mormon Row Historic District, whose preservation is being supported by a major grant from Tauck. A homesteaders’ settlement dating back to 1890 located in an undeveloped area of the park, Mormon Row is home to a number of weathered historic structures – including the iconic T.A. Moulton barn, an unofficial symbol of the park – that (along with their dramatic Teton Range backdrop) attract photographers from around the world, and convey the sense that you’ve traveled back in time.

Moran, United States

Arrive at the Jackson Lake Lodge for a two-night stay. Historic in so many contexts, the lodge features an amazing lobby where windows 60 feet high provide stunning panoramic views the breathtaking Teton Range; "breathtaking" is definitely the right description as first views usually elicit a gasp – they are among the most picturesque, photographed mountains in the world. A Tauck Exclusive upgrade option to a limited number of Main Lodge Mountain View rooms at Jackson Lake Lodge is available at an additional cost; ask for details.

Breakfast, Dinner

JACKSON LAKE LODGE

Snake River float trip in Grand Teton Nat'l Park

Snake River, United States

Immerse yourself in the valleys of the Tetons on a guided float trip* down the Snake River inside Grand Teton National Park, through miles of stunning river landscapes that lie in the shadow of the mountains – always in the furtive company of deer, elk, moose and bald eagles ashore.

Moran, United States

Spend the rest of the day at the lodge, enjoying the many amenities and activities (including some at additional cost, such as horseback riding*). This evening, your Wyoming trip marks the last roundup with a farewell reception and dinner at the lodge.

Breakfast, Dinner

JACKSON LAKE LODGE

Travel to Salt Lake City

Jackson, United States

Following breakfast, your travels to Salt Lake City begin. Nature plays a central role along the route, as you travel wide open spaces that bring into perspective the "spirit of the west," the draw this remote region has had through the years - and witnessed by the small towns that appear along the way. Salt Lake City is Utah's political and cultural center, silhouetted by Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake; it was founded by Brigham Young and his followers in the 1840's, and became the center for Mormon cultural influences. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is free to explore as you please.

Breakfast

THE GRAND HOTEL

JOURNEY HOME

Salt Lake City, United States

Tour ends in Salt Lake City. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Grand Hotel to Salt Lake City International Airport. You should allow at least two hours to check-in.

Breakfast

• ALL guests must carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES or with a visa service, as these requirements may change. Guests without proper documentation may be denied entry and will not be entitled to a refund

• 60 days or more before departure: $350.00 per person
• 59-8 days before departure: $600.00 per person
• 7-1 days before departure: $900.00 per person
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price
• Any changes or cancellations to airline reservations made through Tauck either before or after departure are subject to the cancellation / change policies of the individual airlines. In n some instances these cancellation / change fees may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $350 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted all Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation.