National Parks of the Northwest
National Parks of the Northwest
National Parks of the Northwest
10 Days Starting in Salt Lake City, United States and ending in Calgary, Canada
Visiting: Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park, Helena, Kalispell, Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Calgary
Tour operator:
Tour code:
8710-2026
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the National Parks of the Northwest, exploring the natural wonders of both the USA and Canada. Begin your adventure in Salt Lake City, then travel to the Wild West town of Jackson and the breathtaking landscapes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Discover the geothermal marvels and abundant wildlife of Yellowstone before heading to the historic Virginia City and the capital city of Helena. Experience the thrill of Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road and cross into Canada to marvel at the stunning Waterton Lakes National Park. Conclude your tour in Calgary, with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. This tour offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty, wildlife encounters, and cultural insights, promising an enriching and memorable experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City
Accommodation Name: Crystal Inn & Suites
Welcome to Salt Lake City! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3pm-6pm to answer any questions.
SALT LAKE CITY Welcome to Salt Lake City! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3pm-6pm to answer any questions.
Day 2: Salt Lake City,Jackson
Location: Salt Lake City
Accommodation Name: 49er Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, and center of the Mormon religion. Highlights include seeing Temple Square, the Capitol Building and downtown. Then head north to the Wild West town of Jackson, with its wooden sidewalks and streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. This afternoon, go with the flow on a fun and scenic optional float trip on the Snake River keeping an eye out for eagles above and for wildlife along the shore. This evening, take a stroll into town.
SALT LAKE CITY–JACKSON Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, and center of the Mormon religion. Highlights include seeing Temple Square, the Capitol Building and downtown. Then head north to the Wild West town of Jackson, with its wooden sidewalks and streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. This afternoon, go with the flow on a fun and scenic optional float trip on the Snake River keeping an eye out for eagles above and for wildlife along the shore. This evening, take a stroll into town. (B)
Day 3: Jackson,Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone National Park,West Yellowstone
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation Name: Brandin Iron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enter majestic Grand Teton National Park, rich with scenic vistas and pristine lakes. Visit beautiful Jenny Lake that sits at the base of Cascade Canyon, looking for moose, fox, deer, and black bears along the way. Then drive north to West Yellowstone where you will spend the next two nights. Walk the Fountain Paint Pot Trail to see these curious and colorful hydrothermal wonders there.
JACKSON–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE Enter majestic Grand Teton National Park, rich with scenic vistas and pristine lakes. Visit beautiful Jenny Lake that sits at the base of Cascade Canyon, looking for moose, fox, deer, and black bears along the way. Then drive north to West Yellowstone where you will spend the next two nights. Walk the Fountain Paint Pot Trail to see these curious and colorful hydrothermal wonders there. (CB)
Day 4: West Yellowstone. Day Excursion To Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation Name: Brandin Iron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day exploring all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park established in 1872. See world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Keep a lookout for the parks abundant wildlife that includes moose, bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolf, bear, fox, and coyote.
WEST YELLOWSTONE. DAY EXCURSION TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Spend the day exploring all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park established in 1872. See world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Keep a lookout for the parks abundant wildlife that includes moose, bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolf, bear, fox, and coyote. (CB)
Day 5: West Yellowstone,Virginia City,Helena
Location: Helena
Accommodation Name: Baymont Inn & Suites Helena
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head north to Helena. Stop at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center to learn about the 7.5 earthquake that moved more than eighty million tons of rock in less than a minute and created Earthquake Lake. Then get a taste of the original Old West with a stop in Virginia City, site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. Continue to Helena and upon arrival visit their beautiful State Capitol.
WEST YELLOWSTONE–VIRGINIA CITY–HELENA Head north to Helena. Stop at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center to learn about the 7.5 earthquake that moved more than eighty million tons of rock in less than a minute and created Earthquake Lake. Then get a taste of the original Old West with a stop in Virginia City, site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. Continue to Helena and upon arrival visit their beautiful State Capitol. (CB)
Day 6: Helena,Missoula,Kalispell
Location: Kalispell
Accommodation Name: Red Lion Hotel Kalispell
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head north to Missoula and visit the Smokejumper’s Visitor Center, home to the largest smokejumper base in the country, to learn about the brave firefighters who risk their lives parachuting into the site of forest fires. Late afternoon arrival in Kalispell.
HELENA–MISSOULA–KALISPELL Head north to Missoula and visit the Smokejumper’s Visitor Center, home to the largest smokejumper base in the country, to learn about the brave firefighters who risk their lives parachuting into the site of forest fires. Late afternoon arrival in Kalispell. (CB)
Day 7: Kalispell. Day Trip To Glacier National Park
Location: Glacier National Park
Accommodation Name: Red Lion Hotel Kalispell
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day at gorgeous Glacier National Park. Take a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus and drive one of North America’s most spectacular highways, Going-to-the-Sun Road. Scale 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass and enjoy a wonderland of alpine scenery and breathtaking mountain peaks.
KALISPELL. DAY TRIP TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Spend the day at gorgeous Glacier National Park. Take a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus and drive one of North America’s most spectacular highways, Going-to-the-Sun Road. Scale 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass and enjoy a wonderland of alpine scenery and breathtaking mountain peaks. (B)
Day 8: Kalispell,Waterton Lakes National Park
Location: Waterton Lakes National Park
Accommodation Name: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross into Canada and enter Waterton Lakes National Park where the wilderness of Alberta’s prairies meets the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll overnight in the park, which is brimming with diverse landscapes, crystal clear lakes, cascading waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks. Tonight, things are looking up with an optional Dark Sky Stargazing excursion, if the heavens and weather permit.
KALISPELL–WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK Cross into Canada and enter Waterton Lakes National Park where the wilderness of Alberta’s prairies meets the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll overnight in the park, which is brimming with diverse landscapes, crystal clear lakes, cascading waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks. Tonight, things are looking up with an optional Dark Sky Stargazing excursion, if the heavens and weather permit. (B)
Day 9: Waterton Lakes National Park,Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump,Calgary
Location: Calgary
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the longtime relationship between the Indigenous People and the vast herds of buffalo that roamed the plains. Arrive in Calgary and take a city tour with highlights that include Stampede Park, the Saddledome, Fort Calgary, and Canada Olympic Park. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK–HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP–CALGARY Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the longtime relationship between the Indigenous People and the vast herds of buffalo that roamed the plains. Arrive in Calgary and take a city tour with highlights that include Stampede Park, the Saddledome, Fort Calgary, and Canada Olympic Park. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 10: Calgary
Location: Calgary
Your vacation ends this morning.
CALGARY Your vacation ends this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Crystal Inn & Suites in Salt Lake City, 49er Inn and Suites in Jackson, Brandin Iron Inn in West Yellowstone, Baymont Inn & Suites Helena in Helena, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell in Kalispell, Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort in Waterton Lakes Park, and Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel in Calgary.
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Meals
Breakfast is included on several days of the tour.
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Tour Director
A Tour Director is available to answer any questions from 3pm-6pm on the first day in Salt Lake City.
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Sightseeing Tours
Sightseeing tours are included in Salt Lake City and Calgary.
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National Park Visits
Visits to Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park are included.
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Transportation
Transportation includes a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus in Glacier National Park.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the float trip on the Snake River and the Dark Sky Stargazing excursion are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and other personal items are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Flights
Flights to and from the starting and ending locations of the tour are not included.
Notes
This itinerary enters both the US and Canada.Extend your vacation with departures that connect with our Heart of the Canadian Rockies Tour (8910) or our Western Canada by Rail Tour (8930), both with/without Alaska cruise options.Maximum elevation on tour: 9,033 ft.
UNESCO Sites
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump|Waterton Glacier International Peace Park|Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation
Experience comfort and convenience with stays at Crystal Inn & Suites in Salt Lake City, 49er Inn and Suites in Jackson, Brandin Iron Inn in West Yellowstone, Baymont Inn & Suites Helena, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort, and Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife might I see during the tour?
During the tour, you may encounter a variety of wildlife including moose, fox, deer, black bears, eagles, bison, elk, bighorn sheep, wolves, bears, foxes, and coyotes, especially in areas like Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities such as a scenic float trip on the Snake River and a Dark Sky Stargazing excursion in Waterton Lakes National Park, weather permitting.
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What unique transportation experience is included in the tour?
The tour includes a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus in Glacier National Park, driving along the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road.
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What historical or cultural sites are visited during the tour?
The tour visits several historical and cultural sites, including Temple Square in Salt Lake City, the State Capitol in Helena, and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can learn about the Indigenous People's relationship with the buffalo.
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What is the maximum elevation reached during the tour?
The maximum elevation reached during the tour is 9,033 feet.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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