Iconic National Parks of the American and Canadian Rockies Start Idaho Falls

An epic journey through towering mountain ranges and inspiring landscapes await you as you arrive in Idaho Falls. Check in to your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception this evening.

Admire the dazzling natural wonders of Grand Teton National Park by raft as you float down the Snake River, keeping a keen eye out for moose and grizzly bears. You’ll visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, featuring pieces that date back as far as 2500 b.c. Then, walk through the town’s signature elk-antler arches in Town Square as you enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. This evening, indulge in a true taste of cowboy life, joining your companions for a Regional Dinner at a local camp, paired with stories and music.

Learn about the Mormon settlers who battled the harsh conditions of Jackson Hole to sustain their community in Mormon Row, an Historic District we’ll have an opportunity to visit as we chart our course through Grand Teton National Park. Travel along the scenic Teton Park Road and stop at the Colter Bay Visitor's Center to view a collection of American Indian artefacts. Arriving in Yellowstone National Park, you’ll pay a visit to Old Faithful, watching as its waters arc high into the air as it has done approximately every 90 minutes since the Washburn Expedition discovered it. Encounter first-hand Yellowstone’s spouting geysers, bubbling mudpots and turquoise hot springs and learn about this geothermal wonderland.

Our day begins the expansive landscapes of Hayden Valley, home to herds of bison, scattered elk and the occasional grizzly bear. Explore the rusting walls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, then continue on the upper loop to Dunraven Pass and the Lamar Valley, the most ruggedly beautiful regions of the park. At Mammoth Springs, admire the gentle cascade of water running down the multi-colored mineral terraces, resembling frozen waterfalls cascading down into the valley.

Big Sky Country beckons next as we travel through Montana and stop at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Gain insights into the heritage of cowboys and cattlemen at this working ranch which celebrates the Western cattle industry. Our final stop in Glacier Country today is the Western Montana township of Missoula where we’ll visit the Smokejumper Visitor Center and training base. Join a Local Specialist who will reveal how the highly trained smokejumpers parachute into remote areas of national forests to help fight the spread of wildfires.

Enter UNESCO-listed Glacier National Park and journey along its scenic Southern Road with a stop at stop at Lake McDonald Lodge, a National Historic Landmark built in 1913.

Journey deep into the Rockies this morning, weaving through spectacular glacial landscapes and mountain scenery on board the park's original renovated red “jammers” (buses). Cross the Continental Divide in vintage style, winding along the Going-to-the-Sun Road past such iconic sites as Rising Sun and Logan Pass.

Today we traverse the border and leave the USA for Canada, continuing north to another UNESCO-listed site, Banff National Park, where tonight we’ll stay. Our hotel is located in the heart of downtown and easy walk to many shops and restaurants.

Embark on a spiritual encounter with the iconic and unexpected highlights of Banff National Park. Admire the ethereal beauty of Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies”, as you gaze into its vivid reflection of Victoria Glacier should you choose to take a Lakeshore Trail walk. Connect with the natural beauty of Moraine Lake, one of the most photographed spots in all of Canada. Then, visit Banff where you’ll have some free time to explore its art galleries and cafés before joining your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your newfound friends and transfer to Calgary International Airport or to the Westin Calgary for guests extending their stay. Airport arrival will be at 11:30 a.m., please be aware when booking your flights.