Canyons, Glaciers & Waterfalls - 17 Day Tour
From a majestic sunset at the Grand Canyon and the waterfalls at Yosemite to the beautiful glaciers in Glacier National Park, this 17-day rail journey takes you to three of the country’s best-loved National Parks aboard three of Amtrak’s renowned trains. Additional highlights include city stays in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
Connecting rail from your nearest Amtrak station is available upon request. Contact a rail specialist for details.
Day 1 – Arrive Chicago
Arrive at your centrally-located hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago. Explore the city on a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour and see all the famous sites including the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and the John Hancock Observatory. Make sure to indulge in some local cuisine such as Chicago deep dish pizza. Overnight Palmer House Hilton or similar.
Day 2 – Depart Chicago aboard the Southwest Chief
The morning is yours to explore Chicago at your leisure before you transfer on your own to Chicago’s historic Union Station for your 3:00 pm departure aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief for your overnight journey to Williams, AZ. Overnight train. (D Sleeping Car passengers only)
Day 3 – Arrive in Williams, AZ.
Spend the day socializing with other passengers or take in the sights in the Sightseer Lounge as you travel through the glorious Southwest. Arrive in Williams, AZ around 10:30 this evening. Overnight Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. (B, L, D Sleeping Car passengers only)
Day 4 – Grand Canyon Railway to South Rim
Wake-up early and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Grand Depot Cafe. Then board the vintage rail cars of the Grand Canyon Railway for a 9:30 am departure to the South Rim of the Canyon. Travel the same route as other notable Railway passengers before you including William Howard Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Clark Gable, Jimmy Durante, and Doris Day. Upon arrival you will be met by tour buses waiting to take you on a Freedom Tour of the Grand Canyon. This narrated motorcoach tour of the South Rim visits the most scenic overlooks of the canyon, with stops at breathtaking vistas including Mohave Point, Pima Point, the Abyss, and Hermits Rest. Overnight Maswik Lodge (B)
Day 5 – Explore the South Rim of Grand Canyon on own
Spend the day exploring the South Rim on your own. There are several historic buildings worth visiting including Buckey O’Neill’s Cabin, the longest continually standing structure in the South Rim; Desert View Watchtower with one of the few views of the bottom of the Canyon and the Colorado River; and Bright Angel Lodge with its small museum honoring Fred Harvey, who played a prominent role in popularizing the Grand Canyon. Overnight Maswik Lodge.
Day 6 – Grand Canyon Railway to Williams Southwest Chief to LA
Transfer to Williams aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Enjoy dinner and relax before you board the 10:30 pm Southwest Chief bound for Los Angeles. Overnight train. (D)
Day 7 – Arrive Los Angeles
Say “hooray for Hollywood” as you arrive in Los Angeles around 8:15 am. Check into your downtown hotel and take the rest of the day to explore LA at your leisure. Take in the sights, go shopping or dine seaside. Overnight Sheraton LA Downtown or similar.
Day 8 – Explore Los Angeles
Discover Los Angeles on a comprehensive hop on/hop off tour featuring over 50 stops! Enjoy the open-air view from a vintage Double Decker Bus as the narrated tour points out landmarks from Downtown L.A. to the beaches of Santa Monica, with Hollywood and Beverly Hills in between. Hop-On or Hop-Off as often as you like to explore major attractions, movie studios or dine and shop at Los Angeles's hotspots. Overnight Sheraton LA Downtown or similar.
Day 9 – Coast Starlight to San Francisco
This morning arrive at Los Angeles’ Union Station to board Amtrak’s Coast Starlight for your 10:10 am departure for San Francisco. Spend the day relaxing, reading a book, watching a movie or socializing with other travelers, taking time to enjoy the gorgeous California coastline! Arrive in Emeryville, this evening and transfer by thruway bus to San Francisco. Overnight Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf or similar.
Day 10 – Yosemite National Park
Home to the American Black Bear, Ponderosa Pine, Spotted Owl, and mule deer, Yosemite’s biodiversity is bound to leave you breathless. Discover all the beauty of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders on a full-day tour to this wonderful National Park. Start early as you cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge at sunrise. Then spend the day exploring the Park's five vegetation zones, a guided tour of the Sierra Mountains, and the options of shopping, hiking and dining in Yosemite Village. Overnight Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf or similar.
Day 11 – Coast Starlight to Seattle
You have a full day at leisure in San Francisco. This evening, head to the Emeryville Amtrak station for your 10:00 pm departure aboard the Coast Starlight. Settle in and prepare for the overnight journey to Seattle, Washington. Overnight train.
Day 12 – Arrive Seattle
Arrive in Seattle around 9:30 pm and check into your centrally-located hotel. Overnight Westin Seattle or similar. (B, L, D Sleeping Car passengers only)
Day 13 – Empire Builder to Glacier National Park
Spend the day exploring Seattle at your leisure until your 4:40 pm Empire Builder train departure for Glacier National Park. Overnight train. (D Sleeping Car passengers only)
Day 14 – Arrive Glacier National Park
Arrive in Glacier National Park around 9:54 am. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the Park on your own, taking in the wildlife and all the gorgeous scenery including mountains and breathtaking glaciers. Overnight Glacier Park Lodge. (B Sleeping Car passengers only)
Day 15 – Glacier Park
Today embark on an inclusive tour of Glacier National Park that starts with a morning drive over Marias Pass, with wildlife viewing at Goat Lick and a stop at the historic Izaak Walton Inn. After an optional lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge, tour the grand cedar and hemlock forests that lie within the Lake McDonald Valley. Ascend to the high alpine region of the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass and down into the St. Mary Valley, stopping at the Wild Goose Island overlook for another incredible photo opportunity. Your excursion concludes with grand vistas of grassland, prairie and mountains as you arrive back at Glacier Park Lodge. Overnight Glacier Park Lodge.
Day 16 – Empire Builder to Chicago
Begin your journey home as you board the Empire Builder around 9:54 in the morning. Take time to reflect on your amazing travels, socialize with fellow passengers or wind down and relax in the Sightseer Lounge. Overnight train. (L, D Sleeping Car passengers only)
Day 17 – Arrive Chicago
Arrive at Chicago’s Union Station around 4:00 pm where your Canyons, Glaciers & Waterfalls vacation comes to an end. (B, L Sleeping Car passengers only)
