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GLORIES OF THE WEST


 
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Without question, Arches, Canyonlands, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are truly 'Wonders of the West' and offer some of the most stunning scenery in North America. Arches and Canyonlands with their canyons, mesas and buttes are stunning and must be seen to be believed. Grand Teton, with its jagged mountains, pristine lakes and rich wildlife, is a jewel and Yellowstone, with its geysers, hot springs and waterfalls is a visual feast. Not as well known, but equally splendid is Glacier National Park, Montana with its storied 'Going to the Sun' Highway over the Continental Divide and happily, we have combined all five of these great National Parks into one glorious holiday with excellent hotels, epic scenery and intelligent planning. Nicer still, all sightseeing is included, from a float trip on the Snake River during our visit to Grand Teton, to complete touring in Yellowstone including Old Faithful and during our stay in Glacier National Park, the fabled red open-air 'jammer' buses. There is a professional tour manager to handle the details from start to finish and most meals are included. For maximum comfort, all but two of our hotel stays are two nights long--something almost no other program offers.

Great destinations deserve a great train and we have re-created a classic 1950's era streamliner train, similar to such legends as the North Coast Limited, the City of San Francisco and the Denver Zephyr to convey our guests from Chicago to and from the National Parks in great style and comfort. With a choice of comfortable Pullman sleeping car accommodations (all with in-room facilities), an inviting lounge area with large windows for taking in all of the wonders of the west, our Great Western Limited provides a level of accommodation, dining and service not found on any Amtrak train. With our own attentive staff, classic railroad dining (all meals, wines and spirits are included while aboard!), plenty of room and a delightful ambiance with such amenities as fresh flowers, afternoon tea, nightly turn-down service and much more, there is simply no finer way to see the West. Best of all, our journey to Utah takes us over the storied Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad 'Main Line through the Rockies' with a daylight passage through stunning Glenwood Canyon and the Front Range of the Rockies and there can be no nicer entrée to the magnificent vistas that await you on this entire holiday.


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Glories of the West Route Map and Images

  • Train travel from Chicago to Grand Junction, Colorado aboard the Great Western Limited, a scenic overnight trip. Guests enjoy the stunningly beautiful daylight passage through the Colorado Rockies. All meals, wines and spirits aboard are included.
  • Fully hosted from start to finish by professional Tour Manager that handles all the details.
  • A two-night deluxe lodging at the Red Cliffs Resort.
  • Overnight stay the Four Diamond-rated Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
  • Two-night visit to Jackson Hole with raft trip on the Snake River and complete touring of Grand Teton National Park.
  • Two-night stay in Yellowstone National Park along with complete sightseeing including Old Faithful geyser and the amazing Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
  • Two night stay in spectacular Whitefish, Montana at the Four-Diamond rated Lodge at Whitefish Lake with complete sightseeing included the famed red 'Jammer' buses over the extraordinary 'Going to the Sun Highway'.
  • Train travel from Glacier National Park to Chicago aboard the Great Western Limited, an overnight journey.
  • A leisurely, relaxed pace with more time in Grand Teton & Yellowstone than any other deluxe tour offers.
  • Many meals including breakfast daily.
  • Complete sightseeing throughout including all admission fees.

Day 1 - Depart Chicago on the Great Western Limited
Guests depart Chicago bound for Utah. There is a welcome reception and dinner as we roll west over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in great comfort and style. (D)

Day 2 - Moab, UT
All day is spent traversing the stunning Colorado Rockies with an afternoon arrival in Grand Junction, Colorado. The highlight today is awe-inspiring Glenwood Canyon. We begin our two-night stay at the superb Red Cliffs Resort overlooking the Colorado River, a resort so remarkable many consider it the highlight of their holiday. Transfer to the hotel is included. (B,L,AT)

Day 3 - Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
We tour Arches National Park this morning. The forces of nature have acted in concert to create the landscape of Arches, which contain the greatest density of natural arches in the world, over 2100 amazing formations of varying colors. The highlight of the afternoon is a visit to Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. After a spectacular day of scenery, tonight is our welcome dinner at Red Cliffs Resort. (B,D)

Day 4 - Overnight Salt Lake City
We depart Red Cliffs this morning and drive north to Salt Lake City with plenty of time to relax and explore. Overnight this evening is at the acclaimed Little America Hotel. (B)

Day 5 - Jackson Hole
After breakfast, we depart for Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. Wonder at this spectacular landscape, rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the horizontal sage-covered valley and glacial lakes at their base, creating world-renowned scenery that attracts nearly four million visitors per year. Check into the superbly located Homewood Suites to begin our two-night stay. There is time tonight to enjoy Jackson Hole, including the fabled Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. (B,L)

Day 6 - Jackson Hole
After breakfast, we enjoy a morning float trip on the Snake River with the backdrop of the most impressive mountain range in North America, the Grand Tetons. The afternoon is free to explore quaint downtown Jackson and we highly recommend a visit to the storied Silver Dollar Bar. Tonight an old-west treat, an outdoor cowboy cookout with a great view of the Grand Teton Range. (B,D)

Day 7 - Yellowstone National Park
We drive north to Yellowstone. America's first National Park, home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This afternoon we check into the Lake Yellowstone Frontier Cabinis, located inside Yellowstone National Park. (B)

Day 8 - Yellowstone National Park
Today we see all of Yellowstone's majesty with the Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pot, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. You will want your camera handy since today is a visual feast of unequaled splendor. (B)

Day 9 - Fairmont Hot Springs
Another pretty day as we drive north to picturesque Fairmont Hot Springs, the perfect midtrip indulgence. Admission to the soothing hot springs is included and there is a fine spa as well as a range of outdoor activities. (B,D)

Day 10 - Glacier National Park
A beautiful day as we travel into Glacier National Park with an afternoon visit to Many Glacier, surrounded by the high peaks of the Lewis Range. Overnight is spent at the charming Lodge at Whitefish Lake, one of the only AAA four diamond-rated hotels in Montana. This lovely hotel on the shores of Whitefish Lake is far and away the best lodge in the area with superb food and an intimate scale. The hotel features many fine dining and relaxation activities including a private beach, lakeside pool, and hot tubs. (B)

Day 11 - Glacier National Park
The Big Day! We depart this morning aboard one of the famed red open-air 'jammer' buses for a spellbinding day that finds us traversing the breathtaking 'Going to the Sun' Highway over the Continental Divide (weather permitting). Later today we visit shimmering Lake McDonald where an early evening boat cruise is included. Many of our passengers rate this the prettiest day of the entire tour which is saying quite a lot. Overnight at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. (B,D)

Day 12 - All Aboard! Great Western Limited to Chicago
After breakfast, guests depart from Glacier Park Lodge aboard the Great Western Limited, which makes a special stop at the hotel. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner as we speed east to Chicago. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Journey Home
The Great Western Limited arrives in St. Paul, Milwaukee, and Chicago today. Easy connections with other points can be made in Chicago, and we offer attractive hotel add-ons for added convenience. (B, L)

The Great Western Limited features two lovingly restored privately owned rail cars from the golden era of Streamliner travel with the widest array of sleeping accommodations of any train in the country. We have cozy Double bedrooms, Superior Double bedrooms, Single bedrooms and suites, with double bed with two windows, two lower beds and maximum space. All room types provide comfortable beds, abundant pillows and nightly turn-down service. There is a an inviting lounge and dining area for relaxing in and all meals are prepared freshly onboard by a chef and served on tables graced with red roses.

Upper and lower berths Double Berth
Upper and lower berths
Standard Double Bedroom Standard Double Bedroom
One large room with upper and lower berths and private enclosed toilet and washbasin. Perfect for couples traveling together.
Superior Double Bedroom Superior Double Bedroom
Same as Standard Double Bedroom except instead of two armchairs, features large sofa by day. These rooms are also slightly larger in length.
Suite Accommodations on Train Suite Accommodations on Train
Two Double Bedrooms combined to guarantee two lower beds or a large queen bed. Includes two picture windows, and two separate washbasins and toilets! Suite availability is very limited. Approximate suite size is 14' x 7'.
Two Roomettes Two Roomettes
Two individual single rooms offering individual lower beds, Individual washbasin and toilet in each room. Perfect for friends traveling together.

Call 877-929-7245 today to book your Glories of the West vacation.
JU-9
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