Head out to America the beautiful! Experience majestic mountains, national parks and natural wildlife as you discover the best of the West. A perfect combination of rail travel, escorted tours and comfortable accommodations await you as follow the trail of America’s pioneers. (Sleeping accommodation upgrades onboard the train is available for an extra charge.)

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Salt Lake City • Jackson Hole • Grand Tetons • Yellowstone National Park
• Glacier National Park

• See spectacular scenery of the Colorado Rockies between Denver and Grand Junction, highlighted by the breathtaking Glenwood Canyon



• Discover Salt Lake City’s most famous sights -- Mormon Temple, the Great Salt Lake and 2002 Winter Olympic sites



• Learn all about the historic Oregon/California pioneer trail at the Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho



• Take pictures of the Grand Teton Mountain Range, which peaks over 13,000 feet in the air with no foothills



• Explore Yellowstone National Park, a two-million acre natural “jewel,” including Old Faithful



• Explore Glacier National Park’s mountains, lakes and wildlife as you travel along the 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road

• Round-trip transportation by Amtrak rail and deluxe motor coach
• Comfortable hotel accommodations for eight nights
• Reclining coach seat with leg rest on the train for two nights
• Sightseeing at Salt Lake City, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. Admission to all included attractions
• Three nights in Yellowstone National Park
• Two nights in East Glacier Park
• Baggage handling, taxes & tips
• 18 meals
• Services of a professional Tour Manager

Day 1: En Route - Depart Chicago aboard the California Zephyr
All aboard for adventure! Yellowstone / Glacier Discovery Tour members meet your Tour Director in Chicago’s Union Station at 12:30 p.m. for a 1:15 p.m. boarding. You’ll get settled in your reclining seat with leg rest for a 2:00 p.m. departure. Take time to explore the double-decker Superliner or just relax, read listen to music. Be sure to visit the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car with its swivel seats and expansive views. All meals aboard the train are included. Get acquainted with your travel companions as you enjoy a full-course dinner in the diner tonight and watch the changing scenery. Tonight, your dreams will be filled with your journey to come. (D)

Day 2: En Route - Towering mountain majesty
Your day begins like none other as sweeping vistas of the glorious Colorado Rockies come into view. Make your way to the dining car for a delicious hot breakfast. Keep your camera handy in the glass-walled lounge car and gaze in awe at the spectacular scenery that appears throughout your amazing ride.

This morning, the Zephyr departs Denver and begins its momentous climb towards the Continental Divide, winding around sharp mountain curves and passing through numerous tunnels. Your train is scheduled to arrive in Salt Lake City around 11:00 p.m., where you’ll be whisked away to the first class Embassy Suites in downtown Salt Lake City. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Salt Lake City - Utah’s history past and present
Your morning begins with a tour of this capital city, hosted by a local expert guide. Beautiful Salt Lake City, once considered the ”crossroads of the West” boasts more than a 150-year history, founded by the Mormon pioneers. The most famous site is Temple Square, where the Gothic spires of the Salt Lake Temple rise up. You’ll also see Utah’s State Capitol, the Great Salt Lake and sites from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Also included is a visit to Red Butte Gardens, with over 100 acres of natural gardens and walking paths. Enjoy local fare at lunch, which is included. Tonight, explore Salt Lake City on your own or visit Temple Square. (B,L)

Day 4: Trail Center/Jackson Hole - Home on the range in Wyoming
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you head to Montpelier, Idaho via comfortable motor coach. You’ll visit the National Oregon/California Trail Center, an interpretive center where you’ll learn firsthand about this historic pioneer route and experience a simulated wagon train ride. The popular ski town of Jackson, Wyoming awaits you, where you’ll spend the night at the Quality Inn 49er at Jackson Hole.

You can almost hear the sound of the dinner bell calling for your hearty chuckwagon dinner, followed by an authentic Western musical group performance. It’s a real wild, Wild West evening. (CB, D)

Day 5: Grand Tetons - Take-your-breath-away Scenery
See the dramatic Grand Teton mountain range as the peaks rise some 13,000 feet in the air, without foothills. You’ll visit the Grand Teton National Park, featuring blue mountain lakes and a diverse array of wildlife. The Chapel of Transfiguration, a rustic log church, provides an idyllic setting with breathtaking views of the Tetons. Enjoy lunch at rustic Jackson Lake Lodge. Learn more about the Grand Teton National Park at the Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum, which houses an impressive variety of American Indian artifacts donated by the Rockefeller family.

Get ready for the granddaddy of all, Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872 as America’s first national park, Yellowstone is famous for many things. Among them is the world’s most extensive region of geothermal activity with thousands of hot springs that dot the landscape.

Your accommodations for the next three nights are located inside the park. In the evening, you’ll discover a variety of things to do on your own or just relax for settling for the night. (L)

Day 6: Yellowstone - a two-million acre national jewel
Enjoy breakfast (included) this morning in your hotel. Gear up for adventure in Yellowstone National Park with your guide and explore Madison Junction with its scenic forests and meadows, all the way to Norris Geyser Basin. Stand in awe of Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Tower Falls. Lunch is on your own. Then continue on in the afternoon discovering Artist Point, Inspiration Point and the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Keep your cameras handy as the vast Yellowstone is teeming with roaming wildlife, including wolves, grizzly bears, bison and elk. (B)

Day 7: Yellowstone - Old Faithful
Today’s journey into Yellowstone National Park takes you on a spectacular drive through the Hayden Valley, a region of lush forests and meadows. Wait, was that a bison in the field or an eagle soaring in the sky? But the highlight of your day will be experiencing the Old Faithful Geyser. About every 30 minutes, Old Faithful erupts, shooting water some 100 feet in the air. You'll also view the fascinating paint-pots, bubbling hot springs mixed with clay. Return to the hotel and get ready for a great dinner and lots of laughs at the Bullwinkle’s Saloon and Eatery. (D)

Day 8: En Route/Glacier National Park
Board your motorcoach as you continue north to East Glacier Park, Montana, which so aptly describes the slow moving glaciers that carved out this magnificent area. Stops along the way will allow you to capture the beauty of these scenic mountains with your camera. Arrive in East Glacier Park and check into your hotel for the next two nights, the Glacier Park Lodge, styled as a Swiss chalet. (B)

Day 9: Welcome to Glacier National Park
Experience Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans. Travel over the famous, spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most gorgeous scenic roadways in the world, aboard a historic “Jammer” Red Bus. You won’t know where to look first on this 50-mile-long drive with magnificent views of mountain scenery and abundant wildlife. Stop for a leisurely “on-your-own” lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge and then get ready for a gala farewell dinner, hosted by your Tour Director. (D)

Day 10: En Route to Chicago
Your train departs this morning from the East Glacier Park Amtrak Station aboard the Empire Builder, headed back to Chicago. Now’s your chance to relax and think about all the wonderful experiences you had out West as you cross through the badlands of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. (B, L, D)

Day 11: En Route passing over the Mighty Mississippi
Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard the train as you depart from Minneapolis-St. Paul this morning. The mighty Mississippi River comes into view taking you back across the plains. The train winds between the river bank and high bluffs, giving you one last look at America the Beautiful. The Empire Builder is scheduled to arrive late this afternoon in Chicago’s historic Union Station.

Catch your connecting train home, stay the night before your flight or spend additional days exploring Chicago. If you are flying home post night stays in Chicago are strongly encouraged to avoid missed connections. (B, L)

   

   

   

 Departure Dates:

• June 21 - July 1
• July 26 - August 5
• August 24 - September 3

 Per Person Rates:

• $2,195 Price per person (based on double-occupancy)
• Single add $1,720

 Per Person Train Sleeping Accommodation Upgrades:

• Roomette Upgrade: add $495 per person (based on double-occupancy)
• Bedroom Upgrade: add $1095 per person (based on double-occupancy)

Roomette and Bedroom Prices are subject to availability. Guests who wish to upgrade from the included coach accommodations may purchase sleeping accommodations and pricing may vary by date and room type.