Lakes & Lodges of Glacier National Park

 A journey of ever-changing scenery and spectacular vistas lies ahead as your expedition begins today at Chicago's Union Station. As you arrive, join the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers in boarding Amtrak's Empire Builder for an overnight journey toward Big Sky Country in Montana.

The train follows a westward route out of the city's mosaic of skyscrapers and into the serene fields of the Midwest. Each mile allows anticipation for the postcard-worthy views that lie ahead in Glacier National Park. From rugged mountains, kissed by eternal snow on the highest peaks, to expansive glaciers, crystalline lakes and wildlife roaming freely, there is much to uncover in the coming days.

Light meals and refreshments are available for purchase in the Empire Builder's Cafè Car as you settle in for the evening.

Should travelers wish to depart from Seattle or points in between, they may do so and meet the Tour Manager and group upon arrival in Glacier National Park. Overnight train.

 After a night spent traveling through Wisconsin and Minnesota, wake this morning amidst the rolling prairies of North Dakota. You could head to the Cafè Car to grab some breakfast as the Empire Builder proceeds through small northern towns and sweeping expanses of untouched terrain.

Entering Montana around lunchtime, the train continues through the countryside, and the views begin to change once more, with mountain peaks starting to pepper the horizon as we proceed west. Eventually, towering mountains, deep forests and beautiful waterways come into view as we arrive in East Glacier late this evening.

A coach transfer greets us at the station and takes us to Glacier Park Lodge. This historic railway hotel was built more than a century ago and is our base for the next three nights. Overnight East Glacier.

 Breakfast is served at the lodge this morning before we set out by coach for St. Mary's Lodge. Here, we step aboard a convertible Red Jammer bus for a nostalgic journey along Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most scenic roadways in the world. Our vintage bus travels the length of this 50-mile road, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and presenting some of the park's best views.

Gaze upon waterfalls and lakes, and look for wildlife on the surrounding cliffs or crossing the road. The viewpoints along the route are spectacular and provide a vantage point like none other as we soak up the sheer majesty of the "Crown of the Continent."

There is a stop at St. Mary's Visitors Center, where you are free to find lunch on your own and explore the area before we continue back to our lodge later this afternoon. You can spend some time relaxing or walking around East Glacier before dinner is served at the lodge this evening. Overnight East Glacier.

Please note: For the departure on August 27, the events of Days 3 and 4 will be swapped.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 With an early start after breakfast, today takes us deeper into Glacier National Park to the stunning Many Glacier region, where incredible views of the Lewis Range beckon. Our scenic drive weaves past the region's large lake, Lake Sherburne, and offers a glimpse at a historic town, which dates to the early 1900s. The surrounding peaks overlook colorful meadows, and wildlife-spotting opportunities await around every turn.

As we arrive at Many Glacier Lodge in the heart of Glacier National Park, we make our way to the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake for a relaxing cruise. Our vessel provides another perspective on the astonishing vistas, including a view of Grinnell Point. Moose and bears can be spotted around the lake, as well.

Returning to the Swiss chalet-inspired Many Glacier Lodge, lunch is served in the Ptarmigan Dining Room, where we dine with panoramic views. A coach transfer takes us back to Glacier Park Lodge, where the remainder of your day and evening are yours to spend as you wish. Overnight East Glacier.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 Enjoy a leisurely breakfast surrounded by the dramatic views of East Glacier before we join our motorcoach and begin the journey out of the park. Our route is an encore of the park's phenomenal scenery and takes us toward Lake McDonald, where we visit another one of Glacier National Park's stunning lodges, Lake McDonald Lodge. We enjoy lunch here and have time to take a final look at the mountainous scenery before our scenic route takes us to the quintessential mountain town of Whitefish.

Whitefish is filled with life and boasts a vibrant arts scene, yet it is surrounded by nature, giving you plenty to do whether you crave urban explorations or nature's bounties. With the remainder of the day at leisure, you might like to peruse the shops and galleries or explore the local restaurants - all of which are just a couple of blocks from our hotel. Overnight Whitefish.

• Breakfast, Lunch

On your final day in Montana, the day is free to enjoy the serene atmosphere of Big Sky Country. Our hotel's location on the Whitefish River makes it a perfect hub for outdoor adventures. You could borrow one of the complimentary bicycles to explore the area, or head out to the onsite dock and make use of the included kayak, paddleboard and pedal boats.

Downtown Whitefish is incredibly walkable, with Whitefish Lake City Beach and Whitefish River within walking distance. There are a number of hiking trailheads with varying difficulty that are accessible directly from downtown, as well, allowing you to continue embracing nature at your own pace.

However you choose to spend your day, we reconvene this evening at a local restaurant and celebrate our vacation with a farewell dinner. Overnight Whitefish.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 From the iconic lines of Amtrak's Empire Builder, the serpentine route of Going-to-the-Sun Road and Montana's glistening lakes, the beauty of wild North America was revealed during our last week of exploration. Our journey took us first into Glacier National Park, where, using East Glacier as a base, we explored various lodges throughout the park and soaked up natural beauty from one vantage point at a time. Continuing to Whitefish, we enjoyed a relaxed conclusion in a town where nature and culture live in harmony.

With a final breakfast at the hotel this morning, your vacation comes to a close. A coach transfer takes us to Glacier Park International Airport and accommodates flights departing after 1 p.m.

• Breakfast