America’s Treasures & Natural Wonders

An adventure into the great West, this 2-week journey tells a story of earth’s wonders and magnificent displays of nature through visits to six of America’s most beloved national parks.

Tour Description

Set your sights on amazing scenes of America’s wilderness with visits to six national parks on this unforgettable 14-day tour of the West. The journey begins on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, aboard which beautiful vistas of pueblos, deserts, mountains and cities come to life en route to Flagstaff. Our first glimpse at the sheer majesty of nature is had upon arrival, as we venture to Grand Canyon National Park. Moving onto Lake Powell, a scenic reservoir on the Arizona/Utah border, we enjoy dramatic scenery from both the land and the water before continuing onto Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon National Park offers even further insight into the natural wonders hidden right in our backyard. Between national parks, we enjoy some time in Salt Lake City; then, it is back to nature with excursions to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. From the scenery to the iconic sites and the wildlife, your camera and your heart will overflow with memories from this voyage.

- Less sitting, more walking. You don’t mind longer days of physical activity and sightseeing with some activities that go into the evening. Some rest periods are nice but only when necessary.

Tour Photos

Highlights and Inclusions

• Rail travel on Amtrak(1 night on train)
• Hotel accommodations for 12 nights
• 16 meals, including a traditional Chuckwagon dinner
• Meals on the train included when upgrading to private sleeping accommodations
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Lake Powell Dinner Cruise
• Zion National Park, including tram tour
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Salt Lake City Tour
• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone National Park, including Old Faithful
• Glacier National Park, including Going-to-the-Sun Road aboard vintage Red Jammer Buses
• National Park entrance fees
• Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
• Services of a professional tour manager
• Baggage handling

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart Chicago aboard the Southwest Chief
Arrive at Chicago Union Station early this afternoon to meet your tour manager and fellow travelers. Board the legendary Southwest Chief, settle into your onboard accommodations and prepare for your overnight rail journey. Travelers may elect to travel from Los Angeles or points in-between and meet your tour manager in Flagstaff on Day 2. Overnight train.

Day 2 - En Route to Flagstaff
Spend the day admiring the sights from the train's glass-walled Sightseer Lounge and chatting with your fellow travelers about the adventures yet to come. As the train arrives in Flagstaff this evening, transfer to your centrally located hotel. Overnight Flagstaff, AZ.

Day 3 - Grand Canyon National Park
Your discovery begins this morning with a visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World! Highlights include expansive views - and excellent photo opportunities - from several observation areas, including Mather Point. Enjoy time to take in the scenes and famed attractions of the Grand Canyon on your own before returning to Flagstaff. Overnight Flagstaff, AZ. (D)

Day 4 - Lake Powell
Today, we travel by motorcoach through Navajo Country en route to Page, AZ, where the beautiful scenery of Lake Powell awaits us. En route, we visit the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, situated atop the Glen Canyon Dam with spectacular views of Lake Powell This scenic destination is located near the Arizona/Utah border and offers truly memorable views, with the deep blue water of the lake contrasting the clay-colored sandstone walls. As we arrive, enjoy some time to take in sights, and later this evening, board the Canyon Princess for a 2-hour dinner cruise on Lake Powell. Marvel at the brilliant display of colors as the setting sun falls behind the surrounding cliffs and mountains. Savor fresh, chef-prepared meals while taking in the views and chatting with your fellow travelers. Overnight Lake Powell, AZ. (B, D)

Day 5 - Zion National Park
This morning we set off to explore Utah's first National Park, Zion. The Park is full of stunning sights, including the enormous stone masses of the West Temple, hanging gardens and waterfalls, and Zion Canyon, the spectacular gorge carved by the Virgin River. Aboard an open-air tram, we learn little-known facts about the park through narration and soak in these sights and more. The tour makes photo stops at the Great White Throne and the Temple of Sinawava, as well. After a day of exploration, dinner at Ruby’s Inn is just the thing to complete the day. Overnight Bryce Canyon, UT. (B, D)

Day 6 - Bryce Canyon National Park
Today brings a visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, where spectacular hoodoos, colorful rocks which have been sculpted by erosion into pillars, are just some of the amazing sights to behold. A local guide takes us along the high rim to major vantage points, such as Sunset Point. Following our exploration, we travel to Salt Lake City with the evening at leisure. Overnight Salt Lake City, UT. (B)

Day 7 - Salt Lake City Tour
The highlights of Salt Lake City await your exploration today, as we embark on a comprehensive tour of the city. Whether it is landmarks sites, history or religion that interest you, the tour’s stops are sure to inspire you. Points of interest include the Mormon Temple and Tabernacle, Brigham Young's Monument, Beehive House, Lion House, Eagle Gate, University of Utah, Fort Douglas and Utah Olympic Park. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own. Liberty Park offers a serene retreat from the city, whereas Temple Square puts some of the city’s greatest religious sites on display. Salt Lake City is home to a vibrant dining scene, as well, which means you have no shortage of dinner options, including Michelin Star-rated eateries. Overnight Salt Lake City, UT. (B)

Day 8 - En Route to Jackson
Watch as some of the most incredible scenes the West has to offer unfold before your eyes today as we travel by deluxe motorcoach to Jackson Hole. En route, we visit the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, ID, where we learn firsthand about this historic pioneer route and experience a simulated wagon train ride. Upon arrival in Jackson, you have some time to explore on your own. Do not forget to get your picture taken under the antler arch downtown. Overnight Jackson, WY. (B)

Day 9 – Jackson at Leisure
Jackson is a charming Wild West town complete with a town square bordered by elk antler arches, Western and contemporary shop, a variety of restaurants and cowboy bars. Today is at leisure to explore the town or immerse yourself in nature in nearby Grand Teton National Park. There are over 200 miles of hiking trails to explore, as well as optional activities such as a leisurely and scenic float trip along the Snake River, biking, or fishing. An evening of old-fashioned Western fun awaits us this evening, as we enjoy music, dancing and great cowboy food at our traditional chuckwagon dinner. Overnight Jackson, WY. (B, D)

Day 10 – Grand Teton Range
The day begins with a visit to the Chapel of Transfiguration, a rustic log church with fantastic views of the looming Grand Teton Mountains rising from the ground with no foothills. Enjoy lunch on your own at Jackson Lake Lodge. This afternoon our travels continue to Yellowstone National Park, the world's most extensive area of geothermal activity. Overnight West Yellowstone, MT. (B)

Day 11 - Yellowstone National Park Sightseeing
Yellowstone is America’s first national park, established in 1872. Today’s full-day tour with a Yellowstone certified guide includes a narrated drive through the Hayden Valley and visits to Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the Fountain Paint Pot, and Old Faithful. Overnight West Yellowstone, MT. (B)

Day 12 - En Route to Whitefish, MT
Today we travel through the Northern Great Plains en route to Whitefish, MT. The natural scenery offered along the journey further exemplifies the unique beauty of America’s West - keep your camera handy. Enjoy lunch on your own at Wheat Montana Deli for a taste of farm-to-table goodness before continuing the journey. As we arrive in Whitefish, you have the rest of the day and the evening at leisure. Overnight Whitefish, MT. (B)

Day 13 - Glacier National Park
Admire nature’s beauty one last time today with a visit to Glacier National Park. Here, embark on a half-day tour of one of America's most beautiful attractions, the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Considered one of the outstanding scenic roadways of the world, the drive offers magnificent views of the mountain scenery. Best of all, all of this is done from the comfortable seat of a 1930s Red Jammer bus, the park’s most iconic form of transportation. With large windows and a roll-back top, the bus offers endless views of the surrounding scenery. This evening, join your tour manager and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. Overnight Whitefish, MT. (B, D)

Day 14 - Tour Conclusion
With the memories of six national parks fresh in your mind, your journey through America’s treasures concludes this morning. A group transfer to Whitefish Amtrak Station or Glacier Park International Airport will accommodate trains departing after 7:46 a.m. and planes departing after 11:00 a.m. (B)

Dates & Prices

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• From Chicago
• From Los Angeles