Explore the vast treasures of the American West as you visit five national parks plus national monuments important to our nation's history on this itinerary offered by Member Choice Vacations. From the spectacular Grand Canyon to Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore and more, the romance of the Old West will come alive!
Engaging experiences and highlights include:
• Discover a world of color and light on a breakfast cruise of beautiful Lake Powell.
• Enjoy dinner and an evening of cowboy entertainment in Jackson Hole.
• AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Snake River scenic float or whitewater rafting.
$25 per person savings
AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Snake River scenic float or whitewater rafting
AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 Member Care**
This amazing guided vacation takes you to some of the most scenic and famous landmarks in the American West. Begin in the canyon terrain of the Southwest, home to some of America's most magnificent landscapes. Traveling from Scottsdale, stop in Sedona to marvel at the area's striking red rocks. Then on to Lake Powell where a scenic breakfast cruise lets you see the region's striking geological formations from a different perspective on a. Relish an overnight stay at Grand Canyon Lodge, a National Historic Landmark inside Grand Canyon National Park. Take in the canyon's breathtaking beauty as you dine at the lodge's excellent restaurant.
Tour Bryce Canyon where you can walk amid the "hoodoos," whimsical rock formations created by wind and rain that form an otherworldly landscape. Travel to Zion National Park, renowned for its sheer cliffs and beautiful mountain passages. This is Utah's oldest and most famous national park and you'll have a chance to marvel at the magnitude and color of Zion’s stark sandstone cliffs. Then spend two nights in Salt Lake City, home of the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Enjoy a guided tour of the city and surrounding area and, depending on the departure date, you might also have a chance to witness one of the choir's summer rehearsals.
Your adventure continues in Grand Teton National Park, where you'll choose your own adventure. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and clear glacial lakes on your choice of a scenic float trip OR a whitewater rafting expedition on the Snake River. The same evening, visit the Bar J Chuckwagon for dinner and an evening of cowboy entertainment. Next, enter Yellowstone for an overnight stay in a lodge that puts you at the heart of this unique thermal wonderland. Keep your camera ready for wildlife spotting of elk, bison, moose, wolves, bear and more. Conclude your journey with stops at the unfinished Crazy Horse Memorial and the awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore National Memorial - one of America's most enduring symbols of democracy.
Price includes:
• 8 nights in first class and superior first class hotels: 1 night in Scottsdale, 1 night in Lake Powell, 1 night in Grand Canyon, 1 night in Zion National Park, 2 nights in Salt Lake City, 2 nights in Jackson Hole, 1 night in Yellowstone, 1 night in Sheridan and 1 night in Keystone
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 7 dinners
• All on-tour transportation by deluxe motor coach
• Services of a professional tour manager
• Your choice of a scenic float or white water rafting adventure on the Snake River plus comprehensive sightseeing
• Hotel to hotel baggage handling
Day 1 - Arrive in Scottsdale, Arizona
Your vacation begins in Arizona where you’ll stay in the world-famous resort town of Scottsdale. After check-in to your hotel and time at leisure, roll up your sleeves this evening for a good old-fashioned Chili Cook Off! All of the ingredients will be supplied for you to create an award-winning chili. After the judging is complete, enjoy a Western-style dinner.
Accommodation: Centrally-located Scottsdale hotel - 1 night
Day 2 – Sedona and Lake Powell
Depart Scottsdale for a visit to the artists’ colony of Sedona where you will see the area’s amazing rock formations change hue with each turn in the road. Later today, arrive at Lake Powell.
Accommodation: Lake Powell hotel – 1 night
Day 3 – Lake Powell Cruise and Grand Canyon
Begin the day with a delightful breakfast cruise on scenic Lake Powell. (Note: When breakfast cruise is not available, a lunch is substituted.) Then travel to Carl Hayden Visitors Center to look out over Glen Canyon Dam and see to the end of Lake Powell.
Later, travel through Marble Canyon before arriving at the spectacular Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival, relax at one of the many public seating areas overlooking the immense and colorful canyon. Before dinner you may wish to take a short hike to explore the area. Dinner this evening takes place in the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, offering fine dining in a casual atmosphere with magnificent views overlooking the rim of the Canyon.
Accommodation: Grand Canyon Lodge – 1 night
Day 4 – Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
This morning, travel to Bryce Canyon National Park, truly one of the most spectacular scenic wonders of the world. The formations within Bryce Canyon National Park, called "hoodoos," are the creation of wind and water erosion over eons of time. Iron oxidizing within the rock causes the natural orange and red hues that color these formations.
Your final destination for the day is the red and white sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. In sheer magnitude and color, Zion is very likely one of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the world.
Accommodation: Zion area hotel – 1 night
Day 5 – Zion National Park to Salt Lake City
A drive north takes you to Salt Lake City, the “City of the Saints,” for a two-night stay. Perhaps you will choose to explore Temple Square. This beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City is one of Utah’s most visited attractions. The centerpiece of the square is the six-spired granite Salt Lake Temple and adjacent to this imposing edifice is the domed Tabernacle, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the great Tabernacle organ. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be conducting their rehearsals and concerts at the spectacular Conference Center located in Temple Square from Memorial Day (Late May) through Labor Day (Early September).
Accommodation: Centrally-located Salt Lake City hotel – 2 nights
Day 6 – Salt Lake City Sightseeing
Enjoy a tour of Salt Lake City featuring the Great Salt Lake, the state capitol and the residential district. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 7 – Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Depart for the cowboy town of Jackson Hole this morning. En route, see the majestic Bear Lake Summit. Later arrive in Jackson. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Centrally-located Jackson hotel – 2 nights
Day 8 – Snake River Excursion and Cowboy Dinner and Entertainment
Begin the day with your choice of AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Journey down the Snake River on a white water rafting adventure OR take in the scenery during a relaxed scenic float trip. After a picnic lunch, the remainder of the day is yours to independently explore. Then this evening, enjoy a fun-filled evening of cowboy entertainment and dinner at the Bar J Chuckwagon. (Note: Bar J Chuckwagon is available from Memorial Day through the last Saturday in September. During all other times, dinner will be substituted at the hotel.)
Day 9 – Grand Tetons and Yellowstone
Depart Jackson Hole and pass through Grand Teton National Park. Towering more than a mile above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Twelve Teton peaks reach above 12,000 feet and support a dozen mountain glaciers. The Teton Range is the youngest range in the Rockies and displays some of North America’s oldest rocks.
Later, arrive at the amazing Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park, for an overnight stay at your lodge nestled in the heart of this wonderful park. One of the many highlights is the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, a fountain of steam that rises more than 60 feet in the air.
Accommodation: Yellowstone Park lodge – 1 night
Day 10 – Yellowstone, Cody and Sheridan
A delightful day of sightseeing begins with a trip along Lake Yellowstone and over Sylvan Pass. From the mountains to the prairies, the scenery is simply amazing. As you pass through Cody, stop at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a tribute to one of the most colorful figures of the Old West, Buffalo Bill Cody. Before turning in for the night in Sheridan, drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and journey through the territory of the Great Sioux Nation.
Accommodation: Sheridan hotel – 1 night
Day 11 – Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial
See one of the country’s most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore, before visiting the Crazy Horse Monument, a memorial dedicated to the Native Americans of this great land. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Native American Cultural Center to learn about their culture and customs. Here, Native Americans discuss the movements of their dances and the significance of wearing different feathers and clothes.
Later, arrive at the K Bar S Lodge in Keystone, nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Join your fellow travelers at a lovely home-hosted farewell dinner.
Accommodation: K Bar S Lodge – 1 night
Day 12 – Depart for home
Today after breakfast, your National Parks adventure comes to an end.
*Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Single supplement may apply. Except for packages including air transportation, unless stated otherwise, airfare, taxes and government fees are not included. Offers valid for new bookings only. Member Benefits are per person and apply to first and second traveler only. Member Benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice. Your travel arrangements may be modified or canceled subject to the travel providers’ policies. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. We make every effort for accuracy at time of printing but reserve the right to correct errors. AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance. Except for packages including air transportation, fares may not reflect additional fuel supplement or port charges and vary by provider.
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