Itinerary
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Thursday, 11 July - Arrive Billings, MT; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Billings no later than 4:30 pm. The hotel provides a courtesy airport shuttle. We will gather at 6:00pm in the hotel lobby to make introductions before going to dinner to get better acquainted.
Friday, 12 July - Drive to Yellowstone via Beartooth Hwy; See Norris Geyser Basin (B)
Today we are in for a real treat. Heralded as one of the most scenic drives in the United States, the Beartooth Highway features breathtaking views of the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, and open high alpine plateaus dotted with countless glacial lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. We have the rare opportunity to experience and explore pristine, untouched alpine and mountain landscapes, lush forests, and alpine tundra in the space of a few miles. After a stop for lunch, we will continue along the north and west side of the upper loop road, stopping to see the geysers and other wonders at Norris Geyser Basin. We conclude our day in West Yellowstone where we will stay 2 nights.
Saturday, 13 July –Yellowstone Upper Loop with Mammoth Hot Springs and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone; Group Dinner (B,L,D)
Our tour today includes Mammoth Hot Springs, one of Yellowstone’s most unique, beautiful and fascinating areas. You will want to take the Lower Terrace Trail, as it is one of the best ways to see this area. After having time for a picnic lunch stop we will visit the “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone”, where the Yellowstone river has carved out a canyon, complete with spectacular waterfalls! Later we conclude our sightseeing before returning to our hotel and having dinner together.
Sunday, 14 July – Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lower Loop; Scenic drive to Cody WY; Group Dinner (B,D)
Today we begin with a visit to the Old Faithful complex to see Old Faithful let off some steam, walk along the boardwalk and see the mud pots and pools of beautiful water. There will be time for lunch at Old Faithful Inn before continuing on the lower loop road to see Lake Yellowstone and possibly spy more animals along the way. We will exit the park on the east side and take a scenic drive to one of our favorite towns – Cody! The town of Cody is all about cowboys and rodeos. Cody was founded in 1896 by the living legend, Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who at the age of 41 was one of the most famous men in the world. Today the town remembers its founder with a wonderful museum and nightly rodeo events.
Monday, 15 July – Buffalo Bill Historical Center; Free Time; Stampede Rodeo (B)
Today we begin with a visit to the fascinating Buffalo Bill Historical Museum. The museum highlights history and myth, art and Native culture, firearms technology and natural history. Some free time will give you an opportunity to tour and shop Cody’s historic downtown filled with western art/furniture galleries and unique shopping opportunities. To complete our Cody experience, we will enjoy a rodeo in the evening.
Tuesday, 16 July – Old Trail Town; Moss Mansion Historic House; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Today we begin our day at Old Trail Town which preserves the lifestyle and history of the Frontier West through a rare collection of authentic structures and furnishings. From remote locations in Wyoming and Montana these historic buildings were carefully disassembled, moved and reassembled here by western historians. Located here also are thousands of historic artifacts from the Old West and grave sites of several notable western figures. We then depart for Billing, making a stop at the Moss Mansion, depicting early turn-of-the-century life as the Preston Boyd Moss family lived it. There are original draperies, fixtures, furniture, Persian carpets, and artifacts displayed in the 1903 red sandstone structure. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We conclude our day with our farewell dinner in Billings.
Wednesday, 17 July - Return Home from Billings (B)
Unfortunately our Yellowstone and western adventure comes to an end and it's time to return home. Schedule your departure at your convenience. The hotel provides a courtesy shuttle to the airport.