America's midwest adventure

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Tour Begins. Welcome to Jackson Hole, America's most famous cowboy town. Find yourself amid its rare blend of elegance and western charm.

Jackson Hole. This morning  it's your choice! Enjoy a relaxing wildlife float trip -OR- an exciting whitewater rafting adventure! Both paths take you along the Snake river and offer up dramatic views of a grand landscape complete with a picnic lunch.  Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore trendy downtown Jackson. Look for the Antler Arch at the entrance to the historic town square. Get your first taste of the Old West at your welcome dinner where your ride in a covered wagon takes you past the Cache Creek Canyon for a night of western hospitality at a chuck wagon dinner with entertainment. (B, D)

Jackson Hole - Grand Tetons - Yellowstone. Wind through Grand Teton National Park, home to the youngest peaks in the Rockies. Keep your camera ready. There are plenty of opportunities to take photos. Next, visit incomparable Yellowstone National Park, the first and oldest national park in the world. Yellowstone, a true symbol of the west, stretches across 3,470 square miles and touches three western states. Famous for its geysers, hot springs and incredible wildlife – including free-ranging herds of buffalo – Yellowstone lives up to its reputation. A park guide joins your group to discuss the past, present and future of the park as you observe the unspoiled natural splendour. Of course, no visit to Yellowstone would be complete without seeing its most famous attraction: Old Faithful. Watch in amazement as the geyser erupts, sending a fountain of steam more than 130 feet in the air! (B, D) 

Yellowstone - Cody - Sheridan. Begin your day with a journey along Lake Yellowstone and over Sylvan Pass. From the mountains to the prairies, the scenery is simply astounding. Pass through Cody and visit the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West – a tribute to one of the most colourful figures of the Old West. Before turning in for the night in Sheridan, make your way through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and cross through the territory of the Great Sioux Nation. (B) 

Sheridan - Deadwood - Rapid City, South Dakota. En route to Rapid City, stop in Deadwood, a rowdy, rambling western town that has been named a National Historic Landmark. Recreations of turn-of-the-century street lamps light the way through the restored architecture. A local guide introduces you to the history of the city, including a visit to Mount Moriah Cemetery, final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and other figures from the Wild West. You’ll also make a stop at Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: “Story of the Bison.” This interpretive centre features large, awe-inspiring sculptures depicting the relationship of bison and the Lakota Native Americans. Enjoy some time to ramble through Deadwood where gold, gambling and gunpowder were once the order of the day. Later, arrive in Rapid City with time for independent exploration. (B) 

Rapid City - Crazy Horse - Keystone - Rapid City. Today, learn more about this diverse region. Jump into the world of Black Hills gold on a tour through Riddle’s Black Hills Gold and Diamond Factory. See skilled artisans handcraft South Dakota’s official province jewellery. Then it is on to Custer Province Park, where you’ll ride into the park in search of the herd of approximately 1300 free roaming buffalo (or bison) that grace the woods of Custer, along with pronghorn antelope and elk. Your guide will fill you in on the history and fun facts about the park’s wildlife. Next, prepare to be amazed by the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest mountain sculpture still in progress. The memorial includes the Indian Museum of North America, Native American Cultural Centre, the sculptor's studio, an orientation centre and theaters. Many Native American artists and craftspeople practice their art at the memorial and are on hand to discuss the influence their culture has on their work. Tonight, after dinner on your own, see the illumination of Mt. Rushmore, one of the true icons of the West. (B)