8 Day Classic National Parks, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone & Grand Teton

8 days
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3.7/5 Great
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Group Tour
2 Rapid City, 1 Cody, 2 Yellowstone, 1 Jackson, 1 Salt Lake City

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

What's this trip about?

    2 Rapid City, 1 Cody, 2 Yellowstone, 1 Jackson, 1 Salt Lake City

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Attractions

  • Yellowstone National Park

Trip includes

    • Flights Los Angeles-Rapid City, Salt Lake City-Los Angeles Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 7 nights accommodations
    • 2 nights Rapid City 1 night Cody 2 nights Yellowstone National Park 1 night Jackson 1 night Salt Lake City Hotel taxes, fees & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers 11 meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout Services of local guides Entrance fees per itinerary Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring Special Features Crazy Horse Memorial, started over 50 years ago and still incomplete
    • Mount Rushmore, the largest statue-monument in the world
    • Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States and the World
    • Discover dramatic Grand Teton National Park with its jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes and dense forests
    • Salt Lake City Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Tabernacle Choir and Temple Square

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Itinerary

DAY 1, Wednesday - Arrive in Rapid City Arrive in Rapid City and transfer to your hotel. Gateway to South Dakota’s Black Hills and iconic Mount Rushmore, this city’s downtown displays life-size bronze sculptures of past U.S. presidents. Tonight, a briefing by your Tour Manager on the adventure filled tour that lies ahead, followed by a Welcome Drink. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7PM on the day of arrival. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 5PM on Day 1 of the itinerary or earlier Overnight: Rapid City DAY 2, Thursday - Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore Morning visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial, started over 50 years ago by Chief Henry Standing Bear who invited sculptors to carve a mountain honoring the heritage, tradition and culture of North American Indians. Today, this tribute is still incomplete. Then, on to the magnificent Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the largest statue-monument in the world. The faces of four American presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln - are carved into the granite mountainside high above the treetops of the Black Hills. The carving took 14 years to complete and serves today as a priceless shrine of democracy. After lunch on your own, return to Rapid City. Tonight, a Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival. Afterwards, an optional night tour to the Mount Rushmore monument where you will watch a light show ceremony and hear an inspiring performance of the National Anthem Optional: Mount Rushmore at Night Overnight: Rapid City Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 3, Friday - Drive to Cody Morning departure to Sheridan, Wyoming set halfway between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore, with its dramatic vistas of the striking Big Horn mountains. The town’s authentic Main Street is lined with historic buildings, offering Old West appeal in a modern setting. After lunch, continue to Cody for a afternoon arrival. Evening at leisure to enjoy Cody on your own Overnight: Cody Meals: Breakfast, Lunch DAY 4, Saturday - Arrive in Yellowstone, Hayden Valley An extraordinary experience as you enter spectacular Yellowstone National Park, a breathtaking natural wonderland established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States. Yellowstone is home to countless hot springs and two-thirds of all of the geysers in the world, highlighted by its awe-inspiring rock formations and the famed geyser, "Old Faithful". Upon arrival, cross over the Yellowstone River into the Lower Loop. Continue towards the Hayden Valley to see it's incredible thermal features. See the Mud Volcano, with its rhythmic belching of steam and flashing tongue of water. The caldron exploded onto the landscape in 1948, blowing trees out by their roots and covering the surrounding forest with mud. All the while, be on the lookout for bison, bears, elk and eagles in this sweeping glacial valley Overnight: Yellowstone National Park Meals: Breakfast DAY 5, Sunday - Full Day in Yellowstone, Old Faithful Begin the day in Yellowstone with a visit the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its turbulent River - 24 miles of twisting, sheer rock cliffs carved 1200 feet deep. Then on to Mammoth Hot Springs, a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine, created thousands of years ago. Continue to the Lower Geyser Basin to Fountain Paint Pots along the Firehole River. After on to the highlight of the day - legendary "Old Faithful". The thrilling eruptions shoot up into the air approximately every 90 minutes as high as 184 feet. Enjoy free time on the site to hike, have dinner at your leisure and see the eruption one more time. En route to your hotel, cross the Continental Divide - here, water flows on one side to the Gulf of Mexico, and the other side flows to the Pacific Ocean Overnight: Yellowstone National Park Meals: Breakfast DAY 6, Monday - Grand Teton National Park Depart Yellowstone for magnificent Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming with its jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes and dense forests rich with wildlife. Multiple photo stops on your way to Colter Bay where you stop at the visitor center. Continue for lunch before visiting the Chapel of the Transfiguration, built in 1925 at the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park. Depart for Jackson. Here, there's time to shop in the town's many stores for genuine cowboy gear. Tonight, try one of the homey restaurants with local country cooking. Be sure to stop at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, with its awesome Wild West displays, known worldwide for its lively western dancing. Perhaps join the optional Jackson Hole Playhouse with dinner at Wyoming’s longest running professional dinner theatre Optional: Jackson Hole Playhouse with dinner Overnight: Jackson Meals: Breakfast, Lunch DAY 7, Tuesday - Salt Lake City Today, leave rugged Wyoming for Salt Lake City, Utah. Here, tour historic Temple Square*; the centerpiece of this beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground in the heart of downtown Salt Lake is the six-spired Salt Lake Temple. Also located on the Square is the domed Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. At this evening's Farewell Dinner, share wonderful memories of your western adventure with your new-found friends Overnight: Salt Lake City Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 8, Wednesday - Return Home Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast National Parks route and program may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns. *September 24 and 25 departures will feature alternate sightseeing due to local events. Details to be advised locally.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,749
Price per day$219
Last Updated: 7/15/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Gate 1 Travel Reviews & Ratings

3.7/5  Great
Excellent
455
Great
26
Average
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Disappointing
29
Terrible
206
E

Eleanor

Sep 2019

Written on

Our trip of the National Parks was phenomenal!!

Our trip of the National Parks was phenomenal!! The sites were incredible and we wouldn’t have been able to see it all if we did not have an incredible driver. Takin...

P

Paromita

Jul 2019

Written on

Excellent commentary and reference materials

My trip to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons was great! Gigi, our tour manager was wonderful! She was very organized and made sure everythin...

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Other Gate 1 Travel Reviews

D

DS

Jan 2024

Provided byGate 1 Travel

Gate 1 cares about money and not customer satisfaction or safety

We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however ...

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NBR

Dec 2023

Written on

THE ABSOLUTE WORST

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent. We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish. The flight that we paid extra...

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Joyce Toler

Dec 2023

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Poor customer service

It has been about 7.5 years since I traveled with Gate 1 Travel. In the past, customer service was exceptionally great! Now I am appauded with the unprofessional and...

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Gate 1 Travel

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Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

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Mission: To deliver More of the World for Less by developing quality, affordable vacations for North Americans. To provide exemplary service to our customers and to earn their loyalty. To respect our partners. To invest in our employees, providing a safe and comfortable work environment. To know and understand our products and destinations. To constantly innovate and be a leader in technology.

Founded in 1981 with 3 employees; now with over 200 employees worldwide

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

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30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

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Gate 1 Travel's target market is a traveler seeking high quality, affordable travel ranging from a superior tourist class to moderate deluxe class level of accommodations with the highest level of service.

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Gate 1 Travel is backed by the largest, most well-respected financial institutions and insurance providers, guaranteeing the greatest level of financial security to every passenger. Gate 1 welcomes your inquiries of any of those independent offices.

Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

Additionally , Gate 1 is required to participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, requiring them to post $1 million in security, held by USTOA, in the unlikely event of bankruptcy or insolvency.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • *Not Included: Optional tours and gratuities.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Optional Activities
Mount Rushmore at Night This lighting ceremony turns the granite mountainside, representing the first 130 years of the history of the United States, into a giant illuminated screen and back-drop to music and vibrant animations which tell the story of the rich heritage and history of the site. View the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln as you enjoy this moving performance, featuring an inspiring rendition of the national anthem. Approximate tour duration is 2 hours including transfers. Included are round-trip transfers from your hotel to Mount Rushmore. Note: Beginning and ending dates are subject to change based on the seasonal opening and closing of Evening Lighting Ceremony due to regulations of the National Park Service. OnDay : 2 Price : 19 Mount Rushmore at Night This lighting ceremony turns the granite mountainside, representing the first 130 years of the history of the United States, into a giant illuminated screen and back-drop to music and vibrant animations which tell the story of the rich heritage and history of the site. View the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln as you enjoy this moving performance, featuring an inspiring rendition of the national anthem. Approximate tour duration is 2 hours including transfers. Included are round-trip transfers from your hotel to Mount Rushmore. Note: Beginning and ending dates are subject to change based on the seasonal opening and closing of Evening Lighting Ceremony due to regulations of the National Park Service. OnDay : 2 Price : 19 Mount Rushmore at Night This lighting ceremony turns the granite mountainside, representing the first 130 years of the history of the United States, into a giant illuminated screen and back-drop to music and vibrant animations which tell the story of the rich heritage and history of the site. View the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln as you enjoy this moving performance, featuring an inspiring rendition of the national anthem. Approximate tour duration is 2 hours including transfers. Included are round-trip transfers from your hotel to Mount Rushmore. Note: Beginning and ending dates are subject to change based on the seasonal opening and closing of Evening Lighting Ceremony due to regulations of the National Park Service. OnDay : 2 Price : 19 Mount Rushmore at Night This lighting ceremony turns the granite mountainside, representing the first 130 years of the history of the United States, into a giant illuminated screen and back-drop to music and vibrant animations which tell the story of the rich heritage and history of the site. View the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln as you enjoy this moving performance, featuring an inspiring rendition of the national anthem. Approximate tour duration is 2 hours including transfers. Included are round-trip transfers from your hotel to Mount Rushmore. Note: Beginning and ending dates are subject to change based on the seasonal opening and closing of Evening Lighting Ceremony due to regulations of the National Park Service. OnDay : 2 Price : 19 Jackson Hole Playhouse with dinner The historic Jackson Hole Playhouse brings you a full evening of Western entertainment, from gun-slingin', singing waiters to fully-staged musical comedies. You can kick off your boots and enjoy true Western hospitality at Wyoming's longest running professional dinner theatre. While you enjoy your meal, you will cheer for the entertainment as your gun slinging waiters sing your favorite western tunes! From Marty Robbins to Patsy Cline, the professional singing wait staff will provide live entertainment. Details to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours. OnDay : 6 Price : 59 Jackson Hole Playhouse with dinner The historic Jackson Hole Playhouse brings you a full evening of Western entertainment, from gun-slingin', singing waiters to fully-staged musical comedies. You can kick off your boots and enjoy true Western hospitality at Wyoming's longest running professional dinner theatre. While you enjoy your meal, you will cheer for the entertainment as your gun slinging waiters sing your favorite western tunes! From Marty Robbins to Patsy Cline, the professional singing wait staff will provide live entertainment. Details to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours. OnDay : 6 Price : 59 Jackson Hole Playhouse with dinner The historic Jackson Hole Playhouse brings you a full evening of Western entertainment, from gun-slingin', singing waiters to fully-staged musical comedies. You can kick off your boots and enjoy true Western hospitality at Wyoming's longest running professional dinner theatre. While you enjoy your meal, you will cheer for the entertainment as your gun slinging waiters sing your favorite western tunes! From Marty Robbins to Patsy Cline, the professional singing wait staff will provide live entertainment. Details to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours. OnDay : 6 Price : 59 Jackson Hole Playhouse with dinner The historic Jackson Hole Playhouse brings you a full evening of Western entertainment, from gun-slingin', singing waiters to fully-staged musical comedies. You can kick off your boots and enjoy true Western hospitality at Wyoming's longest running professional dinner theatre. While you enjoy your meal, you will cheer for the entertainment as your gun slinging waiters sing your favorite western tunes! From Marty Robbins to Patsy Cline, the professional singing wait staff will provide live entertainment. Details to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours. OnDay : 6 Price : 59
Additional Information
Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers. Arrival transfers via hotel shuttle are included for land only bookings staying at the Holiday Inn Mount Rushmore. Transfers are not included for flights arriving outside the hours of 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
Trip ID
gate1-US-8DCLANPRK-PKG-17

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