Day 2 RAPID CITY–CRAZY HORSE–MOUNT RUSHMORE–DEADWOOD

Visit CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, a monument carved out of a mountain that pays respect to the great Native American hero, Chief Crazy Horse. Drive deep into the Black Hills, through what was Sioux Indian territory, to see the stunning granite faces of MOUNT RUSHMORE, a giant monument to four great American presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Afterward, visit TATANKA: The Story of the Bison, and experience the richness of the Lakota people. On to Deadwood, a lawless frontier town during the 1876 Gold Rush, where Jack McCall murdered Wild Bill Hickok during a poker game. Overnight here, and discover Deadwood’s Wild West ways as you walk in the footsteps of legends like Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock.

Continental Breakfast

Day 3 DEADWOOD–DEVILS TOWER–SHERIDAN

This morning, head through high country, where open-range cattle kings made war on the homesteaders in the 1890s. Next, a photo stop of Devils Tower National Monument, established as America’s first national monument by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. The spectacular rock formation and the surrounding countryside are home to a myriad of plant and animal life, and Native Americans consider the area a place for renewal. Overnight in the town of Sheridan located in the Bighorn Mountains.

Breakfast

Day 4 SHERIDAN–LITTLE BIG HORN BATTLEFIELD–CODY

This morning, visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument which commemorates one of America's most significant and famous battles. Here, on June 25 and 26, 1876, two divergent cultures clashed in a life or death struggle. During the visit at the Battlefield, hear the story of the great-war leader of the Sioux, Crazy Horse, and about the defeat of the U.S. Seventh Cavalry by Lakota (Sioux), Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Afterwards, arrive in Buffalos Bill’s frontier town of Cody. During your free time here, we suggest a visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, home to five unique museums including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Plains Indians Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, and the Buffalo Bill Museum telling the life and legend of this bigger-than-life character. Enjoy a stroll down Cody’s main street with its unique shops and restaurants making sure to visit the historic Irma Hotel for a cold drink in the saloon. You may also wish to join our optional trip down the Shoshone River.

Breakfast

Day 5 CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Proceed through Shoshone National Forest to YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Artist Point for views of the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Overnight in Yellowstone National Park.

NOTES:

Accommodations used by Cosmos in Yellowstone National Park are typically open from late May through late September. Departures before or after these opening dates will stay in West Yellowstone.

Routing and areas visited in Yellowstone National Park are always subject to favorable weather, gate access, and road conditions; therefore, routings may be adjusted

Day 6 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Today, explore more of America’s first national park by returning to visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and the reliable “blow” of Old Faithful. In addition to superb mountain scenery, the park is one of the world’s principal wildlife preserves and a photographer’s paradise.

Day 7 YELLOWSTONE–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON

Head south into magnificent GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, one of America’s last preserves of wild solitude. Its 13,770-foot-high ridges are crested with snow most of the year. Stroll along the shores of beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake before ending the day in the Wild West town of Jackson with its wooden sidewalks and swing-door saloons. This evening, join an optional barbecue cookout and Wild West show or independently stroll along the old-time boardwalks and have supper at a swing-door saloon.

Day 8 JACKSON–ALPINE

The day is free in Jackson to explore the shops and museums of historic downtown. Maybe join a scenic trip down the Snake River? Enjoy an 8-mile float trip that begins at Pritchard Creek and passes nesting areas of bald eagles and ospreys. Overnight in Alpine located on the banks of the Snake River.

Day 9 ALPINE–SALT LAKE CITY

Today, travel to Salt Lake City, Utah’s vibrant capital. Set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, this center of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, “This is the place.” An included sightseeing tour offers a glimpse of Temple Square, the Capitol Building, and the beautiful downtown area.

Day 10 SALT LAKE CITY–BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Journey through sagebrush landscape to BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK with its 20 miles of sandstone cliffs and ever-changing colors. colors. See some of Earth’s most brilliant shades of rock, sculpted by nature into pillars called “hoodoos.”

Breakfast

Day 11 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK–ZION NATIONAL PARK–PAGE

First stop today is ZION NATIONAL PARK with its landscape carved over millions of years by rushing streams. Steep canyons, stone towers, and verdant vegetation form the scenery of Zion. Then, head east into Page on the shores of Lake Powell, originally built to house workers during the construction of the massive Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back the waters of 186-mile-long Lake Powell.

Day 12 PAGE–PAINTED DESERT–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy an optional flight over scenic Monument Valley. Then, cross the Painted Desert and head through Kaibab National Forest before arriving at GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK in the early afternoon. Marvel at one of the Natural Wonders of the World as you experience amazing views. You’ll have plenty of time to do some viewing before dusk, as your accommodation is inside the National Park.

Continental Breakfast

Day 13 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–LAS VEGAS

For a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, take an optional helicopter flightseeing trip over the Grand Canyon, with incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 4,800 feet into the Colorado River. Leaving the high country of Arizona, we pass through Williams on famous Route 66, and then the old Mojave gold-strike country, which still has traces of century-old ghost towns. Arrive in Las Vegas—a neon desert oasis packed with spectacular hotels and casinos.