Tour PagesTour InfoTour Length: AMAZING
Leave Mon. May 21
$209 - Globus Journeys Club Discount More Information
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alex@doldworldjourneys.com / (808) 732-9430 2018 National Parks AMAZINGwith the Lincoln Highway (SECOND HALF)Day by Day ItineraryDay 1 Honolulu Departure and Denver Arrival.
Our National Parks adventure begins with an early morning departure for the west coast. After a brief stop, we make direct connections to our Denver flight. The preliminary flight schedule is displayed online at doldworldjourneys.com under the journey's page. Day 2 To Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Start the day heading west to the foothills and experience a geological phenomenon, Red Rocks Amphitheatre—the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. From Sting and The Beatles, to opera stars and U2, every artist aspires to play on this magical, spiritual and emotional stage. Day 3 Discover Wyoming's Lincoln Highway.
Did you know the Lincoln Highway has its own alternative to the Lincoln Memorial? Well, today we visit it. Located at the highest point of the highway is the Lincoln Monument. Perched on a 30-foot granite pedestal, this bust of Abraham Lincoln weighs two tons and is 13.5 feet tall. Next to this monument we will see the Henry B. Joy Monument. Henry was the first President of the Lincoln Highway Association and President of Packard Motor Cars. Despite all his success, Henry said, “The Lincoln Highway is the greatest thing I ever did.” Day 4 Via Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore to Keystone, South Dakota.In the morning we head north for Keystone taking in two major highlights along the way. First experience the Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument carved out of a mountain that pays respect to the great Native American hero, Chief Crazy Horse. The nonprofit organization has been working on this project since 1948. Then we 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. Overnight at the Ramada Mt. Rushmore in nearby Keystone, South Dakota. Day 5 Via Deadwood and Devil's Tower to Sheridan, Wyoming.
Our first stop today is in Deadwood, a lawless frontier town during the 1876 Gold Rush. Hear about the area’s colorful history on our guided tour featuring stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit Tatanka to learn “The Story of the Bison” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Day 6 Via Little Bighorn, Montana to Cody, Wyoming.Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the site commemorating one of America’s most famous battles. Explore the battlegrounds and hear the story of the great-war leader of the Sioux, Crazy Horse, and about the defeat of Custer and the U.S. Seventh Cavalry by approximately 7,000 Lakota (Sioux), Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. We'll also have time to visit the museum. Later our scenic drive continues through the Bighorn Mountains, arriving in Buffalos Bill’s frontier town Cody with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River or 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. Buffalo Bill Village. Day 7 Exploring Yellowstone National Park.
Proceed through Shoshone National Forest to one of our program's highlight—Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forest. Our coach takes us along Grand Loop Road to Artist Point for views of the spectacular Lower Falls—almost twice as high as Niagara Falls! Overnight in West Yellowstone. Holiday Inn West Yellowstone. Day 8 Via Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks to Jackson.This morning, explore more of Yellowstone by returning to visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and the reliable “blow” of Old Faithful. The head south to the breathtaking Grand Tetons National Parks, one of America’s last preserves of wild solitude. Visit beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake at the foot of the rugged spires for a delightful walk along the shore. Then continue to all-Western Jackson, Wyoming. This evening, why not visit the Antler Arches, enjoy a drink at one of the swing-door saloons, or shop for the perfect cowboy hat? Mountain Modern Motel. Day 9 At Leisure in Jackson.Time to relax in Jackson, or maybe join a scenic trip down the Snake River—an 8-mile float trip that begins at Pritchard Creek and passes nesting areas of bald eagles and ospreys. There are many shops and museums in the historic downtown to explore too. Barbara and Alex will have suggestions for the day. This evening, travel by horse-drawn covered wagons into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner at the Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout with its Wild West show. Feast on slow-cooked chicken made in traditional Dutch ovens, along with other local specialties. (D) Day 10 To Salt Lake City, Utah.Today we travel southwest through Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah where we rejoin the Lincoln Highway. Along the way, we visit Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and learn about the diversity of birds in the Salt Lake region. Arrive in Salt Lake City, set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, the center of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, “This is the place.” More recently, Salt Lake City played host to the 2002 Olympics and now offers a vibrant downtown with a variety of stores, attractions, and restaurants. Enjoy an orientation tour of the capital city and its historic monuments before dinner tonight at historic Temple Square. Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites. (D) Day 11 To Ely, Nevada.This morning we continue our journey southwest to Ely, Nevada. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. Enjoy a guided stroll through the Historic East Ely Trainyard, part of the Nevada Northern Railway. A National Historic Landmark, it is America’s best preserved short-line railroad and most complete rail facility still in existence. Overnight at the Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall. Day 12 Via Austin and Virginia City to Reno.
Today we experience the “Loneliest Road in America.” It originally served as the Pony Express Route in the 1880s and later evolved into the Lincoln Highway. In the 1880's it was given the nickname by Life Magazine and considered Nevada's ultimate road trip. Enjoy a stop in historic Austin made famous in 1862 when William Talcott stumbled onto a rich vein of silver and grew to become Nevada’s second-largest city. Day 13 Excursions to Lake Tahoe.This morning we venture over to beautiful Lake Tahoe. Set high in the Sierra Nevada range, Lake Tahoe is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the US and one of the deepest in the world. On our 2-hour Narrated Lake Cruise, learn the history and formation of the lake while taking in amazing views of the crystal clear, blue-green waters surrounded by pine forests and alpine peaks. Return to Reno for with time to wander in “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Day 14 To Yosemite National Park, California.Today cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains and explore one of the first wilderness parks in the United States—Yosemite National Park. The park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles we can also find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient sequoias, and much more. This afternoon, enjoy a guided open-air Valley Floor Tram Tour which highlights the wonders of this incredible park. Yosemite View Lodge. Day 15 Via Sacramento to San Francisco.Our coach takes us north to Sacramento, capital of California, with time to explore Old Sacramento. “Old Town,” as the locals call it, features a Wild West ambiance. During our visit, see the country’s largest collection of Gold Rush-era buildings, a Wells Fargo museum, and the historic Railroad Museum. Take time to experience the California Automobile Museum with its collection of over 150 classic cars, race cars, and muscle cars. From here, continue west and cross the splendid bay with vistas of the San Francisco skyline and its magnificent harbor. We reach San Francisco by late afternoon and spend the next two nights at the Hotel Carlton. Day 16 Excursion to San Jose.
Begin the day at the Western Most Terminus of the Lincoln Highway. That’s right, we made it to the end of the Lincoln Highway! Next experience two very, very unique sights as we make our way south to San Jose. First, we visit the Winchester Mystery House, once the residence of Sara Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Winchester. A bizarre mansion full of architectural oddities creating an elaborate mysterious puzzle for you to witness. Day 17 To Honolulu.Wonderful memories of our amazing adventure are with us as we head to the airport this morning. We leave with a deeper appreciation of our country and its many manmade and natural treasures. Our flight arrives home in the afternoon. |
