Itinerary Details
Sunny Days & Starry Nights: Wonders Of Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks
Day 1: ARRIVE IN BILLINGS Welcome to Billings! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2: BILLINGS–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Where the Wild Things Are Take an orientation tour of Billings and head west to Yellowstone National Park. Spend the next two days exploring the beauty of this National treasure, spanning nearly 3,500 square miles atop a volcanic hot spot. Guided sightseeing includes Mammoth Hot Springs with a short trail walk through steaming limestone terraces. Continue to the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for magnificent views of the Canyon – almost twice as high as Niagara Falls! Enjoy a 2-night stay inside the park. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Designated as a national park by law 150 years ago, President Ulysses S. Grant worked to preserve and protect the wild landscapes, native heritage, spectacular wildlife, and extraordinary geologic and ecological phenomena that make this Rocky Mountain paradise a treasure today and for future generations to treasure. From geysers to grizzlies and great bison, no one leaves the park without being changed forever by the natural wonder witnessed in any of its 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with a free evening in Yellowstone. Stroll the boardwalks, watch the sun set over the mountains, enjoy live music, or gaze at the star-studded night sky. Your Tour Director and GlobusGO mobile app have suggestions for the best way to make the most of your evening.
Day 3: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Geologic Wonders Spend the day exploring the wonders of Yellowstone with the opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat and it’s unsurpassed hydrothermal and geologic wonders, including Grand Prismatic Spring, Fountain Paint Pot, and Old Faithful. Free time this afternoon to discover more highlights of Yellowstone before dinner at the celebrated Old Faithful Inn Dining Room. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
STEAM HEAT Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pot to see the remarkable bubbling mud pools—the hydrothermal sign of Yellowstone’s still active volcano. Visit the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser—named for its frequent eruptions of steam reaching heights of roughly 184 feet at typically 90-minute intervals. See the Grand Prismatic Spring—the largest hot spring in the U.S., displaying every color of the rainbow.
Day 4: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE–BIG SKY Spend your day your way in Big Sky Take a scenic drive to West Yellowstone for leisure time to explore on your own. Continue north to Big Sky for vast alpine landscapes with endless views of rugged peaks and open valleys. Explore more of Big Sky with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
LITTLE DIPPER OF BIG SKY
Take a leisurely hike to Ousel Falls, which plummets nearly 40 feet before flowing through the heart of Big Sky. Named for the Ousel bird (aka American Dipper), the falls provide the perfect nesting place for this little trilling songbird of Big Sky. (Note: This nearly 2-mile hike follows well-groomed, gentle trails with frequent picnic and shaded rest areas. Be prepared for the effects of high altitude (6,500 feet) by bringing a personal water bottle and snacks).
EXPERIENCE NEW HEIGHTS
Soar on a ride on Big Sky's scenic chair lift for a bird's -eye view of magnificent mountain views. Beginning at Big Sky Mountain Village 7,500 feet above sea level, the scenic lift rises 1,600 vertical feet to an elevation of 9,000 feet. Enjoy the unobstructed views from open-air multi-passenger chairs en route to the summit to and join your local Naturalist Guide for a guided walk. Hear about this remarkable region's storied history and stunning ecosystem.
Enjoy free time this evening. (B)
Day 5:
BIG SKY–NEVADA CITY–VIRGINIA CITY–MISSOULA Striking Gold Depart Big Sky for a scenic drive to the Old West, including a walking tour in Nevada City—the historic ghost town and outdoor living history museum. Continue to visit Virginia City, former mining boom town and capital of Montana Territory from 1865-1875. Continue to Missoula and enjoy a guided city tour. Enjoy free time this evening to dine on locally caught trout on an outdoor patio, explore the Missoula’s craft beer scene, or enjoy entertainment at a local wine bar. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE During your evening at leisure, consider visiting the riverfront walking trails on the shores of the Clark Fork River in Downtown Missoula or enjoy a farm-to-glass drink at the Montgomery Distillery, where Old World spirits are created using local Montana ingredients. Get maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.Day 6:
MISSOULA–KALISPELL–WEST GLACIER–WHITEFISH Down the Lazy River This morning’s drive takes you through lush forests and along Flathead Lake enroute to Kalispell and Whitefish. Enjoy free time in Kalispell to explore the historic downtown area. Located in the heart of Montana’s Flathead Valley, Kalispell was created by the Great Northern Railway in the 1890s to serve the incoming railway. Continue to West Glacier for a [LF] scenic float trip on the Flathead River and then on to Whitefish for a two-night hotel stay. Your Tour Director will have recommendations on how to spend your evening at leisure in Whitefish. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CURRENT AFFAIRS Leisurely paddle along a calm stretch of the Flathead River with your guide to watch for wildlife amid the scenic views of Glacier National Park.Day 7:
WHITEFISH. EXCURSION TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Rubies of the Rockies Drive to Lake McDonald Village for a scenic ride along the Going-to-the-Sun Road aboard a historic Red Jammer bus. After crossing 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass, enter a wonderland of alpine scenery, where jagged mountain peaks, deep-green forests, pristine lakes, and meadows dominate the landscape. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE SWEET LIFE Each summer and fall, the aptly named Huckleberry Mountain bursts forth with a purple bounty of berries for which it is named. The huckleberries are a favorite of bears who live in Glacier National Park, but you can enjoy the sweet rewards of summer with a homemade piece of traditional huckleberry pie at a local restaurant!Day 8:
WHITEFISHSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Whitefish and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
