Wild West, Cowboys and Buffalos

Departures & Pricing

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Start Your Travels In Salt Lake City

   Saddle up for a Wild West family adventure starting with a relaxing afternoon together in Salt Lake City before meeting your travel companions for a rootin’ tootin’ evening Kick-off Party with your Travel Director.

2. 2

   Journey to Jackson

   Relive the adventures of an 1850s westbound wagon train with a visit to the National Oregon/California Trail Centre in Montpelier, Idaho. Accompanied by actors playing wagon masters and pioneers, you'll journey back in time, exploring historically accurate attractions, including a gun shop, mercantile, and a ride in a covered wagon. After a picnic-style lunch at the Centre, you're off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where you can walk through the town's famous landmark arch of tangled elk antlers. Step back in time as you explore the Town Square with its Western boardwalks, craft boutiques and ice cream shops, all surrounded by the majestic Teton Range.

3. 3

   Visit Grand Teton National Park

   Family fun awaits every day of this trip and today is no exception. If the season is right, today is your chance to get out on the water for some adventures. Rise early to float down the Snake River on an optional, scenic wilderness float trip. It’s the most relaxing way to experience the river as you learn about its history, geology, and wildlife from an expert guide. Travel onward to your hotel for the night.

4. 4

   Yellowstone Sightseeing

   Today you’ll enjoy a full day’s exploration of the geothermal wonderland of Yellowstone. You’ll join your Travel Director, marveling at Old Faithful, the thousand-year old geyser which has been shooting up water every 90 minutes for centuries. See the wonders of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone whose colors and shapes are a sight to behold. Take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience led by a Yellowstone Forever educator, learning how the reintroduction of wolves helped restore balance to the park’s ecosystem. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy on your own terms.

5. 5

   Immerse Into The Culture Of The Old West

   You’ll get a glimpse into “Spirit of the West” at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West museum complex. As you wander through this huge set of exhibits, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to a time of cowboys and cowgirls, lawmen and brave Native American warriors. The complex gives you the opportunity to explore the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indians Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, or the Draper Natural History Museum. Round out the day with a Be My Guest experience at Billings Depot where you’ll meet the owners 406 Native Roots, an Indigenous arts and education centre, before dining in a historic train terminal. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about tipis and engage in a sweetgrass braiding activity led by a local Indigenous artist.

6. 6

   Venture Into Rapid City

   Continue your discovery of the Wild West heading through the "Energy Capital of the US," Gillette, WY. Then, travel to South Dakota to spend the afternoon getting familiar with a famed Lakota warrior at Crazy Horse Memorial. You’ll gaze in awe of this colossal carved tribute to Crazy Horse, which you’ll learn is the largest mountain carving in the world.

7. 7

   Explore Badlands National Park

   Today, your visit contributes to the sustainability and resiliency of the Lakota community. Walk with a local guide on the trails through displays of living quarters used through the 19th and 20th centuries. Meet local artists who, through crafts and storytelling, provide insight into their cultures and traditions. Later, visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the perfect place to prepare for your visit of Badlands National Park. Learn about the local earth science, wildlife and history as you explore museum exhibits, visit a working Fossil Preparation Lab or learn about Indigenous communities who one inhabited the land.

8. 8

   Encounter The Traditions Of Black Hills

   Today, head for the famous Black Hills of South Dakota to view the giant faces of former American presidents etched in the stone cliffs of Mount Rushmore. This evening, join your fellow adventurers at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and Farewell Dinner featuring your Lakota Sioux Tribe Member Stephen Yellowhawk (or another tribe member).

9. 9

   Farewell Rapid City

   Your Wild West adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Say so long to your newfound friends this morning. Depart from Rapid City at your leisure.

Accommodation

Book this rail journey

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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