Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the first and oldest national park in the world. Preserved within Yellowstone are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet’s total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world’s largest active volcanoes; its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the park. An outstanding mountain wild land with clean water and air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures and sites associated with various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.

Friday, July 17
This afternoon we depart for the Philadelphia airport for our evening flight to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel for the next two evenings.

Saturday, July 18
After a chance to sleep in and get breakfast, we will depart for a full day tour of Salt Lake City including the Mormon Tabernacle, Copper Mine and Great Salt Lake.

Sunday, July 19
A day of scenic Rocky Mountain panorama will lead us to our lodging for the evening in Jackson, Wyoming. This evening we will enjoy dinner and a western “shindig” at the Bar J Ranch. D

Monday, July 20
You will have the morning to shop and explore Jackson, a rugged western town. After an orientation drive of the majestic Grand Tetons, including lovely Jenny Lake, we will travel northward to our lodging for the next two nights in Yellowstone National Park. CB

Tuesday, July 21
A full day of sightseeing is due today with a tour of our largest and best known National Park – Yellowstone. Yellowstone’s most outstanding phenomena are its thousands of thermal spectacles comprising the world’s largest geyser basins.

Wednesday, July 22
A full day of sightseeing will include Sylvan Pass and Shoshone Canyon enroute to the western town of Cody, Wyoming. After visiting the famous Buffalo Bill Museum, we will be free to stroll through the town or enjoy an optional rafting trip on the Shoshone River. This evening we will attend the rodeo in Cody.

Thursday, July 23
Shoshone and Bighorn Mountain panorama will enhance our travels as we tour through small towns call Greybull, Buffalo, and through Powder River Pass at an altitude of 9,666 feet. Devil’s Tower will highlight your afternoon. This evening we have reserved seats for the famous Black Hills Passion Play, portraying the last seven days of Christ’s life. Our lodging this evening will be in Spearfish, South Dakota. CB

Friday, July 24
Our day will begin with a short visit to the Borglum Story. Next we will visit magnificent Mount Rushmore where the heads of our four greatest Presidents – Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt – loom off the face of a 600-foot granite mountain. We’ll also visit the Chief Crazy Horse Carving which will be the largest statue in the world when it is completed. Later we will visit Custer State Park which is the habitat of one of the world’s largest free-roaming bison herds. After a jeep tour, a baked buffalo dinner will also be enjoyed before we settle into our comfortable accommodations for the night. CB,D

Saturday, July 25
Today we will visit Badlands National Park. Irregular ravines, fantastic ridges, low hills and cliffs of variegated colors, castles and spires are spectacular examples of weathering erosion. Lunch will be at the Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota. Our lodging will be in Rapid City, South Dakota. B,L

Sunday, July 26
After our jet flight from Rapid City, a Perkiomen motorcoach will be waiting for the transfer home.

We recommend optional Travel Insurance for this tour. Please ask for a brochure.