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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your Road Scholar nametag (sent previously). The elevation of the hotel is 6,237 feet.
Afternoon: Collect your welcome packet from the front desk of the hotel upon check-in. It will contain an up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes and other important information. Program Registration: 4:00-4:45 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the hotel meeting room and meet your Group Leader, complete paperwork, and make future meal selections. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Travel and transfer for program-related activities will be by motorcoach and historic Red Bus unless noted otherwise. Restrooms are available at most stops and aboard the motor coach. “America the Beautiful” passes cover entrance fees at national parks for up to four adults. If you have one of these national park passes, please bring it with you to the program and on our field trips. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total with multiple stops.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: With six different summits topping 12,000 feet, the Tetons are a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. We'll begin our week of adventure learning with an all day expert-led field trip through Grand Teton National Park. We'll learn about the makeup of the Tetons and all of it's magnificent ecosystems. Along the way we'll utilize a large relief model of the park that uses technology to demonstrate glacial movement and animal migration. Snuggled against the base of the Tetons lies String Lake, a serene and beautiful place to view mountain peaks reflecting in its glass-like waters, surrounded by towering forests of pine and alder.
Lunch: At a restaurant inside the park.
Afternoon: We'll stop at the Snake River overlook where the Ansel Adams captured early, iconic photographs of the area's beauty. Our next stop will be Mormon Row, where we'll learn about the hearty homesteaders that first arrived here in the 1890s. As we make our way back to Jackson, be on the lookout for bison and pronghorn antelope grazing in the sage steppe. Later, we'll have free time to explore Jackson's vibrant western downtown and the famous antler arches of the town square.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy local fare in Jackson. There are several options within walking distance of the hotel.
Evening: Tonight we'll be joined once more by our local expert as they present on the fascinating ecology and history of this majestic area.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 170 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total dive time. Multiple stops are made along the route. Walk up to one mile.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: On our way north to Yellowstone with our Group Leader, we'll stop at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge. Built on a grand scale this 1950's lodge has sixty-foot-high windows that frame the Teton range. As we begin our Yellowstone National Park exploration we'll first stop at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Hydrothermal features are fragile rarities of nature. Yellowstone National Park preserves the largest collection of hydrothermal features on the planet. You'll have an unparalleled opportunity to view hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles in a natural setting. Twin Geysers, the Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Lakeshore Geyser and Thumb Paint Pots are just a few of the amazing features you'll discover in the West Thumb caldera.
Lunch: Stopping for a picnic inside Yellowstone National Park, enjoy a pre-selected sack lunch.
Afternoon: Keep your eyes sharpened on the grass prairies of Hayden Valley on our way to Canyon Village. Hayden Valley is a hot spot for four legged wild and wooly wildlife. At the north end of Hayden Valley you'll discover the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The canyon formed after a huge volcanic eruption and subsequent lava flow. The soft rock was easily eroded by the Yellowstone River creating one of the most magical views in Yellowstone - the Lower Falls from Artist Point. Framed by the canyon walls the Yellowstone River thunders more than 308 ft over Lower Falls, creating a dynamic focal point. The canyon is also home to birds of prey such as bald eagles and osprey. Later this afternoon, we'll get checked into Canyon Village.
Dinner: Cafeteria-style dinner at Canyon Village in Yellowstone.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants or explore more of the beauty of Yellowstone as you take a stroll around Canyon Village. If open, consider exploring the Canyon Village Educational Center to learn more about the dramatic landscape that surrounds you.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total dive time. Opportunities to step out and explore stops on boardwalks and paths, walking up to one mile.
Breakfast: Cafeteria at Canyon Village in Yellowstone.
Morning: Led by a Yellowstone National Park expert, explore some of the rare and fragile hydrothermal formations. For some, Old Faithful is the heart of Yellowstone. Old Faithful Geyser is neither the tallest nor the most frequently erupting geyser in Yellowstone, but it always provides a great show and is both highly accessible and predictable. Experience this textbook example of geyser activity along with the numerous other geysers surrounding Old Faithful with our expert guide.
Lunch: At cafeteria near Old Faithful.
Afternoon: We'll continue our expert guided discovery of Yellowstone and its rare and fragile ecosystems.
Dinner: Cafeteria at Canyon Village in Yellowstone.
Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 220 miles, approximately 4 hours total drive time. Opportunities to step out and explore stops on boardwalks and paths, walking up to one mile.
Breakfast: Cafeteria at Canyon Village in Yellowstone.
Morning: This morning we'll continue our exploration of Yellowstone with our Group Leader as we depart by coach to Mammoth Hot Springs. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine. Deposits of calcium carbonate create the unique appearance of a snow terraced landscape. Boardwalks will get you up close and personal with these amazing formations. Mammoth also serves as the Park headquarters and radiates a unique history of its own. It features some of the oldest buildings in the Park, including structures from the days when the U.S. Army managed Yellowstone.
Lunch: Dinning Room near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Afternoon: This afternoon we'll make our way to Montana's capital city, Helena where we'll check into our hotel. Helena will be a one-night stop along the way to our Glacier National Park destination.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: Following dinner, we will prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning to Glacier National Park.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 245 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total drive time.There will be restroom stops and time to stretch your legs along the way.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: After checking out in Helena, we'll travel northwest by coach with our Group Leader to Glacier National Park with restroom stops and time to stretch your legs along the way.
Lunch: Sack lunch.
Afternoon: This afternoon take the opportunity to stroll through the original Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier on a self exploration. The immense timbers that support the Lodge were around 500 to 800 years old when they were cut. There are a total of 60 timbers. They are 36 to 42 inches in diameter, 40 feet long, and all retain their bark. The timbers in the lobby are Douglas fir and the verandahs are supported by Cedars from Washington. Following a lunch, we will have an opportunity to learn more about Glacier National Park from a local expert. After the presentation, we will board the motor coach and drive about 1.5 hours to the Many Glacier Valley where we'll check in to Many Glacier Hotel. Many Glacier was built in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway as a destination resort for its rail tourists. The hotel sits among soaring peaks and glassy lakes.
Dinner: Hotel dining room.
Evening: At leisure. Many Glacier is a spectacular site set in one of the most scenic National Parks. It boasts amazing views, a plethora of wildlife and a relaxing atmosphere to help you wind down after a day of travel.
Activity note: Getting on/off historic Red Bus. Driving about 80 miles, approximately 4 hours.There will be opportunities to get out and stretch your legs as well as visit the Logan Pass Visitor Center. There will be opportunities for restroom breaks along the way. Maximum elevation of 6,647'.
Breakfast: Hotel dinning room.
Morning: Free time. This morning take the opportunity to relax on the deck at Many Glacier looking over the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. Your Group Leader will be happy to give you suggestions of activities for the morning, as there are several surrounding the historic hotel.
Lunch: Hotel dining room.
Afternoon: We'll explore Glacier by way of the famous Red Buses along with expert drivers who offer narrative along the way. Glacier National Park, named for the glaciers that carved it, is the undisputed "Crown of the Continent." Here, over one million wild acres crown the Continental Divide, a place where lush green parklands meet up with towering jagged peaks sporting some of the world's oldest rock. Glacier National Park is a rugged country with a rare ecosystem of indigenous wildlife from bear grass to grizzly bears. We'll begin our exploration of Glacier with a trip to Logan Pass via the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. This National Historic Landmark is the only road that crosses Glacier National Park and is a testament to human ingenuity as portions of the road hug the mountain sides. Switch backs and tunnels were constructed to help visitors bypass through some of the most spectacular scenery Glacier National Park has to offer. We'll stop at Logan Pass, located along the Continental Divide, where waters flow toward both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Logan Pass is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road with an elevation of 6,647'.
Dinner: Hotel dining room.
Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out, transfer, and border crossing into Canada in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 320 miles, approximately 6 hours total. Periods of standing while at museum. Walking up to 1 mile. Have passports accessible for the US-Canadian border crossing.
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.
Morning: After checking out of Many Glacier Hotel, we'll depart by coach with the Group Leader to Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada; be sure to have your passports accessible for the US/Canadian border crossing. Although active glaciers vacated Waterton's borders years ago, the results of ice gnawing on its landscape left lake pockets strewn through the park, one of these lakes being Upper Waterton Lake, the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. While in Waterton we'll visit the historic Prince of Wales Hotel. Designated a Canadian National Historic Site, the 122-foot-tall, four-story hotel took more than a year to build. Constructed by the Great Northern Railway its massive lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows frame Waterton Lake.
Lunch: Sack lunch.
Afternoon: Next, we’ll visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which bears witness to an aboriginal hunting practice that was used by native people of the North American plains for almost 6,000 years. We'll stop at this unique site and learn from museum staff about this essential piece of history. This afternoon we'll arrive at the gateway to Banff National Park in Canmore and check into the hotel. This area is the crown jewel in Canada's National Park system with its dense coniferous forest and alpine landscapes.
Dinner: At hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Feel free to get settled into your room or roam around the quaint town of Canmore.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles, approximately 1 hour total. Periods of standing and walking. Getting on and off gondola. Maximum elevation of 8,041' as we take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: This morning we'll explore some of Banff's most historic and scenic spots with our Group Leader. Far from the wild peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Catharine Robb and Peter Whyte met at the Boston Museum School of Fine Art in 1927. She was a Boston debutante. He was a member of one of Banff's pioneer families. They married in 1930 and made Banff and the Canadian mountains their home. A studio was built one year later where they would live and paint the grandeur of their beloved mountains. This morning we'll self-tour the Whyte Museum. Next, we'll ride a Gondola up to Sulphur Mountain, elevation of 8,041'. From the observation deck, breathtaking views of Banff, Bow Valley, Cascade Mountain, Lake Minnewanka, and the Fairholme Range await you.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Banff. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: Free Afternoon: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The area has several museums and local art galleries to explore.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At the hotel we'll be joined by a local wildlife expert and learn what makes this area so unique.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach and snow coach; driving about 260 miles, approximately 5 hour total. Wear warm clothes and bring a coat as it is often snowing on the glacier. The snow coach is enclosed, there is an optional opportunity to get out and safely walk on the surface of the glacier.
Breakfast: To-go breakfast from the hotel.
Morning: Early departure this morning as we travel north to Jasper National Park for an all day expert-led field trip, beginning with a snow coach excursion onto the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefields. The snow coach journey is lead by experienced drivers who will share a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment. Mid-point tour, passengers can safely step out onto the glacier and stand on this powerful ancient ice.
Lunch: Sack lunch.
Afternoon: Return trip to Canmore with scenic stops along the way, including a stop at Lake Louise. As you witness the spectacular beauty of Mount Victoria reflecting in the sparkling waters of Lake Louise, you'll understand why this lake is regarded as one of the most tranquil and beautiful lakes in Canada. Overlooking the magnificent scene, Fairmont Château Lake Louise is without a doubt one of the world's most photographed hotels. This afternoon, enjoy a self-exploration of Lake Louise in all of its splendor.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: Free evening to explore more of the beautiful town of Canmore. Afterwards, be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach and snow coach; driving about 85 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total. Walk approximately 2/3 mile.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: After a leisurely breakfast we'll check out of the hotel in Canmore and depart for Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary. Here you’ll have a chance to get your hands on history as we explore the culture and traditions of the Plains First Nations to the fur traders, missionaries and early settlers. We will get a firsthand look at the traditional challenges that faced these groups as well as a glimpse into early life by way of exploring the Heritage Park Historical Village. Discover how early settlers learned to endure a harsh environment and learn about the cultural exchange that took place that helped them to adapt and survive.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: This afternoon you'll have a chance for self exploration at the Heritage Park Historical Village. Later in the afternoon we'll check into the Sheraton Cavalier - the end destination of our exploration in the Rocky Mountains. Upon our arrival at the hotel, we’ll check-in and have some time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and and departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out is 12:00 Noon. This concludes our program.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!