Cowboy Country

7 night tour - starting in Jackson, Wyoming - ending in Rapid City, South Dakota

A Tauck Bridges Tour, World Travel. Family Discovery.

Celebrating 90 years in the travel touring business, Tauck offer the ultimate in luxury touring. Throughout the years, ingenuity and innovation, plus a focus on customer servce and authentic experiences, have grown Tauck into one of the world's leading travel touring companies. On your tour you can expect an itinerary carefully designed to create an unforgetable experience, ensuring the finest hotels, luxury motorcoaches and highly experienced tour directors.

Family Travel at its best - Travel can be life changing. It is transformational, eye-opening, exciting, wondrous and engaging for travelers of every age... Our family vacations are designed to spark a passion, inspire a sense of wonder or enrich understanding – and when these experiences are shared with loved ones, they bring you closer together. We take care of every detail of your vacation... so you can do, see and be together as a family on the adventures of a lifetime.

Designed With Families In Mind - Every Tauck Bridges adventure is expertly choreographed for families so that everyone has a great time, from children to parents to grandparents Travel with knowledgeable, professional Tauck Directors who engage and inspire the whole family
Tauck Bridges trips are designed to immerse families in the places they visit with hands-on activities that connect everyone with the heart and soul of the destination Exclusive Access - Tauck brings 90+ years of destination expertise – exclusive access for enriching family experiences
Hotels are handpicked with families in mind, and dining features regional cuisine Authentic cultural experiences and exclusive events you can’t get if traveling on your own.

Travel With Other Families - Travel with like-minded grandparents, parents and children, rather than on your own Traveling with other families makes the trip more fun when you share the excitement of discovery with new friends Families that bond on tour often continue their friendships long after the excitement of the trip is over; Tauck Bridges trips often lead to lifelong friendships for everyone.

It's time to hit the trail for a Western adventure... the ultimate family South Dakota and Wyoming vacation. Tauck takes you behind-the-scenes with filmed narratives by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan –  creators of "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" – who share personal stories of the dreamers, visionaries, and unsung heroes who shaped the preservation of the national parks. The first pioneers had to raft down wilderness rivers, just like you will when you explore the Snake River. You'll have a chance to look for beaver, elk, bison and more as you travel to Yellowstone National Park, where Old Faithful shoots its plume of steam skyward every hour – and you'll be staying in a lodge just steps away! Nothing says "Wild West" like Buffalo Bill and a buckin' bronco rodeo; learn more about them when you spend the night in historic Cody. Live the life of a cowboy by day at the TA Guest Ranch in Wyoming, site of a Johnson County War shootout, and by night with a stay at The Ranch at Ucross, a real dude ranch up in the Bighorn Mountains. Everything is larger than life in the West – especially Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota's Black Hills, where the faces of four former presidents are sculpted in stone – and the purple mountains' majesty of the Tetons, where you'll enjoy a two-night stay in a classic western lodge!

2016 Guaranteed departure dates:
June 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th
July 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st
August 7th, 14th & 21st
View Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive Jackson, Wyoming and Grand Teton Nat'l Park

Tour begins: 5:45 PM, Jackson Lake Lodge. A transfer is included from Jackson Hole Airport to Jackson Lake Lodge in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. Meet the new friends who will enjoy this Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Wyoming vacation with your family at our welcome reception and dinner.

Lodging: Jackson Lake Lodge

Dinner

Day 2: Raft down the Snake River and explore Jackson and the Tetons

Marvel at the mountain majesty of Grand Teton National Park, including sparkling Jenny Lake, before setting off on a rafting adventure* down the Snake River. Along the way, your guide will help you spot the beavers, eagles, elks and other animals that live in the park. Spend some time in the historic town of Jackson and check out some of the fun things to do at Jackson Lake Lodge.

Lodging: Jackson Lake Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: A peek into the story of Grand Teton National Park and a close-up look at Yellowstone

During your Cowboy Country travels this morning, you'll have a unique chance to join a park insider for an exclusive peek into the story of Grand Teton National Park and the effort to preserve its diverse environment. Then you'll travel from the Tetons to America's first and most famous national park, spectacular Yellowstone - where your "home away from home" for the next two nights is just steps away from the famous Old Faithful Geyser! Keep an eye out for Yellowstone's diverse wildlife as you explore some of the famous features of the park, whose geologic wonders include two-thirds of all the geysers in the world – with your Tauck Director. Have dinner at the lodge and participate in an optional Ranger program if you wish.

Lodging: Old Faithful Inn

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Mud pots and more on a perfect day in Yellowstone

Start your day in remarkable Yellowstone National Park with an expert from The Institute of the Yellowstone Association who share information about the park's abundant wildlife; Yellowstone protects threatened or endangered species including the gray wolf, whooping crane, lynx, grizzly bear and bald eagle. Have a picnic lunch, and see some of the 10,000 hot springs within the park, as well as bubbling pools of mud and volcanic calderas with a local park guide; and, a short distance from your lodge, watch mighty Old Faithful shoot its plume of steam high into the air just about every hour – a highlight of any Wyoming vacation!

Lodging: Old Faithful Inn

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Learn about Buffalo Bill's West and go to a rodeo in Cody

Say goodbye to Yellowstone and continue your Wyoming vacation to the historic town of Cody, founded in part by the famous "Buffalo Bill" Cody, from whom the town got its name. Glimpse the history and culture of the heyday of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, whose five connected museums each tell a different side of the story, focusing on the Plains Indians, Western art, firearms, natural history and the life and career of "Buffalo Bill" Cody himself (at the Buffalo Bill Museum, opened in 2012). Have a western-style dinner and then thrill to bucking broncos, steer wrestlers, calf ropers and barrel riders at a real western rodeo tonight in Cody, often called the "rodeo capital of the world."

Lodging: Holiday Inn® Cody at Buffalo Bill Village

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: The Bighorn Mountains and a double helping of cowboy life down on the ranch

Journey through Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains today, past deep canyons, vast grasslands, and blankets of wildflowers en route to one of the highlights of your Wyoming vacation – a double dose of Western ranch life that your family will love!  First, feel the spirit of Cowboy Country during an authentic ranch experience – including a cookhouse lunch, a horseback ride*, a horse whisperer and a roping demonstration – at the TA Guest Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming. A real working cattle ranch, the TA Ranch was the site of a famous siege and shootout during the infamous "Johnson County War" in 1892; you can still see the old gunshot holes in the ranch's original horse barn! Later, continue on to an overnight and dinner at your leisure at yet another real Wyoming ranch – the Ranch at Ucross – topping the night off with an old-fashioned campfire complete with stories and s'mores!

Lodging: The Ranch at Ucross

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: A tale of two carvings in the Black Hills – Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore

Depart the Ranch at Ucross and Wyoming and head for the Black Hills of South Dakota. Look up in wonder at the Crazy Horse Memorial, where you'll view the work in progress as artisans carve the likeness of the famous Lakota warrior out of the mountain; when completed, it will be the largest rock sculpture in the world. Then it's on to view the towering stone portraits of four American presidents at Mount Rushmore, one of the must-see landmark sights in the U.S., and an overnight at the K Bar S Lodge. Join us for a fun farewell dinner this evening, where you'll share delightful memories of your family's South Dakota and Wyoming vacation in Cowboy Country.

Lodging: K Bar S Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Journey home or extend your stay

Tour ends: Rapid City. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from K Bar S Lodge to Rapid City Regional Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.

Breakfast

Your Tauck Tour Highlights

A cowboy-sized helping of Wyoming ranch life – with a cookhouse lunch, horseback ride, horse whisperer and roping demonstration at the TA Guest Ranch, and a campfire and overnight at the Ranch at Ucross
A romping rodeo & visits to Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore
Two-night stay in a Yellowstone National Park lodge near Old Faithful, and a full-day park exploration with a wilderness expert
Scenic float trip on the Snake River with a guide who helps spot river otters, eagles, beaver, elk – maybe even a moose
A peek into the story of Grand Teton National Park and the effort to preserve its diverse environment with a park insider
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
17 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners); gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides and drivers; service charges, taxes and porterage

Your Hotels....

Nights 1 - 2 : Jackson Lake Lodge - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

It's hard to sit still here. Everywhere you look, wilderness beckons. See the spectacular Tetons rising out of the sky above the Snake River from the huge picture windows 60 feet tall in the main lodge. Gaze across the shimmering lake and spy glimpses of wildlife ambling near the shore as you sit down to eat in the Mural Room. Or peer through your handy binoculars – a must for "up-close" viewing of mountain slopes dotted with wildflowers – while you are enjoying the only swimming pool in Grand Teton National Park. Set in the heart of the park, the Lodge offers all kinds of outdoor activities, including horseback riding, float trips and boat excursions. So when you're not off exploring postcard-perfect sights near the Lodge like Jenny Lake and the wildlife-rich Snake River with Tauck, you're free to enjoy your stay as you like.

Nights 3 - 4 : Old Faithful Inn - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

In 1987 the Old Faithful Inn was designated a National Historic Landmark because it was "the first building in a National Park constructed in an architectural style harmonious with the grandeur of the surrounding landscape". Its seven-story-high log lobby is unique in American architecture. Created with gnarled logs and rough-sawn wood from the Northern Pacific Railroad, it has a sense of place as identifiable as the park itself. But that's not the only thing special about this 100+-year-old hotel. It is also steps from the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, where you can count on the clockwork timing of its plume of steam that soars skyward every hour. When you are not outside marveling at this natural wonder, you can enjoy the Inn's immense lobby and huge stone fireplace, comfortable rooms and a great restaurant.

Night 5 : Holiday Inn® Cody at Buffalo Bill Village - Cody, Wyoming

Did you know that more than 93% of all American travelers have stayed in a Holiday Inn? That's because they know they can find friendly services, comfortable accommodations, and welcome amenities at this well-known hotel chain. The Holiday Inn® Cody at Buffalo Bill Village is no exception. It’s just blocks away from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and close to the Cody Nite Rodeo and Dan Miller’s Music Revue, offering you one of the best locations in this historic "Old West" town. There’s an outdoor swimming pool and a small fitness facility when you’re ready to wind down after a busy day and an on-site laundromat available to guests. The Bottoms Up Lounge is a great place to relax after a busy day.

Night 6 : The Ranch at Ucross - Ucross, Wyoming

No trip to the great American West would be complete without a visit to a real dude ranch. Days start with a cowboy breakfast spread, and end with a dinner buffet that has everything from grilled trout to Wyoming beef and tender chicken – with an apple pie that can't be beat. Lodging accommodations vary and feature views of horses grazing in the back pasture, or sage-covered hills well suited for a trail ride. There are so many activities here you'll never run out of things to do. You can choose to ride a horse or splash in the pool. Play tennis, soccer or challenge your traveling companions to a game of horseshoes. Board games make indoor time fun too. And believe it or not, there is one TV at the ranch but according to the ranch hands, there's hardly ever a kid in front of it!

Night 7 : K Bar S Lodge - Keystone, South Dakota

Set in the unspoiled beauty of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, the K Bar S Lodge has views of presidents Washington and Jefferson at Mount Rushmore from the deck just outside its impressive lobby. Comfortable guest rooms feature Plush Serta® mattresses, coffee maker, hair dryer, free Internet access, 27" color TV with cable channels and HBO, and iron and ironing board. There are complimentary laundry facilities in each building. With its dining rated as "Supplier of the Year" by the National Tour Association, you can anticipate a great meal in the indoor dining room or the Gazebo.

Tour Only Cost: All prices quoted below are per adult person, per tour in British Pounds (GBP)

Departure Dates

 Single Twin/Double Triple Quad
2016: All departures in 2016 Please call us Please call us Please call us Please call us

 

Special Solo Traveller Savings – save up to £130 off the single room price on select departure dates – Please call us for more details. 

* Small Group Departures – Select small group departures are available for certain departures, averaging just 24 guests – Please see tour costs above for dates and prices.

Not included in your tour cost:
Flights – we can package your tour with flights at very competitive airfares using our airline partners. Please call us to discuss the best airline for your itinerary.
Pre or post accommodation - If you want to extend your stay at the start or the end of your escorted tour or add another destination to your booking please call us and we will be happy to provide a quote.
Meals, other than those listed in the itinerary.
The customary gratuities for the Tour Director and local drivers are not included.
 
FAQs:
There are many questions and considerations you might have when planning an escorted tour with Tauck. For more information please click here.
 
To book your travel arrangements:
Please call us on Freephone 0800 0336 335, We are open 7 days a week.
We will be happy to check the availability of your tour, offer a quote for flights and any pre or post nights you would like to add.
When you are ready to go ahead with the booking, we would require a non-refundable deposit of 20% or the full balance if you are due to travel within 8 weeks.

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