Rocky Mountain Holidays

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Prepare for mountains, lakes, glaciers and awe inspiring beauty in the northwest USA and southwest Canada. This three week adventure gets you up close and personal with two of North America's prominent mountain ranges, crossing an international border and the Continental Divide. The national parks of Banff, Jasper, Olympic and Yellowstone will take your breath away, as you immerse yourself in great outdoors, discovering a world that is as diverse as it is spectacular.

• Canoeing US$35-US$75
• Horseback riding US$45-$115
• Mountain biking US$45-$95
• Western saloon evening US$10
• Seattle Space Needle US$18
• Western Rodeo (in season) US$10-$25
• Whitewater rafting (in season) US$100-$200
• Scenic walks and hikes US$FREE

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 in the morning we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Day 1: Seattle to Olympic National Park

After leaving Seattle, we drive a short distance west to Olympic National Park. A visit to this beautiful national park is the perfect way to start our journey. From the crashing waves of the Pacific coast through coastal rainforests to glacier capped peaks this is a primeval sanctuary for humans and wild creatures alike. Over 95% of Olympic National Park is a designated wilderness area and the park was designated a World Heritage site in 1981. We set up camp for our two-night stay amongst nature.
Accommodation: Camping with dinner included

Day 2: Olympic National Park

We have a whole day to enjoy the delights of Olympic National Park including strolling through the Hoh Rainforest, relaxing in Sol Duc Hot Springs and witnessing a magnificent sunset over the spectacular Lake Crescent. There are many optional walks on offer and the choice is yours - you can do as much or as little as you please.
Accommodation: Camping with all meals included

Day 3: Mount Rainier National Park

We continue on to the stunning snow-covered peak of Mount Rainier, still in the State of Washington. At 4392 metres (14,411 ft) this iconic volcano looms large in the Pacific Northwest. Draped in snow, Mount Rainer has the greatest single peak glacial system in the United States, covering over 57 square kilometres (36 square miles) of the mountain with sheer ice! With over 416 kilometres (260 miles) of well-maintained trails winding through a varied terrain, from old growth forest to subalpine meadows, there are plenty of different hiking options available.
Accommodation: Camping with all meals included

Day 4: Snake River to Oregon

Snake River is a major waterway that stretches for 1735 kilometres (1078 miles). It is the main tributary of the Columbia River, which is in turn the largest river in North America that flows into the Pacific Ocean. In the mid 19th century, pioneers headed out west in droves, following a route that became known as the Oregon Trail. Much of this trail followed the course of Snake River, which became a trail in its own rights as steamboats were used to transport goods along the river. Tonight is the first of our nights spend in a local motel.
Accommodation: Motel with meals paid locally

Day 5: Craters of the Moon National Monument

We follow Snake River into the State of Idaho and visit the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. This volcanic area is one of the best preserved basalt lava fields in USA. NASA's Apollo astronauts used to do some of their training in this area because of a perceived resemblance to the surface of the moon. We stop off for a night of camping.
Accommodation: Camping with lunch & dinner included.

Day 6: Jackson

Continuing our journey in Wyoming, we travel past Grand Teton National Park and visit Jackson to enjoy a truly friendly and authentic western town experience. Once home to trappers and a hideout for outlaws and rustlers, Jackson is now the base for hikers to take on some lovely hiking trails as well as a town renowned for its cafes and western style saloons! With a permanent population of around 8,600 people and a far greater transient tourist population, it attracts many of the rich and famous and is a great base for exploring the Teton Mountains.

Surrounded by beautiful scenery you can spend your day either hiking, mountain biking, rafting and more! It is also in close proximity to many ski resorts. The most famous is Jackson Hole, which has a lot of steep ski runs and one of the world's most famous vertical drops, at 1262 metres (4139 feet)! In the evening we can steady our nerves with a relaxing drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Accommodation: Hotel with meals paid locally

Day 7-8: Yellowstone National Park

Our next destination, Yellowstone National Park, is the world's first national park and home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bear, wolf, bison and elk. This park is so large that its boundaries cross into three states. Most of it is in Wyoming, but parts of the reserve extend into Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone has one of the highest concentrations of geothermal activity on the planet. Herds of bison roam amongst the erupting geysers and steam rises from the various rivers running through the park. A fire in the 1980s ravaged much of the park, but it has recovered to the extent that it is now a living monument to nature's power of regeneration. We have a full day to enjoy Yellowstone National Park's majestic wilderness and witness its extraordinary geysers.
Accommodation: Camping with all meals included.

Day 9: Montana Lodge

Our next stop is a hidden secret, nestled deep in the wilderness of the Tobacco Root Mountains. This is an authentic working guest ranch, complete with on-site taxidermy! After an optional horseback ride around the wide expanses where we get a chance to absorb the tranquillity of the great outdoors, we fill our bellies with an old-fashioned home-cooked cowboy meal and enjoy a camp fire under Montana's 'big sky country'!
Accommodation: Mountain lodge with all meals included

Day 10-11: Glacier National Park

We continue northeast further into Montana and arrive at Glacier National Park - the 'Crown of the Continent Ecosystem'. This park crosses two mountain ranges and one international border. It is spread over one million acres, contains 130 lakes and is home to abundant wildlife including the world renowned grizzly bear. With surrounding towering glacial peaks, this park is sure to leave most visitors speechless! In our time here we get to jump on board the free shuttle bus and enjoy the spectacular glacial scenery or partake in some wildlife viewing. Walking opportunities include the trail over Swiftcurrent Pass as well as an amazing hike leading to Iceberg Lake.
Accommodation: Camping with all meals included

Day 12: Banff National Park

From Montana we cross the border into the province of Alberta, in Canada, and continue to Banff National Park. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was established in 1885 and is Canada's oldest national park. Its mountainous terrain encompasses coniferous forests, alpine meadows, icefields and glaciers.

Banff is a veritable outdoor enthusiast's paradise with opportunities for canoeing on Bow River, white water rafting on Kicking Horse River, mountain biking or a ride up the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Another exciting optional activity is to view all this scenic grandeur from a helicopter. Outstanding hikes are available and, with an abundance of wildlife around, there is always a chance of seeing something. There is nothing better after a hard day of fun than a soak in the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs. Banff's nightlife offers great live music and a fine selection of restaurants.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 13: Banff National Park & Lake Louise

With its snow-capped peaks, ancient pine forests and aquamarine waters, Lake Louise is 'the gem of the Canadian Rockies'. Lake Louise has always been a popular tourist destination, so it is no surprise that it is the most photographed destination in the Canadian Rockies! We travel to Lake Louise and enjoy a full day either hiking up the Plain of Six Glaciers or up to Lake Agnes, before returning to Banff for the night.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 14: Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park

We travel on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), a scenic road that cuts through the heart of the Rockies and offers surely one of the world's most spectacular drives. It links Banff National Park with Jasper National Park. We have a chance to traverse a portion of the imposing Athabasca Glacier on a guided glacier hike. Peyto Lake's turquoise hues are sure to startle us with their brilliance. We end our day by continuing to Jasper National Park and setting up camp for a two-night stay.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 15: Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada, covering an area of 18,878 square kilometres (4200 square miles). It is much less developed than other areas of western Canada and offers a true wilderness feel. There are several options on offer in Jasper. We can start by taking the cable car to Whistler Mountain for a bird's eye view of this splendid park. There are also opportunities for mountain biking or hiking amidst glorious lakeside scenery, or visit Mount Edith Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier and various other hiking options.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 16: Fraser River Canyon & British Columbia

We make our way to west to British Columbia and make a stop at Fraser River Canyon that separates the province's arid centre with its lush western coastal region. This canyon is 84 kilometres long and is a section where the Fraser River descends through a series of gorges from the plateau into the Fraser Valley. After our stint of camping we revert tonight back to staying in a local hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel with meals paid locally

Day 17-18: Vancouver

On the edge of the Canadian wilderness lies the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. With a metropolitan population of over 2.3 million, this is one of the most attractive cities in the world, surrounded by water on many sides. Native American culture is very much alive here as evident by totem poles in the famous Stanley Park. We enjoy a short orientation tour of the city that takes us to the thriving Chinatown as well as Stanley Park.

In your free time you can make your own discoveries and further enjoy the delights of Stanley Park by hiring a bicycle or some roller blades. In the park is also the fascinating Vancouver Aquarium - home to playful sea otters. Other options include strolling around the shops in the popular Gastown area, visiting the excellent Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia and learning more about Native American culture, and sampling the excellent dining options and nightlife that this vibrant city has to offer.
Accommodation: Hotel with meals paid locally

Day 19: Seattle

On the final day, we cross back over the border into the United States and onto Seattle where there's time to visit the famous Pike Place Market or sample America's best coffee. Why not take the optional ride to the top of Seattle's famous Space Needle and check out the city from the observation deck at 605 feet for a fitting end to an impressive, activity-filled tour.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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