Americas National Parks

br />Explore the vast treasures of the American west as you journey to five fantastic National Parks on this 12 day journey. Relish overnight stays in a lodge nestled in the heart of Yellowstone and in a National Historic Landmark inside the Grand Canyon. Enjoy a breakfast cruise on Lake Powell. Marvel at the magnitude and color of Zion’s cliffs. Enjoy two-night stays in Salt Lake City and Jackson Hole. Drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and the great Sioux Nations Territory before seeing Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.

Day 1: Scottsdale, Arizona - Tour Begins
Join us on a tour through five of America’s most splendid national parks. Your tour begins in Arizona, where you will enjoy a stay in the world-famous resort town of Scottsdale.

Day 2: Scottsdale - Sedona - Lake Powell
Begin the day with a visit to the artists' colony of Sedona where you will see the amazing rock formations change hue with each turn in the road. Later today, arrive at Lake Powell.

Day 3: Lake Powell - Grand Canyon
Embark on a delightful breakfast cruise* on scenic Lake Powell. Then travel to Carl Hayden Visitors Center and look out over Glen Canyon Dam and see to the end of Lake Powell. Afterwards, travel to Marble Canyon before arriving at the spectacular Grand Canyon, staying at the only in-park hotel. The original Grand Canyon Lodge was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1937 by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. Its rustic construction of limestone walls and timbered ceilings complements the North Rim's lush beauty. The Lodge offers peace and comfort to the North Rim visitor and is a National Historic Landmark. Dinner this evening takes place in the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, offering fine dining in a casual atmosphere, with magnificent views overlooking the rim of the Canyon.

Day 4: Grand Canyon - Bryce Canyon, Utah - Zion National Park
Travel to Bryce Canyon National Park, truly one of the most spectacular scenic wonders of the world. The formations within Bryce Canyon National Park, called Hoodoos, are the creation of wind and water erosion over eons of time. Iron oxidizing within the rock causes the natural orange and red hues that color these formations. Your final destination for the day is the red and white sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. In sheer magnitude and color, Zion is very likely one of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the world.

Day 5: Zion National Park - Salt Lake City
A drive north takes you to Salt Lake City, the “City of the Saints,” for a two-night stay. Perhaps you will choose to explore Temple Square. This beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City is one of Utah's most visited attractions. The centerpiece of the square is the 6-spired granite Salt Lake Temple, and adjacent to this imposing edifice is the domed Tabernacle**, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir** and the great Tabernacle organ.

Day 6: Salt Lake City
Enjoy a tour of Salt Lake City, featuring the Great Salt Lake, the state capitol and the residential district. This afternoon have a look into history with a visit to Temple Square. During a visit to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building you have the opportunity to personally search for your ancestors. Step back in time for dinner at Brigham Young’s personal residence. After dinner a local expert leads you on a walking tour of the Temple Square grounds teaching about the construction of the Temple and providing insight to the Mormon Church as well as the history of its beginnings. Finally, enter the famous Tabernacle, home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, for a view of this truly awesome building.

Day 7: Salt Lake City - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
En route to Wyoming you will see the majestic Bear Lake Summit. Later you arrive in the cowboy town of Jackson Hole.

Day 8: Jackson Hole
Enjoy the morning for independent exploration in Jackson Hole. Optional activities include shopping, canoeing, hiking and river rafting trips. This afternoon visit the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum where a local expert brings the old west to life. Then, enjoy a walking tour of downtown en route to dinner at one of Jackson’s oldest establishments!

Day 9: Jackson Hole - Grand Tetons - Yellowstone
From Jackson Hole, pass through Grand Teton National Park. Towering more than a mile above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Twelve Teton peaks reach above 12,000 feet and support a dozen mountain glaciers. The Teton Range is the youngest range in the Rockies and displays some of North America's oldest rocks. Later today, arrive at the amazing Yellowstone National Park where you’ll enjoy a discussion with a park ranger on Yellowstone’s amazing history and the park today. Journey through the park and experience the many highlights including the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, a fountain of steam that rises more than 60 feet in the air. Spend the evening at your lodge nestled in the heart of this wonderful park.

Day 10: Yellowstone - Cody - Sheridan
A delightful day begins with a journey along Lake Yellowstone and over Sylvan Pass. From the mountains to the prairies, the scenery is simply amazing. As you pass through Cody, a stop will be made at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a tribute to one of the most colorful figures of the old west, Buffalo Bill Cody. Before turning in for the night in Sheridan, you drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and journey through the territory of the Great Sioux Nation.

Day 11: Sheridan - Keystone, South Dakota
See one of the country’s most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore, before visiting the Crazy Horse Monument, a memorial dedicated to the Native Americans of this great land. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Native American Cultural Center to learn about their culture and customs. Here, Native Americans discuss the movements of their dances and the significance of wearing different feathers and clothes. Later, arrive at the K Bar S Lodge***, nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner and share your experience at a lovely home hosted dinner.

Day 12: Keystone - Tour Ends
Your tour ends, leaving you with many wonderful memories.

Don't miss our current specials: FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/4/2010 - 9/16/2010	$2,699
9/11/2010 - 9/23/2010	$2,699
9/12/2010 - 9/24/2010	$2,699
9/18/2010 - 9/30/2010	$2,699
9/19/2010 - 10/1/2010	$2,699
9/25/2010 - 10/7/2010	$2,699
10/2/2010 - 10/14/2010	$2,599
10/3/2010 - 10/15/2010	$2,599
5/21/2011 - 6/2/2011	$2,649
5/28/2011 - 6/9/2011	$2,749
5/29/2011 - 6/10/2011	$2,749
6/4/2011 - 6/16/2011	$2,749
6/5/2011 - 6/17/2011	$2,749
6/11/2011 - 6/23/2011	$3,049
6/12/2011 - 6/24/2011	$2,749
6/16/2011 - 6/28/2011	$2,749
6/25/2011 - 7/7/2011	$2,749
6/26/2011 - 7/8/2011	$2,749
7/10/2011 - 7/22/2011	$2,749
7/23/2011 - 8/4/2011	$2,749
8/13/2011 - 8/25/2011	$2,749
8/20/2011 - 9/1/2011	$3,049
8/27/2011 - 9/8/2011	$2,749
9/3/2011 - 9/15/2011	$2,749
9/4/2011 - 9/16/2011	$2,749
9/10/2011 - 9/22/2011	$2,749
9/11/2011 - 9/23/2011	$2,749
9/18/2011 - 9/30/2011	$2,749
9/24/2011 - 10/6/2011	$2,749
9/29/2011 - 10/11/2011	$2,749
10/1/2011 - 10/13/2011	$2,649
10/2/2011 - 10/14/2011	$2,649
10/8/2011 - 10/20/2011	$2,649
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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