Day 1

Your fantastic tour of the Canadian Rockies and U.S. Rockies begins as you fly into Denver, Colorado. Tour members who have purchased their airline tickets from YMT Vacations, please meet your YMT representative in the baggage claim area for meet and greet services and your transfers to the hotel. This city embraces its cowboy and mining past, but also looks to the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods, each offering a unique experience. You’ll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer.

Day 2

This outstanding day begins with a drive through northern Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming and on through the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota. This region is famous for such colorful folk like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane.

Day 3

Today you are in for an unforgettable visit to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial as well as the recently opened Crazy Horse National Memorial, the most famous attractions of the Black Hills. Only 8 miles apart, both gargantuan mountain carvings are sculpted on sacred Native American land.

Day 4

Our first stop leaving Rapid City will be Deadwood, South Dakota, known for its wild west, gold rush era origins. Next, you’ll have a photo opportunity at Devils Tower National Monument, where a famous scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind was filmed. You’ll stop in Gillette, “the Energy Capital of the Nation” before heading to the frontier town of Sheridan. Finally, you’re off to Billings, the largest city in Montana, and Custer’s Battlefield at Little Big Horn.

Day 5

Today you’ll delight in a scenic drive through the mountains to Cody, home of Buffalo Bill before entering Yellowstone National Park through the East Gate to explore North Yellowstone National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area.

Day 6

Today you’ll head back to Yellowstone National Park visiting different areas including the “Mud Volcano”, “Natural Bridge” and “Old Faithful Geyser”. Be ready to time Old Faithful as its eruptions occur an average of once very hour and a half. Leaving the village of West Yellowstone, you’ll be taking scenic mountain drives through Montana’s “Big Sky” country with its rugged history. Following scenic Route 287 to Helena, MT, you‘ll see landscape that exhibits some of America’s most magnificent wildlife and enormous forests.

Day 7

See Helena aboard an open-air tour trolley before departing for Lethbridge. Visit the opulent mansion district, marvel at the Cathedral of St. Helena, and roll by the governor’s home. Cruise by a restored miners’ village, enjoy the unique architecture along “Last Chance Gulch”, and catch a glimpse of the Old Fire Tower. It’s the fun way to see beautiful and historic Helena! Your comfortable motor coach will continue north on scenic Route 287, pass Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, crossing the border into Canada for an overnight in the Lethbridge, Alberta area.

Day 8

On this scenic travel day to Calgary, a town in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, you’ll visit historic Fort Macleod, home to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. You’ll also visit “Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump”, which is located northwest of Fort Macleod. The buffalo jump is known around the world as a remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump bears witness to a custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for nearly 6000 years. Thanks to their excellent understanding of topography and of bison behavior, they killed bison by chasing them over a precipice and subsequently carving up the carcasses in the camp below. In 1981, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the jump as a World Heritage Site placing it among other world attractions such as the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge and the Galapagos Islands. From here, its on to Calgary, the largest city in the Province of Alberta, this bustling metropolis is well-known as a destination for winter sports and ecotourism with a number of major mountain resorts.

Day 9

This morning, as you leave Calgary behind, enjoy another scenic day in the midst of the amazing Canadian Rockies to Banff. Along the way, you’ll stop to enjoy Bow Falls. The sight of sparkling water dancing in the sunlight, accompanied by the song of roaring water cascading down limestone ledges, is not to be missed. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the Banff Township Area. This small alpine village is festive in atmosphere. While surrounded by towering mountains you can explore the park; the plentiful accommodations, numerous places to grab a meal and volume of things to do make it the prototypical mountain town.

Day 10

Day 11

Enjoy this day as you make many scenic stops along the Columbia Icefield Parkway crossing the rugged Continental Divide leaving Alberta and arriving in British Columbia, through Yoho National Park on the western slope of the Canadian Rockies. Established in 1883 as a railway base camp, Golden, was originally named Cache. The name was later changed in an effort to compete with the nearby camp of Silver City. Golden has become a highly popular tourist locale filled with resorts and endless outdoor adventure opportunities.

Day 12

Today you’ll motor coach south, through British Columbia, and along Kootenay National Park. At the entrance of Kootenay National Park is Radium Hot Springs, famous for its hot pools. Continue south back into the United States to Spokane, Washington. A scenic picture stop at Lake Pend Oreille, French for ear-hanging, will make the perfect end to this outstanding day.

Day 13

On this scenic drive you’ll visit the Grand Coulee Dam as well as Dry Falls. The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest electric power-producing facility and the largest concrete structure in the area. Not far from the Grand Coulee Dam, the three and a half mile crescent-shaped precipice, Dry Falls once carried more water by volume than all the rivers of the world combined. Your final scenic drive will take you through The Wenatchee Mountains to Seattle Washington, for your final night.

Day 14

Depart for home with fond memories of new friends and visions of unsurpassed scenery witnessed on this unique tour.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations.

Day 1

Your fantastic tour of the Canadian Rockies and U.S. Rockies begins as you fly into Denver, Colorado. Tour members who have purchased their airline tickets from YMT Vacations, please meet your YMT representative in the baggage claim area for meet and greet services and your transfers to the hotel. This city embraces its cowboy and mining past, but also looks to the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods, each offering a unique experience. You’ll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer.

Day 2

This outstanding day begins with a drive through northern Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming and on through the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota.

Day 3

Today you are in for an unforgettable visit to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial as well as the recently opened Crazy Horse National Memorial, the most famous attractions of the Black Hills.

Day 4

Our first stop leaving Rapid City will be Deadwood, South Dakota, famous for its colorful folk such as Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. Next, visit Custer’s Battlefield at the Little Big Horn. See the national monument and learn the history from the Forest Rangers’ programs. Next, you’re off to Billings, the largest city in Montana. As a destination in itself, Billings holds a significant amount of convention business and is also host to various regional events such as music festivals, athletic contests, rodeos, and outdoor activities.

Day 5

Today you’ll delight in a scenic drive through Montana into the mountains and the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area.

Day 6

Today you’ll be going back to Yellowstone National Park visiting different areas including the “Mud Volcano”, “Natural Bridge” and “Old Faithful Geyser”. Leaving the village of West Yellowstone, you’ll be taking scenic mountain drives through Montana’s “Big Sky” country with its rugged history. In the U.S. Rockies you‘ll see landscape that exhibits some of America’s most magnificent wildlife and gargantuan forests.

Day 7

See Helena aboard an open-air tour trolley. Visit the opulent mansion district, marvel at the Cathedral of St. Helena, and roll by the governor’s home. Cruise by a restored miners’ village, enjoy the unique architecture along “Last Chance Gulch”, and catch a glimpse of the Old Fire Tower. It’s the fun way to see beautiful and historic Helena! Your comfortable motor coach will continue on a scenic drive north, crossing the border into Canada for an overnight in the Lethbridge, Alberta area.

Day 8

On the scenic drive to Calgary, a town in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, you’ll pass by historic Fort Macleod, home to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Next, witness the Calgary Stampede Rodeo from the comfort of your reserved (and shaded) grandstand seats, home to the world’s best rodeo athletes and famously tough stock. After watching the Rodeo, you can take the afternoon to explore more of the exciting sights and activities at the fairgrounds or you can catch a shuttle back to the hotel for a few hours of relaxation before the night’s events. As the day gives way to evening, take your reserved grandstand seat for the Chuckwagon Races. You’ll thrill as 36 drivers and 128 horses gallop through 9 heats, vying for over $1 million in prize money. After the action of the races, you’ll enjoy the spectacular Grandstand Western Stage Show, offering you music, singing, dancing, and the award-winning “TransAlta Lights Up the Night” fireworks finale.

Day 9

As you leave Calgary behind, enjoy another scenic transfer in the midst of the amazing Canadian Rockies to Banff. Along the way, in Banff National Park, you’ll stop to enjoy Bow Falls. The sight of sparkling water dancing in the sunlight, accompanied by the song of roaring water cascading down limestone ledges, is not to be missed. After, you will head to Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness,” Lake Louise. The tranquil, crisp waters that mirror the magnificent peaks and lush forest all around will leave you speechless, making Lake Louise a perfect location to take a picture worth much more than a thousand words!

Day 10

Jasper National Park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks, spanning 4,200 square miles of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Continental Divide. The Columbia Icefield is located roughly midway down the Icefields Parkway, roughly at the border of Jasper and Banff National Parks. Here you will take an exciting Sno-coach ride over the glacier’s icefields. Get your cameras ready for the largest region of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle.

Day 11

Enjoy this day as you make many scenic stops across the rugged Continental Divide leaving Alberta and arriving in British Columbia, and through Yoho National Park on the western slope of the Canadian Rockies. Established in 1883 as a railway base camp, Golden, was originally named Cache. The name was later changed in an effort to compete with the nearby camp of Silver City. Golden has become a highly popular tourist locale filled with resorts and endless outdoor adventure opportunities.

Day 12

Today you’ll motor coach south, through British Columbia, and along Kootenay National Park. At the entrance of Kootenay National Park is Radium Hot Springs, famous for its hot pools. Continue south through Cranbrook, B.C.; back into the United States to Spokane, Washington. Witness the changing scenery from snowcapped mountains and evergreen forests to pastoral farmland.

Day 13

On this scenic drive you’ll visit the Grand Coolee Dam as well as Dry Falls. The Grand Coolee Dam is the largest electric power-producing facility and the largest concrete structure. Opposite of the Grand Coulee Dam, the three and a half mile crescent-shaped precipice, Dry Falls once carried more water by volume than all the rivers of the world combined. Your final scenic drive will take you through The Wentchee Mountains to Seattle Washington, for your final night.

Day 14

Depart for home with fond memories of new friends and visions of unsurpassed scenery witnessed on this unique tour of the U.S. Rockies, Canadian Rockies, and a number of national parks from both countries.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations.

The Motor Coach Experience