Day 1

Your fantastic tour of the Canadian Rockies and Black Hills begins as you fly into Seattle, WA. 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. Optional night tour of the city.

Day 2

Today you’ll motor coach through the state of Washington and witness the changing scenery from snowcapped mountains and evergreen forests to pastoral farmland. On this scenic drive you’ll get a chance to pass by 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.

Day 3

Enjoy this day as you make many scenic stops while on your way to the Canadian Rockies. Established in 1883 as a railway base camp, Golden was originally named Cache. The name was later on changed in an effort to compete with the nearby camp of Silver City. Due to its close proximity to the Kootenays, it has become a highly popular tourist locale filled with resorts and endless outdoor adventure opportunities. At the entrance of Kootenay National Park is Radium Hot Springs, famous for its hot pools.

Day 4

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 Rockies in western Alberta. There are numerous hiking trails (both overnight and day trips), and a number of spectacular mountain drives. The Columbia Icefield is located roughly midway down the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies, roughly at the border of Jasper and Banff National Parks. Get your cameras at the ready for the largest region of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle.

Day 5

A town in the Alberta Rockies, Banff is the larger of the two towns in Banff National Park, nestled in the mountains, and is located about an hour and a half drive west of Calgary. Banff is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This small town allows you to walk just about anywhere you want to go. Walking is quick, easy and allows for random adventures down to the river, through the forests, or up the mountains, and is filled with trails that take you through forested areas, along streams and waterfalls, and ultimately lead to incredible lake and mountain views.

Day 6

After a city tour of Banff, we will be on our way to Calgary. En route, enjoy plenty of great views of Midwestern Canada. Take a break along the way and see Bow Falls. Finish your day with a city tour of Calgary. You will overnight in the Calgary area.

Day 7

You will travel through another magnificent part of the Canadian Rockies, also known as Kananaskis Country. Kananaskis is rich with mountain scenery, wildlife and clear lakes which make this area very attractive to all visitors. Also featured today will be Waterton Lakes National Park, a little known gem that is an extension of Glacier National Park.

Day 8

Head for the border into Montana’s “Big Sky” country and rugged history. You will see a landscape that supports some of America’s most magnificent wildlife and gargantuan forests. See Helena aboard an open-air tour trolley. See the opulent mansion district, marvel at the Cathedral of St. Helena, and roll by our governor’s homes. 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!

Day 9

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. Be ready to time Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser, with large eruptions occurring an average of about once every hour and a half.

Day 10

You’re off to Billings, the largest city in Montana. As a destination in itself, Billings does a significant amount of convention business and is also the host to various regional events such as music festivals, athletic contests, rodeos, and outdoor activities.

Day 11

This outstanding day begins with a tour of one of “Little Big Horn,” the most famous battle sites in our early history. See the national monument and learn the history from the Forest Rangers’ programs. Next, travel through the recreational wonderland of the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota before making a stop in Deadwood. Famous for its colorful folk such as Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, Deadwood offers you plenty of time to meander through town or gamble in an honest-to-goodness Old West Dance Hall.

Day 12

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 13

Travel to Denver, the capital city of Colorado and the largest city in the state. Known as “The Mile-High City”, Denver has an altitude of 5,280 feet and lies where the Midwestern plains give way to the Rocky Mountains. The city embraces its cowboy and mining past, but also looks toward 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 14

Depart for home with fond memories of new friends and visions of unsurpassed scenery.

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