Drive south through fertile Snake River farmland to Twin Falls. Stop at Shoshone Falls, also known as "the Niagara of the West," then walk the canyon-rim trail for BASE-jumper views off Perrine Bridge. Enjoy a golden-hour dinner overlooking the river gorge.
17-Day Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Banff and Glacier National Park Tour WINTER
Description
Duration
17 Days
Tour Type
Activity Level: Low-Moderate
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive In Salt Lake City
Touch down in Utah’s capital, where snow‑capped Wasatch peaks frame a surprisingly cosmopolitan skyline. After meeting your guide and fellow travelers in the hotel lobby, stretch your legs on a gentle stroll through Temple Square, taking note of the 11‑foot bronze doors and granite blocks that pioneers hauled from a canyon 20 miles away. A quick detour to the rooftop garden of the LDS Conference Center will reveal 500 native trees perched six stories above the street.
Next, wind up to Capitol Hill for a golden‑hour panorama that sweeps from the Great Salt Lake to the jagged Oquirrh Mountains. Your guide will explain how Brigham Young mapped the city’s famously wide streets to pivot a full ox‑team wagon, making modern traffic seem tame. On clear evenings you can see mirror‑like evaporation ponds shimmering 20 miles to the west.
Dinner showcases Utah’s farm‑to‑fork movement: perhaps bison meatloaf topped with tart cherry compote or vegan street tacos made with jackfruit. If we still have some energy left over, then we will take an optional tram ride up nearby Snowbird to watch constellations pop into view at 11,000 feet. The crisp, arid air offers a sparkling introduction to high‑desert stargazing before we drop you off at your hotel for the night.
Day 2 - Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY - Grand Teton National Park
Depart Salt Lake after breakfast, tracing the Bear River through rolling ranchlands that still operate under 19th‑century water rights. Here we can stop to grab a coffee and a slice of their famous raspberry pie from the tiny town of Garden City, famous for fruit prized by early mountain men. As you cross into Wyoming, the Tetons will emerge abruptly an angular skyline called the Cathedral Group Turnout.
Mid‑day we will walk under the elk‑antler arches of Jackson’s historic square, a place where hitching posts have been replaced by art galleries and espresso bars. Here we will take time to browse silver‑and‑turquoise jewelry crafted by Shoshone artists or pop into the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. The National Elk Refuge is just outside town and often hosts thousands of migrating animals, which we will be able to observe through spotting scopes.
Late afternoon we will head over to Grand Teton National Park, stop at Oxbow Bend to watch Mount Moran reflect perfectly in the Snake River, and then continue to Jenny Lake for a boat ride or shoreline walk. After a hearty dinner, consider joining us for a horse‑drawn sleigh ride under the stars. Listen to the crunching snow, jingling harness, and distant wolf howls as we end the day.
Day 3 - Jackson - West Yellowstone - Yellowstone
Rise early as the sunrise bathes the Tetons in soft rose‑pink light, then follow the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway north into Yellowstone. Your first stop today will be West Thumb Geyser Basin, where sapphire pools simmer beside the frozen expanse of Yellowstone Lake, the snow creating a beautiful contrast of color.
Continue to Old Faithful, timing lunch so that you watch the world‑famous geyser erupt while sipping hot cocoa on the snow‑dusted boardwalks. Just upstream, bison often stand so close to steaming vents that their shaggy coats will frost white. Photographers can relish the chromatic swirl at Grand Prismatic Spring, its colors ranging from deep cobalt to bright red.
Crossing the Continental Divide twice, you skirt icy Madison River riffles dotted with goldeneye ducks before arriving in West Yellowstone. Tonight’s optional activity will be a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, where resident bears test specially designed bear‑proof coolers and sometimes succeeding in seconds. Feel free to stop at local lodge to grab some huckleberry cobbler on your way back to the hotel.
*** Optional Add-on: Talk to us about a guided Geyser Basin walking tour.
Day 4 - West Yellowstone - Helena, MT
Today we will leave Yellowstone’s forests behind and drop into the Gallatin Valley, long considered Montana’s breadbasket. Fly‑shops in Ennis display river maps like fine art; anglers swap stories of record rainbows leaping for pale‑morning dun mayflies. A brief detour to Three Forks reveals the confluence where Lewis and Clark first named the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers.
We’ll arrive in Helena and catch a glimpse of the statue atop the gleaming copper dome of Montana’s State Capitol. We’ll then take a walking tour down Last Chance Gulch, passing Victorian storefronts built over old gold mining tunnels. We’ll pause to hear the town clock chime, just as it did in 1881. Then we’ll stop by the Parrot Confectionery to sample butter-cream chocolates made from a recipe that hasn’t changed in over 100 years.
Later, ascend Mount Helena City Park for sunset hues washing over the Missouri River headwaters. Dinner may include lentil‑stuffed ravioli sourced from local pulse crops, paired with microbrew made from glacier‑fed barley. Rest comes easy in this quieter capital, still echoing with hoofbeats of frontier history.
Day 5 - Helena - Glacier National Park
Arriving at Glacier National Park (MT), we'll follow easy trails that reveal geological wonders millions of years in the making. We provide binoculars for this journey, so that you may get a chance to see a cinnamon‑colored black bear munching berries or a bald eagle riding thermals overhead.
As daylight fades, the itinerary balances discovery with comfort. Enjoy regional cuisine paired with a locavore craft beer. Later, gather round a lodge fireplace where fellow travelers trade sightings and swap laughter that echoes like canyon song.
Optional Add Ons: Boat tour on St. Mary Lake.
Day 6 - Glacier National Park - Whitefish, MT
Today we will finish looking at sites in Glacier if we missed any yesterday, and travel west toward the mountain town of Whitefish. After arriving, we’ll check into our accommodations and have free time to explore town or relax.
The afternoon is open for optional activities such as paddleboarding on Whitefish Lake or taking a scenic chairlift ride for panoramic views.
We’ll regroup in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant, followed by free time to enjoy the town or unwind back at the hotel.
Optional add-on: Whitefish Lake paddleboarding or chairlift ride
Day 7 - Alberta -- Lake Louise
Depart early and cross the border into Alberta, heading toward the iconic town of Banff in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. In winter, enjoy a full day of skiing at Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise, or Sunshine Village. In warmer months, explore the turquoise waters of Lake Louise or hike Tunnel Mountain for a perfect panoramic photo.
Day 8 - Banff - Revelstoke
Leave Banff via Highway 1 through Yoho and Glacier National Parks. Stop at Emerald Lake or the Natural Bridge for breathtaking views. Revelstoke offers a blend of alpine scenery, adventure sports, and relaxing hot springs for a quiet mountain night.
Day 9 - Revelstoke - Kamloops, BC
Continue west through alpine passes, glacier-fed rivers, and rustic towns. Arrive in Kamloops with time to stretch your legs along Riverside Park or visit the BC Wildlife Park. This is a great midpoint to prepare for more remote and wild destinations ahead.
Day 10 - Kamloops - North Cascades National Park
Cross the border back into the U.S. and thread south through rolling ranchland to the deep-blue waters of 50-mile-long Lake Chelan. Arrive in the lively waterfront town of Chelan by late afternoon; stretch your legs along the lakefront promenade or sample local vintages at a lakeside winery while the sun drops behind the Cascades.
Optional add-on: Sunset cruise on Lake Chelan or a stroll to historic Campbell’s Bridge.
Day 11 - Lake Chelan = Stehekin Ferry - Leavenworth, WA
Board the morning Lady of the Lake Express for a scenic 2½-hour voyage up crystal-clear Lake Chelan into road-free Stehekin Valley, a gateway to the remote eastern flanks of North Cascades National Park. Spend four hours ashore hiking to Rainbow Falls, renting bikes to the historic Buckner Orchard, or enjoying fresh cinnamon rolls at the famous Stehekin Pastry Company before the afternoon ferry returns. Disembark, reclaim the vehicle, and drive over Blewett Pass to Bavarian-themed Leavenworth for a festive evening of alpine architecture, beer gardens, and mountain views.
Day 12 - Leavenworth - Olympic National Park (Port Angeles, WA)
Depart the Bavarian-style streets of Leavenworth after breakfast, cross the Cascades via scenic US-2, and roll onto a Puget-Sound ferry—an ideal deck-side stretch break—into the Olympic Peninsula. Continue to Port Angeles, arriving by early afternoon to explore Hurricane Ridge for sweeping alpine views or opt for a lake-level stroll along Lake Crescent & Marymere Falls. Evening free along the waterfront.
Day 13 - Port Angeles - Cannon Beach, OR
Trace the wild Pacific south, pausing at Rialto or Ruby Beach for sea-stack photos, then skirt the mouth of the Columbia River and enter Oregon’s postcard-perfect coastal stretch. Arrive in Cannon Beach by late afternoon; wander beneath towering Haystack Rock, browse art galleries, and enjoy a seafood dinner as gulls wheel overhead.
Day 14 - Cannon Beach - Bend
Leave the coast and climb into Oregon’s high desert via forested Santiam Pass. In Bend, stroll the Deschutes River Trail, summit Pilot Butte for a 360° sunset, or explore the lava tubes at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Evening options range from food-cart pods to award-winning craft breweries.
Day 15 - Bend - Boise
Cross sagebrush plains and basalt cliffs into Idaho’s capital. Spend the afternoon cycling Boise’s leafy Greenbelt, touring the Old Idaho Penitentiary, or browsing local art galleries around 8th Street. A vibrant downtown food scene and Basque Block tapas bars await after dark.
Day 16 - Boise - Twin Falls
Day 17 - Twin Falls - Salt Lake City
Return to Salt Lake City via wide-open Idaho valleys; arrive with time for brunch, souvenir shopping, or a final Great Salt Lake photo stop before flights home.
Tour Terms & Conditions
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- The travel agent is not responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveler as a result of any unforeseen circumstances outside of the travel agent’s control. This could include but is not limited to: disease, weather conditions, criminal acts, social unrest, or mechanical failures. Guests are encouraged to purchase travel insurance.
- Itineraries may change due to unforeseen issues such as flight arrival and departure times and road and weather conditions.
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
- Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) Pick-up - Guests are requested to arrive at the airport before 09:00 AM. Later arrivals may require changes to the itinerary and additional fees.
- At least two people are required to schedule a tour. If you’re a solo traveler, please contact us and we’ll help you join another group.
- Booking early is highly recommended as availability is limited.
- Children five years or younger may not be able to participate in all of the activities listed on the itinerary. If you have children who are five years or younger, please let us know so we can make adjustments.
- If cancellation occurs 30 days prior to the start date of the tour, the cost of the tour will be rolled over into a credit that must be used within six months of the original tour date. Alternatively, we could refund 50% of the total tour cost back to the card. This credit can be used towards the cost of any tour offered by Nomad Unlimited Adventures. If cancellation occurs within 30 days of the start date of the tour, 50% of the total cost of the tour will be rolled over into a credit that must be used within six months of the original tour date. This credit can be used towards the cost of any tour offered by Nomad Unlimited Adventures. For any additional questions, please reach out to us directly.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (Check in Villa/Chalet without breakfast)
- Complimentary seasonal activities:
1. Choose either: Jackson Lake Cruises (05/15 – 09/30) or Yellowstone Lake Cruises (06/10 – 09/11).
2. Choose one: Enjoy the Wild West Rodeo at Yellowstone, which takes place from 06/17– 08/20 (Excluding Sunday & Monday nights throughout August 20). In case some guests miss out due to unforeseen circumstances, the tour will instead visit Yellowstone Grizzly & Wolf Wildlife Park. - Please Note: Complimentary seasonal activities dates and times subject to change based on time, weather, and trail conditions. Complimentary seasonal activities are not refundable if they cannot be arranged.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
From $9,450.00
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