National Parks of the Northwest

National Parks of the Northwest

102 Views
10 Days From

$2902

$2513

National Parks of the Northwest

10 Days Starting in Salt Lake City, USA and ending in Calgary, Canada

Visiting: Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park, Helena, Kalispell, Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Calgary, North America

Tour operator:

Cosmos

Tour code:

8710-2025

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $2902 $2513 Operator discount: -$389 -13%

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the "National Parks of the Northwest" tour, exploring the natural wonders of both the USA and Canada. Begin in Salt Lake City, then venture to the Wild West town of Jackson and the breathtaking landscapes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Experience the geothermal marvels of Yellowstone, the historic charm of Virginia City, and the scenic beauty of Glacier National Park. Cross into Canada to discover the pristine wilderness of Waterton Lakes National Park and the cultural heritage of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Conclude your adventure with a city tour of Calgary, capturing the essence of the Northwest's majestic national parks.

Highlights

  • Sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City, including Temple Square and the Capitol Building

  • Optional float trip on the Snake River in Jackson

  • Visit to Grand Teton National Park and Jenny Lake

  • Exploring Yellowstone National Park, including Old Faithful Geyser and Mammoth Hot Springs

  • Stop at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center and visit to Virginia City

  • Visit to the Smokejumper’s Visitor Center in Missoula

  • Scenic ride on Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

  • Visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and city tour of Calgary

Places You'll See

Crystal Inn & Suites

49Er Inn And Suites

Brandin Iron Inn

Baymont Inn & Suites Helena

Red Lion Hotel Kalispell

Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort

Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Salt Lake City

Location: Salt Lake City

Accommodation Name: Crystal Inn & Suites

Welcome to Salt Lake City! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
SALT LAKE CITY Welcome to Salt Lake City! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2: Salt Lake City,Jackson

Location: Salt Lake City

Accommodation Name: 49er Inn and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, and center of the Mormon religion. Highlights include seeing Temple Square, the Capitol Building and downtown. Then head north to the Wild West town of Jackson, with its wooden sidewalks and streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. This afternoon, go with the flow on a fun and scenic optional float trip on the Snake River keeping an eye out for eagles above and for wildlife along the shore. This evening, take a stroll into town.
SALT LAKE CITY–JACKSON Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, and center of the Mormon religion. Highlights include seeing Temple Square, the Capitol Building and downtown. Then head north to the Wild West town of Jackson, with its wooden sidewalks and streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. This afternoon, go with the flow on a fun and scenic optional float trip on the Snake River keeping an eye out for eagles above and for wildlife along the shore. This evening, take a stroll into town. (B)

Day 3: Jackson,Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone National Park,West Yellowstone

Location: Yellowstone National Park

Accommodation Name: Brandin Iron Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enter majestic Grand Teton National Park, rich with scenic vistas and pristine lakes. Visit beautiful Jenny Lake that sits at the base of Cascade Canyon, looking for moose, fox, deer, and black bears along the way. Then drive north to West Yellowstone where you will spend the next two nights. Walk the Fountain Paint Pot Trail to see these curious and colorful hydrothermal wonders there.
JACKSON–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE Enter majestic Grand Teton National Park, rich with scenic vistas and pristine lakes. Visit beautiful Jenny Lake that sits at the base of Cascade Canyon, looking for moose, fox, deer, and black bears along the way. Then drive north to West Yellowstone where you will spend the next two nights. Walk the Fountain Paint Pot Trail to see these curious and colorful hydrothermal wonders there. (CB)

Day 4: West Yellowstone. Day Excursion To Yellowstone National Park

Location: Yellowstone National Park

Accommodation Name: Brandin Iron Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park established in 1872. See world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Keep a lookout for the parks abundant wildlife that includes moose, bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolf, bear, fox, and coyote.
WEST YELLOWSTONE. DAY EXCURSION TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Spend the day exploring all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park established in 1872. See world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Keep a lookout for the parks abundant wildlife that includes moose, bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolf, bear, fox, and coyote. (CB)

Day 5: West Yellowstone,Virginia City,Helena

Location: Helena

Accommodation Name: Baymont Inn & Suites Helena

Meals Included: Breakfast

Head north to Helena. Stop at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center to learn about the 7.5 earthquake that moved more than eighty million tons of rock in less than a minute and created Earthquake Lake. Then get a taste of the original Old West with a stop in Virginia City, site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. Continue to Helena and upon arrival visit their beautiful State Capitol.
WEST YELLOWSTONE–VIRGINIA CITY–HELENA Head north to Helena. Stop at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center to learn about the 7.5 earthquake that moved more than eighty million tons of rock in less than a minute and created Earthquake Lake. Then get a taste of the original Old West with a stop in Virginia City, site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. Continue to Helena and upon arrival visit their beautiful State Capitol. (CB)

Day 6: Helena,Missoula,Kalispell

Location: Kalispell

Accommodation Name: Red Lion Hotel Kalispell

Meals Included: Breakfast

Head north to Missoula and visit the Smokejumper’s Visitor Center, home to the largest smokejumper base in the country, to learn about the brave firefighters who risk their lives parachuting into the site of forest fires. Late afternoon arrival in Kalispell.
HELENA–MISSOULA–KALISPELL Head north to Missoula and visit the Smokejumper’s Visitor Center, home to the largest smokejumper base in the country, to learn about the brave firefighters who risk their lives parachuting into the site of forest fires. Late afternoon arrival in Kalispell. (CB)

Day 7: Kalispell. Day Trip To Glacier National Park

Location: Glacier National Park

Accommodation Name: Red Lion Hotel Kalispell

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend the day at gorgeous Glacier National Park. Take a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus and drive one of North America’s most spectacular highways, Going-to-the-Sun Road. Scale 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass and enjoy a wonderland of alpine scenery and breathtaking mountain peaks.
KALISPELL. DAY TRIP TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Spend the day at gorgeous Glacier National Park. Take a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus and drive one of North America’s most spectacular highways, Going-to-the-Sun Road. Scale 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass and enjoy a wonderland of alpine scenery and breathtaking mountain peaks. (B)

Day 8: Kalispell,Waterton Lakes National Park

Location: Waterton Lakes National Park

Accommodation Name: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cross into Canada and enter Waterton Lakes National Park where the wilderness of Alberta’s prairies meets the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll overnight in the park, which is brimming with diverse landscapes, crystal clear lakes, cascading waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks. Tonight, things are looking up with an optional Dark Sky Stargazing excursion, if the heavens and weather permit.
KALISPELL–WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK Cross into Canada and enter Waterton Lakes National Park where the wilderness of Alberta’s prairies meets the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll overnight in the park, which is brimming with diverse landscapes, crystal clear lakes, cascading waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks. Tonight, things are looking up with an optional Dark Sky Stargazing excursion, if the heavens and weather permit. (B)

Day 9: Waterton Lakes National Park,Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump,Calgary

Location: Calgary

Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel

Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the longtime relationship between the Indigenous People and the vast herds of buffalo that roamed the plains. Arrive in Calgary and take a city tour with highlights that include Stampede Park, the Saddledome, Fort Calgary, and Canada Olympic Park. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK–HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP–CALGARY Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the longtime relationship between the Indigenous People and the vast herds of buffalo that roamed the plains. Arrive in Calgary and take a city tour with highlights that include Stampede Park, the Saddledome, Fort Calgary, and Canada Olympic Park. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 10: Calgary

Location: Calgary

Your vacation ends this morning.
CALGARY Your vacation ends this morning.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay at various hotels including Crystal Inn & Suites in Salt Lake City, 49er Inn and Suites in Jackson, Brandin Iron Inn in West Yellowstone, Baymont Inn & Suites Helena, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort in Waterton Lakes Park, and Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel in Calgary.

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast is included.

  • Sightseeing Tours

    Sightseeing tours in Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Virginia City, Helena, Missoula, Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Calgary.

  • Tour Director

    A Tour Director is available to answer any questions and guide you throughout the tour.

  • Transportation

    Transportation between destinations is included.

What's Not Included

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities such as the float trip on the Snake River and the Dark Sky Stargazing excursion are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and tips are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

  • Flights

    Flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.

Notes

This itinerary enters both the US and Canada.

Extend your vacation with departures that connect with our Heart of the Canadian Rockies Tour (8910) or our Western Canada by Rail Tour (8930), both with/without Alaska cruise options.

Maximum elevation on tour: 9,033 ft.

UNESCO Sites

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump|Waterton Glacier International Peace Park|Yellowstone National Park

Accommodation

Salt Lake City: Crystal Inn & Suites, Jackson: 49er Inn and Suites, West Yellowstone: Brandin Iron Inn, Helena: Baymont Inn & Suites Helena, Kalispell: Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Waterton Lakes Park: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort, Calgary: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel

Mode of Transport

The tour includes transportation by bus, with scenic drives through national parks and optional excursions such as a float trip on the Snake River and a ride on a vintage Red Jammer bus in Glacier National Park.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?

    During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including moose, fox, deer, black bears, eagles, bison, elk, bighorn sheep, wolves, and coyotes.

  • Are there any optional activities available during the tour?

    Yes, there are optional activities available during the tour. For example, on Day 2, you can go on a scenic float trip on the Snake River. On Day 8, there is an optional Dark Sky Stargazing excursion in Waterton Lakes National Park, weather permitting.

  • What are some of the key attractions visited in Yellowstone National Park?

    In Yellowstone National Park, you will visit key attractions such as the Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

  • What is the significance of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump?

    Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can learn about the longtime relationship between the Indigenous People and the vast herds of buffalo that roamed the plains.

  • What kind of transportation is used in Glacier National Park?

    In Glacier National Park, you will take a scenic ride aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus and drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

  • What is the maximum elevation reached during the tour?

    The maximum elevation reached during the tour is 9,033 feet.

  • What can I expect to see at the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center?

    At the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center, you will learn about the 7.5 earthquake that moved more than eighty million tons of rock in less than a minute and created Earthquake Lake.

  • What are some of the highlights of the city tour in Calgary?

    The city tour in Calgary includes highlights such as Stampede Park, the Saddledome, Fort Calgary, and Canada Olympic Park.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1961

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.

Reviews of this operator

Mrs Susan Hyland  

We have just returned from a Cosmos…

28-Sep-2022

We have just returned from a Cosmos tour- Gourmet Tuscany. We stayed in Montecatini Terme and traveled from there to many wonderful places, in towns and the fabulous Tuscan countryside. We visit Vineyards for wine tastings, farms for cooking lessons and lunches and dinners in authentic Italian restaurants. All assisted by a friendly, informative tour director. First class holiday

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Rick  

Excellent in every respect

08-Dec-2022

I recently did a 2-week "best of Italy" tour with this company. Our guide, Daniella, was fantastic, the itinerary was excellent and they catered for my rather difficult dietary requirements really well. Really happy and will certainly book with them again

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John Lomanno  

A wonderrful experience

09-Nov-2022

WE saw so much. The tour director Mladin was very knowledgeable and made the experience so enjoyable. The bus driver Paul was so nice and helpful. A couple of the hotels had no refrigerators to keep the water cold. We had to carry our own luggage to and from the rooms. There should have been porters to help us. Over all we had a great time.

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Bruce  

Old South &Florida tour

27-Oct-2022

Great organisation, tour guide(Kris) and driver(Tony) who went extra mile and good group of people from all over world. The hotels were excellent in New Orleans and Nashville and very good in other cities. The itinerary was well thought out with visits to Gracelands and Grande ole Oprey topping the bill. We added 3extra nights in New Orleans (giving us 6nights) which was absolutely fab and would advise anyone doing this tour that they consider some extra nights to see and do as much as you can

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Francine Ramos  

The tour director expertise and…

18-Dec-2022

The tour director expertise and personality made the trip all the more pleasant. No stress. The local guides as well added to the beauty of this trip. They were knowledgeable and personable. I also have to mention the travelers (the group of 21). The people were friendly an accommodating. This is my third trip with this tour company and I will continue to travel with this company due to excellent planning and customer service. Thank you

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.