Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills.
Tonight, you and your fellow travelers gather for a welcome dinner featuring a Native American chronicler who shares stories about the Lakota and Sioux way of life. (D) Stay: Residence Inn Marriott (6 Nights)
Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Continue to Mount Rushmore. Spend time with the epic figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture.
This evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the nighttime lighting ceremony. (B)
This morning, visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. In their own voices, hear about their history, relationship to the land and modern-day culture. Then, embrace the allure of wide-open spaces and explore the larger-than-life Badlands National Park.
At the visitor center, the stage is set for your adventure, with informative exhibits, displays and video to introduce you to the area. Travel the Badlands Loop Road, home to vibrant colors and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Do a little browsing, have a seat at the soda fountain, and perhaps grab a bite for lunch. (B)
Get ready for Deadwood, where gold, gambling, and gunpowder were once the order of the day. This morning, it's your choice! Take a guided tour of the Adams Museum and explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood's legends and outlaws -OR- visit Kevin Costner's Tatanka: Story of the Bison, sculptures depicting the relationship between bison and the Lakota.
This afternoon, this National Historic Landmark comes alive as if you've stepped onto the set of an old-fashioned Western. A local guide shows you the town, including where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. This evening, enjoy a dinner and Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center. (B/D)
Head to Custer State Park and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep or wandering elk. Take in the lush landscape, rocky outcrops, and grazing animals as you make your way through South Dakota's first state park. Venture off road with an exciting Buffalo Safari, cruising deep into the park in an open-air jeep and searching for herds of roaming buffalo.
This afternoon, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and delve into the story of the largest, still-in-progress mountain sculpture. Take time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor's studio, orientation center and theaters. (B)
Get your bearings at the Geographic Center of the Nation, marking the middle of the US. Cross into Wyoming and view the first national monument - Devils Tower. Stand in awe before this lofty monolith, perhaps hiking the 1.3-mile Tower Trail around the base. Although famous as the backdrop in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the tower is also sacred to many local tribes.
This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near. (B/D)
Say goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills.
Tonight, you and your fellow travelers gather for a welcome dinner featuring a Native American chronicler who shares stories about the Lakota and Sioux way of life. (D) Stay: Hyatt Place (6 Nights)
Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Start the day at Mount Rushmore. Spend time with the epic figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture. Continue to the Chapel in the Hills to learn the history of enterprising Westerners.
This evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the nighttime lighting ceremony. (B)
This morning, visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. In their own voices, hear about their history, relationship to the land and modern-day culture. Then, embrace the allure of wide-open spaces and explore the larger-than-life Badlands National Park.
At the visitor center, the stage is set for your adventure, with informative exhibits, displays and video to introduce you to the area. Travel the Badlands Loop Road, home to vibrant colors and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Do a little browsing, have a seat at the soda fountain, and perhaps grab a bite for lunch. (B)
Get ready for Deadwood, where gold, gambling, and gunpowder were once the order of the day. This morning, it's your choice! Take a guided tour of the Adams Museum and explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood's legends and outlaws -OR- visit Kevin Costner's Tatanka: Story of the Bison, sculptures depicting the relationship between bison and the Lakota.
This afternoon, this National Historic Landmark comes alive as if you've stepped onto the set of an old-fashioned Western. A local guide shows you the town, including where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. This evening, enjoy a dinner and Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center. (B/D)
Head to Custer State Park and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep or wandering elk. Take in the lush landscape, rocky outcrops, and grazing animals as you make your way through South Dakota's first state park. Venture off road with an exciting Buffalo Safari, cruising deep into the park in an open-air jeep and searching for herds of roaming buffalo.
This afternoon, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and delve into the story of the largest, still-in-progress mountain sculpture. Take time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor's studio, orientation center and theaters. (B)
Get your bearings at the Geographic Center of the Nation, marking the middle of the US. Cross into Wyoming and view the first national monument - Devils Tower. Stand in awe before this lofty monolith, perhaps hiking the 1.3-mile Tower Trail around the base. Although famous as the backdrop in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the tower is also sacred to many local tribes.
This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near. (B/D)
Say goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Search for buffalo and other wildlife in Custer State Park on an exciting off-road Jeep safari.
- Stroll past 150 years of American history on the Presidential Trail.
- Enjoy time to explore at the lofty Devils Tower.
- Explore Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark that pays tribute to the ways of the Wild West.
- Visit epic Mount Rushmore.
- Travel to the otherworldly Badlands National Park.
- Delight in local flavors during a Western dinner show.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Learn about the history of the Sioux Nation at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village.
- Explore Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark that pays tribute to the ways of the Wild West.
- Enjoy time to explore at the lofty Devils Tower.
- Search for buffalo and other wildlife in Custer State Park on an exciting off-road Jeep safari.
- Visit epic Mount Rushmore.
- Travel to the otherworldly Badlands National Park.
- Delight in local flavors during a Western dinner show.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $149.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $145.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
