Get to know the city’s famous French Quarter on a walking tour featuring the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Continue on to the bustling French Marketplace where you’ll explore Pirates Alley, the Cabildo, the Presbytere and the Pontalba. Stop to taste a true New Orleans favourite – beignets at Café Du Monde. Tonight, roll up your sleeves and prepare to discover how to cook New Orleans-style! During a unique cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, your chef will indulge you in everything that Louisiana cuisine has to offer. Following dinner, discover why New Orleans is known as the “Birthplace of Jazz” when you take in a spirited jazz revue at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse.

  Breakfast & Dinner    High  27 Low  14     Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans

Day 3. French Quarter

Set out on a drive along New Orleans’ historic Esplanade Avenue. Then, journey through Louisiana’s swamp on a cruise* narrated by your captain. Learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem while keeping an eye out for wildlife including bald eagles, herons, turtles and alligators! Return to New Orleans and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to discover this great city your way.

  Breakfast     High  27  Low  14     Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans

Day 4. New Orleans

This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of New Orleans with a local guide. Begin by seeing St. Louis Cemetery #3 which opened in 1854 and holds some of the most elaborate crypts found in the city’s cemeteries. Then, relax during a drive along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. This romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions as well as Tulane and Loyola, two world-famous universities. Return to the French Quarter this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy an elegant dinner at the Court of Two Sisters, one of New Orleans’ most famous restaurants.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  27 Low  14     Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans

Your tour of this captivating city comes to a close today.

  Breakfast

Take a drive through the majestic Grand Tetons to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Your Yellowstone winter adventure begins by boarding a snowcoach. This unique vehicle will transport you over the snow-covered landscape and past some of the park’s most stunning scenery — including Moose Falls, Lewis Falls and West Thumb Geyser. The coach will continue over Craig Pass and on to Old Faithful.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  -3  Low  -18     Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Day 3. Yellowstone Snow Lodge

Wake up just minutes away from Old Faithful and enjoy a brisk walking tour led by a park ranger; you’ll learn the history of this colossal geyser and view the amazing natural phenomenon in action. Later, spend free time exploring on your own. Perhaps you will choose to venture out on the trails with snowshoes or partake in some cross-country skiing.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  -3  Low  -18     Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Day 4. Yellowstone – Mammoth – Gardiner

Board your snowcoach again for your transfer across the frozen landscape en route to Mammoth Hot Springs. During your journey, pause at some famous areas of the park, including the Fountain Painted Pots, Fire Hole Canyon and the Madison Warming Hut. Your day will be filled with incredible scenery and plenty of photo opportunities.

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner     High  -3  Low  -18     Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

An early departure takes you to the remote Lamar Valley in the scenic northwest corner of Yellowstone. You will traverse forests and meadows before arriving in the Lamar Valley where you will be surrounded by tranquillity. This area of the park is not only breathtaking but is also an excellent habitat for the park’s wildlife. This is where, in the 1990’s, previously endangered wolves were reintroduced to the park. There are now over 400 wolves living here. We depart Yellowstone Park and cross the border into Montana before arriving in West Yellowstone for the night.

  Breakfast       Holiday Inn West Yellowstone

Day 6. West Yellowstone – Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Today’s journey brings you south through Idaho to the picturesque Caribou Targhee National Forest. You will be amazed by the stunning views of the Grand Tetons as you make your way to Jackson Hole. Get up-close to wildlife on a delightful sleigh ride to the National Elk Refuge and view hundreds of elk in their natural habitat. Tonight, toast to the end of your winter adventure at a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  0  Low  -14     The Lodge At Jackson Hole

Day 7. Jackson Hole – Tour Ends

Today your tour comes to a close. You will depart with truly amazing memories of the region’s breathtaking winter backdrop.

  Breakfast

Arrive at Mount Rushmore, whose epic figures carved in stone represent the first 150 years of American history. Stroll along the Presidential Trail, providing the closest access to the iconic sculpture. Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial and learn the story behind the world’s largest mountain sculpture still in progress. The memorial includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Centre, the sculptor’s studio, and an orientation centre and theatres. Many Native American artists and craftspeople create their works at the memorial and welcome the chance to share how their culture influences their art.

  Breakfast     High  25  Low  6     Hilton Garden Inn Rapid City

Day 3. Rapid City – Custer – Rapid City

Learn about Black Hills gold on a tour through Riddle’s Black Hills Gold and Diamond Factory. Here you’ll see skilled artisans hand-craft South Dakota’s official state jewellery with time to purchase some of the best hand crafted items in South Dakota. Next, travel through 14 miles of magnificent rock formations on the fascinating Needles Highway. Its curving rock tunnels and steep rock spires provide a breathtaking backdrop. Later, drive through Custer State Park where a band of bighorn sheep, a herd of majestic elk, or buffalo may be seen.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  18  Low  0     Hilton Garden Inn Rapid City

Day 4. Rapid City – Hot Springs – Rapid City

Set out for Hot Springs to see the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Enjoy a guided tour through part of this endless prairie of 11,000 acres where over 400 wild horses run free. This is how America appeared 300 years ago. You’ll also see Indian petroglyphs over 10,000 years old, a prairie dog town, an authentic Native American Sun Dance site, and the movie set from the classic, Crazy Horse. Continue on to Prairie Edge, a Plains Indian store and museum filled with native art and handmade crafts & jewellery. This work remains faithful to the Plains Indian spirit and tradition.

  Breakfast     High 18 Low  0     Hilton Garden Inn Rapid City

Today, explore larger-than-life Badlands National Park. Upon arrival, make a stop at the visitor centre. Set the stage for your adventure with its informative exhibits, displays and video introducing you to this area. The Badlands Loop Road is a marvel of vibrant colours and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Next, enjoy a stop at Wall Drug, an authentic store from 1936, where there is time for lunch and browsing. The afternoon is yours. Venture out on your own or relax at your hotel. As always, your Tour Manager will be available to offer expert suggestions on what the area offers.

  Breakfast    High  18  Low  0     Hilton Garden Inn Rapid City

Day 6. Rapid City – Deadwood – Spearfish – Rapid City

This morning you travel to Deadwood, a rollicking western town and National Historic Landmark. Perhaps you’ll fulfil a childhood dream of living in the Old West. Faithful recreations of turn-of-the-century streetlamps light the way through accurately restored architecture. Upon arrival, a local guide introduces you to the history of the city including a visit to Mount Moriah Cemetery. You’ll also make a stop at Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: Story of the Bison. This interpretive centre features large, awe-inspiring sculptures depicting the relationship of bison and the Lakota Native Americans. Then, enjoy some time to ramble through Deadwood where gold, gambling and gunpowder were once the order of the day. Enjoy dinner at a favourite local restaurant in the historic city of Spearfish.

  Breakfast & Dinner     High  18  Low  0     Hilton Garden Inn Rapid City

Day 7. Rapid City – Tour Ends

Your tour comes to a close today.

  Breakfast