Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country

Step outside, take a deep breath in, and look towards the mountains you are in the big sky country of Montana, now. Explore both the Northern and Southern Loops of Yellowstone National Park, and visit Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstones Grand Canyon, and more. Venture to Helena, the Queen City of the Rockies. Cruise on the Missouri River through the Gates of the Mountains, named by legendary explorers Lewis and Clark. Spend time in the mountain town of St. Mary Village before heading in to explore Glacier National Park. Take an adventurous white water rafting trip or a calm, scenic float down the Flathead River. Meet a descendant of the last Kootenai chief and learn about the importance of the land in native life. Get a glimpse into the heroic and dangerous life of a Smokejumper. A land of wilderness, adventure, and beauty, Montana is waiting for you.

Day 1 Bozeman, Montana
Step outside, take a deep breath in, and look around you, you are in big sky country. Montana is wilderness, adventure, and beauty, and youare about to see what makes it unique, as well as its crown jewels. Today, arrive in Bozeman, the jumping off point to explore the northern and southern loops of Yellowstone, Americas first national park. Get your cameras ready and your boots laced tight, there is a good chance you are going to come across roaming bison, roaring geysers, and more.

Day 2 Bozeman to Yellowstone Southern Loop to West Yellowstone
This morning, pass through Yellowstones western gate and venture into the Lower Loop, the road that encircles the entire lower half of the National Park. Your first stop will be at the Grand Prismatic Spring, where steaming azure-blue waters clash brilliantly with the bright orange of the clay earth surrounding it. You will quickly learn why this is one of the most photographed spots in the entire park its unearthly beauty is something to behold. The best spot to take it all in is at the overlook, and you will have enough time to take the 20-minute hike up if you choose. Afterwards, head to Old Faithful, the legendary geyser that you can set your watch to. Enjoy lunch on your own, walk the boardwalk trails surrounding Old Faithful, and check the time on the next eruption. No drive through Yellowstone is that quiet, though you will want to gaze out your window at the mountains, plains, cliffs, and forests. Bison, elk, bears, eagles, wolves, and antelope call this incredible slice of wilderness their home, and you might spot them at any time.

Day 3 West Yellowstone to Yellowstone Northern Loop to West Yellowstone
Today, explore Yellowstones northern loop. Your first stop will be Mammoth Hot Springs. Here, bubbling pots of geothermal water trickle down the step-like terraces, creating incredible shapes and colours. Explore the boardwalks that wind through the steaming landscape. Next, head to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone lookout, where you will find yourself standing over the massive, 20-mile-long canyon. Its craggy walls are streaked with brilliant whites, pinks, and oranges from the volcanic minerals contained in the rocks. The Yellowstone River roars along at the bottom over three different waterfalls. Later today, return to your hotel in West Yellowstone.

Day 4 West Yellowstone to Paradise Valley to Helena
This morning, head through the sweeping vistas of Montanas Paradise Valley. In the distance, you will see the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains to the east, and the Gallatin Range of the Rocky Mountains to your west. You will arrive in the capital of Montana, Helena, a city with rich gold rush history and beautiful Victorian era architecture. These days, the Queen City of the Rockies is less known for gold and more known for its great local restaurants and microbreweries, as well as a stunning trail system in the surrounding landscape.

Day 5 Helena to Gates of the Mountains to Helena
Start your day today with a local guide showing you around the beautiful and welcoming mountain city of Helena on a narrated, train trolley tour. See the opulent mansion district, marvel at the Cathedral of St. Helena, and roll by governors homes. Pass by a restored miners village, enjoy the unique architecture along Last Chance Gulch, and catch a glimpse of the Old Fire Tower. After exploring the city a bit, you will have time on your own to enjoy the charm of downtown Helena before heading to the Gates of the Mountains. Here, on the shores of the Missouri River, you will follow in the footsteps of the most renowned explorers in American history Lewis and Clark. Climb aboard a boat and cruise these storied waters, follow the path Lewis and Clark took on their legendary journey across this vast wilderness, and take in the natural beauty. Meriwether Lewis himself named this stunning canyon the Gates of the Mountains, and you will discover just how it must have felt to come across this awe-inspiring sight. Tonight, return to Helena for an evening at leisure.

Day 6 Helena to Great Falls to St Mary
Today, venture to Great Falls, where the mighty Missouri River thunders down from the Rocky Mountains, over five waterfalls to the great plains below. This was a massive obstacle for Lewis and Clarks expedition in 1805. They had to carry their boats over land for a month to make it from the lower falls to the upper falls. You will not have to work that hard, because it is your choice! Visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center where you can learn about the trials of the legendary expedition -OR- explore the exhibits at the C.M. Russell Art Museum during a guided tour, where you will see the art of Charles Russell, a cowboy-turned-artist from the turn of the century, as well as his original home and log studio. Afterwards, continue to St. Mary, the eastern entryway to Glacier National Park.

Day 7 Glacier National Park to Going-to-the-Sun Road to Whitefish
Head into Glacier National Park to board one of the 1930s vintage red buses and venture down one of the most breathtaking roads in North America, Going-to-the-Sun Road.* Sit back and admire the views of the valley as your jammer, one of the experienced guides, drives you through this natural landscape. Relax and take in all the majestic sights, before heading to the town of Whitefish where forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains unfold in every direction.

Day 8 Whitefish
This morning, enjoy some leisure time in the quaint, picturesque town of Whitefish. Always listed as one of Americas 25 prettiest towns, indulge yourself with time to stroll around, do some shopping, or just relax. Perhaps you will stop for lunch at one of the great restaurants found along Central Avenue or buy some Huckleberry jam from a local shop. A true favourite in Montana, huckleberries can be found in snacks, drinks, candy, and more. Your morning leads into an adventurous afternoon, because it is your choice! Grab a paddle and get ready for a white-water rafting adventure -OR- take the calmer, scenic route on a float down the Flathead River. No matter which style river journey you choose, the awe-inspiring views of Glacier National Park await. Tonight, tell tales about your river escapades whilst sitting down for a mouth-watering barbeque dinner.

Day 9 Whitefish to Flathead Lake to Missoula
Depart Whitefish and drive south, journeying along the western edge of beautiful Flathead Lake. Carved by the ancient glaciers that give Glacier National Park its name, Flathead Lake stretches almost 200 square miles. Quaint, small towns dot the shores here, built with the beautiful backdrop of nature behind them. You might even spot some orchards, growing Flathead cherries. Encompassing most of the lake is the Flathead Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. At one point, these tribes had territories that stretched out of Montana and into Idaho, British Columbia, and Wyoming. The Hellgate Treaty of 1855 set aside Flathead Lake for the tribes, reducing their lands to a fraction of what it once was. Tribal land was once again shrunk in 1904 by over half a million acres. Despite all of this, the Tribal way of life continues on to this day, passed down from elders to children though a rich oral and spiritual tradition. Get a glimpse into these traditions when you meet a descendant of the last Kootenai chief, and learn about the importance of the land in native life. Then, experience an Impact Moment at the Smokejumper Visitor Center to learn about the heroes who fight fires in North America. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure in Missoula.

Day 10 Missoula
Your day in Missoula starts off with a visit to the Museum of Mountain Flying, where aircraft as well as interactive history displays interpret and preserve the history of mountain flying and smoke jumping. Next, visit the Holt Heritage Museum, located on the Lolo Trail which was used by Lewis and Clark in 1805 and 1806. A private museum built by Bill and Ramona Holt, the extensive collection tells the story of Western Montana from cowboys and rodeos, to the native Nez Pierce and Salish/Kootenai cultures. This evening, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner with your fellow travellers, where you can raise a glass and toast to a wildly fun Montana adventure.

Day 11 Missoula
Say goodbye to Big Sky Country and its beautiful sights as you head home.