2007 ITINERARY
Day 1 – Jackson, Wyoming
Welcome to GrandLuxe. Fly into Jackson, Wyoming—often called “Jackson Hole”—and meet your fellow travelers at a special Welcome Dinner. Spend the night at a Jackson/Teton Village area deluxe hotel. (D)
Day 2 – Grand Teton National Park
Be awe-inspired by dramatic mountains that reach straight for the sky. Centuries ago, Native Americans hunted the great elk herds that gathered here. Pine forests and delicate strands of aspen decorate the valley at the base of the serrated Teton Mountains. This morning, explore this range, perhaps the most abrupt and breathtaking in America, with Grand Teton towering 13,770 feet. You’ll explore Jenny Lake—majestic, yet tranquil, a favorite site for photographers and sightseers—and the Church of the Transfiguration, a rustic log chapel. For an additional cost, add on an optional excursion that begins with an early breakfast, followed by a gentle, scenic float trip on the Snake River before reuniting with the group. Spend time enjoying the collection at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, which overlooks the elk refuge. After a full day of touring, your hotel provides dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The world’s first national park is filled with wildlife and natural wonders. More than 10,000 boiling springs, mud pots, and geysers—including Old Faithful—are testimony to the geothermal activity rising unusually close to the earth’s surface. The two million acres of protected land at Yellowstone National Park are inhabited by bears, bald eagles, and herds of bison and elk. Guides lead you to West Thumb Geyser Basin, one of the smallest—yet one of the most scenic—geyser basins in Yellowstone. You’ll also visit Fountain Paint Pots and Old Faithful, where you’ll stop for lunch. For an additional cost, add on a 3-mile hike to a backcountry geyser and learn even more about Yellowstone’s thermal features. Later, transfer to the train for dinner and the first night on board the train as we travel to Helena. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Helena, Montana
Experience Montana’s rich history and scenery. The state capital offers a sense of Montana’s history as you tour the city and its landmarks. Dedicated in 1902, the capitol building houses commemorative western artwork, including Charles M. Russell’s largest painting. At the Montana Historical Society Museum, explore permanent exhibits on this territory and its native cultures. Return to the train for lunch, then head for Holter Lake, a reservoir on the Missouri River, and board a boat for a cruise to Gates of the Mountain—1,200-foot cliffs that create the illusion of gates opening to the mountains. Named by Lewis and Clark during their Corps of Discovery expedition, the limestone cliffs also contain ancient petroglyphs. Enjoy beautiful scenery as we leave Helena and ride the rails towards Glacier National Park. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Glacier National Park, Montana
A million acres of beauty. Glacier National Park encompasses more than a million acres of cedar, hemlock, fir, and pine forests; green alpine meadows; and hundreds of lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. You’ll tour this spectacular wonderland via the Going to the Sun Road, a 52-mile highway that splits the park east and west. Crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot Logan Pass, the Going to the Sun Road gives you an ideal vantage point to observe virtually every type of terrain in the park, from the forested lower valleys dotted with glacial lakes to the windswept alpine tundra at the pass. Back on board the train, enjoy dinner as we continue west to Coeur d’Alene. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Wake to breakfast onboard as we head towards Coeur d’Alene. This gorgeous lakefront resort town has a ruggedly beautiful setting. Named “sharp-hearted” by French traders in respect for the tough trading practices of local Indian tribes, the city has become one of the Northwest’s most popular vacation spots. After breakfast on the train, set out for a tour of the local area, featuring lunch on the lake. Watch for moose, bald eagles, and other wildlife. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Columbia River Gorge or Cascades
Ride the rails. Enjoy a full day of running on the train as one beautiful sight after another unfolds outside your window. We will either travel through Washington’s Cascade Mountains or through the Columbia River Gorge. The stunning Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular 80-mile long river canyon that cuts the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range, with a depth of up to 4,000 feet. One of the day’s highlights is sure to be afternoon tea featuring pastries made on board the train. Overnight on the train as we head to Mt. Rainier. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – Mt. Rainier National Park
Take the Road to Paradise. Today the train parks at the base of 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier, the third highest mountain in the Lower 48. Here you’ll board a motorcoach and take the Road to Paradise, one of the park’s main lookouts, which offers an unparalleled view of Mt. Rainier’s summit. As you walk through the park, be on the lookout for more than 200 varieties of wildflowers. Back on board the train, enjoy a farewell dinner en route to Seattle. (B,L,D)
UPDATE: Mount Rainier National Park has experienced severe flooding this winter, resulting in roads and bridges being washed out. Park staff currently predicts they will be able to do the bulk of repairs by June, but snow has prevented a full assessment of the damage and a firm repair schedule is yet to be issued.
Our professional tour planners are in frequent contact with the Park staff, and we hope to have a further update in April or May. At the same time, we are developing other tour options in case our access to the Park is limited. These will be of the same excellent quality as all of our other GrandLuxe tour options and may include a winery tour, or a partial visit to the Park.
Day 9 – Seattle, Washington
Your GrandLuxe rail journey comes to a close. We arrive in Seattle’s historic King Street Station this morning. Stay on in Seattle for additional sightseeing—including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and ferries to nearby islands—or head directly to the airport for flights home. (B)
Optional Tour packages
Enjoy one of our optional extensions or additional hotel nights before or after your journey. Contact our reservations office for more details.
