Itinerary

Arrive in Kalispell and transfer to our hotel in nearby Whitefish, where our Glacier National Park & Waterton Lakes tour begins with a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2: Glacier National Park
Drive east this morning to Glacier National Park, one of the United States' most treasured natural landscapes. Famous for its ice-carved valleys and dramatic mountain peaks, Glacier boasts some of the most pristine natural ecosystems left in the Lower 48 states. We'll have abundant opportunities to view many of the species that call it home, including the mountain goat, the park's emblematic animal. Along the way, learn about the Lewis Overthrust fault and the region's tumultuous geological history, studied by scientists from around the world.
Spend two nights at Glacier Park Lodge, one of the country's most magnificent national park hotels. Built by the Great Northern Railway in 1913 to attract visitors to the park's wonders, the hotel's grand lobby features log pillars more than 40 feet high and 40 inches in diameter, crafted from Douglas fir trees hundreds of years old. The Blackfoot Indians, awed by the size of the timbers, called it Omahkoyis, or "Big Tree Lodge." Located at the foot of Squaw Peak Mountain, the hotel provides an ideal base from which to explore our dramatic environs.
Day 3: Glacier National Park—Two Medicine Valley
Explore Two Medicine Valley today, an area rich in Native American history. Lying on the eastern edge of the park, the valley borders the Blackfeet reservation. From the trailhead at Two Medicine Lake, a morning hike leads through Two Medicine Valley, once a site for sacred Native American rituals, where we admire the multicolored rock layers of the mountain walls. Though the exertion level is moderate, the beauty of the sheer cliffs and peaks surrounding us provide scenic rewards usually reserved for more strenuous efforts. Along the trail, look for a great array of wildlife frequently seen here. Moose,
Days 4 & 5: Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton is a continuation of Glacier's stunning landscapes, and opportunities abound for us to discover this less-visited region. Wander around the small townsite where deer and sheep often graze upon the lawns. With our Expedition Leader, explore a sampler of enticing trails that capitalize on the panoramic vistas at every turn. Weather permitting, enjoy a cruise on beautiful Waterton Lake and an easy hike into a more remote sector of Glacier's wilderness.
Days 6 & 7: Glacier National Park—Many Glacier
Return to the American side of the ecosystem, enter one of the park's iconic valleys at Many Glacier.
Day 8: Going-to-the-Sun Road / Lake McDonald
Experience one of America's most celebrated drives today as we travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road across the park. An engineering marvel completed in 1932, the narrow byway twists and climbs around Glacier's rocky spine all the way to the Continental Divide. Waterfall spray creates rainbows as streams pour off rock precipices, while serrated peaks poke the blue sky. On the summit
Day 9: Kalispell / Depart
This morning our Glacier National Park trip concludes as we get an early start for the drive back to Kalispell to meet departing flights this afternoon.
Physical Rating: Moderate
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