2010 – 10 Days from $2,990
Stay right in the heart of the world's first national park on this most exciting of Yellowstone tours, which also takes in Old West history in Cody, the colossal Black Hills masterpieces of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the peaks and glaciers of the Grand Tetons! See Old Faithful shooting hundreds of feet in the air, just outside your hotel... raft along the Snake River... dig into a pioneer lunch at a national trail museum in Idaho... enjoy a classic western ranch experience... attend a Wild West rodeo or a cowboy music revue... and have an exclusive opportunity to take part in a volunteer project with park experts in Grand Teton National Park!
Northbound
Click here for Southbound itinerary.
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this webpage and discuss it with our your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Airline Security Measures –
If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site by clicking here.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed.You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center hotel on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When you make flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends at the Radisson Hotel Rapid City. We will also provide transportation to Rapid City Regional Airport, regardless of the day and time of your departure, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Travel Document Requirements – Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks begins and ends in the U.S.
If you are a citizen of the U.S. or Canada who travels frequently between the two countries, you may benefit from the NEXUS program, which is joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet website by clicking here. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The U.S. dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted. Travelers’ checks should be taken in U.S. dollars to avoid hassles.
To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the website, oanda.com, by clicking here.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with each country’s specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.
If you are not a resident of the United States, you are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $100 USD on items that you bring into the U.S. To find out more information on what information must be provided to U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP) upon entry, please refer to the CBP internet website by clicking here. You should also refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) used in other countries that would permit non-residents to obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
2010 Itinerary
Northbound
Click here for Southbound itinerary.
Day 1 - Welcome to Utah
This most memorable of Yellowstone tours begins at 6:00 PM at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. A transfer is included from Salt Lake City International Airport to the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. Enjoy the welcome reception and dinner with your new travel companions this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hilton Salt Lake City Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Day 2 - Pioneer days to Olympic venues in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, view the unique downtown architecture of Utah's capital city; visit This is the Place Monument, where Mormon pioneers decided to build the city in 1847, and facilities used during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. In your free afternoon, perhaps visit Temple Square highlighted by the impressive Salt Lake Temple, the world-famous Tabernacle or the Beehive House, or trace your genealogy at the Family History Library. Attend an interpretive lecture on the ecology of the Great Salt Lake Basin tonight.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hilton Salt Lake City Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Day 3 - On the trail to Grand Teton National Park
This most engaging of Wyoming and Yellowstone tours takes you along the edge of the Great Salt Lake, then north to Idaho, where you'll stop for a special pioneer lunch at the National Oregon / California Trail Center in Montpelier, featuring an interactive wagon train experience. Continue on to Wyoming, a landscape with grasslands and oil wells backed by mountain ranges. Visit the historic town of Jackson before entering Grand Teton National Park with its jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes, and dense forest. Spend the first of two nights in a scenic lakeside resort in the heart of the national park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, WY
Day 4 - Snake River rafting and more
Today, view some of North America's most spectacular mountain scenery - and keep an eye peeled for wildlife ranging from moose and elk to beavers and bald eagles during a ten-mile rafting trip* along the Snake River. During a free afternoon and evening, explore Grand Teton National Park as you please, enjoy optional activities from horseback riding to fishing (available at additional cost) at your lakeside lodge, or take part in a special volunteer project with park experts, made possible by Tauck's long-standing relationships with the national parks.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, WY
Day 5 - A day in amazing Yellowstone National Park
Heading out of Grand Teton National Park, see the snowy Tetons reflected in Jenny Lake, which was formed by melting glaciers. Arrive midday at Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world's first national park, known for its unique geothermal activity. Witness Old Faithful Geyser, shooting up to 184 feet in the air approximately every 90 minutes - the number one attraction for all Yellowstone tours. Learn more about this phenomenon and check out the Upper Geyser Basin on this afternoon's guided excursion in the park; enjoy an à la carte dinner at your leisure at your classic inside-the-park hotel close to Old Faithful itself.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Day 6 - A place so astounding that no one believed it was real
America's first national park is yours to explore today on this ultimate of Yellowstone tours; witness some of the parks abundant geysers, as well as hundreds of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, steaming fumaroles, and other geothermal wonders that early 19th-century skeptics found too astounding to be believed. You'll follow the Firehole River to Fountain Paint Pot - a collection of colorful, bubbling mudpots - then view the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; overnight in a historic 19th-century hotel on the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Day 7 - Revisit the Wild West in Buffalo Bill's historic town of Cody
Leaving the mountains for the open grazing land of western Wyoming, arrive in the quintessential 1890s town of Cody, named for its founder, Buffalo Bill Cody. For an authentic picture of the art and culture of the Wild West, visit the museums of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center - including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Draper Museum of Natural History, and the Plains Indian Museum. Tonight, an evening of western fun beckons at either the Cody Wild West Rodeo (seasonal) or the Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue, depending on the time of year.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Holiday Inn Cody at Buffalo Bill Village, Cody, WY
Day 8 - The Bighorn Mountains and a taste of ranch life
Traverse the Bighorn Mountains with their breathtaking vistas of rugged canyons, sparkling waterfalls, miles of grassland, and colorful vegetation. Feel the spirit of the West during an authentic ranch experience - including a horseback ride* - during an overnight at The Ranch at Ucross, a real working Wyoming ranch in the heart of "cowboy country."
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Ranch at Ucross, WY
Day 9 - Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse
Enter the Black Hills of South Dakota, where you'll have lunch and visit the in-progress Crazy Horse Memorial. Work on the colossal rock sculpture has been ongoing for more than 50 years; it will be the largest stone carving in the world when completed. Continue on to one of America's best-known icons - Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the faces of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are carved into granite bluffs; learn about the monument's creation at the Borglum Historical Center. Arrive in Rapid City, where you'll share favorite highlights of this most unforgettable of Yellowstone tours at tonight's farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Radisson Hotel Rapid City, SD
Day 10 - Journey home
This most memorable of Yellowstone tours ends in Rapid City, South Dakota. Fly home anytime; a transfer from Radisson Hotel Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Airport is included. Flight departure times vary; allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
* For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Tauck's classic Western journey stands out among Yellowstone tours with Mount Rushmore, rafting and ranch experiences, a volunteer opportunity in Grand Teton National Park and much more - book now!
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. We have arranged with All Resorts Transportation Service to provide you with a shared ride van service from Salt Lake City International Airport to the Hilton Salt Lake City Center hotel regardless of the day or time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks before your departure date. We will also provide transportation from the Radisson Hotel Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Airport, regardless of the day and time of your departure. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel and Lodge Accommodations - The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Hotel and Lodge Accommodations - The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this webpage and discuss it with our your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
- Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
- Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
- Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
- Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
- Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
- File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
- Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
- Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary
Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures –
If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site by clicking here.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed.You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center hotel on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When you make flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends at the Radisson Hotel Rapid City. We will also provide transportation to Rapid City Regional Airport, regardless of the day and time of your departure, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Travel Document Requirements – Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks begins and ends in the U.S.
If you a citizen of another country traveling to the U.S., you should contact an embassy or consulate of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation is necessary. You may also log on to the U.S. State Department’s Internet site by clicking here.
If you are traveling by air to join and/or depart from this tour within the U.S., please read the section above entitled Airline Security Measures to determine what travel documentation is required.
If you are traveling by air to join and/or depart from this tour within the U.S., please read the section above entitled Airline Security Measures to determine what travel documentation is required.
We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children -
Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Air Conditioning – The Jackson Lake Lodge, Old Faithful Inn and Lake Yellowstone Hotel are not air-conditioned; the other hotels used on this tour and the motor coaches are air-conditioned.
ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing –Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required.
Most of our hotels offer valet laundry service for a fee. Please inquire at time of booking.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
The national park lodges do not have televisions or Internet hook-ups, so bring along a good book to read!
On this tour, we will offer you a unique opportunity to volunteer with national park experts on a special service project. If you choose to participate in this program at Grand Teton National Park, we suggest you pack clothes appropriate for working outdoors.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks:
Air Conditioning – The Jackson Lake Lodge, Old Faithful Inn and Lake Yellowstone Hotel are not air-conditioned; the other hotels used on this tour and the motor coaches are air-conditioned.
ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing –Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required.
Most of our hotels offer valet laundry service for a fee. Please inquire at time of booking.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
The national park lodges do not have televisions or Internet hook-ups, so bring along a good book to read!
On this tour, we will offer you a unique opportunity to volunteer with national park experts on a special service project. If you choose to participate in this program at Grand Teton National Park, we suggest you pack clothes appropriate for working outdoors.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks:
- Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
- An optional jacket and tie for men
- Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Swimwear
- Gym wear
- A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
- Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
- Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Outdoor work clothes for volunteering (optional)
- Battery-operated travel alarm clock
- Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
- Zipper-lock bags
- Daypack for camera equipment
- Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
Elevation – All the hotels on this itinerary are located at high elevations. The lowest overnight elevation is 3,220 ft (981 m) at the Radisson Hotel Rapid City and the highest is 7,300 ft (2,225 m) at Lake Yellowstone Hotel.
Health – To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.
There are no elevators at The Ranch at Ucross or at the Holiday Inn Cody, and while none of the planned activities are especially strenuous or difficult, we urge caution when engaging in activities at high elevations. If you have a heart condition or lung ailment, please consult your physician before you book your trip.
We regret we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.
The Jackson Lake Lodge, Old Faithful Inn and Lake Yellowstone Hotel are all non-smoking hotels and a very large fine will be assessed if anyone is determined to have smoked on their properties.
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a resident of another country traveling to or within the U.S., we suggest that contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information regarding vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases for which you might be at risk when you reach your destination in the U.S. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here
Luggage Restrictions
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here,
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The U.S. dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted. Travelers’ checks should be taken in U.S. dollars to avoid hassles.
To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the website, oanda.com, by clicking here.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with each country’s specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.
If you are not a resident of the United States, you are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $100 USD on items that you bring into the U.S. To find out more information on what information must be provided to U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP) upon entry, please refer to the CBP internet website by clicking here. You should also refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) used in other countries that would permit non-residents to obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in the U.S. is 110 V, 60 Hz, AC, which accommodates standard U.S. plugs having either two flat pins or two flat pins and a round grounding pin. If you bring electric devices that are not compatible with this system, you should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
Hilton Salt Lake City Center – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Jackson Lake Lodge - WiFi in the lobby and dial-up in rooms for a fee
Old Faithful Inn - No access
Lake Yellowstone Hotel - No access
Holiday Inn Cody – High-speed wireless access in rooms for a fee
The Ranch at Ucross - No access
Radisson Hotel Rapid City – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Time Zones – All the areas visited on this journey are located in the U.S. Mountain Time Zone and are 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From early March to early November, these areas switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 6 hours behind.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here
.
Weather – The high temperatures in the summer months average 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) and the lows average 40 to 60°F (4 to 16°C). The overnight temperatures can drop to the freezing point even during the summer at the highest elevations. Rainfall is light to moderate throughout the region. Salt Lake City receives the least amount of rain with an average of less than 1 in (25 mm) per month during summer; Jackson averages 1.5 in (38 mm) and Rapid City averages 2.5 in (63 mm.)
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
Hilton Salt Lake City Center – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Jackson Lake Lodge - WiFi in the lobby and dial-up in rooms for a fee
Old Faithful Inn - No access
Lake Yellowstone Hotel - No access
Holiday Inn Cody – High-speed wireless access in rooms for a fee
The Ranch at Ucross - No access
Radisson Hotel Rapid City – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Time Zones – All the areas visited on this journey are located in the U.S. Mountain Time Zone and are 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From early March to early November, these areas switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 6 hours behind.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here
.
Weather – The high temperatures in the summer months average 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) and the lows average 40 to 60°F (4 to 16°C). The overnight temperatures can drop to the freezing point even during the summer at the highest elevations. Rainfall is light to moderate throughout the region. Salt Lake City receives the least amount of rain with an average of less than 1 in (25 mm) per month during summer; Jackson averages 1.5 in (38 mm) and Rapid City averages 2.5 in (63 mm.)
|
|
Average Temperature
|
|||
|
|
Salt Lake City, UT
|
Jackson, WY
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
January
|
39 / 25
|
4 / -4
|
25 / 1
|
-4 / -17
|
|
February
|
44 / 30
|
7 / -1
|
31 / 3
|
-1 / -16
|
|
March
|
53 / 37
|
12 / 3
|
40 / 12
|
4 / -11
|
|
April
|
61 / 43
|
16 / 6
|
49 / 22
|
9 / -6
|
|
May
|
70 / 51
|
21 / 11
|
61 / 31
|
16 / -1
|
|
June
|
82 / 60
|
28 / 16
|
71 / 37
|
22 / 3
|
|
July
|
89 / 67
|
32 / 19
|
79 / 42
|
26 / 6
|
|
August
|
88 / 66
|
31 / 19
|
78 / 41
|
26 / 5
|
|
September
|
78 / 57
|
26 / 14
|
69 / 34
|
21 / 1
|
|
October
|
65 / 46
|
18 / 8
|
55 / 25
|
13 / -4
|
|
November
|
50 / 35
|
10 / 2
|
37 / 14
|
3 / -10
|
|
December
|
40 / 27
|
4 / -3
|
26 / 2
|
-3 / -17
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Rapid City, SD
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
|
|
January
|
34 / 10
|
1 / -12
|
|
|
|
February
|
38 / 14
|
3 / -10
|
|
|
|
March
|
45 / 21
|
7 / -6
|
|
|
|
April
|
55 / 31
|
13 / -1
|
|
|
|
May
|
65 / 42
|
18 / 6
|
|
|
|
June
|
75 / 52
|
24 / 11
|
|
|
|
July
|
83 / 58
|
28 / 14
|
|
|
|
August
|
82 / 55
|
28 / 13
|
|
|
|
September
|
73 / 45
|
23 / 17
|
|
|
|
October
|
61 / 34
|
16 / 1
|
|
|
|
November
|
44 / 21
|
7 / -6
|
|
|
|
December
|
37 / 13
|
3 / -11
|
|
|
|
|
Average Rainfall
|
|||
|
|
Salt Lake City, UT
|
Jackson, WY
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
January
|
1.6
|
40
|
2.6
|
65
|
|
February
|
1.6
|
41
|
2.1
|
54
|
|
March
|
2.0
|
51
|
1.7
|
42
|
|
April
|
2.3
|
59
|
2.0
|
51
|
|
May
|
2.3
|
59
|
2.0
|
51
|
|
June
|
0.8
|
21
|
1.7
|
43
|
|
July
|
0.7
|
18
|
1.4
|
36
|
|
August
|
0.6
|
16
|
1.4
|
36
|
|
September
|
1.2
|
31
|
1.3
|
34
|
|
October
|
1.7
|
43
|
1.3
|
32
|
|
November
|
1.7
|
42
|
2.2
|
56
|
|
December
|
1.3
|
32
|
2.5
|
62
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Rapid City, SD
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
|
|
January
|
0.3
|
7
|
|
|
|
February
|
0.4
|
9
|
|
|
|
March
|
0.9
|
23
|
|
|
|
April
|
3.5
|
88
|
|
|
|
May
|
3.5
|
88
|
|
|
|
June
|
3.0
|
77
|
|
|
|
July
|
2.7
|
69
|
|
|
|
August
|
2.1
|
53
|
|
|
|
September
|
1.2
|
31
|
|
|
|
October
|
1.6
|
40
|
|
|
|
November
|
0.5
|
13
|
|
|
|
December
|
0.3
|
8
|
|
|
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$350 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person
$350 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person
Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.
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