A Little Montana

Some places appear the same whether you view them from the pages of a magazine, or from the soles of your traveling shoes - Montana is NOT one of those places! The real treasures of this beautiful state are the sweeping vistas, pristine streams, and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. Find out why Lewis and Clark described Montana as “scenes of visionary enchantment”, and among the prairies, mountain ranges, and ghost towns, expect to see a great variety of two- and four-legged creatures! This Montana and Glacier Park Adventure is one of our most popular, fully escorted tours, with guests often repeating the adventure every few years. Come with us and find out why, on this exciting and delightful journey into the Big Sky Country; a true feast for the senses!

Duration
7 Days /6 Nights

Group size
35

Customization
Available!
Estimated Tour Pricing Inclusions: 6 nights’ accommodation; 6 breakfasts; 1 lunch;  6 dinners;  admissions, entrance, and guide fees as stated in the itinerary, including taxes, and gratuity. Except gratuity for guide fees is not included on adult tours unless otherwise requested.
Highlights:
  • Welcome Dinner
  • Helena Tour
  • Reeder's Alley
  • St. Helena Cathedral
  • Helena Historical Society Museum
  • Gates of the Mountains Waterway
  • Seeley, Swan, and Flathead Valleys
  • Glacier National Park
  • Big Mountain
  • Hutterite Colony

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1 - Flight to Montana
  • Arrive at Belgrade, Montana where you’ll be met by your tour escort and assisted with your hotel transfer to Helena.
  • Check in to Hotel in Helena and enjoy a special Welcome-to-Montana Dinner in Helena with a free evening to rest
 
Day 2 - St. Helena Cathedral
  • Enjoy breakfast included at the Hotel then set out on a tour of Helena and ride past the imposing Montana State Capitol and historic Reeder’s Alley. The 19th century buildings were restored to preserve the colorful heritage of Helena’s settlement as a mining mecca.
  • View St. Helena Cathedral, with its beautiful stained-glass windows and imposing spires.
  • Visit the Helena Historical Society Museum, offering views into the state’s rich past and featuring an impressive exhibit of the art of Montana’s famed “Cowboy Artist” Charles M. Russell. Stop mid-day at Last Chance Gulch, where gold was first discovered in Helena, and is now home to shops and eateries.
  • Embark on a scenic afternoon cruise past wooded slopes and rugged rock formations along the Gates of the Mountains Waterway, named by Lewis and Clark, and where towering walls of limestone stand guard over the river, and bighorn sheep and mountain goats still scamper in the rocks high above.
  • Enjoy a uniquely memorable “Montana pitchfork fondue” dinner at picturesque a ranch, then return to your Hotel in Helena for the evening.
 
Day 3 - Glacier National Park
  • Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel prior to checking out then traverse along the wide open and rugged landscapes of Seeley and Swan Valleys, en route to beautiful Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park.
  • Stop in Lincoln, Montana for an opportunity to shop for local treats such as buffalo jerky and a variety of huckleberry products then enjoy your included lunch at a local Seeley Lake restaurant featuring views that may very well include a deer or two.
  • Travel on through Kalispell to scenic Flathead Valley; just west of the Continental Divide in the rugged Rocky Mountains, it’s your gateway to Glacier National Park.
  • Check in to Lodge in Whitefish. Explore, shop, and dine on your own in the charming town of Whitefish.
 
Day 4 - Flathead Valley
  • Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel, travel a short distance to Big Mountain, with the option of taking the ski lift or the gondola up to the mountaintop and take in its incredible 360-degree panoramic views of Flathead Valley.
  • From this “top of the world” vantage point you’ll be able to see peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the north as well as Glacier National Park. Continue to scenic Bigfork with time for browsing and lunch on your own. Head into Kalispell to visit the Conrad Mansion, the most beautifully preserved pre-1900 mansion in Montana, and experience the elegance of a bygone era.
  • When Charles Conrad arrived in the Flathead Valley in 1891, this lovely town with its tree-lined streets was still but a dream.
  • This evening you’ll be welcomed by cowboys at a real Montana ranch, and, for those interested, set out on an optional guided horseback ride for a nominal fee.
  • Enjoy a family style dinner included here at the Ranch, prepared by the owners and their staff. Return to your hotel in Whitefish for the night.
 
Day 5 - Scenic Adventure
  • Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for a ride through West Glacier to Glacier National Park then transfer to an authentic 1933 Red “Jammer” Bus for an adventurous ride to the peak of Glacier National Park along the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road. This scenic 1932 highway clings to the edge of the world as the iconic bus makes its way up through cedar forests and windswept alpine tundra.
  • Return to Lake McDonald Lodge for time to enjoy lunch on your own, lounge on the veranda enjoying the scenery, and visit the unique gift shop.
  • Embark this afternoon on a gentle scenic adventure as you float along the crystal-clear waters at the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.
  • Enjoy a fitting end to the day with dinner grilled by your float tour guides while admiring the majesty of Glacier National Park. Return to your hotel in Whitefish for the night.
 
Day 6 - Glacier Park Lodge
  • Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel prior to checking out. Travel through the lower section of spectacular Glacier National Park. Arrive at Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. Take time to wander through this historic lodge, built over a century ago on land purchased from the Blackfeet Nation. The 60 immense timbers supporting the Lodge are over 600 years old, and the Blackfeet were amazed at the powers of the “Great Spirit” as they watched the massive lodge take shape.
  • Journey on to visit a Hutterite Colony for a unique afternoon. You’ll begin with a homestyle lunch included that’s cooked and served by the women of the colony and hear about the Hutterites and their way of life. This exclusive experience provides you the opportunity to talk to and learn from those who live here.
  • Travel back to Helena, where you’ll check in to the Delta Colonial Hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner included to fully round out your time in the Big Sky Country.
 
Day 7 - Breakfast & Depart
  • Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel prior to checking out. Depart with fond new memories of your Big Sky Adventure.
 

Base rate does not include motor coach transportation, airfare, airport transfers, driver gratuity, guide gratuity, (student groups exempt) or any upgrades or add-ons unlisted from itinerary as stated. Pricing may vary based on day of arrival or other conditions. Personalized itineraries with custom pricing and/or additional transportation can be created and added based on client needs and upon client’s request. MARS will customize quotes or personalize itineraries for FREE.

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