Best of Montana

Trip Type: Explorer
United States Of America | 6 D | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 5,910.00 /Person

Taking you from Bozeman to Missoula via Glacier National Park, this six-day trip showcases the customs and history of Native American culture and the natural beauty of Montana.

Best of Montana

Taking you from Bozeman to Missoula via Glacier National Park, this six-day trip showcases the customs and history of Native American culture and the natural beauty of Montana. With a knowledgeable leader guiding the way, you’ll experience a landscape shaped by the elements over thousands of years as you immerse yourself in local history and enjoy delicious picnic lunches surrounded by the scenic splendour of mountains, rivers, glaciers and lakes. Head out on a scenic river cruise, explore the mountains on hikes and get your heart pumping on an exhilarating rafting experience.

Welcome to Montana! Your adventure begins in Bozeman at 10 am with a welcome meeting. After, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through this Rocky Mountains town, which serves as the perfect starting point for exploring Montana’s history and natural beauty. Take some time for lunch then head to Helena, where you’ll spend the night. After arriving, join a local guide for walking tour through the city’s downtown, where you’ll hear about how it transformed from its beginnings as a rowdy mining camp to the capital of Montana. This evening, you might like to head out for dinner with your group.

After breakfast, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the explorers Lewis and Clark and venture to the Gates of the Mountains on a scenic river cruise. You’ll sail alongside limestone cliffs to a set of towering stone walls which appear to open like a gate as your boat approaches. Little has changed since the two explorers first visited this stretch of the Missouri River, and the region’s untouched beauty remains. Your night is free in Helena to rest and recharge or find a good dinner spot – your leader is always on hand with suggestions.

After an early breakfast, hit the road and drive to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park – home to the largest buffalo jump in America, used as a hunting tool by Native American tribes for at least 1000 years. This is a special and unique experience to learn about the history of the land firsthand. Get to know the landscape with a member of the Blackfeet tribe, who will take you on a full day experience including hikes, walks, talks and a cultural exchange on their homelands. Then, sit down and soak up the scenery over an included lunch where you can ask questions and learn more. Spend the night in Great Falls, where you’re free for dinner.

This morning, you’ll hit the road again after breakfast. Known as the ‘Crown of the Continent’, Glacier National Park offers an impressive array of activities for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Today, you’ll board a raft and enjoy an exhilarating (and splashy) rafting experience down the Flathead River with an expert local guide – a must-do in this area! Then head into the town of West Glacier, where you’ll spend the night. After an action-packed day, feel free to relax and recharge, or chat with your leader for the best dinner recommendations in town.

After breakfast this morning, you'll take on a full day locally-guided nature hike in Glacier National Park – a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. First, we'll drive the iconic Going to the Sun Road to the trailhead where we'll begin our hike. Meander through sun dappled forests to the base of two waterfalls as you hear from your guide about the history of the people who have called Glacier National Park home. Stopping for a homemade picnic lunch with your group, soak up the beauty of your surroundings before making your way back along the trail. Tonight, you may like to drop into one of the local craft breweries or restaurants for dinner.

Enjoy a morning at leisure before hitting the road to Missoula. When you arrive, enjoy one last meal at a local brewery with your group to celebrate all you’ve done in this jam-packed adventure. Your adventure will end at around 3 pm.

Meals
5 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(s),

Transport
Private vehicle

Accommodation
Hotels (5 nights)

Included Activities

  • Helena - Walking tour with a local guide
  • Bozeman - Leader-led walking tour
  • Helena - Lewis and Clark River Cruise
  • Great Falls - Hikes with Blackfeet Nation guide
  • Glacier National Park – Scenic Whitewater Rafting
  • Glacier National Park - Full Day Guided Hike with Lunch
  • Missoula - Local Brewery Tasting & Lunch
  • Raft down the Flathead River in Glacier National Park – a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains – and soak up the views from a different perspective.
  • Spend a full day learning about Native American history in First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park from a member of the Blackfeet tribe, hiking in Giant Springs State Park and exploring the land and culture.
  • Follow in the path of Lewis and Clark exploring the Gates of the Mountains on a scenic river cruise along the Missouri River.
  • Spend a full day on a locally guided hike through the incredible Glacier National Park, where you’ll stand at the foot of waterfalls, walk under the canopy of ancient forests, and enjoy a homemade lunch in the wilderness.
  • End your trip in Missoula with an included lunch and beer tasting at a local brewery, toasting your efforts on an adventure well spent!

This trip includes a whitewater rafting experience in which you will be required to manoeuvre in and out of a raft, and a guided hike with a distance of 10.5 km (6.5 mi). While the included activities do not require any special physical preparation for most travelers, at least a moderate level of fitness is needed to make the most out of the trip. June departures may include a guided e-biking experience on Glacier National Park's iconic Going to the Sun Road instead of the full day hike if the high passes are not yet fully cleared of snow. You may also want to check out our Great American West trip if you have a longer time to explore the region: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/united-states/great-american-west-150416

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Destination Details
United States Of America | 6 D | 1 - 12 People
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
United States Of America
Trip Finishes:
United States Of America
Countries Visited:
United States Of America
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