South Dakota, Home of American Legends

Day 1

Your early morning flight connects in Denver and arrives in Rapid City in time for a private lunch and Native American performance by Sequoia Crosswhite. Learn about the South Dakota Lakota ancestors and traditions through stories and music.  A city tour follows, highlighting the sights and sounds of Rapid City. The Club House Hotel & Suites is your home for the next 3 nights. (L)

Day 2

Today begins with a special treat as we board a smaller coach for the scenic drive over Iron Mountain, a route larger vehicles can't access. Along the way, the famous tunnel views perfectly frame Mount Rushmore, creating one unforgettable photo, moment after another - a combination of experiences and viewpoints most tourists never get to enjoy together. After emerging from the tunnels, we arrive at Mount Rushmore, where your guide brings the monument's history and artistry to life. Next, the excitement continues at Crazy Horse Memorial, where you'll take an exclusive jeep ride to the top of the mountain, an experience reserved for only a select few visitors. Cap the day with dinner overlooking the monument, a breathtaking setting you won't forget.  (ECB,D)

Day 3

Begin with a tour of the Black Hills Gold Factory, where skilled artisans craft the region's unique tri-colored jewelry. Continue to the Mammoth Site, an active excavation is dedicated to the preservation of Ice Age fossils. After a scattered lunch stop in Custer, travel to Custer State Park, home to hundreds of buffalo. Experience them up close on a narrated Jeep tour, followed by a chuckwagon dinner. (ECB,D)

Day 4

Depart for Deadwood, the ultimate Old West town. You'll stay 2 nights at the Deadwood Lodge, an upscale hotel located in the heart of the Black Hills. Before check-in, enjoy a narrated tour of (in)famous Boot Hill, where shady (and not-so shady) characters found their resting place. Free time downtown includes a unique guided tour at the Brothel Museum. (ECB)

Day 5

Head into Wyoming to see the dramatic Devils Tower National Monument, a towering natural wonder sacred to Native peoples. After taking in the views, continue to Sundance for a group lunch at a true local establishment, the kind of place that gives you a real taste of small-town western hospitality. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the Crook County Museum, where engaging exhibits and lively stories bring the region's frontier history, including the tale of the Sundance Kid. (FB, L)

Day 6

Begin your final day with a visit to Tatanka:  Story of the Bison, created by Kevin Costner after filming Dances with Wolves. Learn about the Plains before white settlement and the cultural importance of the bison. Enjoy a farewell lunch at Spearfish Lodge, surrounded by the beauty of Spearfish Canyon and possibly a view of the resident mountain goats. Continue to Rapid City airport for your return flight to Sacramento. (FB,L)