Badlands & Black Hills of South Dakota Friday, September 9 Thursday, September 15, 2016 The Spirit of the West lives on in South Dakota and this weeklong getaway is a wonderful chance to escape the bustle of modern life and reconnect with our country s rich history. We ll witness 2.5 billion years of geological history in a single day via the steep canyons, spires and buttes created by the stark, beautiful environment of the Badlands and the 865-foot Devils Tower Monument (made famous in Close Encounters of the Third Kind). Excursions to the man-made rock formations of Mount Rushmore and the still-in-progress Crazy Horse Memorial are equally breathtaking. Spend three exciting nights in the gold rush town of Deadwood, former residence of true American originals Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. At the Hampton Inn, however, with its 24-hour casino and indoor pool, you won t be roughing it like they did. The Old West lives on Includes Round-trip regularly scheduled flights from Boston to Rapid City, SD, via a connecting city Six nights accommodations Ten meals: six breakfasts, four dinners Escorted, private, round-trip airport/hotel transfers Sightseeing and touring Services of professional Tour Manager Rates $2,049 per person double occupancy $2,029 per person triple occupancy $2,469 for single reservations Fuel surcharge, air taxes and fees subject to change. Travel Insured insurance is $120. Although not required, we recommend purchasing the insurance. Purchase must be made at time of booking. Per person deposit is $300. Accommodations TRIP PLANNER: DAY 1 Flight from Boston to Rapid City DAYS 1 3 Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City DAYS 4 6 Hampton Inn and Casino, Deadwood DAY 7 Return flight to Boston Features Rapid City: Journey Museum, excursion to Badlands National Park & Wall Drug, visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial, K- Bar-S Lodge dinner, Custer State Park & Iron Mountain Road. Deadwood: tour, Mount Moriah Cemetery excursion to Devils Tower Monument, Kevin Costner s TaTanka: Story of the Bison.
Day 1: Today jet to Rapid City, South Dakota The Mount Rushmore State. Enjoy three nights at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson located in beautiful downtown Rapid City. (D) Day 2: This morning, visit the Journey Museum where you ll experience the history of Dakota as far back as 2.5 billion years. Later, you ll venture into the Badlands, where rain and frost have carved the landscape into colorful spires and massive buttes. You ll also visit the world s largest drugstore, Wall Drug, located in the small town of Wall. Later, return to Rapid City after a day of scenic adventure. (B) Day 3: After breakfast, head south to the world s largest mountain carving, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. You ll learn about Gutzon Borglum and his 14-year project as you visit Rushmore s Orientation Center, the sculptor s studio and amphitheater. Next, visit the Crazy Horse memorial which, when completed, will ascend 563 feet. This evening, dine at the famous K-Bar-S Lodge nestled in the beautiful Black Hills before returning to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4: Today, drive through Custer State Park where buffalo and elk may be sighted. Explore Iron Mountain Road before heading for the tiny goldrush town of Deadwood. Enjoy three nights at the Hampton Inn and Casino located right on Deadwood s Main Street. Tonight, enjoy dinner and try your luck at one of the many old fashioned casinos in this famous cowboy town. (B, D)
Day 5: This morning, relive the rich history of Deadwood and nearby Mount Moriah Cemetery, where you ll step back to the days of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Later experience Kevin Costner s TaTanka: Story of the Bison. Tonight dinner is on your own at your choice of the restaurants that lie on the Main Street of Deadwood. (B)
Day 6: After breakfast at the hotel you will visit Devils Tower Monument. This famous 856-foot tower was filmed in the award winning movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Later, enjoy a fabulous farewell dinner. (B, D) Day 7: After breakfast, you ll head for Rapid City where you ll depart on your return flight home. (B)