Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Jackson Hole - Yellowstone - Cody - Billings - Sheridan - Rapid City - Cheyenne - Estes Park - Denver
100% customisable for you
Your USA adventure begins today. Head to the airport and relax in the lounge before your nine-hour-and-40-minute flight to Denver. Touching down in Colorado’s capital in the early afternoon, you’ll have a short wait in the airport before catching your connecting flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. When you arrive at your destination late this afternoon, pick up a hire car and drive for around 30 minutes to reach your accommodation.
Your home for the next three nights is a resort on the outskirts of Jackson, a cosy and comfortable base for the first leg of your adventure. Hungry after a long day of travelling? Head to the resort’s restaurant or a nearby eatery to get acquainted with American cuisine (and portion sizes).
Rise and shine for the first full day of your holiday. Grab breakfast-to-go before being picked up for a sunrise 4x4 wildlife safari. Grand Teton National Park is famous for its awe-inspiring landscapes, so have your cameras at the ready for craggy peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes and lush coniferous forests. Led by an experienced naturalist guide, your small group excursion will last around four hours. Learn about the flora and fauna of the region as you keep watch for the park’s abundant wildlife; spotting elk, bison, wolves, bears and bald eagles from the comfort of your 4x4.
Not a morning person? Opt for an equally beautiful sunset wildlife safari instead. Binoculars are provided, so you won’t miss a thing whether it’s dusk or dawn.
Safari successfully ticked off, you could enjoy a spot of horse riding, hiking or climbing, or explore the town’s art galleries, boutiques and delicious restaurants.
Looking for something a little more adventurous? Today, tackle the ultimate thrill-seeker’s activity: white water rafting. Don a life jacket and get your heart racing on this three-and-a-half-hour group experience set within spectacular Wyoming scenery. Take to the frothy, swirling waters of the infamous Snake River – consistently one of the best white-water adventures in the USA – for an unforgettable excursion. The Snake River is a majestic beast flowing through four states; ride the ebb and flow of its waters on Class Three-ranked (out of five) rapids like the ‘Big Kahuna’, the ‘Three Oar Deal’, and the ‘California Curl’. No previous rafting experience is needed, but if you’d prefer a (slightly) gentler ride, be sure to sit in the centre of the boat.
After your rapturous rapid adventure, enjoy some chill time back at your accommodation, before a delicious dinner to mark your final night in Jackson Hole.
Today, embark on the next leg of your journey. Fire up your faithful ride and load our destination-themed playlist for the two-and-a-half-hour drive north towards Yellowstone. Prepare for panoramic views of the distant snowy Teton peaks and Wyoming’s characteristic great plains, and be on the lookout for bison and deer as you enter Yellowstone National Park through a forest of dead trees – remnants from the fire of 1988.
Once you’ve settled into your comfortable accommodation – where you’ll be spending one night – it’s time to discover the park. Hop back in the car for a drive around the Grand Loop Road, exploring the iconic natural beauty of Yellowstone, from the Upper Geyer Basin to the Grand Prismatic Spring. Admire wildlife grazing between fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, mud pools and waterfalls set against spectacular canyons, before making your way back to base for a cosy evening.
The next stop on your whistlestop Wyoming tour is the city of Cody. During the three-hour drive, admire varied landscapes of rocky mountains, green meadows, rivers and waterfalls. You’ll be spending two nights in Cody, which was founded by the mythical figure of the American Old West, Buffalo Bill. Tonight’s activity? We recommend experiencing Cody’s famous rodeo, held every summer evening – it’s a thrilling introduction to classic cowboy culture...
Cody is yours for the taking today. After breakfast, head to the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West Museum for an introduction to all things American West. Entrance is included in your itinerary, so get stuck into the history, myths, art and culture of the region. The complex consists of a research library and five museums, so there’s no excuse not to be a Western expert by the end of your visit.
Another must-see in Cody is the Old Trail Town. Step back in time and say ‘yeehaw’ as you explore this brilliantly reconstructed Western town. This is the perfect place to re-create scenes from your favourite Western movie and take as many embarrassing photos as possible. Museums are hungry (and thirsty) work, so head into town afterwards for a bite to eat and a wander around the shops.
Your destination today is the state of Montana’s largest city, Billings, a one-hour-and-45-minute drive away. Bordering the Yellowstone River, Billings is home to 100,000 inhabitants and is notable for its plentiful museums. Check into your cosy hotel (home for the next two nights) before heading into town to get your bearings. This evening, tuck into dinner at a traditional diner for a casual meal or opt for a fine dining restaurant if you’re feeling fancy.
Enjoy a full day exploring Billings’ sights at your own pace. Don’t miss the wonderful Moss Mansion Historic House Museum, the Western Heritage Centre and the Yellowstone Art Museum. There are also some great natural wonders in and around Billings, so head to the Pictograph Caves, Lake Elmo or DanWalt Botanical Gardens for your fix of scenic spectacles. Afterwards, enjoy the restaurants and shops in downtown Billings before heading back to your hotel for a nightcap.
Your state-hopping extravaganza continues today as you head back to Wyoming for an overnight stay in the small town of Sheridan. It takes just under two hours to reach Wyoming’s ‘emerald city’, so-called thanks to the lush greenery that surrounds the town. In Sheridan, immerse yourself in the story of the conquest of the West, catch a rodeo and stroll downtown to pick up a period souvenir or two. Sheridan is also a stone’s throw from the Bighorn National Forest, where towering trees, majestic mountains and mirrored lakes await. Head there for sunset to witness the landscape transforming from orange to pink in the sinking sun.
Tonight, stay in one of the town’s historic hotels (including an establishment where novelist Ernest Hemingway added the finishing touches to A Farewell to Arms). Enjoy an evening meal as you relive today’s adventures, before recharging your batteries for tomorrow’s long drive.
It’s time to head to the next state on your itinerary today – South Dakota – so pack up your hire car and hit the road. Make sure to stock up on snacks for the journey, as you’ll be taking the scenic route and covering 292 miles in just under five hours. Along the way, take a detour to Devil’s Tower, a natural monolith with a peak that rises almost 5,000ft high. You’ll also journey through the beautiful Black Hills National Park before continuing to Rapid City.
Arriving after a long but rewarding drive, check into your hotel, which has all the comforts you need for the next three nights. End the evening with some food and drink in a local restaurant, before returning to your room for a restful night’s sleep.
Over the next two days, explore Rapid City and its special surroundings. Just 20 minutes away is Mount Rushmore, where the presidential faces of George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are immortalised in granite – visit at sunrise or sunset to see them bathed in golden light. Another must-see is the Crazy Horse Memorial, an engraving paying tribute to the Sioux warrior and tribal leader.
An hour’s drive east of the city, Badlands National Park is home to stony eroded landscapes and the largest mixed grass prairie in the USA; hike along one of the many trails to sample its spectacular scenery. Custer State Park also provides a taster of South Dakota’s natural beauty – expect serene lakes, rocky vistas and lots of buffalo.
Time to spare? Stroll around Rapid City’s characterful downtown, visit one of the many museums and soak up the atmosphere in the ‘City of Presidents’.
Head back to Wyoming today, driving four-and-a-half-hours south towards the capital city and the most populous in the state, Cheyenne. True Western culture is celebrated here, so giddy up and get your cowboy hat and boots on if you want to pass for a local.
Once you’ve arrived and settled into your hotel for the night, make the most of your evening in Cheyenne. Visit one of Cheyenne’s local rodeos, watch a gunslinger performance in the square or put your best foot forward with some boot-scootin’ line dancing.
Say goodbye to Cheyenne this morning as you embark on the next leg of your journey, a one-and-a-half-hour drive towards Estes Park, Colorado. Along the way, stop off in the picturesque university town of Fort Collins for a stroll along Main Street and a local craft beer (alcohol-free for the designated driver). Then take scenic Highway 34 which runs along the impressive Big Thompson Canyon, before cruising on to your hotel, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Tonight, discover the local breweries, shops and restaurants in Estes Park, before hitting the hay.
Over the next two days, experience what is arguably Colorado’s greatest asset: Rocky Mountain National Park. Encompassing 660 square miles of some of the USA’s highest mountains, the park holds evergreen forests, steep valleys and steel-blue lakes. One of the best ways to explore is to drive Trail Ridge Road, the country’s highest paved road. This spectacular route takes you above the treeline, where you might spot elk and bighorn sheep, along with bald eagles and black bears if you’re lucky.
No visit to the park is complete without a hike or two, and there’s ample ground to cover. Follow trails through the alpine tundra, passing waterfalls and poetically-named lakes like ‘Emerald’ and ‘Dream’, or wake up early to catch sunrise over Bear Lake one morning. In the evenings, try one of Estes Park’s many delicious eateries or bars (most of which come with a view).
Your time discovering Colorado’s great outdoors comes to an end today. Swapping lakes and mountains for city life, begin the 71-mile drive towards Denver. It’ll take around one and a half hours to reach your hotel for an overnight stay in the vibrant capital. Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, there’s so much more to the ‘Mile High City’ than its proximity to the ski slopes.
For a culture fix, visit the world-renowned Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Art Museum and the State Capitol building. With a plethora of restaurants and bars to visit, make sure to consult our Dossier of the best tried-and-tested establishments. After sampling some of the best American cuisine in the city and raising a glass to a great trip, head back to your hotel for one final sleep stateside.
Enjoy your last coffee and American breakfast in Colorado before your flight home later this afternoon. Until then, why not explore more of the city? There’s still plenty to do, like a trip to the Botanic Gardens, a picnic in one of the city’s parks or a guided walking tour. You can even hire bikes and cruise the city at your own pace.
After filling your final hours with fun, it’s time to head to the airport, so hop in your hire car for one last drive. Bid a fond farewell to your faithful four-wheels and stock up on snacks for the nine-hour flight ahead. You’ll be travelling overnight, so try to catch some sleep before you land back in the UK mid-morning. We recommend listening to our destination playlist to stave off the holiday blues for a little while longer.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
