July 28th to Aug 1st – SOLD OUT – Glacier National Park Rail and Fly with “Going to the Sun” Red Bus Tour, River Float, National Bison Range & Fort Missoula

Includes:

• Deluxe Transportation with One-Way Overnight Rail from Seattle to West Glacier on the Empire Builder
• 3 Nights Hotels in Montana
• Return Non-Stop Air to SeaTac
• Travel the famous “Going to the Sun” Highway on a Narrated Historic Red Jammer Touring Bus
• Take a Scenic Float Trip on the Flathead River, along Glacier Park
• Guided Tour of the 1895 Conrad Mansion
• Scenic Wildlife Drive through National Bison Range and St Ignatius Mission  
• Garden of 1000 Buddhas, Huckleberry Jam Factory and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Guided Tour of Historic Fort Missoula
• 7 Meals
• Singles Add $398

Day 1 Overnight Rail on Amtrak to West Glacier

Afternoon departure to join your fellow Explorers for a late lunch before settling into your seats on Amtrak’s Empire Builder for a fabulous sunset train ride over the Cascades following the route of Hwy 2. Travel through the forest, past rushing rivers, cascading waterfalls and charming mountain villages. As you pass Bavarian Leavenworth the sun will be setting and you can settle into your large reclining coach seats or upgrade for $298 ppdo to a roomette. These first-class private rooms can accommodate up to two people, convert to upper/lower sleeping berths in the evening, and include meals on the train. L

Day 2 Scenic Flathead River Float Trip & Conrad Mansion

After a hearty breakfast, climb into a raft for a two-hour calm float of the Flathead River. This Glacier National Park rafting trip will take you down the scenic section of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, along Glacier National Park’s southwestern border. An experienced guide will share interpretive information and the area’s history while escorting you down one of the most pristine watersheds in the world. Wildlife abounds on this stretch — you may see eagles, osprey, and even elusive bears or moose. Take a lunch and shopping break before visiting the Conrad Mansion. Built in 1895 by Missouri River freighter and trader Charles Conrad, the Conrad Mansion is a 13,000 sq. ft. family home. Complete with electricity, indoor plumbing, and central heat, the Conrad Mansion was an extremely modern and comfortable home for this pioneer family of five. The Conrad Mansion is beautifully restored to its original 1895 splendor. Over 90% of the artifacts on display are original to the Conrad family. Take a docent-guided tour of all three floors before checking into your hotel for the night. The Montana Club restaurant is just across the street. B

Day 3 Glacier National Park Historic Red Jammer Tour

Start your morning with breakfast and then travel through the great cedar and hemlock forests that lie within the Lake McDonald Valley. At the lodge, vintage 1930s touring buses will be waiting for us, and they are, in fact, part of the park’s heritage. Since much of the park’s scenery is vertically oriented, the roll-back tops are perfect for providing full views of the stunning mountains and Big Sky. The guides are seasoned park veterans who are there because they enjoy sharing the park with you. Travel to the top of the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road and stand on top of the Continental Divide. Discover incredible mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, and wildflowers along the way as your Red Bus glides along the glacially carved walls covered with wildflowers and weeping water features. B,L

Day 4 National Bison Range, 1000 Buddhas, and Historic Mission

The CSKT Bison Range is a historical wildlife conservation area home to roughly 350 bison. It was initially founded in 1908 as the National Bison Range on land belonging to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. We will stop at the visitor center to meet a Tribal historian, then drive the lower valley scenic drive in search of wildlife sightings. Continue to the St. Ignatius Mission. Built in the early 1890’s, it is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation. This Catholic Church is unique because its walls and ceilings feature 58 original paintings by Brother Joseph Carignano. Next to the Mission is a museum and gift shop that displays Mission and Indian artifacts. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a botanical garden and Buddhist center set in the beautiful natural surroundings of rural Montana. In between all this fun is a stop for hosted pie at the Huckleberry Jam Factory and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. B

Day 5 Fort Missoula History and Return Flight to Seattle

Explore the rich history of western Montana throughout this 32-acre Historical Park. Some of Missoula County’s fascinating history you will discover includes: early Fort history dating from its establishment in 1877 in the midst of the Indian Wars; the exploits of the all African American 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, the century or more of the forest products industry’s culture and innovations; and the World War II internment camp that once held over 2200 Italian and Japanese nationals. Following our visit, we will make a lunch stop at Cracker Barrel before checking in for our early evening return flight to Seattle landing back in Seattle at 5:00pm. We will return you to your original departure location. B,L

The pricing of this tour, reflects our bus being in Montana for another charter. We pass on the savings to you by providing this tour while waiting for them during a 5-night break. This is the reason for offering the tour at special pricing. As such full payment is due at booking and non-refundable tickets are purchased on your behalf. This makes the tour subject to price increases in air and rail until final payment is made. So do not wait, book now to get the lowest pricing.