Black Hills and Buffalo Round Up
September 16 – 27
12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS
DEPARTS: Lancaster, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, York
Day 1: Visit South Dakota’s Black Hills and the beautiful Badlands in one trip. See national monuments, historic towns and feel the ground rumble as cowboys bring in the state’s buffalo herd at the Great Buffalo Roundup. We travel aboard our deluxe motorcoach enroute to Fremont, IN.
Day 2: We travel to Chicago, where upon arrival our local guide will show us the highlights of the “Windy City”. We also view Chicago from a unique perspective aboard an architectural boat tour that showcases the magnificent buildings of Chicago. Tonight you will be our guests for dinner at a popular local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 3: Following breakfast, we check out and travel to the Wisconsin Dells. Upon arrival, climb aboard a duck boat for a cruise of the Lower Dells, then enjoy some free time in the area. Lodging tonight is in the Wisconsin Dells with dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4: After breakfast, check out and head west to Mitchell, South Dakota, where you will visit the A-Maze-Ing Corn Palace before checking into your lodging. (B)
Day 5: We check out and depart westward, traveling through the Badlands National Park with a stop at the Visitor’s Center. Continue to your lodging in the Rapid City area, where dinner awaits. After dinner, depart to see the Lighting Ceremony on Mt. Rushmore. (B, D)
Day 6: Travel this morning to the Crazy Horse Memorial, where our motorcoach takes you to the base of the carving. Return to the Visitor Center to see the exhibits and film. We travel to Deadwood and visit Mount Moriah Cemetery, known as “Boot Hill”, home to the graves of Old West Legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. There will be time to explore the town and enjoy an included dinner at the Silverado Casino. (D)
Day 7: This morning we board the 1880 Train of the Black Hills Central Railroad for the spectacular mountain scenery found along the tracks laid in the 1880s to service the area mines. Enjoy free time for shopping in Keystone before paying a visit to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. See the memorial and explore the museum. Later take a drive to Bear Country USA Wildlife Park to see the many bears, wolves, and elk found here. We return to Rapid City for an included dinner. (D)
Day 8: Our day starts early in Custer State Park to get ready for the Great Buffalo Roundup. Each fall the ground rumbles and the dust flies as cowboys and park crews saddle up to bring in the thundering herd of nearly 1,300 strong. After an included lunch, we travel to Hot Springs home to the Mammoth Site. This excursion features the fossils of 58 wooly mammoths at the world’s largest site of its kind. Tonight enjoy a Chuck Wagon Supper and Show to conclude our most memorable day. (B, L, D)
Day 9: We begin our day with a stop at the Chapel in the Hills, a quiet retreat nestled at the foot of the Black Hills. We begin our trip home, traveling to North Platte, Nebraska.
Day 10: We continue eastbound traveling to Kansas City today. Enroute, we visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum and Library and get a glimpse into the life of this historical man. (B)
Day 11: We continue our journey, stopping in St. Louis where we visit the famous Gateway Arch for a fabulous view of the mighty Mississippi. We enjoy an included luncheon in St. Louis before continuing to our overnight destination in Richmond, IN. (B, L)
Day 12: We return home today, but first stop at a Longhorn Ranch in Ohio where we get a close-up view of various cattle herds on a ranch tour as well as enjoy lunch at the Ranch. We return home early evening. (B, L)
PER PERSON RATES: TBD
Tour Miles: 4,000
Price includes: 11 nights accommodations, 6 dinners, 3 luncheons, 8 breakfasts, Chicago tour, Chicago boat cruise, Wisconsin Dells Cruise, Corn Palace, Badlands, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore Night Ceremony, Deadwood, Black Hills train ride, Mt Rushmore, Bear Country USA, Great Buffalo Roundup, Mammoth Site, Chapel in the Hills, Truman Presidential Museum, Gateway Arch, Cattle Ranch tour and deluxe motorcoach transportation