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A nature-packed adventure in the mountains of Montana

Taking you from Bozeman to Missoula via mountains, rivers, glaciers, lakes, this six-day tour showcases the customs and histories of Native American culture and natural beauty of Montana. With a knowledgeable leader to guide the way, you’ll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years, immerse yourself in local history, and enjoy delicious picnic lunches surrounded by the scenic splendour of Montana’s mountains. If you love immersing yourself in nature, the mountains of Montana are calling your name.

Start
Bozeman, United States
Finish
Missoula, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
SSEM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend a day exploring the surrounds of Great Falls, learning about Native American history in First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, hiking in Giant Springs State Park and discovering artwork of the Old West.

  • Follow in the path of Lewis and Clark exploring the “Gates of the Mountains” on a river cruise along the Missouri River

  • Sit back and take in the views from a vintage open-top bus in Glacier National Park where you’ll find wildflowers, rushing rivers, and mountains reflected in crystal clear lakes.

  • Take a scenic float on the serene middle fork of the Flathead River along Glacier's southern border.

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are walking opportunities throughout this trip. We recommend you bring good quality walking shoes if you're keen to enjoy a hike - or two!

  • Lunches will be simple picnic style so perhaps bring some of your own snacks if you think you’ll get hungry between meals.

Hike with Blackfeet Outfitters, Montana, USA
An overlooking landscape of Gates of the Mountain in Helena National Forest, Montana
Glacier National Park in Montana, USA
Road and Tunnel with Valley View, Glacier National Park, USA
The Montana State Capitol Building in downtown Helena, Montana, USA
Trail through Forest at Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks, Montana, USA
sitting by the river with Blackfeet Outfitters, Montana, USA

Itinerary
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Welcome to Bozeman! This Rocky Mountains town is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the history and natural beauty of Montana. Join your group at 10am for a Welcome Meeting then get ready to stretch your legs on a hike in Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park. Tonight we'll stay in Helena, the capital of Montana, where you may like to head out for dinner with your group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bozeman – Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Hike
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is approximately 9.5kms/6 miles, with 490m/1600ft of elevation gain and the total driving time is 1.5 hours.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

After breakfast, follow in the footsteps of the explorers Lewis and Clark and venture to the Gates of the Mountains on a scenic river cruise. You’ll sail alongside limestone cliffs to a set of towering stone walls which appear to open like a gate as your boat approaches. Little has changed since the two explorers first visited this stretch of the Missouri River and the region’s untouched beauty remains. After a picnic lunch, we will continue to Great Falls for our overnight stay. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing evening at your accommodation or perhaps share a meal together.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Helena - Lewis and Clark River Cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's driving time is approximately 2 hours.

After an early breakfast, hit the road and drive from Great Falls to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, home to the largest buffalo jump in America, used as a hunting tool by Native American tribes for at least 1000 years. Get to know the landscape with a guided hike, then sit down and soak up the scenery over lunch. From here, head to the Lewis and Clark center to learn about their famous expedition, then take a short hike to the Giant Springs State Park. Next is a visit to the Charles Russell art museum to hear stories about his work from the Blackfeet perspective. Known as ‘the cowboy artist’, Russell created more than 2000 paintings and sculptures depicting Native Americans, cowboys and scenes of the Old West. Return to Great Falls for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Falls - Hikes with Blackfeet Nation guide
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
The total driving time is 1.5 hours. The hikes are classed as moderate, a good level of fitness is required.

Known as the ‘Crown of the Continent’, Glacier National Park offers an impressive array of activities for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Tour the park in a vintage 1930s bus with a roll-back top that provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains and learn how this historic transport option fits into this national park's history. Along the way you might like to grab some lunch. Tonight we'll continue to the town of Whitefish.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Glacier National Park – Full Day Vintage Bus Park Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's driving time is approximately 3.5 hours plus time on the vintage bus tour.

After breakfast, we'll take a locally-guided nature walk in Glacier National Park followed by a picnic with time to soak up the beauty of our surroundings. After lunch, we'll board a raft and enjoy an exhilarating (and splashy!) rafting experience down the Flathead River with an expert local guide. Tonight, you may like to drop into one of the local craft breweries or restaurants for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Glacier National Park – Scenic Whitewater Rafting & Nature Walk with Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
The rafting experience covers 8 miles of the Flathead River with 9 class II-III rapids near the end of the trip. This excursion is classified as moderate rafting and no experience is necessary to participate. Rafters can expect to get wet during this excursion, but wet suits and/or splash gear are avaialble at no additional charge. Helmets are mandatory and provided. You can choose to paddle with the crew or simply sit back and enjoy the adventure.

Enjoy a morning at leisure before hitting the road to Missoula, with a stop along the way for a walk alongside the serene waters of Flathead Lake. Stop off for one last lunch and perhaps take the time to look back with your group on all you’ve seen and done in the past week. Then, it’s onto Missoula where the trip finishes at 3pm and your Montana adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Flathead Lake State Park - Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is 1.5m/2.4kms and the total driving time is 2.5 hours.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 3 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotels (5 nights)

Included activities

  • Bozeman – Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Hike
  • Helena - Lewis and Clark River Cruise
  • Great Falls - Hikes with Blackfeet Nation guide
  • Glacier National Park – Full Day Vintage Bus Park Tour
  • Glacier National Park – Scenic Whitewater Rafting & Nature Walk with Lunch
  • Flathead Lake State Park - Hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of Montana trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 in Bozeman. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. This trip finishes at approximately 3pm in Missoula. No accommodation is booked for this evening. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 6pm. if you would like to spend more time in Missoula, we can request additional accommodation for you post tour. Please speak to your booking agent.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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