Experience Overview
Taking you from Bozeman to Missoula via Glacier National Park, this six-day trip showcases the customs and history of Native American culture and the natural beauty of Montana. With a knowledgeable leader guiding the way, you’ll experience a landscape shaped by the elements over thousands of years as you immerse yourself in local history and enjoy delicious picnic lunches surrounded by the scenic splendour of mountains, rivers, glaciers and lakes. Head out on a scenic river cruise, explore the mountains on hikes and get your heart pumping on an exhilarating rafting experience.
Highlights
- Raft down the Flathead River in Glacier National Park – a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains – and soak up the views from a different perspective.
- Spend a full day learning about Native American history in First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park from a member of the Blackfeet tribe, hiking in Giant Springs State Park and exploring the land and culture.
- Follow in the path of Lewis and Clark exploring the Gates of the Mountains on a scenic river cruise along the Missouri River.
- Spend a full day on a locally guided hike through the incredible Glacier National Park, where you’ll stand at the foot of waterfalls, walk under the canopy of ancient forests, and enjoy a homemade lunch in the wilderness.
- End your trip in Missoula with an included lunch and beer tasting at a local brewery, toasting your efforts on an adventure well spent!
Trip Details
Product Code: 2604
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: SSEM
Starts: Bozeman, United States Of America
Finishes: Missoula, United States Of America
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (3),Accommodation: Hotels (5 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4640 (CAD 773 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Montana! Your adventure begins in Bozeman at 10 am with a welcome meeting. After, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through this Rocky Mountains town, which serves as the perfect starting point for exploring Montana’s history and natural beauty. Take some time for lunch then head to Helena, where you’ll spend the night. After arriving, join a local guide for walking tour through the city’s downtown, where you’ll hear about how it transformed from its beginnings as a rowdy mining camp to the capital of Montana. This evening, you might like to head out for dinner with your group.
Included Activities:
- Helena - Walking tour with a local guide
- Bozeman - Leader-led walking tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, you’ll 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. Your night is free in Helena to rest and recharge or find a good dinner spot – your leader is always on hand with suggestions.
Included Activities:
- Helena - Lewis and Clark River Cruise
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After an early breakfast, hit the road and drive 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. This is a special and unique experience to learn about the history of the land firsthand. Get to know the landscape with a member of the Blackfeet tribe, who will take you on a full day experience including hikes, walks, talks and a cultural exchange on their homelands. Then, sit down and soak up the scenery over an included lunch where you can ask questions and learn more. Spend the night in Great Falls, where you’re free for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Great Falls - Hikes with Blackfeet Nation guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll hit the road again after breakfast. Known as the ‘Crown of the Continent’, Glacier National Park offers an impressive array of activities for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Today, you’ll board a raft and enjoy an exhilarating (and splashy) rafting experience down the Flathead River with an expert local guide – a must-do in this area! Then head into the town of West Glacier, where you’ll spend the night. After an action-packed day, feel free to relax and recharge, or chat with your leader for the best dinner recommendations in town.
Included Activities:
- Glacier National Park – Scenic Whitewater Rafting
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, you'll take on a full day locally-guided nature hike in Glacier National Park – a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. First, we'll drive the iconic Going to the Sun Road to the trailhead where we'll begin our hike. Meander through sun dappled forests to the base of two waterfalls as you hear from your guide about the history of the people who have called Glacier National Park home. Stopping for a homemade picnic lunch with your group, soak up the beauty of your surroundings before making your way back along the trail. Tonight, you may like to drop into one of the local craft breweries or restaurants for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Glacier National Park - Full Day Guided Hike with Lunch
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a morning at leisure before hitting the road to Missoula. When you arrive, enjoy one last meal at a local brewery with your group to celebrate all you’ve done in this jam-packed adventure. Your adventure will end at around 3 pm.
Included Activities:
- Missoula - Local Brewery Tasting & Lunch
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Niamh - Traveled, July 2023
While I enjoyed this trip, I feel that this trip is too expensive for 5 nights. We visited some lovely spots, particularly Glacier National Park. Accommodation was comforatble. However, the tour bus was below average - stained seats and noisy aircon, this is definitley in need of an upgrade. The people on the trip were lovley and the tour leader, Jessica, goes out of her way to ensure that everyone is looked after and did a great job at driving. I would suggest offfering more optional activities - e.g., horse riding, etc. particularly in quieter stops like Great Falls.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Robin - Traveled, July 2023
For the cost of this trip, it was disappointing. In addition to unknown itinerary/activity changes that were not followed, it was mostly two of the hotels that were old with insufficient lighting in the rooms (although the breakfast buffets were very good). What made the trip tolerable was our Leader, Matt. He was outstanding.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/21/2023
Annette - Traveled, August 2022
This is a great trip just to get a taste of Montana. It was beautiful! My guide Claire was the best! The bay at the Buffalo Run was so profound and the raft ride at the end was soo very fun!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/10/2022
Michelle - Traveled, August 2022
I was nervous about traveling by myself for the first time but my tour guide and group were really like a little family. If you are hesitant to travel alone, don't be! I'm already planning my next trip with Intrepid and can't wait!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2022
Nazia - Traveled, August 2022
The Best of Montana trip is definitely a trip I will remember! The itinerary was great and we had a fantastic guide, Greta! Greta was very knowledgeable and went above and beyond to make us all feel comfortable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2022
Jane - Traveled, August 2022
I cannot sing Greta's praises high enough-- she was a phenomenal trip leader and instantly made me feel comfortable and in good hands as someone going on their first group trip. She was organized, thoughtful, and deeply cared about the history and culture of our destination. She helped give us a robust sense of the tensions in Montana and went out of her way to provide opportunities for learning. She's also just a wonderful, fun person who makes you feel at ease-- exactly who you want as your tour leader! This trip was incredible and I had so much fun!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2022
Deven - Traveled, August 2022
The best travel experiences are ones that change your view of history, culture, and the world. Intrepid offers these opportunities with this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2022
Maria - Traveled, August 2023
I am disappointed with the value for money on this Tour. The itinerary needs to be re-evaluated.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/27/2023
Terri - Traveled, August 2023
Day 1- Louis and Clark State Park was nothing special & not worth travelling to see. The night in Helena was at a nice hotel & cute downtown- but not sure why we were there. Day 2- The river cruise was okay, but again, not worth travelling to see. Night in Great Falls was at a run-down hotel. There was nothing in Great Falls- this was a complete waste of time & money. Day 3- We met with the Blackfeet guide and just killed time in Great Falls. This was a completely wasted day with another night at the same hotel in Great Falls. Day 4- FINALLY, we go to Glacier!!! However, we were just put on an 8-HOUR vintage bus tour of terror. Most of us booked the Montana trip primarily to see Glacier - this was a complete letdown and sad way to see the park. For our specific tour, the weather made the journey even worse as we had record high temperatures and these buses are open air, direct sun with no AC. It was a miserable experience. Night in Whitefish was at a very nice hotel. Day 5- I was so discouraged by the trip that at this point I skipped the nature walk to just spend some quiet time wandering in downtown Whitefish by myself. This trip was such a disappointment. It was a total waste of vacation time and money- I feel robbed by Intrepid. I met up with the group for whitewater rafting in the afternoon. It was a good time and I recommend keeping this on the itinerary, but otherwise it needs a complete overhaul. Our tour guide was excellent- he did his best to make the trip a good experience for us, but there was only so much he could do. We had a 5-star guide working with a 0-star itinerary.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/26/2023
Kirsten - Traveled, August 2023
Poor to mediocre itinerary and activities, unless you like sitting and moving sedately. Not worth the money. You certainly won't get to experience the "best of Montana". Thank god for our gude Andrew who saved the day, every day!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Joseph - Traveled, August 2022
Fabulous holiday. The itinerary is excellent and the scenery of Glacier National Park is stunning. Claire was a fantastic tour director and it was obvious that she really enjoyed her job. My only wish would have been for a few extra days in this beautiful state. I recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/24/2022
Suzanne - Traveled, July 2022
The Best of Montana trip was one off the best times of my life! Our guide, Greta, was knowledgeable, organized and a great leader. From the first day she made us feel like we were in good hands and could enjoy the trip...And we did! Our diverse group became friends and I will forever treasure this experience. I'm already looking to book future trips with Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/09/2022
Kelly - Traveled, June 2022
Amazing short trip to explore the area around Glacier NP in Montana! Lots of opportunities for hiking, boating and huckleberry ice cream! Highly recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2022
Lily - Traveled, June 2022
The Best of Montana is a great introduction to the state of Montana! We hiked in several beautiful parks and went on scenic boat rides. I especially enjoyed the vintage bus tour of Glacier National Park and spotting wildlife in the park.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/06/2022
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