Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Seattle

Upon arrival, enjoy city views westward across Puget Sound to the snow-capped Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula. Our Pacific Northwest tour begins at 6:30 pm at your hotel. Mix and mingle with your tour director and fellow travelers at a 7 pm Welcome Reception! (R)

Day 2 - Seattle Highlights Tour - Overnight Rail to Montana

Take in the incredible views of the city, and Cascade and Olympic Mountains from the 520-foot-high observation deck of the Space Needle. Visit Pike Place Market famous for flying fish, fresh produce, colorful characters and local artists. This afternoon, depart for King Street Station to board Amtrak’s Empire Builder. The wheels turn and the train moves slowly forward as you wave goodbye and your wonderful rail journey begins. A train attendant will check you into your sleeper car and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy one of Amtrak’s most legendary and scenic routes as we head east through the soaring mountain ranges and into the Big Sky Country. Enjoy dinner in the diner before nestling in for the night. See the feature film, “Glacier Park” in the lounge car in anticipation of tomorrow’s adventure. Tonight let the trains movement gently rock you to sleep. (B, D)

Day 3 - Glacier Park - Going to the Sun Road

Awaken this morning to a hearty breakfast. As we leave Whitefish, Montana, the train follows the Flathead River for eighty miles as it skirts the southern boundary of Glacier National Park and crosses the Continental Divide at Marias Pass, the lowest rail crossing of the Divide in the United States. Upon arrival at Glacier Park, our mode of transportation will change to a 1930s vintage convertible touring bus to view the extraordinary scenery offered on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The afternoon is exciting as we ascend Logan Pass, surrounded by craggy mountains, glaciers, veil-like waterfalls, lush alpine meadows and wild life. See the reason that this is widely considered one of the nation’s most scenic roads as you see how the geological processes have sculpted peaks and left 50 glaciers, 200 lakes and great habitat for mountain goats and grizzly bears. Enjoy lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge, the largest lake in Glacier Park before our journey ends at Many Glacier Hotel, located on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake in the heart of the Park. The Great Northern Railroad built this historic hotel in 1915. Many Glacier Hotel boasts a true Swiss atmosphere with alpine beauty. Tonight, enjoy Montana singer/songwriter David Walburn and his contemporary folk multi-media shows that blends music, scenic photography, and slides of historic paintings. (B, D)

Day 4 - Glacier Park - Cruise on Swift current Lake - Glacier Park Lodge

After a hearty breakfast, board Chief Two Guns for a scenic cruise on Swiftcurrent Lake. Soak up the alpine ambience before our travels continue east to Glacier Park Lodge. Huge Douglas fir pillars that are over 40 feet high and 40 inches in diameter form the supports in the impressive lobby that welcomes you to the lodge. The Blackfeet Indians, awed by the size of the timbers called it “Omahkoyis”, or Big Tree Lodge. The lodge features a heated outdoor swimming pool and nine-hole golf course. Tonight enjoy a Glacier Cabaret! It’s an entertaining evening complete with song, dance and various live entertainment! (B)

Day 5 - Glacier Park Lodge - Overnight Train to Seattle

Rise and shine! After breakfast, you are free to explore on your own. There are many options. You may wish to golf, swim in the pool, take a scenic float trip or go on a morning hike. This afternoon we’ll reboard the Empire Builder for our trip West. After nestling into your roomette, enjoy dinner in the diner. Crack open a good book, or head to the lounge for a cocktail or movie before settling into bed. (B/D)

Day 6 - Seattle

Good Morning, enjoy breakfast as we descend Stevens Pass and cruise Puget Sound’s coastline on our way into the Emerald City. Take a moment to say goodbye to your newly found friends and wonderful memories of our Rail to Glacier Park. Our motorcoach will take you to SeaTac airport or you can continue your travels on your own. (B)

Train

Great Train Escapes is Americas newest daylight sightseeing train.

Tour Directors
You are on vacation, so leave everything to our professionals. Our guides take care of you from start to finish of the trip. They will ensure that your luggage, room keys and dining experiences are all well taken care of. Our Tour Directors are our hallmark. They are specialists whose active commentary will enhance your appreciation of the area's history, culture and wildlife. You can always rest easy knowing that your Tour Director will take care of your special needs, so every moment will be one that you cherish! Gold

Leaf Service
What a gorgeous way to sightsee! On board our train, we provide you with spacious, comfortable reclining seats, picture windows and a non-smoking environment. Air conditioning provides optimum comfort and restrooms are convenient. So relax, breathe in the fresh air and bring your camera along to photograph some of the ever changing scenery.

Deluxe Motorcoaches
Our motorcoaches are luxurious with large non-glare windows, which brings the scenery up close to you. Air conditioning provides optimum comfort, and washrooms are convenient. To guarantee your safety, we choose only drivers with years of experience and excellent safety records.

Comfortable high quality Accommodations
Your comfort is our paramount concern, so we have selected the best hotels available. We are in constant search of first class service and reliability. Each accommodation has a special flavor; from classic inns, to comfortable new high-rise hotels. The vast majority of hotels are able to provide twin bedded rooms. During the height of the season, occasionally twin bedded rooms are not available, in which case we would provide a Queen or King bedded accommodation. Roll away beds are available only upon request, but are not guaranteed.

Dining Experiences
Excellent dining throughout. We often feature elaborate buffets at both breakfast and dinner, a la carte dining with a selection of entrees and of course local favorites.

Airfare and Airport Transfers
Our booking agent will assist in securing the best available airfare. Since tour members frequently arrive at different times and sometimes on different days, we do not arrange for transfers from the airport. Please refer to your final tour documents for information on transfers to your hotel.