you can be consulted:
Iryna
Join us on this fascinating journey through America's most breathtaking national parks - Rocky Mountain NP, Badlands NP, Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton NP. Spend a day in the picturesque mountains and crystal lakes of Colorado, travel the next day along fairy-tale trails among the granite peaks and Martian landscapes of South Dakota, take in the beauty of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks in Wyoming. United States of America never cease to surprise, no matter how many trips you took.
It was a challenge to create a comprehensive tour that wouldn't last a year, but that would still encompass the best and unique experiences, combine hiking in the wilderness and deep dive into the culture and history. But we did it! KULUAR's teamleader created the program based on her own experience of traveling the country for years with her family. Our experienced guide will walk you through the top locations, providing knowledgable information about the area and sharing her experience with you.
The tour includes:
4 national parks
Mount Rushmore national monument, a symbol of US democracy
Jewel cave, 5th largest cave in the world
Crazy Horse Monument, tribute to indigenous population of the USA
Devil's tower national monument, natural wonder
2 two-day hikes in the most beautiful mountain ranges of America
Several short hikes throughout the trip
A very high chance of seeing wildlife in its natural habitat
Lifelong memories and unforgettable experiences
Join us on this ultimate road trip and make the memories of a lifetime!
During our program, we will see quite a large part of the United States of America, as we will drive more than 1865 miles, visit 4 states and get acquainted with unique national parks!
During the 16 days of the tour, we climb 5 big hikes and many small ones. The highlight of our program is two two-day tracks with overnight stays in tents high in the mountains. Complete unity with nature!
Our tour is primarily about the unique nature and diverse landscapes of the United States, but we also found a place for history! Mount Rushmore will tell us about the most prominent presidents, the Crazy Horse Monument will tell us about the difficult history of the indigenous population with the first European settlers, and the visitor centers in national parks will provide us with information about a particular region.
Every day we will have several exciting events. At the same time, the pace of the program is comfortable enough to avoid getting overwhelmed and traveling too many kilometers for a 5-minute photo shoot.
We have probably the largest number of registrations for trips in the Backstage, and we gather great people. And when the consultant has given the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can safely buy them. We will not cancel the program through our fault :)
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders will accompany the group along the entire route, to make your trip as safe and unforgettable as possible! They have been traveling the world for many years and take care of almost every detail to make your trip the best it can be!
More than 25,000 participants have already gone with Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied. We are sure you will be too!
We meet up in the capital of Colorado, Denver, at a hotel in the city center at 15:00. Those who arrive early will have the opportunity to explore Denver on their own. The capital of Colorado has a lot to offer: world-class museums, outstanding art galleries, unique botanical gardens, huge parks, restaurants with cuisines from all over the world!
In the evening, the team will walk around the city and have dinner at a restaurant with the team leader. We will talk about the next few days, talk about equipment - the group will have a real hike at the end of the trip! In anticipation of great events, we return to the hotel.
Our road trip officially starts today! The first destination is Rocky Mountain National Park. This is one of the highest parks in the United States with an elevation difference from 7217ft to 14000ft. The drastic change in landscape is impressive!
Getting from the hotel to the park will take us approximately 2 hours. The entire remaining day we will be exploring the park by car. The roads will take us through lowland meadows and aspen groves, along swift-flowing rivers and up through subalpine forests. We will stop at multiple pull-offs to enjoy incredible vistas Rocky Mountain has to offer!
In the evening we will grab dinner at one of many restaurants in the Estes Park and will head to our campground to set up for the next two nights. The rest of the evening we'll spend around our very first campfire talking, laughing and sharing stories.
This day is dedicated to hiking. If yesterday we were getting to know the park by car, today we have a completely different agenda - we will explore the park by hiking to the most picturesque lakes.
We've got 2 hikes planned for today. The first one will lead to the most beautiful lakes of the park - Emerald and Haiyaha lake. The hike itself is not very difficult, but very picturesque! No wonder our morning track is the most popular track in the whole park! So we will start as early as possible to avoid the crowds. And in the afternoon we will walk through the "heart of the park" with fabulous views of the Rocky Mountains. And our afternoon hike will take us through the heart of the park offering us the unforgettable views on the Rocky Mountains. The hike will end with a gorgeous glacier lake.
If we are lucky, we get to see deer, bighorn sheep (a subspecies of bighorn sheep), marmots, coyotes, and if we are very, very lucky, we will meet bears.
We have dinner at Estes Park.
Today we're saying goodbye to the Rocky Mountain National Park. We hit the road and start heading west to another state, South Dakota. Different types of landscape can be found in this state - the "Martian" landscapes of the Badlands, the mighty forest in the Black Hills, granite "needle" formations, long caves and golden fields of wheat. South Dakota is also home to one of the most recognized and visited sculptures in the US - Mount Rushmore, a colossal sculpture of the four US presidents.
It will take us about 7 hours with stops to get to our destination. It is a long drive, but that's part of the adventure! The campsite just outside the Custer state park will be our base for the next two days.
After a long drive, we'll treat ourselves with a nice dinner at one of many restaurants in Custer City.
Let's kick off our day with a visit to the Custer State Park. This is the first state park of South Dakota! It was created in 1919, only 8 years after South Dakota became a state itself. The park is home to many wild animals, including pronghorn, snow goats, prairie dogs and large herds of bison. Hopefully we'll get to see some of them during our visit.
The park's hallmark is the Needles Highway, with fabulous views and "needle-like" granite formations that jut into the sky. We'll spend the first part of the day enjoying this scenic drive, stopping for pictures and short hikes. After lunch, we will visit the Jewel Cave National Monument, the 5th longest cave in th world!
Once we are done touring the caves, we have one more activity planned for today. We are going to visit the Crazy Horse Monument, a testament to the spirit, courage, and culture of the Native American people. This monument, under construction since 1948, once finished may be the largest sculpture in the world.
We've got a very busy and exciting day ahead of us! In the first part of the day, we'll visit Mount Rushmore, a symbol of the US democracy. The portraits of presidents carved in the rock are striking in their size and monumentality. This is one of the most recognizable sculptures not only in America but also in the whole world! We will walk around the park, learn about the history of the sculpture's construction, and take a hundred photos from all possible angles. In the afternoon, we are heading towards our 2nd national park, Badlands National Park.
It's just a couple of hours from Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills forest, but the difference in landscape is striking. Instead of hills and trees, we will find colorful volcanic hills and bizarre eroded rocks, truly a "Martian landscape".
We'll drive through the park, check out several view points and go on a few hikes. Since we will be staying at the campsite within the park, we'll have a unique opportunity to see how colors vary dramatically as the light changes during sunset and sunrise. Make sure to have your camera ready;)
Sunrise at the Badlands - what an amazing way to start a day! A few short hikes after which we pack up our camp and get on the move again making our way towards Yellowstone.
We'll have a few exciting stops on our way, one of which is Deadwood, a scenic historic town, one of few that pays tribute to the Wild Wild West fascinating history. The once-lawless and dangerous mining town, modern day Deadwood offers its visitors nothing but fun: picturesque hikes, museums, concerts and casinos!
After visiting Deadwood, we will head towards the Devil's Tower. This natural wonder was created more than 50 million years ago when melted lava was thrown upwards. The magma cooled and formed hexagonal columns. The sedimentary rock eroded away over millions of years, gradually revealing the Devil's Tower. Truly a sight to see!
We are finishing off this day with a nice dinner at a restaurant in Buffalo and a relaxing stay at a hotel.
Leaving the hotel behind, we continue our journey into the wilderness. Today we drive to the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The trip will take around 4 hours. Upon arrival, we gear up and embark on a two-day hike. We will be wild camping by the glacier lake at the altitude .....9700 feet. Chances are we will be the only visitors at this magnificent lake. Glacier lake hike in Custer Gallatin National Forest is definitely an off the beaten path hike, and we are thrilled to share this place with you!
Wild camping deep in the mountains, miles away from civilization is one of a kind experience!
Morning of the next day we'll explore the area around the lake and will descent to our campsite.
The second half of the day we will spend resting at the campsite, grilling barbecue and enjoying the campfire.
Today is the day! We're finally reaching Yellowstone National Park, without any exaggeration, the most interesting national park in the United States! Also, fun fact, this IS the first national park ever created in the world!
Yellowstone National Park is a unique place on the planet. You won't find another park in any other country. It's got thermal springs, unbelievable colorful lakes and geysers, a lot of geysers (2/3 of all geysers on the planet are located here!) and all because there is a massive supervolcano underneath the majority of the park. Yellowstone is the biggest active volcano in North America and one of the largest in the world, and we will be walking on top of it! Besides the screaming evidence of the volcano beneath us, the park has breathtaking canyon, rivers, waterfalls and a variety of wild animals. Grizzly bears, bison, elk, deer, wolves, wapiti and many others call Yellowstone National Park home.
We plan the following activities for today: bison spotting in Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs and Canyon village.
Today we keep exploring Yellowstone National Park and its wonders. Today's day we dedicate to thermal lakes, streams, mud volcanoes and geysers, lots of geysers!
On our to-see list are:
Iconic Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Morning Glory Pool, West Thumb Geyser Basin and other lesser known sights.
We'll spend the whole day driving and hiking around the park, soaking in the natural beauty of Yellowstone. And if we are lucky we might even spot wildlife in its natural habitat!
Make sure to bring your camera ;)
This is our last day in the Yellowstone National Park. We'll spend the whole morning exploring the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It is a sight to behold - grand, deep, colorful... unforgettable! There are several viewpoints along its southern and northern ridges, and some of them are short but steep hikes. Totally worth the sweat though!
We'll stop for lunch at the Yellowstone Lake and will start heading towards Grand Teton National Park, our last destination.
After a few short stops in Grand Teton NP, we'll head over to our campsite and later in the day to Jackson for dinner.
We finish our program with a challenging two-day hike through one of the most picturesque canyons in the United States. The trail is not the easiest, but we will break the18.5 miles itinerary into 2 days so that we can enjoy the process and the amazing nature. The route will take us into the heart of the Grand Teton National Park along Paintbrush Canyon to the pass from which we will have a panoramic view of Mount Moran, Mount Woodring and Rockchuck Peak (10698ft). From Solitude Lake, we'll have a view of Grand Teton and Mount Owen. And we will return to our campsite along Cascade Canyon. This will be our last opportunity to meet wildlife such as bears, elk, wild roe deer, wolves, coyotes, etc.
2 days of hiking, 1 night wild camping in the wilderness far away from the crowds, high chance to encounter wildlife - that's the experience you won't forget!
This is the last day of our trip! Exhausted but happy, we return to Denver. It will be a long day driving with a few short stops to attach our legs.
If your plan is to take a flight back home today, schedule it for after 20.00. Those who are staying in Denver overnight are welcome to join the group for dinner to celebrate the end of this fantastic journey!
We return the car at the airport and fly home.
The team leader has the right to make changes to the route depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group.
To travel to the United States, you need a biometric passport and a visa.
To participate in the road trip, you must not have any diseases incompatible with active tourism: the list is here.
The United States is a country of wonderful and interesting roads. Even where there is off-road, they are in good condition. The driver sees more and lives the route to the fullest.
But we can't give everyone the opportunity to drive - we need up to 3 drivers per group. Please indicate your desire to be a driver when registering and tell the consultant about your experience.
For our part, we provide:
- a modern SUV with an engine of ~ 2.8L;
- the most comprehensive insurance that can be purchased for a car;
- payment of all expenses required for the trip - fuel, permits;
You drive - and we take care of the rest :)
The longest drives will be on the days when we leave and return to the airport.
We drove 2050 miles during the entire trip. The description includes the standard program, but in case of force majeure, for example, a punctured wheel, we can drive a little more to the nearest service station. And there are good days when bonus tracks are added. Each trip has its own unique vibe, but one thing is constant - we don't languish in the car for 5 minutes for a location!
Throughout the program we live in campsites in our own tents, except for the first, last and one day in the middle of the route - hotels are provided there. There will be hot showers in all campsites, except for Rocky Mountains Park (days 2-3, but there will be an opportunity to go to the shower outside the park), in Custer Gallatin National Forest (day 8) and during the two-day trekking (days 13-14). Upon returning to the car, you will have the opportunity to take a hot shower at the campsite itself. In most cases, a shower will cost $5-$7.
Breakfasts and lunches are included in the program price every day. Usually we will cook breakfasts on burners, and lunch is a sandwich with other goodies.
4 days during the trekking we will cook dinner on the fire and burners. It is included in the program price.
We buy all the products in the supermarket during the trips, you can see what will be cooked and have the opportunity to warn what you do not eat. The team leader organizes all the kitchen processes, but your help in cooking is definitely needed :)
The rest of the days (12 out of 16) we will go to local cafés and restaurants for dinner. The cost per person for each dinner is $20-$25.
The required amount for meals is $300
The backpacking walks planned in our program take place on marked trails of medium difficulty. The ascents and descents are steep, the terrain is truly mountainous: there may be unstable stones or slippery areas, so you should carefully choose the shoes for the route. In the fall, there is a high probability that there will be snow in some areas. It is important to be in good physical condition. Trekking takes up only ⅓ of the entire route, the rest of the days we visit parks by car with stops at viewpoints located either near the road or with short trails up to 5 km.
Minimum group for this program: 5 participants. We have calculated the costs for a smaller number, but increased them slightly. So as not to be in the red ourselves.
So we can confirm the date earlier, and you will have the opportunity to buy tickets and plan your unforgettable trip!
We do not include all meals* in the price and allow you to choose your own dinner. Therefore, the main expenses during the trip will be food - it is approximately $300-380. Showers are paid separately at campsites and can cost from $5. On the 5th day of the visit to Jewel Cave, you can buy an optional extended tour for $45 (3-4 hours) for those who want to walk around the cave with a flashlight in the narrow passages. We took care of everything else and included it in the price.
We recommend that you budget about $650 for additional expenses and have extra money in case of force majeure.
If the amount of prepayment is too much for you at the moment, but you still want to book a place, write to the consultant and he will break it down into comfortable parts.
👉 Check out: payment methods and refund conditions in case of cancellation or departure from the route
Dear friends! We kindly ask you to choose dollar banknotes issued in 2009 or newer. Banknotes of the 90s are not accepted in many countries, and we sometimes have problems with payments with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and happy new dollars :)
*Please note: the consultant will help with the selection and search for air tickets, recommend an insurance company, but it is not his task to purchase them. Participants do it themselves or contact our partners, all contacts are in the article: tickets, hotels and insurance