Glacier & Canadian Rockies – July 23-31, 2025
CRAGGY PEAKS, BUFFALO JUMPS, ICEFIELDS, AND PRISTINE ICE-BLUE LAKES set the tone throughout the timberlands of the Canadian Rockies and Montana’s Glacier National Park…the “Switzerland of North America”…alpine vistas, wandering wildlife and glaciers millennia old along the Icefields Parkway…a ride in an Ice Explorer on prehistoric Athabasca Glacier…luxury mountain resorts set in the wilderness in Banff National Park…Lake Louise…the amazing beauty of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church…and SO MUCH MORE. What a trip awaits you!
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
- 8 Nights of Hotel Lodging – 1 Night in Billings, 1 Night in Butte, 2 Nights at Glacier, 3 Nights in Banff, 1 Night
in Lethbridge Alberta Canada - 18 Meals – 8 Breakfasts; 3 Lunches; 7 Dinners
- All Entrance Fees and Excursions – You will receive access to all attractions and experiences without any additional costs
- Airfare from Houston to Montana and Back
- Airport Shuttle to and from George Bush International Airport with pick-up points in Silsbee & Liberty, TX
- Deluxe Modern Motorcoach for Land Portion of the Tour
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
Your tour begins with a flight from Houston International Airport to Billings, Montana where our motorcoach will pick us up and take us to dinner and our first night hotel.
Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church
Holy Trinity parish was founded on August 28, 1897, when the first Divine Liturgy was served in Butte. Thirty-five families, all from the southern regions of the former Yugoslavia, gathered around a visiting Orthodox missionary priest, committed to establishing a parish and building a permanent Orthodox Church. In 1905, their dream, through prayers and self-sacrificial love, turned into a reality. This first church edifice stood until 1964 when it was demolished due to the structural damage caused by underground mining. The construction of the new church was finished in 1965 with the consecration date on July 25. Today, our vibrant Orthodox community has members with various ethnic backgrounds, Serbian, Greek, Irish, Scottish, German, etc.
Copper King Mansion
Nestled in the heart of Butte, Montana, the Copper King Mansion stands as a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the Gilded Age. This historic residence, once the home of one of America’s most prominent industrialists, offers a fascinating glimpse into the wealth and influence that characterized the late 19th century.
The Copper King Mansion was built between 1884 and 1888 by William Andrews Clark, one of the three famous “Copper Kings” of Montana. Clark, a powerful industrialist and politician, made his fortune in the mining industry, particularly in copper, which was essential for the electrical industry boom of the time. His wealth and ambition were legendary, and the mansion he commissioned in Butte reflected his status and aspirations.
Designed by architects Hodgson, Stem, and Domingue, the Copper King Mansion is a stunning example of Victorian architecture, incorporating elements of Romanesque and French Renaissance styles. The mansion spans approximately 34 rooms, including a grand ballroom, a library, numerous bedrooms, and intricately designed common areas.
The exterior of the mansion is notable for its elaborate brickwork, ornate stone carvings and turrets, which contribute to its castle-like appearance. Inside, the mansion is equally impressive, with intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and lavish furnishings that exemplify the luxury of the era.
Beyond its architectural beauty, the Copper King Mansion holds significant historical value. It was a hub of social and political activity during Clark’s time, hosting numerous dignitaries and influential figures. Clark himself was a controversial figure, known for his extravagant spending and political machinations, including a scandalous bid for a U.S. Senate seat that involved extensive bribery.
The mansion also serves as a reflection of Butte’s rich mining history. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Butte was one of the world’s most important mining centers, and the wealth generated from its mines helped fuel the development of the Western United States. The Copper King Mansion stands as a reminder of this pivotal era in American history.
Today, the Copper King Mansion is preserved as a historic house museum and bed and breakfast, allowing visitors to experience its grandeur firsthand.
A Day Visiting Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park region has been called the “Switzerland of North America”. It is one of the most breathtaking of all our national parks. You will have a private full day tour as we explore this beautiful park. It is the crown of the continent.
A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes.
Weather permitting you will travel along Going-To-The-Sun-Road – an engineering marvel that meanders through the park’s wild interior. Cross the Continental Divide en route to Lake McDonald.
Numerous Native American tribes utilized the area around and within what is now the park for hunting, fishing, ceremonies, and gathering plants. When the first white explorers began arriving in the region, the Blackfeet controlled the prairies on the east side of Glacier, while the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai lived in the more forested west side.
Banff, Canada
You will have a 3-Night stay in this small city located within Banff National Park in the province of Alberta, Canada. The peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains dominate its skyline. On Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare, boutiques and restaurants mix with chateau-style hotels and souvenir shops. The surrounding parkland are home to wildlife including elk and grizzly bears. Our hotel is located right on Banff Avenue, right on this main thoroughfare.
Banff Gondola
The sense of anticipation inside gondola cabin changes as quickly as the view when the Banff Gondola swoops you up above the treetops. For eight minutes, you’ll glide steadily upwards over what feels like an impossibly steep mountainside. Then, 700 meters in elevation gain later, find yourself on the summit of Sulphur Mountain high above the town of Banff. From here, the alpine is yours to discover with vantage points of six different mountain ranges stretching into the horizon. Be on the lookout for wildlife as elk and grizzlies are often seen. Included dinner tonight will be at the Northern Lights restaurant at the Banff Gondola.
Lake Louise
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park is a stunning natural wonder renowned for its turquoise waters and breathtaking mountain backdrop. Named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the lake is fed by glacial melt, giving it its distinctive, vibrant color.
Perched on the shores of the lake, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers a luxurious retreat that blends history and modern comfort. Originally a simple wooden structure built in the late 19th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Chateau has evolved into a world-class resort. Even though we are not staying at the Chateau you will want to go inside the historic building to get a feel for this beautiful resort.
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
The Columbia Icefield Adventure is an icon of the Canadian Rockies. It is truly one of the most exciting experiences you will have in the Canadian Rockies. Located in Jasper National Park, the adventure allows visitors to explore the Athabasca Glacier, part of the massive Columbia Icefield.
The journey begins with a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful highways in the world. Upon arrival, guests board the Ice Explorer, a specially designed vehicle that transports you onto the glacier. This unique experience provides breathtaking views and a chance to learn about the ancient icefield’s history and geology.
Glacier Skywalk
After the glacier tour, you will have the option to experience the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored observation platform extending over the Sunwapta Valley. This thrilling viewpoint offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and waterfalls, creating an unforgettable experience.
The Columbia Icefield Adventure and Glacier Skywalk is a must-do for anyone visiting the Canadian Rockies and it is a part of your tour package. It combines adventure, education, and awe-inspiring natural beauty, making it an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers visitors a remarkable journey into the past. This site is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and best-preserved buffalo jumps, a place where Indigenous Peoples used a sophisticated hunting technique to drive buffalo over a cliff for nearly 6,000 years. You will marvel at the timeless beauty of the Alberta landscape and discover why Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is not just a place to visit, but a story to experience.
Outside the Interpretive Centre, a series of well-maintained trails lead you to the cliff edge, where you can stand and imagine the dramatic scenes that unfolded here centuries ago. The panoramic views of the surrounding prairies and mountains are simply stunning, offering a serene contrast to the site’s historical significance.
Explorations to the area by white trappers as early as the 1700s opened the area, and the future Glacier National Park, to trading among European settlers and tribal communities. As resources were depleted, the tribes eventually signed treaties that would increasingly confine native people to reservations and leave them dependent on the U.S. government
Today, the 1.5-million acre Blackfeet Indian Reservation, which shares Glacier’s eastern border, is home to about 8,600 members of the Blackfeet Nation, the largest tribe in Montana. The Flathead Indian Reservation encompasses approximately 1.3 million acres mostly along the Flathead River and is home to approximately 7,000 members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation.
I would always encourage you to purchase travel insurance as you never know what may happen that would prevent you from taking this vacation. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind that if you were to get sick or hospitalized prior to disembarking on your vacation the insurance would allow you to be reimbursed for the monies you have paid on your trip. Please note that this insurance is not a cancel for any reason type of insurance. Meaning if you decide a day or two before the date for the tour that you just don’t want to go it will not cover you. It must be a coverable reason such as sickness, death in the family, etc.
CANCELLATION PENALTIES: If canceling from day of registration to final payment date of June 1, 2025 you will forfeit $350 of your initial deposit. Additionally, if you cancel after final payment date of June 1, 2025 you lose 100% of total monies paid on trip. If you cancel prior to final payment date of June 1, 2025 the only cancellation penalty is the $350 non-refundable portion of your deposit.
BREAKDOWN OF TOUR COST:
- Land Portion – D-$4328; T-$3928; Q-$3705; S-$5639
- Airfare Allotment –$670 (This is an estimation of airfare costs. It could be less which would lower your tour cost or it could be higher which would increase the overall tour cost. We are still too far out to get airfare for this tour. If you have United miles you could book your airfare with your miles and then only owe for the Land Portion of the tour.)
DEPOSIT:
$1000 per person plus the cost of travel insurance if so elected. $350 of the deposit is nonrefundable.
FINAL PAYMENT DUE – June 1, 2025
TRAVEL INSURANCE COST: $497 for Single Category; $399 for Double & Triple Category; $368 for Quad Category
PASSPORT WILL BE NEEDED FOR THIS TOUR. PLEASE SEND A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT WITH REGISTRATION.
Tour Cost:
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$4998 Double
(2 people sharing room. Price is per person)
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$4598 Triple
(3 people sharing room. Price is per person)
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$4375 Quad
(4 people sharing room. Price is per person)
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$6309 Single
