<p>H & I are generally independent travelers who like to drive and set our own schedule. My folks are in their 80s and want to travel to national parks with us. They have mostly done guided tours, such as Tauk (which they’re comfortable with).</p>
<p>Any suggestions on tour companies comparable to Tauk for a tour of Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore? The time we went with our kids, we spent several days in South Dakota and then drove across to Yellowstone, where we stayed a week, staying at different places in the park, followed by a week at Grand Teton Mts. We had a great time, but dad is a very antsy traveler and the idea of driving while he grumbles about whomever is driving (if it’s H or me) is unbearable. He thinks a week to see Yellowstone and Rushmore is just about right for him.</p>
<p>Anyway, suggestions of fully escorted, all inclusive tour companies folks have liked?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, anyone ever get a discount with Tauck tours? Sounds like if you have a Discover card you can get 5% rebate and 1% cash back. Have read of Pavlus Travel that is said to sell a lot of these tours and provide a discount.</p>
<p>Their website is cheaper travel.com. Have no personal experience with any all inclusive escorted tours.</p>
<p>Are you looking for a group tour you could join? I have to say…when we went to Yellowstone, we went backpacking for three days. We stopped at Mt. Rushmore for a couple of hours. I can’t imagine these two sites would really be a week to ten days of travel time.</p>
<p>Yes, we are planning to do an escorted, hosted bus tour, where most everything is included. We aren’t planning on much hiking, but strolling along the lake and enjoying the great outdoors.</p>
<p>It is close to a 10 hour drive between Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone, and that’s in a car, without stopping for more than gas. Doing Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore in a seven-day trip sounds like a death march to me, and I like (and have driven to) both parks. </p>
<p>Might they consider a Yellowstone/Tetons week tour? Yellowstone is huge, and even not venturing far from the parking lots there is lots to see. The extensive boardwalk areas make the geyser-viewing areas very accessible even to people using wheelchairs. Personally, I like not having to move hotels every single night. Grand Teton National Park also has many stunning vistas, and Jackson and Cody Wyoming are lovely towns. The Beartooth Highway between Yellowstone and Red Lodge, Montana is amazing.</p>
<p>I’m sure it will work out–just want my folks to be fairly happy and we’ve already seen much of where we’ll be (but it was 10-15 years ago). Tauck is said to be one of the top tour groups available, I think; more importantly, my FOLKS like Tauck.</p>
<p>Between Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, there is an overnight in the middle at a dude ranch. Still, it does look like a LOT of bus riding.</p>
<p>Bless you HiMom for taking your folks on this tour! Yellowstone has many great places. It is one of my “this is America” spots. I hope you find a tour that works for your family. I really want to go again soon!</p>
<p>If you hike out on your own , please be aware of the fragile nature of the geothermal areas… I have a friend who, back in the '80’s stepped in the wrong area in the back countey and went through the crust into boiling water.</p>
<p>We will be sure to stay on the marked paths and boardwalks, probably with the guide most or all the time. We should be fine. We were there 15 years ago and had a wonderful time. There were 4 adults and 4 kids. We hiked carefully sticking to the clearly marked areas. So sorry about your friend. </p>
<p>I think it will be fun and create great memories.</p>
<p>Everyone should see Mt. Rushmore one time. I took a cross country trip after I got my masters degree…and Mt. Rushmore was part of the itinerary. I feel no compelling desire to go back. OTOH, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons were spectacular…and I WOULD like to return there someday.</p>
<p>Yea, we may start at Rapid City so we can spend more time in Tetons and Yellowstone area at the end of the tour. Still trying to find out who wants to come with us. :). Have sent info about trip to my sibs. Also made a calendar with all key May and June dates.</p>
<p>While in South Dakota, also check out the Crazy Horse monument. I was there as a child, and they are making progress although I don’t think it’s finished yet.</p>
<p>Yes, when we visited about 15 years ago, it was in progress and quite impressive. I believe the tour stops by there. If not, it’s definitely something we found amazing!</p>
<p>New wrinkle–may have to do the trip free style if we don’t have access to electrical outlets in the bus. Will call Tauck tomorrow and see. The itinerary DOES include Crazy Horse!</p>
<p>Have confirmed with tour bus company that is supposedly “the best in the industry.” There is no guarantee of ANY electrical outlets on their buses and can drive up to 225 miles in a day, though most of their drives are shorter (like 85 or fewer miles). Oh well, H is fine with driving and I can as well.</p>
<p>Have been working on my flights and figuring out whether which of the tiny airports to use. There is Jackson Hole, Cody, and Rapid City. If we want to stay all on United, we may fly in and out of Jackson Hole and Rapid City, but for less backtracking, it would be nice to fly out of Cody to Rapid City.</p>