Day 1.Arrive Denver. Upon arrival at Denver International Airport take your hotel's courtesy shuttle to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening relaxing at your hotel. Overnight: Fairfield Inn Denver Airport (Standard) or Springhill Suites, Denver Airport (Superior)

Day 2. Denver to Lusk (260 miles). Collect your rental car this morning and head north through Cheyenne and visit the Ft.Laramie National Historic Site - one of the most important forts on the pioneer trails heading for the west. In the afternoon continue north across Wyoming to the town of Lusk - home of the Stagecoach Museum. Overnight: Covered Wagon Inn - (Standard and Superior)

Day 3. Lusk to Black Hills/Bad Lands area (200 miles). From Lusk you will soon cross into South Dakota and we recommend that you visit the Crazy Horse Memorial before arriving at your hotel. Overnight: Mt. Rushmore Whitehouse Inn (Standard) or State Game Lodge in Custer State Park (Superior)

Day 4 & 5. Black Hills/Bad Lands area. This southwest corner of South Dakota is rich in historic sites such as Deadwood, once home to Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok; Mt.Rushmore and Wounded Knee, site of one of the bloodiest massacres in American history. The stunning scenery of the area played an important role in many famous movies such as Dances With Wolves and Thunderheart. The Black Hills, Wind Cave National Park, the Badlands National Park and Custer State Park - home to one of the largest herds of wild buffalo in North America, form one of the most scenic areas of North America. Overnight: Mt. Rushmore Whitehouse Inn (Standard) or State Game Lodge in Custer State Park (Superior)

Day 6. Black Hills/Bad Lands area to Sheridan (280 miles). From the Black Hills area, journey west following the route of Custer's 7th Cavalry on their journey to their final battle at Little Bighorn. On the way stop at Devil's Tower, the impressive natural rock formation famous from its role in Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Take time this evening to explore the historic main street area of Sheridan - a town recently voted the #1 Western Town in America.  It was on the porch of the Sheridan Inn that Buffalo Bill Cody would sit while auditioning the riders for his famous Wild West Show.  Just south of Sheridan is the site of the Fetterman Massacre where 81 US soldiers died in one of the bloodiest battles of the indian wars.  Close to the massacre site is the historic Ft. Phil Kearny - a state historical site - and once one of the most important forts on the Bozeman Trail.  Overnight: Holiday Inn Sheridan - (Standard and Superior)

Day 7. Sheridan to Billings (130 miles). After overnighting in Sheridan cross the state line into Montana and visit the site of the Battle of the Rosebud where General Crook fought one of the largest battles against the plains indians just 8 days before the fateful encounter at the Little Bighorn.  Shortly after leaving the Rosebud you will arrive at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. It was here in 1876 that General Custer and his 7th Cavalry fought and lost their final battle against an alliance of Northern Plains tribes. Overnight: Holiday Inn Grand Montana (Standard) or Crowne Plaza Hotel (Superior)

Day 8 Billings to Yellowstone National Park (230 miles). From Billings take the scenic Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone Natl.Park (the Beartooth Highway is usually closed between September and early June and thus early and late season travellers will be diverted via Cody). In the afternoon arrive in Yellowstone National Park. Overnight: Lake Hotel, Frontier Cabin (Standard) or Old Faithful Snow Lodge - Lodge room (Superior)

Day 9. Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone's breathtaking scenery, wildlife and volcanic features provide a very full day of sightseeing.  Overnight: Lake Hotel, Frontier Cabin (Standard) or Old Faithful Snow Lodge - Lodge room (Superior)

Day 10. Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park/Jackson (100 miles). Continue south through the Grand Tetons to your accommodation in the Grand Teton National Park or Jackson. The short journey today will give you plenty of time to explore the national park and the town of Jackson.  Overnight: Snow King Resort (Standard) or Signal Mountain Lodge (Superior)

Day 11. Grand Teton National Park. There are opportunities to do some rafting, cruising on the lakes, helicopter tours, walking and much more. Jackson Hole was where the mountain men such as Kit Carson used to hold their annual rendezvous and the town still knows how to party western style!  Overnight: Snow King Resort (Standard) or Signal Mountain Lodge (Superior)

Day 12. Grand Teton National Park/Jackson to Saratoga (334 miles). From the Grand Tetons, cross the Wind River Indian Reservation and the Oregon Trail. This is the land of Lewis and Clark, Fremont, Kit Carson and other famous western pioneers who scouted the routes ahead of the great wagon train migration west. Overnight: Riviera Motel (Standard) or Saratoga Historic Inn (Superior)

Day 13. Saratoga to Grand Lake (131 miles). Arrive at Grand Lake - gateway to Rocky Mountain Natl.Park. Take a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park this afternoon.  Overnight: Bighorn Lodge - (Standard and Superior)

Day 14. Grand Lake to Denver (104 miles). After exploring the beautiful landscape of the park, you will arrive back in Denver for your final night staying at a downtown hotel to enable you to enjoy Denver's nightlife, restaurants and shopping.  Overnight: Comfort Inn Downtown (Standard) or The Curtis Hotel (Superior)

Day 15. Depart Denver. Return your rental car and check in for your return flight to the UK. We can provide details, prices and make reservations for some of the optional sightseeing excursions mentioned in the itinerary. All mileages are approximate. Hotels /Lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Click here for details of excursions available on your Trails West tour.