National Parks: Canadian Rockies, Glacier & Yellowstone
11 days | 15 days with The Badlands & Mount Rushmore extension |
Take in the spectacular natural theater of North America’s national parks.
You don’t have to cross an ocean to see a world of wonder—just join us on this tour through North America’s most alluring national parks on this multi-country journey. Encounter roaming wildlife in its natural habitat and gaze at geological marvels (geysers, canyons, and hot springs galore!) as you make your way from Banff and the Canadian Rockies to Yellowstone. Scenic drives, jewel-colored lakes, geothermal eruptions, snowy summits—this tour’s extraordinary landscapes and natural wonders are sure to leave you in awe.
Your tour package includes
- 10 nights in handpicked hotels
- 10 breakfasts
- 1 lunch
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 8 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
Included highlights
- Banff National Park
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- Lake Louise
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Glacier National Park
- Old Faithful
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
- The Grand Tetons
Itinerary

Calgary, Alberta1 night
Day 1: Arrival in Calgary
Welcome to Canada! After arriving in Calgary, make the short transfer with your groupmates to your hotel. You’ll touch down later in the evening, so use your free time to settle into your room, grab a bite to eat at your hotel, and look forward to the rest of your journey.
Banff Region3 nights
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Calgary & Banff National Park
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner
With your Tour Director leading the way, head out on a guided sightseeing tour of Calgary. While this part of Alberta turns into a winter wonderland for large swaths of the year—Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics—it’s warm and mild in the summer.
- Drive by Calgary City Hall, the seat of the Calgary City Council. Built in 1911 in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, it sits next to the newer Calgary Municipal Building—whose mirrored glass facade was dubbed “a monstrosity” by rivaling members of the Toronto City Council.
- Pass the Canada Olympic Park (many of the nation’s top athletes still train there) and the winding Bow River, a popular recreation spot for locals.
- Pass by the Confluence Historic Site & Parkland—formerly Fort Calgary—and make a photo stop at the vast Calgary Stampede grounds, home to the largest outdoor rodeo event in the world. (No wonder Calgary is known as “Cowtown”!)
Afterward, travel to Banff. Sitting inside a national park of the same name, this glamorous resort town is known for. its mix of outdoor activities, art galleries, and take-your-breath-away sights. The park itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so expect a postcard-perfect slice of the Canadian Rockies.
- Pass the roaring churn and spray of Bow Falls, the castle-like grounds of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, and the 13-mile-long Lake Minnewanka.
- Enter the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada’s first national park at the foot of Sulphur Mountain. Home to hot springs and spectacular wildlife, the area was inhabited by indigenous First Nations peoples for more than 10,000 years and remains a sacred place to this day.
Get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers during tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Lake Louise
Included meal: Breakfast
Make your way to one of Canada’s most beloved, and most photographed, landmarks: Lake Louise. From November to late-June, this glacial lake lies frozen—but come the thaw, visitors are treated to shimmering, electric blue water.
- Keep an eye out for the grizzly bears, moose, lynx, and mountain goats that roam the alpine landscape.
- Stroll along the glittering shores of Lake Louise and take in staggering vistas of the towering Victoria Glacier.
- View the historic, 19th-century Chateau Lake Louise resort, framed by the Victoria Glacier and an emerald-hued lake.
Spend your free time this afternoon canoeing or walking around the lake—or add an excursion and join us on a gondola ride 2,000 feet up Sulphur Mountain to see Bow Valley and Banff National Park stretched out before you.
Day 4: Free day in the Banff Region
Included meal: Breakfast
There are countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the Banff region. Ask your Tour Director for a recommendation or take us up on an optional scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway. You’ll board a snow coach—a special passenger vehicle designed to traverse icy expanses—to travel up the Athabasca Glacier and take a short walk on the ice. This glacier is a remnant of the mass that once covered most of the Canadian Rockies and has rapidly retreated over the last century due to climate change.
Glacier Region, Montana1 night
Day 5: Glacier Regionvia Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump & Waterton Lakes National Park
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer into the United States today—and make sure you have your passport handy. Before crossing the border to Montana, stop to admire some of Alberta’s scenic gems.
- Drive south to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO-listed site that preserves the legacy of more than 6,000 years of the indigenous Blackfoot culture.
- Continue to Waterton Lakes National Park, a picturesque area dotted with snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, and outstretched meadows.
- Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to your hotel in the Glacier region.
Missoula, Montana1 night
Day 6: Missoula via Glacier National Park
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a national landmark considered one of the world’s most scenic drives. Then, board smaller vans and ford the high alpine region of the park. The road itself is a feat of engineering: Built between 1921-32, it winds through steep cliffs and narrow ledges and cuts through the Continental Divide at an elevation of 6,600 feet.
- Marvel at mountain ranges dotted with wildflowers and crashing waterfalls as you wind your way through Glacier National Park, half of the UNESCO-listed Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Lose yourself in this soul-stirring expanse of cedar forests and rocky cliffs and ponder tranquil lakes reflecting the surrounding peaks.
- Bear witness to the poignant spectacle of melting glaciers, silent sentinels of the changing climate and our planet’s fragile balance.
Continue to Kalispell to enjoy free time for lunch. Then, take in views of the changing landscape as you continue on to Missoula.
Later this evening, gather together with your group for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Activities in Glacier National Park may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. Early June and September departures may overnight in Kalispell instead of Missoula.
Yellowstone Region, Montana2 nights
Day 7: Yellowstone Region via Virginia City & Grant-Kohrs Ranch
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Learn about the Yellowstone area’s mining history and Old West heritage as you head to the Yellowstone region today, making a pair of scenic stops along the way.
- Step into the “living” ghost town of Virginia City. Frozen in time from its heyday in the 1860s gold rush, it offers a taste of the Old West.
- Stroll the wooden boardwalks, view antique automobiles, and play penny arcade games before returning to your bus.
- Pause to delve into the legacy of the American frontier at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.
- Find meticulously preserved ranch buildings, cowboy dormitories, chuckwagons, and smithies that belonged to the early pioneers who shaped the Western frontier.
Continue to the Yellowstone region and sit down for an included dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park
Included meal: Breakfast
Drive into Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, designated the world’s first national park in 1872, to discover its unique landscape and vast array of animal life. With your Tour Director leading the way, you’ll visit highlights like the overlook at Artist Point and the roaring Upper and Lower Falls, with plenty of time to stop for photos—and oohs and aahs—along the way.
- Pause at the Fountain Paint Pot, a colorful geothermal mudpot located in the Lower Geyser Basin.
- Experience the thrill of witnessing Old Faithful erupt, its towering plume of steam reaching skyward in a breathtaking crescendo. As you explore the park’s hydrothermal areas, you’ll see and hear—and smell—bubbling mudpots and hot springs.
- Head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which was created by the erosive forces of water thousands of years ago.
- Listen for the echoing, haunting howls of Yellowstone’s resident gray wolves and look for bison grazing on swaying grasslands, agile mountain goats springing between rocks, and moose wading in tranquil streams.
- Drive further north to spend free time at the ethereal, terraced Mammoth Hot Springs before making your way back to West Yellowstone.
Jackson, Wyoming2 nights
Day 9: Jackson via Grand Teton National Park
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a scenic drive to the rustic resort town of Jackson, nestled amid the scenery of the Teton Range. Then, set out to explore Grand Teton National Park, home to the youngest mountain range in the Rockies. The Teton Range began forming during the Miocene Epoch, making it about 9 million years young. (In contrast, some of the older mountain ranges in the Rockies began sprouting 40-to-70 million years ago.)
You’ll tour Grand Teton National Park by bus and on foot, taking in the pristine wilderness. With luck, you may encounter elk, black bears, moose, and bison. Then, continue to Jackson and rest up for tomorrow’s activities—a float down the Snake River, perhaps?
Day 10: Free day in Jackson
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
If you choose to add it to your itinerary, board a raft and drift down the Snake River to add more postcard-worthy moments to your memories. Should an eagle soar overhead, consider this day an even greater success.
If you’d prefer more time in town, Jackson’s Town Square beckons with wooden boardwalks and famous elk antler arches that adorn each corner. You can also take part in the 100-year-old tradition of the Jackson Hole Rodeo (as a spectator) and check out barrel racing, roping, and live music.
Then, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your trip to explore South Dakota.
The Badlands & Mount Rushmore extension
Can’t get enough of those spacious skies, amber waves, and purple mountains? Continue your sweep across North America by adding this extension. Another handful of national treasures await—capped by a face-to-face(s) meeting with Mount Rushmore—as do living reminders of the Old West.
Cody, Wyoming 1 night
Day 11: Transfer to Cody & Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Included meal: Breakfast
While some of your tourmates head to the airport, you’ll make your way to Cody, a city of roughly 10,000 people on the banks of the Shoshone River. Why name it Cody? To honor one of its founders, William—better known to history as Buffalo Bill.
After arriving, dig into the showman’s legacy at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Choose from five different museums to explore: You’ll learn about the person behind the legend; view some of the outfits he’d wear during shows; see the bow of famed Lakota leader Sitting Bull; and more.
Finally, return to your hotel for the evening and get some rest.
Gillette, Wyoming1 night
Day 12: Gillette via Heart Mountain Interpretive Center
Included meal: Breakfast
You’ll end your day in Gillette—but before you get there, you’ll detour to a destination that illustrates one of the darker moments in American history.
During World War II, nearly 14,000 Japanese Americans were forced to relocate to what is now known as the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center as part of the United States’ internment program. Leave your bus to learn about the rural camp’s construction, enter its barracks, and hear the stories of those incarcerated there.
Hit the road and settle in for the ride to Gillette, Wyoming, where you’ll stay for the night.
Rapid City, South Dakota2 nights
Day 13: Rapid City via Devils Tower National Monument, Deadwood & Crazy Horse Memorial
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, continue east and cross into South Dakota, aiming for Rapid City. En route, a trio of landmarks await.
- Start at the Devils Tower. This soaring butte, standing an imposing 867 feet tall, has long been a cultural and spiritual site for the Cheyenne, Lakota, and other Black Hills tribes. It was also the first national monument declared by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902.
- Enjoy free time in the Gold Rush boomtown of Deadwood. Illegally settled on Lakota land in the 1870s, it rapidly grew after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. Back then, Deadwood was infamous for its outlaw reputation; today, it’s a U.S. National Historic Landmark, filled with excellent examples of period architecture.
- Venture into the Black Hills to gaze upon the Crazy Horse Memorial. A work in progress, this epic mountain monument currently bears the guise of the famed Lakota warrior; in the future, it’ll depict him atop a horse, pointing to his ancestral land.
Day 14: The Badlands & Mount Rushmore
The striated ridges of the Badlands. The white granite of Mount Rushmore. Both are American icons—and today, you’ll get to see them.
- Begin in Badlands National Park, a 380-square-mile tract of sparse wilderness. Snap photos of its rocky pinnacles (stone spires created by erosion) and pristine prairies before making your way to Wall Drug, a sprawling general store on the edge of the preserve.
- Visit Mount Rushmore, whose face bears the 60-foot-tall likenesses of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln. As you look on, keep in mind its complicated history: The mountain, along with the rest of the Black Hills, was illegally taken from the Sioux in the 19th century, in violation of an earlier treaty.
- Enter the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, named after one of Mount Rushmore’s sculptors, to learn more about the project—the reasons behind it, the techniques used to create it, and more.
Finally, head back to Rapid City. Tonight, raise a glass and toast to your trip with a farewell drink before returning to your room and prepping for tomorrow’s travels.
Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Calgary - Fairfield Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown
This comfortable hotel is located near the Victoria Park neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness center and on-site restaurants. Nearby you’ll find shops and restaurants.

Banff - Canalta Lodge Banff
This cozy hotel is located in Banff, Alberta. Guests enjoy rustic-chic rooms with mountain views, a courtyard with hot tubs for a relaxing soak, and a daily s'mores station with firepits. Nearby, you'll find the Banff Gondola...

Glacier Region - Prince of Wales Hotel
This historic hotel is located in Waterton. Guests enjoy the Secret Garden Spa with indoor pool and hot tub, traditional afternoon tea service in the elegant drawing room, and panoramic mountain views from the bluff-top...
Missoula - Courtyard by Marriott Missoula
This relaxing hotel is located in Missoula. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and bistro. Nearby you'll find Glacier National Park, the Aerial Fire Depot and Smoke Jumpers Center, and a handful of restaurants.

Yellowstone Region - ClubHouse Inn West Yellowstone
This charming hotel is located just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, hot dub, and delicious breakfast. Nearby you’ll find the Yellowstone Visitor Information Center, the Grizzly & Wolf...
Gillette - Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Gillette
This contemporary hotel is located in Gillette. Guests enjoy an indoor pool and hot tub for relaxation, a well-equipped fitness center for maintaining workout routines, and spacious rooms with modern amenities. Nearby, you'll...

Rapid City - Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City
This historic hotel is located in Rapid City. Guests enjoy a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Black Hills, a 24-hour fitness center, and an on-site spa offering relaxation treatments. Nearby, you'll find Mount Rushmore...
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification, such as a Real ID (as of May 7, 2025) or Passport, for air travel within the United States.
- Canadian citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within Canada.
- Canadian citizens entering the U.S. and U.S. citizens entering Canada need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CGY.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Calgary and depart from Jackson (or Rapid City on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Calgary, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a low physical activity-level tour. You can expect short walks and low-intensity activities throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Three 1-night stays
- Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Daily drive time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 1- 2 miles per day- this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect temperate weather with average highs in the 60Fs and 70Fs and average lows in the 40Fs and 50Fs.
- Conditions can change quickly in the National Parks, especially in early summer and late fall.
- Destinations on this tour are prone to wildfires in the summer months which can cause smoky conditions and occasionally poor air quality.
- Typically these conditions do not disrupt tour itineraries, but if necessary adjustments may be made in the interests of health and safety.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 7,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- Most transportation on this tour is by private motor coach. Private motor coaches have steps required to board and often do not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- All of North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes 1 lunch and four dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Canadian cuisine closely resembles British cuisine, with elements that will be very familiar to Americans as well. While in Canada, you may want to try local favorites like butter tarts, poutine, and anything with maple syrup.
- The western region of the United States is known for barbecue, especially in the plains and mountain states of Wyoming and Colorado where the cowboy tradition lives on. Try a bison burger or a steak for a true local dining experience.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar on this tour.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- All destinations visited on this tour are on Mountain Time (MT), which is two hours behind Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 10am on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.















































































