Best of Montana

This trip includes a whitewater rafting experience in which you will be required to manoeuvre in and out of a raft, and a guided hike with a distance of 10.5 km (6.5 mi). While the included activities do not require any special physical preparation for most travelers, at least a moderate level of fitness is needed to make the most out of the trip.

June departures may include a guided e-biking experience on Glacier National Park's iconic Going to the Sun Road instead of the full day hike if the high passes are not yet fully cleared of snow.

You may also want to check out our Great American West trip if you have a longer time to explore the region:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/united-states/great-american-west-150416

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 in Bozeman. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. This trip finishes at approximately 3pm in Missoula. No accommodation is booked for this evening. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 6pm. if you would like to spend more time in Missoula, we can request additional accommodation for you post tour. Please speak to your booking agent.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Glacier National Park roads do not fully open to vehicles until all snow is cleared from the high alpine passes. This usually happens in early to mid-June but can extend later into the month during especially snowy years. On departures that travel before the park roads fully open to cars, we will include guided e-biking on Going to the Sun Road instead of the full day guided hike. The e-biking typically lasts 4-5 hours and we ride 16-42 miles depending on road conditions. The minimum age to ride an e-bike is 18 years old.

All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg/44lb maximum) per person. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack with your water bottle and camera may be carried with you inside the vehicle.

ESSENTIAL:
 Reusable water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. Tap water in the USA and Canada is safe to drink and there are many places to fill up along the way, so please save plastic by bringing your own water bottle.
 Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
 Lightweight, breathable clothing you can layer. No matter the season, you should be prepared for changing temperatures and weather conditions. Make sure to have a warm outer layer even in summer months as well as a waterproof jacket.
 Closed-in walking/hiking shoes. We highly recommend that you take a pair of comfortable, closed-in/closed-toe walking shoes. Closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grass-lands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings from dangerous animals in this environment.
 Personal travel documents which may include a passport, visa, driver's license, travel insurance, flight tickets and your Essential Trip Information. Photocopies of these documents stored separately from the originals will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy of your identification makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

RECOMMENDED:
 Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and power/plug adaptor (Types A & B are used in the USA and Canada. Voltage is 120V)
 Insect repellent (insects are present intermittently all over the USA and Canada depending on recent rainfall.)
 A cotton bandana or scarf. Can be wetted and worn around the neck to facilitate evaporative cooling in high temperatures, used as sun protection, or used to protect your neck and head from cold/rain.
 Swimwear
 Comfortable sandals/Recovery shoes. To put on after a day of hiking or during a long ride in the van.
 Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhoeal, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, bandaids/plasters etc.

OPTIONAL:
 Travel pillow if you like to sleep during long drives
 Lip balm and extra moisturizer if traveling to arid desert areas.
 Ear plugs to guard against a snoring roommate
 A good book, a journal or headphones to listen to music with.

WINTER:
If you are travelling on one of our winter trips in North America be prepared for temperatures to drop to well below zero (Celsius). We recommend you bring shoes for walking across snow or ice (good waterproof walking boots with a good grip), a warm wind and waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves or mittens, thermals and base layers, fleece, good head wear and sunglasses.

If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list here:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

C'mon Inn Hotel & Suites, 6139 E Valley Center Rd, Bozeman, 59718, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Phone: 406 5873555

C'mon Inn Hotel & Suites in Bozeman, MT, offers a cozy retreat with rustic charm and modern amenities. The spacious rooms blend Montana's beauty with contemporary comforts. The hotel features a unique indoor courtyard with a waterfall and hot tubs. Complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a friendly staff enhance the stay. Conveniently located near Bozeman's attractions, it's an ideal choice for a memorable stay in Big Sky Country.

Alternate Joining Point

The C'mon Inn Hotel & Suites Bozeman is located 13 km (8 miles) from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) and is easily reached by taxi or by using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. Taxis are readily available at the airport and take approx. 15 mins to reach the hotel and cost approx. US$35–45. On site car parking is available for those driving.

Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown, 200 S Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802, Missoula, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Phone: +1 40 6 721 8550

Located in the Heart of Missoula in a park-like setting along the Clark Fork River, this hotel is just steps from vibrant shopping, dining, live-music, outdoor recreation, festivals, farmer’s markets and more! The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center. All rooms are equipped with mini fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, WiFi and premium cable.

Alternate Finish Point

The Missoula International Airport (MSO) is 5miles/8kms from our hotel. The hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle. The hours of operations are 6:30am – 10:30pm. Please see reception to book

Breakfasts included: 5

Lunches included: 3

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

WEATHER IN NORTH AMERICA
Due to the size and topography of the US and Canada, there's a huge amount of variation in the climate. We recommend you consider both the season and the part of North America you intend to visit, so that you can best pack for your adventure. We recommend you check the weather in your destination 10 days prior to your arrival to help guide your packing choices.

MOUNTAIN WEST USA (Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Idaho, Colorado)
The Mountain West region features diverse climates, from the high-altitude Rocky Mountains to desert plateaus, so weather can vary significantly.

Summer (June to August):
Summer is a popular time to visit with warm days, especially in lower elevations. Highs can range from 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C). Mountainous regions may experience afternoon thunderstorms, so it's essential to be prepared for changing conditions. Snow can still be present in higher elevations throughout June and even into July during snowy years. Some high elevation roads may be closed to vehicles due to snow until mid-summer.

Fall (September to November):
Fall brings milder temperatures with daytime highs between 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C), making it a pleasant time to visit. Fall foliage in the mountainous areas is stunning, with vibrant colors.

Winter (December to February):
Winters are cold, with highs ranging from 20°F to 40°F (-7°C to 4°C) in lower elevations. Higher elevations will be colder. Many mountain areas receive significant snowfall.

Spring (March to May):
Spring sees gradual warming, with daytime temperatures increasing from 40°F to 60°F (4°C to 15°C) in lower elevations. In mountainous regions, spring brings melting snow, leading to higher water levels in rivers and streams. Snow can keep mountainous roads closed through June and even into July in particularly snowy years.

USA NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The following national holidays are observed in the US, which can affect our itinerary as traffic can be extreme, and shops, restaurants and attractions can be closed:

New Year's Day (01 January)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
Washington's Birthday (third Monday of February)
Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
Independence Day (4 July)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
Veterans Day (11 November)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
Christmas Day (25 December)

POLICE AND AMBULANCE
In case of an emergency, local authorities can be contacted by calling 911 – this is the toll free phone number for the police, fire department and the ambulance in the USA and Canada. In case of doubt, call the operator on 0.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +1 435-231-9696

AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.