Mormon Pioneer Trail Tour - Eastbound
Tour Dates: June 16-22, 2023
Pricing starts at $2,175pp
From the beginning, the History of the Saints team, Glenn Rawson and Dennis Lyman, have worked at great sacrifice to bring Latter-day Saint Church history to life. Over the years, they helped produce hundreds of Church history documentaries for television. Now comes a new endeavor. Together, they will take you to the actual sites where that history was written and heroism was forged.
The Pioneer Trail is one of the most revered chapters in our history and Glenn and Dennis are going to take you there—stand in the ruts of the trail (literally and figuratively) and tell you the history of what happened—the people, the places, the events that make our history sacred!
The first tour will journey from Salt Lake City to Nauvoo, by bus, stopping at all the major sites and landmarks along the trail until we reach Nauvoo. We will tour Nauvoo and Carthage, send that group flying home, and then welcome another group and retrace our steps back to Salt Lake City. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with two old hands of the trail. (Some just call them “Rut nuts”)
The entire adventure from beginning to end promises to be instructive, edifying and inspiring. Their goal is for you to come home more determined to be as true and faithful as they were.
Join them—June 2023.
Tour Highlights:
- Journey along the Mormon Trail
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site
- Scottsbluff National Monument
- Chimney Rock National Monument
- Tour the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters
- Mark Twain Riverboat Cruise
- Historic Liberty Jail
Inclusions:
- Comfortable transportation on a full-size motorcoach
- 6 nights hotel accommodations
- 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Mark Twain Riverboat Dinner Cruise
- Gratuities for included meals
- Gratuities for the bus driver
Daily Breakdown:
- Day 1: Salt Lake City, UT - Casper, WY
- Day 2: Fort Laramie - Chimney Rock (Overnight in Kearney NE)
- Day 3: Winter Quarters - Garden Grove - Nauvoo (Overnight in Nauvoo IL)
- Day 4: Nauvoo (Overnight in Nauvoo IL)
- Day 5: Carthage - Quincy - Hannibal (Overnight in Hannibal MO)
- Day 6: Hannibal - Independence (Overnight in Liberty MO)
- Day 7: Depart Kansas City
Itinerary:
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Today, begin this incredible tour! Meet at This Is the Place Heritage Park. Please plan on arriving no later than 8:00 AM. Glenn Rawson and Dennis Lyman will be waiting to greet you. There will be signs directing you to the place that everyone is gathering in the parking lot of The Garden Place at This is The Place Heritage Park. You will board the bus here. Travel East into Wyoming and stop at Little America for a rest stop and snacks. Then, journey through Green River on the way to Farson, Parting of the Ways and South Pass. Enjoy a boxed lunch before heading to the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center at Sixth Crossing then on to Martin’s Cove. There is a visitors center at Martins Cove and you'll enjoy a tour with the on-site missionaries. You will be able to walk up into the cove where Glenn has much that he wants to share with in this sacred site. Next, stop at Independence Rock, the striking edifice with important history for the early pioneers. Finish the day with a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Hampton Inn & Suites or Similar, Casper, WY | Meals: L, D
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Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, head to the Last Crossing and the wagon ruts near Guernsey. They are a powerful site. Next, explore Fort Laramie National Historic Site. After enjoying a boxed lunch, travel into Nebraska with an abbreviated stop at Scottsbluff National Monument and Chimney Rock National Monument and Rebecca Winter’s Gravesite. Travel across Nebraska (with a rest stop) before arriving in Kearney for an overnight and an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Holiday Inn Express or similar, Kearney, NE | Meals: B, L, D
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Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before traveling to the trail to Omaha and visiting the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters. Lunch today will be on your own. There will be several places to choose from. In the afternoon, travel onto Mt. Pisgah Monument and Garden Grove before continuing across Iowa and ending the day in Nauvoo. Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Nauvoo Inn & Suites or similar, Nauvoo, IL |Meals: B, D
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Today is a full day to visit and enjoy Nauvoo. Glenn will speak in several locations. Many locations are staffed by the on-site missionaries and they will also provide guided tours. The Nauvoo Temple is open on most Mondays and you will be able to attend, if you desire. The Monday Sessions are generally in the morning. The calendar is not open this early so keep checking back for availability. Your own temple clothing is encouraged but the temple does have rental clothing. Appropriate dress is encouraged but not required. (Be sure, upon exiting, to visit the shadow boxes on the temple wall just prior to leaving by way of the recommend desk.) The tour bus will drive a large circle around the town of Nauvoo so that you can jump on and off as desired. The Last bus round will be your ride back to the hotel. Lunch and Dinner are on your own today.
Nauvoo Inn & Suites or similar, Nauvoo, IL | Meals: B
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Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before a possible additional stop or two in Nauvoo. One possibility is the opportunity to walk the Trail of Hope and take a group picture at waters edge. (Be sure to bring mosquito repellant). Next, depart and journey to Carthage Jail. Several years ago, Glenn experienced a most sacred experience while visiting the Carthage Jail and if lucky, he will share his tale with the group. Next, travel to Quincy and have lunch on our own before continuing on to Hannibal. After checking into your hotel, board the Mark Twain Riverboat Dinner Cruise for an evening of dining, dancing and friends.
Holiday Inn Express or similar, Hannibal, MO | Meals: B, D
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before traveling to Haun’s Mill Historic Site (weather permitting). Glenn’s presentation at this site is most memorable. Continue on to Adam-Ondi-Ahman and Spring Hill. This is a highlight for many and you will not forget the feelings you experience here. Lunch will be in Hamilton and is on your own today. After lunch, proceed to Far West and stop at the Far West Country Store. The proprietors of this delightful store have become dear friends and make a special effort to have many of Glenn’s and Dennis’s books in stock. In addition to a great selection of books, there are quilts, ice cream and assorted other great finds! Whatever support you can give to this small family business is greatly appreciated! Finish the day traveling to the Independence Visitors Center and a short drive to Liberty and The Historic Liberty Jail. Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Hampton Inn or similar, Liberty, MO | B, D
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This morning, transfer to the Kansas City Airport for your departure flight home. Please make sure that your departure flight time is after 11:00 AM.
Meals: B
Scenes from the tour:
Tour Details:
Not Included:
- Services of a professional Southwest Adventure Tours tour director
- Meals (other than listed in the itinerary)
- Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.)
- Baggage handling
- Gratuities for the tour director
Arrival / Departure Info:
- Arrival Location: Salt Lake City
- Departure Location: Kansas City