Mormon Pioneer Trail Tour - Westbound
Tour Dates: June 22-28, 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: Arrive Kansas City, MO (Overnight in Liberty, MO
- Day 2: Far West - Hannibal (Overnight in Hannibal, MO)
- Day 3: Quincy - Carthage - Nauvoo (Overnight in Nauvoo, IL)
- Day 4: Nauvoo (Overnight in Nauvoo IL)
- Day 5: Garden Grove - Winter Quarters (Overnight in Kearney, NE)
- Day 6: Chimney Rock - Fort Laramie (Overnight in Casper, WY)
- Day 7: Depart Salt Lake City
Itinerary:
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Today, begin this incredible tour! Arrive at Kansas City Airport by 1:00 PM. Your guides Glenn Rawson and Dennis Lyman will be waiting to greet you. Board the bus and travel to the Independence Visitors Center followed by a short drive to Liberty and The Historic Liberty Jail. Enjoy a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Hampton Inn or similar, Liberty, MO | Meals: D
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Begin the day traveling 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! Next, travel to Adam-Ondi-Ahman and Spring Hill. This is a highlight for many and you will not forget the feelings you experience here. Next, continue on to Hamilton for lunch (on your own). In the afternoon, travel to Haun’s Mill Historic Site (weather permitting). Glenn’s presentation at this site is most memorable. Proceed to Hannibal where after checking into the hotel for the night, you'll 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 Quincy. Lunch will be on your own today. Proceed on to Carthage Jail where several years ago, Glenn experienced a most sacred experience while visiting the Carthage Jail and if lucky, he will share with the group. Afterward, travel to Nauvoo where there is a possibility to visit the Nauvoo Temple. 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.) Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant before calling it a night.
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. One possibility is the opportunity to walk the Trail of Hope and take a group picture at water’s edge. (Be sure to bring mosquito repellant). 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 your westward journey as you depart Nauvoo and travel to Garden Grove for touring with a rest stop along the way. Stop in Osceola for lunch on your own before continuing the journey on to Mt. Pisgah Monument and the Rebecca Winters Gravesite. Next, head to the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters in Omaha. Enjoy a group dinner in Kearney at a local restaurant.
Holiday Inn Express or similar, Kearney, NE | Meals: B, D
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Depart Kearney this morning and travel across Nebraska with a rest stop along the way. Enjoy touring Chimney Rock National Monument with an abbreviated stop at Scottsbluff National Monument. A box lunch is provided today. Next, explore Fort Laramie National Historic Site before finishing with a visit at the wagon ruts near Guernsey and stop at Last Crossing. Continue on to Casper Wyoming. This evening, join the group for a farewell dinner to celebrate your incredible experience along the Mormon Trail!
Hampton Inn & Suites or similar, Casper, WY | Meals: B, L, D
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Enjoy one more day along the trail as you depart Casper and begin with a stop at Independence Rock followed by Martin’s Cove. There is a visitors center where you'll enjoy a tour with the on-site missionaries. Next visit the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center at Sixth Crossing. A box lunch is included today. In the afternoon stop at South Pass, Parting of the Ways and in Farson. Pass through Green River and enjoy a rest stop at Little America before the last leg of your journey brings you Salt Lake City and the end of your tour. Bid farewell in the parking lot of The Garden Place at This is The Place Heritage Park around 6:00 PM. Please arrange your flight or drive home accordingly.
Meals: B, L
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: Kansas City
- Departure Location: Salt Lake City