August 27 – Spetember 2, 2027
Starting from $3,699 per person
7 Days, 6 Nights, 9 Meals
Activity Level: Tour level 2
Trip Highlights
Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, Deadwood, Off-road jeep safari at Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Devils Tower National Monument.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, August 27, 2027 – Rapid City, South Dakota
Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills. As travelers’ arrival times vary greatly, there are no group activities planned during the day. Tonight, you and your fellow travelers gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner)
Day 2: Saturday, August 28, 2027 – Rapid City – Mt. Rushmore – Rapid City
Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Continue to Mount Rushmore to spend time with the towering figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture. This evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the night-time lighting ceremony.* (Breakfast)
*Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony is available May 28 – September 30, 2027
Day 3: Sunday, August 29, 2027 – Rapid City – Badlands – Wall – Rapid City
Today, visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. In their own voices, hear about their history, relationship to the land, and modern-day culture. Then, embrace the vast beauty of Badlands National Park and venture into its larger-than-life landscape with a Native American guide. Your guide will share their personal perspective of the land, weaving stories of heritage, culture, and their way of life into the journey. At the visitor center, the stage is set for your adventure, with informative exhibits, displays, and videos to introduce you to the area. Travel the Badlands Loop Road, home to vibrant colors and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Do a little browsing, have a seat at the soda fountain, and perhaps grab a bite for lunch. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Perhaps you’ll use your included Uber voucher and dine at one of Rapid City’s breweries or steakhouses. (Breakfast)
Day 4: Monday, August 30, 2027 – Rapid City – Deadwood – Rapid City
Get ready for Deadwood, where gold, gambling, and gunpowder were once the order of the day. This morning, it’s your choice! Take a guided tour of the Adams Museum and explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood’s legends and outlaws -OR- visit Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: Story of the Bison sculptures depicting the relationship between bison and the Lakota. This afternoon, this National Historic Landmark comes alive as if you’ve stepped onto the set of an old-fashioned Western. A local guide shows you the town, including where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. This evening, enjoy a dinner and Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center. (Breakfast and Dinner)
Day 5: Tuesday, August 31, 2027 – Rapid City – Custer – Crazy Horse – Rapid City
Head to Custer State Park and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep or wandering elk. Take in the lush landscape, rocky outcrops, and grazing animals as you make your way through South Dakota’s first state park. Venture off-road with an exciting buffalo safari, cruising deep into the park in an open-air Jeep and searching for herds of roaming buffalo. This afternoon, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and delve into the story of the largest, still-in-progress mountain sculpture. Take time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor’s studio, orientation center, and theaters. (Breakfast)
Day 6: Wednesday, September 1, 2027 – Rapid City – Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming – Rapid City
Get your bearings at the Geographic Center of the Nation, marking the middle of the U.S. Cross into Wyoming and view the first national monument, Devils Tower. Stand in awe before this lofty monolith, perhaps hiking the 1.3-mile Tower Trail around the base. Although famous as the backdrop in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the tower is also sacred to many local tribes. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near. (Breakfast and Dinner)
Day 7: Thursday, September 2, 2027 – Rapid City – Tour Ends
Say goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today. (Breakfast)
Experience It! Wonders of South Dakota
Discover the spirit of the American West and come to know the legends of the past. Discover the stories of the Lakota and Sioux through a Native American chronicler and a visit to a Oglala Lakota Living History Village. See Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain sculpture still in progress. Visit iconic Mt. Rushmore. Journey through the natural beauty of Badlands National Park and stop to browse at Wall Drug. Explore historic Deadwood, the former home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Choose how you delve into the local history, with a tour of the Adams Museum in Deadwood or at the exhibit Tatanka: Story of the Bison. Travel the backcountry of Custer State Park on a Jeep safari. Marvel at Devils Tower, the country’s first National Monument. Rapid City is your gateway into wild landscapes and historical landmarks.
Payment
Book now and Save $100 per person
- Double
$3,799$3,699* - Single
$4,599$4,499 - Triple
$3,749$3,649
For bookings made after February 27, 2027 call for rates
*All rates are per person and subject to change, based on air inclusive package
Included in Price
Roundtrip air from Albany Airport, Air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel transfers.
Not Included in Price
Cancellation waiver and insurance of $399 per person.
Deposit
A deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis. Reservations made after the seat reduction date of February 20, 2027 are based upon availability. Final payment due by May 29, 2027. Deposits are refundable up until February 27, 2027.
Important Conditions
Book Now rates valid until February 27, 2027 valid on air inclusive packages only
Your price is guaranteed once deposit is received and booking confirmed by AAA Vacations®. Your price is not subject to increase after the deposit is received and booking confirmed, except for charges resulting from increases in government-imposed taxes or fees. See reservation form for consent.
Tour Information
The overall activity level of this tour is a level 2. This means you like a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you. You can handle a variety of terrains, from cobblestone streets to moderate hills with relative ease and without assistance. You can climb two flights of stairs with ease. Expect some full adventure. You can handle altitudes up to 6,000 feet. While this level is appropriate for travelers that require mobility assistance devices, there could be times when you may have to sit out some of the included activities.
If you require any special assistance while on tour, please make us aware at time of reservation so the necessary request form can be sent to your attention.
To fully experience all that we have included on this tour, there will be one long travel day. Your travel to and from Devils Tower includes 4 hours of more of driving, including stops.
Personal audio devices (headsets) are not included on this tour.
When reserving a triple room, it will have 2 double beds. Due to fire safety regulations, a rollaway bed cannot be brought into the room.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Single rate subject to change based on availability.
To complete your tour, we include round-trip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
For air-inclusive reservations, the name provided at time of booking must match your government-issued ID that will be used during travel. Name changes are subject to penalties.
Prepaid tipping is not available on our tours therefore payment of customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, and cruise ship waitstaff should be handled individually when applicable during the course of your tour.
Economy air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.
Travel Requirements
Identification
A real ID compliant form of identification must be presented both at the time of booking air travel with AAA Member Choice Vacations ® and upon checking in at the airport to board any flight. State-issued driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Any fees associated with changing a reservation resulting from non-compliant identification will be the resulting from a non-compliant identification will be the responsibility of the traveler., For more information on Real ID, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
AAA member Choice Vacations ® will provide all necessary information, updates, and supporting documents for your travel requirements, including visa and Electronic travel Authorization (ETAs), if required, approximately 60-90 days prior to our departures.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is not included in the tour price?
The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end of trip gratuities for your tour manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges.
Can AAA Member Choice Vacations book our airline reservations?
We are happy to assist you in accommodating your flight needs. Due to tour scheduling and limited availability you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of our air packages. We are not responsible for air arrangements you have made on your own. On occasion, it is necessary to change tour dates. In this case, we can only protect air reservations booked through AAA Member Choice Vacations. For all air reservations, it is strongly recommended to reconfirm flights before departure, in the event that the airline has an unexpected schedule change. We cannot assume responsibility for schedule changes, route alterations or flight cancellations involving the airlines.
Do I need a passport?
A valid Passport is required for trips outside the USA. We strongly recommend that you have a valid passport (with six month validity) for all travel outside the United States. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for additional details.
What is the difference between a twin room and a double room?
A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
Are airport and hotel transfers available?
Roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers are provided FREE for all passengers who purchase airfare through AAA Member Choice Vacations. These transfers are available on the first and last day of the tour and do not apply to pre and post night stays.
Do you rotate seats on tours?
Seats are rotated onboard the coach for all our tours under the direction of the tour manager. So that we do not show partiality among passengers, exceptions cannot be made.
Can I extend my tour to see more of a region?
Yes! You may enhance your tour with either an extension – offered on select tours – or by purchasing pre/post hotel stays.
Would my tour date ever be changed?
AAA Member Choice Vacations reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. Should this happen, we will make every effort to put you on another departure date. If an alternate cannot be found, a full refund will be made. Air booked through AAA Member Choice Vacations will be protected. We cannot be held responsible for other air arrangements.
Should you decide to change your reservation after initial booking, a $25 handling fee will be charged for any alteration made to a reservation (including name changes). Revisions to air tickets are subject to the rules and regulations of the airline, and fare type purchased and rates vary. A change of tour date or tour itinerary within the guidelines of the cancellation policy will be treated as a cancellation and regular cancellation fees may apply.
See Cancellation Policy.
Where do I meet my tour manager?
Your tour will begin at your first hotel. The tour manager will make contact with you at the hotel and will provide details relating to your tour. The hotel address and phone number will be included in your documents.
How can I be best prepared for the pacing and physical requirements on tour?
Tour pacing varies by itinerary, and each destination’s sightseeing and activities are unique. Pacing is subject to personal interpretation. At AAA MCV, we do include the best a destination has to offer, enhancing your overall tour experience. For overnight pacing of a tour, please refer to the “Accommodations” section on each tour page and on the tour map. These describe the number of nights you will stay in each hotel during your tour. The day-by-day descriptions will provide additional detail about the number of activities included in each day.
The Tour Activity Level Ranking is featured on each tour itinerary in a circle. The definition of each activity level is listed here. If you have additional questions regarding a specific tour, please inquire at time of reservation. For your comfort, we recommend packing comfortable walking shoes so you can fully enjoy every aspect of your tour.
Level 1: You’re a leisurely traveler. You typically take it easy and discover the energy of a new place by people-watching or soaking in the atmosphere at a local cafe. You can climb at least one flight of stairs, board a coach, and walk unassisted at a relaxed pace for up to 60 minutes without difficulty. You can easily handle altitudes up to 5,000 feet.
Level 2: You like a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you. You can partake in a two-hour leisurely walking tour, covering up to two miles (with included breaks). You can handle a variety of terrains, from cobblestone streets to moderate hills with relative ease and without assistance. You can climb two flights of stairs with ease. There may be 1 to 2 days on this tour when walking tours can cover 3 to 4 miles over uneven terrain. You can handle altitudes up to 6,000 feet.
Level 3: You’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.
Level 4: You’re ready to seize the day, whatever it may bring. You lead an active life at home (walking, biking, and half or full day hikes are things you may enjoy) and 10,000 steps a day is normal for you. You can handle longer walking tours (more than 3 hours covering 3+ miles at a steady clip) and activities that involve traversing uneven terrain, steep slopes, standing for periods of time, and varying altitudes and temperatures. You don’t mind being on the go with some early starts, late-nights, and full days. You can handle altitudes of 9,000 feet or higher with little to no issue. This level is not appropriate for travelers who use wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility assistance devices.
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