America's Majestic National Parks
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America’s Majestic National Parks LAND TOUR Plus optional extensions in: The Dakota Badlands New Mexico: Albuquerque, Taos & Santa Fe 2016 Grand Circle Travel Handbook America’s Majestic National Parks Table of Contents 1. YOUR HEALTH ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Keep Your Abilities In Mind ................................................................................................................... 3 Health Check ............................................................................................................................................ 4 High Altitude ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Prescription Medications ......................................................................................................................... 4 2. LUGGAGE REGULATIONS & AIR TRAVEL ................................................................................. 5 Luggage Limits ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Luggage Suggestions ............................................................................................................................... 6 Airport Security/TSA ............................................................................................................................... 6 Airport Transfers ...................................................................................................................................... 7 3. MONEY MATTERS .............................................................................................................................. 8 How to Carry Your Money ...................................................................................................................... 8 ATMs and Debit Cards ............................................................................................................................ 8 Credit Cards ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Optional Tour Payments ..................................................................................................................... 8 Shopping .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Shopping by Destination ..................................................................................................................... 9 Tipping Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 10 4. PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP ............................................................................................................. 11 In General .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Packing Your Carry-On ......................................................................................................................... 11 Travel Gear Suggestions ........................................................................................................................ 12 Consider … ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Medicines .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Other Gear ........................................................................................................................................ 13 5. REGIONAL CLIMATE INFORMATION ....................................................................................... 14 6. TRAVEL AND TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 17 In General .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Phones and Calling ................................................................................................................................ 17 Photo Gear ............................................................................................................................................. 18 7. ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS ...................................................................................................... 19 Your GCT Program Director ................................................................................................................. 19 Rapid City in Brief—Optional Extension .............................................................................................. 20 8. STATE STATISTICS ........................................................................................................................... 21 GCT NPT 2016 12/30/15 1 9. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................. 24 Suggested Books .................................................................................................................................... 24 Suggested Movies .................................................................................................................................. 26 Grand Circle Community & Useful Websites ....................................................................................... 27 LAND-ONLY TRAVELER FLIGHT INFORMATION ...................................................................... 28 GCT NPT 2016 12/30/15 2 1. YOUR HEALTH Keep Your Abilities In Mind We’ve worked closely with our local Program Directors and regional associates to identify the aspects of this vacation that you should be aware of, from physical requirements to cultural factors. Please carefully review the information below prior to departing on this trip. Pacing • 10 locations in 19 days, including 4 single-night stays • 8 days feature 6-8 hours of travel by motorcoach Physical Requirements • Walk 1 miles unassisted and participate in 3-4 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs • Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters • Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them • Program Directors reserve the right to modify participation or send travelers home if their limitations impact the group’s experience Terrain & Transportation • 10 full days at altitudes between 5,000–9,000 feet • Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, steep hills, stairs, and stones • Travel by 55-seat motorcoach Climate • Daytime temperatures range from 50-92°F during touring season • June-August are the warmest months • Nighttime temperatures can fall to 30-50°F You can encounter unaccustomed challenges on even the shortest journey — this land tour, for instance, features an active itinerary with long days of sightseeing, occasional walks that follow steep and uneven pathways, and long motorcoach transfers. In addition, both included and optional tours can require extended walking to guarantee a truly rewarding experience. This tour also involves higher altitudes than you may be used to. If you have difficulty walking in terms of balance or stamina, or are generally inactive in your daily life consider an exercise program to tone up for your trip. If in doubt, consult your physician describing the length and type of rigors you’ll encounter. Of particular note on this trip is the need for long motorcoach transfers; on the main trip alone we’ll cover almost 2,000 miles total. Please feel free to bring whatever you need to be comfortable on the bus (pillow, blanket, etc.) and come prepared for long drives. GCT NPT 2016 12/30/15 3 Health Check Feeling healthy and confident of your mobility is essential if you want to fully enjoy your trip abroad. If you have ongoing medical conditions or concerns about your health, we highly recommend that you schedule a checkup with your personal physician at least six weeks in advance of your departure date. • Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your international itinerary that may affect your health and be guided by his or her advice. (You can use the “Keep Your Abilities in Mind” on the previous page as a guideline to discuss with him or her.) • You may want to have a dental exam before your trip. A loose filling or developing cavity would be difficult to remedy while you are traveling. • If you have a condition that requires special equipment or treatment, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items related to your condition. High Altitude You will be at high altitudes at various points during this itinerary—between 7,000 and 8,300 feet above sea level at Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. Even at your “lower- altitude” destinations, the elevation is relatively high—4,260 feet at Salt Lake City and 5,315 feet in Albuquerque. During your transfers there will be a number of times where you will reach over 10,000 feet. At high elevations there is not only less oxygen but also lower atmospheric pressure, which can have all sorts of odd effects on the body. These effects vary