Custer and the Indian Wars
Yellowstone & Little Bighorn Anniversary and Reenactment
Tour Introduction
Travel through the ‘Big Sky Country’ of Montana, the vast plains and Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming and the imposing Yellowstone National Park to discover spectacular geological structures, gaze at awe-inspiring natural wonders, and watch majestic wildlife roaming in their natural habitat. Follow in the footsteps of George Armstrong Custer, one of America’s most iconic and controversial characters, on his approach march to the battlefield of the Little Bighorn where he made his legendary ‘last stand’ (no other tour follows this route so closely). Immerse in ‘wild-west’ traditions, experience Native American culture and witness the remarkable re-enactment of the battle which, amongst other things, features the descendants of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Crow, many riding bareback splashing through the river and emulating the war-cries of their ancestors.
Your expert historian will be Bob Kershaw, author of ‘Red Sabbath’, a definitive history of Custer’s ill-fated campaign, and who knows the ground intimately and will dispel a number of Custer myths and examine how the Native Americans were able to check the vastly superior US Army in the West after a hard fought Civil War.
Highlights
- Visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Centre
- Explore Old Trail Town, a reconstructed Wild West Village which includes original cabins used by Old West outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
- Explore the dramatic geothermal landscapes of the Yellowstone National Park
- Drive through the awe-inspiring Bighorn Mountains
- Investigate the grim site of the Fetterman Massacre
- Explore the incredible Wagon Box Fight
- Explore the remote battlefield of the Rosebud
- Follow Custer’s approach march to the climactic battle at Little Big Horn – a unique aspect of this tour
- A full day devoted to exploring Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn
- Experience the authentic re-enactment of the battle of the Little Bighorn on its anniversary
Tour Details
To be confirmed
Background
The years following the Civil War and up to the end of the century saw a resumption of the ’white man’s’ expansion into the American West, unsettling the Native Americans who were not prepared to let their hunting grounds and way of life be destroyed and they proved to be particularly worthy foes. The Sioux nation inflicted a series of unexpected reverses on the United States Army, culminating in the massacre of Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment at Little Bighorn in 1876.
In 1867 the Sioux wiped out an entire company of US Cavalry in the Fetterman Massacre and fought the iconic Wagon-Box action against overwhelming odds the following year. In 1871 the discovery of gold in the Black Hills accelerated the clash of cultures so that when the US Army attempted to force Indian 'roamers' onto government reservations, war ensued. The campaign was a debacle, Crook's column was worsted at the Rosebud on 17th June 1876 and nine days later Custer's 7th Cavalry command was massacred at Little Bighorn. Revenge was finally exacted at the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890.
"We were a million miles from nowhere. And death was all around us."
US 7th Cavalry Corporal
What's Included
- 3-star full-service hotels
- Return flights from London (optional)
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Expert historians throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
- Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
- The company of like-minded travelers
- Dinner parties hosted by your expert historians and tour manager
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
- Helpful and friendly travel advice
- Tour information booklet
- Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly Out
Day 1: Fly Out
Fly London to Billings, Montana or join at hotel there. Check in to our hotel for one night.
Day 2: Cody
Day 2: Cody
Drive to Cody and immerse ourselves in the Wild West Lifestyle! Visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Centre and the Old Trail Town, a reconstructed Wild West Village which includes original cabins used by Old West outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Check in to our hotel for one night. (B,D)
Day 3: Yellowstone
Day 3: Yellowstone
Drive through the awe-inspiring natural scenery of the Absaroka Mountains to enter the Yellowstone National Park and admire the West Thumb Geyser Basin on the banks of Yellowstone Lake. Thence to the main Geyser basins with their wealth of dramatic and colourful geothermal features such as the famous Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. Spend the night in the Yellowstone National Park area. (B,D)
Day 4: Yellowstone
Day 4: Yellowstone
Drive northwards to the Mammoth Hot Springs with its complex of cascading terraces. Admire the Tower Fall waterfall, cross over Dunraven Pass in to the majestic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and enjoy a magnificent vista from Artist Point. Continue up the Hayden Valley to Yellowstone Lake from where we retrace our steps to Cody for one night. (B,D)
Day 5: Sheridan
Day 5: Sheridan
Drive through the awe-inspiring Bighorn Mountains. On arrival we investigate the grim site of the Fetterman Massacre, the incredible Wagon Box Fight and visit Fort Phil Kearney. Continue to Sheridan and check into our hotel for the night. (B,D)
Day 6: Rosebud
Day 6: Rosebud
Explore the remote battlefield of the Rosebud, where Crook's Column was worsted by the same Sioux who overcame Custer at the Little Bighorn. Travel north to the Yellowstone River, pause at Custer's Yellowstone bivouac, and retrace his original march to the Little Bighorn. Continue to Billings and check in to our hotel for three nights. (B,D)
Day 7: Little Bighorn
Day 7: Little Bighorn
A full day devoted to exploring Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, including the Reno-Benteen fight, the museum and the National Cemetery. Like most battlefields in the US, Little Big Horn has been beautifully preserved, allowing a clear picture to be drawn of how the action unfolded from both perspectives. (B,D)
Day 8: The Little Bighorn Re-enactment
Day 8: The Little Bighorn Re-enactment
Experience the authentic re-enactment of the battle on its Anniversary, where 7th Cavalry troopers fight Indian braves near the actual battlefield site. We will see Native Americans riding bareback portraying warriors of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Crow tribes along with Cavalry riders crashing across the Little Bighorn River as was done on that fateful day. (B,D)
Recommended Reading List
- Custer's Last Campaign: Mitch Boyer and the Little Bighorn Reconstructed published by University of Nebraska Press (1993)
- Hokahey! A Good Day to Die! The Indian Casualties of the Custer Fight published by Bison (1999)
- Red Sabbath published by Ian Allan Ltd (2008)
- Troopers with Custer published by Bison (1989)