Tallgrass Prairie & Flint Hills
Tour Description
Rich in history, the Flint Hills of south-central Kansas safeguard one of America’s last great landscapes. A light breeze ripples through the growing grasses as spring wildflowers pepper the rolling landscape – an amazing display in Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Discover the delicate beauty of this recently established 11-thousand-acre preserve, a remnant of the grasslands that once covered more than 140 million acres of North America. You’ll stroll the foot trails in the largest remaining intact tallgrass prairie landscape of North America. In addition, you will tour the back roads to historic small towns, finding wildlife amidst the far-reaching prairies.
ParkScapes Highlights
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Come visit Tallgrass Prairie with the very organization that helped it reach its National Park status! Learn first-hand from Wichita local Bill Watson, former NPCA President and Board Chair, about NPCA's involvement in the inclusion of this land in the National Park System.
Historic Small Towns
In addition to exploring the trails of the preserve, you will tour back roads to historic small towns, visit a working ranch with real cowboys and cowgirls for poetry and a chuck wagon dinner, and catch a glimpse of life at a time when one-room schoolhouses were the norm. Stay at the historic Cottage House and learn of its role in history as the rendezvous spot on the Santa Fe Trail.
Unique Opportunity
Designed and led an expert naturalist with over 30 years of experience, this trip is always a sell-out, with group size limited to 16 people.
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Tour Map
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Daily Itinerary
May 14: Arrival in Wichita, Kansas
Assemble at 6:30 pm for a welcome dinner at the Best Western hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Dinner is followed by an introductory lecture about the Flint Hills. Best Western (D)
May 15: Wichita to Council Grove
In the morning get an in-the-field introduction to the Great Plains and its wildflowers and wildlife as you visit the new Great Plains Nature Center. In the afternoon travel deep into the Flint Hills to your lodging at the Cottage House in Council Grove. This historic lodging, with its wrap-around porch (complete with a porch swing, rocking chairs, and an occasional lap cat), is on the National Register of Historic Places. Following dinner snuggle up at a remote spot and marvel at the view of the night sky without the glare of city lights. Cottage House (B,L,D)
May 16: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Take a pre-breakfast bird/nature walk along the Neosho River Walk, the park adjacent to your hotel. After breakfast you will set off to the Tallgrass National Preserve for most of the day. Combine long walks on the prairie landscape with visits to the historic farmhouse, barn, and other structures on the property. Enjoy a slower pace as you try to capture the moods of the prairie and the spirit of history on this ancient and historic landscape. In the late afternoon, mosey down to the town of Cottonwood Falls and wander about this pretty little town made famous in William Least Heat-Moon's best selling book PrairyErth. Tonight's meal is a special chuck wagon dinner at the Flying W Ranch in the Cottonwood River Valley. The Flying W is a working ranch that is in its 5th generation of ranchers. Eat up, buckaroos! Cottage House (B, L, D)
May 17: Council Grove & Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
After a morning walk and breakfast, explore Council Grove and enjoy this delightful small Midwestern town; no Wal-Mart or McDonald's here--just good old Main Street, U.S.A. In the afternoon visit a Native American historic site not far from Council Grove before returning to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve to enjoy your last walk and sunset on the prairie. Cottage House (B,L,D)
May 18: Council Grove to Wichita
This morning you will have an early transfer from Council Grove for the Wichita Airport. (B)
Note: With fewer than 8 participants, a small-group surcharge (typically $100-300 per participant) will apply.
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Tour Details
NPCA Member Price
$1,898 per person double occupancy; $325 single supplement
Price Includes
Airport transfers, transportation during the journey, all accommodations, meals specified in the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, and D-Dinner), professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses.
Price Does Not Include
Roundtrip airfare to and from destination; items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, or drinks from the bar; or gratuities for porterage, professional guides and personal services.
Payments/Cancellations
Space is confirmed by calling the NPCA at 800.628.7275. A $300 per person deposit is due at registration. Final payment will be invoiced separately and is due 60 days prior to departure. Cancellation notice must be submitted in writing and is effective upon date of receipt. Cancellations up to 60 days prior receive a refund, less a $200 per person handling fee. Cancellations within 60 days of departure could result in the loss of 100% of your total cost.
Travel Insurance
To protect yourself from the loss of deposit and cancellation fees, you are encouraged to purchase travel insurance.
Arrive/Depart
Wichita, Kansas
Length of tour
5 days/4 nights
Pace
Moderately active trip. Walks may be up to 3 miles long and in the sun on rolling hills, unimproved trails, and ranch roads.
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