My husband and I are planning a trip to Glacier this summer, and we see they have a tour consisting of 5 nights at the various old lodges, all breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 lunch, 2 boat cruises, Waterton excursion, traveling the Going To The Sun Road, a day at Many Glacier Valley and 3 short walks. This would cost close to $4000 for the two of us. Has anyone done this tour? Does it seem like a reasonable fee? Even if you haven't, but you've been to Glacier, any reaction? We'd want to stay at a few of the great old lodges anyway. Thanks.

We have not done the tour you are referring to, but have done all of those things individually and at a fraction of the cost of the tour. Fly in,rent a car and have your own fun. Every single thing on the tour can be done without a guide. The Going to the Sun highway is awesome -- no other words can express what you will see. From the top of the pass you can take a short hike to a lake overview or the 13 mile hike to the Granet Park Chalet and then the switchbacks down to the Going to the Sun Highway -- a full day hike, take water and bear bells. We have stayed at all the lodges -- they are wonderful. The Parks (Glacier and Waterton)are adjacent to one another. There are only a few roads -- so you can't get lost. If you want to hike from Many Glacier take the boat and then walk to Grinnell Lake and see Grinell Glacier. Rangers sometimes take free hikes up to the glacier -- a neat experience. From Many Glacier you can also hike up to Iceberg Lake or to the Tarmigan Tunnel. When we came through the tunnel the last time from the Belly River country when we were back packing, the mountain side was alive with a large herd of Big Horn sheep. You can drive to the bottom of the park and take the boat across the lake (name of which I can't remember)and either hike back or do some hiking and then take the boat back. You can drive to Canads and then take the boat down Waterton Lake and back. Do your homework and you can save a bundle!

I agree--that sounds like a pricey option. Also, I recommend that before you decide on staying at the historic lodges you do a little research. While the lodges have good locations and lovely common areas, the guest rooms are not known for their comfort. (We found the rooms small, sparsely furnished and noisy because there's a lack of insulation in these old buildings. And the accomodations in these lodges are not cheap.)
Besides the high price of this tour, you may prefer to plan your own trip so that you can choose the hikes you take. There are a lot of great hikes in GNP but you'd probably prefer choosing the ones you take rather than have someone else choose for you.

You can see the park on your own schedule AND stay in several of the historic lodges for a whole lot less. Rooms at the lodges run around $130 to $175 (for a lakefront room with balcony at Many Glacier). Take an average of $160 and that's only $800 for 5 nights. Yes, you still have to add meals and a boat trip or two, but you'd still be way ahead.

Yes, the old lodges are a bit creaky, and the wind whistles through the cracks around the windows at Many Glacier. but it would be hard to find more spectacular setting. You can book these at

http://www.glacierparkinc.com/Lodging/

Thanks for your replies and advice. I think we will skip the tour.