Fly west to Salt Lake City, famous for being the head quarters of the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With a picture-perfect setting with the stunning Wasatch Mountains as its backdrop, Salt Lake has a vibrant restaurant and bar scene, great shopping, and easy access to outdoor adventures in the nearby ski town of Park City and lots of hiking and biking trails close by.

Pick up your car and drive north past Great Salt Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western hemisphere. Have lunch in Antelope Island State Park to see its wildlife including bison and antelope before crossing into the state of Idaho. Continue north-west to Twin Falls, the gateway town to Snake River Canyon where the dare devil Evel Knievel attempted to jump over the canyon in the 1970’s. Make sure to visit spectacular Shoshone Falls, dubbed the ‘Niagara of the West’ which is taller than Niagara Falls at 212 feet tall.

Head north to one of Idaho’s most famous attractions, Craters of the Moon National Monument, a 750,000-acre monument that encompasses an enormous lava field with endless volcanic features and caves. Walking on the extensive lava fields will feel like you’re walking on the moon. Head to the mining and ranching town of Ketchum, where Ernest Hemmingway lived and is buried. Surrounded by unspoilt wilderness, soak up the great outdoors, and the charming way of life in this mountain town.

Depart Ketchum and continue north into the pristine wilderness of the Sawtooth Mountains heading to Stanley, perhaps relaxing in the hot springs after a scenic hike. Then head west through the Boise National Forest over the passes that will wind you around to old Idaho City – a former state capital and a preserved mining community. Arrive in Boise, Idaho’s largest city, surrounded by foothills and the Boise River. Enjoy Boise’s booming culinary scene, wineries and breweries and stroll around its historic downtown home to Basque history and culture.

Travel north to the town of McCall along the Payette River Scenic Byway enjoying the mountain views, forest, lakes, and valleys. Enjoy exploring this laid-back mountain town, perhaps taking a swim in pretty Payette Lake, or enjoying the alpine views on a cruise. Or head into Ponderosa State Park for spectacular views across the lake from Osprey Cliffs Overlook.

A day of adventure on the water awaits. Choose to take a thrilling white-water rafting trip on one of the most popular stretches of the Salmon River. Go jet boating through the rapids of Hells Canyon which divides Oregon and Idaho and is the deepest river gorge in North America. Spend the night in Lewiston, the gateway town to Hells Canyon.

A wonderful drive beckons today as you continue north through the scarcely populated landscapes of western Idaho, where unspoilt wilderness is around every corner. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark on the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway to Coeur d’Alene, surrounded by dozens of lakes left behind by the glaciers of the ice age. Stay overnight in pretty Coeur d’Alene and hire a bike and cycle around the beautiful lake shore or take a lake cruise.

Your last day in the ‘gem’ state of Idaho will be spent exploring western history, ghost towns and the Route of Hiawatha around the photogenic vintage silver-mining town of Wallace. Then cross over into the state of Montana to the artsy town of Whitefish, which is surrounded by stunning mountain peaks. Spend the next two days in spectacular Glacier National Park to discover glacial-scoured valleys, towering peaks, tumbling waterfalls, verdant forests, and wildflower-strewn meadows. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Drive the magnificent 53-mile Going-To-The-Sun-Road or take a 1930’s Red Bus Tour for a fascinating insight into the deeper significance and meanings of the park.

Drive south to Kalispell and then past Flathead Lake to admire its crystal-clear waters which is the largest freshwater lake in the west. Arrive in Helena, the capital of Montana and visit the Last Chance Gulch where gold was discovered in 1864 and stroll around its interesting downtown.

Journey through the copper mining community of Butte and on to the old west mining towns of Nevada City and Virginia City which have been restored to reflect the boom days when settlers and miners migrated to Montana in the late 1800’s. Enter Yellowstone National Park at the west entrance for two days of unforgettable scenery. Marvel at the amazing geysers, bubbling mud pots and colourful springs, majestic waterfalls and lakes and sightings of herds of bison, elk, moose, and even grizzly bears. Stay in West Yellowstone for two nights.

This morning explore Yellowstone further as you drive to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, which is set against the stellar Teton Mountains which are part of the famous Rocky Mountains. Smaller than Yellowstone, Grand Teton scenery is very different but equally has stunning with lakes, lush hiking trails, waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife. Drive to the mountain town of Jackson which features wooden sidewalks, elk antler arches and shops that range from the chic to the traditional. Toast the end of an epic adventure in true western style by saddling up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Head west out of Jackson, along the Teton Pass for incredible mountain scenery on your way to Idaho Falls, where the Snake River flows through it downtown. Drive through northern Utah to Salt Lake City Airport to drop off your hire car.