Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Cherokee, NC

Arrive today in Cherokee, NC.  A culture, a people, and a place that’s actually a sovereign nation, Cherokee is located right in the heart of Western North Carolina.

Check into your local hotel for a three-night stay. Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 – Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (First Class Seating w/boxed lunch) – Tubing on Oconaluftee River

This morning, it’s “All Aboard” the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.  Leaving from nearby Bryson City, NC, take a scenic ride through the fertile valleys and rolling river gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains. This area of Western North Carolina offers a vast array of ever-changing beautiful landscapes. Truly spectacular!

Your excursion today on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is a 4 1/2-hour, 44-mile round trip ride along the Tuckasegee River and over the impressive Fontana Lake Trestle into the Nantahala River Gorge and back again arriving at the Bryson City Depot.  You will enjoy first class seating and a boxed lunch today with your excursion.

Following the train trip your afternoon is spent Tubing on the Oconaluftee River.  The Oconaluftee River is widely known as one of the best tubing rivers in the southeastern United States and features type I and II rapids, crystal clear waters, and plenty of swimming holes.

Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Oconaluftee Indian Village – Museum of the Cherokee People – Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Store – “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama

Start the day with a visit to the Oconalufree Indian Village. At this living history museum, see what life was like in the 18th Century for the Cherokee in the North Carolina mountains. This Village is an experience unlike any other, offering an intriguing glimpse into the past.

Surrounded by lush green vegetation, your spirit is calmed by the sound of the cool mountain streams. A guided tour will take you through craft demonstrations by award-winning artists who will explain the unique Cherokee crafting techniques. You’ll have a chance to step inside historical buildings. You can also view special shows throughout the season such as “Time of War” and traditional Cherokee dancing.

Lunch will be included today at a local restaurant.

Today, also includes a visit to the Museum of the Cherokee People.  At the Museum of the Cherokee People, experience the living culture, art, and heritage of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. From exhibitions interpreting their ancestral connection to these mountains to engaging events showcasing the latest art, film, and music from trailblazing Cherokee creatives, there is always something new to learn.

Then visit the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Store which is located across from the Museum.  It’s difficult to find authentic, handcrafted art in today’s world. But luckily, it has been a Cherokee tradition for centuries. Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc. is the oldest Native American cooperative in the country, with over 350 juried artisans creating.

This evening, enjoy an included pre-show dinner before a performance of “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama. Millions of people have loved the heart-wrenching action and soaring triumph of “Unto These Hills” since its debut on July 1, 1950. The outdoor drama tells the triumphant story of the formation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from first contact with Europeans through the years following the infamous Trail of Tears.

Despite this dark and tragic episode in the lives of the Cherokee, the story is beautifully sculpted with imagery and effective emotional symmetry, symbolizing the re-emergence of a people whose spiritual fortitude, social complexities, and human courage will never be broken.  (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Depart for Home

After breakfast, depart for home. (B)

Tour Map