Best of Montana self-launched
6 days · Montana, USA
Intrepid Travel charges £3,350
No-markup version: ~£1,035 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Intrepid's Best of Montana tour — starting in Bozeman and finishing in Missoula. Explore Helena and its historic downtown, cruise the Gates of the Mountains, meet Blackfeet guides at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump, raft the Flathead River beneath Glacier National Park, hike Glacier's trails off Going-to-the-Sun Road, and finish with a local brewery celebration. Done independently with hire cars, budget hotels and self-booked activities for a fraction of the guided price.
Day-by-day
Bozeman to Helena
Bozeman to Helena
Arrive in Bozeman, pick up a hire car and take a self-guided orientation wander around the lively downtown before driving ~1.5h north to Montana's capital, Helena. In the afternoon take a local-led walking tour through Helena's historic downtown, which preserves much of its 19th-century gold-rush architecture along Last Chance Gulch.
🚌Hire car collected at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, ~£45/day
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Helena (approx £80/night)
- →Self-guided orientation walk through Bozeman downtown
- →Historic downtown Helena walking tour (self-book with local guide)
Helena & the Gates of the Mountains
Helena
Spend the morning on the Lewis and Clark River Cruise through the Gates of the Mountains, a dramatic canyon on the Missouri River that the expedition named in 1805. Afterwards enjoy free time to explore Helena's museums, breweries and the Montana State Capitol before a relaxed dinner in town.
🚌Local roads using your hire car
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Helena (approx £80/night)
- →Gates of the Mountains Missouri River cruise (self-booked)
Helena to Great Falls & First Peoples Buffalo Jump
Helena to Great Falls
Drive ~1.5h northwest to the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, where Indigenous peoples historically drove bison over a cliff. Arrange a day with a local Blackfeet tribe guide, who can lead walks and share cultural knowledge, with a packed lunch taken in at the spectacular scenic overlook. Continue on to the town of Great Falls for the night.
🚌Hire car (about 70 miles from Helena)
🛏Budget motel/hotel in Great Falls (approx £75/night)
- →Visit First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
- →Day with a local Blackfeet tribe guide for hikes and cultural exchange (book directly)
Great Falls to West Glacier — Flathead River Rafting
Great Falls to West Glacier
Drive ~3.5h from Great Falls across wide Montana prairie toward the peaking Rockies. Book a scenic whitewater rafting trip down the Flathead River for the afternoon with an expert local guide, then check into West Glacier on the doorstep of Glacier National Park and head out for dinner in the tiny gateway town.
🚌Hire car (about 170 miles from Great Falls)
🛏Budget lodge/hostel in West Glacier (approx £85/night)
- →Flathead River whitewater rafting trip (self-booked with a local outfitter)
Glacier National Park Full-Day Hike
Glacier National Park
A full day inside Glacier National Park. Drive along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road to one of the trailheads (Highline or Hidden Lake depending on conditions) and hike self-guided with a homemade picnic lunch. Note that a vehicle reservation may be needed for Going-to-the-Sun Road entry in peak season. Finish in the evening at a local craft brewery or restaurant in West Glacier.
🚌Hire car along Going-to-the-Sun Road; park shuttle optional
🛏Budget lodge/hostel in West Glacier (approx £85/night)
- →Full-day self-guided hike in Glacier National Park
- →Scenic drive on Going-to-the-Sun Road
- →Picnic lunch on the trail
- →Evening at a local craft brewery in West Glacier
West Glacier to Missoula — Brewery Celebration
West Glacier to Missoula
Drive ~2.5h south to Missoula, a vibrant college town on the Clark Fork River. Celebrate the end of the trip with a local brewery tasting and lunch — Missoula sits in a region with an excellent craft-beer scene. After lunch, return the hire car at Missoula Montana Airport or continue on your own way.
🚌Hire car (~120 miles from West Glacier to Missoula)
🛏Not needed — fly out or carry on (add ~£60 for a night if needed)
- →Local brewery tasting and lunch in Missoula
Self-launched vs. Intrepid Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Intrepid Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,035 | £3,350 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,315 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Intrepid Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,035
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Best of Montana self-launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,035 per person for 6 days in Montana, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Intrepid Travel?+
Yes — Intrepid Travel charges around £3,350 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,035 — a saving of roughly £2,315 (69%) per person.
How long is the Montana, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Montana, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, road-trip trip through Montana, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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