Autumn U.P. in Michigan

Join us on our brand-new fall tour: Autumn U.P. in Michigan tour! We invite you to sit back and relax as we travel to Willmar, Minnesota, and Menominee, Wisconsin for breaks and on to Marinette, Wisconsin for our first overnight at the beautiful Independence Stay Hotel & Suites. This family owned, former Country Inn & Suites hotel, offers a pool, a hot tub, a fitness center and a welcoming spirit. Departure from Aberdeen at 7:30 a.m. Come join us on this beautiful fall tour that is close to home but filled with stunning scenery, unique experiences, nostalgic charm and so much more!

Day Two: Let's start our day with a breakfast buffet before we begin our exploration of all the beauty of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We will travel north to Munising and The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  The landscape is sandstone cliffs, peculiar formations, and magnificent sea caves along the shoreline of Lake Superior, with sand dunes, waterfalls, and untamed forests. The rock faces are filled with vibrant colors thanks to minerals that infiltrates the cracks and crevices of the sandstone. We will set sail on the Pictured Rocks Cruises to travel 32 miles round trip to experience the same cruise that has been operating for over 70 years. The East Channel Lighthouse, Miners Castle, Lovers' Leap, and Chapel Rock are some of the natural landmarks along with Spray Falls, which cascades 70 feet into Lake Superior. You won't get wet, but you’ll get some amazing photos! Inside and outside seating available. With our feet back on dry land, we will head east to MI DOG, home to some of the world's greatest athletes: long-distance sled dogs, led by musher Laura Neese. We will enter into the world of sled dogs at the summer sled dog center, where we will enjoy puppy cuddles, witness playtime and allow Laura to introduce you to her dogs and hear stories from her most famous races, the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. Laura is a delightful young lady and is so excited for our visit! Our overnight for the next two nights will be at the Pleasant Moose Lodge in Newberry, Michigan. It's not the Ritz Carlton but the Pleasant Moose Lodge will provide a comfortable stay and with 32 rooms, Montam will take over the hotel during our stay. Dinner tonight will be on your own at Zellar's Restaurant located next door.

Day Three: Enjoy a hotel breakfast buffet before we begin our day with a visit to Oswald’s Bear Ranch. Dean & Jewel Oswald, both 84 years young, have been raising rescued cub bears from all over since 1984. We'll have the rare opportunity to see bears up close in their enclosures and we have purchased the opportunity for you to get your picture taken with a bear cub. This is an outdoor walk on gravel as you wish and not a drive thru experience. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has become one of Michigan's most popular destinations. Visitors will learn about the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes at the Whitefish Point Light Station, list on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also home to the Whitefish Point Light Tower, which has been in continuous operation since 1861, making it the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. Discover the legend of the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald and see the ships bell in the main gallery. The Edmund Fitzgerald remains the most mysterious of all shipwrecks around the Great Lakes. Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot inspired interest with his 1976 ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The Edmund Fitzgerald was lost with her crew of 29 men November 10, 1975, 17 miles N-NW of Whitefish Point. Walk the beautiful shoreline of Lake Superior and absorb the reverence of this special place. We will enjoy an included pre-ordered lunch before you are free to experience the beautiful Upper Tahquamenon Falls. The Tahquamenon River, which feeds the falls, was made famous in the Longfellow poem "Hiawatha". Set within a pristine wilderness, the Tahquamenon Falls is over 200' wide and 48' high. To reach the Upper Falls viewing area, simply walk ¼ miles through the forest within the Tahquamenon Falls State Park to reach the overlook. Several viewing platforms are available to admire and photograph the falls. You are also invited to venture down to the brink viewing observation platform for an up-close view of the falls. This view entails a total of 94 steps and if you want an even closer look, you can descend another 112 steps to reach the river. The gorgeous views are absolutely worth the down and back up of the stairs. There is a sitting bench at the top for those who wish to absorb the area, while others journey down to the falls. We're not done witnessing waterfalls and will visit the Lower Tahquamenon Falls, which is a series of five waterfalls surrounding a small island. The Lower Falls are accessed from the parking lot without hiking. Additional viewing spots require a less than a ½ mile walk across flat ground. There is a bridge to cross over to The Island and follow the boardwalk around the island for an easy walk around some of the most unique waterfalls in the Midwest. Dinner tonight will be on your own before we return to The Pleasant Moose Lodge for overnight.

Day Four: Fill up on breakfast before we head to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for a day of visiting Michigan's first city. Rising 210 feet in the air, the Tower of History gives visitors a 360-degree view of the entire Sault area from the Sault Locks, the St. Mary's River to the Canadian wilderness, accessible by an express elevator. Construction on
the Tower began in 1968 as the “Shrine of the Missionaries.” The Sault Historic Sites donated it in 1980, and its scope widened to include Native American and missionary history. The historic Museum Ship Valley Camp is a time capsule of history. This ship logged over 3 million miles over its 49 years of service. The 20,000 sq. foot cargo holds that once held freight are now filled with artifacts, paintings, shipwreck items and exhibits related to maritime history. As a freighter that once housed a
crew of 29 men, the Museum Ship Valley Camp opens up her Captain's Quarters and accommodations to visitors. Witness firsthand the lifestyle of sailors that worked aboard this great ship. The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial and Exhibit is very unique and has two of the actual lifeboats from the Fitzgerald. In addition to exploring over 100 museum exhibits, visit the four 1,200-gallon aquariums stocked with
various species of fish found in the Great Lakes. We'll enjoy an included lunch before we will marvel at the wonder of engineering at the Soo Locks, which connects Lakes Superior and Huron, using a series of gates and chambers. Water and boats are moved only by gravity.  The Soo Locks date back to the mid-1800s and a visit to the observation platform, located in Soo Locks Park, will offer a unique vantage point to watch the locking process. Shopping opportunities abound along West Portage Avenue. It's then time to set sail on the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours for an two-hour educational boat tour of historic Sault Ste. Marie and an engaging experience of passing through the Soo Locks. Proudly operating since 1959, Famous continues the tradition of highlighting history and attractions for a memorable experience on their yellow and blue boats. After all this exploring, you are sure to have worked up an appetite and will be enjoy a pre-ordered included dinner. Overnight accommodations will be at the Best Western Sault Ste. Marie. This property features 53 rooms, an indoor pool and sauna, refrigerator, coffee maker, free internet, and a microwave in your room. No passport required as we are staying entirely in the U.S.!

Day Five: After breakfast, it’s time to bid the U.P. a fond good bye and head south to drive across the five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge, the famous "Mighty Mac” suspension bridge. The Mackinac Bridge is one of the world’s most beautiful bridges and the longest suspension bridge in America. We exit the bridge at Mackinaw City for a visit to Mackinaw Crossings. Enjoy shopping for great bargains and lunch on your own before we return to St. Ignace to board Shepler’s Island Ferry for our ride to Mackinac. Mackinac Island is the truly “all natural theme park of America". Limited transportation to horse and buggy, bicycle or foot and surrounded by water, it has escaped the vast changes of time. Imagine a place where pure air, clear blue water and spectacular rock formations are the norm. Now imagine a place with stately light houses and Victorian architecture and you have Mackinac Island. As you step off the ferry, you’ll find yourself in a living Victorian village. We’ll get checked into The House hotel which boasts beautifully renovated Victorian style rooms that offer simplicity and tranquility. The remainder of today will be as you desire to explore the Island at your leisure. The start of downtown Mackinac Island is a 0.2 of a mile so browse the numerous quaint shops found only on the Island. Enjoy dinner tonight on own at our hotel or any of the charming restaurants. Savor your tranquil evening and remember, you are on vacation. Relax on the hotel porch, sit by the water, and soak in the charm!

Day Six: After our breakfast buffet, we’ll be treated to a narrated, horse-drawn Carriage Tour of the Island. The tour will stop at Surrey Hill, Arch Rock and the historic 1887 Grand Hotel. The guided Island tour will end at the Grand Hotel and no visit to Mackinac Island would be complete without savoring the legendary Grand Hotel luncheon buffet. The buffet extends nearly 100 feet with an assortment of every food category imaginable. After lunch, relax on the Grand Hotel front porch as you like or shop the gift shop. Walk the 1/2 mile to downtown or catch a taxi to downtown to enjoy the afternoon and evening as you wish. Ft. Mackinac hosts skilled re-enactors and exhibits that draw you into a by-gone era. Experience Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory to witness free-flight of thousands of butterflies in a garden paradise. Rent a bicycle to explore the Island’s 8-mile lake-front perimeter path. Don’t forget to shop for fudge, an Island specialty! Whatever you do, you’ll find a quaint magic and enchanting beauty only found here. Enjoy dinner tonight at the hotel or one of the charming restaurants you will find on the island.

Day Seven: Enjoy your breakfast buffet at the Island House before Shepler’s Ferry will once again whisk us across Lake Huron for our return to St. Ignace It’s time to bid a fond farewell for the beautiful Straits of Mackinac and begin our journey homeward. Just because we are heading home doesn't mean the fun is over. One of the most iconic places to visit in Michigan is Kitch-iti-kipi located in Palms Brook State Park. Known as “The Big Spring”, Kitch-iti-kipi is the largest fresh water spring in Michigan. The spring is 40 feet deep and the teal water is so clear that you can see every detail of the floor along with the giant lake trout that call it home. Fissures in the limestone floor emit 40,000 gallons of water per minute. This constant rush of freshwater results in Kitch-iti-kipi maintaining a chilly 45 degrees Fahrenheit year round. A short paved path leads you to the dock where you board a self-propelled raft that use a cable and a giant wheel to take you across the spring. The round-trip ride takes about 10-15 minutes and is so worth it! You truly have to see this perfect part of nature to believe it. Dinner will be on your own in Wausau, Wisconsin before we reach our overnight at the Fairfield Inn &Suites, Eau Claire Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Day Eight:  We have experienced many unique things and met so many wonderful people along the way but all good things must come to end, so it’s time to start making the final trek towards South Dakota. No one understands cheese better than Wisconsin and since 1908, Burnett Dairy Cady Cheese has been serving over 100 varieties of freshly made cheese.  Explore everything cheese and sample some of the best there is.
Welcome Home from our Autumn U.P. in Michigan.

Tour Dates: Wednesday, September 11 - Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Tour Package Price
$2400 - Two to Four Passengers Sharing a Hotel Room
$3400 - Single Passenger

Autumn U.P. in Michigan Tour Inclusions:
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Cruise, Munising, MI
MI Dog sled dog summer training center visit, Newberry, MI
Oswald's Bear Ranch self-guided visit and photo, Newberry, MI
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum self-guided visit, Paradise, MI
Tahquamenon Falls State Park visit, Paradise, MI
Tahquamenon Falls Upper Falls self-guided visit/hike
Tahquamenon Falls Lower Falls self-guided visit/hike
Tower of History, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Museum Ship Valley Camp self-guided visit, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Soo Locks Visitors Center & Observation Deck, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Free time to shop on West Portage Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Famous Soo Locks Cruise, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Free time at Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City, MI
5 mile Drive of Mackinac Bridge
Round Trip Shepler's Ferry, St. Ignace, MI to Mackinac Island, MI
Narrated Carriage Tour of Mackinac Island, MI
Admission to the Historic Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI
Kitch iti Kipi Natural Spring at Brooks State Park, Manistique, MI
Burnett Dairy Cady Cheese, Wilson, WI

Overnight accommodations at:
Independence Stay Hotel & Suites, Marinette, Wisconsin
2 nights at The Pleasant Moose Lodge, Newberry, Michigan
Best Western Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
2 nights at The Island House, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Eau Claire Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Included Meals:
Breakfast hotel buffet each morning
3 Lunch and 1 Dinner meals

Round trip motor-coach transportation
Tour escorts

Payment
A $1,200 per person deposit is due within 7 days of receipt of confirmation invoice. If payment is not received within 7 days, your name may be removed from the reservation list without notice. VISA, MasterCard, or Discover are accepted.
Final payment is due July 24, 2024.

Cancellations:
Cancellations made prior to July 24 will receive a full refund. Cancellations made July 25 or after will receive no refund. Tour package is transferable to any party, without penalty, provided original tour passenger finds own replacement. No cash refunds will be given. Any refunds that may be due will be in the form of a future tour voucher.

Travel Protection:
Montam Tours offers Travelex Travel Insurance available for purchase. Price for individual plans are age based. Travel Select rates: Based on double passengers
Ages 6-35 $122
Ages 36-50 $130
Ages 51-55 $158
Ages 56-60 $182
Ages 61-65 $218
Ages 66-70 $266
Ages 71-75 $334
Ages 76-80 $437
Ages 81-85 $592
Ages 86+ $921
Plans must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip deposit to cover pre-existing conditions. Travel insurance can be purchased prior to departure. Other plans available. Rates subject to change without notice.

**Itinerary/accommodations/meals may be changed as deemed necessary prior to final departure date. Any changes will be reflected in final tour documents mailed approximately 10 days prior to departure. A minimum number of passengers are required before this tour can operate.

View and Print PDF Itinerary

Reservations