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

Check into Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel & Casino for a three-night stay.  Enjoy deluxe hotel accommodations and amenities, thrilling casino excitement, celebrity chef restaurants, world-class golf, high-octane shows and events, shopping, plus the captivating sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains.  Dinner is included this evening at the Casino. (D)

Start the day with a visit to 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.

After lunch on your own, you will travel to Andrews, NC for an experience like no other!  Enjoy an adventure aboard Rail Bikes through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  You will see amazing views during the tour as well as ride through the Historic Valley River Tunnel, which is a hand-carved tunnel made to connect remote areas of Western North Carolina.  This tunnel is a turn-around point where you have about 30 minutes to explore the tunnel and Valley River.

This evening, enjoy an included dinner before a performance of “Unto these Hills” at an outdoor theater.  Millions of people have loved the heart-wrenching action and soaring triumph of this drama since its debut on July 1, 1950.  This one-of-a-kind 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,D)

This morning it’s “All Aboard” the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (GSMR).  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!

This excursion is a 4-1/2 hour, 44-mile round trip 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.  Before returning to Bryson City Depot, you will have a 1-hour layover in the heart of the gorge where you can relax by the river and enjoy some sightseeing.  You will enjoy first class seating and a boxed lunch today during your excursion.

Next, visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village for a guided tour.  At this living history museum, see what life was like in the 18^th Century for the Cherokee in the North Carolina mountains.  This village is an experience unlike any other, offering an intriguing glimpse into the past.

Return to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for an evening of gaming fun.  From your favorite table games to exciting video poker, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino has all the casino excitement you crave.  Dinner is on your own at your leisure at one of the 12 restaurants on site.  (B,L)

After breakfast, depart for home. (B)