 Hoka Hey |  Hoka Hey |  Hoka Hey |
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Hoka Hey!
Hoka Hey!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Custer’s 1874 Black Hills Expedition sites
1875 Allison Commission Council grounds
The Fetterman ‘Massacre’
The Reynolds’ Battlefield,
Campsite of Old Bear and He Dog, Crazy Horse’s camp,
Sitting Bull’s encampment.
Powder River Depot
The Deer Medicine Rocks
The Rosebud battle
The Little Bighorn
This is a special journey and probably the most in-depth experience of tribal and military history relating to the Little Bighorn you can find anywhere. Spend a week starting in the Black Hills exploring some of Custer’s 1874 Black Hills Expedition sites, discussing the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, and the contrast between sacred sites and prospectors’ mines. You will stand on the actual grounds, the historic place where the government attempted to lease, and then buy, the Black Hills, and from there embark upon the story of the resultant ‘Great Sioux War.’
Amid the Sullivant Hills see the site the Cheyenne refer to as the ‘Hundred Soldiers Killed or the Fetterman Massacre, visit the Reynolds’ Battlefield, the campsite of Old Bear and He Dog which Crook’s men under Reynolds attacked on March 17, 1876, take the trail of He Dog’s and Old Bear’s people to Crazy Horse’s camp, and then travel to Sitting Bull’s encampment, to hear the perspectives of the Lakota and Cheyenne. Assess Colonel John Gibbon’s and Brigadier General Alfred Terry’s respective commands, then follow Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer’s 7th US Cavalry up the Rosebud to the Divide in pursuit of the Lakota and Cheyenne. Experience the awe-inspiring Deer Medicine Rocks where Sitting Bull’s vision of soldiers without ears, falling like grasshoppers into camp, can still be seen. Relive the Rosebud battle across the vast sweep of the field, viewing the terrain as Crazy Horse and Crook saw it that June day. Then go inside the Indian village site along the Little Bighorn River where you experience the Lakota and Cheyenne perspectives –standing where Crazy Horse crossed the Little Bighorn River to meet Custer’s 7th. We will follow the battle in detail as it unfolded.
DAILY ED-VENTURES
DAY 1 - Arrive Rapid City, SD (RAP)
DAY 2 - Explore Custer’s 1874 Black Hills Expedition sites, discussing the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty
DAY 3 - Gather on the actual 1875 Allison Commission Council grounds, where the government tried to buy the Black Hills.
DAY 4 – Visit the ‘Hundred Soldiers Killed Fight’ - the Fetterman Massacre,
DAY 5 - Reynolds’ Battlefield, the campsite of Old Bear and He Dog, Crazy Horse’s camp, then Sitting Bull’s encampment.
DAY 6 - At the Powder River Depot, then up the Rosebud to the Divide,
DAY 7 - The Deer Medicine Rocks for Sitting Bull’s vision then relive the Rosebud battle.
DAY 8 - The Little Bighorn where we experience the Lakota and Cheyenne perspectives and stand where Crazy Horse crossed the Little Bighorn River to meet Custer’s 7th, and then follow the battle as it unfolded.
DAY 9 - DEPART from Billings, MT, (BIL)
TOUR OVERVIEW - Hoka Hey
The so-called ‘Great Sioux War of 1876’ remains the most famous ‘Indian war,’ but many of its sites are remote, or known only to a handful of historians and descendants of the participants. On this incredible journey you have a rare opportunity to experience many of these sites, and to literally follow the trails of Crook, Crazy Horse, Custer and Sitting Bull to the Rosebud, the Little Bighorn, and beyond. The mountains, plains, and endless skies of North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska add to the lure that is embodied by those associated with the Centennial Campaign, the likes of Medicine Crow, Low Dog, Crow King, William F. ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, Gall, Lame White Man, Buffalo Calf Trail Woman, Reno and Benteen, White-Man-Runs-Him, Two Moons, Ranald S. Mackenzie . . . the Lakota and Cheyenne . . . regiments of US Cavalry and Infantry aided by the Crow, Shoshoni and Pawnee.
Where: South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana
When: To be announced
Tribes: Lakota, Cheyenne, Crow
CAN I EXTEND THIS TOUR?
Book by Feb 28th, 2018 and get a FREE bonus day at the Little Bighorn.
FAQ
Why do we not visit the battlefield on the actual anniversary?
Simply put, the place is like a bear garden on the anniversary. Parking on the battlefield road is difficult, the place is teaming with people, and everywhere you go self-appointed ‘experts’ are holding court with their opinions about the battle. We will be in situ for the reenactment, and will enjoy the battlefield itself when there is peace and space to do so.
Tour Information
Flights
Into Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP), and out of Billings, MT (BIL) Dates as above. Following these published dates you will be arriving the night previous to the start of the tour, with hotel accommodation INCLUDED in your price. This means you can book flights that suit you because whenever you arrive you will hop on the hotel shuttle from the airport. Same deal when you leave - you can chose your own departure time on the date noted above and will take the hotel shuttle to the airport.
NB. Some hotels will not allow you to book in until 4pm.
Most hotels will ask you to leave your room by 11 am, but may store bags for you if you have a late flight out of town.
Please do NOT book flights until your departure is confirmed.
Room-sharing?
This trip is based on single room accommodation with no single supplement. For sharing prices, please call +1. 307. 699. 6015
Is camping available?
No. This trip is well priced for the activities and accommodations that are included, and because we move many nights it is not convenient for camping.
Activity Level?
This trip is not a high activity tour, but all participants must be of reasonable fitness and be able to walk uneven paths and to take short hikes. If you have special needs, please let us know - we will be able to arrange something that works for you and your needs
Packing List?
This will be sent to you upon payment of your balance. But thinking ahead, you will not need much 'stuff' to have a great time - we are informal - no dressing for dinner, nowhere 'posh' to go to - jeans, tees, a sweatshirt/sweater and a fleece work great. Just don't forget your passport, your credit card, sun specs and sunscreen, phone (for the camera!) and charger.
In short, please only bring what you can carry easily yourself :)
Reading List?
This can be sent to you on request once you have made your booking. You do not have to do 'homework' prior to your trip
...but some people like to.
Ecotravel
Go Native America is deeply conscious of our responsibility toward Mother Earth and wherever possible we keep miles to a minimum, energy savings to the max. But you also have to do your part. Please read our policy on sustainable tourism here.
This also covers our Fair Trade Tribal Tourism mandate.
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