The Wolves & Wildlife of Yellowstone

Arrive in Jackson, WY

Welcome to Jackson! This evening during a welcome dinner, get to know fellow travel companions and your Expedition Leaders as you discuss and anticipate the upcoming adventure.
Overnight: The Lexington at Jackson Hole 

Jackson / Grand Teton National Park / National Elk Refuge / Jackson

After breakfast, depart for a safari surveying Grand Teton National Park. Board a specially equipped vehicle, featuring roof hatches for enhanced viewing, to scout for various wildlife roaming the park.

Later, visit the National Elk Refuge—home to an estimated 7,000 elk—for a special horse-drawn sleigh ride. Celebrate this century-long tradition by getting close to the elk and learning about their habitat and means of survival while surrounded by the gorgeous Grand Tetons.

This evening is at leisure to explore Jackson’s town square—only a short walk from the hotel—and take advantage of the abundant and diverse dining options.
Overnight: The Lexington at Jackson Hole

Jackson / Old Faithful

Depart Jackson for Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy lunch en route, transferring to safari snow coaches at Flagg Ranch before continuing the journey north to Old Faithful.

Watch Old Faithful erupt, then enjoy a nature walk to the Castle Geyser and explore the Upper Geyser Basin.
Overnight: Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Old Faithful / Mammoth Hot Springs / Lamar Valley / Gardiner, MTHead to Mammoth Hot Springs, a unique area of the park where colorful travertine terraces create mesmerizing, intricate landscapes. During a stop at the Lower Geyser Basin, discover the four hydrothermal features of the park: hot springs, mud pots, geysers, and fumaroles. This afternoon, peruse the Albright Visitor Center, once a former army building built in 1909. After lunch, set out for Lamar Valley—a prime wolf habitat. Climb aboard a heated, custom-outfitted van and venture into a winter wonderland where wolves and other wildlife play, hunt, and survive. Dusted with snow, bison stand majestically within this protected area, and elk gather in the river valleys. Wolves stay in range of their prey. With the season's bare trees and frosty backdrops, conditions are better than any other time of year to spot the elusive predators. During this full-day safari, your Expedition Leaders will share a wealth of knowledge, stories, and a trained eye to spot wildlife. Tonight before dinner, rejoin the group for a lovely reception featuring wine and cheese. Overnight: Yellowstone Gateway Inn

Head to Mammoth Hot Springs, a unique area of the park where colorful travertine terraces create mesmerizing, intricate landscapes. During a stop at the Lower Geyser Basin, discover the four hydrothermal features of the park: hot springs, mud pots, geysers, and fumaroles. This afternoon, peruse the Albright Visitor Center, once a former army building built in 1909.

After lunch, set out for Lamar Valley—a prime wolf habitat. Climb aboard a heated, custom-outfitted van and venture into a winter wonderland where wolves and other wildlife play, hunt, and survive.

Dusted with snow, bison stand majestically within this protected area, and elk gather in the river valleys. Wolves stay in range of their prey. With the season’s bare trees and frosty backdrops, conditions are better than any other time of year to spot the elusive predators.

During this full-day safari, your Expedition Leaders will share a wealth of knowledge, stories, and a trained eye to spot wildlife.

Tonight before dinner, rejoin the group for a lovely reception featuring wine and cheese.
Overnight: Yellowstone Gateway Inn

Gardiner / Lamar Valley, WY / Cooke City, MT / Gardiner, MT

Before first light, begin another full-day adventure in the Northern Range—with opportunities to reach viewing points from where wolves have been sighted. Learn about the wolves’ evolving family tree, the packs currently roaming the park, and the dynamics between individuals and families. Dramatic stories and perspectives about the saga of the wolves’ demise and comeback over the last several decades add to this second day of scouting.

Afterward, stop at the studio of an award-winning photographer and listen to his stories of amazing wildlife encounters. Admire the myriad of wildlife photography displayed in the gallery. Weather permitting, take an opportunity to spot wildlife while venturing further into Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley by snowshoeing along one of the park’s ski trails that wind through mixed conifer and alpine forests.
Overnight: Yellowstone Gateway Inn 

Gardiner / Lamar Valley, WY / Paradise Valley, MT / Bozeman

This morning, make a final excursion in the Northern Range. After lunch, say goodbye to Yellowstone National Park, passing the iconic Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance through Paradise Valley on the way to Bozeman for a special evening.

This grand adventure concludes with a festive farewell dinner to recount the week’s highlights and memorable experiences and bid a fond good-bye to the magnificent Yellowstone wildlife, the park, and your traveling companions.
Overnight: GranTree

Depart Bozeman

After breakfast, guests may take the complimentary transfer to the airport for flights home. Schedule a transfer at the front desk the evening prior to departure.
The itinerary for this wintertime program is a guideline that may change to maximize wildlife spotting, natural encounters, and weather conditions.