Greater Yellowstone: An Ecological Excursion
Trip at-a-glance
| Price: | From $2,120* per person |
| Lodging: | hotel |
| When: | June, August |
| Number of days: | 8 |
| Group size: | 24 |
This trip is offered by:
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Trip details
Day 1: Arrival & Yellowstone Walking
Arrive To: Meet at Gallatin Field in Bozeman, Mont. by 1p.m. Depart by motorcoach for Gardiner at 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon: En route to Gardiner via Paradise Valley, learn about area features and history. After checking in at the lodge, depart for guided walk of Mammoth Terraces and the Albright Visitors' Center.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Evening: Orientation and introductions.
Accommodations: Absaroka Lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Yellowstone's Lamar Valley & Grand Canyon
Breakfast: At Yellowstone Mine Restaurant.
Morning: An exploration of the Mammoth area offers some of Yellowstone's best viewing of wildlife and migratory birds. A 5-mile round-trip walk along the Beaver Ponds Trail winds through open sagebrush and aspen-studded meadows to beaver dams and lodges. The return route provides grand vistas of the area.
Lunch: Sack lunch.
Afternoon: Hike the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This 1,200-foot chasm of volcanic rhyolite was altered and cooled some 600,000 years ago. A 1.5-mile walk along the rim provides breathtaking views.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: Enjoy views of the serene water of Yellowstone Lake.
Accommodations: Lake Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Lake Yellowstone Kayaking
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Choice of kayaking on Yellowstone Lake or the Narrows, with instruction for all experience levels; or walking exploration of the lake area.
Lunch: Picnic on shore for kayakers; lunch at the hotel for walkers.
Afternoon: Continue kayaking past remote geysers, thermal hot springs, and possibly large groups of grazing bison and elk. The entire group reunites mid-afternoon for a steamy investigation of West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Dinner: Lake Hotel Dining Room.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodations: Lake Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Old Faithful and the Grand Tetons
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Enjoy a visit to Old Faithful, the Park's best-known geyser, and continue on into the back country of Yellowstone to the Imperial Geyser Basin and thundering Fairy Falls.
Lunch: Packed lunch en route.
Afternoon: Travel south into the heart of Grand Teton National Park.
Dinner: Private dining room at Jackson Lake Lodge.
Evening: Enjoy the view and watch for moose from the lodge's back deck.
Accommodations: Jackson Lake Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Snake River Rafting or Wildlife and Art
Breakfast: Early breakfast in the dining room.
Morning: Travel to Moose/Jackson, choose to take a scenic float trip, a white-water rafting trip or explore Jackson's shops and museum independently.
Lunch: Rising Sage Cafe.
Afternoon: Choose a docent-led visit to National Museum of Wildlife Art or the Jackson National Fish Hatchery. Near the hatchery, the National Elk Refuge offers hiking and nature trails.
Dinner: In the lodge.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodations: Jackson Lake Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Teton Hiking or Boat Ride
Breakfast: In the lodge.
Morning: Choose a 3- to 6-mile hike or Jenny Lake boat ride.
Lunch: Sack lunch
Afternoon: Travel to Jackson Hole. Free Time to explore the town.
Dinner: Your choice to explore local fare.
Evening: Enjoy Jackson's lively town square.
Accommodations: 49er Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Return to West Yellowstone
Breakfast: Continental breakfast in the lodge.
Morning: Travel via Teton and Yellowstone National Parks en route to West Yellowstone.
Lunch: Picnic lunch en route.
Afternoon: Mid-afternoon arrival in West Yellowstone.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Evening: Closing remarks and program wrap-up.
Accommodations: Yellowstone Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Departures
Breakfast: Continental breakfast in the lodge.
Morning: Depart to Gallatin Field in Bozeman, Montana, arriving approximately 10 a.m.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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