Hidden Yellowstone & Grand Teton Safari
Experience the wild heart of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, where iconic wildlife roam, and stunning landscapes reveal the magic of America's backyard.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.2*
ECO SCORE
13
PASSENGERS
7
DAYS
2.5/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Yellowstone: Drink It In
When President Theodore Roosevelt encountered Yellowstone's wondrous geology and abundant animals during a visit to America's first national park in 1903, he proclaimed it “absolutely unique in the world.” Embracing natural beauty as a shared asset, he championed the idea of national parks, building a priceless legacy for generations to follow.
In the northwest corner of Wyoming, two of America's most treasured parks offer scenic grandeur and prolific wildlife unparalleled in the Lower 48, with outstanding opportunities for nature photography. This classic small-group safari through Yellowstone and the Tetons takes us into the domain of elk and bison, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, foxes, bald eagles and, of course, black bears, grizzlies and wolves. From plains to peaks, Yellowstone Country still works strong magic.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
- • Take a mellow raft trip through Jackson Hole beneath the spires of the Tetons as you scout for elk, moose and otters and watch for eagles flying overhead.
• Discover wildlife spots most visitors miss, led by expert naturalist Expedition Leaders who know Yellowstone Country intimately.
• Travel in a luxury safari vehicle with pop-top roofs that lift completely off for 360-degree views of the surrounding wilderness, so you don't miss a thing!
Trip Sustainability Awards
Waste
Has eliminated use of single-use plastic bottles and straws
Conservation
Has contributed more than $4.5 million to the WWF
Carbon
Offsets all CO2 outputs from trips and office operations
Itinerary
Please note: Alternating trips run in the opposite direction, starting in Bozeman and ending in Jackson.
Day 1: Jackson, Wyoming
The Old West town of Jackson sits on the edge of Grand Teton National Park. While retaining its cowboy flavor, Jackson hosts guests with plenty of contemporary panache. We spend the first night of our Yellowstone safari tour here, meeting our Expedition Leaders and fellow adventurers at a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2: Grand Teton National Park—Scenic Float Trip
Nothing quite prepares you for the drama of the Grand Tetons, which rear up in a row of pointed peaks from the floor of Jackson Hole. Protected forever in one of America’s most impressive national parks, the Tetons are emblems of the West’s wild majesty. Grand Tetons wildlife is as magnificent as its mountains, and we may see elk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, bison and eagles as we traverse the park today in our specialty North American Safari Trucks. With large windows, leather bucket seats with charging points, and a pop-top roof that lifts completely up for a 360° view on the landscape, these custom vehicles are designed for optimal wildlife viewing. This afternoon, water level permitting, float the placid Snake River beneath the jagged backdrop of the Tetons, looking out for moose, beaver, osprey, pelicans, or even a black bear near the river’s edge.
Day 3: Oxbow Bend / Yellowstone National Park—Old Faithful
Moose are our objective this morning as we search the willow-covered bottomlands of Oxbow Bend just east of Jackson Lake. The slow-moving water provides habitat for fish that are food for other wildlife, and we may spy river otter, beaver, muskrat, osprey, bald eagles and American white pelicans. Continuing north to enter Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, established in 1872, we get our first glimpse of the geothermal features that dot the landscape. From bubbling mud pots to eruptions of boiling water rocketing skyward, Yellowstone’s geyser areas are one of the unique features that captivated early explorers like John Colter and Jim Bridger and prompted conservationists like Teddy Roosevelt to encourage protection of the park’s natural assets. We also learn about fire ecology as we drive through recovering areas once ravaged by wildfires. At Old Faithful this afternoon, there’s ample time to see the famous geyser erupt and to walk among the fumaroles and hot springs nearby.
Day 4: Hayden Valley / Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone / Lamar Valley / Gardiner
Much more of the park lies ahead, including Hayden Valley, a favored grazing area for large herds of bison and elk. Yellowstone is home to some 4,000 bison, the largest land mammals in North America, which we expect to encounter today. Bighorn sheep may be on display near Mount Washburn, and we may also spot coyotes and bald eagles. A stop at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where Yellowstone Falls pours off a sheer cliff into a thousand-foot-deep gorge, offers the park’s most inspiring vista. This afternoon, continue to the Lamar Valley in the park’s remote northeast corner, where we'll use spotting scopes to search for grizzly bears and wolves. Though Yellowstone's famous gray wolves are elusive and almost always seen at a substantial distance, the Lamar Valley is the best place in North America to look for them. We have the added advantage of working closely with wolf researchers in the park, who help us track them. Tonight, we stay just outside the park's northern boundary in Gardiner, Montana, which lies along the Yellowstone River.
Day 5: Lamar Valley Wildlife Safari
Early this morning we return to the broad meadows of the Lamar Valley in search of wolves, grizzly bears and large herds of elk and bison. Wolves were reintroduced here to their native ecosystem amid much controversy in the 1990s. After a 70-year absence following their government-sanctioned eradication, the wolves have again flourished, supported by bountiful prey. In addition, their predatory presence has helped to right prior imbalances in the ecosystem. But as prey numbers have diminished and wolf hunting outside the park has increased, the frequency and proximity of wolf sightings has decreased. We often spy them, though, and our guides' high-powered spotting scopes bring their activities in for a closer view. The afternoon, we visit the art gallery of Dan Hartman, a local wildlife photographer whose wolf images are highly renowned.
Day 6: Lamar Valley / Mammoth Hot Springs / Paradise Valley / Bozeman
Wolf and bear tracking awaits in the Lamar Valley. Here, thermal water spills over travertine terraces that have been described as a “cave turned inside out,” with heat-loving organisms called thermophiles adding distinct colors to the mineral-laden formations. Exiting the park, we follow the Yellowstone River through the scenic Paradise Valley, flanked by the Absaroka and Gallatin ranges. Arriving in Bozeman, we check in to our hotel in the city's historic downtown and recount our adventures over a farewell dinner this evening.
Day 7: Bozeman / Depart
Our Yellowstone safari concludes this morning. The day is free to enjoy Bozeman, a historic Old West/New West town with a rich mining, ranching and trapping heritage. The city boasts 47 individual properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, its thriving economy is increasingly driven by tourism and technology, and it’s also home to Montana State University. Bozeman offers a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities. A highlight is the Museum of the Rockies, a Smithsonian Affiliate and repository for state and national dinosaur fossils, including Montana's mounted T. rex skeleton. A transfer to the airport to meet departing flights is included.
Rates
Questions?
Whether you live in North America or another place, visiting these two spectacular national parks is a must do! These are some of the most concentrated wildlife destinations in the continental US. And this wildlife-passionate operator has deep insider knowledge about how to have the most dramatic sightings and get the best photos. Welcome to animal paradise!
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on final day, drinking water throughout the trip, services of Nat Hab Expedition Leaders and local guides, airport transfer on Day 1 and final day, some gratuities, all permits, entrance fees and taxes.
NOT INCLUDED:
Travel to and from start and end points of trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes, optional travel insurance.
