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Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone
$3,895 per person, based on double occupancy; single supplement: $395
Trip Details
Trip Overview
In the pale light of sunrise, a wolf pack emerges from the forest into the open expanse of Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. They yelp and cavort, energized by the awakening day, oblivious to our still presence. A large male halts and sniffs the frozen air. As we watch from a distance, we sense the mystical aura of this beast of legend. Elegant predators, wolves are thriving in Yellowstone’s environs, where abundant elk, moose and other prey provide sustenance. Winter’s white mantle offers a pristine backdrop against which we view these wild creatures on a rare expedition away from summer crowds.
Trip Itinerary
Saturday January 8: Depart / Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Travel independently to Jackson Hole, where you’ll meet up with your guide and fellow travelers for an informal welcome dinner and orientation. Old-West Jackson sits at the edge of Grand Teton National Park in the shadow of the mountain range’s jagged spires. Still retaining a cowboy flavor, Jackson hosts visitors with panache. Red Lion Wyoming Inn (D)
Sunday, January 9: Jackson Hole
Your winter safari begins in the morning as you venture into Jackson Hole in search of bighorn sheep, bald and golden eagles, coyotes, bison, mule deer, moose and elk. Later, visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. Then, by horse-drawn sleigh, glide across the snows blanketing the National Elk Refuge for close-up photos of the massive herd that winters there, with thousands of animals roaming the valley floor. Red Lion Wyoming Inn (B,L,D)
Monday, January 10: Old Faithful
A traverse of Buffalo Valley offers a panorama of the Tetons rising above the Snake River en route to Yellowstone National Park. An enclosed, heated snowcoach conveys us into the park’s silent winter splendor. Since access to the resort is limited to snow vehicles, we find ourselves in peaceful seclusion, experiencing the magic of Old Faithful erupting in winter’s crystalline veil. Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B,L,D)
Tuesday, January 11: Mammoth Hot Springs & Lamar Valley
Back aboard the snowcoach, head northward through the park’s geyser basins to the silver terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, where you may see many elk. The evening’s destination is Cooke City, Mont., where we’ll spend two nights at a rustic western lodge in the Beartooth Mountains. As dusk descends, an evening drive through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone’s far northeast corner offers your first chance to see wolves. Alpine Inn (B,L,D)
Wednesday, January 12: Lamar Valley
A full day is yours to look for wolves in the best place in North America to view these magnetic animals. Reintroduced to Yellowstone in the 1990s amid much controversy, wolves were returned to this native ecosystem after a 70-year absence following their government-sanctioned eradication. Now they are flourishing, supported by bountiful prey including a multitude of elk. You may see an entire pack as they test the elk herd for a weak or sick animal, or spot lonely individuals who forage on their own. Alpine Inn (B,L,D)
Thursday, January 13: Lamar Valley / Bozeman, Mont.
As dawn illumines the Lamar Valley’s snowy meadows, return once more in search of wolves. When the wolves are far off, the on-board scopes help you observe their activities from a distance without disturbing their natural behavior. You may even experience the thrill of a close-up encounter. Many of the Expedition Leaders on this trip have worked for years with the onsite scientists who track these wolves daily, and together they provide every opportunity to see these elusive creatures in their natural surroundings. Returning to Mammoth Hot Springs, leave Yellowstone’s wintry quiet and continue to the hip university town of Bozeman for a final night. Hotel TBA (B,L,D)
Friday, January 14: Bozeman / Home
If your schedule allows, you may enjoy exploring Bozeman on your own today. The transfer to the airport for your flight home is at your convenience. (B)
Optional Extension
Dog Sledding
A scenic, warm ride in a modern sled allows you to explore Granite Creek Canyon in Bridger Teton National Forest. You will have the opportunity to relive the old days of mushing by running the dogs yourself (with the supervision and assistance of our experienced guides). Deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and bald eagles may be spotted along the way. This extension requires no special degree of physical fitness.
