Wild West Winter Wonderland

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fly to Bozeman, Montana

   Fly to Bozeman, Montana, arriving later the same day. On arrival, we will transfer to our overnight accommodation.

   Accommodation: Element Hotel, Bozeman, 1-night

2. Day 2: Gardiner & Yellowstone National Park

   Today we drive, via Livingstone and Paradise Valley, to Gardiner (between two and four hours), at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. In the afternoon there may be time for an excursion into the park.

   Accommodation: Absaroka Lodge, 4-nights.

3. Days 3-5 : Mammoth Hot Springs & Lamar Valley

   We enjoy full-day excursions into Yellowstone National Park, visiting prime photographic locations like Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and wildlife hotspots such as the Lamar Valley, which can be especially rewarding for coyotes, bison, elk and wolves.

4. Day 6: West Yellowstone

   In the morning there is another excursion in the park as we concentrate our efforts around the Mammoth Hot Springs area. After breakfast, we transfer by snow coach through Yellowstone National Park, driving from Mammoth via the Norris Geyser Basin and Madison Junction to the Old Faithful area. Along the way, there will be ample opportunity to stop at the best photographic locations.

   Accommodation: Old Faithful Snow Lodge, 4-nights

5. Days 7-9 : Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin

   This morning we will travel by snow coach into Yellowstone National Park and drive along the Madison River and Firehole River valleys, through the Lower and Midway Geyser Basins to the Upper Geyser Basin and 'Old Faithful'. Along the way there will be amble opportunity to stop at the best photographic locations.

   We have two full days around Old Faithful and the Upper and Middle geyser basins, which can both be specially good for seeing frost covered bison early in the morning. There is also plenty of opportunity to explore areas on foot, snowshoe or cross-country ski, and visit the numerous other geysers in the vicinity.

   Accommodation: Old Faithful Snow Lodge, 4-nights

6. Day 10: Firehole Valley, Gibbon Valley, Norris Geyser Basin & Yellowstone Canyon

   In the morning we will transfer by snow coach via the Firehole and Gibbon River Valleys to Yellowstone Expeditions Yurt Camp. The Camp is situated in a small meadow in the centre of the park, surrounded by pine forest and just a short distance from the Grand Canyon and Falls of the Yellowstone River.

   Accommodation: Yellowstone Expeditions Yurt Camp, 4-nights

7. Days 11-13 : Canyon, Hayden Valley & Yellowstone Lake Areas

   We will have daily snow coach trips at sunrise and sunset to the prime photographic and wildlife locations, such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and frozen waterfalls, Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano, Gibbon River Meadows and Norris Geyser Basin. These areas can be very good for bison and coyotes and particularly red foxes, as well as the possibility of beavers and otters along the Upper Yellowstone River. Viewing points overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone also offer the opportunity for some unusual and spectacular photography by moonlight.

   There will also be ample opportunity - for those who wish - to explore areas away from the roads by cross-country ski-ing and snowshoeing.

8. Day 14: Canyon, Hayden Valley & Madison Valley

   In the morning there is a last chance to explore the areas around camp. In the afternoon we will transfer by snow coach along the Gibbon and Madison River Valleys back to West Yellowstone.

   Accommodation: Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone, 1-night

9. Day 15: Return to Bozeman & depart

   We will transfer back to Bozeman by road in time for an overnight flight back to the UK.

10. Day 16: Arrive UK