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 transfer to our overnight accommodation.

   Accommodation: Element Hotel, Bozeman, 1-night

2. Day 2: West Yellowstone

   We drive via Four-Corners Junction for around two hours to the town of West Yellowstone. The journey takes us along the picturesque, forested valley of the Gallatin River where we may see white-tailed and mule deer. In the higher reaches in broader meadows, the river becomes lined with willows and in these areas, there's a chance of seeing moose.

   Accommodation: Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, 4-nights

3. Days 3-5 : Madison & Firehole Valleys, Lower, Midway & Upper Geyser Basins

   We enjoy three full-day snow coach excursions from West Yellowstone into the park. Exploring along the Madison River, that's home to large numbers of waterfowl, the adjacent meadows offer grazing for herds of bison. These areas can be very good for coyotes and particularly red foxes, in addition to the possibility of bobcats that are sometimes encountered hunting along the river. Visiting the famous geothermal features along the Geyser basins there are excellent photo opportunities and often frost-covered bison early in the morning.

4. Day 6: Travel to the Yellowstone Expeditions Yurt Camp

   Travelling by snow coach through the Madison and Gibbon River Valleys to Norris Geyser Basin, we make our way into the interior of the national park to the 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

5. Days 7-9 : Canyon, Hayden Valley & Yellowstone Lake Areas

   We 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, in addition to 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's also ample opportunity - for those who wish - to explore areas away from the roads by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

6. Day 10: Travel to Gardiner

   In the morning, there's the last chance to explore the Canyon and Hayden Valley areas. Late morning, we transfer by snow coach to Mammoth Hot Springs. Here we exchange vehicles, swapping from the snow coaches to a regular minibus, then continue the short distance to Gardiner at the north entrance of the park.

   Accommodation: Wyndham Super 8 Gardiner, 1-night

7. Day 11: Explore the Northern Ranges

   Today we head through the northern ranges of the park, where significant numbers of animals, particularly bison and elk, move and gather in the lower elevations during winter. In the lower lying grassy areas near the north entrance, we look for both pronghorn and elk. Later as we pass through Mammoth Hot Springs and eventually enter the Lamar Valley, we hope to find rewarding photographic opportunities with bison, elk, coyotes and wolves on occasion. 

   After a full day exploring the park, we exit through the north-east gate to overnight in Cooke City.

   Accommodation: Wyndham Super 8 Cooke City, 2-nights 

8. Days 12-13 : Exploring the Soda Butte & Lamar Valleys

   We enjoy full-day excursions into Yellowstone National Park, visiting prime photographic locations like Soda Butte, Pebble Creek, and wildlife hotspots such as the Lamar Valley, which can be especially rewarding for coyotes, bison, elk and wolves. Even with in the conifer forests of Cooke City we may find some great photography with the birdlife while mountain goats may be found on nearby cliff ledges. 

9. Day 14: Lamar Valley to Gardiner

   Today we gradually retrace our steps back through the Soda Butte and Lamar Valleys hoping for more memorable wildlife encounters as we travel. We then reach Gardiner by dusk where we overnight. 

   Accommodation: Wyndham Super 8 Gardiner, 1-night

10. Day 15: Return to Bozeman & depart

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

11. Day 16: Arrive UK