Grand Teton and Yellowstone Wildlife Safari

Arrive at the airport and meet your guide.

After an early morning departure, learn about the unique geology and history of northern Utah, southeastern Idaho, and western Wyoming on the way to Jackson, WY. Walk along the Gros Ventre slide area, a large geological scar formed in 1925 by a historic landslide in which 50 million cubic yards of rock and soil broke from nearby Sheep Mountain. Explore the town of Jackson, a relic of the Old West with storefronts restored from the 1800s. Dinner tonight will be at one of the fantastic local restaurants in Jackson.

This morning, float down the scenic Snake River with majestic views of Grand Teton National Park. Wildlife-watching and photography opportunities abound as our expert river guides explain the history of the area. After lunch, learn about field-based science research on a visit to Teton Science School. Then hike the trails around Jenny Lake. Look for wildlife like grizzly and black bears, moose, elk, foxes, and birds such as Dark-eyed Junco, Clark's Nutcracker, Canada Jay, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, as you take in awe-inspiring views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Return to Jackson for a relaxing evening in town.

Drive north through Grand Teton to Yellowstone National Park and explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. These natural wonders depict the complex geologic history of the area with dramatic colors and formations. We travel over Dunraven Pass and make our way to the Lamar Valley for evening wildlife viewing. Lamar Valley is often referred to as America's Serengeti for its bountiful populations of large mammals. Continue along the scenic Beartooth Highway to the small town of Cooke City, where we'll spend the night.

Return to the Lamar Valley this morning for the chance to observe more wildlife. Look for herds of bison, pronghorn, grizzly bears, Bald Eagles, Osprey, badgers, deer, wolves, and coyotes. Travel west to Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest and most dynamic thermal area in Yellowstone. Continue to Madison River Valley and the town of West Yellowstone. Visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, an educational wildlife park dedicated to the conservation of the area's wild animals. Dinner at local restaurant.

This morning, explore the trails, forests, and waterways surrounding West Yellowstone in search of elk, bison, antelope, bear, and other animals. Next, witness the mudpots, geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles of the Lower Geyser Basin, Fountain Paint Pots, and Old Faithful-perhaps the most iconic of Yellowstone's features. After lunch, choose among visits to Grand Prismatic Spring, Firehole Geyser Basin, Black Sand Basin, and other areas. Embark on an afternoon hike for more wildlife watching within the park. This evening is on your own in West Yellowstone.

This morning, travel west into Idaho's Island Park area, home to one of the world's largest calderas, stretching approximately 50 by 40 miles across. Continue to Big Springs, the headwaters for the Snake River, and Mesa Falls. A mile apart, Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are the only significant waterfalls on the Snake River to elude human control. Continue south through the potato fields of Idaho. Visit the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge along the shores of Great Salt Lake. Learn how the refuge provides critical habitat for migrating birds from both the Pacific and Central Flyway of North America and their priority species like the American White Pelican, Snowy Plover, Black-necked Stilt, Cinnamon Teal, and Tundra Swan. We return to Salt Lake City and gather for a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the Salt Lake City International Airport on own by hotel shuttle for your departure flight home.