Yellowstone and Grand Teton Adventure
Highlights
Embark on a 6-day exploration of some of the most iconic natural landmarks America has to offer. Visit the world’s first-ever national park: Yellowstone, where Old Faithful shoots boiling water to the sky and bison roam the plains (and the roads) freely. Marvel over the mesmerizing colors of Grand Prismatic Spring and even take a dip in the rejuvenating waters of Mammoth Hot Springs. It won’t take long to see why nature lovers and park enthusiasts simply can’t get enough of western Wyoming.
Spot wildlife such as moose, bears and beavers hidden within the Grand Teton mountain range and follow along with a real-life wolf tracker who will teach you their secret tracking tricks. The Tetons provide an abundance of stunning scenery—pristine freshwater lakes, trails filled with wildflowers, scenic viewpoints everywhere—and they're all just waiting to be discovered on your tour with Intrepid. In the evenings, unwind like the cowboys used to, with dinner, drinks and entertainment in the famous frontier town of Jackson, Wyoming.
The Basics
- Start and Finish: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Age: Minimum 15
- Group Size: Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Experience
With the expert knowledge of your guides and six days to discover the geologic wonders and pristine peaks of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, this vacation brings you to a destination you’ll fall in love with.
- Meet up with an experienced wolf tracker for a unique opportunity to view wolves within their natural habitat in Yellowstone National Park.
- Explore the stunning scenery of Grand Teton National Park, home to wildlife such as moose and grizzly bears, as well as pristine lakes and incredible alpine terrain.
- See Yellowstone’s most iconic sites like the powerful Old Faithful and the hypnotic Grand Prismatic Pool, then see if you can spot the park’s famous bison herds… from a safe distance, of course.
- Marvel at artwork by world-renowned artists as you take in over 4000 years of wildlife history at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Itinerary
Welcome to the historic town of Jackson, Wyoming, where fur trappers and frontiersmen once gathered. Surrounded by towering mountain ranges and the meandering Snake River, Jackson is your gateway to discovering Yellowstone National Park. There will be a group meeting at 6 pm, followed by a welcome dinner. Afterward, the evening is all yours to explore the town’s nightlife. Feel free to wander the plaza or maybe head to the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for a drink.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
After breakfast, embark on a day with your expert guide exploring Grand Teton National Park, one of the most stunning places in Wyoming. The Grand Teton mountain range rises above a scene rich with abundant wildlife and pristine lakes. Take a walk to Inspiration Point for outstanding views or enjoy a scenic stroll around the glacially carved Jenny Lake and gaze up in awe of the surrounding landscape. Have a picnic, maybe spot a moose or even a grizzly bear and enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place. Other wildlife you might find include elk, beavers and black bears, so keep your eyes peeled! You’ll continue on to viewing sites for buffalo and antelope herds along the Gros Ventre River and Antelope Flats.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Grand Teton National Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast
This morning, take in the fascinating artwork of the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Featuring work by famed artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol, the museum’s collection chronicles the history of wildlife in art, from the present all the way back to 2500 BC. You’ll have the rest of the day free to further explore Jackson—perhaps wander among the many shops or opt for an exciting whitewater rafting adventure on the Snake River. In the evening, there is an optional activity (at your own expense) to experience an authentic chuckwagon meal at the famous Bar J Chuckwagon. In the 1800s, cowboys who rode the western range would share a meal over tall tales and music around the chuckwagon. Embrace the spirit of the Wild West with a rib stickin’ meal and authentic cowboy entertainment.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Jackson - National Museum of Wildlife Art
Meals Included
- Breakfast
An early start gets you on the road to the crown jewel of the American national parks, where you’ll spend the full day exploring with your expert guide. Yellowstone is the country’s first national park and is a mountain wilderness, home to grizzly bears, wolves and herds of buffalo and elk. Watch as Old Faithful sprays over 4000 gallons (14,000 liters) of boiling water into the air, then be hypnotized by the startling colors of the Grand Prismatic Pool. Other highlights include Yellowstone Canyon with its geysers along the north and south loop and the tranquil Yellowstone Lake. Be sure to pack your bathing suit for a soak in the Mammoth natural hot springs.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yellowstone National Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast
It’s another early morning for a fascinating day with a local wolf-tracking expert. There is no better place than Yellowstone to see these magnificent animals in the wild. Your group will meet up with an experienced naturalist guide who tracks the movements and behavior of Yellowstone wildlife almost daily and knows the best places to find the animals. There will be optics for everyone—top-of-the-line binoculars and high-powered spotting scopes for each person, so no one will miss out.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yellowstone - Wolf Viewing Experience
Meals Included
- Breakfast
After breakfast, make your way back to Jackson (approximately 3 hours), where you will arrive early afternoon. Your tour ends here and you are free to explore more of Jackson or depart at your leisure.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travelers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travelers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organized independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist.
Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organizing these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.
FAQ
- Airfare
- Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges
- Travel insurance (mandatory and must be taken out at the time of booking)
- Optional activities and all personal expenses
All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy this style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of your group leader or local guide any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, they reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. They recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements as they may not be easily obtained while traveling.
We will not require a negative COVID-19 test before joining a trip unless it is a requirement of entry for the country. If you are unwell prior to traveling, please stay at home and contact Intrepid to make alternative arrangements. At the group meeting, you will be asked to complete a self-screening health form and report any COVID-19 symptoms as well as any close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed COVID-19. If you are displaying any symptoms or have any health concerns at this time, Intrepid will follow the advice of local health authorities to determine whether medical assistance, isolation or further action is required. They ask all travelers to continue to monitor their health throughout their travels and report any relevant symptoms to their tour leader.
If you're happy with the service you receive, providing a tip—though not compulsory—is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. It also inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. Please note, they recommend that any tips are given directly to the intended recipient by a member of your group as their group leaders are prohibited from collecting cash for tips.
The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from their past travelers:
Restaurants: They suggest 18% to 22% of your bill.
Bars: Recommended US$1 for each drink ordered to ensure you are served again.
Local guides: Throughout your trip, you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. They suggest US$5-20 per day for local guides. Ask your leader for suggestions as to what is appropriate for a given activity.
Your Group Leader: You should also consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. Your leader works long and hard for you. He or she may well become your friend during the trip but they do need to pay their bills. If the leader's performance meets or exceeds your expectation they will gladly accept a tip from you. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, you should plan to tip your leader US$7-10 per person per day.
While traveling with Intrepid, you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, their groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company.
Your group leader will endeavor to cater to specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered to in most instances. There may be some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements. Please notify your group leader of any dietary requirements in your group meeting at the start of the trip.
For those who suffer from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Besides your essential clothes, here’s a checklist of other items you should take:
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm sweater/fleece
- Casual ‘evening out’ clothes
- Hiking shoes/boots
- Comfortable day shoes
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Warm hat/gloves
- Swimwear
- Sun hat/sunglasses
- Camera/binoculars
- Small flashlight/torch
- Sunscreen/insect repellent (20% DEET)
- Travel power adaptor (optional)
- Toiletries/personal medicine
LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS:
All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium-sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg maximum) per person, plus a sleeping bag where required on your trip. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack and camera may also be carried inside the vehicle.
CLIMATE & CLOTHING:
Keep in mind that everyone's dress tends to be informal. Take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to suit the season. You may encounter a wide variety of temperatures en route due to altitude and unforeseen weather conditions—so be prepared! Make sure to pack a warm fleece and a waterproof jacket as well as comfortable walking shoes.
CLOSED-IN SHOES:
If your trip includes camping and/or national parks, they highly recommend that you take a pair of comfortable, closed-in walking shoes. Closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grass-lands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings from dangerous animals in the environment.
WATER BOTTLE:
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1-liter plastic bottle takes 2 liters of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion ends up in limited landfills or discarded in waterways and natural environments.
LAUNDRY:
You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes while on tour. This can often be done at the hotel or in another place in town. Ask your tour leader for local information.
Terms
This trip is provided by Intrepid Travel. Minimum age requirement is 15 years old. Minimum of four people total must book this trip for it to happen. Maximum 12 people allowed on the trip in total.
Deposit:
Lock in your trip with a deposit and then pay the rest in installments whenever you like, with no interest or fees. Just make sure you've paid in full by 21 days before your trip is scheduled to depart. If you cancel your trip up to 21 days before departure, you can transfer your deposit to another available trip or hold your deposit on file indefinitely.
Insurance:
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those traveling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are traveling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Authority on Tour:
Trips are run by a group leader. The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveler or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a group leader, or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund. We may also elect not to carry you on any future trips booked. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited
Health:
All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements as they may not easily be obtained while traveling.
Any form of violence (verbal or physical) or sexual harassment, either between customers or involving our leaders, partners or local people, will not be tolerated. Use or possession of illegal drugs will not be tolerated. If you choose to consume alcohol while traveling, drink responsibly and abide by the local laws regarding alcohol consumption.
Single Supplement:
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability.