Yellowstone Winter Wonderland

Welcome to the “Wild West” At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Sleigh Bells Ring! Your day begins in the nearby [LOCAL FAVORITE] National Elk Refuge with a fun and exhilarating included sleigh ride excursion. You’ll depart Jackson and travel through Grand Teton National Park, where some of the majestic peaks soar beyond 13,000 feet. At Flagg Ranch, board a snowcoach and begin your journey along the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway and through Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. Along the way, marvel at the West Thumb Geyser Basin on the shores of Lake Yellowstone, the Continental Divide, and Shoshone Point Overlook before arriving at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge for a relaxing 2-night stay. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW As many as 10,000 elk congregate here each winter, the largest concentration of wintering elk in the world, where you’ll be dashing all the way in the warmth of your sleigh among these magnificent creatures for a memorable up-close experience. Watch for a wealth of other wildlife in residence this time of year, including wolves, coyotes, moose, bison, trumpeter swans, hawks, and bald eagles. TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE In winter, the interior roads at Yellowstone National Park are accessible only by commercial over-snow transportation, and Yellowstone’s snowcoaches are essentially the ultimate 21st-century (heated) sleigh. These fascinating vehicles travel over groomed snow-covered roads and are driven by seasoned guides, so every mile unwraps extraordinary winter gifts.

America’s First National Park Wake up this morning to the fresh, crisp air of Yellowstone in the winter. After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Upper Geyser Basin. The remainder of the day is at leisure, a perfect time to try a typical winter activity like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Later, relax with a warm drink by the crackling fire. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Experience the otherworldly beauty of Yellowstone in winter with a guided walking tour of the Upper Geyser Basin. The greatest geothermal basin on Earth, this region also features the extraordinary sights of world-famous Old Faithful, which erupts with regularity throughout the day, as well as other less predictable geysers, including Castle, Daisy, Riverside, and Grand Geysers. An incredible and invigorating experience.

Geography Class Travel north through the park today by snowcoach, with stops to see the Lower Geyser Basin’s famous Fountain Paint Pots—named for the reds, yellows, and browns of the mud. At the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, see the thundering Lower Falls which are nearly twice the height of Niagara (weather permitting). Have your cameras ready as winter is ideal for wildlife spotting in the bright reflective snow. Later, enjoy a box lunch while continuing to the northern part of the park for mesmerizing Mammoth Hot Springs, where heat, water, limestone, and rock fractures have created a unique terrace feature. Overnight at historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel where relaxing in the Map Room with a glass of wine are among the activities you can enjoy. (B,L,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT INTO THE WILD Yellowstone in winter offers wonderful opportunities to view breathtaking geological features as well as magnificent wildlife—from grizzlies and black bears, wolves, mountain lions, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, and bighorn sheep. Capture the chance to spot a wealth of winged wildlife and birds of prey, including bald eagles soaring overhead.

Wild by Nature This morning, join our excursion to [LOCAL FAVORITE] Lamar Valley, the magical “Serengeti of North America.” Next, we travel to Bozeman, Montana, for leisure time and lunch on your own to enjoy the historic yet vibrant downtown before heading south to the town of West Yellowstone. With your free time this afternoon, consider visiting the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center to learn more about these intriguing predators as you encounter them up close. (B) LOCAL FAVORITE WILD & WONDERFUL Situated in the northeast section of the park, Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley carves a vast U-shaped valley from millions of years of glaciers during the last ice age. Here, you’ll have the perfect vantage point to spot thrilling wildlife in their natural habitat. Watch for elk, bison, and wolves in this high-country paradise!

The Peak of Perfection After breakfast, board your motorcoach for a journey through Idaho. Get a different perspective of the Tetons as we travel along Idaho’s western side edge of Yellowstone and the western slope of the Tetons for breathtaking views of the highest peak on the range: Grand Teton itself, which rises to an elevation of 13,777 feet above sea level. Tonight, celebrate your adventure with a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT SPECTACULAR SIGHTS The Grand Teton Range is the youngest mountain range in the Rockies and some of the youngest peaks in the world. Mere youngsters, these jagged masterpieces born of earthquakes and glaciers just 2 million years ago. With eight peaks towering over 12,000 feet, the grandest of all is Grand Teton itself at over 13,700 feet. So treasured is this magnificent national park that three presidents (Coolidge, FDR, and Truman) all fiercely fought for more land to be protected and preserved in the 310,000-acre Grand Teton National Park enjoyed today.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)