Yellowstone Wildlife Trails (Hotels)

Welcome to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah and gateway to incredible national parks. We have a welcome meeting in the hotel at 6pm, where we gather for the first time as a group and you can ask any questions you may have about the trip. Stay: Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites (or similar).

Leaving Salt Lake City, we cross Idaho and pass through the beautiful Targhee National Forest en route to the valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This mountain resort is popular during winter as skiers flock to the area, while summer sees walkers and other thrillseekers enjoying the area and its proximity to Grand Teton National Park.

We recommend an optional aerial tram ride to the top of Rendezvous Mountain for 360-degree views of the Snake River Valley and Grand Teton National Park. Or you could discover the town of Jackson Hole, which maintains an authentic Wild West feel. Optional activities: Western saloons: price varies Bar T 5 Covered Wagon Cookout & Show: US$65 White water rafting on the Snake River: US$85 Mountain biking: US$75 Aerial tram: US$37 Stay: Super 8 Jackson (or similar).

Famed for its iconic soaring peaks, the 40mi (64km) Teton Range explodes out of the ground with jagged fang-like mountains. Rocky spires, lakes and forests fill the park, with more than 10 pinnacles reaching more than 12,000ft (6,660m). Inhabitants of the area include bison, elk, black and grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, moose and mule deer, all of which have been seen on this trip.

There are many self-guided hikes to choose from today, walking through dramatic scenery and appreciating the geology and nature of the area. Your leader will explain the different options. One choice is to take the ferry across Jenny Lake and hike up to Inspiration Point and beyond, following the stream. It is commonplace to see moose and bears while hiking this trail. Optional activities: Ferry across Jenny Lake: US$15 Stay: Super 8 Jackson (or similar).

It's a beautiful drive to the very first and most revered national park in America, Yellowstone – our home for the next four nights. Part of the highway clings to the side of the 15mi (24km) long Jackson Lake, where the scenery changes from striking jagged peaks to colourful, open meadows and rolling terrain, the regular lava flows having flattened the largest geological features in the south of the park.

This afternoon, take a walk amid this fascinating volcanic environment. Stay: Super 8 Gardiner or Travelodge Gardiner (or similar).

Yellowstone overflows with geothermal features: geysers, bubbling mud pools, multi-coloured hot springs and fumaroles. The park is famous for its volcanic history and there are estimated to be around 10,000 thermal features – nowhere else on earth (not even Iceland or New Zealand) can boast this concentration of geysers, which are scattered among several distinct geyser basins.

We spend half a day with a local geology guide to explore the many effects of volcanism and enjoy walks around some of the most interesting park features. The brightly coloured springs, caused by the hot, nutrient-rich waters full of different species of coloured bacteria, are a photographic highlight. Stay: Super 8 Gardiner or Travelodge Gardiner (or similar) (B).

When Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, northern Rocky mountain wolves (a subspecies of the grey wolf) were native to the area. In the years after, predator control saw the decline of this remarkable species but following a reintroduction programme there are now thought to be more than 1,000 wolves in the Greater Yellowstone area.

In the morning, we transfer to a hotel in North Yellowstone, where we spend a full day with a specialist wolf and wildlife-tracking guide, venturing into the park wilderness on foot and by vehicle to learn about these extraordinary animals. Our guide explains how wolves live and hunt together in Yellowstone and how the pack hierarchy works. It's important to note that we may not always be lucky enough to see wolves; however, this is our goal and at the same time you're likely to see numerous other wildlife species as we explore. Stay: Super 8 Gardiner or Travelodge Gardiner (or similar) (B).

Take your new-found knowledge of Yellowstone's wildlife and geology on a wilderness daywalk in the park, leaving some of the well-known geysers and crowds to explore the wilds together. The route depends on the group's general ability and fitness; however, it's likely to involve a walk to view the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls. You'll also visit Mammoth Hot Springs, which have an otherworldly feel. Stay: Super 8 Gardiner or Travelodge Gardiner (or similar) (B).

Today's drive reveals the wide open Big Sky scenery that Montana is so famous for. Journey through the ever-changing landscape of forest and mountain backdrops, all the way to Glacier National Park. While this is essentially a long driving day to ensure we have two full days in Glacier for hiking and exploration, it is a great way to experience the different faces of Montana as you cruise through the countryside. Stay: Circle R Motel (or similar) (B).

With two full days to hike in Glacier National Park, you are in for a treat. The park puts on a shuttle bus so we can make the most of the trails and hopefully spot wildlife. Commonly sighted in Glacier are bears, moose, elk and deer. There are some truly beautiful trails above the treeline, with the chance to see wildflowers common to the area.

Highly recommended is the Hidden Lake Trail, a moderate 5mi (8km) route near East Glacier Park, Montana, which features a lake. Please note: The National Park Service regulates guided hikes in Glacier. Tomorrow you are led by a national park guide but on other days your tour leader is not permitted to walk with you on trails. They will, however, provide detailed briefings, directions, maps and transportation. Stay: Circle R Motel (or similar).

Spend the day exploring the heart of the park with a Glacier National Park wilderness guide along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. We stop en route for regular walks and our guide helps us spot some of the huge variety of animal species for which this park is renowned, including grizzly bears, wolverines and lynx. Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes and wolves are also commonly sighted. If conditions are right, our guide takes us to Iceberg Lake for more striking mountain scenes and wildflowers. Stay: Circle R Motel (or similar).

We leave Glacier and head to Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. We pass through small historic towns in Idaho's Silver Valley, which was once the silver capital of the world. Reaching Coeur d'Alene, we may have time to walk the trail through forested areas that hug the lake. If it's a hot day, don't forget your swimwear, but be careful, the water can be bracing! A good option for the afternoon is to enjoy a drink by the marina and then watch the sun set over the sparkling lake. Stay: Days Inn Coeur D'Alene (or similar).

Crossing into Washington state, we head to Seattle, the final destination. Today's journey takes us past the border of Mount Rainier National Park where imposing Mount Rainier stands at 14,417ft (4,394m). This is the highest volcano in Washington and on a clear day you can see it from Seattle. This tour ends at our partner hotel in Seattle at approximately 5pm. We recommend booking post-tour accommodation if time allows. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9pm.