Journeys: Iconic Wildlife of Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Arrive at any time. Stay: Elk Country Inn

After breakfast, travel to Grand Teton National Park, where you’ll board a boat and cruise across the tranquil waters of Jenny Lake, which carved out Cascade Canyon approximately 12,000 years ago. Enjoy a self-guided walk to Hidden Falls along a trail that slopes up 200 ft (60 m) in elevation and ends at a magnificent waterfall that cascades 100 ft (30 m) below. Continue along the trail to Inspiration Point, where you’ll find spectacular views of Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole beyond. You can choose to return by either hiking along the lake or taking the ferry across. From there, you’ll drive to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, where you’ll examine the exhibits that tell the story of the region’s cultural and geological histories, as well as current preservation efforts. Next, set off on a half-mile stroll to the Murie Ranch homestead, where you will learn about the Murie family’s contribution to the 1964 Wilderness Act. Return to Jackson Hole in the evening for dinner in town with your fellow travelers. Stay: Elk Country Inn Breakfast (B/D)

Begin the day with a guided wildlife float along the Snake River and bask in the morning sun as it casts a glow on the Tetons. This is the perfect time to spot wildlife, so be on the lookout for mule deer, pronghorns, elk and moose in the surrounding woodlands and meadows. In the afternoon, travel to the Teton Raptor Center for an exclusive 1-hour private raptor experience. Led by a naturalist and staff member of the center, your tour includes a visit to the newly restored historic barn, where you will learn all about the region’s raptors (birds of prey) and their role in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Discover more about the center’s field work and clinic, where injured, ill or orphaned raptors are cared for. Later, return to the hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner on your own. Stay: Elk Country Inn Breakfast (B)

This morning, your journey takes you along Yellowstone’s Mormon Row, where you’ll make a stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin. Wander along the 1-mile loop, search for birds and get to know the environment of Yellowstone. The next stop is at Old Faithful, where you’ll watch the famed geyser erupt. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then visit the Tribal Heritage Center, which opened in 2022 as a way to recognize the many Tribal Nations that called Yellowstone their home before it was named a national park in 1872. You’ll engage with indigenous artists, scholars and presenters from the 27 associated Tribes of Yellowstone through the center’s educational programs, which include photography, beadwork, moccasin making, quilt work and more. After your visit, stroll along the boardwalks that wind between the gurgling hot springs and geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin. Stay: Elk Country Inn Breakfast (B/L)

Get an early start to your day as you travel to the Lamar Valley with a Yellowstone National Park specialist for a private wildlife-spotting tour. Known as the “Serengeti of North America,” the Lamar Valley has a high concentration of wildlife, including bison, elk, and elusive wolves and grizzly bears. You will be equipped with binoculars to keep an eye out for fauna and flora as you learn about the region’s fascinating history. In the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time at the hotel, where you can take advantage of its many amenities or stroll through its serene surroundings. This evening, dinner will be on your own. Stay: Yellowstone Park Hotel (B/L)

After breakfast, you’ll continue to explore the many wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Peer into the rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring to admire where the thermophilic bacteria generate vivid shades of yellow, blue and red. Stand in awe while overlooking the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, formed as a result of a volcanic eruption about 630,000 years ago. Set out on a Expedition Leader-led trail walk along the southern rim—from Artist Point Overlook to the Point Sublime Overlook—high above the Yellowstone River. In the afternoon, visit the Mud Pots, then continue to Yellowstone Lake for a Expedition Leader-guided hike up the Storm Point Trail. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a final dinner together and share stories from your unforgettable adventure. Stay: Yellowstone Park Hotel (B)

In the morning, depart for the start hotel in Jackson, where your tour comes to end. From there, you must make your own way to the airport as only permitted airport vehicles can access the drop off area. (B)