2out of7 - Leisurely / Moderate You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.
Find geological wonders in the great American wilderness
In the middle of the Rocky Mountains, there are three celebrated national parks offering the most varied scenery and wildlife: the spires and azure lakes of Grand Teton, the unique geology and wildlife of Yellowstone, and the towering sentinel peaks and broad valleys of Glacier. Specialist local guides accompany you on your Yellowstone wildlife tour to spot and track bison, bears, wolves, coyotes and eagles. From colourful meadows with wildflowers to mighty canyons, and geothermal volcanic pools to glaciated rocky spires, this is a full-on adventure with some seriously dramatic views.
Highlights
Join a dedicated wolf and wildlife tracking guide in Yellowstone
Specialist wildlife and geology guides
Visit the geysers of Yellowstone, including Old Faithful
Enjoy a wine and cheese sundowner in an area of natural beauty
Key Information
Professional tour leader, plus specialist guides in Yellowstone and Glacier
All transportation by private vehicle
Four self-guided walks, four walks led by the tour leader or a specialist guide
Four breakfasts included. All other meals paid locally
Countries visited: USA
What's Included
All accommodation
Four breakfasts
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers are available
What's Not Included
Flights
Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
Optional activities
Day 2
9 km / 5.6 miles
Day 3
5 km / 3.1 miles
Day 4
5 km / 3.1 miles
Day 6
6 km / 3.7 miles
Day 8
8 km / 5 miles
Day 9
16 km / 9.9 miles
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice hereand find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves generates income which is used to upkeep and develop these important sites. In this trip, we visit the Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier national parks
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
There are opportunities to track and view wolves and other wildlife in Yellowstone, under the supervision of a wildlife specialist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the animals and the group.
With our partners, Rewilding Apennines, we rewild 100 square meters (1,075 sqft) of land per passenger who travels with us.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Our local partner is a member of the San Francisco Green Business Program. The San Francisco Green Business Program recognises businesses, non-profit organisationsand institutions in the City and County of San Francisco that meet high environmental standards.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.
Itinerary
Jackson Hole
Glacier National Park
Fly to Jackson Hole, transfer to hotel
Those on the group flight will be met at Jackson Hole Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, gateway to spectacular Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. This mountain resort is popular in the summer with walkers and thrill seekers making the most of its proximity to the national parks, while the colder months brings skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. Your welcome briefing will usually take place in the morning of Day 2.
Accommodation: Mountain Modern, Jackson (or similar)
Day
1
Start in Jackson Hole
Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, gateway to spectacular Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. This mountain resort is popular in the summer with walkers and thrill seekers making the most of its proximity to the national parks, while the colder months brings skiers and winter sports enthusiasts
If you choose to spend extra days in Jackson Hole before the tour, 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 spend time in the town itself, which maintains an authentic Wild West feel. Your welcome briefing will usually take place in the morning of Day 2.
Accommodation: Mountain Modern, Jackson (or similar)
Day
2
Walks in Grand Teton National Park
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 popular choice is to hike around Jenny Lake and into Cascade Canyon, then up to Inspiration Point for scintillating views. You can then choose to return on the ferry across Jenny Lake (not included) or hike along the same route to return. It is commonplace to see moose and bears while hiking this trail.
Accommodation: Mountain Modern, Jackson (or similar)
Distance covered: 6mi (9km)
Day
3
Morning walk in Grand Teton; to Yellowstone National Park and a guided walk
We spend another morning on the trails of Grand Teton National Park on a self-guided hike before heading north. It’s a beautiful drive to the 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, accompanied by our tour leader.
Accommodation: Yellowstone Big Rock Inn (or similar)
Distance covered: 3mi (5km)
Day
4
Yellowstone National Park with a local geologist
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.
Accommodation: Yellowstone Big Rock Inn (or similar)
Distance covered: 3mi (5km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
5
Yellowstone National Park with a wolf-tracking guide
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.
Today, 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.
Accommodation: Yellowstone Big Rock Inn (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
6
Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Mammoth Hot Springs
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 with your tour leader. 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.
Accommodation: Yellowstone Big Rock Inn (or similar)
Distance covered: 4mi (6km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
7
To Glacier National Park
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.
Accommodation: Mountain Pine Motel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
8
Walk on Hidden Lake Trail
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 self-guided 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. Your tour leader will provide information and suggestions to help you pick the right trail for you. 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 and our tour leader is not permitted to walk with us on trails. They will, however, provide detailed briefings, directions, maps and transportation.
Accommodation: Mountain Pine Motel (or similar)
Distance covered: 5mi (8km)
Day
9
Choice of walks in Glacier National Park
Spend the day exploring the heart of the park along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. We stop en route for regular self-guided walks and to spot a 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, we can visit Iceberg Lake for more striking mountain scenes and wildflowers.
Accommodation: Mountain Pine Motel (or similar)
Distance covered: 10mi (16km)
Day
10
End at Glacier National Park
The trip ends this morning at our accommodation in Glacier. You may choose to join the transfer to Great Falls International Airport or extend your trip in Glacier – speak to your sales representative for more information.
Transfer to Great Falls Airport, fly to London
Our adventure ends with a transfer to Great Falls International Airport.
Arrive in London
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
It is designed for active adults and offers a well-paced mix of walks for all fitness levels. Most walks are of leisurely/moderate difficulty. For the more adventurous, there are some optional moderate to strenuous hikes in some locations. Your tour leader organises these on your behalf. You’ll find the main optional activities listed under each day in the itinerary, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour.
Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion is a tour highlight. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Mountain Modern (Jackson) 380 W Broadway, Jackson, WY 83001 Phone: +1 307-733-4340 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. The welcome briefing usually takes place in the morning of Day 2
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves.
Make your own way
You are free to arrive any time on Day 1. Due to the late arrival time of the group flight from London, UK, it is likely that the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of Day 2. Details on the time and specific location of your meeting will be available by midday on Day 1. During the welcome meeting, you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation to the meeting.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Arrival complications
Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Great Falls Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost.
There’s a group departure transfer to Jackson Hole Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost. Please book a flight that departs after 4pm and speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Jackson Hole Location end: Glacier National Park
Vaccinations and Health
USA
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Visa
USA
Travellers from the UK and most EU countries can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provided they have registered for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – which costs US$21 – and are in possession of an onward air ticket and machine-readable passport when entering the US. Visas are required for some nationalities and requirements often change; it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and fulfil any requirements for this trip. We recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Please note, regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011 (or has dual nationality of Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria) may no longer qualify for the VWP. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021, you will not be eligible for the VWP and should instead apply for a visa to travel to, or transit via, the USA.
Food & Drink
Four breakfasts are included.
We usually eat in local restaurants on this tour. To help you budget for these meals, average costs are:
Hotel breakfasts: US$12-US$17
Lunches: US$15-US$20
Dinners: US$20-US$35, not including alcoholic beverages
Drinks cost on average:
Wine: US$7-US$10 per glass
Beer: US$5-US$8 per bottle
A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes are also added to all listed menu prices.
Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We do all we can to accommodate various dietary requirements but certain food types can be limited in some parts of North America.
Weather
Summer weather patterns in the Rockies are typically very sunny and dry. Daytime temperatures in the mountains are 15C-30C (59F-89F) depending on elevation. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and don’t usually last long, although can be severe at altitude. Nights can be cool, depending on elevation. However, a storm system might bring cold and rain (even snow at altitude) at any time. Be prepared to adapt to a wide range of temperatures through layered clothing. July and August are the height of the wildflower bloom. Tours scheduled for June and early July might encounter some snow on the higher trails in all three of the national parks we visit.
Hotels and lodges
We spend nine nights in clean, comfortable hotels and motels, chosen for their friendly atmosphere and proximity to the local highlights. You are roomed with a fellow passenger of the same sex on a twin-share basis (two people per room) unless you are travelling as a couple.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.