ECOTOURISM

Wolves, Bears and Geysers

Join EAC on the premiere wildlife viewing adventure of the Rockies! You will be amazed as you witness the abundant wildlife and natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Whether you are a professional photographer, amateur naturalist or someone who just loves the beauty of nature - this ultimate wildlife extravaganza is for you!

Highlights:

• Travel into Yellowstone's premiere locations for wildlife viewing. Accompanied by a local expert naturalist, you will witness the awesome power of the magnificent grizzly and listen to the unmistakable howl of the gray wolf.
• Days will be spent in the field, observing and learning wolf and grizzly bear behavior and ecology. Experience the art of mammal tracking and track casting, and develop a better understanding of Yellowstone's predator and prey interactions. Evenings in Yellowstone hotel accommodations.
• Explore the geyser basins including Norris, Biscuit, Midway and, of course, world famous Old Faithful. Here, you will witness to the ever-changing thermal activity and the spectacular colors of these springs and pools.
• Witness the sights and sounds of this remarkable region. Whether it is hundreds of bison and elk crossing vast valleys or blasts of steam erupting from the many geysers, you will experience the real Yellowstone!

Tour Details

Day 1: Arrive in Bozeman, MT
Arrangements will be made to meet guests at the airport in Bozeman and start the trip toward Yellowstone National Park, 85 miles away. You will follow the Yellowstone River thru Paradise Valley, making several stops along the way for natural and cultural resource interpretation. Your guides will explain the natural and cultural history surrounding the Yellowstone ecosystem. Then travel to Gardiner, Montana, the original entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy a walk around the town, take photographs, or shop. The group will gather for a reception and welcome dinner.

(Best Western by Mammoth, (D)

Day 2: Springs, Wildlife, and Waterfalls!
After breakfast, you will travel to Yellowstone’s northern range and Lamar Valley – the Serengeti of North America. The morning will be spent observing the many wildlife species and taking in the grandeur of this spectacular area. After a picnic lunch on Soda Butte Creek, an easy hike to the bottom of Tower Falls is offered. Then travel back to Mammoth Hot Springs, where you’ll visit the Visitor’s Center and the site of the historic Fort Yellowstone. A short hike to the Upper and Lower Terraces will afford some magnificent photographs of the delicate travertine deposits formed by the hot springs. Dinner will be in the Mammoth Hot Springs dining room.

Mammoth Hot Springs, (B,L,D)

Day 3: Wolves and Bears in Lamar Valley
This morning, you will depart before daybreak to travel back into Lamar Valley to set up your observation stations and wait for the first sightings of the day. You’ll enjoy breakfast in the field this morning. The sunrise over the valley will awe you with its beauty and serenity. With patience, you may observe the unique interaction between the wolf, elk and the grizzly bear, as they search for food within the same habitat. What a “first-hand” experience you will have! In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, and then slowly travel back toward Mammoth, searching for wildlife and special natural features as you go.

Mammoth Hot Springs, (B,L,D)

Day 4: Grand Canyon, Hayden Valley & Yellowstone Lake
After breakfast, travel south to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Here you can take in the magnificent view of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone - nearly twice as high as Niagara! An option of easy hikes around the canyon rim is offered before a picnic lunch on the shore of the Yellowstone River. Then, you’ll continue through Hayden Valley, the park’s largest meadowland, where grizzly bears, elk and bison roam. Spend some time observing and photographing the newly born young of the year. Afterward, the drive will continue south along the Yellowstone River to the famed Yellowstone Lake, North America’s largest mountain lake.

Old Faithful Snowlodge (B,L,D)

Day 5: Hayden Valley and Old Faithful
Enjoy an early breakfast then it is back to Hayden Valley to scope for grizzly bears and bison. After a picnic lunch along the banks of the Yellowstone River, you’ll continue to the Upper Geyser Basin and witness the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful. Here, you’ll have some free time to hike the geyser basins and photograph the nearby wildlife. Dinner and lodging at the Old Faithful Inn.

Old Faithful Snowlodge, (B,L,D)

Day 6: Geyser Basins, Trumpeter Swans & Moose
A full day awaits as you travel north to the Fountain Paint Pots of the Lower Geyser Basin and Firehole Lake Drive. This area is simply beautiful! Continue north to Madison Junction and National Park Mountain, where the early explorers met and conceived the idea for the National Park Service. Here you’ll witness the magnificent trumpeter swan in all its graceful glory. Later, you’ll drive along the Madison River searching for the new born bison and elk calves of the year. Also, look for moose! On to West Yellowstone, Montana, where you’ll spend the evening and later gather for a farewell social and dinner.

Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone, Montana (B,L,D)

Day 7: West Yellowstone to Bozeman, MT
Wake early and enjoy a relaxing breakfast. You will leave for Bozeman and the airport at 8:30am. As you travel back to Bozeman, you’ll follow the Gallatin River through the magnificent Gallatin Valley, constantly looking for bald eagles perched majestically in the shoreline trees. You will develop many wonderful stories and many rolls of film after this trip. Return to the Bozeman airport around 11:00am. (B)

Luggage
It is requested that luggage be kept to a minimum of one large (preferably soft-sided) suitcase and one carry-on/backpack per person.

Physical Activity
Most everyone in a reasonably good physical condition can participate in this tour offered by the Environmental Adventure Company. The activities will include some hiking in conditions ranging from snow and mud to dry conditions. Standing and observing for periods of time and kneeling or squatting to examine wildlife tracks or signs, are part of the activities. Consult with your physician if you have questions about the program. It is your responsibility to let the tour operator know of any complications that may be associated with traveling under any of these conditions.

Pre-Departure Information
When you sign-up for an adventure, you will receive a detailed Pre-Departure information packet prior to your trip which will help you prepare. This packet will help you make decisions about what to bring – and what not to bring! It includes a reading list, a clothing recommendation page as well as information on what to expect the weather to do while you are at the destination! There is also information about necessary documents, health issues, and even photographic tips. Feel free to contact EAC for more information.