7-Day Iconic Wildlife of Yellowstone Tour from Jackson: Jenny Lake, Lamar Valley, Tribal Heritage Center | Max 13 Pax Small Group
What you'll experience
Highlights
•Snake River Float: Peaceful float with chances to spot deer, elk, moose, and more
•Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour: Private tour led by a naturalist through Yellowstone's "Serengeti"
•Teton Range Hike: Iconic trek past alpine lakes and rugged mountain peaks
•Raptor Center Visit: Up-close experience with owls, hawks, and golden eagles
7 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Jackson
Arrive at any time.
【Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting】The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Elk Country Inn - 2
Day 2 — Jackson
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.
【Jenny Lake and Cascade Canyon Hike】
Take a shuttle boat across Jenny Lake; then set out on a self-guided hike through the stunning Cascade Canyon carved out by retreating glaciers some 15,000 years ago. Choose to sontinue on to Hidden Falls - plummeting almost a hundred feet into the gorge - and perhaps make a final ascent up to Inspiration Point for views of the lake below. Total Elevation Gain: 450 ft (138m).
【Private Vehicle】
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
【Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center】
The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center orients, educates, and inspires visitors to make their own discoveries within the park. Spend time enjoying the various exhibits at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Afterwards, walk the 1/2 mile to the Murie Ranch homestead. The Murie Ranch was a base camp for conservation leaders who advocated for the protection of American wilderness.
Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake
Jackson Hole
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Elk Country Inn Breakfast - 3
Day 3 — Jackson
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.
【Grand Teton Scenic River Float】
Enjoy a 16km (10 mile) guided scenic raft trip on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. Learn from local guides about the history of the region, as well as the plant and wildlife against a backdrop of majestic peaks. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, bald eagles, osprey, bears, beavers, and more.
【Private Vehicle】
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
【Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Teton Raptor Center】
The Teton Raptor Center was established in 1991 when Roger Smith and Margaret Creel began caring for injured raptors—better known as birds of prey—in their home. As field biologists working in Grand Teton National Park, the couple was very interested in the environmental importance of raptors. Over the course of several years they saved dozens of birds and provided hundreds of educational programs to reach students of all ages. In 2017, Teton Raptor Center purchased the Hardeman Barns as a permanent home for raptor conservation. Visit the center for your exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour, learn about caring for these magnificent birds, and gain a sense of their invaluable place in the area's ecosystem.
Snake River
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Elk Country Inn - 4
Day 4 — Jackson - Yellowstone National Park
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.
【Private Vehicle】
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
【Yellowstone National Park Visit】
Make several stops throughout the day. Today the journey is the destination. Cross the Continental Divide and get a taste of just some of the 10,000+ hydrothermal features, 500+ active geysers (more than half the world's geysers), and almost 300 waterfalls. Stay on the lookout for the 67 species of mammals and 285 species of birds that call this place home.
【Yellowstone South Loop Excursion】
Travel through the Southern Loop of Yellowstone National Park, which features some of the most breathtaking and diverse natural scenery. Watch Old Faithful erupt, check out the colours of the Grand Prismatic Spring, and take in the geysers in West Thumb with Yellowstone Lake as the backdrop.
Yellowstone National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Yellowstone Park Hotel - 5
Day 5 — Yellowstone National Park
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.
【Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Wildlife Spotting in Lamar Valley】
Enjoy a private, guided wildlife viewing tour in the Lamar Valley with a Yellowstone Park specialist as your guide. Listen to educational content about the Valley's wildlife, flora, fauna, and history as you search for animals on this six hour viewing opportunity. Equipped with binoculars and a telescope, you will discover the natural wonders around you while your guide explains in depth the wildlife found within this small piece of Yellowstone. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Search for wolves, herds of bison, pronghorn, badgers, grizzly bears, bald eagles, osprey, deer, and coyotes as you bump along in this mesmerizing landscape.
【Yellowstone National Park Visit】
Today the journey is the destination. Cross the Continental Divide and get a taste of just some of the 10,000+ hydrothermal features, 500+ active geysers (more than half the world's geysers), and almost 300 waterfalls. Stay on the lookout for the 67 species of mammals and 285 species of birds that call this place home.Yellowstone National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Yellowstone Park Hotel - 6
Day 6 — Yellowstone National Park
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 Chief Experience Officer-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 Chief Experience Officer-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.
【Yellowstone Northern Loop Excursion】
Visit other magnificent sites of Yellowstone during your final day in the national park. Stand overlooking the breathtaking Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, walk along the southern rim to Artist Point Overlook and Point Sublime Overlook with your CEO. See the Mud Pots and enjoy one final CEO-led hike along the Storm Point Trail.
【Private Vehicle】
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
【Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Visit】
Visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Take a there-and-back CEO-led trail walk from the majestic Artist Point overlook to the Point Sublime Overlook along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
【Mud Pots Visit Yellowstone】
Visit the Yellowstone Mud Pots with your CEO. See where hot water is limited, where hydrogen sulfide gas is present, and where sulfuric acid is generated leaving the rotten egg smell so familiar to geothermal areas.
【Storm Point Trail Hike】
Set off on a CEO-guided hike up the Storm Point Trail. Begin in open meadows overlooking Indian Pond and Yellowstone Lake. Then pass further alongside the pond before turning west into the forest.Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellowstone River
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Yellowstone Park Hotel - 7
Day 7 — Yellowstone National Park - Jackson
In the morning, depart for the Jackson Visitor Center 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.
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- 6-night accommodations
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Teton Raptor Center, Grand Teton National Park
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Wildlife Spotting in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park
- Guided Snake River float and Jenny Lake boat ride
- Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park entrance
- Three full days touring though Yellowstone National Park's highlights
- Lamar Valley wildlife safari
- All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Not included
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and destination
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals that tour guide arranges
- Optional tours (Items and prices may vary due to different seasons and are subject to the final confirmation made by tour guide when on tour.)
- It is customary in North America to tip service providers such as waiters, bartenders and taxi drivers, at approximately 18-20%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip any local guides used. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from $2-8 USD per activity depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.
Also at the end of each trip if you felt your Chief Experience Officer did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline; per CEO $10-15 USD per person, per day can be used as a guide. For non-included meals in restaurant, a guideline is 15-20% of cost of bill
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–31 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 31 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 32–61 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 32 days to 61 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 62+ days before | 90% | Cancellation Made 62 or more days prior to departure, Refund 90% of total purchase amount |
Read the full cancellation terms
Important info
Special notes
- Be prepared before you leave for your trip
- Please carefully read all of the info below as it's designed to help you have a smooth travel experience.
- One of our core values is to lead with service. Our Global Connection Officers (or GCOs, the people who answer when you call us) and travel agent partners will do their very best to provide you with the latest information before your trip. There are, however, certain things that are the responsibility of the traveller.
- All the travellers are responsible for arranging and obtaining the required entry documentation for the countries they intend to visit.
- Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
- Important Notes:
- In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.
- All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be easy to moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It's a healthy way to discover North America's beauty and landscape.
- Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don't plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind.
- While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities.
- Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.
- This National Geographic group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and driver - this person is experienced in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.
- As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.
- We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
- Some meals are included in the trip price, while others are not, to allow flexibility and choice to you and your family. For non-included meals our CEOs will still make arrangements for the group to eat together, which allows you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and approximate budget (per person) for meals not included.
- Throughout this trip, breakfast is included daily (ranging from continental to buffet depending on the trip), as are healthy, local snacks. Tap water is safe and drinkable everywhere. Please remember to bring your own refillable bottle and refill at the start of each day.
- Note that any special meal requirements or dietary restrictions need to be specified at time of booking.
- For this trip we use two 15-seat vehicles with internal luggage storage for up to 14 people plus a CEO and Driver. These vans are durable vehicles that allow us to drive on most types of roads in North America.
- Rooming is based on double occupancy (2 passengers / 2 beds per room); all other room configurations are on request and cannot be guaranteed. We will try to accommodate triples/quad requests whenever possible and it's important to note that rooming configuration can change from city to city and 2 single beds are the standard configuration in a room.
- Dossier Disclaimer: The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
- VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
- Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
- What to Take: You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. Porters are not often available, so be prepared to carry your own bags.
- Note: It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light waterproof jacket. For days in the outdoors, layering is key. We recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, clothes.
- Yellowstone can have unpredictable weather with snow and heavy rain even in Summer time. Spring time can be snowy (until end of June) and fall season could start as soon as mid-August. Make sure you have clothing for all conditions.
- Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your CEO where the closest laundromat is. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry, so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
- All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.
- Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
- Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* Price for Double applies when two people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Children under 18 years of age are not permitted on this tour.
* All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
* Child shares the same price as adult.
* Maximum room capacity: 2 people.
Tour operator
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from
$3899
NPR 5,26,365