Departing Bozeman this morning we’ll experience the winter vistas of the Paradise Valley. As we follow the Yellowstone River up towards Yellowstone National Park.

Depending on the departure time from the hotel, we will have lunch on route to Gardiner or in Gardiner. 

At Yellowstone, the group will visit the famous Roosevelt Arch for a formal arrival to the park, and explore the wildlife-rich winter range of pronghorn, elk, and deer.

Check in follows at the Absaroka Lodge in Gardiner, where the group stays until the last night. From your room, the views of the Yellowstone River and its rolling hills and snow-clad mountains astound! The Absaroka Lodge features balconies in each room overlooking the Yellowstone River. Our evening meal will be prepared and served by our chef Zac Kellerman of Zac's Montana Kitchen. Dinner is accompanied by an orientation for the days ahead.

An early morning departure creates our best chances of viewing active wildlife. Wolves will be our priority, but many wildlife species are seen along the way. We will search the park's northern range for wildlife from bison to bears, badgers to bald eagles. Search areas include the Blacktail Plateau, the Slough Creek valley, and the famous wildlife haven, Lamar Valley, for resident wolf packs. Our search will team with rangers, scientists, and the eclectic wolf-watching faithful in a mutual effort to find and observe wildlife. 

Lunch will be at Mammoth Hot Springs, followed by a walk through the terrace boardwalks to experience the amazing travertine hot springs, some of Yellowstone's finest thermal features. An evening presentation accompanies Zac's gourmet dinner at the Track Education Center in Gardiner. (BLD)

Our schedule will be similar to the previous day, as the goal is to look for multiple wolf packs and make observations of a variety of behaviors and activities (hunting, playing, traveling, feeding, (sleeping!), etc.). This time period is at the beginning of the breeding season for wolves, so courtship behavior may bring exceptional opportunities to view and learn. Lunch will be back in Gardiner, followed by an optional short hike. An after-dinner evening session at the center in Gardiner will feature one of our special guest speakers, to be announced. Past speakers have included Dr. Douglas Smith, film-maker Bob Landis, canine geneticist Dr. Dan Stahler, and other distinguished experts in the field of wolf biology and behavior.

Optional Add On:

After the trip is confirmed, we will find out who would like to upgrade their trip to take the Snowcoach to Old Faithful Geyser Basis for an additional $250 per person plus the cost of lunch and gratuity to the driver. Price is subject to change until booked. The snowcoach is the only way to get into the interior of the park. It is a full-day adventure and a great way to see the geothermal areas (BLD).

To maximize our opportunities for viewing wolves,  and many other wildlife species we will return to the Northern Range and Lamar Valley. Lamar is one of the best areas in the park for wolves and vast herds of bison and elk. The sheer abundance gives this area its well-earned nickname, 'The Serengeti of North America.' 

Lunch will be at the home and photography gallery of our good friends, Dan and Cindy Hartman, who live in Silver Gate, a small and charming mountain town outside the northeast entrance of the park. They are exceptional naturalists that share their many insights to wildlife in the area. After an afternoon return drive through the park and find a trail to take a walk on snowshoes, a final celebration dinner follows with Chef Zac in Gardiner. (BLD)

After breakfast we will transport to the Bozeman airport (or a nearby destination) for mid-day airlines departures. Schedule flights to depart after noon. For those wishing to extend their trip, our partners recommend a visit to the Museum of the Rockies, or skiing at nearby Bridger Bowl! (B)

Tara is the Founder & CEO of Green Edventures Tours.

Tara has 20 years of experience curating and facilitating educational adventures in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, and Iceland. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Environmental Education/Interpretation. Tara has worked for notable educational, scientific, and conservation organizations and institutions such as the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, USDA Forest Service in the Chugach National Forest in Alaska, and Wild Studies in the Bahamas. Tara is a PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver and has specialty certifications as Underwater Naturalist, Deep Diver, Multi-Level diver and Night Diver. She holds current Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certifications.