Itinerary:

 

DAY 1 & 2: Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park

Fly into Jackson, Wyoming and head to the Lexington Hotel, in downtown Jackson. You will meet your fellow NYU Alumni travelers and guide this evening for an informal welcome dinner and orientation. 

 

On the next day of your expedition, you will venture into Grand Teton National Park in search of bighorn sheep, bald and golden eagles, coyotes, bison, mule deer and moose. After your morning wildlife viewing, you will head back to Jackson Hole for a visit at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Then by horse-drawn sleigh you glide across the snow blanketing the National Elk Refuge for close-up photos of the massive elk herd that winters there, with thousands of animals roaming the valley floor.

 

Overnight: The Lexington Hotel in Jackson, WY

Meals: Dinner (Day 1); Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 2)

​

DAYS 3: Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park

This morning you continue your wildlife viewing as you head north through the Grand Tetons and into Yellowstone, America’s First National Park. Heading north, you will experience a breathtaking panorama of the Tetons rising above the Snake River. You will pass through the Buffalo Valley and the northern portion of the park before reaching Flagg Ranch, where the groupwill enjoy lunch.

 

After lunch, load into private, custom designed, enclosed, heated Mercedes-Benz snowcoaches. From there, you will make your way into Yellowstone’s silent winter splendor. Due to the fact that access to the park’s interior is limited to snow vehicles, you will find yourself in peaceful seclusion.

 

Head north into the park, stopping at West Thumb Geyser Basin on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, searching for moose, river otters, and trumpeter swans, before continuing to the famed Old Faithful. There you will have the opportunity to experience the magic of watching Old Faithful erupting in winter’s crystalline veil.

 

Overnight: Old Faithful Snow Lodge or West Yellowstone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 4: Mammoth and Yellowstone's Northern Range

This morning, you will board your group's private snowcoach and travel to Mammoth Hot Springs, looking for wildlife from the snowcoach and exploring more of Yellowstone's natural wonders on the way.

 

The adventure continues as you head into the famous Lamar Valley in Yellowstone’s far northeast corner, which offers one of your best chances to search for wolves. The park is the best place in the world to view these charismatic predators. Although pack movements are unpredictable and the impacts of past human interactions can often make wolves shy in the presence of humans, your expedition leader is an experienced tracker and will educate you about wolf behavior. In addition to your guide’s knowledge, your guide will be in close contact with scientists who conduct research on the wolves and can help us locate the animals based on recent sightings.

 

Tonight's overnight is in Cooke City, Montana, the ideal location for access to the Lamar Valley first thing the next morning.

 

Overnight: Alpine Motel in Cooke City, MT

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 5: Northern Range of Yellowstone

A full day is yours to scout for Yellowstone’s famous wolves. Reintroduced to the park in the 1990s amid much controversy, wolves were returned to this native ecosystem after a 70-year absence following their government- sanctioned eradication. Since then they have flourished, supported by bountiful prey including a multitude of elk.  As the wolves have begun to restore balance to the natural ecosystem, elk numbers have dropped, and you may not be as likely to see as many wolves as visitor’s did several years ago. If you are especially lucky, however, you  may see  a pack test an elk herd for a weak or sick animal or spot lone individuals foraging on their own.

​

Even if the wolves remain elusive, the winter landscape is magical, and we are sure to see plenty of other wildlife native to Yellowstone. This wildlife may include golden eagles, coyote, bighorn sheep, moose, pronghorn antelope, and bison.

 

Overnight: Alpine Motel in Cooke City, MT

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 6: Lamar Valley, Paradise Valley, and Bozeman

As dawn illumines the snowy meadows of the Lamar Valley, you will return once more in search of wolves. If you are fortunate to sight them, our onboard spotting scopes are on the ready to observe their activities from a distance without disturbing their natural behavior. 

​

After spending your last morning in the Lamar Valley, head northward through the Paradise Valley, towards Bozeman, Montana. This historic Old West/New West town, with a rich mining and trapping heritage, boasts 40 individual properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is home to Montana State University and offers a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities. Tonight you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner for the final evening with your fellow alumni and new friends.

 

Overnight: Grantree in Bozeman, MT

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 7: Departures from Bozeman 

This morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the Bozeman airport for your return flights home.

​

Meals: Breakfast

​