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The expertise of the two guides enabled us to get such close views of animals and birds; both Adam Brubaker and Alex Lamoreaux both went above and beyond to ensure all the group had a wonderful holiday experience. A dream come true to see so many animals and birds and to observe their behaviour.
P.S. Hampshire, Sep 19
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Yellowstone in the Fall
Tour Code: USA11A 14-day wildlife holiday to Yellowstone National Park in the US state of Wyoming, focusing on the park's mammals, birds and spectacular autumnal landscapes.
14 days
from
£7,995 (Inc flights)
£7,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£6,995
£6,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
On this tour we will enjoy Yellowstone National Park as the reserve makes its transition from summer to winter. We begin with a flight to Jackson Hole, from where we will explore the Grand Teton National Park. Here we will see our first North American Bison and Moose. Moving on, we will base ourselves in the town of West Yellowstone for four nights whilst we explore the western and central regions of the park. Next we journey to the north-east and spend three nights based in Cooke City. In the Lamar Valley we will spend time looking for one of Yellowstone’s packs of Grey Wolves as well as Grizzly Bear and birds such as flocks of Black Rosyfinch atop the Beartooth Pass. We will spend our last night of the holiday in Bozeman before heading home.
- Spectacular autumnal landscapes of Yellowstone National Park & the Grand Tetons
- Look for Grey Wolves & Grizzly Bears in the Lamar Valley
- Old Faithful & other geothermal highlights
- North American Bison, Moose, Pronghorn Antelope, Black Bear, Beaver & Coyote
- Birds including Mountain Bluebird, Williamson’s Sapsucker & Black Rosyfinch
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
Grade A/B. Easy to moderate walks only.
Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, covers nearly 9,000 square kilometres of mountains, forests, lakes and grasslands and is one of the United States’ foremost wildlife reserves. It is home to both Grizzly Bear and Grey Wolf, plus North American Bison, Moose, Black Bear and an interesting variety of birds. In the ‘fall’, as the days shorten and the colours of the landscape change from the greens of summer to a rich autumnal palette of russet, orange and gold, the mammals are busy preparing for the long winter ahead and the resident birds are augmented by migrants from further north. On this exciting 14-day tour we will enjoy Yellowstone as the park transitions from summer to winter. The wildlife will be active, the holiday crowds departed, and the colours — weather permitting — spectacular! The geology is fascinating too. The ring of mountains that encircle the park marks the rim of an ancient sunken volcanic caldera in which much of Yellowstone now sits. Although there is no sign of this so-called ‘super volcano’ awakening at any time in the near future, the subterranean heating it generates keeps the reserve’s most famous resident, ‘Old Faithful’, erupting on cue, as well as fuelling a host of smaller geysers and other geothermal oddities!
The holiday starts with a flight into Jackson Hole in eastern Wyoming, our base for the next four nights while we explore Yellowstone’s equally impressive neighbour, the Grand Teton National Park. The jagged snow-capped mountains of the Grand Tetons are part of the magnificent Rocky Mountain chain and overlook a picturesque mosaic of forests, lakes and meadows bordering the meandering Snake River. During our time here we will be looking out for a wide variety of mammals ranging from Moose and Rocky Mountain Elk, down to Least Chipmunk and Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel. Birds should include Sage Grouse, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler and a variety of migrating waterfowl. For the fortunate there’s even a chance of seeing a Great Grey Owl perched on a dead snag in the late afternoon sun or hunting along the edges of a pine-fringed meadow!
Moving on, we will base ourselves in the town of West Yellowstone for the next four nights and head out each day to explore the western and central regions of the national park. This is one of the most geologically active areas of Yellowstone and — along with the Norris Geyser Basin to the north — is dotted with bubbling mud pools, fumaroles, boiling hot springs and geysers, the most famous of which are Old Faithful and nearby Grand Prismatic Spring. Time spent here is like stepping back to the dawn of our planet’s history and a reminder that much of this holiday takes place within the caldera of a giant volcano! Although the geology is fascinating, we will focus on the wildlife and will explore the forests, meadows, lakes and wetlands in search of an exciting mix of mammals and birds. Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, North American Bison and Pronghorn Antelope are all common, and we need to keep an eye open for Black and Grizzly Bears. There is even a chance of the elusive Bobcat. Birds may include Cooper’s Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, American Dipper, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pine Grosbeak and Clark’s Nutcracker. Heading north once more, we spend the following three nights in the old mining town of Cooke City located just outside the national park’s north-eastern boundary. This is the perfect base from which to explore Yellowstone’s northern sector, in particular the famous Lamar Valley, the most reliable area in which to look for Grey Wolves. Early starts will increase our chances of finding a pack of this much maligned mammal, along with the park’s other top predator, the Grizzly Bear. As the sun rises higher we will head further afield in search of northern Yellowstone’s other mammals and birds, including North American Bison, Moose, Coyote, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, Bald Eagle, Grey Jay, Western Meadowlark and a baffling mix of North American sparrows! We will also visit the spectacular Yellowstone Falls which plunges 94 metres into Yellowstone Canyon and the colourful travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, as well as drive the dramatic Beartooth Highway in search of a few high-altitude species such as Black Rosyfinch, Golden Eagle and the nimble-footed Mountain Goat.
After a final night in the town of Bozeman we must, sadly, leave the spectacular landscapes, geology and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons and begin our journey home.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Jackson Hole
Day 2/4
Grand Teton National Park from Jackson Hole
Day 5/8
Yellowstone National Park from West Yellowstone
Day 9/11
Yellowstone National Park from Cooke City
Day 13
Depart Bozeman
Day 14
Arrive London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in comfortable hotels and motels, all rooms with private facilities.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price, except for dinner on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 13. Allow £100. N.B. Please note that for all bookings in 2025, evening meals will no longer be included in the cost of the tour. Please allow £50 per day for these.
Reviews
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We first spent 4 nights in Jackson Hole and explored Grand Teton National Park followed by 4 nights in West Yellowstone and 3 in Cooke City so we were able to see many of Yellowstone's attractions and a wide variety of wildlife. We had every kind of weather from warm sunshine to heavy snow and, at one point, our route was closed because of snow. Our guides dealt calmly and capably with every situation that came our way.
K.W. North Yorkshire, Sept 19 -
Spectacular scenery and the composition of the tour was excellent with a nice mixture of natural history and geology. We had comfortable accommodation and abundant food. Our local guides were very knowledgeable on the mammals, birds, plants and trees and the geothermal areas we visited. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they were a lot of fun too.
M.W. Worcestershire, Sept 18 -
A brilliant trip for nature and wildlife lovers that also included fab local guides with knowledge and enthusiasm for all around us. Nothing too much trouble for both Naturetrek and the local guides on the trip. Still glow with the memories of the trip.
J.D.F. Hampshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 24th Sep – Tue 7th Oct
1
£7,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£6,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£2,295
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 11th Sep – Thu 24th Sep
SPACES
£8,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,295
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£2,495
Sun 27th Sep – Sat 10th Oct
SPACES
£8,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,295
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£2,495
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[description] => Bear Watching Holidays – See Bears in their Wild Habitat
Bears are many people’s favourite mammal. They are immensely strong and have unpredictable temperaments, yet inspire great affection in most of us.
The Naturetrek programme includes a number of specially designed bear-watching holidays which employ local expertise to provide clients with wonderful opportunities to see their favourite mammals.
Naturetrek Bear-watching tours
Most species of bear are retiring in habit and rarely seen during the day. However, a prodigious appetite leads many species to gather seasonally in big numbers, which makes them far easier to watch!
Our bear tour groups are limited in size and accompanied by Naturetrek naturalist leaders, and also usually assisted by resident experts. Although focused on bear-watching, all Naturetrek bear tours offer many opportunities to observe the other wildlife of the area.
We also see bears on other Naturetrek tours such as Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on many European tours.
Where can I see bears?
- Slovenia - Bears, Birds & Caves – a 6-day holiday to Slovenia, focusing on its Brown Bears, birdlife and other natural history highlights
- Canada: The West – stay on a floating wilderness lodge and explore Vancouver Island in search of Grizzly Bears
- Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear – a voyage into the high Arctic in search of Polar Bears and other wildlife (exclusive charter cruise)
- Brown Bears in Finland – photograph bears from a hide on the Russian border
- Romania – The Wildlife of Transylvania – go in search of foraging bears in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains
Is it possible to see bears on other Naturetrek tours?
Yes. While not specifically searching for bears, we regularly have sightings of Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on our Kamchatka cruise and many European tours.
Our specialist recommends...
"In Europe one of the most reliable places to see the European Brown Bear is northern Finland, where it is possible to get very close views from hides. Watching Grizzly Bears catching Salmon in western Canada is undoubtedly one of the greatest of natural history thrills. But for the ultimate bear-watching experience, and my personal favourite, it has to be a trip to the Arctic to see Polar Bears."
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Wolf watching tours – See Wolves in their Wild Habitat
Wolves are shy and elusive, which is part of what makes the thrill of seeing a lone wild wolf crossing an open plain, or a pack of wolves feeding on a kill one of the natural world’s unbeatable experiences. The wolf’s howl is a sound that epitomises the wilderness. Whether across a snow-clad northern landscape or a stark Ethiopian plateau, we are pleased to offer you the chance to see, track or hear a wild wolf on our wolf holidays.
Naturetrek offers the chance to look for wolves in a variety of countries and landscapes. One of the additional attractions of seeing wild wolves is that they inhabit some of the most beautiful places in the world. From dedicated wolf-watching holidays in Spain, where wolf tracks can be seen right outside our guesthouse door, to watching Ethiopian Wolves hunting, we offer a wide range of wolf-watching experiences in Europe and beyond. Here’s a selection of our Wolf-watching holidays:
- Wolf watching in Spain – a dedicated wolf tracking holiday in Spain’s remote north-western corner
- Ethiopian Wolves – a chance to look for the rare and beautiful Ethiopian wolf in the Bale Mountains
- Poland in Winter – a unique winter holiday focusing on the large mammals to be found in Poland, including a chance to see Wolves
- Our Sweden’s Mammals tour explores the territory of local wolf packs, with the chance to hear them howl at night
Our specialist recommends...
"Our 11-day 'The Wolves of Yellowstone National Park' tour heads for the world's first national park in search of its Grey Wolves. If you want a short break focusing almost exclusively on wolf-watching I'd recommend Wolf-Watching in Spain, while we've also had good wolf sightings in recent years on our holiday to Italy's Abruzzo National Park.”
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
