Compare Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by National Geographic Expeditions vs Roaming Western Trails by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,650 | $ 3,789 |
| Price Per Day | $ 664 | $ 474 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
Explore two of America’s greatest natural treasures: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. On daily excursions, discover Yellowstone’s wilderness and geothermal wonders, and venture into magnificent valleys to spot bison, bears, elk, eagles, and coyotes. Peer into the yawning abyss of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and witness Old Faithful’s thrilling eruptions. Then head south to the awesomely jagged peaks of the Teton Range. Go on a ranger-led hike in a glacial valley, raft down the wildlife-rich Snake River, and cruise the emerald waters of Jenny Lake. |
Blaze an unforgettable trail experiencing the legends and lore of America’s Wild West. This trip includes a medley of manmade and natural attractions – of gargantuan proportions - from Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, to Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Channel your inner pioneer spirit as you meet a colorful cast of characters in Cody, and the rough and tumble town of Deadwood. Unwind in the splendor of Jackson Hole’s profoundly beautiful landscape brimming with wildlife. Watch herds of buffalo graze against majestic mountain ranges as you float on Snake River, marvel at the timely precision of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, and have a close encounter with the nation’s first National Monument, Devil’s Tower in this small group guided tour. |
Day 1: Bozeman, Montana/Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming
Arrive in Bozeman and travel to Yellowstone National Park—the world's first national park. At the historic village of Mammoth Hot Springs, stroll along travertine terraces sculpted by hot springs. Later, gather for a welcome reception and dinner.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins (D)
Day 2: Lamar Valley
Rise early to drive to the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley, where gray wolves were first restored to Yellowstone in 1995. Be on the lookout for bison, bears, elk, eagles, and the elusive wolf in this sweeping glacial valley. Return to Mammoth and enjoy an afternoon hike to see beaver ponds, or explore what remains of the original Fort Yellowstone.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins (B,L,D)
Day 3: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a spectacular, 20-mile chasm. Walk along the rim to view cascading waterfalls set against a dazzling red and gold palette. In Hayden Valley, look for bison, coyotes, elk, and perhaps even a grizzly. Then trace the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake, and continue up and over the Continental Divide to the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Yellowstone's most famous geyser, Old Faithful.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 4: Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins
Greet the day with the clockwork eruption of Old Faithful. With more than 300 geysers, Yellowstone's geysers make up two thirds of all those found in the world. Explore this stunning geothermal landscape with our expert, and marvel at steaming fumaroles, belching mud pots, and gem-colored mineral pools.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 5: Grand Teton National Park/Jackson
Journey south to the Teton Range, where saw-toothed, snowy peaks rise from the valley floor. Take a scenic cruise on the emerald waters of Jenny Lake. Then continue to Jackson, a lively mountain town with Old West flair, and learn about its history on a guided walk.
The Lexington at Jackson Hole Hotel & Suites (B,L)
Day 6: Grand Teton National Park
Head back into Grand Teton National Park and to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Enjoy a hike in a glacially carved valley to Phelps Lake, framed dramatically by the towering Tetons. Later, visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, or explore Jackson’s quaint streets. Then gather for a farewell dinner at one of Jackson’s fine restaurants.
The Lexington at Jackson Hole Hotel & Suites (B,L,D)
Day 7: Snake River/Jackson
Enjoy a float trip on the Snake River this morning, and search for bald eagles, moose, and other wildlife. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
(B,L)
Day 1 - Arrive Salt Lake City, Utah
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to be an early Frontiersman, now is your chance! Transfer to the airport for your flight to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our local guide and our awaiting motor-coach. Enjoy a city tour of Salt Lake City, where we will see downtown, the Capitol, Temple Square and more. We will check into our hotel before our ‘welcome’ dinner.
Day 2 - Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY
This morning, we will head over to Temple Square after breakfast. Here we will have a chance to see the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcast performance. After, we say goodbye to Salt Lake City as we travel north along the shores of the Great Salt Lake. We will travel through Logan Canyon to beautiful Bear Lake for an included lunch. We will arrive into the fun town of Jackson, WY. Once we check into our hotel, the evening is free to explore the many shops, art galleries and restaurants on your own.
Day 3 - Jackson - Yellowstone National Park
This morning after breakfast, we are in for a wonderful experience as we are introduced to Grand Teton National Park on a half day scenic float trip on the Snake River! Enjoy amazing views of the Teton Mountains and wildlife viewing opportunities as your guide explains the geology and history of the area. After the float trip, we continue sightseeing of Grand Teton which will include: Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Next, we enter into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, for sightseeing including the heart of the park, Old Faithful. There will be time to witness an eruption and explore Old Faithful Village and the many thermal features in the area. Later this afternoon, we travel to West Yellowstone and check into our hotel. This evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Yellowstone National Park - Cody, WY
After breakfast, we head back into Yellowstone National Park for another day of sightseeing. We will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and pass through Hayden Valley and along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. As we exit the park, we enter into the historic town of Cody, where we will tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is five museums under one roof. Tonight, we enjoy food and entertainment at the Cody Cattle Company with a chuckwagon style dinner, traditional cowboy music and some laughs. Then, there is exciting cowboy action at the Cody Nite Rodeo!
Day 5 - Cody - Rapid City, SD
We will depart Cody after breakfast and continue East crossing the Bighorn Mountain. Our first stop is at Devil’s Tower National Monument for sightseeing of the country’s first National Monument. Later this afternoon, we will arrive at the historic town of Deadwood for sightseeing. This is a rough and tumble western town famous for outlaws, gunslingers and lawmen alike. There will be time to explore the town and have dinner, on your own, before continuing on to Rapid City, SD for a two night stay.
Day 6 - Rapid City
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Badlands National Park for sightseeing. This famous park consists of nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. After lunch, we travel to Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge to get up close and personal with the residents of this park as you head out on a Wildlife Jeep Safari to view the buffalo herds and much more. Next, we make our way to the Crazy Horse Monument for sightseeing of the unfinished mountain carving and insight into the Lakota culture. Then, join the group for an included dinner followed by a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as we attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony!
Day 7 - Rapid City - Cheyenne, WY
We start our day after breakfast with a beautiful drive to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, where we will have morning views of this magnificent monument. Depart the Black Hills and take your journey south returning to the plains of Wyoming. We make a stop at Fort Laramie National Historic Site for sightseeing and a picnic lunch. This afternoon, we continue to the capitol city of Cheyenne and check into our hotel. After, we have time to freshen up, we will enjoy a ‘farewell’ dinner, at the hotel.
Day 8 - Depart Cheyenne
After breakfast, we take a Trolley Tour of Cheyenne. After, a nice introduction to the city, we arrive at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds to experience a ‘Behind the Chutes Tour.’ The Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena is the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo each July. Get a first-hand look at what goes on during the rodeo from behind the scenes. This exiting tour follows the path of the bulls and broncs as the animals are rounded up and threaded through the maze of gates on their way to the chutes and out into the arena with cowboy in tow. A special experience awaits as we step into the chutes and finish the tour by walking across the arena. This afternoon, we will enjoy a western lunch before departing Cheyenne for the Denver International Airport for your departing flight.
