America's Eden: Wildlife walks in the Rocky Mountains

Duration: 11 Days | 10 Nights
Start City: Denver, Colorado
End City: Salt Lake City, Utah
Group size: 6-13 Participants
Tour Type: Guided walking tour, easy-moderate
Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish

Highlights:
• Wildlife Walks in Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky
• Mountain National Parks
• Amazing Photography
• Wolf watching
• Close Encounters with Bear, Elk and Moose
• Geothermal Features of Yellowstone Tram Ride to Grand Teton National Park

Day 1. Arrival in Denver
Arrival in Denver. Independent transfer from airport to hotel. Those wanting to explore Denver or acclimate better to the elevation of the region should arrive a day early. A train station is located close to the hotel allowing quick access to downtown without having to rent a car. Aloft Hotel near the airport (3-star) or similar, 1 night.

Day 2. Looking for Bears and Eagles in Rocky Mountain National Park, B, L
8 AM: Your tour leader will meet you in the hotel for the orientation meeting. We depart Denver early for the remote Western entrance of Rocky Mountain NP. While the eastern town of Estes Park receives most visitation, the Western part of the park is far more quiet, remote, and wild. Crossing the Continental Divide we climb mountain roads over Berthoud Pass to 11,307 feet (3446 m). There is a chance to see a resident herd of bighorn sheep grazing near the road. Descending into the Fraser River Valley we pass the iconic ski resort of Winter Park and majestic reservoirs created by the Colorado River. Nestled under steep mountains and on the shores of Colorado’s largest natural lake, Grand Lake, is our home for the next 3 days. Our hotel is near the center of this small gold rush settlement at an elevation of 2600 m. The afternoon finds us on our first walk, along the shore of Shadow Mountain Reservoir. We often spot gold and bald eagle, hummingbirds, and osprey. The meadows are home to elk, moose, and bear. Spirit Lake
Lodge 3* or similar, 2 nights.

Day 3. Looking for Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, B, L
Rocky Mountain National Park is famous for its huge herds of elk. These massive deer migrate from the valleys to the mountaintops in summer. The females and their babies stay in the valley with their young. During the elk rut, the animals congregate in the meadows displaying their amazing strength as the bulls fight for their harem. Today’s walk is focused on finding elk. We cross the continental divide on the impressive Trail Ridge Road at 12,183 ft (3713 meters). Up here we find alpine tundra with plant communities descending from the last ice age when glaciers isolated these mountaintops. Today’s walk follows ancient Indian paths carved by the native Utes in search of food. We are looking for elk here that come to this elevation to escape the
mosquitoes. We have a good chance at spotting marmot and pika while studying the unique flora and fauna. In May and September, depending on weather, we may walk along the Headwaters of the Colorado River looking for moose.

Day 4. Looking for Moose in Rocky Mountain NP, B, L
Today’s walk is focused on finding moose. Moose are often found along the East Inlet. Walking past beaver dams we soon reach a steeper section of the trail that ascends to an amazing viewpoint above Grand Lake. Aspen forests surround us. Often eagles soar overhead. In the afternoon we leave Colorado and head towards Wyoming. Passing through vast dry sagebrush deserts we have a good chance at spotting massive herds of
wild antelope, America’s fastest land mammal. Our hotel is in small cowboy town of Lander. Rodeway Inn (3-star) or similar, 1 night.

Day 5. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, B, L
We are a short drive from Yellowstone National Park. Our first explorations are along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We hike the enchanting Wapiti Trail, a footpath skirting the canyon rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The massive river has carved a huge gash into deposits of volcanic soil. Massive waterfalls tumble over cliffs into the canyon. We recommend a jaunt to the bottom of the Uncle Tom’s Trail. Artist Point offers unobstructed views of the canyon, while the trail winds through forests, meadows and thermal areas of bubbling mud on its loop back. You have a chance to walk down to the Brink of the Upper and the Brink of the Lower Falls. Unforgettable photo opportunities abound as you stand above the thundering falls. Driving north we reach our hotel, located in Cooke City, the North East entrance of the park. Here, at the headwaters of the Lamar Valley, we will find most of Yellowstone’s vast animal herds and wolf packs. Cooke City, Alpine Inn (3-star) or similar, 3 nights.

Day 6. The Wolves of Yellowstone, B, L
In 1926 the last grey wolf was killed in Yellowstone. Without this keystone predator Yellowstone’s elk herds increased greatly creating imbalances in the ecosystem. After decades of legal battle, the grey wolf was finally reintroduced in 1995. Once extinct, there are now 134 wolf packs in our Western Forests, counting about 1000 animals. About 320 wolves are found in Yellowstone alone. The Lamar Valley is one of the best places to observe wolves. Early in the morning we meet our local guide and wildlife biologist. Our mission is to observe the wolf packs. Our day is spent in Lamar Valley. We may climb up to the Petrified Forest ridge, the largest petrified forest in North America, or head along the trails leaving Lamar Valley. In late afternoon we head to the top of the winding Beartooth Highway. Here, above tree line, we often see large herds of mountain goats.

Day 7. Geothermal Features of Yellowstone, B, L
After a leisurely morning we prepare for a full day in the park. Our first destination is Norris Geyser Basin. Boardwalks are built over boiling mud pots and steaming, multi-colored hot springs. Depending on the temperature of the hot springs, different algae inhabit the boiling waters coloring the springs in blue, yellow, or orange. Yellowstone is the caldera of a super volcano and we realize how close the lava dome is under our feet looking at all the hot water around us. Grand Prismatic Springs is the most beautiful hot spring of them all, a giant spring in various shades of orange, yellow, red, and blue. Mesmerizing photo opportunities abound. The world’s highest concentration of geothermal features is found in Upper Geyser Basin, world famous for Old Faithful. Old Faithful is a remarkable geyser that erupts every hour or so, propelling 14,000 to 32,000 liters of boiling water 100-200 feet (30-60m) into the sky. In the afternoon we explore the area around Mammoth Hot Springs. Two tons of dissolved minerals flow over white travertine terraces, depositing as calcium carbonate onto white terraces. We walk over boardwalks marveling at the formations. Then we head out on a nice walk towards a remote valley looking for beaver and deer. After our hike there is a chance to take a dip in the Boiling River before heading back to our lodging.

Day 8. The Grizzly Bears of Pelican Creek, B, L
Pelican Valley is famous for its grizzly bear population. Near the shores of Lake Yellowstone, a remote trail (closed until early July) leads us into Pelican Valley, prime habitat for the endangered grizzly. Along the
way we have a good chance to see bison, trumpeter swan, and moose today and we may even spot bears. At West Thumb, a volcanic crater on the shores of Lake
Yellowstone, hot water gushes into the lake from the deep blue boiling spring. Heading south, we soon reach Jackson, Wyoming. Our hotel is near the very center of the cute tourist town. Quality Inn 49er (3-star) or similar, 2 nights.

Day 9. Grand Tetons, B, L
The Grand Tetons are an amazing mountain range rising out of a tranquil valley to an impressive height of 13,775 ft (4,199 m). We take advantage of the gondola that whisks us 1200m to an elevation of 3185m. From the crest of the Tetons we appreciate the vast wilderness that expands below us. Our trail leads us back to the valley floor enjoying expansive views. (The tram operates between mid-May to early October but may be closed due to snow). There is time to enjoy the cowboy town of Jackson.

Day 10. Grand Teton National Park, B, L
Below the massive peaks of the Tetons we find tranquil lakes reflecting the snow on the north facing slopes. Our exploration starts early. We explore the iconic Mormon Row with its old barns. Then we head to String Lake. A self-guided walk leads to the backside of Jenny Lake. From here you enjoy stupendous views of the Grand Teton and Mount Moran. A ferry takes you back to the road and the busy Jenny Lake visitor center (included) before we say good-bye to this amazing place. Our next stop is Salt Lake City, where our tour concludes. Crystal Inn Salt Lake City or similar (3-star), 1 night.

Day 11. Departure, B
Our tour concludes in Salt Lake City. The hotel offers a free hotel shuttle to the airport.
The average altitude on this journey is 2000 – 3000m. In May we may encounter the occasional short snowstorms, lingering snowfields, or muddy trails. Short intervals of snow return to Yellowstone in August. Wildlife is often seen at dusk and dawn, when temperatures are the coldest. Please be prepared for adverse temperatures, especially in May, September, and October. Bring appropriate clothing (hat, gloves, jackets). Do not forget your binoculars. We will provide bear spray.

Tour Price
• Price shown is for a person based on twin share accommodation.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Depending on your needs and group size (individual, couple, family, group, etc.) we will provide the final pricing for your tour.

Inclusions:
• Half board (breakfast and picnic lunches)
• 10 nights in centrally-located hotels, motels, and cabins very near the sights and entrances of national parks (2-3 star) 11 days
• 9 picnic lunches (L) in the parks (self-made)
• 10 breakfasts (B)
• Wildlife walks to see the megafauna of the Rocky Mountains
• Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks
• Up close encounters with elk, moose, bison, brown bear, black bear, wolf, and more
• A chance to see bald and brown eagle, osprey, white pelican, trumpeter swan, and humming birds
• Most departures are scheduled around significant wildlife events
• Wolf watching with a local expert
• World-class walking and photography
• Small group sizes allow the tour director to address each group’s special desires and preferences while on tour
• Expertly-trained, dedicated local tour directors

Exclusions:
• Airport transfers
• Tips of $80-110 per person for the tour manager depending on his/her performance
• Alcoholic beverages
• All meals not listed (all dinners)
• Optional excursions
• Single supplement if single room is desired
• Porterage
• Certain areas do not allow guided walking. In such cases, the group walks on their own

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.