Yellowstone Wildlife Trails - Hotels - Reverse

Welcome to the city of Seattle in Washington State. You're in a city that
oozes cool, from sophisticated coffee shops to endless markets, not
forgetting the iconic Space Needle. From here you can gaze across the
beautiful Puget Sound, and on a clear day view Mount Rainier. A great way to
spend your afternoon ahead of your welcome meeting at 18:00 hrs, is to visit
Pike Place Market to try local specialities and enjoy a spot of people
watching.

This morning you venture out across Washington State, to the lakeside city of
Coeur d'Alene. Swimming, walking and enjoying the sunset with a glass of fizz
are all perfect ways to complete your first day in Idaho. Don't forget to
pack your swimwear, as the lake makes for a great place to cool off. Take a
refreshing dip in secluded spots around the lake, but remember, it can be
quite cold!

Continue through the mountains of Montana to the famed Glacier National Park
where you'll spend the next three nights exploring this immense landscape.
Keep your eyes peeled for deer and bears which frequent this area, as well as
stunning scenery and glacial lakes.

NB: The National Park Service regulates guided hikes in Glacier. Tomorrow
you'll be led by a national park guide but on other days your tour leader is
not permitted to walk with you on trails. They will however provide detailed
briefings, directions, maps and transportation.

Spend the day exploring the ins and outs of this superb park with a Glacier
National Park wilderness guide. Your guide will help you try to spot some of
the huge variety of animal species for which this park is renowned, including
Grizzly Bears, wolverines and lynx. Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, coyotes
and bears are also commonly sighted here. If conditions are suitable, your
guide will take you on the Iceberg Lake or Hidden Lake Trail for dramatic
mountain scenes, wildflowers and a glaciated lake that will take your breath
away.

Today is one to be taken at your own pace - make use of the national park bus
and choose the perfect trail to suit your preference. That may be an easy
paced meander down to the lake, or a strenuous hike into the backcountry in
search of bears. Your leader will provide you with a map, list of trails and
any advice you need. You have the whole day at your own leisure, to tailor
the park to your liking.

Today's drive reveals the wide open 'Big Sky' scenery that Montana is so
famous for. Journey through the ever-changing landscape of forest and
mountain backdrops, all the way to the Yellowstone area. Although today is
very much a driving day, it is ideal for taking in the dramatic and changing
scenery ahead of your Yellowstone experience in the world’s first national
park.

Today you'll encounter Yellowstone's amazing array of geothermal features
including mud pools, hot springs and steaming fumaroles. The park is famous
for its volcanic history and there are estimated to be around 10,000 thermal
features - nowhere else on earth can boast Yellowstone's concentration of
geysers which are scattered amongst several distinct geyser basins. Benefit
from the enthusiasm and knowledge of a local geologist who will no doubt
enable you to learn more as you walk from one seismic hotspot to the next.

Last night you may have heard the distant sounds of a howl far away in the
mountains and today you'll get to learn all about the wolf packs that may
have sung out such a nocturnal greeting. You'll spend a full day with a
specialist wolf and wildlife tracking guide, venturing into the park's
wilderness to learn about these extraordinary animals. Your guide will
explain how wolves live and hunt together in Yellowstone and how the pack
hierarchy works. It's important to note that you may not always be lucky
enough to see wolves, but this is our aim and at the same time you're likely
to see numerous other wildlife species.

Even though this is your last day in Yellowstone there's still plenty of time
to enjoy the wildlife, landscapes and geothermal activity away from the usual
tourist sites. As you leave the crowds behind you'll be treated to a hike to
the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls, the latter of which has the highest
volume of water in the American Rockies and is almost twice as high as
Niagara. You'll also visit the Mammoth Hot Springs which literally feels like
being on another planet.

Today, you'll be leaving the borders of Yellowstone but there'll be no let-up
with the incredible landscapes surrounding you. As you enter the realms of
the mighty Tetons you'll no doubt be aware that you're in the presence of
some quite formidable giants. The drama unfolds almost instantly after
crossing the border into the Grand Teton National Park. An optional ferry
journey across Jenny Lake takes you to the start of a climb to Inspiration
Point, where you'll be able to catch your breath and take in some absolutely
scintillating views. You have the option of following the river and
continuing further on your hike in the hopes of spotting moose, commonly
noted on this trail.

Next stop is Jackson Hole, which is regarded as one of Wyoming's premier ski
resorts as well as being a haven for walkers and lovers of the great
outdoors. Take a short walk to Rock Springs Overlook and opt for an
incredibly scenic aerial tram ride. This completes your first day in the
Grand Tetons and as you settle down for the night you'll be pleased to know
that there are plenty more adventures left in store for tomorrow.

Using all the knowledge and hiking expertise that you've garnered throughout
your time away, you'll be able to undertake a self-guided hike to numerous
scenic spots which your tour leader will explain to you. The park is perfect
for seeing those all-important, breathtaking vistas and with excellent views
of the Tetons as well as the chance to spot bison, moose, elk and deer, this
is one of the best areas to make the most of the great outdoors. As the sun
goes down you'll no doubt be able to look back over the previous 11 days as
some of the most worthwhile and fulfilling times that you've ever had.

Enjoy some free time exploring Jackson this morning before transferring to
the base of the Wasatch Mountains and the urban delights of the Mormon
capital of Utah, Salt Lake City.

The tour will end this afternoon at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00
hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if
required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight
that departs before 21:00 hrs.