Wyoming: Yellowstone & Grand Teton Luxury Adventure
Trip Summary
Get the best of two magnificent and iconic national parks on this vacation that offers loads of adventure and stunning landscapes. Bike under the shadow of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Hike among Mammoth Hot Springs’ steaming thermal terraces. Ooh and ahh over an Old Faithful eruption in the Upper Geyser Basin. Tackle the class II & III rapids of the Snake River. And after you’re done getting your fill of the wild natural world, settle down in luxurious lodgings each night just beyond the borders of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
The toughest part is going home.SM Wyoming: Yellowstone & Grand Teton Luxury Adventure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Bozeman Arrival | Yellowstone National Park | Paradise Valley
Bozeman Arrival: Welcome to Montana! Your guides will pick you up in the morning from your pre-trip hotel. Transfer Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Yellowstone National Park: Welcome to Yellowstone, our world’s first national park! This famous national park is home to over 60% of the world’s geysers, which periodically erupt in towering explosions of boiling water and steam. And while these astounding phenomena and their neighboring technicolor hot springs and bubbling mud pots draw in the crowds, the surrounding canyons, mountains, forests, and wildlife are no less impressive. Mammoth Hot Springs: The northern part of Yellowstone is home to Mammoth Hot Springs, a must-see feature of the park due to its difference from other thermal areas in Yellowstone. The orange, yellow, brown, and white travertine terraces of Mammoth have been described as looking at a cave turned inside out. We’ll spend time hiking in and around this area, checking out “geology in hyperdrive” up close. Transfer Time: 1 Hour Paradise Valley: A scenic river valley cutting between the Absaroka and Gallatin Mountain ranges, Paradise Valley has been quietly attracting celebrities, ranchers, and fly-fishermen for years - a unique combination of personalities! A short distance from Yellowstone National Parks’ north entrance, this quiet valley is a perfect place to slow down and take in the beautiful scenery one breath at a time. Accommodation: Sage Lodge (L,D)
Day 2: Lamar Valley | Paradise Valley
Transfer Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Lamar Valley Wildlife Drive: Located in the northeastern corner of the park, the Lamar Valley is often called America’s Serengeti due to its easy-to-see population of large animals. Among its most famous inhabitants are several wolf packs, grizzly bears, large herds of bison, pronghorn, elk, eagles, osprey, and coyotes. With a scope and binoculars at hand, we’ll pull off to get “up- close” views of any wildlife we might be lucky enough to spot from a safe distance away. Transfer Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
The toughest part is going home.SM Sage Lodge Free Afternoon: Choose to embark on a guided hike through the nearby countryside around Sage Lodge, or enjoy the amenities that await you inside and on the property. Relax in the full-service spa, browse the gift shop, or soak in the outdoor hot tub. The afternoon is yours to unwind and rejuvenate. Accommodation: Sage Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 3: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone | West Yellowstone
Transfer Time: 2 Hours Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: Carved by the wondrous force of the Yellowstone River, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a dramatic, 1,000-foot-deep canyon that dazzles visitors with its pastel rock walls and majestic waterfalls. From several vantage points, you can view Lower Falls plunging steeply into the canyon 308 feet, or the Upper Falls tumbling 109 feet. Wapiti Trail Hike: One of our favorite hikes in the area, Wapiti Trail, takes you 2.5 miles through the backcountry along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Wind your way along wildflower- dotted meadows, under lodgepole pine forests, and through an off-the-grid geyser basin before emerging at the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River itself. Eventually, you’ll find yourself staring down the incredible 308-foot Lower Falls from a perfect viewpoint. Transfer Time: 1 hour 15 minutes West Yellowstone, Montana: A Montana town on the edge of the world’s first national park, West Yellowstone serves as the western gateway community to Yellowstone National Park. The quaint downtown is lined with Western false front buildings and is a bit on the touristy side, but its many shops and restaurants lend itself to a great stopover for a night or two. Accommodation: Yellowstone Explorer Cabins (B,L,D)
The toughest part is going home.SM Day 4: Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin | Jackson Hole
Transfer Time: 1 Hour Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin Exploration: Discover the Upper Geyser Basin, home to the most famous geyser in the world, Old Faithful. Take some time to explore this area with your knowledgeable guide. Be sure to check out the Old Faithful Inn, the Visitor Center, and the boardwalks winding throughout the basin. Of course, we’ll catch an eruption of Old Faithful itself; this geyser puts on quite the show every ninety minutes or so! Transfer Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes Jackson Hole: The region of Jackson Hole is made up of the Grand Teton valley including the town of Jackson, Teton Village, Wilson, the Aspens, Moran Junction, Moose and surrounding locations. The name was originally Jackson’s Hole, the “hole” describing the flat valley surrounded by mountains. The charming town of Jackson, the famous hub, is a little bit country and a little bit modern chic with some fun restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Night on Your Own: Enjoy a night on your own this evening for dinner. Your guides will give you restaurant options to choose from in the area and will provide ideas on things to do on your own time. Alternatively, feel free to just relax tonight after a wonderful activity-filled day! Accommodation: Rustic Inn of Jackson Hole (B,L)
Day 5: Grand Teton National Park | Snake River
Grand Teton National Park: Soak up the beauty of the iconic and picture-perfect Cathedral Group: Nez Perce, Middle Teton, Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot as you explore the beauty of Grand Teton National Park. These jagged-toothed peaks soar 7,000 feet above the valley floor and are located on a fault line -- mountains the result of earthquakes. Grand Teton National Park is found just 10 miles south of Yellowstone National Park and comprises 310,000 acres including the Teton Range and most of the northern sections of Jackson Hole. Moose to Jenny Lake Bike Ride: This 16-mile out-and-back bike ride starts off in the community of Moose and continues on to Jenny Lake via paved bike path. You’ll immediately start off with a short, but steep uphill but afterwards, the ride flattens out into an easier cruising speed. You’ll pedal through sagebrush meadows with magnificent views of the Teton Mountain Range. At Jenny Lake, hop off your bike and snap some beautiful photos before pedaling back the way you came.
The toughest part is going home.SM Snake River Raft: Get ready to get wet rafting some of Wyoming's finest whitewater through the scenic Snake River Canyon! The Snake River is born out of the Yellowstone National Park backcountry and grows as it winds its way through Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, and eventually the Snake River Canyon. You’ll travel 8 river miles from start to finish and will encounter about 8 sets of rapids ranging from class I and II to class III. Accommodation: Rustic Inn of Jackson Hole (B,L,D)
Day 6: Teton Village | Jackson Departure
Bridger Gondola & Hike: Take a ride up the Bridger Gondola at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to experience the high alpine terrain of the Tetons. This 12-minute ride in a safe and private gondola cabin whisks you over 2,700 vertical feet above the valley floor. Take a walk among wildflower meadows, taking in sweeping views of Grand Teton National Park from up high, before riding the gondola back down to the base. Jackson Departure: Your guides will shuttle you to Jackson to get ready for your departure home. Accommodation: (B)
*Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.
The toughest part is going home.SM Wyoming: Yellowstone & Grand Teton Luxury Adventure
Distinctive Accommodation
Sage Lodge - 2 night(s) Sage Lodge welcomes guests to paradise. Quite literally. This stunning lodge is nestled in Montana’s Paradise Valley, surrounded by idyllic mountain views in every direction. This accommodation provides travelers both adventure and comfort when indoors or outdoors. When not venturing in the wilderness, an indoor fitness center, library, full-service spa, gift shop, outdoor hot tub, firepits, and cozy rooms await to provide your relaxation needs. This lodge, beautifully framed by the Absaroka Mountains, boasts a gorgeous A-frame entrance full of windows. Guests will be impressed by the authenticity of this luxurious, remote property.
Yellowstone Explorer Cabins - 1 night(s) Enjoy your privacy in this rustic community of luxurious cabins in West Yellowstone just outside Yellowstone National Park. This cabin lodging offers plenty of living room, pleasing decorations, comfortable linens, a TV and kitchenette to use at your convenience. An outdoor fire pit allows guests to enjoy each other’s company all toasty around the warm campfire. These stylish accommodations allow easy access to Yellowstone National Park and Old Faithful.
Rustic Inn of Jackson Hole - 2 night(s) This luxury lodge is everything but 'rustic.' Located on seven lush acres adjacent to the National Elk Refuge and just a few blocks from Jackson's lively town square, the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa welcomes guests with warm Western hospitality. Outdoor enthusiasts and hedonists alike indulge in the lavishly appointed historic lodging accommodations and luxury log cabins, state of the art resort amenities, revitalizing spa, innovative cuisine, year-round Wyoming activities and an idyllic setting. Relax in the outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, or take a walk along the beautifully landscaped trails beside Flat Creek.
The toughest part is going home.SM Wyoming: Yellowstone & Grand Teton Luxury Adventure
Activities Featured on This Trip
Hiking: Most hikes on this adventure are considered easy to moderate (2 to 4 miles with up to 400 feet of elevation gain). Oftentimes, we’ll do several shorter hikes over the course of one day. If a more difficult hike is listed on this itinerary, its mileage and elevation gain will be listed in the day’s activity description within the detailed itinerary. Biking: Most bike rides on this trip are considered easy to moderate (10 to 20 miles, flat and/or rolling terrain). If a more difficult bike ride is included on this itinerary, more specific details will be included in the day’s activity description within the detailed itinerary. Bike rides are van supported, meaning that there will be checkpoints along the way in which you can access the van/guide if needed or can end your ride early. There will also be one guide accompanying the group by bike. Whitewater Rafting: Rafting trips are led by a professional rafting guide trained in swiftwater rescue. Most of our raft trips feature paddle rafts, which are small rubber rafts in which everyone paddles and is expected to help propel and steer the raft. You’ll encounter class II-III rapids on most rivers we raft. Gear like personal flotation devices and helmets are provided and required. Wetsuits are available for use when the water or air temperature is low. Instruction provided and no experience is necessary.
The toughest part is going home.SM What's Included?
Included in Trip Price:
• Double occupancy rooms with private baths • All meals as listed in itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) • Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners • Any necessary equipment - all safe and well-maintained • Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip • Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service • Access to a guest portal with trip planner materials • Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees
Not Included in Trip Price:
• Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides • Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities • One dinner during the trip • Pre- and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses • Air and land transportation to/from host cities • All types of travel insurance • Personal expenses
The toughest part is going home.SM