Yellowstone Walks & Wildlife

In the middle of the Rocky Mountains, there are three celebrated national parks offering the most varied scenery and wildlife: the spires and azure lakes of Grand Teton, the unique geology and wildlife of Yellowstone, and the towering sentinel peaks and broad valleys of Glacier. Specialist local guides accompany us on our Yellowstone wildlife tour to spot and track bison, bears, wolves, coyotes and eagles. From colourful meadows with wildflowers to mighty canyons, and geothermal volcanic pools to glaciated rocky spires, this is a full-on adventure with seriously dramatic views. From 1 January 2026, this adventure is only available as a private departure. Contact us to find out more.
Profile
— Accommodation: 1 Classic night (hotel), 8 Simple nights (participatory camping) — Five self-guided walks, four walks led by the tour leader or a specialist guide — Travel by private minibus — Group normally 5 to 13, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 1 Classic night (hotel), 8 Simple nights (participatory camping) — Five self-guided walks, four walks led by the tour leader or a specialist guide — Travel by private minibus — Group normally 5 to 13, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. It is designed for those interested in the incredible wildlife and geology of Yellowstone and the Central Rockies. All hikes are optional and you can often take tougher or lighter walks than those chosen for the group, so this trip’s grading is only a guide. In addition to the tour leader, we use specialist local guides to make the most of our park visits. Their skills in tracking and spotting wildlife plus their uniquely intimate knowledge of the surroundings is invaluable. Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and sometimes your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion is a tour highlight. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year. Long drives are required to reach certain places, so be prepared for some lengthy journeys. All travellers over the age of 70 are requested to complete a self-declaration of fitness form prior to travel. Our tours are a unique experience and much of the enjoyment comes from the team spirit of the group and the fun you have together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you; a guarantee to enjoying every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm!
Group Description
Your tour leader takes care of all the planning and organisation throughout the trip – they drive the van and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your trip: organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting any queries or problems. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, please let your tour leader know at the beginning of the trip and they will do their best to help. Interests and capabilities usually vary, so leaders typically guide day hikes according to the group’s needs and the difficulty of particular hikes. Our leader enjoys spending as much time as possible on the trail with their groups; however, it will not always be possible for a tour leader to accompany every hiker when groups split to hike different trails. On odd occasions, your tour leader may need to stay behind to do food shopping or arrange other optional activities. Working hour regulations for leaders: US law regulates the total number of hours your group leader is available to work. Tours are designed to make the most of your time in the States, but there are certain times each day your leader needs to be off duty to recuperate. Due to these restrictions, particularly after the longer driving days, your leader may not be able to join you for some of the daily activities or may need to tend to other work duties.
Eating Drinking
There are eight breakfasts, eight lunches and eight dinners included on this tour. Your tour leader will co-ordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners. Occasionally, we eat out in local restaurants. For any meals not included, the following costs may help you budget: Hotel breakfasts: US$15-US$25Lunches: US$15-US$30Dinners: US$20-US$40, not including alcoholic beverages Drinks cost on average: Wine: US$10-US$15 per glassBeer: US$6-US$9 per bottle A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes are also added to all listed menu prices. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We do all we can to accommodate various dietary requirements but certain food types can be limited in some parts of North America.
Transportation
We travel in a private 15-seater vehicle, driven by your tour leader. All luggage, equipment, and other necessities are stored in a specially designed trailer or storage area to maximise space and comfort in the vehicle. The size of our vehicles allows us to reach more remote destinations not accessible to larger vehicles. All our vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, Bluetooth-compatible stereos, and USB charging ports throughout.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Great Falls Inn by Riversage, 1400 28th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405 Phone: +1 406-453-6000 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. The welcome briefing usually takes place in the morning of Day 2 Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer  Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Make your own way You are free to arrive any time on Day 1. Due to the late arrival time of the group flight from London, UK, it is likely that the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of Day 2. Details on the time and specific location of your meeting will be available by midday on Day 1. During the welcome meeting, you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation to the meeting. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Arrival complications Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to Jackson Hole Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost. Please book a flight that departs after 4pm and speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Summer weather patterns in the Rockies are typically very sunny and dry. Daytime temperatures in the mountains are 15C-30C (59F-89F) depending on elevation. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and don’t usually last long, although can be severe at altitude. Nights can be cool, depending on elevation. However, a storm system might bring cold and rain (even snow at altitude) at any time. Be prepared to adapt to a wide range of temperatures through layered clothing. July and August are the height of the wildflower bloom. Tours scheduled for June and early July might encounter some snow on the higher trails in all three of the national parks we visit.
Spending Money
We recommend you take at least US$50 per day for meals not included in the tour, drinks, snacks and other incidentals. Also budget for expected tipping and for the optional activities you would like to do.
Tipping
It is normal and expected in North America to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood. It can be embarrassing if you’re confronted by a local person who is expecting a tip and you are not aware of how much to offer. For this reason, we have listed guideline prices below. A 15%-20% tip is standard in restaurants and you should also expect to tip US$1 per drink in bars, US$1-2 per bag for porters, US$2-3 for hotel housekeeping as well as 10% for taxi drivers. Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of US$10-15 per passenger per day if your leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations. It’s also typical to tip US$10-15 for specialist guides in Yellowstone National Park and 15-20% for local guides who provide optional activities.

Highlights