Yellowstone Wolf-Watching Tour with Destination:Wildlife

On this tour, our guests will not just look for the wolves; they will expand
their knowledge and understanding. Winter in Yellowstone is when
scientists, researchers, and documentarians from all over the world come to
watch and study this unique population of wild wolves; our guests will be
among them.

Our guide is a respected biologist who will share information and answer
questions throughout our tour. Then, in the late afternoon, when early
darkness makes it impossible to watch wildlife, we will enjoy lectures by
internationally recognized wolf and wildlife experts.

Because of our trip's time of year and nature, chance encounters in the field
with some of the world's premier wolf researchers, documentarians, and
storytellers are possible. During past winter wolf trips, we have rubbed
shoulders with members of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, university study
teams, celebrated wildlife photographers and filmmakers, including Bob
Landis, and enjoyed ad hoc stories on the mountain by the legendary Rick
McIntyre.

Yellowstone, in winter, is a magical place with few tourists and is more
accessible to see wildlife. It is something that everyone will remember for
the rest of their lives.

Finally, this is responsible tourism at work. Not only does your trip support the Wolf Conservation Center,
but your travel dollars will stay in the local community. Local business owners provide
lodging and meals, and the economic benefits of the trip remain in the local community
helping build the case that the Yellowstone wolves are worth more alive than
hunting trophies – in every season.

Day 1
Arrival in Bozeman and overnight. Welcome dinner together at a nearby
establishment.

Day 2
Our guides will pick us up in Bozeman and transfer us to Gardiner in the
morning. After arriving in Gardiner, we will check into our rooms at the
Wonderland Cafe and Lodge and break for lunch at the cafe downstairs. In
the afternoon, our guide will pick us up to head into the park for a half-day
exploration of the Mammoth Terraces. We will return that evening to the
lodge for dinner.

Day 3
After an early pick up (6 AM), we are off to the Northern Range, the hub of
wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Our guide will fill us in on the impacts
of recent and historical events regarding Yellowstone wolves, their pack
dynamics, litter size, and all things "wolf." They will put us in the best
locations to view the animals, interpret behavior, set up spotting scopes,
and help take photos. We will always keep our distance from wolves and
bears at 100 yards or more. However, premium spotting scopes allow us to
view the animals in detail regardless of the distance.

Our guide throughout is an experienced biologist and naturalist with
excellent interpretation skills for visitors of all ages, knowledge and
experience levels.

Depending on the weather, viewing conditions, and other factors, our tasty
lunch this day will be either at a cafe or in the field. In addition, there may
be short walks throughout the day.

We will return to our accommodations after about 7 hours of exploring.
There will be a lecture by an expert on wolves in the evening. Dinner
together at the lodge and a good night's sleep round out the day's activities.

Day 4
Early morning starts are essential for potentially extraordinary wildlife
sightings in the early hours of dawn and sunrise. Today, we may drive
further depending on recent or new sightings of our favorite animals. A
possible trip to Swan Flats, Antelope Creek, or Hayden Valley may be on the
menu. Visiting Dunraven Pass will provide awe inspiring vistas and possible
exciting discoveries of wolves, bears, and other wildlife.

Our wildlife tours are always dynamic and depend on the animals'
movements and events. Wildlife is wild and unpredictable, but past trips
have resulted in life-long memories, including the experiences of watching
mating behavior and an array of predatory animals (and birds) on a carcass.

We have the potential to see wolves, coyotes, elk, big horn sheep, foxes,
eagles, and ravens, all living naturally. We may even see a bear (grizzly or
black) taking a break from hibernation.

The day will include lunch in the field and possibly short walks. We will
return to Gardiner for another lecture on wolf biology in the evening,
followed by a well-deserved meal.
Day 5
Depending on how successful we were on the previous days and the group's interests, we will have a choice of another exploratory safari or an all-day hike.

Our options may include visiting the magnificent Grand Canyon of
Yellowstone and a hike or walking along the rim.

Lunch will be in the field. We will return in the afternoon and enjoy our final
lecture in the evening.

Day 6
Today, we will offer a half day with an early start; this may be a birding trip,
a search to see an animal we have not seen yet, or a half-day hike, and of
course, we will be keeping our eyes open for wolves.

We will then return to Bozeman, leaving between 2 and 3 PM. Our guides
will drop us off in Bozeman, and the group will stay overnight.

We will celebrate our adventure on our final night together with a farewell
meal at a nearby restaurant.

Day 7
After a continental breakfast at the Lewis and Clark Hotel, we will depart
for the airport and home.

We will stay at the Lewis & Clark Hotel in historic downtown Bozeman on
our first and last nights—a second-generation, locally-owned establishment
with deep roots in the community and easy access to the airport. The rooms
are comfortable, the atmosphere welcoming, and we make sure our tourism
dollars stay local by supporting a local business.

While watching and learning about wolves in Yellowstone, we will stay at
the Wonderland Cafe and Lodge in the heart of downtown Gardiner at the
North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Rooms will be studios or large suites with private bedrooms and multiple
bathrooms. All are individually decorated and warm - warm being critical
after a day out in the Yellowstone winter.

The Wonderland Café and Lodge is owned and run by a local mother.

MEALS
All meals are included, from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 7. We
use local restaurants and providers to ensure our tourism dollars stay in the
local community.
In Bozeman, dinners will be at a nearby restaurant within walking distance
of the hotel. Self-serve continental breakfast is available.
Once in Gardiner, boxed breakfasts are the norm. Coffee is available to
make in each room. We usually leave the lodge around 5:30 AM and eat
breakfast in our room before going, in the car or at our first wildlife viewing
stop. Lunches will also be in the field unless we find ourselves near one of
the few local eateries around noon. A few places are open during the winter,
and we will avail ourselves of a hot lunch if the wolves cooperate.
Dinners will be at the Wonderland Cafe after the evening lecture. You may
review the menu on their webpage. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian
items are part of their usual offerings.
We will be happy to contact the proprietors to determine if specific dietary
needs can be accommodated.
As is standard for these types of trips, alcohol and personal snacks are not
included in the ticket cost.

In Our Nature, guiding services comes highly recommended to us by wolf
biologists working on the Yellowstone Wolf Project. They are a small,
woman-owned, community-minded, sustainable business. Their team
consists of local biologists, naturalists, and educators offering a variety of
(small group) wildlife watching and custom trips in and around Yellowstone
National Park with an emphasis on conservation and learning – as well as
creating memorable experiences. Most importantly, they have a verifiable
history of providing outstanding winter wolf-watching experiences.
From founding a local guides' association to encourage better
communication and cooperation within the community - to serving locally
made baked goods and bagged lunches on their tours - In Our Nature
practices the purest form of responsible tourism.

Although other responsible and conservation-oriented guide groups work
in Yellowstone during the winter, In Our Nature is the best we have found
for small, intimate groups that want to learn about wolves in their natural
environment. We are proud to be working with them.