Visit Yellowstone in autumn with THE WILD SIDE to behold the wonder of fall in the nation’s first national park.  The golden leaves of aspen and cottonwood shimmer on the landscape but once a year—the late weeks of September and early October.  Crisp, frosty mornings give way to some of the most glorious days of the year with deep blue skies and sunny warm weather.  It rarely rains and the bugs of summer are gone!  This is an ideal time for wolf and wildlife viewing in Yellowstone.

The elk rut is at its peak--bellowing bugles echo from the hills as huge bulls busy themselves fighting off their rivals and herding large harems of cows.  Amid this annual spectacle, the wolf is ever present following the herds.

After the tourist hordes of summer have faded, we embark on a 6-day, 5-night adventure through Yellowstone’s richest wildlife habitats.  We search among the territories of 5+ wolf packs for excellent, extended opportunities viewing wild wolves in their element.  We will spend most mornings and some evenings viewing in prime habitats, seeing a multitude of other wildlife species like moose, bison, pronghorn, bighorn, mountain goat and more.  In the mid-day we explore the famous locations of Yellowstone while touring throughout the park.  We will enjoy short (1-3 miles) day hikes to wilderness areas, meet and visit with local naturalists, and relax at fine dining and lodging destinations.  Don’t miss this chance for a memorable wildlife viewing trip while basking in the glorious autumn weather and scenery!

2009 Itinerary:

September 25  Meet Linda and Nathan at Bozeman airport between 11 AM and 1 PM.  We will transport the group from Bozeman to Gardiner, Montana, enjoying the scenery of Paradise Valley while discussing the issues of wolves and other wild predators in livestock country at the doorstep of Yellowstone Park.  Dinner will be in Mammoth Hot Springs, the park's headquarters where elk congregate during the breeding season.  Evening viewing of the elk will accompany an outdoor supper.

September 26  We rise early for our best chances for wildlife sightings, and tour along the famous northern range of Yellowstone to Lamar Valley.  We will transect roughly 5 wolf pack territories on this route, and so will stop frequently to look and observe lots of wildlife.  We’ll have lunch at the tiny mountain town of Cooke City nestled into the stunning Absaroka Mountains.  There our friend, a renowned naturalist and wildlife photographer, Dan Hartman will show us his wildlife photography Gallery.  In the evening we will visit Mammoth Hot Springs, exploring the colorful hot spring terraces, learning about the volcanic origins of Yellowstone, and watch "the rut," when bull elk exhibit their dramatic courtship and guarding behavior.  Dinner and lodging near Mammoth Hot Springs.

September 27  Again we will rise early for a return trip to the Lamar for another search for wolves, bears, and other wildlife on the northern range.  This area is exceptional for wildlife, so one morning is just not enough!  On our return, we will depart for West Yellowstone, Montana, driving through the western section of the park where scenery and wildlife along the Gibbon and Madison Rivers can be exceptional.  Upon arrival in West Yellowstone, we will visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, which has an exceptional educational facility for rescued bears and wolves and a fantastic gift shop.  Dinner and lodging will be in West Yellowstone.

September 28  From West Yellowstone we will travel along the Firehole River past many great hot springs, geysers, and bison herds to famous Old Faithful Geyser where the spouting torrents, deep blue hot pools, and burping mud pots will amaze and thrill, showing what Yellowstone is famous for!  We will continue through southern Yellowstone along the Continental Divide to Yellowstone Lake and drive the scenic shores of this vast wilderness setting en route to the elegant Lake Yellowstone Hotel on the northern shores of the lake.  Once settled in the lovely confines of this historic hotel we will dine in the exquisite dining room overlooking the lake.

September 29  An early morning departure will take us to Hayden for additional search and observation time in one of Yellowstone’s most scenic wildlife viewing areas.  Huge herds of bison still thunder over open grasslands in Hayden’s vast expanses where wolves, elk, and grizzlies roam.  We will view the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its thunderous waterfalls.  After lunch on-the-go, we depart Yellowstone for our final destination, historic Chico Hot Springs resort lodge nestled in the foothills of Montana's gorgeous countryside.  Our final night features a tradition on The Wild Side trips:  gourmet cuisine in the exclusive wine cellar dining room as a final banquet in honor of the guests.  You will also have the opportunity for a refreshing soak in the natural mineral hot pool before a restful stay at the cozy inn.

September 30 After a hearty breakfast buffet at Chico Hot Springs, we will transport back to Bozeman for airline departures no earlier than 11:00 AM.

Details:

Guides:  The Wild Side's founders, wildlife biologists Nathan Varley and Linda Thurston

Local YNP Outfitter:  A Naturalist’s World, LTD.

Group size:  12 guests maximum

Price:  $1960 per person based on double occupancy, $300 single room supplement

Price includes all transportation to/from Bozeman airport (BZN), lodging, meals, and guide service.

Reservations: Email or phone Nathan at 406 223 2152

$500 deposit due at time of booking, payable by check, remainder due 60 days prior to trip.  See policies below:

Policies:

Cancellation Penalties:  A full refund of the deposit will be given for all cancellations more than six months before the trip. For cancellations three to six months prior to departure, we will refund $250 of the initial deposit.  For cancellations less than three months before departure, the deposit is non-refundable.. For cancellations one to two months prior to departure, 50% of the total trip cost will be refunded. Refunds will not be made for cancellations made less than a month prior to departure. We cannot refund money for missed meals, missed portions of the trip or any other unused portions of the tour. Cancellations must be submitted in writing and are effective upon date of receipt.

Insurance: Trip cancellation and medical insurance is highly recommended. We suggest you use CSA Vacation Guarantee (800-348-9505) for trip insurance. Trip participants must fill out a participant waiver and a medical release.

Health and Safety: The trip requires average physical fitness and is suitable for people of all ages. If you have health questions, consult your doctor for more information. The tour leaders must be advised in advance of any special health needs. Weather conditions can change without notice and it is the responsibility of the traveler to have proper clothing and equipment. Please contact our office for assistance in what to bring on the trip.

Responsibilities and Conditions: We act only in the capacity of agent in all matters of transportation and tour operation. We are not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part, from the negligence of others or from causes beyond our control. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the participant, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute accommodations or modes of transportation and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in transportation schedules. we take no responsibility for special arrangements or problems incurred by persons physically unable to participate in the planned activities. No refund can be made for absence from the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of the booking. The right is reserved to decline, to accept or to retain any person as a tour member for any reason which affects the operation of the tour or the rights and welfare or enjoyment of the other tour members. We will not discriminate against any individual because of race, sex, creed or nationality.

Cancelled Trips: We reserve the right to cancel any trip should an inadequate sign-up make the trip economically unfeasible for us to operate or should conditions arise beyond our control that adversely affect the well-being of the trip members. In such a case, a full refund of the trip cost is given, but we are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by members in preparing for the trip