|
| |

THE AUTUMN
WOLF & ELK ADVENTURE
September 27 to October 2, 2013
|

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) hikes on some days to wilderness areas, meet and visit with local naturalists, and relax
with exceptional dining and comfortable lodging. Don’t miss this chance for a
memorable wildlife viewing trip while basking in the glorious autumn weather
and scenery!

|
|
THE AUTUMN WOLF AND
ELK ADVENTURE, Details:
September 27 to October 2, 2013
HOSTS: The
Wild Side's founders, wildlife biologists
Nathan Varley and
Linda Thurston.
Outfitters:
THE WILD SIDE, LLC, and A Naturalist’s World, LTD.
Group size: 6-13
guests
Price: $1780 per
person based on double occupancy, $200 supplement for singles
requesting private room. $500 deposit due at time of
booking, payable by check, remainder due 30 days prior to trip.
See policies. Price includes all
transportation to/from Bozeman airport (BZN), lodging, meals,
spotting scopes, and guide services.
To make reservations, contact
us or sign-up online using a credit card at Yellowstone
Wolf Guides web page.
|
|
2013
Itinerary:
Day 1 Travel
on your own to Bozeman, Montana, served by Bozeman Yellowstone Airport at
Gallatin Field (BZN). Take the free airport shuttle provided by Best Western
GranTree to the Best Western Grantree Hotel in Bozeman, and check in as part
of your package traveling with The Wild Side. Check in anytime after 3 PM.
Dinner is on your own that evening.
Day 2 Meet transport at 11 AM at the
Grantree hotel lobby for transfer from Bozeman to Yellowstone National
Park, enjoying the scenery of Paradise Valley along the way. Entry into
the park will be at the historic Roosevelt Arch followed by an exploration
of the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. Wildlife viewing this time of year is
amazing as the elk congregate during the breeding season by Mammoth Hot
Springs. The elk are in "the rut," wherein bull elk exhibit
their dramatic courtship and guarding behavior. Outdoor picnic dinner at
Mammoth concludes the day with lodging in Gardiner, Montana, at the
Absaroka Lodge with modern amenities including wifi and tv, as well as, a
balcony for every room overlooking the Yellowstone River.

Day 3 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. At the Gallery of our
friend, renowned naturalist and wildlife photographer Dan Hartman, we will
see amazing wildlife photography and hear Dan's many stories of exploring
the woods for his craft. After the return trip through the park, dinner
will be served by our amazing chef Zac Kellerman of Zac's
Montana Kitchen,, who will do each of our dinners for the
mid-week, in the privacy of the Track Education Center.
Day 4 We will tour the scenic wilderness
setting en route to Hayden Valley for 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. The return trip will include stops at the
famous Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the park's most famous
scenic attractions. After a break, dinner will follow at the Track
Education Center with more of Zac's culinary delights.
Day 5 Our final wildlife watching session
will return to areas where sightings have been best, including Lamar
Valley, the Tower Junction, and Blacktail Plateau. We will return to the
Gardiner for lunch, and then after lunch, we depart Yellowstone for our
final destination, historic Chico Hot
Springs resort lodge nestled in the foothills of
Montana's gorgeous countryside. Our last night features a tradition on The
Wild Side trips: gourmet cuisine in the exclusive wine cellar dining room
(minimum 8 guests required). You will also have the opportunity for a
refreshing soak in the natural mineral hot pool before a restful night at
the cozy inn.
Day 6 After a hearty breakfast buffet
at Chico Hot Springs, we will transport back to Bozeman for airline
departures no earlier than 11:00 AM.
|
| | |