Transfer Option:

Day 1. West Thumb Geyser Basin
Our group will rendezvous at 9:00 a.m. in Jackson.  We then shuttle through the grandeur of Grand Teton National Park en route to Yellowstone.   Our first destination is West Thumb Geyser Basin, featuring a series of hot springs including Abyss Pool and Black Pool, both beautiful blue-green pools as alluring as any in the park.  After lunch, we hike up Elephant Back Mountain through lodgepole pine forest for a sweeping panoramic view of Lake Yellowstone and the Absaroka Mountains.  Our hotel is set close to the shores of Yellowstone Lake offering magnificent vistas. In the afternoon alpenglow, the views of the Absarokas across the lake's reflective waters are breathtaking.  Here you can enjoy a short walk along the lake's sandy shores.  Tonight we will enjoy a sumptuous welcome dinner and a short orientation on the week's adventures.
• Hike West Thumb Geyser basin [0.5 miles, elevation negligible] 
• Hike Elephant Back Mountain [3.5 miles round trip,  800 feet of elevation gain / loss] 

Day 2. Hike Avalanche Peak or Pelican Valley
For those looking for a challenging alpine hike, join us for a climb up Avalanche Peak.  From the summit, we are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the rugged snow-capped Absaroka peaks and serene waters of Yellowstone Lake.  The lake's expansive 135 square mile surface makes it the largest lake for its elevation in North America.    If Avalanche Peak is still snowed in during early summer, we will opt for another guide favorite. Our hike through Pelican Valley provides views of the broad open valley and forest and is traverses some of the best grizzly habitat in the lower 48 states, although we’ll be lucky to see one.   Our hotel is set close to the shores of Yellowstone Lake, offering magnificent sweeping views. In the afternoon alpenglow, the views of the Absaroka Mountains across the lake's reflective waters are breathtaking.  With time permitting, enjoy a short walk along the lake's sandy shores.  
• Avalanche Peak hike [4 miles, 2000' of elevation gain/loss]
• Pelican Valley hike option [6 miles, rolling with minimal elevation change]
Note: On departures before July 4, the hikes planned for Day 2 may be unavailable due to bad weather and wildlife restriction. Alternatives will be selected by your guide based on conditions and the interests of the group.

Day 3. Hike Artist's Point and Mammoth Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Frontier Cabins
En route to our trailhead this morning, be sure to keep your eyes peeled as we pass through Hayden Valley for prime viewing of bison, elk, trumpeter swans, pelicans and bald eagles.
Our hike leads us past intriguing mud pools and steaming vents, and concludes at Artist's Point, on the brink of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - a stunning 20 mile long chasm of echoing waterfalls. With time permitting, we will hike to another viewpoint of the Lower Falls and marvel at the golden-hued canyon walls, from which Yellowstone got its name.
We conclude with a stairwell descent on Uncle Tom’s Trail to a vantage point at eye level with the falls. After a shuttle to Mammoth Hot Springs we stroll through the other worldly Mammoth Terrace travertine formation if time permits before dinner (otherwise, this can be done as a sunrise hike before breakfast on Day 5). Our home away from home for the next two nights is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. The Hotel cabins sit close to their famous namesake, consisting of fabulous multi-hued sculptured terraces and hot water cascades.
•Artist's Point [7.5 miles, rolling terrain]
 •Option: Uncle Tom's Trail to Lower Falls

Day 4. Lamar Valley Wildlife Viewing, Beaver Ponds Hike and Boiling River Soak or Horseback Riding
We start today with an early morning (on the road by 5:30 a.m.) wildlife safari to the Lamar Valley. Lamar is one of the best wildlife areas in Yellowstone. Its wide open meadows are well known for wolves (the famous Druid Peak pack made its home here) and many of Yellowstone’s classic big game animals – grizzlies, buffalo, elk, deer, moose and antelope – are often seen in this photogenic setting. If early morning wildlife spotting is not for you, sleep in and join us when we return for a leisurely loop hike through open sage meadows and pretty Douglas fir woodlands to a series of tranquil beaver ponds. In the afternoon, saddle up and explore the Mammoth Valley on horseback or visit the Boiling River where a short hike brings us to a place where the hot water of the Boiling River mixes with the cool water of the Gardner River to create pools perfect for soaking and relaxing (bring a swimming suit). For dinner, we cross into Montana via the old stagecoach road, and dine in the western hamlet of Gardiner, the historic north entrance to the park. Keep a lookout for pronghorn antelope along this classic route.
 • Lamar Wildlife Viewing [optional]
 • Beaver Ponds Hike [5 miles, 400’ elevation gain]
 • Horseback Ride [1 hour, optional at a cost of $45]
• Boiling River Hike [1 mile] and Soak

Day 5. Hiking Howard Eaton Trail and Upper Geyser Basin
This morning, we hike a portion of the Howard Eaton Trail, named for a pioneering outfitter and guide. The trail leaves the road just south of the Mammoth Terraces and winds its way through limestone rock formations to its conclusion at the Golden Gate. After a shuttle and lunch, we walk this afternoon through the Upper Geyser Basin that contains the world's largest concentration of active geysers in the world. The names of such natural wonders are as intriguing as they are to watch erupt, Beehive, Fireside, Sponge, Castle, Daisy and Morning Glory. As we walk, our guides will interpret the history and inner workings of the geyser basin. Our home tonight is the 1903 National Historic Landmark, Old Faithful Inn. Known as the world's largest log structure, the inn features a steep, angled ceiling extending seven stories high. From the inn's porch, relax and watch Old Faithful erupt.
 • Howard Eaton Trail [1-1/2 miles, 500’ elevation gain / 200’ elevation loss]

Day 6. Free Day in Grand Teton National Park
After a hearty breakfast, we shuttle to neighboring Grand Teton National Park, a paradise of snow-covered sawtooth mountains, peaceful meadows, shimmering lakes and dense forests. The Teton Range comprises 12 mountains over 12,000 feet, and the tallest, the Grand Teton, looms above at 13,770 feet. The day is yours to spend as you like in these glorious surroundings. Superb self-guided trails await just a short shuttle away at Jenny Lake, nestled at the foot of the Teton’s craggy peaks. Take a scenic ferry across the lake and then hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. For the more enthusiastic, continue up Cascade Canyon for a bit of elevation gain and a chance to spot moose and other wildlife. Or, at an easier pace, circumnavigate the lake along the water’s edge and enjoy the stunning scenery or rent a canoe (at an additional cost) for a paddle around this beautiful, clear lake. Our extraordinary hiking adventure concludes by 5:30 after a shuttle back to Jackson.
• Upper Geyser Basin [2 miles, elevation gain minimal]
 • Mystic Falls [2.5 miles]

 
   -- itinerary subject to change --

The Old West distinguishes our renowned lodges – from Lake Yellowstone Hotel, a glorious hotel built on the shore of its namesake lake in 1891, to Old Faithful Inn, an architectural marvel and the world's largest log structure, to Jackson Lake Lodge, set at the foot of the Tetons.

Day 1 and 2:  Lake Yellowstone Frontier Cabins
Day 3 and 4:  Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Frontier Cabins
Day 5:           Old Faithful Inn

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.