At a Glance
Experience the immense nature and beauty of North America from Wyoming to Montana, a land flush with kaleidoscopic hot springs, towering mountains, geothermal features, luxuriant forests, and majestic wildlife including grizzly bears and even bison. Explore it all as you traverse two of North America's greatest National Parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, on this 6-day hiking tour.
Your journey begins in Jackson, Wyoming or West Yellowstone, Montana where you shuttle to hike through the surreal landscape of the Yellowstone National Park. Relish the sights of the two thundering waterfalls and the multicolored canyon walls at the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. Enjoy the views of the Absaroka Range as you hike along the Storm Point trail. Hike to Inspiration Point for a breathtaking view of Jackson Hole. Traverse the land at Grand Teton ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals as specified
- All luggage, hotel and shuttle transfers
- 5 nights accommodation in hotels on a twin share basis
- Professional guiding: two support vans, 6:1 guest to leader ratio on average
- Hiking and sightseeing as stated in the itinerary
- Shuttle transfer to Jackson on Day 6
- Park and other entry fees
- Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Itinerary
THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
After meeting with your tour leaders and fellow adventurers, we then shuttle to the Lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Before we begin exploring, we will enjoy a delicious lunch along the Firehole River as a local geologist brings the sights, sounds, and smells of this ever-changing wonderland to life. After lunch, we begin to explore on foot to the Upper Geyser Basin, a place that is home to more than 20 percent of the world’s geysers. If you’d like to add a more thrilling experience to today’s adventure, take a challenging hike to Mystic Falls and Biscuit Basin Overlook with great views of the fall and Biscuit, Black Sand and Upper Geyser Basins. Watch your steps as you walk along hot spring runoff flows along the river’s edge. We will then stroll to the breathtaking Old Faithful geyser and see it in action. It’s about 91 minutes between spectacular eruptions and each performance lasts one and a half to five minutes and shoots about 3,700-8,400 gallons of boiling water into the air. Truly a sight you’ll never forget! |
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Tonight, we’ll be staying at the simple, cozy lodge, Old Faithful Inn. A hotel that has received accolades from Travel + Leisure. Enjoy a soothing drink at the bar/lounge to rest from today’s journey. In the evening, we’ll gather on the lodge’s upstairs deck for a welcome reception. After which, we gather once more at the inn’s magnificent grand dining room for dinner and enjoy some of the best American food. |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Your first stop this morning is one of the park’s most beautiful features: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, formed about 10,000 years ago. A place that houses two thundering waterfalls and multicoloured canyon walls, features that make it one of the most photographed places in the park. We set to hike the clear lake Trail, passing through open meadows and stands of Lodgepole pine, you might get to see bison that occasionally graze here. The trail opens to reveal the immense canyon from the south rim. Steep jagged walls of pink, yellow, and orange Cradle, the surging Yellowstone River below. Enjoy the stunning view of Impressive Lower Falls as we walk to Artist Point. If you want a closer look, continue towards the steep Uncle Tom’s Trail. Be on the lookout for Ospreys that build nests atop rock pinnacles protected by the canyon walls. You’ll stay at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, a magnificent lodge with its essence redolent of the 1920s offering delightful views of the lake. Relax after a thrilling day with a cool drink in the lobby, before a hearty meal in the dining room. Savor the taste of seasonal American meals with spectacular views. |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Today we can start the day by either relaxing at the lodge or after breakfast we take a short shuttle ride to Storm Point Trail for a level loop walk along Yellowstone Lake, where you get to have a wonderful view of the Absaroka range and also spot American white pelicans skimming the glassy surface of the lake! Leaving Yellowstone behind, we will shuttle to the neighbouring Grand Teton National Park, a utopia of snow-capped peaks, shimmering lakes, and luxuriant forests. After a filling picnic lunch on Jackson Lake’s shore at Colter Bay, you get to choose a variety of hiking options. As we take the route to Jackson Lake Lodge, our home for the night, we will pass through Grand Tetons’ distant peaks, you can enjoy the scenery on the north shore route of Two Ocean lake through the open meadows. You can choose to hike the Christian Pond trail that follows through to a great moose habitat or explore the sores of the Jackson Lake Lodge on the Jackson Lake Route. (Park regulations don’t allow guided walks, so your tour leaders won’t be able to accompany you on today’s hikes) Explore the wildlife and enjoy the exquisite scenery as you can either canoe or fish or take a scenic boat cruise if you’re too tired to walk. (These activities are not included in the trip price and reservations are highly recommended) |
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You will be staying at a beautiful 144-acre hotel, the Jackson Lake Lodge, perched on a natural terrace overlooking the Jackson Lake, Willow Flats, and the Teton Range coupled with 18m picture windows to immerse you in the breathtaking expansive view. Go for a relaxing swim in the outdoor pool before reconvening tonight. For dinner, gather at the mural room, where the panoramic windows showcase the stunning sunset view on the majestic Grand Tetons. |
FOUR HIKING OPTIONS: Start the day with another shuttle ride to Jenny Lake, created about 60,000 years ago by melting glaciers. We will take a scenic boat ride across the Lake to the mouth of Cascade Canyon where we will begin today’s hike with a steep climb to Inspiration Point for a spectacular view of Jackson Hole and then continue along Cascade Creek through a sea of mountain bluebells, dandelions, paintbrush, and daisies. You can decide to go as far as you like, all the way to Lake Solitude, where you will be rewarded with the magnificent view of Mount Owen, Teewinot Mountain, and Grand Teton. If you’d prefer to stay closer to the valley, you can hike the Jenny Lake Loop, which follows the shoreline and weaves in and out of pine forests. (Remember: your leaders are unable to join you on your hikes in Grand Teton National Park due to park regulations.) |
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Afterward, we shuttle to Teton Village, where we settle into the eco-friendly, award-winning Hotel Terra, our home for the next two nights. You can order a muscle pampering session at the rooftop spa, or go for a calming dip in the heated infinity pool or rooftop hot tub. In the evening, explore the village at your leisure and enjoy dinner at any local restaurant of your choice. Your tour leaders are happy to recommend one to you. You can also choose to stay and indulge in exquisite Italian cuisine at the restaurant in the hotel. |
FOUR HIKING OPTIONS: We will begin with a shuttle to Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, get ready to hike through the most recent land addition to Grand Teton National Park. Take a moment at the visitor center to learn about the Rockefellers’ role in the conservation of your surroundings. For this exploration, we can take things slowly as we take a short route along Lake Creek to Phelps Lake. For those in search for an elevated scenery, follow the loop trail around Phelps lake or walk back to Hotel Terra. Whichever option you pick; you still get to enjoy the lovely scenery of the impressive walls of Death Canyon. For the adrenaline seekers, take a daring plunge off the local’s jumping rock for a thrilling experience. In the afternoon, you can shop in Teton village, maybe grab a souvenir, or enjoy the luxury amenities of Hotel Terra. A calming swim at the pool might help you relax. After tonight’s dinner at a restaurant nearby, feel free to stroll to the famous Mangy Moose Saloon for live music and local colour. |
Our last adventure is a relaxing float trip on the Snake River. In the company of adept river runners, we take a scenic cruise down a section of the Snake River, while searching for wildlife on the shore and taking in its incredible views. Upon our return to Terra Firma, we stop at the Wild West town of Jackson for a final delicious lunch before saying our goodbyes. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Dates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure point is Jackson, Wyoming or West Yellowstone, Montana
- The finish point is Jackson, Wyoming
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Jackson or West Yellowstone. The closest major airport to Jackson, Wyoming is Jackson Hole Airport and is 16km (10 miles) from the center of Jackson. The closest major airport to West Yellowstone, Montana, is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport which is 16km (10 miles) from the center of Bozeman.
Pleasant biking and walking weather usually prevails all summer in Yellowstone and the Tetons. However, mountain weather is unpredictable and can change with little warning, so it’s essential that you bring rain gear and warm layers. The summers are short, comfortable, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are freezing, snowy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 4°F to 76°F and is rarely below -15°F or above 84°F.
The routes on this trip are rated Levels 1-4.
Level 1, 2-5 hours, 3-8km (2-5 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 244m (800 ft)
Level 2, 2-4 hours, 6-11km (4-7 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 396m (1300 ft)
Level 3, 3-5 hours, 8-14km (5-9 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 610m (2000 ft)
Level 4, 4-6 hours, 10-18km(6-11 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 914m (3000 ft)
Level 5, 5-7 hours, 11-21+ km (7-13+ miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 1219m (4000+ ft)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.