Yellowstone Walks & Wildlife

Welcome to Great Falls, gateway to Glacier National Park. Great Falls is the third most populous city in Montana and sits along the mighty Missouri River. Named for the five waterfalls located just north and east of the city, Great Falls was originally built as a railroad hub.

If you arrive early, perhaps visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, which has exhibits on the explorers' route on the Missouri River, or visit the C.M. Russell Museum, which showcases works from the artist known for images of the American West. The welcome briefing will usually take place in the morning of Day 2. Stay: Great Falls Inn by Riversage (or similar).

After a welcome briefing, we set off through the mountains of Montana to Glacier National Park, where we spend the next two nights exploring this immense landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for deer and bears, plus stunning scenery and glacial lakes. The leader takes us to St Mary, where we board the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle bus (seasonal) and have the chance to hike on a range of self-guided trails.

Please note, the National Park Service regulates guided hikes in Glacier and our tour leader is not permitted to walk with us on trails. They will, however, provide detailed briefings, directions, maps and transportation. Stay: Participatory camping: Johnson's of St Mary (or similar) (L/D).

Spend the day exploring the ins and outs of this superb park on a choice of self-guided trails. Keep your eyes peeled to spot some of the huge variety of animal species for which this park is renowned, including grizzly bears, wolverines and lynx. Bighorn sheep, mountain goats and coyotes are also common, so keep your camera to hand! If conditions are right, Hidden Lake Trail is highly recommended for dramatic mountain scenes, wildflowers and a glaciated lake that will take your breath away, or if you're the adventurous type, visit the Highline Trail for outstanding views. This is a day to remember. Stay: Participatory camping: Johnson's of St Mary (or similar) (B/L/D).

Spend another full day exploring Glacier National Park. Our leader will take us up to Many Glacier, which offers a range of self-guided hiking options, or perhaps relax at the Many Glacier Hotel, situated on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. From waterfalls to glaciers and wildlife, we'll be sure to have an unforgettable day. Stay: Participatory camping: Johnson's of St Mary (or similar) (B/L/D).

An early start sees us on the road, heading to the fabled grounds of Yellowstone, the first national park in the USA. As soon as we arrive, we're immersed in striking scenery where jagged peaks morph into flower-strewn meadows and rolling hillsides are quickly absorbed by solidified lava flows.

This afternoon's walk, accompanied by the tour leader, introduces us to the wildlife and landscapes of Yellowstone. Stay: Participatory camping: Gardiner Yellowstone RV Park (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today we'll encounter the amazing array of geothermal features in Yellowstone, including mud pools, hot springs and steaming fumaroles. The park is famous for its volcanic history and there are estimated to be around 10,000 thermal features – nowhere else on earth can boast Yellowstone's concentration of geysers, which are scattered among several distinct geyser basins.

Benefit from the enthusiasm and knowledge of a local geologist who will no doubt enable us to learn more as we walk from one seismic hotspot to the next. Stay: Participatory camping: Gardiner Yellowstone RV Park (or similar) (B/L/D).

Last night, you may have heard a far-off howl emanating from the mountains and today we'll learn all about the wolf packs that sing these nocturnal greetings. We spend a full day with a specialist wolf-tracking guide, venturing into the wilderness by foot and vehicle to learn about these extraordinary animals.

Our guide explains how wolves live and hunt together in Yellowstone and how the pack hierarchy works. We may not always be lucky enough to see wolves, but that is our aim, and at the same time we're likely to see numerous other wildlife species. Stay: Participatory camping: Gardiner Yellowstone RV Park (or similar) (B/L/D).

Even though this is our last day in Yellowstone, there's still plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife, landscapes and geothermal activity away from the usual tourist sites. Leaving behind the crowds, our tour leader takes us on a hike to the Upper Falls and Lower Falls, the latter of which has the highest volume of water in the American Rockies and is almost twice as high as Niagara. We also visit Mammoth Hot Springs, which have an otherworldly feel. Stay: Participatory camping: Gardiner Yellowstone RV Park (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today, we leave Yellowstone but there is no let-up with the incredible landscapes. As you enter the realm of the mighty Tetons, we'll be in the presence of formidable giants – the drama unfolds almost instantly as we cross the border into Grand Teton National Park. One popular choice for a self-guided hike, often recommended by the tour leader, is to follow the trail around Jenny Lake and into Cascade Canyon, then up to Inspiration Point for scintillating views.

You can then choose to return on the ferry across Jenny Lake (not included) or hike along the same route to return. It is commonplace to see moose and bears while hiking this trail. Please note, the National Park Service regulates guided hikes in Grand Teton National Park and it is not possible for your leader to accompany you today.

Tonight, we stay in Jackson Hole, one of the premier ski resorts in Wyoming and a haven for walkers and lovers of the great outdoors. Stay: Participatory camping: Snake River KOA (or similar) (B/L/D).

On the final morning of our USA national parks adventure, our tour leader will recommend a choice of self-guided hikes to scenic spots. Grand Teton is perfect for those all-important, breath-taking vistas and, with excellent views of the Tetons as well as the chance to spot bison, moose, elk and deer, this is one of the best areas to make the most of the great outdoors.

The adventure ends in Jackson Hole after this morning's walk. You may choose to join the transfer to Jackson Hole Airport or extend your trip – speak to your sales representative for more information (B).