Fantastic Photos at Yellowstone & Grand Teton

Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks offer some of the best opportunities to see wildlife and one of the most active geothermal areas in the world - both great prescriptions for fantastic photography!

The "grand idea" for the national park concept in the US and the world was realized first at Yellowstone National Park – the first of its kind. Today it is celebrated as one of the finest examples of natural conservation in the world.

We will combine this marvel with the majesty of Grand Teton National Park and its dramatic mountains in one stunning week of discovery and photographic wonder.

Come along and explore these beautiful examples of living wilderness!

Includes:

~ General entrance fees to all parks and specified activities such as the Snake River float trip
~ 6 nights of motel lodging
~ All meals not listed as a-la-carte in the itinerary
~ Private or public coach/shuttle costs where required
~ Professional advice on photography and capturing the best images
~ Autographed copy of Greg Smith's latest co-authored "How To" photography book, Capture Your World
~ A personalized 24-page tour book featuring a picture of you
~ All tours are led by photographer and guide Greg Smith from beginning to end

Does NOT Include:

~ Airfare to and from Jackson, WY
~ Passport and visa fees
~ Meal beverages other than tea, coffee or water
~ Items of a personal nature
~ Room service or other services beyond the basic night's stay at motels
~ Food outside of included meals and provided snacks
~ Laundry service
~ Telephone or other charged communication services
~ Luggage and travel insurance
~ Optional excursion fees
~ Any costs related to cameras or recording devices
~ Tips or gratuities to guides or tour leaders
~ Also expenses incurred due to inclement weather, or other acts of God, altered river, road or trail conditions, sickness, flight delays, or unforeseen security issues

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1
We will meet together the first evening in Jackson, Wyoming - the jumping off place for these two parks. With direct connections to most regions of the country, you can avoid the long monotonous drive from Salt Lake City and get right into the action by flying direct into Jackson. The first evening, the tour group meets for dinner and get oriented for the week ahead in Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks.

Day 2
With an early departure from the motel, we start by exploring the scenery of the Tetons. We will take a float trip down 10 miles of the Snake River (no wet feet!) and see the beauty of the mountains from a pontoon boat, passing numerous eagle nests and potential sightings of other wildlife as well. When we finish our scenic trip, we will move into the park and travel close to the mountains themselves, stopping for pictures and possibly sighting wildlife from the road. After lunch, we will continue exploring the park by taking the shuttle across Jenny Lake and walking along the west shore of the lake to one of the best viewpoints of the high peaks of the Tetons. We will finish up the day with a drive into the plains in the eastern region of the park, and then enjoy a dinner together.

Day 3
We head north today, stopping at the Oxbow of the Snake River in Teton Park, one of the premier photo spots in the park, before heading into Yellowstone Park along the river. With views of the renewal in the forest that was devastated in the 1988 fire, we will also see how a forest reestablishes itself without the intervention of man. After a stop for an a-la-carte lunch at Yellowstone Lake, we will travel to our base in West Yellowstone, MT and check in for the night.

Day 4
Today we will head north to Mammoth Hot Springs and a chance to see some of the most active geothermal springs in Yellowstone. After spending much of the morning in this bubbling, fuming area, we will get an a-la-carte lunch at the site, and head east to the junction called Roosevelt and the La Mar Valley area to look for more wildlife. Our route back to West Yellowstone will take us through Dunraven Pass and one of the highest accessible viewpoints in the park. All along the way, we will be looking for elusive members of the bear clan.

Day 5
Before we leave West Yellowstone, we will visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. This highly regarded conservation center is dedicated to preserving the carnivores of the region and studying their habits and social relationships and provides excellent opportunities for you to photograph animals. Later in the morning we will depart for the Old Faithful geyser basin and concentrate on some of the less often seen geysers as we admire and photograph Old Faithful itself. Later in the day, everyone will have free time to explore our new cabin lodgings at the north end of Yellowstone Lake.

Day 6
Today we head out early for Hayden Valley and look for bison and other wildlife. This area is one of the prime areas for animal sightings in the park, and will provide a lot of excitement as we look for game. After lunch in Canyon Village, we will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for some breathtaking views of the Upper and Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River. With just a moderate walking effort, we will be able to see several sites in this area. After some short hiking on the south side of the Canyon, we will travel to the north side of the falls for a few more pictures, and then head back to the lake for some late afternoon photos of critters and sunset in the park.

Day 7
We will gather up our suitcases and say a hardy farewell to Old Faithful and Yellowstone, and make our way back to Jackson, WY and the airport for planes back home. Along the way, we will stop at the north end of Jackson Lake for a unique view of the magnificent front range of the Tetons looking south.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Reservations are made on a first-come-first-served basis and tour sizes are between 4 and 9 persons only.

A minimum total of 4 participants is required for the tour to operate. Usually, cancellation of a tour due to insufficient participation will occur 30 days before the tour start date. In the event this tour has to be cancelled due to insufficient participation or other reason outside our control, a full refund will be made. However, we are not responsible for any expenses incurred by the traveler in conjunction with the tour such as airfare or other non-refundable arrangements, and we strongly recommend that tour participants purchase travel insurance to cover themselves when booking a tour.

Minimum Age: Due to the hiking and other activities on this tour, we limit participation to a minimum age of 7. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Accommodations are typically in 2-3 star motels and include private baths. All prices quoted are per person for double occupancy, and single supplements must be ordered for any single traveler.

Meals: Included as indicated in itinerary. In some locations cash will be provided to each tour participant to purchase a meal, especially when the restaurant facilities are in remote locations or there is a choice available in a given location. At other planned locations, the meals will be paid for at the time they are taken, by the tour guide, or prepaid by the tour company strictly at its option. This is to maximize the comfort and convenience of tour participants.

Bottles of water and very limited snacks will be available in the tour vehicle.

Transportation: From the time we leave from our designated motel at the beginning of a tour, until we return, all transportation is provided or arranged for all participants. Exceptions would only be for non-tour excursions on helicopters, planes or other side trips not specified in the itinerary. We do use park shuttles where mandated in national parks. The primary tours are conducted in vehicles occupied by only our tour participants.

Hiking/Physical Ability: Included walks and hikes are deemed easy to moderate levels of activity. No special skill is required, but all tour participants should be in good physical condition and able to walk/hike 1-3 miles at a reasonable, non-competitive pace. We make casual photography and rest stops along trails and paths wherever we go. Also be aware that most of the tours are set in drier climates than you may be used to, and the drinking of water is key to remaining alert and feeling well. Please note that many of the park sites are located at or above 7,000 to 8,000 feet and often require some acclimation. Drink water regularly from the time you arrive at the start of your tour, and use whatever you require from the cooler in the tour van as well.

Traveler Responsibility: Trip members are responsible for choosing tours that are consistent with their ability, fitness, and overall health. All travelers are required to complete and return a trip enrollment form and consent to applicable Terms and Conditions prior to the commencement of their tour. Travelers are also responsible for reading and understanding all pre-departure materials provided by their tour guide, bringing appropriate clothing and gear as suggested by the tour guide, and acting in a manner that is considerate of other people with whom they come in contact.

Luggage: There is limited space in the vans, and since we will be on the move traveling from location to location, it is requested that you limit your luggage to one checked bag, a carry on, a small hiking day pack for your camera and personal items, and a small tripod if you choose. Digital photographers who opt to bring a laptop do so at their own risk. All personal luggage is the owner's responsibility and we assume no responsibility for any wear and tear, damage, breakage or loss.

Smoking/Illegal Drugs/Alcohol: Smoking is not permitted in non-smoking rooms, at meals, or in tour vehicles. Because of the dryness and high risk of forest fires in parks and along rural routes, it is necessary that you refrain from smoking on hikes and when the van stops at pullouts. Smoking is permitted at rest stops where local ordinances permit and if other tour participants are not bothered. Illegal drugs are not permitted at any time. Alcohol is not permitted during excursions, sightseeing or on hikes. You may order alcoholic beverages at meals and pay for them.

Jackson Hole Tours and its tour suppliers reserve the right to accept or reject any person as a trip member at any time.

Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this tour, covering medical and cancellation expenses. This is for your peace of mind!

Documentation: Upon confirmation of your order, we will email you an E-Ticket that will include contact information for your tour guide so you may obtain the responsibility disclaimers to be signed, and a questionnaire to be filled out and returned to the guide. A detailed itinerary, tour check list and clothing suggestions will be provided by the guide at an appropriate date prior to departure.

Limitations of Liability: Jackson Hole Tours, its owners, agents, employees, suppliers and affiliated companies hereby give notice that they only act as agents for motels, transportation companies, land operators, and suppliers of travel services, and assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever in connection with the operation, safety, condition or service of any motor vehicle, boat or other conveyance, inn, lodge, or hotel which may be used wholly or in part, for services to Jackson Hole Tours participants. Flagstaff Tours, its operators and agents will not be responsible for any act, error or omission, nor for any injury, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, irregularity, or damage that may be occasioned by any cause whatsoever, including acts of nature, civil disturbance, government restrictions, or failure of any means of conveyance to adhere to public schedule.

Jackson Hole Tours and its tour suppliers reserve the right, either prior to or after departure, in its good faith and discretion and in circumstances that warrant it, to change or reprice any tour, trip or expedition. This includes, but is not limited to, the right in such circumstances to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, to substitute hotel or trip leaders, or to change any means of conveyance without notice and without allowance of refund, with the liability for increased costs – if any – to be borne by the traveler.

If any tour is canceled due to acts of insurrection, strikes, acts of God, or any other cause beyond our control, refunds will be based on the difference between the original trip price and the cost of services already provided.

Trip members grant tour operators express permission to take photographic records of its trips for promotional and commercial use.

MINIMUM 4 DAYS ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED (we strongly suggest ordering well in advance since these small group tours usually sell out). Rates are per person for the occupancy stated. Minimum age 7. All guests under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-315-7855.