Compare Wind River Wilderness by National Outdoor Leadership School vs National Parks Family Journey: Yellowstone and Grand Teton by G Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,700 | $ 3,009 |
| Price Per Day | $ 264 | $ 376 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included | N/A | 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner |
| Description |
This course has been designed specifically for working adults and adults with families who prefer a two-week expedition to a four-week one. We’ve focused our curriculum, added packhorse support to keep backpack weight down, and set an age limit so you can enjoy a wilderness adventure that fits your schedule and needs. Your expedition travels through Wyoming’s Wind River Range: rugged, glacier-carved mountains renowned for their sheer granite walls, and famous for their fishing and climbing. You’ll backpack in a wilderness surrounded by towering peaks, glistening alpine lakes, and perennial snow. You’ll find yourself traveling through the Winds with a group of peers from a wide variety of backgrounds, from teachers to executives to doctors and full-time parents. |
Discover the heart of the American West during a week spent exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Follow in the footsteps of great explorers as you encounter towering Teton peaks and the dramatic geysers spouting from Yellowstone’s spectacular caldera. From vast canyons to alpine lakes, discover rich habitats harboring grizzlies, bison, elk, and elusive gray wolves. |
For 14 days, you'll explore Wyoming's Wind River Mountains, a wilderness range renowned for its pristine lakes and rugged mountain beauty. After carrying a pack efficiently loaded with everything you need to the top of your first high mountain pass, you'll descend into a glacial valley and help lead your hiking group to camp. You and your peers will take turns baking pizzas over a camp stove and catching cutthroat trout for dinner. At night, a star-filled sky will shroud your tent as you rest for the next stimulating day of exploration and learning. In addition to hiking as many as 40 miles on and off trail, you'll fly-fish, learn how to use a GPS, summit towering granite mountains, and may have an opportunity to rock climb. You'll master the skills to be able to take your friends and family on outdoor expeditions long after you return from Wyoming.
Features
- Duration: 13 days
- Route length: approximately 40 miles
- Average group size: 12 students / 2 instructors
- Average age: 35 / minimum age: 23
- Average pack weight: 40–45 pounds
- Elevations of 8,000–12,000 feet
- On- and off-trail hiking near or above tree-line
- Black and grizzly bear habitat
- Packhorse supported
- World-class fishing
Day 1 Jackson
Arrive in time to meet your fellow travelers for a welcome gathering this evening. Your arrival transfer is included.
Day 2 Jackson/Grand Teton National Park
Spend the day exploring the spectacular peaks and valleys of Grand Teton National Park, beginning in the Moose historic district, where early log-cabin homesteads help tell the stories of the bold fur trappers, mountain men, and female entrepreneurs who settled the region. At the park's Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, young travelers begin their junior ranger journey. Later, grab an oar for a rafting expedition down the Snake River. As you gently float along, spot mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and moose in the surrounding woodlands and meadows. Enjoy a delicious lunch after your river adventure.
Day 3 Grand Teton National Park
Board a boat for the ride across Jenny Lake; then set out on a hike in Cascade Canyon—carved by retreating glaciers some 15,000 years ago—and continue to Hidden Falls, plummeting almost a hundred feet into the gorge. This afternoon, opt for a hike around Jackson Lake. Young explorers will also have the opportunity to complete their junior ranger activities and claim their Grand Teton badge!
Day 4 Grand Teton National Park/Yellowstone National Park
On a morning drive, we’ll cross the Continental Divide and travel into the vast caldera of the Yellowstone supervolcano—a volcano capable of a massive eruptions, which Yellowstone has experienced three times in just over two million years. View wisps of steam rising from geothermal hotspots throughout the park—home to about half of the world’s geysers. Visit the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center to begin a new junior ranger journey, and gather to watch the famed geyser erupt on the clock. Stroll boardwalks winding between the bubbling and gurgling hot springs and geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin, and peer into the spectacular rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring, where thermophilic bacteria generate incredible shades of yellow, blue, and red.
Please note, the long drive days listed on days 4-7 include multiple stops and are inclusive of all activities described in the day itinerary.
Day 5 Yellowstone National Park
Venture out in search of astonishing geological activity and amazing creatures in the Yellowstone wilderness—established as the world’s first national park in 1872. Hike in the spectacular Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and see the rushing river and falls; then in the lush Hayden Valley, marvel at the bubbling Mud Volcano and the turbulent waters of the acidic Sulphur Caldron. Further your discoveries at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center where you will encounter bear habitats, gray wolves, river otters, and have the opportunity to observe, understand and ultimately appreciate these magnificent animals.You’ll also have the chance to explore the historic town of Mammoth Hot Springs, home to Yellowstone National Park headquarters; and stop at Roosevelt Lodge, once a tent camp for trappers and explorers. Set out on safari through the sweeping Lamar Valley—known as the “Serengeti of North America” for its high concentration of wildlife, including bison, elk, and elusive wolves and grizzly bears.
There is so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park and the wildlife is a big part. Based on animal sightings and park ranger feedback, we give our CEOs the opportunity to adjust the order of highlights explored in the park. The activities above will be delivered across day 5 and 6 of this tour.
Day 6 Yellowstone National Park
Venture out in search of astonishing geological activity and amazing creatures in the Yellowstone wilderness—established as the world’s first national park in 1872. Hike in the spectacular Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and see the rushing river and falls; then in the lush Hayden Valley, marvel at the bubbling Mud Volcano and the turbulent waters of the acidic Sulphur Caldron. Further your discoveries at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center where you will encounter bear habitats, gray wolves, river otters, and have the opportunity to observe, understand and ultimately appreciate these magnificent animals.You’ll also have the chance to explore the historic town of Mammoth Hot Springs, home to Yellowstone National Park headquarters; and stop at Roosevelt Lodge, once a tent camp for trappers and explorers. Set out on safari through the sweeping Lamar Valley—known as the “Serengeti of North America” for its high concentration of wildlife, including bison, elk, and elusive wolves and grizzly bears.
There is so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park and the wildlife is a big part. Based on animal sightings and park ranger feedback, we give our CEOs the opportunity to adjust the order of highlights explored in the park. The activities above will be delivered across day 5 and 6 of this tour.
Day 7 Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a final day exploring one of America’s most beloved national parks. Descend a wooden boardwalk into the vast Norris Geyser Basin, dotted with colorful pools and steaming fumaroles; then stop by the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center for lunch, where young travelers can claim a Yellowstone junior ranger badge.
Day 8 Yellowstone National Park/Jackson
Head back to Jackson early this morning where tour ends in downtown Jackson.
When arranging your flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration. Please note that your outgoing flight from Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) must depart no earlier than 14:00 (2pm) on Day 8. The group will be brought to downtown Jackson. You must make your own way to the airport from there as only permitted airport vehicles can do airport drop offs.
