Compare National Parks Family Journey: Yellowstone and Grand Teton by G Adventures vs Yellowstone & the Tetons: American Safari 2022 by Tauck

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.

Day 1 Arrive Jackson, Wyoming

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Wort Hotel. We'll meet you at Jackson Hole Airport for an included transfer to The Wort Hotel, starting point for your Tetons and Yellowstone vacation. We invite you to join us for a welcome reception and dinner at your historic hotel in downtown Jackson, rich in Wild West lore.

MEALS : D

LODGING : The Wort Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Jackson, Wyoming

Day 2 Snake River rafting & a taste of ranch life

Embark on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip* on the Snake River this morning, learning more about the sights you'll see with your naturalist guide. Then, after lunch at your hotel, channel your inner cowboy for an afternoon at Snake River Ranch, a working cattle ranch run by the same family since the 1920s. Take a walking tour through the working parts of this 3,000+ acre ranch, learning what the life of a real American cowboy is all about. Afterwards, enjoy leisure time and dinner in one of the many restaurants Jackson has to offer, all within a short walk from the Wort Hotel.   

 

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : The Wort Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Jackson, Wyoming

Day 3 Welcome to Yellowstone National Park

After breakfast, drive from Jackson to Yellowstone National Park for a naturally inspiring stay in the heart of a thermal wonderland, entering through the South Entrance and continuing to Grant Village and along the western shore of Yellowstone Lake. Walking and hiking are must-do activities on Yellowstone vacations, so get set for some outdoor adventures inside America's first national park. Following lunch, you'll get a view of the otherworldly sights of the park's geothermal wonders. Arrive late afternoon at Lake Yellowstone Hotel for a two-night inside-the-park stay; have dinner at your leisure at the hotel this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Lake Yellowstone Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Day 4 A day well spent in Yellowstone

Meet nature on her terms today as you discover more of Yellowstone's wonders firsthand. Depart your hotel this morning for a day touring inside America's first national park; keep a keen lookout for a peek into the world of resident wildlife, learning about the habits and habitats. Return to your hotel and have dinner at your leisure at the hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Lake Yellowstone Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Day 5 A world of wonders in Yellowstone

So much of experiencing Yellowstone National Park requires a close-up look at the wild world, and you'll do a lot of that today. Lesser known than its world-famous rival of a similar name, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one for the record books – and photo album! The best way to appreciate its grandeur and diversity is on foot. Your hike along its trails this morning will reveal the immensity of the canyon and the river below as you stop at various viewpoints, taking you to the brink of the Upper Falls; discussions about conservation, ecology and wildlife enrich your explorations. Journey next to Uncle Tom's Viewpoint, where you'll walk to Artist Point. After a picnic lunch, continue your travels along the Firehole River to the Fountain Paint Pot, then on to famous Old Faithful Geyser and the Upper Geyser Basin, arriving at Old Faithful Snow Lodge for a two-night stay. Dine tonight at your leisure in the Snow Lodge... to cap a perfect day in Yellowstone.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Old Faithful Snow Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Day 6 Yellowstone's geysers & time at leisure

Wild and wonderful, Yellowstone is all about nature at her most passionate. She smolders with hot springs, steaming geysers, fumaroles and gurgling mud pots. She's dressed in majestic mountains, lodgepole forests, trout-spawning streams, rushing waterfalls, green rivers, yawning canyons and rocks exquisitely sculpted with an imaginative hand. She challenges with trails and thrills with animals, like bison, bears and wolves. Today begins with a morning walk with a naturalist guide among the marvels of the Lower Geyser Basin to take in the sights, smells and sounds of this amazing area. From then on, the rest of your day is free to explore the nation's first national park – and the embodiment of "America's Best Idea" – as you wish. You may want to make it a point to watch Old Faithful erupt (like clockwork), or listen to a presentation by a park ranger. After a talk by a historian early this evening, have dinner tonight next door to your lodge at the Old Faithful Inn, a true historic landmark built of lodgepole pine in 1904.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Old Faithful Snow Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Day 7 On to Grand Teton National Park & Biking

Memories of Yellowstone loom large as you leave it behind for a journey south to Grand Teton National Park, a showcase of picture-perfect snow-covered mountains the way you might have imagined they would look. The youngest mountain range in the Rockies, the Tetons tower above Jackson Hole with craggy peaks, rugged canyons and glacial lakes... undulating valleys, carpeted by sagebrush, cottonwood and aspens... rivers and ponds that provide homes for beaver, coyotes, moose, swans, eagles and more... and flat floors that invite bison and pronghorn to hoof it. Explore Jenny Lake, the "Three Sisters" and Mount Moran. After lunch, a leisurely, guided bicycle ride along the new Teton Mountain Trail increases your appreciation of the history and scenic splendor of Grand Teton National Park; watch for bison, pronghorn and other wildlife as you marvel at the grandeur around you. Arriving late afternoon at Jackson Lake Lodge allows you to take in vistas of the Tetons at dusk, from the 60-foot picture windows in the upper lobby... and the views you'll enjoy during dinner at the Lodge are pretty spectacular, too!

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Jackson Lake Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

Day 8 A Day In the Tetons

The entire morning is yours to enjoy as you wish in Grand Teton National Park; there are lots of optional activites (including hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding and more) to engage in at additional cost, or you may want to simply relax by the pool. This afternoon, join your Tauck Director for a visit to a site that figures in the history of the conservation movement in the US. Join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at the Jackson Lake Lodge as one of Tauck's most popular trips draws to a close.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Jackson Lake Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

Day 9 Journey home

Tour ends: Jackson. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Jackson Lake Lodge to Jackson Hole Airport for your flight home. You should allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Jackson, Wyoming