Backcountry Journeys Yellowstone Wildlife Safari Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trip Overview Yellowstone is without doubt one of the most diverse and unique natural habitats in the world and is the largest single intact ecosystem in the United States. Wildlife thrives across the vast woodlands, meadows and mountains ranges of what is often hailed as the American Serengeti. Bison roam across Yellowstone as they once did across the entire continent of North America as do the world s largest population of Elk. Wolves hunt and play beneath the towering hills of Lamar Valley and Grizzly Bears wander the forests and grasslands in search of forage. On this five-day vehicle-based Wildlife Safari you will be immersed in Yellowstone s thriving ecosystem and have the opportunity to photograph bald eagles, osprey, moose, coyotes, marmots, pronghorn, badgers, bighorn sheep and more. Group sizes are kept intentionally small so that each photographer gets access to one on one instruction. Unlike many of our Photography Tours & Workshops this is a less
intensive trip and requires little hiking as we mainly travel through Yellowstone along it s scenic roadways as well as off the beaten path backroads. We will photograph wildlife as well as the iconic wonders of Yellowstone including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Hayden & Lamar Valleys as well as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and Lower Falls from Artists Point. Each night return to a cozy lodge and enjoy a fantastic meal while pouring over your photos from the days adventures! Join me this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide while exploring the world s first national park. Highlights Abundant Wildlife Photography Photograph thermal features such as Old Faithful & Grand Prismatic. Possible opportunities to photograph Elk, Bison, Moose, Bear, Coyote & more Small Groups Top-notch meals Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro
Noteworthy Travel Logistics This trip begins & ends in Bozeman. MT at: The Hilton Garden Inn 2023 Commerce Way, Bozeman, Montana, 59715, USA +1-406-582-9900 You can arrive at any time on the first day of the tour as long as you arrive in time for the 6 pm orientation meeting that evening. We should be back in Bozeman sometime in the late afternoon on the last day of the tour.
Transportation On-Tour When you arrive in Bozeman just call the Hilton Garden Inn, if you are using their complementary airport transportation please contact them at least 24 hours before your arrival to arrange your shuttle pickup. For the duration of the tour we will provide ground transportation. Pre & Post-Trip Recommended Lodging If you are arriving early or want to spend more time in Bozeman, MT after the trip we recommend Hilton Garden Inn. 2023 Commerce Way, Bozeman, Montana, 59715, USA +1-406-582-9900
Itinerary Day 1 (Travel Day) Plan to arrive on Bozeman, Montana by 6pm for an orientation and welcome dinner. Day 2 We will depart Bozeman early this morning and head straight for Yellowstone s Northern Range. Our first day will include photographing wildlife along the Blacktail Plateau, Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley. We will be out early this morning in search of Bighorn Sheep, Bison and possibly Lamar Valley s wolves. We will spend the morning looking for wildlife in some of the lesser known hotspots. Later we will look for Black Bears and explore the Tower Falls area as we travel up and over Dunraven Pass towards the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This evening we will head out to a special vantage point along the Yellowstone River with a jaw dropping overlook into Hayden Valley. Wildlife chances are fantastic in Hayden in the evening and we may see Black Bear, Bison, Elk, White Pelicans and / or Grizzly Bears. After a full day of shooting in the field we will retire to our cozy lodge in Gardiner, Montana. Day 3 This morning we will head out early again and explore Hayden Valley in search of wildlife. After a great morning session of photography, we will grab breakfast and rest up a bit before our next session. Later in the day we will explore along the shores of Lake Yellowstone and take in an amazing alpine sunset along the lake shore before retiring to our lodging in Gardiner. Day 4 Today we will explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and spend some time learning how to photograph the canyon as well as the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. We will have a chance to photograph the tallest waterfall in the Rocky Mountains from Artist Point which was made famous by the artist Thomas Moran. After a late
breakfast at canyon we will pack up and head further into the Yellowstone Caldera and explore the Old Faithful area in the late afternoon light. The rest of the day will be spent amongst the various Geysers and Thermal features of the Upper Basin. In the evening we will make our way along the scenic Firehole River in search of wildlife such as bison, coyotes, blue heron and bears! Day 5 This morning we will explore the Gibbon River Valley and the Madison River in search of wildlife early in the morning as well as a few more thermal areas. We will have breakfast in the field and then continue North towards Big Sky through the gorgeous Gallatin River Canyon. Chances of spotting Grizzlies, Moose and Elk are fantastic as is the scenery along the Gallatin River as we slowly make our way back to Bozeman. We will be back in Bozeman sometime in the late afternoon. Please Note: That the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more.
Trip Details Physical Requirements All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability to walk with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack largely depends on what gear you choose to bring on each outing. Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. But remember the choice is yours Group Size We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the guide / instructor. Trip length 5 days Mileage Approximately 3-4 miles along boardwalks and sidewalks for the duration of the trip. Pack Weight 15-30 lbs Fitness Level Approximately 3 miles along boardwalks and sidewalks for the duration of the trip. Meeting Time and Place 6 pm on day one at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman, MT. Trip Conclusion Bozeman, MT. We can Drop you off at the Bozeman airport or predetermined location in Bozeman in the late afternoon.
Price/Start Dates See Website: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari Pre and Post Trip Recommended lodging Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman, MT. Accommodation We will be staying in the quaint mountain town of Gardiner, Montana. Meals Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at handpicked local restaurants. We often eat snacks and prepare lunch on the drives. We typically return for a late breakfast, or eat breakfast on the road during photography trips as we are often out early to capture the morning light. There will be one evening with dinner on your own. Weather Expect warm pleasant days with cold mornings and nights. The weather can prove unpredictable in the Northern Rockies and can change on a moment s notice. Remember some of the best photographs are made before, during and immediately after a storm cycle. There is no such thing as bad weather just poor layering and gear choices please plan accordingly! Make sure you are prepared for rain and snow! General Links to Weather Conditions: Gardiner Montana Weather forecast and Old Faithful Yellowstone National Park Weather Conditions We recommend checking these weather links prior to your trip departure to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly. Price Includes Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip dates: from the evening of day 1 through the morning of day 5, professional photography instruction, park entrance fees, medically certified wilderness guide.
Price Does Not Include Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip dates, one meal on your own, souvenirs, guide & staff gratuities (industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience) Conditioning for Photography Trips: Always consult your physician before commencing with a workout program. If you are already in good shape you will likely not need to condition for this tour. Unless you live at high altitude already you may need to practice some light walking with your backpack and the boots or walking shoes you plan on using for the tour. Begin by training with a light backpack and walk every week. Make sure you are capable of walking 3 miles in a week. Break it up if need be. Walk in ½-1-mile increments, walking on relatively flat terrain is fine.
Please Note: The Boardwalks are an optional part of this tour but are the only way to see most thermal features in the park. You can complete this tour with almost no walking what-so-ever, but you will vastly improve your experience by participating in the short easy boardwalk outing s! The average elevation in Yellowstone is 7,000 Feet!! Proper prehydration shortly before your trip will immensely improve your experience as well as others experience on the tour, drink at least two liters of water per day as least 3 days before your trip starts! Lodging & Meals Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most meals, lodging from day 1 through the morning of the last day of the tour, ground transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip meaning that once your there all you will have to focus on is your photography. We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
Gear List This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call. While walking your clothing is a system of layers that you add and subtract according to the weather and temperature. My personal clothing preference is to wear a pair of good synthetic Smartwool type socks under sturdy boots. I wear light-weight nylon pants that convert into shorts, a polypro shirt and either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather conditions change I add insulating and waterproof layers to my base setup. Don t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator and once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans! Photo & Field Gear for Yellowstone & Grand Teton Required Camera Gear: DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) Long fixed telephoto lens: 500mm or 600mm OR Medium telephoto zoom lens (100 400mm zoom or equivalent) Normal Lens (50mm or equivalent zoom) Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom) Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for hikes) Memory Cards Batteries, batteries, batteries (enough said?) Battery Chargers Filters such as a circular polarizer and neutral density are a must. Lens cleaning pen & cloth Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera & hiking gear and have a rain cover) Camera Rain Sleeve
Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear: Back-Up Camera Body 1.4x tele converter Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed(for personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour) External Hard Drives Bean bag Remote Shutter Trigger Camera s Instruction Manual Suggested Field Gear & Clothing: Personal Field Clothing (think layers) Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night Warm Hat & Gloves Down Jacket (My favorite piece of gear in Yellowstone!) Softshell Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for layering and protection from wind Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom) Shorts & T-Shirts for on the go during warmer months wool Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.) Brimmed Sun Hat Sunglasses Good walking or tennis shoes Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail Water Bottle or Hydration System (1-2 liters) Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket Rain Pants Underwear Shooting Gloves Headlamp (for evening shoots, conditions permitting) Binoculars (optional)
Prescription medication Sunscreen Bug spray Knee pads (for low-angle shooting) Personal toiletries Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally 10%- 20% of the trip cost based on your experience) and for any personal expenses not included in the tour package such as alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc. This is a general list. Please Call with any questions! Note on Packing for the tour: Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every outing. Each evening you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to carry the following day on the scheduled tour or outting.
Registration To book your reservation with Backcountry Journeys a deposit is required for each person on a trip. Depending on the trip, deposits are usually 30%-50% of the trip cost. All our trips can be reserved using our secure online registration form. If booking within 120 days of departure full payment is required to make a reservation. Please note: Your final balance will automatically be charged to the card you used to initially book the trip 120 days prior to the departure date. We will send a reminder email a few weeks out. If paying via check, money order, wire-transfer or Paypal we will send a payment reminder before the 120 day due date. If you are booking within 120 days your final balance will automatically be charged to your credit or debit card within 7 days of making this reservation. Payments, Cancellations & Refund Policy All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. For deposits we accept Visa, MasterCard and PayPal. Final payment of the trip fee is due 120 days prior to departure. Trip deposits are non-refundable. Acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all required forms, documents, and payment. We must receive written notice of your cancellation, at which time cancellation fees in the following amounts apply: 121 or more days prior to departure: 100% of deposit plus a per person $100 administration fee 120 days or fewer prior to departure: 100% of entire trip fee No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason whatsoever. Trips are sold as a package only. All our Workshops & Tours are subject to the realities of the natural world. Although we will do everything in our power to stay on itinerary, circumstances including but not limited to permit availability,
snowpack, river crossings, wildlife, park or public land closures, and forest fires can affect our itineraries. The price and duration of a trip will never change once you are registered. Payments are not refundable for any itinerary change. Backcountry Journeys reserves the right to cancel trips. If this is the case a full refund of the amount paid will be given, including the deposit. Backcountry Journeys is not responsible for additional expenses incurred preparing for the trip (for example: non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, clothing, equipment, visa fees, medical expenses, etc.). Transfer Policy If you transfer from one trip to another: 121 or more days prior to the trip start date, there is a $50 administration fee. Less than 120 days prior to the trip start date, regular cancellation and refund policies will apply. Travel Insurance Sometimes life happens, and you must cancel because of unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend protecting your travel investment and purchasing a trip insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. Travel insurance provides you with trip cancellation/interruption, travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, air flight, baggage and baggage delay coverages. Medical coverage purchased with your policy is crucial and required if you do not have health insurance. Please note that Backcountry Journeys does not recommend or endorse any particular plan or insurance company as everyone has different insurance requirements. You will likely find several good options for travel insurance plans at www.insuremytrip.com.
Our Promise Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops offer you a seamless adventure travel experience where we handle the details so you can focus on photography. Our world-class service and small groups allow for a personalized experience that allows you plenty of one on one time with your instructor. Joining a Backcountry Journeys Photography Tour is embarking on the trip of lifetime. Really. All our locations are hand selected by myself (Russ Nordstrand) to provide you with unique one of a kind photographic experiences. It s like no other kind of Journey. Our trips give you more time in the field to work on your photography as we ve got the logistics handled. We focus on the quality of the experience and the photography. Backcountry Journeys is set apart by our commitment to offer the finest outdoor photography travel experience in the industry. What does that mean? It means we are dedicated to bringing you an unsurpassed travel experience with impeccable attention to detail. We ve got you covered
from the moment you first contact us, to our fine-tuned photographic itineraries, the excellent lodging we select for our trips and our goal of ensuring you are at the right place at the right time. We re in the business of making it easy for you. The intentional decision to remain a small independent business with a focus on being the best means that our trips grow more cohesive each year. It means we don t cut corners and our service remains world-class as an owner operated business. When you reserve a trip with Backcountry Journeys you know you re purchasing quality as you know the level of effort, care and attention to detail poured into every Tour & Workshop. After all, our reputation is our most important asset and our consistency in delivering amazing experiences speaks volumes as our guests return year after year to photograph new & different locations. Backcountry Journeys is in the business of providing not just Photography Tours but vacations where you will leave with memories that will last a lifetime. Sincerely, Russ Nordstrand BCJ Founder & Director