Yellowstone National Park
In-depth Nature Photography Seminar and Tour
January 30 to February 7, 2013

| At a Glance | Itinerary | Costs | Sign-up | Other Details |

Join us for an exceptional wildlife safari into the heart of Yellowstone National Park with professional photographer Tom Murphy. No photographer knows this landscape and its wildlife more intimately than Tom, who has chosen to work with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris for our kindred interest in providing the most in-depth wildlife experience possible. Drawing on Tom's 35 years of exploring and guiding in Yellowstone in every season and every condition, we designed each detail of this itinerary to deliver the best that winter in Yellowstone has to offer. Our focus will be the iconic Yellowstone wildlife in a landscape of geysers and volcanic activity, with bison, elk, pronghorn, coyote, trumpeter swan, and, with a little luck, wolf. If the nighttime skies are clear, we will try to photograph star tracks to give the opportunity for unforgettable landscapes both day and night.

Trumpeter Swans ©Tom Murphy

At a Glance

Cost: $4,500 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leader: Tom Murphy, whose professional photographic passion and specialty is Yellowstone National Park.

Size: 8, not including leaders.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in February 2012.

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

Lodgepole Pine with frost colored gold
by winter light ©Tom Murphy

January 30, Wednesday Arrive in Bozeman, Montana
Arrive in Bozeman, Montana in time for overnight and the airport shuttle to hotel (shuttle operates from 5:30am to midnight). Meals are on your own today.
Lodging: Wingate by Wyndham – Bozeman

January 31, Thursday Meet Tom then explore northern Yellowstone
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and be ready to meet Tom Murphy for an 8 AM departure. Travel south into Yellowstone National Park to discover the landscapes and wildlife of northern Yellowstone, among bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, bison, and coyotes. The day will finish in Mammoth, the perfect jumping off point for explorations in the north of Yellowstone National Park.
Lodging: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

Wolf in Lamar Valley ©Tom Murphy

February 1, Friday Search for wolves and other wildlife in the Lamar Valley
Today we will explore the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. Here we have our best chance of seeing wolves and are sure to see numerous bison, elk, and a diversity of birds. We hope to see and photograph trumpeter swan, goldeneye, bufflehead, and other waterfowl, plus magpie, raven, coyote, red fox, otter, bald eagle, and golden eagle. No exploration of Yellowstone is complete without time spent in the Lamar Valley.
Lodging: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

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February 2, Saturday Journey from Mammoth to Central Yellowstone by snowcoach
Travel south from Mammoth Hot Springs to Central Yellowstone by privately chartered snowcoach, the ideal platform for excursions across the snow-covered, wildlife-rich lands of Yellowstone. The day has potential for any and all the wildlife that Yellowstone is so rightly famous for. We will end the day in the Old Faithful area before settling in for three nights at the historic Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
Lodging: Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Heart Spring and
Lion Geyser ©Tom Murphy

February 3 - 4, Sunday - Monday Wildlife and geysers in the Old Faithful area
Weather will determine the ideal schedule for the best light and activities in these two days of exploring the Old Faithful area. Awaiting you beyond Old Faithful are the Geyser Basins, Firehole River, Castle, Grand, and many other geysers and thermal features. There is so much to see in this area we can explore the region on foot via the system of boardwalks that the park has in place. The wildlife at the heart of Yellowstone is magnificent and we will have time for unforgettable sunset and early evening photography. If the nighttime skies are clear, we may have the opportunity to photograph star tracks under Tom's guidance.
Lodging: Old Faithful Snow Lodge

February 5, Tuesday Return to Mammoth by snowcoach
Travel north by snowcoach along the route that Tom thinks will have the most of offer in the way of wildlife and landscapes. As we journey to Mammoth Hot Springs, we will stop for extensive exploration and wildlife photography along the way. We should be mostly alone along the way, with the opportunity to experience many of Yellowstone's winter pristine landscapes.
Lodging: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

Electric Peak Alpenglow
©Tom Murphy

February 6, Wednesday Lamar Valley wildlife and farewell dinner then back to Bozeman
Because the wildlife rich Lamar Valley has more than we could possibly see in one day, we'll enjoy further explorations of the richest of Yellowstone. Depending on weather and conditions, we will adjust the schedule and eventually continue north to Tom's hometown of Livingston for a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant. Return to Bozeman after dinner for overnight.
Wingate by Wyndham – Bozeman.

February 7, Thursday Departures home
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking the shuttle to the airport for your departure home (shuttle operates from 5:30am to midnight). We'd be happy to arrange extra hotel nights if you'd like to extend your stay.

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Costs

Payments and Cancellations: All reservations require a deposit due at the time of making the reservation. Upon receiving your deposit and reservation form, we will send trip materials with additional information to help you prepare for your safari. Until the final payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip's departure date. There are no refunds given after the final payment due date. We reserve the right to charge for cost increases that occur between now and the date of travel.

Included:

• All meals from breakfast January 31 through breakfast February 7.
• Airport transfers in Bozeman at beginning and end of tour (within the shuttle hours of 5:30am to midnight).
• All lodging from January 30 through February 6.
• All transportation and guide services as described.

Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Bozeman, approximately $200-$500 within the USA, depending on departure point.
• Meals on January 30 and alcoholic drinks throughout itinerary.
• Travel insurance.
• Laundry services, when available, items of a personal nature, and items not on the regular menu (if you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your reservation form).

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Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us (there are many methods of contacting us) to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill out one form per person, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit. Or fill out our handy online information request and we will send you more information.

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Other Details

Tom Murphy

Leader: Tom Murphy's interest in photography began in 1972. In 1978, he established a professional career in photography when he moved to Livingston, Montana and built a studio there. His photographic passion and specialty is Yellowstone National Park. Since 1975, he has traveled extensively within its 3,400 square miles, hiking thousands of miles and skiing on hundreds of extended overnight trips in the backcountry. Tom founded Wilderness Photography Expeditions in 1986 and teaches a well-known and respected photography seminar series primarily in Yellowstone. His work in Yellowstone National Park was highlighted in a PBS Nature series program, Chistmas in Yellowstone. One of the reasons he started his business was to give something back to wildlife and wild lands and to encourage and aid in their preservation. Tom donates the use of his photography to environmental groups to support their efforts. Peruse Tom's fine photography books, calendars, cards, CDs and DVDs, many about Yellowstone on his website at tmurphywild.com. He is also on our staff for Antarctica and South Georgia.

Flights: Please let us know if you would like help arranging your flights and we will put you in contact with our excellent ticketing agent. Arrive at Gallatin Field Airport (BZN) in Bozeman, Montana, in time for an overnight on January 30. Depart from Bozeman anytime on February 7. The hotel operates an airport shuttle (included) from 5:30am to midnight, so plan your arrival and departure times so that you can catch the shuttle to/from the hotel (about 10 minutes away). We'd be happy to arrange extra hotel nights if you'd like to extend your stay.

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Trip Materials: Detailed information about your specific tour will be sent to you after you make your reservation with us. These trip materials include information about flights, packing, entry and departure requirements, airport transfers, gratuities, packing, etc. Please take a moment to read this important informtation upon receipt.

Conditions: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours. We try to spend as much time in the field as possible, sometimes resulting in long days but giving you a more in-depth experience. Travel to remote places is exciting, but understanding and accepting the risks, both medical and logistical, are important. Minor medical problems can usually be treated, but due to the fact that we often travel to locations far from medical facilities, there can be no expectation for immediate medical treatment or evacuation, even in cases of trauma. Anyone with health problems needing close medical supervision should not consider going on this trip. Bring enough medication for the duration of the trip for any chronic medical needs, since pharmacies are usually not available. When you send your tour deposit and signed reservation form, you certify to us that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions that would create a risk for yourself or for other trip participants. For all tours that are ship-based, please note that although we cannot guarantee a request for a specific cabin, we do guarantee that you will be in a cabin of equal or greater value specified in your reservation.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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