A Winter Wildlife Odyssey
Yellowstone National Park
January 16 to 24, 2027
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
Embark on an unforgettable winter safari in Yellowstone National Park, where snow-covered valleys, steaming geysers, and frozen waterfalls create a breathtaking backdrop for wildlife photography. Led by our experienced local guide Chris Desborough, this immersive Yellowstone winter tour offers the rare opportunity to photograph bison, elk, foxes, and elusive gray wolves against the park’s frosty wilderness. Explore the legendary Lamar Valley, often called “America’s Serengeti,” and listen for the haunting howls of Yellowstone’s wolf packs echoing across the snow. Visit the Upper Geyser Basin to witness the iconic Old Faithful geyser eruption, sending clouds of mist and ice crystals into the crisp winter air. Traveling by private snowcoach, guests enjoy unparalleled access to remote park regions and exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography, the ultimate way to experience Yellowstone’s winter magic.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
- Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters: Watch bison, elk, pronghorn, gray wolves, coyotes, and red foxes roaming through a pristine winter landscape.
- Iconic Geothermal Sights: Capture striking images of Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, bubbling mud pots, and steaming geyser basins.
- Small-Group Adventure: Travel in comfort by private snowcoach and bus, with plenty of time for spontaneous stops and exceptional wildlife viewing.
- Winter’s Enchanting Magic: Discover Yellowstone’s serene, snow-covered beauty—a peaceful contrast to the busy summer season.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved sitting in the snow watching and photographing a lone bison move his massive head back and forth brushing the snow away from the vegetation as he searched for something to eat.” – Paula LeVay |
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: November 2025
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16 | Welcome to Bozeman, Montana. Rest up and prepare for your Yellowstone adventure. | Hampton Inn, Bozeman | |
| Jan 17 | Journey into Yellowstone. Meet Chris and your driver and travel along the Yellowstone River to the park entrance. Take in the first glimpses of the park’s breathtaking winter scenery. | Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 18 | Wildlife Photography in Lamar Valley. Spend the day exploring Lamar Valley—one of the best places to spot and photograph wolves, bison, and elk in their snowy habitat. | Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 19 | Hayden Valley and Central Yellowstone. Journey through Hayden Valley, by private snowcoach, en route to Central Yellowstone. Capture breathtaking winter scenery and keep an eye out for wildlife. | Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 20-21 | Upper Geyser Basin Exploration. Travel by private snowcoach and on foot through Yellowstone’s iconic geyser basins, capturing steamy thermal pools, bubbling mud pots, and wildlife in the snow. | Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 22 | Walk Among Geysers and Return to Mammoth. Enjoy a sunrise walk among the geysers before taking a scenic snowcoach ride back to Mammoth Hot Springs, keeping an eye out for wildlife on the move. | Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 23 | Last Wildlife Excursion and Farewell Dinner. Return to Lamar Valley for a final chance to photograph the iconic wildlife and landscapes, before beginning the journey back to Bozeman. | Hampton Inn, Bozeman | B, L, D |
| Jan 24 | Depart for home. | B |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Chris Desborough
Chris DesboroughChris, originally from the U.K., has been living near Yellowstone’s Northwest entrance for the last 34 years. He is passionate about wildlife photography and the Yellowstone Ecosystem. His background in optical engineering has led him to work with many optical lithography systems such as those of Canon and Nikon. Chris has completed several trips with Cheesemans’ and matches Cheesemans' Co-Owner and Co-CEO, Scott Davis', passion for photography and working with others.
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Transportation
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $7,500 |
| Single Supplement | Contact us |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $1,500 |
| Final | August 9, 2026 | Remaining balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the canceled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Accommodations for the nights of January 16 through January 23.
- Meals from breakfast on January 17 through breakfast on January 24.
- Transfers on January 16 and January 24 via complimentary hotel shuttle between the Hampton Inn and Bozeman Airport (BZN).
- Gratuities to snowcoach drivers, meal services, and porters at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities for luggage porters and shuttle drivers at the Hampton Inn Bozeman.
- Emergency evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
Daytime temperatures are usually around 0°F (-20°C) but may reach up to the 20s°F (-5°C). Subzero overnight temperatures are common. Warm winds will occasionally push daytime temperatures into the 40s°F (5 to 10°C), causing significant melting of the snowpack at lower elevations, but cold snaps may drive temperatures much lower. Snow is a good possibility.
Fitness Level
You should be comfortable walking with and carrying your gear or standing for several hours at a time. The group usually covers distances under one mile at a slow pace and may occasionally walk short distances in snow. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Bozeman, Montana (BZN) anytime on January 16.
- Depart from Bozeman, Montana (BZN) anytime on January 24.
FAQ
Accommodations
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Travel in a private 15-passenger bus between Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park, as well as around Lamar Valley, then in a snowcoach deep in the park to the geyser basins. For maximum flexibility, we charter a private snowcoach on two days.
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. Use this tool to calculate your emissions and purchase your carbon offset today through Sustainable Travel International, or through your favorite carbon offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.