Chris DesboroughArrive in Bozeman, Montana
Jan 10
Welcome to Bozeman, Montana—the gateway to Yellowstone National Park!
A Photographer’s Dream in Snow & Steam
Yellowstone National Park
January 10 to 18, 2026
Private Trip Available Cost: $7,200
Leader: Chris Desborough
Group Size: 8
Days: 9
Safari Overview
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime winter safari in Yellowstone National Park, where snow-covered landscapes provide a stunning backdrop for unforgettable wildlife encounters. This expertly guided adventure with local guide Chris Desborough offers opportunities to capture frost-covered bison, elusive gray wolves, and the raw beauty of Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders. Venture into Lamar Valley, listening for the haunting howls of wolf packs and the Upper Geyser Basin to witness Old Faithful erupt, sending shimmering flakes of “geyser rain” into the crisp winter air. Traverse the park aboard a private snowcoach, for the best possible wildlife viewing and photography opportunities in this winter wonderland.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
- Exclusive Wildlife Encounters: Spot bison, elk, pronghorn, gray wolves, coyotes, and red foxes against a stunning snowy backdrop.
- Geothermal Wonders: Photograph Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, bubbling mud pots, and steaming geyser basins.
- Small-Group Experience: Travel via private snowcoach and bus, allowing for ample stops and flexible wildlife viewing.
- Winter’s Hidden Magic: Experience Yellowstone’s serene and enchanting beauty during this magical season, beyond the summer rush.
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This was my second Cheesemans’ trip (also South Georgia in 2016) and both have been fabulous. Cheesemans’ has a definite style (focused on getting out there and seeing things) which I appreciate and enjoy. For someone who wants that sort of trip, you are at the top of my list – one of the pleasures of this trip (and South Georgia) was the guests it attracted, and their willingness to be on time and to put up with some cold as necessary to experience what Yellowstone had to offer.” – Chris Connor |
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
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Itinerary Updated: February 2025
Print Trip
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 | Arrive in Bozeman, Montana Relax and prepare for your Yellowstone adventure. | Hampton Inn, Bozeman | |
| Jan 11 | Journey into Yellowstone Meet Chris and travel along the Yellowstone River, entering the park and exploring its scenic winter landscapes. | Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 12 | Wildlife Photography in Lamar Valley Spend the day tracking and photographing wolves, bison, and elk in the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley. | Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 13 | Hayden Valley and Central Yellowstone Travel by private snowcoach en route to Central Yellowstone through Hayden Valley, capturing stunning winter scenes and diverse wildlife. | Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 14-15 | Geyser Basins and Thermal Photography Explore Yellowstone’s famous geyser basins on foot and by private snowcoach, photographing steaming thermal pools, bubbling mud pots, and wildlife in the snow. | Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 16 | Morning Walk Among Geysers and Scenic Return Enjoy a sunrise walk among the geysers before returning to Mammoth Hot Springs via snowcoach, passing dramatic cliffs and geothermal features. | Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Yellowstone National Park | B, L, D |
| Jan 17 | Final Wildlife Excursion and Farewell Dinner Revisit Lamar Valley for one last chance to capture wolves and other wildlife, followed by a farewell dinner and return to Bozeman. | Hampton Inn, Bozeman | B, L, D |
| Jan 18 | Depart for home. | B |
Our Trip Leaders
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Chris Desborough
Chris, 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.
Detailed Itinerary
A glimpse into our journey
Meet Chris and explore northern Yellowstone
Jan 11
Specific destinations within the park are subject to change depending on weather conditions and wildlife.
Meet local guide Chris and embark on a stunning journey into northern Yellowstone. Travel south along the Yellowstone River, capturing breathtaking winter landscapes and diverse wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, bison, and coyotes.
Explore Hayden Valley into central Yellowstone
Jan 12
Explore Mammoth Hot Springs, where steaming mineral terraces contrast beautifully with the snowy terrain, creating unique photography opportunities. Then, venture into Lamar Valley, one of the best places in the world to spot wild wolves. This region also offers sightings of bison, elk, and a variety of birds and small mammals.
Explore Hayden Valley into central Yellowstone
Jan 13
Journey south from Mammoth Hot Springs via private snowcoach, an exclusive way to experience Yellowstone in winter. Travel through Hayden Valley, a remote sanctuary where every snowflake adds to the quiet magic of Yellowstone’s winter wilderness, and photograph bison, elk, pronghorn, and other winter-adapted species. Pass the frozen expanse of Yellowstone Lake, keeping an eye out for wildlife before arriving at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
Ride by snowcoach to Mammoth Hot Springs
Jan 14-15
Step into the heart of Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders! The Old Faithful area offers up-close views of geysers, hot springs, and steaming fumaroles, with excellent opportunities to photograph the iconic eruption of Old Faithful against the crisp winter air.
Explore the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins by private snowcoach, capturing vibrant hot springs, bubbling mud pots, and smoky fumaroles. Weather permitting, you’ll have the chance to photograph sunrise over the geysers, creating breathtaking compositions. This region is also home to hardy winter wildlife, adding even more depth to your photography experience.
Lamar Valley and return to Bozeman
Jan 16
After a morning of capturing final shots of Yellowstone’s geyser fields, begin the return journey to Mammoth Hot Springs via private snowcoach. Along the way, stop to photograph wildlife and the ever-changing winter landscapes of the park.
Depart for home
Jan 17
© Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Take a final trip to Lamar Valley for another chance to photograph wolves, coyotes, red foxes, river otters, and bald eagles. Keep an eye out for trumpeter swans, buffleheads, and other winter waterfowl along Yellowstone’s rivers and wetlands.
After a final day in Yellowstone’s most wildlife-rich region, journey back to Bozeman stopping for a farewell dinner and reminiscing about the incredible moments and stunning images captured throughout the trip.
Depart for home
Jan 18
Depart from Bozeman with unforgettable memories and an incredible portfolio of winter wildlife and landscapes.
- 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 | $7,200 |
| Single Supplement | Contact us |
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 3, 2025 | 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 10 through January 17.
- Meals from breakfast on January 11 through breakfast on January 18.
- Transfers on January 10 and January 18 via complimentary hotel shuttle between the Hampton Inn and the 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. Round-trip airfare is approximately $500 to $850 in and out of Bozeman, Montana from within the US, depending on origin.
- COVID tests.
- Extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities for luggage porters and shuttle drivers at Hampton Inn Bozeman, and the assistant guide.
- Emergency evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other 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. 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) by anytime on January 10.
- Depart from Bozeman, Montana (BZN) anytime on January 18.
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.