Welcome to Gardiner, northwest gateway community to Yellowstone National Park. Welcome dinner, orientation and introductions.

Afternoon: Check-in between 4 and 5 pm.

Dinner: Welcome Dinner at nearby restaurant.

Evening: Orientation and Introductions.

Lodging: Yellowstone River Motel

Meals Included: Dinner

The adventure begins with an overview of Yellowstone's grand ecosystem and your first hike in "Wonderland."

Note: The group will be divided into two small groups. One group will hike 3-6 miles each of 4 field days and visit Old Faithful. The other group will have more challenging hikes, hiking 6 to 8 miles on each of four field days and WILL NOT visit Old Faithful.

Breakfast: Breakfast at nearby restaurant.

Morning: The morning introduction provides an overview of the Greater Yellowstone area, its wildlife and habitats, including populations, predator/prey dynamics and more. This information lays the foundation and sets the tone for discovery and exploratory hikes in"Wonderland."

Lunch: Lunch at nearby restaurant.

Afternoon: Today's afternoon/evening field trip into the Yellowstone ecosystem is an opportunity to become familiar with various life zones. Exploratory hikes with interpretation into these areas is hands-on discovery of marshland, high desert, forest, hydrothermal and grasslands communities. You'll understand how their geologic bones, together with elevation and weather, evolved into vibrant habitats populated by the flora and fauna that is present today. Remember, at higher altitudes you are more susceptible to dehydration and altitude sickness. Exercising moderately, carrying a water bottle with you and drinking plenty of water is of utmost importance to avoid these sometimes dangerous problems. Bring binoculars.

Dinner: Picnic suppers in the park.

Evening: Picnic supper and evening in Yellowstone provide opportunity for wildlife viewing during evening's golden light and the crepuscular hour. Bring camera and binoculars. Expect to see bison, elk, waterfowl, coyote. The opportunity to see moose, bear or wolf exists; however, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Lodging: Yellowstone River Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Field day in Yellowstone for hiking; hiking destinations vary due to instructor's preference.

Breakfast: Breakfast at nearby restaurant.

Morning: Field day in Yellowstone National Park for hiking. PLEASE NOTE: hiking destinations vary due to instructor's preference. Hiking destinations may change at the last minute due to weather conditions, area closures due to thermal activity, trail closures due to grizzly bear, wolf, bison or other wildlife activity. Remember, the Park is their home! Your golden hiking days are to explore, learn about and enjoy all Yellowstone has to offer. *Hikes and walks take place at elevations ranging from 5,800' to 10,243'. *Elevation gains CAN RANGE from 600' in 1/2 mile to 1,400' in 3 miles.

Lunch: Sack lunches in the Park.

Afternoon: Field day/hiking continued.

Dinner: Dinner at nearby restaurant.

Evening: Evening on your own.

Lodging: Yellowstone River Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Field day among Yellowstone's mostly untouched 2.2 million acres for hiking. Most trailheads are miles from lodgings; enjoy splendid views, the unexpected, observations and interpretation while adventuring to the trailhead.

Breakfast: Breakfast at nearby restaurant.

Morning: Field day in Yellowstone National Park for hiking. Yellowstone's spectacular and mostly untouched 2.2 million acres offer a lifetime of discovery and 1,200 miles of hiking, walking and back packing trails. Most trailheads are miles from lodgings. Here is the opportunity to appreciate splendid views, the unexpected, your naturalist’s observations and interpretation, to see more of the Great Caldera than you had imagined while voyaging to the various trailheads. Joys of hiking are well worth the getting there as memorable moments string together into golden days.

Lunch: Sack lunches in the Park.

Afternoon: Field day/hiking continued.

Dinner: Dinner at nearby restaurant.

Evening: Natural history presentation.

Lodging: Yellowstone River Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore, learn and enjoy. Hikes are not aerobic-style but rather offer interpretation of the area, an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Yellowstone, step away from the fast pace of everyday life and seize the moment.

Breakfast: Breakfast at nearby restaurant.

Morning: Field day in Yellowstone National Park for hiking.

Lunch: Sack lunches in the Park.

Afternoon: Field day/hiking continued.

Dinner: Dinner at nearby restaurant.

Evening: Evening presentation addresses an aspect of Yellowstone's natural history or current issues affecting the Greater Yellowstone area.

Lodging: Yellowstone River Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Hike 2-3 miles round trip from lodgings.

Breakfast: Breakfast at nearby restaurant

Morning: Final morning hike includes interpretation of the local area, wraps up the adventure, ties up loose ends, answers questions and brings the adventure to a satisfying conclusion. Group photo; bring your camera. Checkout.

Brunch: 11 a.m. grab and go brunch. Airport shuttle departs at 11:30 a.m.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch