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8.4 14 beoordelingen
  • 10

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE WALKS

    Excellent trip for seeing amazing wildlife and spectacular scenery.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Seeing wolves in Yellowstone.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Brendan and Evan were great leaders. They coped brilliantly when one of our group had an incident. They also coped very well with our request for vegan food.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Be prepared for some cold nights in Yellowstone and don't get phased by the herd of bison wandering through the campsite. There are a number of long journeys in the minibus, which can feel a bit cramped.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    Mike the wolf guide in Yellowstone was inspiring, but the when he told us about the adverse affect the wolf hunts in neighbouring Montana were having on the packs in the park it was a real shock and a necessary reality check. Tourism is essential for the survival of the wolves in Yellowstone, so that alone should be enough reason to go.

  • 8

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE WALKS

    Has the potential to be one of the best trips in the brochure. The only reason I didn't give it 5* was the minibus.Fantastic wildlife watching and great scenery. Yellowstone exceeded my (high) expectations and Glacier and Grand teton were not far behind.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Seeing seven wolves, a grizzly bear, two moose, and a bison, and doing all this before lunch! The quantity and variety of the wildlife was impressive, as was its general lack of concern about the presence of humans. Great photo opportunities all the way round.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Hyme and Ali worked well together and complemented each others skills and leadership styles. They both had excellent knowledge, good organisational skills, good cooking skills, and an eclectic mix of music on their ipods to keep us amused during the long drives!

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    The minibus is very cramped and has very poor visibility for the majority of the passengers. Unless you are in one of the five passable seats don't expect to get a good view of the scenery or wildlife whilst driving. I'm glad we were not a full group. This is the only significant downside to an otherwise excellent trip.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    If you like wildlife watching, stunning scenery, a bit of walking (with options to suit all abilities), and wilderness then this is a must do trip. Long drives at start and end, but you do get to see a bit of small town america that is off the beaten track. The extended stays in each of the parks make up for the time spent travelling. 

  • 10

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE WALKS

    The itinery sounded excellent and lived up to all expectations. A well organised trip covering the key parts of the 3 national parks.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Watching and listening to a wolf pup, yearling and alpha female communicating through howling. Yellowstone park is just amazing. Macneill the wolf guide is exceptional, his passion and knowledge brilliant.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Both tour leaders were excellent and made the trip run very smoothly. Bathroom breaks on the journeys were well planned and well timed. Stops at some interesting locations broke up the travel and allowed us to see more of the country then just the tourist attractions.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Take a sleep mat to complement the one provided. Take and use mosquito spray they are present all the time everywhere. Laundry facilities are available at a couple of the camp sites which helps reduce the amount of clothes taken. Save your quarters for the machines The minibus is very cramped - the design is not really suitable for wildlife viewing and with no opening windows reduces the photo opportunities but you get used to it and so long as everyone moves seats regularly it's bearable. Charging for batteries / mobiles was available at all campsites -mostly just leave with reception and collect later. Take good binocculars otherwise you'll miss some of the wildlife sightings. Take a head torch - it makes night trips to the loo easier!   

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    The walk to Iceberg Lake is tough but well worth it - 5 miles up hill to get there - but then downhill home!    

  • 10

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE WALKS

    Stunning scenery, an abundance of wildlife, knowledgeable tour guides for whom nothing was too much trouble. The specialist local guides who taught us to read the landscape and wildlife signs made us feel more than just spectators.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Standing on a hillside in Yellowstone off the beaten track, the group watched an elk run out of distant woods straight through a herd of grazing bison, scattering them in all directions.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    We had two tour guides. Both were knowledgeable, fun to be with and did all they could to make sure we had an enjoyable time.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Be prepared for long journeys in the minibus. The walks were quite strenuous due to the altitude and high temperatures.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    Book it. You'll enjoy it.

  • 8

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    Probably the best trip I've every been on for the richness and variety of wildlife experience - from the awe-inspiring (wolves, bears and bison) to the smaller scale, but no less joyful (beaver, chipmunks and the bluest of bluebirds). All combined with stunning scenery and a real sense of 'big country'.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Hearing the wolves howling across the valley at each other had to be a real 'hairs on the back of your neck' moment for most of our party. In my opinion our wolf guide, MacNeil, really was everything he was cracked up to be: such a joy to spend the day with someone who was so passionate and knowledgeable about his subject, and so keen to share his interest and enthusiasm with everyone he met. My other personal highlight was the day-trek to Glacier Lake: memories of walking in sunshine through meadows carpeted with wildflowers, bordered by snow capped mountains; arriving at a crystal lake containing chunks of ice-blue glacier. I really did feel like I had died and gone to Heaven...

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Jan worked really hard to make the trip a success: expert wildlife spotter, happy to share cultural notes with us Limeys, (you eat burgers with a knife & fork?!!) and definitely the best camp cook I have ever met!! She was true to her promise - we never did go hungry!

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Fact: the ground in August is blooming hard, and one little sleeping mat just isn't enough! Pay heed to the earlier reviews and consider taking one yourself - I didn't, and definitely regretted it. Also as per the previous reviews, the minibus is very cramped if it is a full trip. The first few days it's kind of ok having to haul yourself in and out everytime you have a wildlife/scenic photo stop, but after a while it does get very tiresome. I don't have any useful advice, other than be prepared. This was the first trip I'd ever used walking poles, and with the longer hikes I was glad I'd made the investment. There are a couple of long driving days, but for me that wasn't a problem - Jan worked hard to select pit stops that were interesting as well as timely. Sit back and enjoy those big skies and open vistas would be my best advice... Oh, and try the Moose Drool (beer)

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    Having watched the BBC series on Yellowstone, I rather naively thought I would be visiting a wilderness. When you get there, you realise that as America's first national park, it is also one of its busiest - it can be a bit like going on safari at times, with scores of vehicles pitching up at the same spot to take photos of the moose/bison/wolves etc Having said that it is still very wildlife rich, with some beautiful scenery. The hikes give you a chance to get well off the road and closer to nature. I'm glad I went, and would definitely go again.

  • 8

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    This was an amazing trip in which we were lucky enough to see an abundance of wildlife in addition to spectacular scenery. The tour guides we brilliant also.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    The most inspirational moment was coming almost face to face with a grizzly bear whilst hiking in the forest in Glacier National Park. It was both exciting to see such a wonderful animal in its own environment as well as being an adrenaline pumping moment to get out of its way. The specialist guide was brilliant and we had great comfort in her abilities - we were definitely glad that we were with her and not on our own in that situation.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Both the group leader and the driver of our group were wonderful. They worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the 2 weeks and did everything to make a trip a brilliant and memorable experience.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Make sure you have warm and waterproof clothes for camping at night and the rain in Glacier National Park (they get quite a lot of it which is why it is so green!). Take spare batteries for camera/video-camera. Take a spare set of walking shoes in case your walking boots get wet and don't dry out in time for your next hike.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    There were 3 very long days driving in the minibus, particularly the last 2 days of the tour. This felt rather like a waste during our holiday and perhaps it could be investigated whether it would be feasible to end the trip in Glacier and fly out of a nearby airport rather than having to drive all the way to Salt Lake City. It should be made clearer in the trip notes that the guides do not have the permit to drive the Going to the Sun road. We had to spend another $70 on a tour bus to take us.

  • 8

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    This was a really enjoyable trip through some of the most iconic scenery in the USA. We were also lucky enough to see a lot of wildlife, including four sightings of bears - one very close up!

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Bison coming out of the mist as we went looking for wildlife early in the morning in Yellowstone.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Parker and Ryan were good company and the food was great, huge steaks. Only slight criticism was that we did not recognise them at the airport as no sign or t-shirts.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Even in the summer it is cold at night due to the elevation, bring warm jacket etc. Neck cushion and plenty of music for log drives. Be prepared for mosquitos in Tetons. This is not really a full-on trekking trip, in Yellowstone you don't need boots for the excursions so bring some trail shoes as well. Although Glacier is more of a challenge.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

  • 10

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    I great trip through some of the most amazing landscapes.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Beautiful views of surise and sunset over Hebgen lake at our campsite just outside Yellowstone NP. Glacier NP dramatic and beautiful scenery, gorgeous wildflowers, an unexpected highlight.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Our tour leaders were great, relaxed but organised and good fun. They also made some excellent improvements to the trip itinery - I was not looking forward to the night camping in Butte and fortunatley they found us a far superior alternative.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Don't forget your swim suit.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    I can't wait to return & see some more US national parks - not an outcome I would have predicted before I departed.

  • 6

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    An enjoyable holiday but failed to deliver the experience we had expected from the trip notes.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    The thermal and geological features of Yellowstone, in particular Castle geyser and Grand Prismatic. Also the spectacular views from the summit of Mount Washburn. Sitting round the campfire on a perfect starlit night in East Glacier with Parker and Ryan "jamming". The stunning, ever-changing scenery as we travelled through 4 States and around 3,000 miles. White water rafting down Snake River (don't hesitate, just do it, trust me, if my wife can do it then you can)

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Parker and Ryan were great guys who did their very best for us at all times. They were experienced and competent guides but this was the first time this trip had run so not the slick operation we have come to expect from previous trips with Exodus. They had to cope with the pressure of a trip that was not fulfilling clients expectations and "fixing it" was not always possible. However, they took on board all our concerns, did the best they could for us at the time and it is all credit to them and Exodus that the subsequent trips have obviously benefitted from our honest feedback.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Don't forget your cameras (with zoom), binoculars, mosquito repellent and after bite cream. Get a warm sleeping bag (and don't forget to pack it!). Pack light, there is not a lot of room in the tents. Take micro-fibre towels, quick-dry walking clothing (nothing white, it won't stay that way). Prepare to be flexible with the trip notes as the weather is not predictable.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    Our experience was marred by what we have had to accept as "first trip teething problems". As a result we would not book another new, unreviewed trip. However, as you can see from the excellent reviews from subsequent trips it now appears to be ticking all the boxes for the promised highlights and has the makings of a spectacular trip. However, don't underestimate the amount of travelling by minibus that this trip involves.

  • 10

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    Fantastic trip - superb scenery, great wildlife viewing and excellent company

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Getting rather closer than expected to a young grizzly bear on our first trek was a real highlight, as was spotting a moose the next day. The walks in Glacier were fantastic, with views from every turn. Yellowstone is everything I imagined it would be from the TV series. I'm not someone who would go out of their way to choose a camping trip, but this was excellent - especially the food! 

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Parker and Ryan were excellent group leaders. They really knew their stuff, were flexible about the itinerary so that we saw the best of each of the 3 parks we visited & kept the group motivated on long drives. They obviously love their jobs & seemed as keen to get out on some of the newly opened hiking trails in Glacier as a first time visitor. They'd also taken on board some of the comments from the trips earlier in the season, so they had found us an excellent wildlife guide in Yellowstone (although that still didn't mean the wolves putting in an appearance!) and changed to camping on the last night to a much better location. 

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    It can get very cold at night, so bring a warm sleeping bag and some thermal layers. Al toiletries and food have to be packed away on the van every night away from bears, so a separate bag for those is also really useful. The types of walks you do on this trip are weather dependent and as we were on the last trip on the year we were lucky to be able to hike some amazing trails in Glacier NP. I think if you are on the earlier trips then you need to be prepared to be flexible as late lying snow can cause the trails to be closed. 

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    Given that this is the first time Exodus have run this trip I'm hoping that they will be open to making a few changes before 2012. I would question why the trip needs to return to Salt Lake prior to flying back to the UK - as that is 2 days of solid driving. I think it would be better to use one of the small airports closer to Glacier NP. This may result in 1 extra airport transfer, but I think all the group plus the leaders thought it would be better than the lengthy drive at the end. This is a really special trip to some amazing parks. It can only be run over a short period due to the weather, so if you want to hike with bears, wolves and bison then get signing up for next year!! 

  • 6

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    I went on the very first Yellowstone Wildlife Trek by Exodus this year so many of the issues I may mention in my review I understand from Exodus were already resolved on the following trips or will be in 2012 departures. I was very excited about this trip (particuarly the specialist guiding - satisfying the scientist part of me), I read the trip notes and also did other background reading so this trip a lot to live up to. Unfortunately not all activities described in the trip notes lived up to expectation. Plus I knew the parks were vast but perhaps Exodus was not explicit enough in the notes that you also experience rather long drives from campsites to trailheads and within parks. This really impacted on some particular days what we saw, what trekking we did in time available and my overall feeling of not truly exploring or experiencing the parks as anticipated.   

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Grand Teton National Park was pretty amazing – craggy mountain tops and flat valley bottoms really spectacular scenery. I had one of best treks for the whole trip in Grand Teton as a few of my fellow campers and I did not go on the white-water rafting or horse riding so we did a trek from Taggart Lake to Jenny Lake. Due to snow we could not go over the high pass but it was one day where I felt I truly got to experience the park seeing grizzly bear, lots of flowers, American pelicans flying in a v shape etc etc Yellowstone National Park is quite something else – some parts particularly around the Geysers, thermal pools etc doesn’t look like it belongs on this planet by having a rather ‘Martian’ look about it (not that I’ve been to Mars but you’ll get what I mean once you see it for yourself). Plus our first couple of hours driving in the park we saw countless bison, elk and even a mummy bear and 2 cubs. Saw a moose nose (through the undergrowth), brown bear and I was lucky enough to see a tail-end of a coyote as he ran into the forest (no photographic evidence of the coyote so you’ll just have to believe me!). Old Faithful is pretty cool although almost completely silent erupting quite unlike the Castle Geyser (YOU MUST GO SEE IT) as it erupted steam/water for over 20 minutes roaring like a steam train (Castle Geyser was my favourite). Grand Prismatic is really fantastic – looks like it should feature as a monster from Dr Who or something – make sure you walk up the surrounding hill to look down onto it (not through the visitor centre) otherwise you really not get a true idea of what it is like (colours in it are mind blowing). We did hike up Mt Washburn, the views from it are truly wonderful – it was a clear day so we could see for miles (saw Grand Teton range) but we had to go up/down the service road due to the snow so hike was not a cool as it could have been. Glacier National Park was really lovely although wish we could have stayed longer in one place rather than camping in East Glacier then West Glacier (for only one night). A few of us did a lovely hike around Two Medicine Lake (West Glacier) we went up to the Twin Falls (must see due to snow melt at that time), forded rivers, streams and snow as we ventured around it. Great views of the lake and surrounding mountains – if you have time DO THIS HIKE and you can also venture up a high pass for that extra bit of excitement.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Our two group leaders Ryan and Parker were very knowledgeable and worked very hard during our trip to try and mitigate issues with the ‘non specialist’ guides for us and make sure we did as much hiking as possible. They also cooked great meals every night so we didn’t go hungry and they even had their guitars for evening entertainment.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Take industrial strength mozzie repellent – we got eaten alive some nights. I found a set of base layers very useful as some nights it did get a bit cold plus they also served as extra mozzie protection. If you like a comfy bed and camping does not usually agree with your back then I suggest try and take a small camping mat as the mats provided are not that thick. I also carry my clothes etc in various compression bags that are waterproof – this made searching for stuff in dark tent easier and kept my clothes dry. Camelbak (or equivalent) very handy so you can drink and keep your hands free for all those pictures you are going to take. Take extra large memory card for your camera - I took over 800 photos during this trip (some of which I can't really identify what it was now) and are sorting back through them with some happy memories.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    We were very lucky with the weather – it only rained for about 20 mins one day the rest of the time it was really warm with blue skies. If you can stop off at the Craters of the Moon National Reserve (Monument) on your way to Salt Lake City – this truly a ‘Moon’ based experience. Although I would say make sure you should have comfy shows and sun protection (hat etc ) as if it’s sunny you will get baked alive (lava rock sharp and reflective).  I did enjoy this trip (don’t get me wrong) but I feel I can only give it 3 stars as it really was not what was expected. Couple of our campsites (specifically tent pitches) were not up to scratch - although these have since been changed. I felt that we did miss out on some potentially great experiences. We did not have 'specialist wildlife, geology or wolf tracking guides' as described per the trip notes which led to 3 quite disappointing days where we simply toured around like every other tourist in Yellowstone National Park – certainly not experiencing the best of the parks. However I should say that I wrote to Exodus about my concerns and experiences on this trip as soon as I got back home and they investigated our claims thoroughly and have put already put in place a number of measures to improve the trip experience for subsequent trips. So although I may not have experienced a ‘truly great Yellowstone Wildlife Trek’ I’m pleased that Exodus took on board what we said and made improvements for future travellers. So go on - have a go! I'm sure you'll have a great time!  

  • 8

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    Brilliant trip, with a well thought out intinerary and it exceeded my expectations.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Spending a morning in the Lamar Valley seeing more wildlife in a couple of hours than I imagined I would see all trip, including a Wolf.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Parker and Ryan are great guides. They are laid back and really wanted us to get the most from the trip, changing the itinerary to suit where needed. The meals they cooked for us were fantastic too.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Make sure you pack your binoculars

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

  • 8

    YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

    This was a great trip, and covered a huge number of inspirational locations.  Plus the wildlife was amazing.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Seeing a golden eagle swoop down to take a muskrat out of the river in Yellowstone Park.  And I understand now why Montana is known and the land of the big sky.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    The two leaders, Parker and Ryan, contributed a huge amount to the trip, through their knowledge and humour.  Plus the camp food was exceptional.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

  • 8

    Yellowstone

    Not quite as described, but a great trip all the same. For example, on the first day in the Tetons, we had a cable car ride to a summit where most of the group milled around until the decent. Likewise, the Amphitheatre Lake walk did not happen-we went to Jenny Lake instead. Be prepared to read the trip notes as not entirely accurate, and be flexible.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    The landscapes are stunning. The wildlife is amazing. The wildflowers are unforgettable. The weather was great. Altogether a good collection of "WOW" moments. Seeing wolves in the wild was a bonus-even if it was through the tracker's telescope.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Jay &amp; Jeremy are 2 very laid back guys and good fun-however it was not until the middle of the 1st week that they collected the travel insurance details from the group-not sure what would happened if there was a serious accident before then. This sort of thing needs to be tight from the beginning. They kept us entertained on the long drives and Jay, who works in Yellowstone in the winter months, was a wealth of knowledge.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Be prepared to be flexible and immerse yourself in the surroundings.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    I think Exodus need to speak with their American partners about the tipping culture. The trip notes state $3-5 dollars per day for the leader. At the pre-trek briefing, we were given a handout that stated $5-7 per day, (along with the changes to the itinerary from the trip notes) but the leaders told us their tip should be up to $10 per day. As our trip had 2 leaders, that could be an expensive overhead if you are not prepared to stick to original guidance. The vegetarian meals were not of the standard we norally receive on camping trips-the 3 courses as described never happened. One evening it was a bowl of soup followed by a plate of salad. Not especially filling!

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