Dates Jan 27–Feb 3, 2007
Leader Michael Francis
Fee $2,995 from West Yellowstone, Montana
Deposit $300
Limit 16
Terms and Conditions

For years, the highlights of our Yellowstone winter trips have come from our expeditions—using specially designed snow coaches—into the deep snowy interior of the world’s first national park. By far, the most spectacular snowscapes and wildlife photo opportunities have come from the remote interior valleys, canyons and geyser basins. It is an ethereal world of crystalline perfection.

Ultimate Yellowstone is an itinerary unique to Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris. For five full days we travel by new, larger and more comfortable “luxury” snow coaches into the heart of Yellowstone’s most
productive areas for photography. No other photography tour company provides this much access, using these first-rate vehicles, into the dramatic snow-shrouded interior to take advantage of the best Yellowstone offers. And for one additional day we’ll explore the famous Lamar Valley by motor coach. We’ve added this Lamar segment because of the high concentrations of large mammals—including wolves—in the area. We will visit three distinctly different regions of the park—Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful and West Yellowstone. From our appealing accommodations in West Yellowstone and at Old Faithful we journey into the Hayden, Madison and Pelican Valleys, to the Firehole River Basin, Upper, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, to Old Faithful, to the Lamar Valley and a wide variety of other photogenic areas. Staying within the higher elevations of the park’s interior virtually guarantees snow, whereas areas around Gardiner, Montana, and the northern boundary of the park can be snow-free in dry and warm years.

To wander through the interior is to float through a fantasy landscape. Steam rising from numerous
geysers becomes a super-cooled crystal fog. It drifts through the trees like diamond dust, collecting on every surface until entire groves become assemblies of ghostly druids bowing rigidly into the wind. Through this ever-changing landscape move the animals. Enveloped in frost and snow, they appear as wraiths from the shifting mists—white phantoms haunting the landscape, captured with our cameras.

Enroll now on this unique and magical journey through the heart of the world’s first national park. Our itinerary offers maximum time in the field for photographing some of America’s most impressive big game animals in absolutely beautiful habitats! What started as a wishful musing ("Wouldn’t it be great to spend the entire trip in the interior of the park?") has become a reality—with the bonus of one day in the Lamar Valley. No other Yellowstone tour offers this comprehensive cross section of the very best of Yellowstone in winter.



Day 1 (Jan 27)
Participants fly to Bozeman, Montana, and take the shuttle to West Yellowstone in time for dinner and an orientation. The shuttle cost is not included in the tour fee. (D)

Days 2–3
Using specially chartered track-converted "luxury" snow coaches, we travel to the West Yellowstone area. We visit the wildlife-rich scenic areas along the Firehole and Madison Rivers and Fountain Flats. This area of the interior offers an enormous variety of wildlife, snow-encrusted trees, erupting geysers, hoar-frosted grasses and rugged mountain vistas. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone will be captured first thing in the morning followed by the Norris Geyser Basin. (BLD)

Days 4–5
We will photograph the Midway and Lower Geyser Basins on the way to the Old Faithful area, which contains a wide variety of active geologic features as well as some magnificent elk and
bison. Winter is a hard time for the park’s animals, but their lives are made a bit easier by the warmth of these thermal areas. Much of our exploration of this area will be done on foot. We will also explore and photograph West Thumb and the Hayden Valley. (BLD)

Day 6
We spend a day photographing the Gibbon River area and then on to the Obsidian Cliffs and Mammoth Hot Springs area. (BLD)

Day 7
Our final day will be spent in the Lamar Valley, one of the richest wildlife areas of the park, where the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone has had the most noticeable effect. We hope to photograph bighorn sheep, pronghorns, coyotes and, perhaps, wolves. (BLD)

Day 8 (Feb 3)
We return by shuttle to the Bozeman airport this morning. Please schedule your return flight for no earlier than noon. (B)


Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.