Yellowstone National Park
In-depth Nature Photography Seminar and Tour
January 13 to 20, 2011

Join us for a non- compromising wildlife safari into the heart of Yellowstone National Park with professional photographer Tom Murphy. No photographer knows this landscape and its wildlife more intimately than Tom, who has chosen to work with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris for our kindred interest in providing the most in-depth wildlife experience possible. Drawing on Tom's 35 years of exploring and guiding in Yellowstone in every season and every condition, we designed each detail of this itinerary to offer you the best that winter in Yellowstone has to offer. Our focus will be the iconic Yellowstone wildlife in a landscape of geysers and volcanic activity, with bison, elk, pronghorn, coyote, trumpeter swan, and, with a little luck, wolf. Our travels are timed to correspond with the days before the full moon January 19, for unforgettable geyser landscapes both day and night.

Bison at Mammoth Hot Springs © Tom Murphy

At a Glance

Cost: $3,300 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leader: Tom Murphy, whose professional photographic passion and specialty is Yellowstone National Park.

Size: 8, not including leaders.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in August 2010. View the plain text version, great for printing!

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

January 13, Thursday Arrive in Bozeman, Montana
Arrive in Bozeman, Montana in time for overnight and the airport shuttle to hotel (shuttle operates from 5:30am to midnight). Meals are on your own today.
Lodging: Wingate by Wyndham – Bozeman

Elk © Tom Murphy

January 14, Friday Meet Tom then explore Northern Yellowstone
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and be ready to meet Tom Murphy for an 8 AM departure. Travel south into Yellowstone National Park to discover the landscapes and wildlife of Northern Yellowstone, among bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, bison, and coyotes. The day will finish in Gardiner, a small town on the Yellowstone River near the north entrance of the park.
Lodging: Best Western Mammoth Hot Springs.

Trumpeter Swans © Tom Murphy

January 15, Saturday Search for wolves and other wildlife in the Lamar Valley
Today we will explore the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. Here we have our best chance of seeing wolves and are sure to see numerous bison, elk, and a diversity of birds. We hope to see and photograph trumpeter swan, goldeneye, bufflehead, and other waterfowl, plus magpie, raven, coyote, red fox, otter, bald eagle, and golden eagle. No exploration of Yellowstone is complete without time spent in the Lamar Valley.
Lodging: Best Western Mammoth Hot Springs

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Old Faithful Geyser © Tom Murphy

January 16, Sunday Journey from Mammoth to Central Yellowstone by snowcoach
Travel south from Mammoth Hot Springs to Central Yellowstone by privately chartered snowcoach, the ideal platform for excursions across the snow-covered, wildlife-rich lands of Yellowstone. The day has potential for any and all the wildlife that Yellowstone is so rightly famous for. We will end the day in the Old Faithful area before settling in for three nights at the historic Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
Lodging: Old Faithful Snow Lodge

January 17 - 18, Monday - Tuesday Wildlife and geysers in the Old Faithful area
Weather will determine the ideal schedule for the best light and activities in these two days of exploring the Old Faithful area. Awaiting you beyond Old Faithful are the Geyser Basins, Firehole River, Castle, Grand, and many other geysers and thermal features. There is so much to see in this area we can explore the region on foot via the system of boardwalks that the park has in place. The wildlife at the heart of Yellowstone is magnificent and we have timed our safari for the days immediately prior to the full moon for unforgettable sunset and early evening photography.
Lodging: Old Faithful Snow Lodge

January 19, Wednesday Return to Mammoth by snowcoach; farewell dinner then back to Bozeman
Travel again by snowcoach to retrace the journey to Mammoth Hot Springs, with extensive exploration and wildlife photography along the way. Continue north to Tom's hometown of Livingston for a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant. Return to Bozeman after dinner for overnight.
Lodging: Wingate by Wyndham – Bozeman

Hayden Valley Sunstar © Tom Murphy

January 20, Thursday Departures home
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking the shuttle to the airport for your departure home (shuttle operates from 5:30am to midnight).

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Costs

Payments and Cancellations: All reservations require a deposit due at the time of making the reservation. Once we receive your deposit, we will send trip materials and travel insurance information. Until the final payment date, payments are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the departure date of the cancelled trip. There are no refunds given after the final payment due date. We reserve the right to charge for cost increases that occur between now and the date of travel.

Included:

• All meals from breakfast January 14 through breakfast January 20.
• Airport transfers in Bozeman at beginning and end of tour (within the shuttle hours of 5:30am to midnight).
• All lodging from January 13 through January 19.
• All transportation and guide services as described.

Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Bozeman, approximately $200-$400 within the USA, depending on departure point.
• Meals on January 13 and alcoholic drinks throughout itinerary.
• Travel insurance.
• Laundry services, when available, items of a personal nature, and items not on the regular menu (if you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your reservation form).

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Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill it out, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit:

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070

Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com

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Other Details

Tom Murphy

Leader: Tom Murphy's interest in photography began in 1972. In 1978, he established a professional career in photography when he moved to Livingston, Montana and built a studio there. His photographic passion and specialty is Yellowstone National Park. Since 1975, he has traveled extensively within its 3,400 square miles, hiking thousands of miles and skiing on hundreds of extended overnight trips in the backcountry. Tom founded Wilderness Photography Expeditions in 1986 and teaches a well-known and respected photography seminar series primarily in Yellowstone. His work in Yellowstone National Park was highlighted in a PBS Nature series program, Chistmas in Yellowstone. One of the reasons he started his business was to give something back to wildlife and wild lands and to encourage and aid in their preservation. Tom donates the use of his photography to environmental groups to support their efforts. Peruse Tom's fine photography books, calendars, cards, CDs and DVDs, many about Yellowstone on his website at tmurphywild.com. He is also on our staff for Antarctica and South Georgia.

Flights: Please let us know if you would like help arranging your flights and we will put you in contact with our excellent ticketing agent. Arrive at Gallatin Field Airport (BZN) in Bozeman, Montana, in time for an overnight on January 13. Depart from Bozeman anytime on January 20. The hotel operates an airport shuttle (included) from 5:30am to midnight, so plan your arrival and departure times so that you can catch the shuttle to/from the hotel (about 10 minutes away).

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Non-smoking Policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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