Yellowstone Wildlife Walks

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Lucy Fish

  YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

  

  Written July 2011

  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.    

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  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!  

   
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  Robert Murray

  YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE TREK

  

  Written June 2011

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

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  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.

   

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