Janet Walker, an experienced and savvy world traveler currently enroute to Bali, took some time recently between trips to send us photos and answer a few questions about her August 2009 Peru whitewater rafting trip.

Janet had already been to Peru twice before embarking on her O.A.R.S. Tambopata River trip. (She had not yet traveled with O.A.R.S.) I asked her if there were any specific factors that helped her decide on this particular Peru adventure. Her answer? “The clay lick and the trip’s remote location.”

Clay lick

Janet had previous whitewater rafting experience, (as did everyone in her party) having rafted the Franklin River in Tasmania and the Arctic’s Alsek River, as well as several 1- to 4-day jaunts. She commented, “O.A.R.S. guides are the only ones who have not thrown me out!! My scariest experience was the top of the Nile in Uganda with another river outfitter. I thought the Tambopata River’s rapids were fun. However, we had good weather so it may not have been as excitingly dangerous as I think this river can be.” (Who doesn’t love her sense of adventure?!)

She found the O.A.R.S. guides to be extremely competent, and she revealed all three of trip’s guides were skilled and spoke English well.

Expedition leader on the right

I asked Janet to share any special highlights of her trip. She replied, “We started with an aim per day and always reached it, such as seeing a cock of the rock.  (I actually only caught a glimpse as I was in the second car, but it’s the closest I have been after several hunts.)  Wildlife is my thing, so I loved the clay lick, seeing tapir, capybara and otters, and the tracks of jaguar around several camps. The river was also really remote and we saw scarcely another soul – certainly no houses or other boats.  The land section was very interesting too.”

Jaguar spoor

Asked if she thought this is a good trip for people interested in bird watching, she replied, “Certainly.  With waterproof binoculars travelers could lie back and bird watch all day. I think Columbia and Peru have the highest number of bird species in the world.”

Ms. Walker plans to join O.A.R.S. for another trip one day. I certainly hope she does – I truly enjoyed her photos, stories and adventurous spirit! For an entire series of photos, visit our Facebook page.

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Anytime is a good time to go whitewater rafting! If you’re a student, or parent of a student, you might be thinking summer fun is over and it’s time to hit the books. O.A.R.S. won’t object to bringing school projects on the river: all of your gear, school books and book reports will remain safe and secure in dry bags while on the river. In fact, I bet some of the O.A.R.S. guides would be happy to help with homework!

Below are six ideas for September whitewater rafting trips.

• Carrie Aronson, our Private and Charter Trips Manager, suggests a trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon as an ideal September rafting trip. This river trip offers dramatic canyon country and ancient rock formations with fascinating geology through Canyonlands National Park. It is an ideal trip for any outdoor enthusiast. Think of it as a mini-Grand Canyon trip. O.A.R.S. offers a 4-day trip on this Class III river, with departures every Tuesday through October.
• Of course, you can still sign up for rafting trips on the South Fork of the American River, as well as the Middle Fork American River. The Class III South Fork is known as "Everybody’s Favorite River" and is a great introductory river trip. The Class IV Middle Fork steps it up a notch, with the unforgettable ‘Tunnel Chute’ rapid. Both rivers are quick and easy getaways from the SF Bay Area, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.  But, we can’t all be in Northern California, right?
• O.A.R.S. also offers special September rafting and fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. These trips are offered on September 21 and again on September 28. The whitewater is world-renowned, and the fishing on the Middle Fork Salmon River is superb!  Fish for cutthroat (you might expect to catch upwards of forty fish per day), native rainbow, mountain whitefish as well as bull trout. O.A.R.S. guides are familiar with the best fishing spots the has to river offer.
• Raft the Class II-IV Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley on a unique 10-day Peru multi-sport vacation with O.A.R.S.  Stay in comfy (dare I say luxurious?) lodges and explore archaeological remnants of the Inca civilization including the stone ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo with a stop at the Chinchero Market before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
• Raft the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon and stay in one of West’s most glorious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge. This 6-day Ranch & Raft vacation from O.A.R.S. is the ultimate blend of excitement, fun and relaxation. Throw in a little horseback riding and Moab mountain biking and you’ve got an ideal fall getaway!

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Skip the traditional Macy’s Parade, too much turkey and pumpkin pie and red wine. (oops, maybe that’s just me)  Give it a go on the O.A.R.S. Peru Multi-Sport Adventure this Thanksgiving instead.

O.A.R.S. offers one of the most diverse multi-sport adventures found anywhere.  Go whitewater rafting on the Class II-IV Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley.  Explore fascinating archaeological remnants of the Inca civilization.  Stay in luxurious Peruvian lodges.  Try the local fare (Yes, guinea pig is an option.*)  Visit the stone ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman & Ollantaytambo, as well as the Chinchero Market.  Of course, no Peru vacation would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu now would it?  This journey includes a two-day exploration of South America’s most renowned archaeological sites.

Remaining 2008 Departure Dates: November 11, 25

2009 Departure Dates: March 10, 24; April 7, 21; May 5, 19; September 8, 22; October 6, 20; November 10, 24

*Andean cuisine is known for exotic fruits, fish and seafood, as well as potatoes of all shapes, sizes and preparations. Some unusual culinary traditions have survived for thousands of years and you may have the opportunity to sample an old family favorite, guinea pig.

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Don’t let the fact that the California whitewater rafting season is winding down deter you from making other adventure vacation plans.  O.A.R.S. still has plenty of other 2008 departures remaining:

CHILE:
Futaleufú River Multi-Sport:  Nov 29; Dec 5, 12, 26, 28

ECUADOR:
Ecuador Multi-Sport:  November 16, 30; December 21, 28

FIJI:
Highlands-to-Islands:  December 6

Upper Navua Gorge:  Year-round Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

‘luva:  Year-round Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

GALÁPAGOS:
Multi-Sport:  Nov 22, 29; Dec 6, 13, 20 (Last Chance for our land-based itinerary!)

Sea Kayak the Enchanted Islands; Dec 12, 26

Galapagos Naturalist Sailing:  December 19, 26 (additional dates available upon request)

MEXICO:

Sea of Cortez Island Hopping:  October 4, 25; November 8

Sea Kayaking the Baja Coast:  October 11; November 1, 15

Sea Kayaking and camping on Espiritu Santo Island:  October 19; November 16, 23; December 20

PERU:
Peru Multi-Sport:  October 7, 21; November 11, 25

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