Lodge at Chilko Lake: An upscale private residence in British Columbia’s historic ranch country at the head of the Chilko River. Overlooking the river valley and picturesque mountaintops, the main lodge is a formidable log structure manufactured from local timber and is the focal point for meals, cocktails and socializing. It has wireless Internet, a big screen television (if you must), and comfortable lounge chairs in the main dining room.  The upper level is a luxurious suite with an impressive king bedroom, sitting area and grand bathroom complete with double headed showers. The ground floor has a bar and lounge, game room and access to the popular fire pit area. The cabins feature fine craftsmanship, comfortable furnishings and a magnificent collection of antiques and collectibles. The ranch is perched closely to Ts’yl-os Provincial Park, the prize jewel of the British Columbia park system. This slice of paradise is also our home base for our 5-day Lodge at Chilko Lake Multi-Sport. Other than rafting, this tour includes: kayaking, hiking, bike riding and fishing, with additional options to go horseback riding or heli-hiking at 7,000 – 9,000 feet above sea level.

Lillaskog Lodge:  A classic mountain house that makes you feel happily stranded in the woods. Located thirty minutes outside of Yosemite National Park in northern California, Lillaskog Lodge offers complimentary breakfast each morning for their guests, fresh eggs from their chickens and homemade bread. This rustic lodge is minutes away from where O.A.R.S. meets for their Tuolumne River trips, and rests on top of a hill above a prime fishing spot accessible only by a covert trail. In 1980, a wildfire crawled across the hillside; subsequently, sapling trees sprouted in its wake the day owner Bill Charlson purchased the property. He built the rustic lodge and appropriately named it Lillaskog, which is German for, ‘small forest.’ Today it’s a two-story log cabin with wood-burning natural heat ventilation, and a common room complete with a fireplace, TV & book collection, and even a grand piano. The deck looks out over the Sierra backcountry just east of the town of Groveland. With over seven rooms uniquely named to match local fames like Tioga, El Capitan or Bridalveil, there’s no denying this place its unique character.

Farewell Harbour Resort: Features six private coastal cabins with an outdoor hot tub and fantastic views. Spanning the waterfront over half-mile in diameter, Farewell Harbour is situated on 50 acres in a prime orca viewing location. Similar to the Lodge at Chilko Lake, Farewell is also a private “invite only” retreat. Fishing can be organized at either location by request. The accommodations are situated in the heart of the archipelago and pose as an excellent springboard to amazing scenery and inter-tidal wildlife. The outpost features eight concealed cabins with private bathrooms and a seaside dining room and lounge. This lodge is featured in our Johnstone Straight sea kayaking adventure, as well as for a brief duration on our Bears & Whales wildlife-viewing safari.

Mountain Lodges of Peru (Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort): Very few are fortunate enough to experience a once in a lifetime enriching journey through the magnificent Salkantay Valley en route to the legendary ruins at Machu Picchu. Staying at Mountain Lodges of Peru not only accommodates a comfortable place to rest along this ancient trail, but it also allows you to follow the Incan’s footsteps as you acclimate to the altitude in this spectacular Andean mountain range. It’s an expedition from lodge-lodge in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, with the crown jewel being the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort, located in the high valley of Soraypampa at 3,800 meters above sea level. Salkantay features exquisite organic cuisine, an outdoor Jacuzzi and cozy reading rooms. As seen in our Mystical Peru itinerary, O.A.R.S. combines an epic 4-day rafting trip on the Apurimac River at the source of the Amazon. This unique setting also offers a chance to view an exotic variety of flora and fauna and experience contemporary manifestations of deep-founded culture.

Sorrel River Ranch: Utah’s most decadent AAA four-diamond resort, Sorrel River Ranch offers several activities on its own property. Nestled in Castle Valley near the town of Moab, Sorrel is a wonderfully civilized escape; you can lounge at their riverside pool, rejuvenate at their health spa, or even break a sweat at the exercise facility and tennis courts. From this 160-acre guest ranch you have opportunities to go on a horseback ride, explore backcountry areas in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, hike and bike in places that set the stage of John Wayne westerns, and experience the Colorado River by raft, dory, or inflatable kayak. The Ranch’s accommodations include spacious guest rooms with unique handcrafted furnishings, kitchenettes, hydrotherapy tubs, and private fireplaces. Meals are served in western style at the Ranch’s River Grill Restaurant—a stunning, second-floor dining room where you may enjoy expertly prepared cuisine. O.A.R.S. spends two nights at Sorrel River Ranch on our Ultimate Southwest Vacation multi-sport trip.

Additionally, the glorious Red Cliffs Lodge—one of Utah’s most beautiful guest ranches—is where we rest our heads for our Utah Ranch & Raft adventure. It too rests on the banks of the Colorado River, a wide-open panoramic frontier of 2,000-foot red-rock cliffs of desert splendor. Homesteaded in the early Twentieth century by a ranching family, Red Cliffs Lodge has been raising horses and cattle since opening as a resort in 2002. Amid its western charm, the lodge also organizes wine tasting tours, rock climbing and clay pigeon shooting. Numerous Westerns have been filmed on this property, and a visit to Red Cliff’s unique Movie History Museum highlights the history of films such as Rio Grande and Wagon Master, which features actors Rock Hudson, Henry Fonda and James Stewart.

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.

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!

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.

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