Lodge-Based Luxury in Secluded Destinations

July 13, 2010.

In our most recent blog post about camping, we discussed what you can expect on any standard O.A.R.S. river trip, but if sleeping in a tent isn’t your thing, check out the accommodations below for a flavor more suitable to your palate. Our favorites range as far as the majestic Andes to the wilds of British Columbia. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the comforts of home while visiting these remote locations.

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.