United States Tours and Trips

Explore Yellowstone’s remote Bechler River on this 4-day backpacking adventure. The call to venture off the beaten path is answered on the remote and majestic trails of the world’s first national park. We explore the Bechler River, a unique destination that offers an up-close vantage of nature at work. Discover teeming rivers and streams, the wonder of pristine geysers and hot springs, and the breathtaking beauty of meadows carpeted with wildflowers. Our hike starts out with a visit to the Lonestar Geyser, the largest backcountry geyser in the park. We then follow the Firehole River, crossing the Continental Divide before arriving at Shoshone Lake and Geyser Basin. Later on our journey, we explore a gorgeous series of hot springs whimsically dubbed, “Mr. Bubbles”. Ford two river beds and enjoy the thundering waterfall view on the other side. Along the way, stop to forage from ripe berry bushes and, with luck, view some of the park’s abundant wildlife. Hiking through the beautiful meadows and forests of Southwestern Yellowstone is a truly unforgettable backcountry experience. Looking for other options in Yellowstone? Check out our Black Canyon and Gallatin Mountains backpacking itineraries, or our Yellowstone Kayaking trip.

Yosemite holds a unique place in the heart of all those who explore its trails—this 4-day trip is perfect evidence as to why. Exalted for its magnificence and revered for its challenging trail; an ascent of Half Dome is an unforgettable adventure. The dome, 8,842 feet of granite rock, is the signature landmark of Yosemite National Park. The Sierra Nevada mountain range, clear alpine lakes and meadows carpeted with wildflowers provide the perfect backdrop for our epic backpacking trip. Our knowledgeable, exceptional guides lead the way—sharing Yosemite’s secrets, preparing delicious meals and imparting backpacking wisdom. We travel between five and twelve miles every day, exploring the diversity of the high country and enjoying campfire camaraderie at night. When the sun comes up, we don our packs and hit challenging trails in pursuit of the top of the iconic Half Dome. As we stand upon the summit, looking down on the valley floor below and the sun rising in the distance, we revel in our accomplishments and in the tremendous journey we have completed.

Reconnect with nature in a South Carolina coastal wildlife refuge. Join a small group of women for a kayaking weekend along South Carolina’s subtropical coast. Our trip takes us to the barrier islands of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and our beachside camp on Capers Island is an ideal launch site. Our naturalist guides explain the wildlife, history, and cultural gems we encounter. Each night, we camp on a white-sand beach. The guides whip up Southern-inspired cuisine—no ho-hum grub here—and lead seaside yoga sessions. We wake up to sunrise and purring waves, then head out in search of fun and adventure. Our kayaks glide through the water as alligators snooze along the sunny banks and bottlenose dolphins dip in and out of our wake. Marvel at the ghost oaks of Boneyard Beach. Hike Bulls Island, with its lagoons, palmetto groves, slinky blackwater creeks and historic ruins. Gather oysters for a seafood feast on the dunes. Admire watercolor sunsets. Seek stillness in a moonlight paddle or meditation under the stars. These islands are an oasis from everyday stress. You’ll carry their spirit with you even after we depart.

From the valley floor to an iconic summit, experience the heart of Yosemite National Park on a four-day backcountry adventure worthy of your bucket list. Perfect for fit backpackers and women looking for a truly epic Yosemite adventure, this challenging trip takes you from the valley to the summit of Half Dome—8,842 feet of granite and grandeur. Against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, we pass through high-country meadows carpeted with wildflowers, listen to waterfalls and chirping chickadees, swim in crystal-clear alpine lakes and marvel at some of America’s most magnificent scenery. Our exceptional female guides lead the way—sharing Yosemite’s secrets, preparing spectacular meals (some of the best you’ve ever had on a camping trip, we promise) and imparting field-tested wisdom on women’s gear and backcountry skills. We travel between five and twelve miles every day, exploring the diversity of the Yosemite backcountry and enjoying campfire camaraderie at night. When the sun comes up, we don our packs and hit challenging trails. On the summit of Half Dome, with the valley floor stretching out beneath us, we revel in our achievement and the beautiful trails our journey has opened up to us.

Experience breathtaking views on a 4-day backpacking trip along the iconic High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin Loop. A much-loved route within the remote and unspoiled Olympic National Park, this trip boasts old-growth forests, high alpine lakes and endless views. Backpacking enthusiasts will find themselves feeling weary but alive on this route, and those up for the challenge will not be disappointed. Passing fields of wildflowers and spotting the occasional elk, deer or marmot, it’s easy to understand what makes this area one of the most treasured destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Beginning in Sol Duc Valley, hike from towering old-growth forests to high alpine meadows. Take a moment to appreciate Sol Duc Falls feeding into a river teeming with salmon year-round. The route continues to gain elevation as it climbs to the trail’s namesake, The High Divide. Take in unparalleled panoramic mountain views from the ridge and enjoy adventuring through trails alongside new friends. Our expert guides lead the way, sharing their expansive knowledge of the park’s natural history and ensuring the adventure exceeds expectations.

Coastal Carolina's Barrier Islands provide some of the most spectacular wilderness ecosystems in the country, teeming with diverse wildlife and untouched shorelines. Paddle these coastlines while playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins dip in and out of view. As the warm afternoon sunshine rises, take a moment to observe the tremendous amount of natural wildlife that surrounds us. Capers Island Heritage Preserve serves as our oceanfront basecamp. Kayak alongside dolphins while learning about the area’s ecosystem from our naturalist guides. Paddle to Bulls Island’s remote wilderness area, where we explore the vast stretches of beach, inland hiking trails and ponds. Excellent birding and alligator spotting guaranteed. As we paddle around the islands, our guides will be helping us to explore the geology of a barrier island. Take time to investigate the intimate relationship between island, estuary and ocean. This remote coastline getaway provides a unique opportunity to enjoy unparalleled access to Earth’s most wondrous creatures.

Spend four days backpacking amongst stunning views and true tranquility in the Rocky Mountains. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Native Americans on a challenging route that begins on the shores of Grand Lake and takes us all the way into a glacially carved valley dotted with many more crystal blue lakes. Along the way, we move past waterfalls, through meadows, along rushing creeks and over giant granite 'steps'. We keep our eyes peeled for moose, elk and fox, letting the soothing songbirds be the soundtrack to our journey. We begin from our base camp, nestled near a clear wilderness stream filled with trout. It is only a short stroll up the trail to the first of five alpine lakes we explore. From there, weather permitting, we follow a primitive trail slope to the Continental Divide and the Boulder-Grand Pass, a route used for centuries to pass from the Great Plains into the cool mountains. Our guides lead the way, giving us backpacking tips and tricks to hone our skills. Each evening after dark, we enjoy the abundant, star-filled skies, reveling in the day’s adventure with new friends. See our Rocky Mountains Backpacking – North Inlet trip for another great option in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Great Smoky Mountains rise up from the surrounding scenery, offering up a taste of the Appalachian trail on this 4-day backpacking trip. The famed Appalachian Trail provides a rejuvenating path for adventurers each year. We hike only a short section of this classic route, but the journey is challenging for experienced backpackers and fit beginners alike. Along the way, expert guides share their deep knowledge, backpacking techniques and naturalist expertise. The Appalachian Trail provides us with a great opportunity to experience life as a thru-hiker. Each morning, awaken to the symphony of the forest, a wonderful benefit to life on the trail. We'll trek past expansive mountain views, traverseing narrow ridgelines and walking amongst some of the East Coast's most ancient trees.​ Our trip culminates with gratitude, spending the last few hours among new friends. Those who choose this adventure know why it is among America's most iconic national parks and a choice journey among backpackers the world over.

A breathtaking women-only backpacking adventure off the beaten path. A trip below the rim of the Grand Canyon opens the door to a landscape of magic and wonder. In it, you’ll join like-minded women who appreciate big challenges with even bigger rewards. For four spectacular days, you’ll build backcountry skills, forge new friendships and trek through one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Indigenous flora and fauna surround cool swimming holes and hidden oases to create an environment ripe for learning and adventure. And with challenging terrain like this, come seasoned backcountry guides who know the land and its secrets. From the basics of pack fitting to more advanced survival skills and techniques, their expertise will help you build a solid foundation to journey through this unmatched bucket-list worthy experience.

A challenging 4-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon’s South Rim brings extraordinary views and exceptional feelings of personal accomplishment. The Grand Canyon—with its rugged trails and unforgettable scenery—is truly one of America's greatest natural wonders. Avid backpackers around the world seek out its mystic depths in search of a true personal challenge. This strenuous trip is designed for experienced and fit backpackers. We hike on steep, rocky trails with dramatic elevation gains and losses. Our reward is the time spent below the rim—an experience unlike any other, and a milestone accomplishment for avid backpackers. Along our way from the South rim to the Colorado River at the Canyon's floor, we see astounding rock formations, springs and waterfalls, and fossils and relics revealing the immense history of the region. During rest stops, we take in awe-inspiring views and cool off in the canyon’s waters. Camp beneath starry skies, enjoying delicious meals and good stories with new friends. An early start means cooler temperatures we make our ascent to the canyon rim. Enjoy dramatic views of the wide chasm as we revel in our accomplishments. Also check out our North Rim backpacking itinerary for more options to explore this national treasure.

Hone your winter climbing skills with like-minded explorers on this extraordinary 3-day adventure. Towering above us at 6,288', Mount Washington’s peaks are the highest in the White Mountains, and home to incredibly unforgiving weather at higher elevations. With this formidable weather comes great beauty and the thrill of adventure. Our journey takes us through a sparkling winter wonderland, blanketed in crisp, undisturbed snowfall. On this climb we will spend a day brushing up on basic mountaineering skills on a practice attempt on neighboring Mount Willey. Our world-class mountaineering guides teach us crampon techniques, tips for snow and ice travel, ice axe use, self-arrest and navigation. On our final day we push up 3,500' to ascend Mt. Washington itself. As we reach the top, the realization of our accomplishment washes over us. On sunny days, we enjoy crisp views of the surrounding mountains, an unforgettable experience.

Journey beyond the national park and backpack the Appalachian Mountains in this unique, 4-day hike among diverse landscapes. Blue Ridge may be known as America’s favorite drive, but it’s a spectacularly scenic place for hiking, too. World-class trails await as we embark on a trip built for backpacking enthusiasts of all experience levels. This trip is a perfect escape to some of the south’s most beautiful landscapes—including cascading waterfalls and epic views. Backpack Graveyard Fields Trail, visiting waterfalls and a bog along the way. Hike up Black Balsam Knob to enjoy the sweeping, treeless mountaintop views. Greet each sunrise with a fresh cup of steaming coffee and the songs of the birds as a soundtrack. Along the way, local guides share insights about how human influence and natural forces combined to create this unique landscape. This adventure takes us beyond the borders of the park onto trails that truly showcase the stunning beauty of Blue Ridge. With plenty of opportunities to witness the grandeur of nature, hone backpacking skills and unplug from the trappings of everyday life, this trip won’t soon be forgotten.

Rejuvenate the spirit on this 3-day backpacking trip through one of the world’s most quintessential trails. The Pacific Crest Trail has long been a place for adventurers to come and find peace in the journey. With minimal elevation gain and loss, the trail is accessible to all levels of backpacker fitness. While our trip focuses on the Mount Shasta region of the trail, it is a wonderful chance to get a taste of life as a thru-hiker on the PCT. Backpacking is an incredible way to roam the world’s wild spaces. Taking the trip with a guide brings the experience to a whole new level. Our local, expert guides share their intimate knowledge of the region and their perspectives on backpacking as a whole. With our guides at the helm, we are led to stunning campsites to swim, explore and enjoy the remote solitude that draw so many to this trail. Our final, optional adventure is a dramatic ascent of Mount Eddy. The challenge is rewarding and filled with a sense of personal accomplishment, as is the entire journey itself.

Encounter the soul of the Pacific Northwest on this kayaking and culinary exploration of the San Juan Islands. This trip is perfect for anyone who wants to learn sea kayaking fundamentals, experience the wild bounty of San Juan Islands, and get away without blowing through a week of vacation. After orientation, we set out exploring in double kayaks. For three glorious days, we paddle with the winds and tides, crossing channels, skimming over lagoons and pausing to picnic in rocky coves while seabirds wheel overhead. Our naturalist guides share insights about the islands’ history and animal inhabitants. Keep your eyes open for Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and curious dolphins. We may even glimpse resident orca whales. Each evening, we enjoy a remarkable backcountry gourmet dinner, with multiple courses sourced from the Northwest and perfectly paired with Washington wines. We camp on remote Stuart Island, away from crowds. The summer sky frames spectacular sunsets and views of the Cascades, Olympic Range and far-off Mount Rainier. You’ll leave renewed by the peace and beauty of this wild refuge.

Explore the majestic San Juan Islands from the seat of a kayak on this unforgettable 3-day adventure. Washington’s San Juan Islands are nothing short of magical. Its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife make it a remarkable place to seek serenity and adventure. Our route is designed to take us through the best kayaking the San Juan’s has to offer. Paddling 7-12 miles per day, we pass tranquil beaches, observe marine birds and harbor seals, and spot the occasional orca from our boats. From the quaint island community of Roche Harbor, we pack our boats and set out for a weekend of adventure. Spend two nights on charming Stuart Island, home to great hiking and beautiful campsites. While gliding through Haro Strait and Boundary Pass, we keep our eyes peeled for Dall's porpoise, endangered Steller sea lions and many different types of birds soaring overhead. Our guides are experienced naturalists, trained to help spot the creatures of the San Juan Islands. This journey hooks us with adventure and inspires us with beauty.

Discover the peace and power of wild places on this three-day backpacking trip on one of the world’s longest hiking trails. Perfect for women who want to try backpacking, advance their backcountry skills or get a taste of life as a thru-hiker, this trip is a learning journey that touches a spectacularly scenic portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT stretches 2,650 miles along America’s west coast, through some of the country’s most rugged and dramatic terrain. Our trail section is accessible to those who want an incredible backpacking experience but don’t have a lot of time. By day, we hike through mountain meadows, along open ridgelines and by the shores of gemlike alpine lakes, with Mount Shasta towering on the horizon. Our expert female guides share their knowledge of wilderness travel and the fauna, flora, geology and history of the land. We camp near lakes, allowing plenty of time to swim and relax. By night, we savor star-filled skies and remote solitude. Our final, optional adventure is an ascent of Mount Eddy, the highest of the Klamath Mountains, providing a literal pinnacle to our wild journey.

Spend three days learning the finer points of mountaineering on Mount Shasta’s northeastern face. Mt. Shasta, the second highest peak in the Cascade Range, offers stupendous views and the perfect location to learn and practice mountaineering skills. Climbers come here each year for the amazing scenery and challenging peaks, and they are not disappointed. Physically challenging, our summit attempt ascends the northeast face of the mountain, gaining more than 7,000 feet in two days. We camp on the mountain in backcountry basecamp—comfortable accommodations beneath the vast sky. We start our ascent at about 7,000 feet and climb through the day to 9,400 feet. Once we arrive and camp is set up, we take some time to cover the basics of ice axe and crampon use, specific climbing techniques, as well as an introduction to roped travel in preparation for our summit attempt. Our professional guides are expert climbers, leading our ascent up the mountain. A successful summit attempt leaves us full of personal accomplishment, knowledge of mountaineering skills, and new memories with like-minded adventurers. We also offer more departures in the spring and summer via Shasta's South Face.

Spend 4 days in the soaring peaks and rugged terrain of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. New Hampshire's White Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northeast, and the famed Appalachian Trail takes us straight into the heart of it. Our destination is the Pemigewasset Wilderness, 45,000 acres of colorful, rugged, federally-designated wilderness. The area is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular parks in the United States. Our journey takes us past babbling brooks, picturesque waterfalls and to incredible summits, such as South Twin and Galehead Mountains. We journey from river valleys up to alpine peaks, seeing beautiful and rare plant life along the way. With some luck, we may spot moose, white-tailed deer, fox, and many more creatures. Retire each evening to rustic accommodations in the company of new comrades. Staying in huts allows us to travel with lighter packs than normal, overall enjoying a more comfortable journey. We depart home having experienced a unique blend of adventure and unbridled beauty.

Journey through the dramatic high peaks of New Hampshire's White Mountains on this guided hut-to-hut hike. Rising up at 6,289′, New Hampshire’s White Mountains are a stunning sight to behold. Dramatic, high peaks lead to sweeping vistas, gorgeous sunsets are replaced with spectacular sunrises, and rugged trails lead to rewarding adventure experiences. We spend most of our time following the iconic Appalachian Trail, but we take a few detours through other picturesque routes in the area. As we progress along the trail each day, we experience challenging terrain, stay in remote huts, and—weather permitting—we summit the incredible Mount Washington. Along the way, our expert guides point out rare alpine vegetation, lead us to beautiful waterfalls and join us in experiencing the charm and camaraderie of these remote mountain huts. While our packs will be relatively light by normal backpacking standards, the trails we follow and the unpredictable mountain weather promise to provide a challenge to even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiast. Despite the challenge, the journey is more than worth it. Looking for another option on the Appalachian Trail? Check out our Pemigewasset Wilderness hut-to-hut hiking trip.