“Discover quintessential Vermont Along New England’s longest rail trail.“
official vermont website
Imagine waking up each morning to crisp Vermont air, rolling green hills, and the smell of fresh coffee beckoning you onward. The Lamoille Valley Biking Rail Trail โ a gently graded, crushed-stone rail trail spanning 94 miles across northern Vermont โ winds through peaceful farmland, shaded woodlands, quiet towns, and along rivers and lake shores. The ride feels timeless: the land seems to move with you, and with each pedal stroke you sink deeper into the rhythm of countryside life.
History and Importance of the Trail
The trail follows the former rail line of the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad, later operated by the Lamoille Valley Railroad. Built in the late 1800s, the line connected farms, forests, and small towns across northern Vermont, running roughly from St. Johnsbury westward toward Lake Champlain. In addition to linking the small towns, the railroad delivered the mail and transported umber, granite, milk, and agricultural goods.
In some ways, the trail serves similar purposes today. At 94 miles, the trail goes almost the entire way across northern Vermont, from Lake Champlain to within 10 miles of the New Hampshire border. The towns up here are small, the largest of which in the area is St. Johnsbury at less than 8,000 people. Rather than shipping freight and delivering mail, the trail now connects these communities culturally via people power. You are part of this history when on the trail.
About Lamoille Valley Biking
We actually use not one but two long rail trails: The Lamoille Valley Biking trail is 94 miles long and it intersects with the 26-mile long Missisquoi Valley Trail. Both trails are primarily on old railroad beds so the trails are mostly 10-feet wide, crushed stone or gravel, car free, and flat or with only a modest grade. We bike approximately 20 miles on our first half day, 30 miles on day two, 40 miles on day three, and 30 miles on day four, with day five being a departure day. Because we are not in a hurry, these distances are moderate enough for most bikers and relatively easy on e-bikes.
The scenery varies, including peaceful dairy farms with friendly cows, cool forest sections where the dappled sunlight dances across the path, quiet bridges overlooking sparkling streams, and lakes and ponds reflecting the sky like mirrors. Every few miles, small Vermont villages โ like Morrisville or Johnson โ offer chances to stop for a snack, refill water, or explore a bakery or micro-brewery. You can decide when and where to stop: for a great photo, ice cream, a farm stand, a maple syrup shop, and more.
The Vermont Towns
Most of the towns along our route are too small to have any lodging options at all. We have chosen four locations for our overnight stays that provide good mileage distances and pleasant lodging. St. Albans is located near the shores of Lake Champlain and blends small-town charm with a lively historic downtown. Often called the โRail Cityโ for its 19th-century railroad roots, itโs a welcoming gateway to northern Vermont. Jeffersonville is tiny but full of character, sitting at the base of Smugglersโ Notch and feeling like a postcard come to life. St. Johnsbury feels like a cultural hub tucked into the Northeast Kingdom; itโs larger than the other two towns with a vibrant main street and a great place to finish our tour. We also spend one night at a Vermont lodge located in the countryside.
Your Guide
Allan is Zephyrโs owner and founder and has been running adventure vacations around the world since 1997. Allan is a native of Seattle and has lived in eleven cities in four countries on three continents. His visit list is up to 66 countries โ as of this writing!
“Allan’s passion for creating an active travel company that is centered around the participantsโ wants and needs clearly shows.โ
What is an Exploratory Adventure?
Our Exploratory Adventures are first-run tours to less-traveled destinations in small groups, generally led by our founder and owner Allan Wright. Vermont is obviously highly visited but the Lamoille Valley Biking Trail is new, having officially opened only as of October of 2023. Plus, the trail itself is still relatively unknown and the entire region of northern Vermont, outside a few towns like Stowe, is relatively unvisited. It is perfect for exploration.
When we run an Exploratory Adventure, we have done a ton of research on the destination including activities, lodging, transportation, etc. These tours are fully set up and ready to run. However, they are also the first time we have run a tour in that specific location, which tends to make it more adventurous. On this tour we will have our lodging, breakfasts, dinners, luggage transfer, and routes all pre-determined but we will be free to make our own decisions about where to stop, whether to take short detours, and what to do in the evenings. You will be essentially scouting this tour with Allan, enjoying the excitement of exploration that comes with our first-run tours.
Come join us on this Lamoille Valley Biking Exploratory Adventure in 2026!
Details
- Dates: June 23 - 27, 2026
- Cost Per Person: $2,600
- Single Supplement: $600
- Private Tour Minimum: 4
- Activities: Biking
- Guide(s): Allan Wright
Difficulty
All Abilities
The biking is 30 to 40 miles per day, with a shorter first day and optional extra rides that allow you to get over 50 miles most days. These are rail trails, so elevation change is insignificant. Overall, this is an easy biking tour, especially if one is on an e-bike, with the only caveat being the trails are gravel or crushed stone rather than pavement.
Other Info
-> Bike rental of $40 per day (standard bike), $55 per day (gravel bike), or $90 per day (e-bike) not included
-> No support van is provided on this tour as distances and elevation change are moderate
-> The deposit on this tour is non-refundable as we are required to pay non-refundable hotel deposits
Talk to Our Team: 888-758-8687
I Have QuestionsTrip Highlights
- Cycle over 120 miles on car-free, mostly flat rail trails through rural and scenic northern Vermont
- Enjoy small-town culture in our overnight stays of St. Albans, Jeffersonville, and St. Johnsbury
- Stop when and where you wish to explore farm stands, craft breweries, maple syrup shops, museums, and more
- Choose to ride a traditional bicycle or an e-bike to make this vacation as much of a workout as you wish
- Feel as if you are back in the 1880s when the trail was built, connecting rural Vermont towns as the trail does today
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Day One: We meet in the tiny town of Johnson at 10:00 AM with an optional shuttle from Burlington at 9:00 AM. If you are renting, we'll get fitted for your bike and then shuttle with our bike provider to Swanton, way up in northern Vermont only seven miles from the Canadian border. You'll have the opportunity to explore and have lunch in the small town before we begin our cycling. We'll bike 10 miles to Sheldon Junction and the intersection with the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, turn right on the Missisquoi, and then bike another 10 miles to St. Albans. If you want more riding, you can cycle 13 miles round trip to Kill Kare State Park on Lake Champlain. St. Albans is an historic town with a modern main street and we'll eat dinner at Twigg's American Gastro Pub with a possible pre-dinner happy hour at 14th Star Brewing Company.
Biking Distance: 20 or 33 miles
Day Two: After breakfast, we'll jump on our bikes and cycle 10 miles back to the Lamoille Valley biking trail intersection where you'll have a decision to make. The main route continues south 20 miles on the Lamoille Valley Trail to the Smugglerโs Notch Inn in Jeffersonville. Those wanting some extra mileage can first bike east from Sheldon Junction to Enosburg Falls for an extra 15 miles round trip. Enosburg Falls is a cute small town with multiple lunch options. If you do the main route only, Puddledock Scoop & Grill is a highly rated stop right on the trail (but only if the weather is good as it is outdoor dining only). On our ride we'll stop at the Historic East Fairfield Covered Bridge, one of Vermont's famous covered bridges. Once in Jeffersonville, we'll check into the hotel and you can optionally choose to visit the Smuggler's Notch Distillery or take a short walk to the Historic Grist Mill Covered Bridge near town. Dinner tonight is that the local favorite Village Tavern.
Biking Distance: 30 or 45 miles
Day Three: We have a lot of stopping options on our way to the Highland Lodge located in the country away from any towns. The stops include:
- The Historic Cambridge Junction Covered Bridge is located next to the trail just outside town as we start the day
- The Vintage Den Antique Store is located just a couple miles up the trail
- Willow Crossing Farm is located three miles before the town of Johnson and might be a place we can stop in to tour
- The Historic Power House Covered Bridge is in Johnson another half mile after Two Sons Bakehouse, which is a potential lunch stop for the day
- The towns of Morrisonville and Hardwick both have nice main streets worth exploring
- The Vermont Flannel Factory Store is across the main road from the trail after Johnson
- Fisher Bridge in Wolcott
- G&W Maple Products is just down the road if you turn off right before the Fisher Bridge in Wolcott
- Wilson Farm Market is right off the route as we exit the rail trail towards our hotel and has highly rated ice cream with unique flavors as well as gift items
- On the way to the lodge we could take a 3.1-mile (one way) detour to the famous Hill Farmstead Brewery, one of Vermont's most famous craft breweries
Biking Distance: 41 miles with an optional 6 extra miles out and back to the brewery
Day Four: This morning we'll have the option for a 1.6-mile pre-breakfast hike up to Barr Hill on the Highland Lodge property for excellent views of the surrounding Green Mountains. Or you can ride on the dozens of miles of gravel trails on the property. We'll then enjoy a homemade breakfast in our lodge before jumping back on our bicycles for our final ride. Today it is less about the stops en route but more about getting to our fun end point of St. Johnsbury, although it might be worth a quick stop at Heights Ice Cream 18 miles into the route, which has highly rated maple syrup โcreameeโ ice cream. Because St. Johnsbury is bigger, we'll plan to cycle there for lunch and have the afternoon free. There are a number of interesting things to do in town including shopping on the main street; visiting the St. Johnsbury History & Heritage Center or theย Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium; doing the seven-stop self-guided walking tour offered by the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center, or browsing the St Johnsbury Athenaeum, the public library established in 1871 and now part museum and part art gallery too. Our final dinner tonight will be at Salt Bistro, which serves upscale Mediterranean food.
Biking Distance: 32 miles with optional gravel riding in the morning
Day Five: This morning we'll have our final breakfast and then take an 8:30 AM shuttle back to Johnson, arriving at 9:45 AM, and depart. If you drove and left your car in Johnson, you are free to head on your way. We will also provide a shuttle the one hour back to Burlington and the airport there.
Book this TourTrip Accommodations
Hampton Inn in St. Albans: A reliable, modern and comfortable downtown hotel ideal for relaxing after our first ride. Located within easy walking distance of local restaurants and shops, it offers hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and fitness center, and spacious rooms with refrigerators and TVs โ all in a friendly, Hilton-branded setting.
Smugglerโs Notch Innย in Jeffersonville: A cozy, historic inn right in the heart of Jeffersonville, this is the sort of place that feels quintessentially Vermont. Housed in a classic building dating back to the 1790s, it has just a handful of guest rooms, a welcoming bar and dining room, and a made-to-order breakfast included with your stay. The location is perfect for exploring the tiny village, grabbing a meal, and winding down after a day on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
Highland Lodge in Greensboro: A charming, historic lodge and B&B nestled on the northern shore of beautiful Caspian Lake, surrounded by forests and farmland. It feels more like a classic Vermont getaway than a typical hotel โ with cozy rooms or rustic cabins, private lake access and outdoor space, and a relaxed, homey vibe. Guests enjoy fresh breakfast and farm-to-table dining on site, outdoor activities like swimming or boating in warm weather, and peaceful country views.
Fairbanks Inn in St. Johnsbury: A comfortable, mid-sized hotelย in historic St. Johnsbury, offering classic New England hospitality and convenient access to local culture and services. The rooms typically include amenities like in-room refrigerators and microwaves, and the property features outdoor seating, a seasonal pool, and beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Its location puts you close to trails, museums, and restaurants โ a simple but convenient final stop.
Book this TourArrival & Departures
If you are flying to the tour location, we'll meet you at 9:00 AM in Burlington for a short shuttle. If you are driving, we'll meet in the tiny town of Johnson at 10:00 AM to fit our rental bikes and catch a shuttle north to Swanton. You should be ready for biking in the afternoon, as our luggage will be transported for us on to St Albans, our first overnight stay.
On our final morning, we'll have an 8:30 AM shuttle from St. Johnsbury back to our cars in Johnson, reaching our destination at 9:45 AM. If you drove, you can jump in your car and depart. If you need a ride back to Burlington, we'll shuttle back there and arrive no later than 11:00 AM.
What's Included?
- One or two Zephyr guides, depending on group size.
- Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are coming on a trip solo, you have two options: 1) Pay the single supplement to receive your own room. 2) Ask us to try to find you a roommate of the same gender to share a room with; if we are not successful you will be charged the single supplement and receive your own room.
- All of your dinners and breakfasts are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included. We have left lunches open so that you have time to explore and enjoy the local flavors en route.
- All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
- NOT INCLUDED Beverages, desserts, lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to and from the destination.
Weather
The average high temperature during our tour in late June is 75 degrees with an average overnight low of 60 degrees. So it could very well be pleasant, perfect biking weather. Having said that, we need to be prepared for temperature variations as well as the high humidity the northeast is known for in the summer. Plus, it is not called the Green Mountain State for no reason and it can rain on us any day. We usually try to adjust our schedule to avoid cycling in the rain if possible.
Polish cuisine also includes rich desserts like sernik (cheesecake) and pฤ czki (filled doughnuts), and meals are typically accompanied by pickled vegetables and hearty breads.
Changes to Your Itinerary
While everything under โWhat is Includedโ will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed in our itineraries are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common โ a restaurant closes or loses its awesome chef, a winery changes its visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, a road or trail undergoes construction. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes (even at the last minute, during the guidesโ scout trip) to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience. If there is any one experience that is going to make or break your trip, please discuss this with us in advance! We will attempt to keep our website itinerary as current as possible and communicate any major changes with you in the weeks prior to the tour.
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After breakfast, we will hike up the Ollantaytambo ruins in the morning to avoid the crowds. Then we will shuttle to the Moray agricultural laboratory, also located in the Sacred Valley. This impressive off-the-beaten-path site has a cavernous amphitheater-like bowl with dozens of concentric terraces, each with its own microclimate. The Incas used this outdoor laboratory to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops of each species. From there, we hike to the nearby town of Maras for a lunch prepared by our local guide and staff. Afterward, weโll continue on foot to visit the nearby salt pans, where local families make their living mining salt. Our total hiking time today is approximately three hours and will help us acclimatize for our trek. Weโll return to Ollantaytambo for a pre-trek route talk about packing, a wonderful dinner, and our comfortable beds.
After a morning transfer by private motorcoach to the town of Piscacucho (2750m/9075 ft), which is also Kilometer 82 of the railway, we have an introduction to our equipment, the route, and our porters, and begin trekking through semi-arid terrain along the left bank of the Urubamba River, with magnificent views of snow-capped mountains on the horizon. After two hours we arrive above the ruins of Llactapata (2650m/8745ft). Here we leave the Urubamba and set off up the Kusichaca River Valley to our camp near Wayllabamba (3000m/9900 ft). Walking from Piscacucho to Wayllabamba is approximately 12 kilometers and takes us four to five hours.
After a healthy breakfast, we begin to walk uphill to the great Warmihuaรฑusca (Dead Woman) pass, which at 4200m/13860ft is our highest point on the trek. We have a steep climb in the morning with a gain of 1200m/3960ft. This is a day weโll be very happy to have porters! The top of the pass offers a view you will not soon forget and we allow plenty of time at the top to appreciate it. We descend 2000 feet on stone steps to Pacaymayo (3600m/11880 ft), our second camp. Note this is the most difficult of the four days and will be very challenging for most people. The key is to go slowly and steadily. The walking time from Wayllabamba to Warmiwaรฑusca Pass is nine kilometers and four to five hours. Walking time from the pass down to the campsite is about two kilometers and another one to two hours.
From our campsite, we take a steep but short ascent to the Runkurakay circular ruins, a lookout point over the passes below. From here there is no sign of human life, only great forests and abrupt hills. The uphill continues for a short while after the ruins and then we head down on a well-preserved section of trail to the Sayacmarca ruins (3580m/11814 ft). These ruins are another short but steep climb off the main trail and are well worth visiting. After lunch the trail heads into jungle terrain and a spectacular cloud forest before arriving at our third camp (3760m/12400 ft), where weโll have a view of the surrounding peaks like youโve never seen! Walking distance for the day is eight kilometers and four hours, so we have plenty of time to explore Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. Although we will have several ascents and descents, our total elevation gain will be only 40m/132ft.
We rise early today, our final day on the trail, to watch the sunโs rays splash onto the surrounding mountaintops. The entire morning will be downhill on stone steps. We stop for a brief visit at the ruins below our campsite, Phuyupatamarka, before continuing our descent through the jungle to the Wiรฑay Wayna Ruins (2650m/8745ft). These are significant ruins, second only to Machu Picchu. We continue to Inti Punku (also known as the Sun Gate), our final mountain pass and from here youโll have your unforgettable first glimpse of Machu Picchu. It is a short one-kilometer descent from the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu itself (2400m/7920ft) and from there we will take a quick local shuttle (sitting on a bus never felt so good!) to our hotel. You might be tired from your days on the trail, but you will definitely want to take time to explore bustling little Aguas Calientes, the town directly below Machu Picchu, and perhaps purchase some last-minute souvenirs. Walking time from Phuyupatamarca to Wiรฑay Wayna is seven kilometers and three hours and on to Machu Picchu is another six kilometers and two to three hours. We have a total elevation loss of 1240m/4092ft.
We will return to Machu Picchu today to learn more about its fascinating history via your own guided tour or to take a challenging hike up the steep mountain of Huayna Picchu (we need to purchase ahead of time a separate permit for each person who elects to participate in this option) before returning to Aguas Calientes. We will then return to Ollantaytambo by train and then transfer by private coach to Cusco (which takes a little over three hours) before enjoying our farewell dinner in town.
Our final day of exploration is in Cusco, the cradle of the Incan Empire and a beautiful city. The day includes options of a walk through Sacsayhuaman ruins, visiting a llama farm, a guided walk through the city including the cathedral, or time for you to explore and shop on your own. After lunch, we will transfer to the Cusco airport at which time you are free to depart the country or extend your vacation in Peru.
The trip begins with a classic Northwest experience: a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island before a relaxed farm-to-table lunch at Finnriver Cidery. In the afternoon, we head into Olympic National Park for our first hike at Hurricane Ridge, where the Hurricane Hill trail offers sweeping mountain views on a rewarding 3.2-mile route. We end the day settling into the historic Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and gathering for a welcome dinner along the shores of the lake.
We start the day with breakfast before heading out to explore the trails around Lake Crescent, including scenic paths to Marymere Falls and the Devilโs Punchbowl. After a leisurely lunch on your own in Port Angeles, the afternoon takes us to the lush Sol Duc Valley, where you can hike to Sol Duc Falls and unwind with an optional soak in the hot springs. After a day of exploring, we will head to Singer Tavern for a group social, followed by dinner back at the historic lodge.
We begin with an early breakfast before departing for the dramatic coastal scenery of Rialto Beach, where low tide reveals tidepools and the famous Hole-in-the-Wall rock formation. After a casual lunch on your own, the adventure continues inland to the Hoh Rainforest, where towering, moss-draped trees create an otherworldly hiking experience. In the evening, we will check into our next historic lodge: Kalaloch Lodge, located a few sandy steps from the pristine Pacific coast.
Meet in Florence at 8:00 AM and transfer one hour to the Passo della Consuma, a "peaceful place in the middle of nowhere" as one reviewer described it. But for us, it is the perfect place to begin our hiking along the Via di Francesco. Our route twists and turns through forests on the slopes of the Apennines but is primarily a long gradual downhill as we make our way to the town of Stia. Stia is a small town at the confluence of the Arno and Staggia rivers and is a cute town with a central square, half a dozen restaurants and bars, and a few shops. The town is traditionally known for its iron works and wool industry. Our hotel is a stone's throw from Piazza Tanucci, the main square, where you might decide to try a snack of "tortello", the local potato dish, before dinner tonight.
This morning after breakfast we shuttle 30 minutes to the top of Passo la Calla, which is the border between the provinces of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany and, for us, cuts off a big uphill climb. We start our hike from the pass, with the first half staying up high with only small ups and downs. We are in the UNESCO heritage site called the Foreste Casentinesi that includes Mt Falterona and Campigna National Park, one of the most extensive forests of Europe and dotted with medieval castles, hermitages, and monasteries. During the second half of our hike we descend to the Hermitage and Monastery of Camaldoli. Founded in the 11th century, the hermitage is still operational today. We are able to wander the grounds and visit some of the buildings. At the end of our hike, we will shuttle to Camaldoli to spend the night there. We'll again enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Today we do check out after breakfast and then again shuttle to the start of our hike, the Passo dei Mandrioli, a 45-minute drive that again removes a big uphill from our day. Our walk stretches along the ridge line offering wonderful views of the valleys of Romagna and Tuscany. We soon cross paths with the โVia Romea Germanicaโ the pilgrimage route of the medieval German Knights and Princes going to visit the Pope in Rome. We will stop in to a small farm "birrificio" or brewery located along the route for lunch and a tasting. After crossing the beautiful "forest of the fairies" (its almost like the fabled Elves realm in The Lord of the Rings) we will get to the La Verna Sanctuary, one of the most important sites of the St Francis way and of Francis of Assisi. We continue on to our albergo in the village of Chiusi della Verna. This is the only day of our trip with significant uphill, as we have 2,303 feet of gain today.
Today we have another wonderful walk, with views of the Upper Tiber Valley. We again are relatively level to start, skirting the beech tree forest that surrounds La Verna, with views of the valley down below. We then have a long gradual descent to a lunch stop at a country butcher, where the butcher himself explains his craft and lays out an incredible spread of local cheeses, pickled vegetables, vino, and about ten varieties of meats. We finish in the town of Pieve Santo Stefano. Pieve Santo Stefano is unfortunately famous in Italy as it was destroyed in 1944 by German troops retreating north. Although the town "lost its past" in some ways, an indirect result is that local citizens created the Piccolo Museo del Diario, the "small museum of diaries", which houses a collection of diaries from everyday people. sent each year to a committee that gives out an annual award. The museum is very well done and will exceed your expectations. Our overnight is in the center of town, with dinner on your own tonight after the big lunch we had.
We again enjoy a plentiful Italian breakfast and check out before shuttling 20 minutes to the Passo di Viamaggio, once again avoiding a sharp uphill climb. Our route today takes us straight through the Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve, a preserve focused on the Alpe della Luna mountains, part of the Apennines. We'll wander through woods and across meadows, with occasional views of the sweeping Tiber Valley below us. We stop at a goat cheese farm embedded within the preserve, where we'll engage in a cheese-making workshop and then eat a delicious lunch of the local products. Our destination tonight is La Montagna, a very small village that was relatively unknown until the growing popularity of the Via di Francesco walking trail. Accommodations are small and we might have to split up between several local B&Bs. Dinner tonight is a treat - we work together to create a typical Italian family-style meal, using the three kitchens at one of our B&Bs and led by our guide (now chef) Giovanni.
Today is our final walk, as we finish our Via di Francesco hiking tour en route to our destination of Sansepolcro. We pass through several small villages and then join a small hiking trail. We enter into a forest and pass the Convent of Montecasale, an ancient settlement from the 11th century known for being a major Franciscan site. We then descend to the town of Sansepolcro. Sansepolcro is a small city but distinctly the largest community along our route. It has an amazing Medieval and Renaissance historic center and a fantastic north-to-south "corso", or main street, that draws locals out for a stroll in the evenings. We love Sansepolcro not only because it is such a great city but because it is also away from the typical tourist track. It is also home to Giovanni. We'll overnight in the center of town, probably stop in for a glass of wine at a enoteca, and definitely try the local gelato as we celebrate the last six days.
We have breakfast in our hotel and then transfer to the Arezzo train station, from which you can catch a train to Florence or Rome or perhaps rent a car for your continued travels.
We meet in Bend just after lunch, giving you time to arrive that day. If you prefer a more leisurely travel schedule, you can arrive ahead of time and enjoy a free morning before we meet. We kick off our adventure with a charming walking tour through Bendโs vibrant Whitewater Park and bustling Old Mill District, soaking in the sights and river views. After checking into our hotel, weโll unwind and connect over wine and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks crafted by local women-owned businesses, perfect for setting the mood before we walk to dinner at Laughing Planet.
This morning, we head towards Smith Rock State Park, famous in the state and the country for its rock climbing, but also offering excellent hiking trails. We'll hike along the Crooked River, which makes an incredible horseshoe bend around the park, with excellent views of the 400-foot rock spires that are so beloved by climbers. For a tougher workout, you can hike up the Summit Trail, from which you can get excellent views of the park below and the Cascades off in the distance in the west. On our way back to Bend, we'll stop in the small town of Redmond, where you can walk the western main street and grab lunch. After lunch, we will head back to our hotel for a quick change as we head to the Deschutes River that rolls right through the center of Bend. You have the option to kayak (single or tandem), canoe, or stand-up paddleboard on the placid waters while admiring the city from the river. You can even try more than one activity if you can get someone to switch with you!ย After our activity and some downtime, we'll enjoy dinner at the Deschutes Bend Public House.
Today, weโre headed to Sunriver for a day of biking along more than 40 miles of scenic paved paths. Thereโs always plenty to see and explore! Whether you prefer a leisurely, easy ride or want to challenge yourself with longer distances, the trails offer options for every skill level to enjoy at your own pace. You will have time to enjoy lunch on your own in Sunriver and walk around the small town. Once we're back in Bend, we'll enjoy a yoga session led by a local, women-owned business. Tonight you will have a chance to go to one of the many great restaurants in Bend for dinner.
We will spend the morning hiking the Pine Marten Lodge Loop around Mt. Bachelor. Youโll have time to explore Mt. Bachelor, where you can take in views of up to 10 Cascade peaks from the summit, including the iconic Three Sisters and Mount Hood. In the afternoon, we will return home for a few hours before we head out to whitewater river rafting on the upper Deschutes River. The rafting is short but fun and gives us a different view of the river than we had previously. Our final dinner will be at Drake, where a diverse menu of flavorful American-style dishes includes plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, making it the perfect place for everyone to savor creative, fresh bites paired with craft cocktails.
Day One: We meet in the city of 
Day Two: Today is our first real ride but we'll start off by taking a cable car from Zakopane up the Gubaลรณwka mountain so we can begin our ride with a fun downhill cruise on a small side road, avoiding the main route into the city. After a long and gradual downhill we reach the town of Chochoลรณw, known as a "living history" museum due to its 100+ rough wooden houses, often over one hundred years old, that line the main street of town. From there the route takes us on what is called the "historical cultural natural trail around the Tatry mountains", which sounds good to us, and is a great way to experience nature while making our way to Novy Targ. Novy Targ is a small city known as the home of the local mountain people and boasting a huge pedestrian-only central square. Distance Today: 50 Kilometers
Day Three: This morning after breakfast we will check out and continue our ride. Our route takes us along the fantastic Dunajec River Bike Path and then along the shores of Lake Czorsztyn. We have plenty of time to view sights along the way, including an ancient wooden church inย 
Day Four: Our route today continues along the Dunajec River through another gorge, although since this one is not made of limestone the river banks are gradual and more wooded. We'll have the option to stop in the ancient small town of Stary Sฤ
cz and will pass the Bobrowisko nature preserve with its resident population of beavers. Our ultimate destination is the city of Nowy Sฤ
cz. Nowy Sฤ
cz was founded in the year 1292 (everything seems old here) and has well-preserved historic buildings, museums, and churches well worth time to wander and see. Distance Today: 65 Kilometers
Day Five: We make our way along the Poprad River slightly uphill south again towards Slovakia. We'll pass by the Saฬจdecki Ethnographic Park (a large open-area museum showcasing the area's history and culture) and the small town of Stary Saฬจcz with its cute central square. Our destination is Piwniczna Zdroฬj, where we'll stay in a four-star spa hotel that has a spa, swimming pool, a fitness room, and even a pool table. This is a relatively short ride so we will optionally do an afternoon walk in the nearby woods and past agricultural fields. Distance Today: 30 KM
This morning we pick you up at our designated hotel in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. After introductions, we'll visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the country. We'll learn about Islam's importance in Oman as we view the interior of the mosque, including ornate chandeliers and Persian rugs. Then it is into our 4WD vehicles and the start of our adventure, with a morning drive to Wadi (a term describing an oasis or a dry valley except during the rainy season) Bani Awf. The drive takes us off the paved roads, up a rural valley, past several villages, and along green palm groves. We'll stop for lunch at our evening guesthouse where we'll also get fitted with wet suits before venturing on to Snake Canyon. The canyon is very narrow - in some parts you can touch both walls at the same time - and has a stream running down it. We'll go canyoning, which involves hiking, wading, swimming, and jumping off small ledges into pools as we make our way down the canyon. Canyoning is fun and no special skills are required. However, you can always choose an optional hike in the area instead with one of our guides. We'll return to our guesthouse, located in a very rural region, and enjoy our first Omani dinner together.
After breakfast in our guesthouse, we'll check out and begin a hike in the mountains above Wadi Bani Awf. Our path will take us up through the (probably dry) stream bed and up into the mountains. We'll reach a small village and then continue on to a larger second village, where the locals make their living with agriculture, often date tree farming. Those seeking a shorter hike will jump in our vehicles here after a hike of about three hours. Others can choose to continue up and over a pass down to the main road, another couple hours walk. We'll then all drive to the Sharaf Al Alamain Pass, the only roadway through the Western Hajar mountains, with spectacular views on the way down. We'll continue on to the mountain village of Misfat Al Abreyeen, one of the most beautiful villages in Oman and one where cars are not allowed in the historic center, walking a short distance to our guesthouse for cleaning up and dinner.
This morning we'll have a pleasant and gentle hike that winds through the bottom of a wadi or on old paths a bit above. There will hopefully be a stream flowing through the wadi with pools just big enough to dip our toes or even jump in for a quick dunk. The wadi is practically deserted, with just a few villagers and rarely any tourists. We'll have lunch at the end of our hike, prepared by our local guide, and then drive a short distance to a "via ferrata", which is "iron way" in Italian, a sort of rock climbing course where we are harnessed into iron rungs the entire time, giving us an incredible adventure capped with a 120-meter zip line. Those opting out of the via ferrata will go by car to explore several nearby towns and do a walk through some rose gardens. We stay the night again in Nizwa.
We start off by visiting the Nizwa Souk, or market. With Nizwa being the cultural center of the mountain peoples of Oman, the Nizwa Souk is one of the best in the country. Friday is market day, called "Souq Al Jumaa", and brings visitors from the nearby mountains as well as Bedouins from the desert. The livestock souq is particularly interesting but we'll also have time to wander through the fish, vegetable, and meat markets and find people selling mountain honey, dates, and incense. We'll then visit the 17th century Nizwa Fort and, after, have lunch in town. Then it is in the vehicles for a three-hour drive to the Wahiba Sands desert. Upon reaching the desert we'll stop to deflate the tires so we can drive across the sands to find the perfect isolated spot to camp. This is real camping in tents but with a soft sand cushion and with dinner prepared by our local guide. We'll also get out into the desert dunes on foot to explore, with perhaps a night walk to see the stars!
After breakfast we'll pack up camp and depart the desert for Wadi Al Hwir, one of the most beautiful wadis of Oman. Unfortunately, it is so beautiful it is now touristed at the start where tour groups go. So we start from the relatively unvisited top of the wadi, walking through luxurious palm gardens, making our way between large boulders, and eventually arriving to two wonderful pools with waterfalls. We can take a nice swim before heading back to our vehicles. After our excursion, we'll transfer on to the city of Sur and check into our hotel in time for dinner. Sur is a very different city to everything we have seen so far, since it is on the Arabian Sea and was an ancient fishing and trading village. We'll explore the old town before dinner and walk up a nearby hill to climb a tower for sunset views.
After breakfast we'll transfer less than an hour to Wadi Tiwi for a nice loop hike in a beautiful valley with a stream flowing all year long. We'll pass huge palm groves on terraces along the water, several villages, and impressive cliffs. We have several options for our hike today, one of which involves swimming through a pool in the stream if we want to repeat our fun from the day before. This is a relatively long but fairly easy hike of four to five hours and we'll eat lunch on the trail. There is a shorter option available. In the late afternoon we'll transfer to a simple countryside hotel located in the wadi, next to the water and palm groves.
After breakfast we'll then transfer to the bay of Bandar Khiran. The bay on the Arabian Sea is very rocky and has many small coves. We leave our vehicles at a high point overlooking the water, with exceptional views, and walk down an easy path to reach a white sand beach. We can go swimming and snorkeling, where we'll see marine life with many multi-colored fish, corals, and even possibly large turtles. We'll have lunch on the beach. This is an easy final but fun day of recreation. Afterwards we'll continue on to Muscat to walk along the harbor waterfront and perhaps visit one of the two forts guarding the area. We'll end with a final night in Ruwi, the commercial heart of Muscat, in a four-star hotel that has a fitness room, steam room, two swimming pools, two bars, and two restaurants.