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Wilderness Journey’s Kayak Trip Adventures Wilderness Journey has partnered
with a premier high adventure kayak company to offer our clients an experience
of a lifetime.
"We
live in a highly developed nation, with very specialized jobs, packed schedules
and to-do lists that rival the roll in the bathroom. It is the beginning of the
21st century and we have never been more divorced from the planet that gives us
life. I've developed these programs to
address a screaming need for us all to get our hands dirty; our feet wet and
breathe the musky aroma of earth back into our lungs. Put down that cell phone,
go off-line, get out of the race...come outside and play!" Isle Royale Kayaking Trip Skill Level: Intermediate through advanced. We are
going to strap our kayaks to Day
1) Rendez-vous in Copper Harbor at 7 p.m. for a quick backcountry
packing orientation. Day
2) 7 am boarding of the Isle Royal Queen for the 5 hr. ride to Rock
Harbor. Organize and pack for the short paddle to the first campsite. Go over
basic strokes, braces and rescue drills.
Day
9) After breakfast, we'll part company for your homeward travels. We do
not include kayaks on this trip because most have their own for this level.
Your own boat should be a touring kayak at least 16 feet long, with front and
rear bulkheads. High performance expedition-equipped rentals are available from
us for $100 for 4 day trips and $150 for one week trips with prior reservation.
They include PFD, carbon hybrid paddle, sprayskirt and pump. We will transport
your rental boat for you. We offer a variety of sizes and models from Valley,
Wilderness Systems and NDK...most with drop skegs. Dates for 2012: August 4
- 12, August 25 - September 2, August 31 - September 10 ("longplay"
version for advanced paddlers: $1595) Cost: $1350 (from Copper Harbor) Beaver Island Beach House Kayak Retreat
Beaver
Island has an outrageous history, good fishing, a couple of good restaurants
and some very interesting paddling opportunities. Although not appropriate for
first-time paddlers (remember, we’re in the middle of Lake Michigan), it is a
relaxed pace trip that offers some great exploring to nearby Garden and High
Islands, some opportunities to learn surf paddling skills and some interesting
European and Native American history. This area features warm shallow waters
and fine hiking trails and interesting padding conditions. This
program is lodge-based for you non-campers out there (families welcome…and yes,
the kids and put a tent in the backyard if they want) and based out of a
comfortable beach house giving us good water access to fine paddling areas. Day
1) Meet at the ferry dock in Charlevoix no later than 7:30 am for the
departure on the Emerald Isle. After we get off the ferry, we'll shuttle you to
the beach house to get settled and go through a kayak fitting and skills
session. Day
2 - 3) Free swim.
In other words, paddling, swimming, fishing, hiking, and relaxing all
punctuated by some great meals and tall tales. Day
4) After a hearty
breakfast, we’ll shuttle you to the ferry dock to head back to Charlevoix Dates
for 2012: July
15-18, July 18-21 Prince of Wales Island
Itinerary Day 1: Sat;
Arrival in Ketchikan, AK...(a one hour flight from Seattle) in time for a late
afternoon seaplane flight into Craig on Prince of Wales Island. Transfer to
B&B for the night.
Day 2-3: Haul
ourselves and our gear overland across the road system to our put-in at Naukati
and paddle to Staney Creek area for a couple of days of exploring from there.
Day 4 to Day 7: Explore outer islands, inside passes, tidal creeks, tidal
features....whatever weather and desire dictates...all from a few camps along
the coastline North of Naukati.
Day 8: Paddle
back to take out for overland shuttle back to Craig. Overngnight at B&B,
group dinner out (budget around $35 oyo).
Day 9: Transfer
back to Ketchikan via ferry for flights back home. Dates
& Costs
August 4- 12, 2012 $2800/person Price Includes local seaplane flight, naturalist guides, permits, boat
shuttles, lodging-dbl**- prior and after backcountry trip (on schedule), all
meals during itinerary, local land transport, high quality kayaks, professional
instruction, group gear (tents, kitchen gear, safety equipment) and the best
backcountry food in the land. Other
Money Matters **Price
is based on Double Occ room at B&B...single tents may be available. Dry
Suit Rental is
recommended and is available for $180 for the week with prior notice. Sea Kayaking the Bay Islands of
Honduras - Lodge Week
You'll fly into the island of
Roatan, which has an international airport receiving direct flights from
Houston, Miami and Atlanta. We'll venture daily from our comfortable tropical
fruit farm base in the village of Punta Blanca. Each two bedroom island-style
casita has its own bath with freshwater air temperature showers and a nice
screened-in porch to enjoy the breezes and the sounds of the sea. We have all
the comforts of home, minus ringing telephones, roads, and to-do lists. Our
front yard is a coral reef! Meals are served from a central kitchen/deck area
and are al fresco...as they should be. You can start each day with a
morning stretching/yoga session on our deck over the sea with our very own Andi.
Days 2-7) We'll be doing a variety of day trips out of our comfortable lodge location, beginning with day paddles in each direction to discover mangrove tunnels, local culture and a part of the island where the water IS the road. Once you've acclimated a bit, we'll start venturing further afield to explore reefs, secret channels, big BLUE water and the Pigeon Cayes (best snorkeling in the Bay Islands). You can even learn to brace, roll and surf in 80 degree water or just hang in the hammock and watch the hummingbirds. Enjoy terrific seafood feasts each night and sleep in the comfort of simple bedrooms in our comfortable cluster of casitas at the edge of the sea. Hey, how bad can that be? Day 8) After
breakfast, taxi to the airport for return flights or trip extensions of your
choice.
Dates
for 2012 February 18 - 25 March 3 - 10 March 17 - 24 (3 spaces left) March 31-April 7 (Sorry, this trip is full)
$1995 / person based on double occupancy. Includes all land costs (rooms,
meals, guides, kayaks, island transport), except airport transfers and
gratuities.
Your trip begins and ends on the beautiful island of Roatan that receives direct flights from Houston, Miami and Atlanta every weekend. From our ocean front garden base we'll day trip to small cayes, mangroves, white sand beaches and numerous reefs to learn to snorkel right out of your kayak. You can enjoy hiking jungle trails, paddle all day and return at night to clean sheets and a comfortable bed. Our tropical fruit farm base has comfortable island style casitas with shared screen porches and hot water showers. Meals are served with an ocean view on the deck from the central kitchen. The second half of your week takes us by propjet 20 minutes to La Ceiba and then up to the base of Pico Bonito, rising nearly 8000 ft. straight up from sea level. This is excellent habitat for nearly 200 species of birds, many feline species including Ocelots and Margays and the magnificent butterfly, the Blue Morpho. Enjoy hikes to incredible cascading waterfalls to swim in the pools beneath, whitewater rafting the beautiful Rio Congrejal and perhaps even take a night hike…when the jungle changes shifts and an entirely new world opens up. We promise that between the incredible hikes, the comfortable accommodations, the tasty meals and the magical environment, you'll never want to leave.
Itinerary Day 1, Arrival — Fly to Roatan where we pick you up and take you to our base at
Marble Hill Farms.
Days 2-4
— Each day will bring us something new, with flexible plans being made to fit
the weather conditions and our desires. Our day trips may take us to mangrove
channels, out to the Pigeon Cayes, snorkeling on coral reefs, fishing,
exploring Payan ruins, learning to brace, roll and surf in 80 degree water,
visiting with the locals in Helene village (check out Orwil's pet Tarpon) or
just hang in the hammock and watch the hummingbirds. Enjoy terrific seafood
feasts each night and sleep in the comfort of simple bedrooms in our seaside
house. Hey, how bad can that be?
Day 5 —
Transfer to the airport to catch the plane for the short hop to La Ceiba and
the minibus to our friend Udo’s lodge next to Pico Bonito National Park. Once
settled-in we'll head down the Rio Congrejal for an afternoon of Class III and
IV whitewater rafting. After, we'll enjoy at great BBQ dinner at Udo and
Sylvia's garden thatch Champa.
Day 6 —
Enjoy an early morning stroll to watch the jungle wake up, breakfast and then
we'll get set to hike the waterfall trails and swim the waterfall pools. Our
naturalist guide will interpret the tropical flora and fauna as we go. Back at
the lodge, we'll clean up for an evening out for dinner in La Ceiba at
Expatriatos or we'll head to our favorite Garifuna restaurant (La Kabasa) for
their famous ceviche.
Day 7 —
Enjoy a lay-in morning, and after a leisurely breakfast, you'll have a choice
of taking friendly river kayaks down to Cacao Lagoon’s brackish ecosystem or
going on a horse trek along the beach with Sylvia. Tough choice….jungle
mangrove paddling, incredible birds, tropical butterflies or Spanish horses with
gentle passifino gaits, crossing streams and riding along Caribbean
beaches….hmmmm.
Day 8 —
After breakfast, taxi to the airport for connecting flight to Roatan or
continue on your own for diving or trip other trip extensions. Dates
for 2012
March 3-10
March 17 - 24 Price NEW! Roatan Multi-Sport Retreat
Beautiful
paddling, turquoise waters, snorkeling, diving and morning sunrise yoga out
over the water…not a bad way to fill your days. In addition to yoga
instruction, your instructors are certified ACA Coastal Kayak and SUP instructors
as well PADI dive instructors. This is unique opportunity to enjoy a
relaxing week in a beautiful, peaceful setting trying out some new things.
Your meals will be a combination of locally provided fare and our own
recipes fresh from our new cookbook. Accommodations are simple, comfortable casitas
atop a seaside hill in a shaded tropical oak forest. Rooms are double occupancy
with shared baths, hardwood and tile floors, a common patio and the sounds of
the sea to lull you to sleep. Activities Sea
Kayaking: We use
expedition style, cockpitted kayaks (not sit on tops) from Current Designs,
Valley and Dagger (singles and tandems). Experience is very helpful, but not
mandatory. Being on a tropical island in the trade winds presents great
opportunities for gentle paddling as well as rough water paddling without the
dangers of cold water.
Paddleboarding: SUP? If you haven’t tried it, we’ll have you hooked in
30 minutes. It’s like walking on water with a window to the fantastic
coral reef below. This easy to learn sport is fantastic fun and a great
core workout—and when have you ever seen fun and “core workout” in the same
sentence? We use the latest in designs from Hawaii. 
Snorkeling/Diving: We have a huge variety of snorkeling options from our
dock as well as diving opportunities (at extra cost) for those certified to
dive. Yoga: Bring your yoga mat and start your day from the second floor of our sea-deck with Andi’s morning sunrise stretches. Count
on learning a host of new paddle and paddleboarding skills, lots of snorkeling
and learning about the coral reef, plenty of time for relaxation, and a
spectacular backdrop.
Itinerary Day
1: Afternoon
arrival on Roatan where we’ll pick you up and travel the length of the island
to our base at Marble Hill Farms on the NE end of the island. Days
2 - 7: Each day’s
activity will be dictated by weather conditions, developing skill levels and
desire. Paddle? Hammock on the dock? A couple hours reading under
the mango tree? Rum drinks and snacks on the dock for sunset? A
downwind paddle from our favorite beach? A discover Scuba test
dive? Tortilla making lessons? A paddle-in visit to a local tiki bar? All
of the above? Let’s go! Day
8: We’ll shuttle
you back to the airport for your flights out or connect with fabulous overstay
options on your own. This
trip is co-led by two high quality guides one is a (ACA L-4 instructor, ACA SUP instructor, WFR),
and the other is an ACA
L-2 Instructor, marine naturalist, certified yoga teacher and a 6+ year
resident of the area. $1995 per person (double
occupancy) from Roatan Dates
for 2012: March 3 - 10 When we receive your deposit, you
will receive a personal equipment list, a participant profile (so that we may
tailor your trip to your interests and tastes in food), and any other pertinent
info we can find. Registration: A ½ of
the total amount is required to hold your reservation and is refundable until
30 days of departure. Balance is due 60 days before departure. Don’t
hesitate to call 734-664-0353 if you have questions about any of it at all! If
you have a group, custom dates, need help with flight sourcing or just want a
good mojito recipe, pick up the phone! |
 |
“The best day of your life is the one on which
you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to
lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey
- and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day
your life really begins.” -Bob Moawad |
| 28285 Summit Drive, Novi, Michigan 48377 |
|
We
specialize in guided coastal kayaking trips, sea kayak instruction and
corporate retreats. We do camping and lodge-based trips in Michigan / Great
Lakes area, Alaska, Honduras, Iceland and more. We are known for professional
certified instructors, outstanding food, and quality equipment that help create
an enjoyable learning environment for all experience levels. Since 1984, our
expert guides, passion for the outdoors, and high standards have made us a
terrific find for individuals, small groups and corporations.
the roof of a ferry, motor over fifty miles out to
the largest island in the largest lake in the world and have a bit of a paddle.
This is not a small thing. This unique island park with its Moose and Wolves is
a popular destination for backpackers, but since it is an island we thought
that it would make more sense to explore it from the water. Since we are
budgeting nine days for this trip there will be plenty of time for day hikes,
brisk swims, good lake trout fishing and listening to the loons. This is a
magical place wrapped up in ancient rock, thimbleberries and the unforgiving
waters of Superior. To insure your safety and maintain the flexibility of small
camps, we limit this trip to only five participants. This can be a challenging
destination with weather conditions that can get a bit "interesting".
Though not appropriate for first time paddlers, for those with a little water
time, Isle Royale is truly a Superior Jewel.
Days 3-8
Skill
level:
We'll be paddling a loop out of a
small native village of Naukati on the West coast that offers a remote feel,
yet the convenience of utilizing a forest service cabin along the route for a
couple of nights. We'll be there in time for some interesting wild foods as
well as King Salmon season, so along with playful tidal features, we get to
enjoy great seafood, beach asparagus and some good side hikes up rivers. My
co-leader for the trip is Patty, who in addition to being a fine banjo player,
has been kayaking and guiding on POW for over 15 years. Having two guides means
there may be times in camp when fast tidal features may lure a few out to play
in waves while others venture forth to collect spruce tips for tea or simply
wander up on crests for some good views. We plan a fairly leisurely pace for
this trip (there may be some 15 mile+ days, but not the rule), so that we can
spend a bit more time playing with waves, fishing, hiking or crabbing. Sound
good to you? It sure does to me, so let's do it!
Nestled just thirty miles off the
Caribbean Coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands offer beautiful paddling, diverse
local culture and world class snorkeling and fishing. This is a big experience
combining kayaking, snorkeling and tropical biology all with a twist of the
rich cultural soup of this island group. This trip operates on island time and
works in harmony with the local economy and culture. We don't insulate you from
the local people, but instead work with them for a lot of our daily needs like
seafood, bread, local transport and general sharing because they are as
interested in you as you are them. The people of Honduras are every bit as
appealing as the water and mountainscapes. 
Itinerary:
Can't decide whether to spend a
week paddling on the reef or do an overland trip? You can do both! Spend a week
splitting your time between our tropical garden island base and a remote cloud
forest lodge nestled in the buffer zone around Pico Bonito National Park.
You'll get a taste of paddling the magnificent coral reef around the
mountainous Bay Islands of Honduras and visit a little known cloud-forest
preserve on mainland Honduras to experience the warmth of its people. 
