We get it. Not everyone loves sleeping under the stars, on a hard ground, in a tent. And that’s fine, because not every great adventure involves sleeping outside. If you’re not big on camping, but love being outside, here are six amazing lodge-based trips worth checking out:

Costa Rica: Pura Vida

Raft the world-class Pacuare River, see incredible wildlife while exploring the rainforest canopy, swim at the base of a waterfall and experience the annual turtle nesting at Tortuguero National Park. And at the end of each day of adventure, retire to luxury. The Rainforest Eco-Lodge and Tortuga Lodge and Gardens (pictured above), two of Central America’s most legendary eco-lodges, become your home base on this week-long Costa Rican adventure.

Rogue River Rafting Lodge Trip

Have the Wild and Scenic Rogue River in Oregon all to yourself when you take on its exhilarating whitewater early season.  Enjoy everything Oregon’s beautiful pine forests have to offer as you explore 40 miles of river (that means tons of wildlife).  And don’t worry about the possible late spring elements, because cozy accommodations and hot showers at the Black Bar Lodge and Paradise Lodge will be waiting for you at the end of each day on this 2-night/3-day lodge-to-lodge trip (dates available in May only).

Mystical Peru Lodge Trek

Leave those grueling days of backpacking behind. Experience Peru’s real outdoors on a challenging but comfortable trek along the “Salkantay Inca Trail,” the road less traveled to Machu Picchu. Each day’s hike ends in a beautiful lodge, like the Colpa Lodge pictured above, with hot showers, gourmet food, and even outdoor Jacuzzis to soothe those feet.

Crete Inn-to-Inn Kayaking

Travel to the unspoiled coast of Southern Crete to kayak the crystal blue waters of the Libyan Sea. By day, visit secluded beaches, hike into gorges and explore the ruins of Venetian Castles and Minoan palaces. At night, dine on regional cuisine at seaside tavernas, chat with the locals and stay in intimate family-owned inns.

Main Salmon River Rafting Lodge Trip

Those wanting a multi-day whitewater rafting experience, minus the nightly riverside camping, can organize a lodge-to-lodge trip on Idaho’s Main Salmon River (by group request only). Each day find yourself deeper and deeper into Idaho’s wilderness as you raft nearly 100 miles of fun Class III whitewater, see wildlife galore and maybe even sneak a dip in a hot spring or two. Enjoy the solitude of the evenings from the comfort of a variety of rustic lodges that can only be reached by the river.

Ranch & Raft on the Colorado

While not technically a lodge-to-lodge adventure, this one’s worth mentioning. On this adventure you might have to sleep in a tent for a few nights (on huge sandy beaches), but the sacrifice is so worth it when afterward you’re rewarded with a stay at one of the West’s best and luxurious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, UT. Spend the first half of the week rafting the Colorado River’s legendary Cataract Canyon, through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. Then, from the comforts of the lodge, explore beautiful red rock country and Arches National Park or simply kick back and relax.

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The post 6 Amazing Lodge-based Adventures appeared first on River Currents.

But their list got us thinking. What are our picks for top travel destinations this year?  So we threw the question out there to a few of our world-traveling guides and here’s what they said (no surprises here that most of their picks revolve around rafting):

“I would go to Nepal, and New Zealand. I’ve done a lot of rivers all over the world over nearly 40 years of boating, but for some strange reason hadn’t yet heard about the Tamur and Kanarli. I’m really keen to hike four days into a super remote Class IV river, see Everest and the Himal along the way, then go down a pristine river so far away from anything that if you went any farther, you’d be coming back!” ~Jeffe Aronson

“Regan and I are going back to do both the Rogue River (which is very unusual and technically fun whitewater). And the Tatshenshini in Alaska. Once is just not enough!” ~Ote Dale

“I’d like to go to Suriname. Because there are rivers there. Because I don’t know anyone who has been there. I have a lot more to learn about it before really considering going there. But the geography, location, cost of travel are all appealing. Also the lure of unknown rivers. There could be lots of first descents to be had…” ~Tom Patoff

“I would go back and explore more of Africa. I’d like to see the deserts and coast in Namibia. I’d also like to do the whole run on the Zambezi.” ~Kate Wollney

So whether you’re looking for a big whitewater rafting adventure or just want to getaway to somewhere new and exotic this year, we hope these destination picks help you plan an incredible vacation in 2013.

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The post Top Travel Destinations of 2013 appeared first on River Currents.

Pure wonder is rare as an adult . Not much in the world of manufactured entertainment takes our breath away. So when I raised my face from a splash in the pristine water of the swimming hole at Mule Creek to find five sets of brown eyes contemplating me, I gasped. One by one, the deer turned and made their surefooted way out of the creek, leaving me dripping and smiling.

Some people (me!) visit spas for luxury water treatments. But no spa has ever delivered such pure bliss as reclining on a water-smoothed stone in that creek, water surging over the rocks to pummel my back and cascading from a log over my hair. I bathed in the serene pool, the only sounds running water and birdsong. Reluctant to leave my sanctuary, I plucked wild blackberries. But it was time for coffee, so I hiked back to Mule Creek camp. If this is camping, I thought, I don’t know what I’ve been waiting for.

Though stamps from across the globe fill my passport, I’m not a camper, nor an outdoor adventurer, preferring posh hotels. When I was invited to raft the Rogue River for five days, my wanna-be adventurous side cheered while my high-maintenance side quaked at the thought. Could this city girl put up a tent? Sleep far from the comforts of home? Take on the whitewater rapids?

To my surprise and delight; yes.

I started off easy, relaxing on one of the gear rafts among the string of single and double kayaks. Doc, a long-time river guide, patiently answered my ceaseless questions about wildlife and rocks, trees and the river as he expertly rowed. After lunch where we left the last signs of civilization, I graduated to the paddle boat. We set out into a rapid and immediately launched a rescue, as a teenager behind us—his first time in a kayak—promptly capsized. We fought the powerful current back upstream. “Swim to me!” our guide shouted, then heaved the boy, dripping, into the raft.

Once at camp I pondered which guide to ask for help assembling my tent. I decided to try it myself first, though, and managed fine. I surveyed my little home; cushy sleeping pad on the tarp topped with a cozy sleeping bag and tiny pillow. Well satisfied I followed the scent of grilling meat down the hill to find a feast underway. All week the meals the crew conjured out of supplies stashed on the rafts astonished me. Enchiladas, stir fries, cobblers, eggs Benedict and French toast were just a few of our culinary treats along the Rogue.

Sipping cold drinks the campers lounged in chairs set in the translucent green river, swirling our feet in the cool water as fish darted about our ankles. Despite promises of a brilliant display of stars, I soon curled up in my tent, asleep before dark. I caught the last glimmer of stars before they faded though, as chattering birds woke me before dawn.

“Coffee’s brewing,” Doc promised. An abundant breakfast followed coffee, and with great efficiency the crew packed up. “Last call for the groover,” shouted a guide and we laughed—we all knew what that meant. Foremost on my mind before embarking on this adventure was the bathroom question. I tried to assuage my concerns, recalling unspeakable toilets in southeast Asia and Africa—surely it couldn’t be worse. In fact, this was preferable. A guide provided a guided tour of the “facilities” the first afternoon, casually addressing bodily functions. “Women pee in the bucket, men pee in the river.” Said bucket came complete with a small seat and lid. “I don’t want to see any turds or toilet paper,” she went on. “That goes in the groover.” A wooden screen offered privacy, and a distant location ensured no olfactory distress for others. (Outhouses a couple nights later were a little less wholesome, sending all of us to the river for number one.)

Groover business tended to, it was time to hit the Rogue. Today I’d navigate in my own kayak. I headed out, heart pounding at the prospect of tumbling into the seething cauldron of a rapid. I paddled madly through my first one and sailed out to find a bald eagle perched overhead, solemnly observing our escapades.

The rapids weren’t the only adventures, though. Afternoon hikes led us through fearsome trails that I’d never have broached without a trusty guide leading the way, often culminating in kids and adults alike flinging themselves off high rocks into swirling water, to the merriment of all. In a moment I’ll never forget, I joined a few intrepid souls at a natural water slide in the secret depths of the forest. We scrambled up a rope then plummeted into the clear, dark pool, where we popped up like otters, laughing our heads off. How great is it, I thought daily, that we are so gleeful just jumping off a rock and splashing around in water?

Further delight still came with evenings at camp where we gathered to munch on appetizers—toasted bruschetta with caprese salad anyone?—and swap tales. We’d recount the day’s adventures, laughing uproariously at the guide who dumped all her passengers and mooned the rest of us in the rescue. And as dark settled on the tall pines, we’d tear into a well-earned dinner. Evening entertainment often featured games; while the kids played cards, “Two Truths and a Lie” was popular among the adult set. A hotly contested Connect Four game might erupt between a teen and a guide at any moment.

With a final night’s game of Postcards, the trip leader instructed us to describe a favorite image from the trip, the caption, and who we’d deliver it to. I chose my dawn encounter with deer. But as I described it, I realized my postcard would go to this group. Strangers five days ago, the people around me felt like friends and family now, and that’s who I wanted to share my magical moment with.

Related Articles:

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On a summer afternoon, you’ll find Bob Anderson, Chef at the Boulder Ridge Golf Club* in San Jose, CA, sporting a white chef coat and a pair of Chaco river sandals. Chef Bob, who trained at the CIA and spent 20 years at the famed Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, is no stranger to cooking at obscure locations like Yosemite’s High Sierra Camps or Glacier Point in the winter. That’s exactly why he was the perfect person to help O.A.R.S. bring gourmet grub to the river.

I caught up with Chef Bob to find out how he’s able to pull off restaurant-quality meals on the river with O.A.R.S.

How did you get involved with O.A.R.S. culinary trips?

I was always the guy in Yosemite that did the crazy catering trips. They’d say, “Hey, we think we want to have a dinner for 50 people at 10,000 feet at one of the High Sierra Camps.” And so I would go, “OK. How do we get the food there?” And this is the conversation I had with O.A.R.S. So they suggested a couple of events and we did them. Fast forward 7 years, we’ve been doing them that long.

What’s the best part about cooking on the river?

It’s the best kitchen with the best view. It’s a pretty sophisticated set up equipment-wise. From a menu-planning stand point it’s not that hard to execute restaurant quality food.

What would a typical menu look like?

Because there’s a vintner with us, we set up a wine tasting which typically would involve cheeses, nuts, and some kind of high-protein snack. One of the big favorites is a black mission fig that we’ll fill with Point Reyes Blue and then wrap in bacon. I’ve had people tell me that we can just stop right there and they’d be totally fine. As dinner gets started, we’ve had the most unbelievable heirloom tomatoes with fresh basil pesto. For an entrée, a pan-fried filet mignon with a Jack Daniels reduction. A wild mushroom risotto and a fresh vegetable like stringless snap peas. And for dessert, we’ve made ice cream pretty successfully on the river. To tell people you’re making ice cream the second or third night of a 4-day trip, it’s pretty remarkable.

What’s your favorite thing to prepare on the river?

The filet is fun because of the fireball thing. Everyone wants to know how to flambé something and the perfect place to practice is on a sand bar. We did stop a jet boat once because they saw us flambéing.

Is there a must-have kitchen gadget/tool you bring?

For me it’s sharp knives and real cutting boards. Nothing earth shattering, but I pack tools that I use so it’s comfortable.

What about for making ice cream?

Ice cream balls. Yeah, those are cool. It’s the same principle as the old style ice cream machine where you crank it, but it’s just in a ball. People will play catch with it. Things disintegrate pretty quickly after everyone’s drinking wine.

Tuolumne or Rogue?

They’re completely different. The Tuolumne is just a crazy, big ride. It’s fast. The Rogue is so much more fun because I’ll end up kayaking most of it.

So it sounds like the Rogue River wins?

The Rogue wins.

Please join Chef Bob on a wine tasting adventure in California down the Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park on May 1st or 15th (he’ll also be cooking on the craft beer tasting trip on May 8th). If you can’t travel until later in the summer, he’ll also be on our renowned Wilderness Gourmet trip on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River in southern Oregon on September 1st.

*Please note that Bob Anderson has left the Boulder Ridge Golf Club and since returned as a chef at the Ahwahnee Hotel after this article was originally published.

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