Top Travel Ideas for 2026

8 New & Trending OARS Adventures for 2026

From roaming the stark landscapes of the Atacama Desert in Chile to rowing your own boat through Idaho’s canyon country, OARS reveals its top travel ideas for 2026.

“For 2026, people are wanting deeper, more hands-on adventures that combine culture, nature, new skills, and connection,” says Steve Markle, OARS Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our newest trips reflect what our guests are asking for: more hiking, more meaningful connections with the places we visit, and more variety in both international and domestic adventures. We’re also thrilled to continue and grow our specialty trip offerings, from wellness retreats to trips that create space for specific communities on the river.”

New and trending trips for 2026 include kayaking the turquoise waters of Croatia’s dramatic Dalmation Coast and two new all-dory expeditions on the Snake River through Hells Canyon in Idaho. OARS is also expanding its skill-based and affinity offerings in the West with an all-women rowing clinic on the Lower Salmon River, a Summer Solstice yoga retreat on the San Juan River, and a Westwater Canyon LGBTQ+ trip. 

Grab your sandal straps! These 2026 adventures are dialed. Start planning your next big trip.

Take Off on an International Escape

Discover Chile from Desert to Glacier

The Chile Explorer: Atacama to Patagonia journey is a sweeping introduction to the country’s most dramatic landscapes. In the north, wander the Atacama Desert where salt flats, steaming geysers, and flame-colored canyons dominate the horizon, then raft the emerald waters of the Petrohué River and explore Chile’s Los Lagos Region and the charming town of Puerto Montt. This immersive two-week trip ends in Patagonia, where granite peaks, shimmering lakes, and ancient forests set the stage for world-class hiking and wildlife viewing. Chilean culture, stargazing, high-desert exploration, and days spent beneath the watchful spires and towers of the southern Andes all come together in this unforgettable itinerary. With local guides leading the way, it’s a deep dive into three of South America’s most iconic regions.

Revel in Nature and Culture in Croatia and Montenegro

With the “slow travel” trend on the rise, the momentum for Croatia & Montenegro as a prime destination for authentic local experiences and more meaningful engagement with nature and culture continues. This expertly-curated multi-sport itinerary offers a compelling mix of sea kayaking, rafting, hiking, and coastal exploration — a kind of “do-everything” adventure that will fill your appetite for active and nature-focused fun. Speaking of appetite, accommodations are arranged with privately-owned local guest houses and dinners are often in private homes or restaurants chosen for their ambiance and local quality. By visiting Croatia’s coastline and Montenegro’s landscapes together, you get a rich blend of Adriatic sea vistas, historic towns, rivers and mountains, all in one trip.

Experience the Wild Beauty of the Western U.S.

Ride a Dory through Hells Canyon

After seeing high demand for our all-dory trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon last season, we’ve expanded our offerings there, but have also added two new dory trips in Hells Canyon for 2026—a nod to the celebrated decades-long history of whitewater dories in Idaho. Beginning deep in the sheer-walled gorge of Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America, guests run big Class III–IV whitewater in classic hard-hulled dory. With baggage boats carrying the heavy gear in true OARS Dories style, this is a rare opportunity to experience a storied river at the highest end of boating style.

Rock Out on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon

Building on the success of our 2025 Rogue River music trip with Jerry Garcia contemporary Joe Craven, Jammin’ through Cataract Canyon is a standout for 2026. Imagine rafting down the Colorado River through the dramatic red-rock canyons with solid Class III rapids, towering canyon walls, peaceful stretches of river, and riverside camping under the stars. Then add nightly acoustic jam sessions led by Craven and other experienced musicians. All jams are open, whether you want to play or just want to listen. Either way, you’re sure to have fun turning the canyon into a floating music festival. This trip is part of OARS’ expanding lineup of adventures for music lovers, including our beloved Stars & Guitars trips—with additional music trips set to be announced.

Celebrate the Solstice on the San Juan River

The Summer Solstice Yoga & Wellness Retreat on Southern Utah’s San Juan River invites guests to welcome summer and the longest day of the year with intention. Led by somatic practitioners Melissa Keller and Andrea Meronuck, this soul-nourishing retreat offers time to slow down, connect with nature, and rediscover balance beneath the desert sun. Daily yoga sessions, guided mindfulness practices, delicious guide-prepared meals, and scenic float days set against towering canyon walls, archaeological sites, and warm desert nights create a natural sanctuary for reflection and rejuvenation. It’s a restorative way to greet the longest days of the year.

Find Community on a Westwater Canyon LGBTQ+ Trip

OARS is expanding its affinity-based offerings with a new LGBTQ+ rafting trip on the Colorado River through stunning Westwater Canyon. Designed for travelers who want both adventure and belonging, this 3-day trip offers big rapids, dramatic canyon walls, and unforgettable desert nights—led by LGBTQ+ guides and allies who cultivate a warm, judgement free and supportive space. It’s a chance to connect, celebrate, and experience the Colorado River in a way that feels both exhilarating and affirming.

Learn to Row on the Lower Salmon—Women Only

Recognizing that dedicated women-only rowing programs are hard to come by in the river world, OARS is debuting a new Lower Salmon clinic that gives women space, support, and instruction from some of the industry’s best women guides. Idaho’s Lower Salmon is renowned for its warm water, sandy beaches, and fun, approachable rapids, which makes it the perfect classroom for a rowing clinic. Led by expert female instructors, this hands-on course teaches foundational rowing skills, river safety, boat handling, reading water, and rapid strategy. Whether you’re brand new to rowing or looking to refine your technique, this supportive setting empowers women to take the oars with confidence while enjoying one of the West’s most inviting river canyons.

Escape Digital Fatigue in Grand Canyon

As more travelers seek an antidote to digital fatigue, Grand Canyon rafting and dory trips remain in high demand. Limited space is available for 2026, and 2027 trips are already open for booking. Beyond the deep disconnection from the outside world that travelers crave, this iconic river trip captivates with its cathedrals of sandstone, limestone, and schist, hidden slot canyons, delicate desert flora, and some of the world’s best whitewater. Even our guides who have completed the 15 to 18-day full canyon expedition dozens of times are still enthralled by the Canyon’s secrets.