The choice is yours...
Rivers, lakes, bays, fjords, oceans. O.A.R.S. has been traveling wild and untouched waterways for nearly 40 years. We believe it's the best way to reach the essence of the natural world and maybe your own soul. And we're not alone. In the past decades we've been joined by more than 400,000 guests.
Still, there are as many adventures as there are adventurers. There's no one way to get to the heart of things. That's why we offer you a choice – make that dozens of choices – when you travel with O.A.R.S. There's a choice of destination, of course. From the desert rivers of the American Southwest to the islands of the Galapagos; from the Arctic to the Amazon. But there's so much more. In addition to rafting and kayaking, you can choose from a range of activities that include – and this is just a partial list – biking, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, cooking, wine tasting, and horseback riding. You can also pick the intensity of your adventure. Hair-raising whitewater is an option, so is a tranquil float trip through Grand Teton National Park. We have journeys fit for toddlers and journeys for adventurous 20-year-olds. You can sleep under the stars or under a comforter in a five-star lodge on the banks of the Colorado River, adjacent to Canyonlands and Arches national parks. You can even choose your travel companions. We offer trips for solo travelers, women-only and for private groups of friends, families or colleagues.
Responsible Travel...
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once wrote:
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." Had he just finished an O.A.R.S. trip at the time? No. But we understand what he means and we agree. That's why O.A.R.S. offers so many different ways to get you out into the natural world while learning to protect it at the same time. Through our partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and our implementation of seven, simple outdoor principles, we ensure that the areas to which we travel will be protected in their natural beauty for future adventurers.
O.A.R.S. is proud to announce that our domestic operations are now 100% carbon neutral, and we are pleased to offer our guests the option of offsetting their own travel-related activities with our official renewable energy partner, Native Energy.
According to founder and president, George Wendt, "In choosing an O.A.R.S. vacation, there's meaningful, intrinsic value for both our company and our guests in knowing that a portion of their trip fee goes towards voluntary donations, park and river access fees and international conservation efforts – such as those offered by T.I.E.S., The International Ecotourism Society – aimed at protecting our national parks in a time when they are more in need of stewardship and public awareness than ever before."
Furthering efforts to ensure awareness and protection of our recreational and lifeblood waterways, O.A.R.S. is a basic sponsor of American Whitewater, whose mission is to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.
Your activity options...
With O.A.R.S., you can float leisurely down the San Juan River in the American Southwest or hurtle through the Chilko River whitewater deep in the Canadian wilderness. You can bike the slick rock of Canyonlands National Park. You can explore dinosaur country or visit an Andean village in Ecuador. The options and the adventures are as varied as the terrain.
Rafting – This has been our heart and soul since we first put on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon nearly 40 years ago. Today we offer trips on three dozen world-class rivers. Nobody else has our experience or expertise.
Sea Kayaking – Perfect for intimate explorations of lakeshores and calm coastlines. Sea lions swim alongside; bears watch you from the shore. These vessels are ultra-agile and work well in any depth of water – open deeps or mere inches
Multi-Sport – Here's the way to mix several adventures into a single vacation. There's rafting, of course, but there's also a chance to hike, kayak, fly-fish, mountain bike or even go horseback riding.
O.A.R.S. not only gives you a dizzying array of adventure options, but also a choice of trip companions. Even if you take pot luck, you're sure to find trip mates who, like you, have a love of the outdoors and a sense of adventure.
However, we can increase the odds with these special group trips:
Family vacations
Moms, dads, grandparents and kids; no matter what the dynamic is, the end result is always FUN! And lots of it! Whether it's rafting on an exciting Class III river or paddling an inflatable kayak through splashy rapids, there are many entertaining options on the water. The family fun doesn't end there – camping on a huge sandy beach, hiking to a hidden waterfall, swimming in a refreshing river and then playing volleyball or horseshoes – these are just a few of the endless options O.A.R.S. offers to families who are looking for a unique family adventure vacation.
Solo travelers
No family ties to untangle because all the participants are traveling alone. It's easy to make new friends on these trips because everyone starts off sharing the same spirit of exploration and the same openness to new experience. It's a match made in the O.A.R.S. version of heaven – a wild place with a river.
Women only
Ladies first, last, and only. Over the years, these trips have been noteworthy for their strong sense of camaraderie. No testosterone or intimidation here. These getaways can include rafting or sea kayaking, fishing and hiking, camping or a lodge-based, multi-sport adventure…with just the girls. Just let us know in advance and we can even omit any male guides.
Private parties
A champion softball team, a family reunion, board members, your design team, or just a bunch of pals – there's no limit to the variety of groups who'd like to go on an O.A.R.S. outdoor adventure together. Let us know what you want; we'll gather you up and take you away from it all.
