Heather Howard has a passion for travel writing and marketing and loves inspiring people to explore new places. She has laced up her boots for many rugged hikes, from the Scottish Highlands to Alaska, Provence to Peru. She loves the fun of group travel and her top US travel tip is to explore Idaho's River of No Return Wilderness.
Adventure travel can help you to set the reset button on your life. It can expose you to a range of new activities, get you out into nature, help you gain fitness—even help you gain knowledge. But getting away from the constant flow of mobile communication in a way that helps you to meaningfully disconnect is much harder to do. Wi-Fi is a key selling point of most hotels and, for many, having cell service on the trail is a must. Solar-powered satellite gadgets to keep you connected 24/7 are getting cheaper to operate and, we get it, you want to share your amazing adventure online in real time.
But what if you could really live in the moment and experience your journey just for yourself? Here are six adventures where your connection is only with yourself, your guide, and your group.
Rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Carving its course 100 miles through Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is one of our favorite place to unplug in the US West. After checking for service for a day or two, you’ll soon forget about your phone thanks to thrilling rapids, fun guides, and historical hikes. You’ll also want to embrace the serenity of the river’s quiet stretches. Meditative moments here are easy to come by.
Trekking the John Muir Trail
We offer two ways to tackle the John Muir Trail–northbound to Yosemite and southbound to Mt. Whitney. Either direction, you’ll quickly give up searching for a signal and will want focus on completing this bucket-list trek. Northbound, you’ll traverse mountain passes through several protected zones, including the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas–totaling 103 miles through dazzling scenery of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks. Southbound, you’ll finish by summiting Mount Whitney, the continental United States’ highest peak, at 14,505 feet.
Bali Wellness & Hiking Journey
This transformational wellness journey includes stays at two of Bali’s top eco retreats, Bali Ecostay and Bambu Indah. While it is possible to connect to Wi-Fi, you simply won’t want to as you transcend the daily grind in the heart of Batukaru Nature Reserve, located in Bali’s lush central highlands. Bike through rice terraces, take a mountain hike, and enjoy soothing yoga and mind-expanding blessing ceremonies.
Summit Kilimanjaro
While climbing to the “roof of Africa” might not seem like your normal R&R vacation, actively pursuing a dream with one-pointed attention is a great way to disconnect, and you need to be focused for this ultimate challenge trip. Take the less-traveled Western Breach route, designed for optimal acclimatization, to summit Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet.
Rafting the Arctic Hulahula River
In northern Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find a number of raftable rivers including the memorably named Hulahula. From its headwaters in the Brooks Range, the Hulahula flows 100 miles through rolling tundra and a breathtaking canyon before spilling onto the vast coastal plain on its way to the Beaufort Sea. Unplug while hiking and camping in pure Arctic wilderness.
Trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash
Find your quiet place in Peru’s spectacular Cordillera Huayhuash, a perfect alternative to Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Over 11 days of challenging mountain hiking above 16,000 feet, and camping in remote and scenic spots high in the Andes, you’ll be wowed by spectacular views that force you squarely in the moment. Return feeling strong and incredibly energized–and then upload the photos.
Interested in any of these adventures? Click on the images to learn more.
