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            [HighlightText] => Hike along the Appalachian Trail and see the blue ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Raft Nantahala River's Class II and III rapids and zipline through the Smoky Mountains
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Spend evenings around the campfire under the stars with delicious meals prepared by your guide
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            [Description] => zip line
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            [HighlightText] => AT view
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Ansley S.

Ansley grew up in the city of Atlanta and spent weekends and holidays in the southern Appalachian mountains. After college she worked in Wilderness Therapy in the North Carolina mountains with troubled youth. In the winters, Ansley goes out west to Utah to ski. She has hiked all around the United States, but the Smoky Mountains always call her back. Her favorite activities include, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, rafting, scuba diving, yoga, canyoneering, skiing and, of course, backpacking.

Jack L.

Jack Lloyd was raised in Shelby, North Carolina. He grew up playing in creeks and chasing critters in the foothills of Western North Carolina. Before coming to A Walk in the Woods, Jack was a head guide for the Nantahala Outdoor Center, leading ziplining trips and guiding rafts down the river. Over the winters, Jack is a ski instructor working with kids on the slopes. As an avid whitewater paddler, he loves spending hot summer days on the water. He also enjoys gardening and foraging.

China W.

China Whitmire, a Chattanooga native, spent 15 years in Chicago working in non-profit theater and higher education upon completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago. In 2021, China returned to her Appalachian roots by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now, leveraging her skills, China brings a unique blend of creativity and expertise to her role as a guide. Her love of storytelling and connection with the southern Appalachian region ultimately led her to A Walk in the Woods.

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                    [Headline] => Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5.4 miles/2-3 hours hiking with 800\' elevation gain and loss
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Meet your guides and fellow traveling companions this morning in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. After introductions and trip orientation, hop aboard the provided shuttle for a quick transfer to the first trailhead. The Cucumber Gap Loop, following an old logging railroad past historic homesteads and enchanting waterfalls, is a perfect introduction to the rich biodiversity, beautiful landscapes, and colorful history of the Great Smoky Mountains. At the end of the day, your friendly camp host welcomes you to our camp where you\'ll enjoy a barbecue dinner around a roaring campfire and fall asleep to the sounds of the forest.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1.5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.73
                    [Longitude] => -83.46
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                    [Headline] => Summit Mount Cammerer & Hike on the Appalachian Trail
                    [ActivityOverview] => 11 miles/6 hours hiking with 3,000\' elevation gain and loss
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After a tasty backcountry breakfast, transfer to Low Gap Trailhead for an out-and-back hike to the summit of Mount Cammerer (4,928\'). Climb 2,000 feet up a series of switchbacks before joining the Appalachian Trail. Follow the white blazes on the trees, just as intrepid through-hikers have on the full 2,200-mile route from Springer Mountain, GA, to Mount Katahdin, ME. Your expert MT Sobek guides will share some of those hikers\' stories as you hike through beautiful hardwood forest. Your reward is the summit of Mount Cammerer, where you\'ll be treated to 360-degree views of the majestic Smoky Mountains. Descend and return to your comfortable camp and another scrumptious dinner to round out the day.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.755
                    [Longitude] => -83.207
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                    [Headline] => Hike through Ancient Forest to Smoky Mountain Views
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4.5-6 miles/2-3 hours hiking with 1,000\' elevation gain and loss
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Today\'s hike traces another stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the heart of the park, where it straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Follow a path along a burbling mountain stream through an old growth spruce-fir forest as you climb to one of the trail\'s prettiest views, where you can look out over a sea of misty blue ridges stretching into the horizon. Along the way, your guides share stories of Cherokee heritage and perhaps you\'ll get a glimpse of Kuwohi, the park\'s tallest mountain and a sacred place for the tribe. After a rewarding hike, return to camp for a tasty meal around a roaring campfire. Spend the final evening together sharing stories and reflecting on your last few days of adventure.
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                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.761
                    [Longitude] => -83.16
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                    [Headline] => Zipline through the Mountains, Raft the Nantahala River & Depart
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Enjoy a morning drive to the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Nantahala River. After three days of exploring on foot, now you’ll take to the air to experience the park from above. Soar mountaintop to mountaintop along two adrenaline pumping miles of zipline over the Nantahala River Gorge under the watchful eyes of professional guides. Don’t miss the 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then, load into whitewater rafts to enjoy a fun, Class II and III ride down the scenic Nantahala River. When you’re not enjoying the thrills of the splashy rapids, calmer sections allow time to soak in the scenery. Later, make your way back to Gatlinburg for flights home or onward adventures.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 3.5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.719
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-8 hours each day (up to 11 miles) with as much as 3,000\' elevation gain and loss. Zip-lining is suitable for beginners. Weight ranges for zip-lining are 60 pounds minimum and 250 pounds maximum. Rafting is suitable for beginners although comfort in/around water is recommended. Rafting is on rapids classified II-IV whitewater.
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Accommodations

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Private deluxe campground with cozy campfires and delicious meals.

MT Sobek Camp – Great Smoky Mountains

Adventure Camping

A private, deluxe camp with scrumptious meals next to cozy campfires and stories shared under a starlit sky create memories to last a lifetime. The warmth of a cozy sleeping bag beckons and we fall asleep to the sounds of the forest.