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            [HighlightText] => Hike through towering forests full of discovery and delight
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            [HighlightText] => Raft down gentle Class II and III rapids along the Nantahala river
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            [HighlightText] => Test your courage on a Zip Line Adventure Park under the forest canopy
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            [Description] => woman hiker
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            [Description] => sunset
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            [Description] => moutains
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            [Description] => AT view
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            [Description] => hiker waterfall
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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 hiking with 800\' elevation gain and loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Meet your guides and fellow traveling companions this morning in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. After introductions and a trip orientation we\'ll hop aboard our provided shuttle for a quick transfer to our first trailhead. The Cucumber Gap Loop is a perfect introduction to the rich biodiversity, beauty, and history of the Great Smoky Mountains. This hike takes place along an old logging railroad that passes old homesteads and small waterfalls. Plenty of small stream crossings enliven our walk. At the end of the day, our friendly camp host welcomes us to Signature Camp where we enjoy a barbecue dinner around a roaring campfire.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1.5 hours private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.713
                    [Longitude] => -83.512
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                    [Headline] => The forest becomes a classroom on a day full of discovery
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5 miles hiking with 1,000\' elevation gain and loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Today\'s journey takes us past settler\'s homesteads and the remains of gigantic Chestnut trees before reaching picturesque Hen Wallow Falls. Surrounded by a lush forest of rhododendron, fern and towering hemlock our naturalist guides teach us about the unique characteristics which make this amazing area an International Biosphere Reserve. Using the forest as our classroom we\'ll take time to learn which plants are edible and which are valued for their medicinal properties. Back at camp, we\'ll play games, enjoy great food and end the day roasting s\'mores on the campfire. 
                    [Breakfast] => 1
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                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.75
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                    [Headline] => Explore historical artifacts and climb to a mountain vista
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4.5-6 miles hiking with 1,000-1,500\' elevation gain and loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Our mission today is to explore a unique section of trails; home to the largest collection of human artifacts in the National Park system. Walk along a beautiful mountain stream through an old growth forest. Climb to one of the most picturesque mountain vistas with expansive views of breathtaking rock formations. Our celebration of this spectacular region continues as we head back for a tasty meal around a roaring campfire. We\'ll spend our final evening together sharing stories and reflecting on our last few days of adventure.
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                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2-hours private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.746
                    [Longitude] => -83.24
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                    [Headline] => Experience a multi-level aerial challenge course with zip lines and float down the beautiful Nantahala River
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2 hours zip-lining; 8 miles/3 hours whitewater rafting
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                    [ItinBlock] => Today our adventure takes us south through Great Smoky Mountain National park to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The NOC is a mecca for outdoor adventure and located at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Nantahala River. After three days of exploring on foot, we take to the air to experience the park from above. We race along dual zip lines and test our skills navigating the aerial challenge course before loading into whitewater rafts to enjoy a family friendly ride down the scenic Nantahala River. After rounding out our exploration of the Great Smoky Mountains by land, sky and water we make our way back to Gatlinburg. We expect to arrive back in Gatlinburg in the early evening. 
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                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 4-hours private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 35.722
                    [Longitude] => -83.496
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Trip members should be capable of hiking 4-7 hours each day (up to 6 miles) with as much as 1,500\' elevation gain and loss. The aerial challenge course and 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-III whitewater.
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Accommodations

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Spend three nights camping in an established campground.

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.