-
How do I redeem my voucher? Which departure dates can be requested?
-
Once you've purchased your voucher, please reach out to Wildland Trekking to provide your personal travel information and secure your desired dates. Your date is not guaranteed until you have provided your information. Please do not make travel arrangements or book airfare until you have received confirmation from Wildland Trekking.
Voucher valid only for travel dates that fall within start and end dates shown above. Departures are generally available once a week within the voucher period. However, departures are not available between June 18 - August 27, 2022.
-
Are departures guaranteed?
-
There is a minimum of two participants required for each departure to run. Departures are not guaranteed until trip changes from "planned" status to "scheduled" status. Wildland Trekking also operates with permissions from National Park Service, BLM and other land agencies that govern Commercial Use Authorizations and those management agencies can deny access based on various factors in which they will have to oblige. Please wait until you receive confirmation from Wildland Trekking before making travel arrangements.
-
Are there any other conditions that may prevent this trip from running?
-
All Wildland Trekking trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances beyond their control, including, but not limited to permit or campsite availability, snowpack, river crossings, wildlife, park or land closures, and forest fires. Wildland reserves the right to cancel any trip because of internal reasons including but not limited to inadequate signups, loss of staff due to injury or illness, and significant damage/loss of inventory.
-
What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
-
This trip begins and ends in St. George, Utah. St. George has a small airport served by Delta Connection and United Express. From the St. George Airport, you can take a taxi into town or some hotels offer a complimentary airport shuttle. You can also fly into Las Vegas and rent a car or take a shuttle to St. George (this is often the cheapest option). It is a two hour drive from Las Vegas to St. George on good roads.
-
What are the accommodations like?
-
This is a camping trip and you'll be sleeping in tents. Single, double, as well as three or four person tents will be available to use.
The following will give you an idea of the camping equipment used:
Sierra Designs, Kelty, or Big Agnes tents: 1 person, 2 person, 3 person or 4 person
Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes, and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
-
Are there any special procedures regarding waste regulation?
-
The public agencies that oversee this region require that everyone pack out all solid waste, including human waste. Wildland Trekking provides resources and training to make this manageable and efficient.
-
How large is each travel group?
-
This trip can operate with a maximum of six guests and one guide.
-
Can solo travelers get their own tent? Is there a single supplement fee?
-
Solo tents are available for no additional fee.
-
Are meals included? What is the food like?
-
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day.
Each guide tailors the menu for the specific trip and group. Each guide is extensively trained on backcountry food handling and meal planning. The tour includes a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, using foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, all meals are supplemented with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits, and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, guests are provided with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion during the hikes.
Wildland Trekking can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee. Please inform Wildland Trekking of any dietary requirements in advance.
-
How much extra money should people budget?
-
It's recommended that you bring an allotment of cash for anything additional you would like to buy during the trip (souvenirs). You should also budget for the industry recommended guide gratuity of 10-20% of the trip cost.
-
What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
-
When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed. The following items are required for your trip unless otherwise noted:
Clothing
- Hiking boots/shoes – mid-weight, lug-soled, waterproof, and ideally well broken in (note: buy your boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than your street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)
-Secondary footwear – supportive, lightweight, well-drained shoe or sport sandal for creek crossings and/or for camp comfort
- Hiking socks – one pair for every two days of your trip, plus an extra pair to sleep in. Hiking specific padded socks, no cotton please! (note: wearing thin liner socks under your hiking socks can help prevent blisters)
- Sun hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
- Cotton t-shirts – at least 2 short or long sleeve shirts, these retain moisture and will help to cool the body down in arid desert environments- Hiking shirts – 1-2 non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long sleeve shirts (note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)
- Warm top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
- Hiking pants & shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings
- Rain gear – waterproof jacket, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon
- Casual clothing & footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings off the trail
- Personal luggage – small duffel bag, suitcase or backpack (for extra hiking clothes and casual clothes)
Additional Clothing (October-April)
- Warm hat & gloves – lightweight beanie and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves
- Mid layer insulating jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket
- Base layer/long underwear – 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool, etc.
- Rain pants – waterproof pants, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon (look for side zippers that will allow you to pull them over your boots)
Gear/Personal Items
- Hydration system – 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle (note: your guide recommends always having a bottle with 1 liter of capacity as a back-up in case of a hydration system failure and to use while in camp)
- Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries (note: always test your headlamp before trips, travel/pack without batteries in device, and for longer trips (4+ days) consider a spare bulb and 1 set of spare batteries)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
- 2 Bandanas
- Contact lenses and glasses – if you wear contact lenses, please also bring a pair of glasses as your contacts are likely to become dirty and may be difficult to clean
- Toiletries – small amounts, travel sizes and/or just what you need for the trip
- Prescription medication – please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking
- Money – for any shopping you would like to do and for consideration of tipping your guide (note: tipping is optional but appreciated, industry recommendation is 10-20% of your trip cost based upon the quality of your experience)
Optional Items
- Swimsuit – only if swimming is an option on your trip, some guests prefer to swim in quick drying hiking clothes, sports bra, etc.
- Stuff sacks – various sizes for better organization of clothing & gear, and/or to help create a camp pillow. (note: a lightweight waterproof stuff sack can be extremely useful in wet conditions)
- Support braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc.)
- Camp reading material – lightweight paperback book, magazine, or small notebook/pen for journaling
- Cell phone or camera
- Spare batteries – for camera, headlamp or other electronics
- Solar charger or charging bank – small, lightweight devices to recharge electronics
- Vitamins & supplements
- Quick dry towel – lightweight, compressible and packable (bandanas also work)
-
What kind of physical shape is needed in order to successfully participate in activities? Is there any special preparation/training required for this trip?
-
This hiking trip averages about 2-10 miles each day with a maximum elevation gain/loss of 2,000 feet. The trails in Zion and Bryce are very well maintained, however the hike through Virgin River Narrows is in the water and on slippery rocks. In Grand Staircase-Escalante the trails are rocky and sandy. You should anticipate carrying a backpack weighing about 10 pounds.
Once Wildland Trekking confirms your trip, they will send a trip packet with very detailed training instructions specific to your tour. The enjoyment received from any physical activity is largely dependent on the shape you’re in. The fitter you are the more fun you’ll have. A combination of cardiovascular fitness, strength in all muscle groups, and flexibility will help ensure an enjoyable experience. As such, it is recommended you prepare for your trip with a moderate training program focused on walking and hiking, ideally in hilly terrain.
-
Do you require or recommend travel insurance?
-
We highly recommend you purchase trip insurance. It allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage.
-
Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
-
We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
-
Can I cancel or modify the trip?
-
Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2022 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date and travel when you're ready, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
*Please note, you must choose a new date at the time of postponement to avoid any additional trip costs.
Between 59 and 30 days prior to departure
You may postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure, but fees will apply.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date and travel when you're ready. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.