Multi-sport trips are offered all over the world, but classic spots include Costa Rica and Belize in Central America, New Zealand, Italy’s Dolomites, and South America, especially Chile and Argentina.
Not surprisingly, the companies specializing in cycling and hiking trips like … Trek Travel also offer multi-sport options, and because they often have trips focused on all three activities in the same areas, they have the best guides and infrastructure.
Blackberry Mountain just announced a new partnership with Trek Travel, one of the world’s leading operators of active guided trips, with a focus on cycling and multi-sport. I’ve written about Trek Travel here at Forbes before, because in addition to the standard weeklong bike trips in places like Tuscany, they offer some really unique opportunities including hardcore immersion training camps and all-women trips. The award-winning company made the 2016 Travel + Leisure Magazine World’s Best Tour Operator list, and it stands out to me because it is run by a woman, Tania Burke, and outdoes the other top tier cycling companies in terms of its very high-quality hardware, thanks to a strong relationship with one-time parent Trek Bicycles (they are now separate companies, though both are based in Madison, WI).
The standard issue bikes are considerably better than industry norms: for road riding it’s the new generation full carbon 2019 Domane SL 7 Disc, featuring Shimano Di2 electronic shifting and disc brakes, and for mountain, the excellent dual suspension Fuel EX 8 27.5 inch model. Every guest also gets another first-rate hardware perk, a Garmin Edge 1030 GPS bike computer (I use an earlier version at home) preloaded with each day’s route, so there is no looking at maps and no getting lost. For safety, all bikes have front and rear blinking lights.
Explora and Trek Travel team up as the world’s top cycling/hiking tour companies to offer a 6-day guided multi-sport week called “The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu” based out of Explora’s Peruvian lodge.
This is the inaugural offering in the partnership, with many more itineraries expected, but the program launches with four sessions this summer and fall. These are “arrival-to-departure” experiences, all-inclusive with airport transfers, meals, beverages and one full day or two half day guided adventure outings daily.
If you’re looking for a new adventure, a cycling and hiking tour called “The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu” is set to roll out in August 2019. The new multi-sport trip through the heart of the ancient Inca Empire in Peru will be the first of several offerings from a new partnership established between cycling tour operator, Trek Travel, and outdoor travel company, explora.
Travelers will stay in the heart of Río Urubamba Valley with accommodation at the explora Sacred Valley property. They will cycle on Trek bicycles through towering summits that sheltered the Inca civilization, and along the waters of the Urubamba River. There will be endless possibilities for exploration along more than 75 miles of cycling and hiking, with destinations revealing colonial history and the architectural magnificence of Machu Picchu.
Like the hum of cicadas on a coffee farm at dusk, the buzz around Colombia has become almost deafening. Beat the crowds and hit the ground rolling on two wheels in this increasingly popular destination with luxury operator Trek Travel’s new six-day Colombia Bike Tour.
Calling the country “South American cycling heaven,” Trek takes riders through the Andes Mountains, the Cocora Valley, and the coffee region, tackling the kinds of long climbs that the pros train on, winding down quiet byways, breaking for day hikes, then perking up with coffee tastings. (Psst! You don’t have to bike to join. This trip welcomes non-riding friends and family of biking enthusiasts.) Scheduled departures leave in March and April, making this a great spring escape, but specialization is the name of the game with Trek: Contact them to arrange a trip on other dates. —From $3,899 per person, based on double occupancy, for six days.
These trips combine days of hiking, biking and other sports, featuring detailed all-inclusive itineraries with first rate lodging, special local experiences like museum and winery tours, and they are fully guided and supported – your luggage is moved for you, routes are meticulously planned, and guides accompany the group (or your private party, as all these companies offer a bespoke option).
They go all over the world, from Africa to the Arctic, Southeast Asia to the American Southwest. Trek Travel has a fascinating Cuba “People to People” cultural immersion trip that melds cycling, hiking and even snorkeling in the famed Bay of Pigs.
One of the best jokes I’ve heard in a while is, “How do you know someone is a triathlete?” “They’ll tell you within the first five minutes of meeting them.” Fulfilling that stereotype in this post–I have been competing in one or two sprint races a year for the last four years, and I love them. Prior to starting with Trek Travel, most of the riding I had done was relatively flat and easy to train for the relatively flat and easy 15-mile rides nestled lovingly between a quarter mile swim and a 5k.
I knew a few days after starting my new job that I would be going on the Crater Lake and Oregon Cascades trip, and although I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience a Trek Travel trip in an area of the country I’d never been before, looking at the daily mileage and elevation profiles I knew I would have a challenge ahead of me.
While I managed to complete some training the in the few weeks before my trip, I knew that a couple of the rides would be far and away the hardest riding of my life. Day 1 did not disappoint, a huge day of 34 miles and a 5,000 foot elevation gain around the rim of Crater Lake. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and although I definitely struggled at some points, the sense of accomplishment I felt after I completed the ride with the support of our two awesome guides was incredible. That feeling of awe and pride continued for the entire week, riding through amazing and ever-varying scenery. We pedaled through ancient lava fields, past glacial streams and down a switchbacky mountain pass descent, terrain that was the perfect way to challenge myself every day in a beautiful setting. And sitting down to a wonderful meal, with interesting people who quickly became new friends, added to the magic of the experience.
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Going on a Trek Travel trip was a formative part of how I look at my job every day, thinking of how we can create “wow” moments for every guest, on every trip. It was also a formative experience in that I learned I can be a little unsure and more than a little unprepared and still make it through with a sense of achievement and motivation to continue to improve in a new hobby or sport. It’s all about getting a little bit better, every day.
Take on Crater Lake
Close Encounters of the Wildlife Kind in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Growing up, I was a bit of an animal fiend (okay, I still am). When asking for a puppy every Christmas and birthday did not work, I had every small animal I could sell my parents on, from gerbils to rabbits. Spending summers camping in the many Wisconsin state parks, I had a blast catching minnows off the beach, fishing, and exploring the many trails in hopes of running into a friendly deer or raccoon (spoiler alert: friendly raccoons do not exist). So, to say I was ecstatic to join our Yellowstone and Grand Tetons trip this July, a destination that always makes the top 5 list of National Parks for wildlife spotting, is an understatement.
Our adventure began with a bike ride to the Jackson Lake Lodge, which has an unobstructed view of the Teton Range and Willow Flats, an area prime for wildlife spotting. It did not take long for us to spot our first animal of the trip–a moose–while we watched the sun creep below the mountains.
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Our second day of the trip began bright and early, with a day trip into Yellowstone National Park in safari-style vehicles. It became quite apparent within a half hour of our excursion that there is a valid safety reason we do not bike within the park itself. As our guide, Paul, started to explain how we likely will not see a grizzly bear due to their dwindling population within the park, we began to slow down for a traffic jam ahead. It was what they call a “bear jam”, due to there being, yes, a grizzly bear, within 40 yards of the road.
With our safari vehicle capabilities, we opened our roof hatches to get unobstructed views of the massive predator without putting ourselves in danger. It was clear we were in the bear’s territory, and that it did not feel threatened by our presence. We were each provided with a set of binoculars to get a better look at the bear, which spent about an hour digging around in the tall grass.
Throughout the day, the park continued to provide us with up-close viewings of bison, elk, and mule deer. With a spotting scope in tow, we were all able to get telescopic views of herds of bison with their babies. Paul knew exactly where the hotspots were, and the other cars gave us further hints as to where to get the money shots.
As our day within the park came to an end, we had one more amazing encounter with a black bear crossing the road (there’s a knock-knock joke in their somewhere).
Though Yellowstone National Park had the highest concentration of wildlife we saw all week, our sightings did not stop there. Throughout each day’s ride, we witnessed mule deer grazing right off the bike path in Grand Teton National Park, two bald eagles fighting over food, a fox carrying a mouthful of food, a moose and its baby on our way up the tram in Teton Village, ospreys in their massive nests, and a river otter playfully swimming parallel to our boat while whitewater rafting on the Snake River.
Absolutely go on our Yellowstone and Grand Tetons trip for the riding. It is stunningly beautiful, and relatively mild in terms of the hills (my dream). However, don’t forget about the other reason that our National Park trips are so popular–the wildlife encounters that you will remember forever.
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Experience Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons
From the majestic living glaciers and steep fjords of the Kenai Peninsula, north to the lonesome gravel roads of the interior outpost of Talkeetna and skyward to 20,310’ Mt. Denali, America’s last frontier is untouched and full of mystery. Here, Trip Designer Tony Ferlisi pulls back the curtain on the rugged and beautiful landscape that is Alaska.
“There’s gold, and it’s haunting and haunting;
It’s luring me on as of old;
Yet it isn’t the gold that I’m wanting
So much as just finding the gold.
It’s the great, big, broad land ‘way up yonder,
It’s the forests where silence has lease,
It’s the beauty that thrills me with wonder,
It’s the stillness that fills me with peace.”
-Robert Service, from The Spell of the Yukon
Scale acts to lend us perspective. It clarifies detail. It takes something small and magnifies it. Takes something giant and makes it tangible; brings it into our human world of understanding. Sometimes we use numbers or ideas to correlate size. Sometimes, we create physical replicas. Spin a globe in your local library or restructure a model atom in high-school chemistry class.
The scale of Alaska is seemingly impossible. Rivers and their flood plains stretch laterally across valley bottoms farther than you can see from the window of an airplane. Imagine the Hudson, the Columbia, the Ohio, the Colorado, the Rio Grande all running within a few hundred miles of each other. Add those to over 9,000 other rivers and you get the idea of the number of waterways in Alaska. 3 million lakes, 100,000 glaciers, and almost 34,000 miles of coastline; more than Florida, California, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Maine and Virginia… combined. Mountains tower above the landscape, piercing the clouds and consuming all horizons; the highest rising over 20,000 feet above the sea and 10 of which are higher than any peak in the lower 48 states. Overlay a map of the continental United States with a map of Alaska and its land-mass stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.
But none of these perspectives do justice to those who haven’t laid eyes upon this place. Recall the feeling of standing at the foot of the Empire State Building for the first time and looking up or sailing on a boat just out of sight of land. Imagine what it might be like to be awash in the emotional waves of experiences like these for days in a row, each one new and each different than the other. That is Alaska, even for those who return time and time again.
After John Muir first visited Alaska in 1879, he recorded in his journal that one should “never go to Alaska as a young man because you’ll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live…” There is truth to this thought. You’ll dream about this place: the possibilities and the impossibilities. Movies against the backs of your eyelids as you lie awake at night, teetering just beyond sleep. Wind playing tag through dense alder thickets. Afternoon sunshine casting shadows against the jagged, snow-covered towers of the Chugach. Two bald eagles perched in a snag high above a shallow creek teaming with spawning salmon. Waiting. Watching. Your nostrils twinge with the scent of a Sitka spruce stand. Fingers feel the chill of the morning dew. Ears deafened with the silence. You contemplate the size of this landscape. You meditate on its scale. You’ll wonder when, not if, you’ll journey back to the north. Back to the great big, giant mystery that is… Alaska.
Make a great escape to Alaska
Find your rush with exotic adventures that go beyond the bike and show you a whole new side to some of the most exotic locales around the world. Here are our top 5 trips for the those who want to bike, hike, and explore the wild world.
Exotic, beautiful and exhilarating, our Costa Rica vacation is full of tropical rides with exciting stops along the way. You’ll raft down the incredible Rio Balsa, relax in the pool with a view of Arenal Volcano, discover the ancient secrets of chocolate on a rainforest chocolate tour, enjoy a boat cruise across Lake Arenal, zip line through the Cloud Forest, take a surfing lesson and watch a Pacific Ocean sunset from the back of a horse. It’s about as adventurous as it gets in one of the most picturesque places on earth.
From the majestic living glaciers and steep fjords of the Kenai Peninsula, north to the lonesome gravel roads of the interior outpost of Talkeetna and skyward to 20,310’ Mt. Denali, this is one experience sure to blow your mind at every turn. Explore the wonders of one of the last great American ski towns around Alyeska Resort, hop a train and marvel at the 360 degree views under the shadow of the massive Chugach range, raft the glacially fed Susitna River then pedal your bike through the alders along the Chase Trail past grizzly and moose tracks. And that’s just the start.
Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
Ecuador is like no other place on Earth and our multisport journey from the Andean highlands to the Galápagos Islands will show you why. South America’s fourth-smallest country boasts the world’s greatest biodiversity per square mile. As you travel by bus, bike, foot, boat and plane, you will encounter species of birds, plants, reptiles and amphibians that will educate, inform and take your breath away. From the Guango Cloud Forest Reserve to Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos this trip is groud zero for adventure and ecodiversity.
Embrace the wilds of Wyoming in the shadow of the majestic Teton Range. You’ll get to know the open countryside and resident moose as you ride under the banner of stunning views that make the peaks of Grand Teton National Park famous. You’ll hike to hidden alpine lakes and waterfalls, learn the stories of this unique and amazing landscape from local wildlife experts and journey northward to Yellowstone National Park to bear witness to the wonders of Old Faithful and Yellowstone Falls. And did we mention whitewater rafting the famous Snake River Canyon?
Glacier National Park isn’t just another protected wildlife site in northwest Montana. It’s one of Mother Nature’s most prized possessions, crammed end-to-end with snow-capped peaks, blue skies, moose, big-horn sheep, mountain goats, aspen trees and inspiration. As you ride the smooth pavement of Going-to-the-Sun Road, your soundtrack will include the echo of Bird Woman Falls and the vast silences of the hinterland. There’s no better time to visit this undiscovered country, because only 25 glaciers remain, and with every passing day, they get a little smaller.
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Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.
Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.
These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.
On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of Explorer and Luxury hotels. Rest assured, no matter which hotel level you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.
Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).
Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).
Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).
Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).
Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).
Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).
Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Classic:
Explore beautiful destinations with a curated blend of guided activities, local cuisine, handpicked accommodations, and itineraries to suit every traveler, from laid-back adventures to luxurious escapes.
Gravel:
Venture off the beaten path to unforgettable places, with fully-supported routes that combine gravel and paved roads in classic Trek Travel style.
Cross Country:
Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
Pro Race:
See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.
Hiking & Walking:
Step into adventure with carefully designed routes, unparalleled hospitality, and deep-routed local connections.
Ride Camp:
Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.
Self-Guided:
Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.
Enjoy a casual vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.
Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself
