Adventures On Middle Fork of Idaho's Salmon River

03-28-2011

 Far and Away Adventures Introduces The American Safari On Middle Fork of Idaho's Salmon River

 

SUN VALLEY, ID, Mar. 27, 2011 ˆ Known for blending river rafting with wilderness adventure and backcountry luxury, Far and Away Adventures (http://www.far-away.com/) announces the launch of The American Safari this spring on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, one of the world‚s most revered wild and scenic waterways.

 

Steve Lentz, founder and owner of Far and Away, says the quality of North American big game wildlife sightings in their natural setting rival an experience on, for example, Botswana‚s Okavango Delta, but requiring a fraction of the cost and travel time of a comparable African safari.

 

And just like tramping about a savannah in Africa, if guests choose to leave the river and walk or run along it, there is a 75-mile maintained trail adjacent to what what‚s called „The Crown Jewel‰ of the River of No Return Wilderness. An oar boat shadows hikers who return to camp for showers and hors d‚oeuvres as friends and families approach from the river.

 

The adrenalin highs that come with sightings of an American Big 5 (elk, wolf, Big Horn sheep, bear and moose) are intensified by the river itself. In May and early June rafting is on Class IV rapids on fast-moving, higher waters thanks to the season‚s hefty snow pack. This river is famous for its 100 rapids spilling over 100 miles in a 3,200-foot elevation drop ending in a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon.

 

„Late May and early June this year on the Middle Fork of Idaho‚s Salmon River promise exciting rapids and accelerated four-day / three-night departures of our new safari program,‰ Lentz notes. „Up until mid-June our passage down the river is swifter and we can do the entire 100 river miles in two less days. Later in the summer the flow slows down to playful Class III rapids and the rafting pace is more leisurely so we offer the same trip in six days and five nights. Then conditions are ideal for families so we also lower the minimum age to five years old.‰

 

Tented camps that could be straight out of Africa embrace guests after a day on the river. A chef prepares moveable organic feasts with local microbrews and wines to be sipped from crystal stemware. This level of sophistication, comfort and concierge attention attracts A-Lister‚s Stephen Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Mariel Hemingway, and the Nordstrom‚s, to name a few.

 

Solar lanterns, hot water for showers and state-of-art tents with elevated beds, flannel linens, carpets and nightstands ensure sweet dreams.

 

Scheduled departure dates for the 2011 season are May 28, June 6, 15 and 24, July 2, 10, 18 and 26, Aug. 3, 11, 19 and 27, and Sept. 5, 9 and 15. The per person rate for four day / three night trips is $2,040 and the six day / five night trip runs $2,590 for adults; and $2,300 for ages 5 to 17. Private river safaris are a specialty and can also be arranged for groups up to 22 participants.

 

A newly created Far and Away Adventures American Safari journal encourages guests to peer through binoculars and close to shore to record sightings of river otter, mule deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain elk, black bear, wolves, foxes, beavers, martens and moose, as well as birds ranging from the chukar (a partridge) to the golden eagle.

 

Additional safari journal pages will be devoted to flora and fauna, homesteads, hot springs, Native Americans (Shoshone and Nez Perce) and colorful fur trappers, missionaries and miners who added patina to the wilderness of the Salmon River Basin.

 

Guests on these safari programs are transported to and from Sun Valley, ID, served by major airlines.

 

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