Plan a guided multi-sport adventure in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (March 4, 2009) - Taking a page from our super multi-tasking society, Idaho outdoor adventure guides are packing the "Best of Idaho" into a week-long trip overflowing with a smorgasbord of activities. "Travelers are after something different," is how David Ruetz, senior manager ITB Berlin, commented on this trend. "Everyone wants to experience something nowadays - adventure travel paints a different picture of the world, away from beaten paths, and lets tourists experience holidays that are special."

Several Idaho outfitters are taking the old combo trip to fresh energy levels.

Grubb's concept is brought to life in River Odysseys West "Superlative Idaho" extravaganza. It's a grand-slam of Idaho destinations: visitors will scale 12,662-foot Mt. Borah, Idaho's tallest peak, raft and camp on the Snake River in Hell's Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, and kayak Lake Pend Oreille, the state's largest deep-water lake. Fly into Boise and spend days one and two getting oriented and exploring Craters of the Moon National Monument. Travel to a guest ranch in Mackay for day two dinner and rest. Day three is spent climbing Idaho's tallest peak, Mt. Borah. The route is a mile-high scramble that rises 5,500 feet from the trailhead and offers spectacular views of the Eastern and Central Idaho.

Sawtooth Adventures offers a fully-supplied five-day whitewater rafting and backcountry packing adventure. Sawtooth Adventures is based in Central Idaho's Garden Valley, situated near the Sawtooth Wilderness. The trip begins with a challenging, two-day guided whitewater float trip on the South Fork of the Payette River. Rafters experience spectacular scenery, natural hot springs, and delicious outdoor cooking. Upon completion of the second day, travelers spend night in a high mountain hotel where a hearty dinner and a hot bath await them. The following three days are spent touring the backcountry on horseback. An experienced guide will lead the group to a pristine remote lake shore camp where guests can fish, sightsee, explore and enjoy the solitude of this vast wilderness.

Finally, for the die-hards and ultimate adventure seekers, Idaho Guide Service's Grand Adventure awaits. Guests will spend a week observing breathtaking sights, camping along the historic Snake River, spotting wild animals and birds of prey, experiencing whitewater thrills galore and skiing beneath the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains. Days one through three are spent camping and hiking along the Snake River in the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, where a keen eye will abundant birds of prey and wildlife. Day four is a travel day with a visit to Miracle Hot Springs. Day five is spent rafting a 15-mile section of the Snake River known as "the Murtaugh". Sixteen major class-four-and-five rapids block the descent downstream on the Murtaugh. Minimum age for this portion of the trip is 16. Upon takeout, the group heads three miles downstream and stops at Shoshone Falls, a magnificent 212-foot natural falls, making it 12 feet higher than Niagara Falls.

Adventure tourism is a fantastic way to experience some of the many different ways to play in Idaho. An exhilarating combination of thrills and anticipation topped off with rest and relaxation in Idaho's scenic beauty will refresh and rejuvenate the vacationer's soul.

Idaho-Adventures in Living

Idaho is home to thousands of miles of biking trails, mountains to climb, lakes to fish, 17 ski resorts and more whitewater than any other state in the lower 48. So take a break from it all and come out to play. Idaho-adventures in living. Visit www.visitidaho.orgfor more information and vacation ideas.