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Wildflowers & Waterfalls: Exploring the Great Smokies
Destination: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
| Activities: Hiking, Rafting, History
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world famous for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and many excellent hiking trails. Our annual trip is a great way to begin your hiking season. Designed to give you an overview of one of our most treasured National Parks, our trip will give your hiking legs a great spring beginning to the hiking season. We'll see wildflowers and waterfalls, hiking at a leisurely pace to enhance our enjoyment of the scenery, take time to take pictures and identify flowers, and soak those 'winter tired' feet in beautiful pools at the edge of waterfalls. Whether you are intrigued by salamanders or birds, wildflowers or trees, waterfalls or mountain vistas, learning about the fascinating cultural history, or just seeking less traveled paths, you will quickly understand why the Great Smokies have been designated both an International Biosphere reserve and a World Heritage Site. Maximum group size: 12
Highlights
- Seeing up to 30 species of wildflowers on any hike
- Rafting a fun section of the Pigeon River (also suitable for women with no experience)
- Visiting Little Greenbrier Community and learning about the people who lived here
- Hiking beautiful trails, and lunch everyday next to a waterfall
- Gazing at the view from the hot tub and luxuriating in your own private room
Departures and Prices
| April 10 to April 16, 2022 |
| $2195.00 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
| April 17 to April 23, 2022 |
| $2195.00 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Six nights lodging in a private room with ensuite bathroom
- All meals from dinner on Sunday through breakfast Saturday
- Transportation to/from the Knoxville airport (TYS) and transportation during the trip
- White water rafting and rafting guide gratuities
Not included: Airfare to/from Knoxville (TYS), alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, and any optional activities.
Trip Documents
Trip Intro
This trip is appropriate for any woman who exercises regularly at a moderate level (such as going for 45 minute brisk walks 3 to 5 days a week), and who either enjoys hiking or is new to hiking and wants to learn in a safe and fun environment. On this trip there is a special emphasis on cultural and natural history and stopping to smell the flowers (literally). Rating:1 [2]3 4 5
This trip combines hiking with learning about the natural and cultural history of the area. With lots of instruction and tips to make your hiking more enjoyable, this is an ideal trip for novice hikers. You can also learn to identify the many wildflowers found here.
On this trip we stay the entire week in a luxury lodge, perched on a mountainside just outside Gatlinburg. There are 12 private rooms (some with king beds and others with Queens) all with private bathrooms. Amenities include a pool table, a covered porch with rocking chairs and a great view, a hot tub, fireplace, and a large dining and living room. Everyone gets her own bedroom on this trip. Rooms are assigned by lottery.
If you are coming with someone with whom you would like to share a room and bed, there is a 10% discount (limited to 2 people).
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
If you're flying in, we'll meet you at the Knoxville Airport at noon. After driving to the Park, we start with an introduction to the cultural history of the Smokies by visiting the area once known to early settlers as the Little Greenbrier Community. We'll visit the Little Greenbrier School (first opened in 1882), a pioneer cemetery, and the Walker Sisters cabin and home site. This slightly ascending trail is along an old roadbed. If you are driving, please plan to be at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic parking lot (south side) by 2:00 pm. Little Brier Gap Trail, 2.6 miles. Dinner tonight is at our lodge and you’ll be treated to a typical southern bar-b-que dinner, complete with hush puppies and corn on the cob! (D)
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
4.8
(36 reviews)It went beyond my expectations with the natural beauty of the waterfalls and wildflowers in bloom to my first rafting rip in forty years. The people on the trip were terrific and the lodging and food were fantastic. Your company did well!!!
I loved the trip. The only suggestion that I would make is to increase the hiking time.
Really enjoyed the hikes and seeing/identifying the wildflowers. Excellent meals! Love Jan and nice meeting Alicia. Nice group of women.
Jan's knowledge of not only wildflowers, but the history of the area. The wildflowers weren't as plentiful as I expected, but that is due to a chillier then typical Spring which isn't something you can control. The waterfalls were beyond my expectations and that probably was because of the weather. :) It was an empowering week of getting to know such a variety of women.
Seeing all the wildflowers, White Oak Sink, meeting the other hikers, the history of the area and park...
The mountains were beautiful. It was fun learning about the wildflowers and some of the history of the area. Lodge was comfortable
I greatly enjoyed learning about the history of the area as well as the various wildflowers. I also needed a week to escape from "real life" and spend quality time with my Mom. This trip met and exceeded those needs.
Loved the history of the land and its families, and the wildflowers were beyond expectations
Being outdoors. regardless of the weather. I really enjoy being supportive to new travelers or those who need encouragement. I want everyone to know they can do it. doesn't matter the order you finish. it never does.
Hiking, experiencing nature, sharing the experience with new friends
Hiking, experiencing nature, sharing the experience with new friends
Highlights: the pace of the hikes, the gentleness of the long ones the daily hikes the interaction with the hikers
The beautiful scenery and the wonderful women.
It was a well-planned, well thought-out trip. I enjoyed the interaction with the guides and other women. I like active vacations, and enjoyed the hiking. The area is just beautiful!
Jan and Carrie were without a doubt the highlight of my trip. They were knowledgable about the area, had great hiking skill tips, kind, cool under pressure, and last but not least, amazing cooks! I thoroughly enjoyed every meal. I appreciated the healthy and great taste of every single meal. outstanding!
Each hike was special. Not just for the flowers and scenery but also for the history lessons that went along with the place we hiked.. I was so glad I did the artist circle because I got to talk to some of the real locals and appreciate the area even more
Hilights were all of the wildflowers that we saw and identified. Eating lunch by a waterfall or creek was lovely!
I loved the park and the wildflowers.
Grotto falls ogle farms nature walk the sinks
All expectations were beyond met. I have a whole new appreciation for the Smokey Mountains and their beauty.
Loved being challenged daily and was inspired by all the women
The highlight of the trip was meeting all the adventurous women. They were fantastic and inspirational because they had traveled all over the world.
Hiking in the Smokies and meeting new women.
Great scenery, wildflowers, waterfalls and weather.
I loved the smoky mountains and getting to know other women and having some relaxation and I tried some new things!
Impressive guides- knowledge, organization, patience, accommodating to my needs (Diet Dr Peppers) Beauty of the plants, rocks, and waterfalls on the hikes We saw bears Food was great I learned so much about hiking and about this part of the country
Staying at one place, private room, spacious lodge was great. Super excellent guides, beautiful place, just-right variety of daily activities. Liked the activity level--challenging enough to be doing something out of the ordinary, but no anxious anticipation. Lovely group of women. Lots of outdoor time, in a place warmer than home.
Certainly the Smokey Mts. were spectacular providing us with gorgeous wildflowers and waterfalls and wonderful weather. Along with this, the knowledge, warmth, and passion of our guides enhanced the experience by educating us about the wildflowers. the history of the Smokies, and backpacking. So fu!
- Where do we eat?
The guides will be cooking breakfasts and most dinners in the lodge. Before you leave in the morning the guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you'll take a packed lunch. You'll go out for one breakfast and one dinner where you can order off the menu; other nights you'll relax in the lodge and have dinner there. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
Vegetarian options for this trip are available but may be more limited than you are used to. If you are concerned about having enough protein during your trip, plan to bring some plant-based protein sources such as nut butter, instant dried hummus, or high-protein energy bars. If you cannot eat gluten or if you have other dietary restrictions i.e. vegan, you will need to bring some supplemental food with you. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
No, all the rooms on this trip are singles! On our other trips you only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
