For many travelers, Bhutan holds a special place on the bucket list—an elusive kingdom where ancient traditions blend with modern life, and time seems to slow down. Since 2010, Northwest Rafting Company has made it a tradition to visit this magical Himalayan country every fall. Road improvements are connecting its rural mountain villages to bustling cities, opening up more opportunities for adventure in this serene, unspoiled land. This year, we decided to take things up a notch and explore something special: a multi-day river trip on… Read More
Author: Michael Hughes
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Thailand vs Bhutan While not required, we suggest starting your trip in Bangkok, Thailand. Arriving there a day or two before your flight to Bhutan will help you adjust to the time change. The weather will factor into your packing as it is quite different between Thailand and Bhutan. Thailand is hot and humid whereas Bhutan tends to be much cooler and less humid. Consider bringing an outfit just for Thailand that may get sweaty that you don’t need in Bhutan. If you are planning a… Read More
Our Trip Details (PDF) is packed with useful info about the rowing school, but we know you might still have some lingering questions. Here are some of the most common ones we get about our Class III Rowing School. Can I share a raft with my Friend/Partner/Child? Unfortunately, no. In this course you’ll be rowing your own raft and we don’t allow passengers in that raft while you are learning. My Friend/Partner/Child wants to join the trip, but doesn’t want instruction or to row a boat.… Read More
Big red canyon walls and miles of rolling river through remote south eastern Oregon puts the Owyhee on many river enthusiasts list. As you start planning your trip you quickly begin to learn the brutal nature of spring in the Owyhee Canyonlands. A truly fickle snowpack and river flow can go from perfect to nothing in a day or two, but back to great with a perfectly planned storm. Many keep their eye on the snow all winter only to be disappointed when it melts at… Read More
For the 51st anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Senator Ron Wyden has asked for help protecting more of Oregon’s waterways. What a great time for the state’s lesser-know waterways to gain protection! After all, Oregon boasts 2,173 miles of iconic rivers in the Wild and Scenic program already—the Rogue, Illinois, Owyhee, Deschutes, Clackamas, Snake, John Day, and McKenzie being a few of the better-known. Some 250 of those miles were protected earlier this year. Wild and Scenic River Protections In 1968 Congress saw… Read More
Bhutan is a small mountain kingdom nestled in the Himalayan Mountains between India and China. Each November we organize a few small groups tours to explore its monasteries (lhakhang), fortresses (dzongs) and rivers (chhu). Are we in Bhutan for 12 days? Our trip itinerary is 12 days and we are in Bhutan for 9 days. The itinerary includes two days of travel at beginning and one day at the end. You will be responsible for booking your flight to and from Bangkok, but we will arrange… Read More
The Rogue River is a classic multi-day river trip enjoyed by thousands of people every year. Protected as one of the original eight Wild and Scenic Rivers in 1968 this gem offers great rapids, spectacular camps, awesome side hikes, and so much human history. One of the most famous places on the Rogue River is Blossom Bar Rapid, commonly referred to as “the most expensive rapid in the West.” You can find countless stories and YouTube videos of success and mishap with a quick search of… Read More
Tucked into the Northeast corner or Oregon, tumbling out of the Blue Mountains, is the Grande Ronde River. A gem for rafters and kayakers looking for multi-day trip with excellent camps, awesome wildlife, and spectacular big canyon views. This is a unique trip because it actually starts on the Wallowa River, enters the Grande Ronde 9 miles into the trip, and finishes at the confluence with the Wenaha River at Troy. All three are designated as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. With snowpack around parts of… Read More
Welcome to Bangkok! This bustling city is full of adventures and activities. It can be intimidating and chaotic but give it a little time and you may feel right at home. On your way to and from our Rivers and Dzongs of Bhutan trips you will travel through Bangkok where you can adjust to the time zone, explore the city, and slowly begin to enjoy your vacation. Bangkok is a great hub if you are planing to continue your vacation somewhere else or you just want… Read More
The Owyhee River is a 48 mile, 5 day rafting adventure filled with side hikes, unbelievable high desert landscapes, fun whitewater, and some of the best birding in the country. This small pocket of Oregon is the only part of the state that runs on Mountain Time, so set your clocks accordingly. Where is the Owyhee? The section of the Oywhee River most commonly rafted is in the southeast corner of Oregon. From its headwaters in northern Nevada, it meanders through southwestern Idaho and into Oregon.… Read More