Africa is where Extraordinary Journeys started. Our drive to create a travel company that was aligned with our personal values of conservation and promoting tourism that supports communities is what defines us. As we’ve expanded to other regions of the world, we’ve been able to connect with cultures, communities, entrepreneurs, and individuals from New Zealand to Antarctica to India and beyond.
As travel restrictions start to lift, our team is itching to get outside and explore. With team members hailing from and living in Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Idaho, we asked them where their most spectacular iconic American adventures have taken them. Not only that, but we had them reach out to their west-of-the-Rockies friends for some hidden gems to surprise us.
People often think, “It’s the U.S. Why would I use a travel company?”
If you really want the type of journey you are craving – with social isolation, private guides to lead you to the best places, top-notch accommodations, and curated experiences – we know you’ll appreciate working with us for your domestic trip-of-a-lifetime as much as you have for your international travel.
Sure, you could do the legwork, but why? We guarantee that when you leave it to us, we’ll surprise you with something uniquely yours, seamless support and service, and worth it in every way.
Our Featured Itineraries
Dazzling Canyons of the American Southwest – This 8-day itinerary includes visits to Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks, as well as visiting lesser-known, but just as beautiful Wire Pass Canyon and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. From the spectacle and drama of the Grand Canyon to exploring hundreds of thousands of acres of desert on an UTV to trying your hand at calf roping at a working ranch, your week in the hidden Southwest will be unforgettable.
Luxury and Camping in the Old West (Montana & Wyoming) – Welcome to Big Sky Country. Explore some of the jewels of the Montana and Wyoming Rocky Mountain wilderness areas on this 6-night adventure. Enjoy both the hallmark experiences of Yellowstone geysers and Grand Teton peaks, but spend more time in your private accommodations, on exclusive game viewing adventures, river trips, and secluded hikes.
Short Southwest Soujourn – An extraordinary short break with spectacular desert adventures await you on this 5-day Southwest Sojourn. Explore the iconic canyons, pools, rivers, and deserts of Utah. An action-packed itinerary, you’ll find yourself hiking, traversing sand dunes, driving an ATV, stargazing with a telescope, and getting a taste of canyoneering.
Our Insider’s List of U.S. Adventure Destinations
We sent out the call to friends, family, team members, and others in our trusted network to collect some out-of-the-way, unique, remote, luxurious, or just plain different travel spots across the American West. Some we know well, and some we’re curious about.
Send us your favorites (or tell us what we missed) so we can pull together your summer or fall vacation to help quell that cabin fever.
ALASKA
Sheldon Chalet – Perched on a nunatak above the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, just 10 miles from the summit of Denali, the Sheldon Chalet is a luxurious mountaintop escape for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Transport by private helicopter only.
Within the Wild Backcountry Lodges – Escape from everything in a remote, backcountry Alaskan chalet, where you explore the wild, vast wilderness by boat, on foot, and by helicopter. Learn to tie a fly, paddle a raft, and cook your own wild Alaskan catch of the day – and then relax in the wood-fired hot tub under the dark Alaskan sky.
Redoubt Mountain Lodge – Accessible only by floatplane or helicopter, Redoubt Mountain Lodge delivers bear viewing, hiking, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, photography, water sports exploration in and around Clark Lake National Park.
COLORADO
Brush Creek Ranch – An award-winning, all-inclusive Western ranch resort that offers a vast array of outdoor activities for all seasons and all ages. The ranch offers a variety of accommodations from guest rooms, to cabins to suites and is set on 30,000 stunning acres to explore.
Taylor River Lodge – This off-the-grid location deep in Colorado’s Taylor Canyon is a fishing paradise, with a stocked trout pond and a mile stretch of semi-private river steps from the cabins, and the Gunnison River minutes away for float trips. The surrounding mountains offer rugged single track and scenic hiking trails, and the on-site, rock climbing wall, archery and hatchet throwing area will make you nostalgic for your Scout days. After a day outdoors, steam and soak in the Bathhouse or cozy up in the main lodge with a good book. Evenings take on a campfire vibe with stargazing and s’mores around the fire pit. Taylor River Lodge is intimate in size and located in a remote and remarkable corner of the world.
Dunton Hot Springs – Just across the mountain from Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs is a romantic, fully restored 1800’s ghost town set in an extraordinary alpine valley. Hand hewn log cabins exquisitely furnished, a life-worn saloon serving food of startling quality, hiking, hot springs, and a decadent spa all come together where old is new again.
Rawah Ranch – An authentic, all-American western guest ranch and fly fishing lodge nestled in Northern Colorado’s spectacular Laramie River Valley, Rawah is the quintessential dude ranch. Bring out your inner cowboy on a back-country horseback ride along alpine ridges or through groves of aspen; relax on a spectacular hike along our 15+ trails through the surrounding Rawah Wilderness Area; or, simply kick back in a rocking chair on the front porch or curl up by a crackling fire in the rustic Rawah Lodge.
UTAH
*** Amangiri is an Extraordinary Journeys selected favorite! Explore our Southwest Canyons Itinerary to learn more about planning your visit***
Amangiri – A 600-acre sanctuary of wilderness and isolation in Canyon Point, Southern Utah, Amangiri is your launching pad for the surreal Wire Pass Canyon where the famous red stone of Buckskin Gulch Gorge greets you, access to Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and opportunity for pure indulgence at the exquisite desert pool and spa or a privately-chartered boat tour of the canyons of nearby Lake Powell.
The Lodge at Blue Sky- A quick journey to Park City lands you at this luxurious mountain lodge. Enjoy every season at Blue Sky, from horseback riding on private trails to fly fishing on miles of private waters, to hopping on a luxury transfer to our exclusive Blue Sky Ski Lounge, located at the base of Park City Mountain Resort.
NEW MEXICO
*** Vermejo is an Extraordinary Journeys selected favorite! Contact us for special rates, packages and more***
Vermejo Reserve – With snowcapped alpine tundra, 19 fishable lakes and over 550,000 stunning acres of picturesque land, Vermejo is the jewel of northern New Mexico. The ultimate in luxury and authentic western style, Vermejo is a nearly perfect destination for adventure and indulgence all in one place. The reserve’s diverse landscape is home elk, bison, black bears and mountain lions. Whether riding horseback through open fields, exploring turn-of-the-century charcoal kilns, or fly fishing for Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Vermejo has something for every traveler.
OREGON
Pronghorn Resort – Inspiration by everything that Bend, Oregon, offers, Pronghorn Resort offers luxury accommodations, private homes, golf courses, and recreational amenities designed to deliver the ultimate high-desert escape. From fishing and float trips to ATV exploring to a day on the golf course, Pronghorn was named as one of Conde Nast’s “Hottest New Hotel Openings” of 2019.
Minam River Lodge – The Minam River Lodge is a hike-in, fly-in luxury lodge nestled in remote Northeast Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness. Accessible by 8.5-mile hike or charter flight in a small plane, the Lodge is a triumph of craftsmanship and epitomizes off-grid luxury. Stroll from the Lodge down to the wild and scenic Minam River, which has the rare distinction of being considered nearly pristine. Explore one of the many scenic hiking trails. glimpse wildlife from bald eagles to Rocky Mountain elk, or just relax in one of the most private places in the U.S.
MONTANA
Grey Cliffs Ranch – Grey Cliffs Ranch is a private ranch in the heart of southwest Montana, with panoramic views, luxurious and comfortable accommodations, gourmet cuisine, and recreational opportunities right out our front door.
The Resort at Paws Up – At the crossroads of incomparable luxury and unspoiled wilderness lies The Resort at Paws Up. Paws Up is a luxury Montana mountain resort situated on a sprawling, 37,000-acre, authentic working cattle ranch in western Montana.
IDAHO
Middle Fork Lodge – An exquisite Western getaway on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, The Middle Fork Lodge’s 80 private acres are nestled inside Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness of No Return, the largest contiguous area of protected wilderness – 2.3 million acres — in the continental United States. Luxury amenities and accommodations combined with extraordinary experiences from whitewater rafting to hunting to fishing to horseback riding, welcome you as you breathe in the air of rejuvenation, soak in the warm geothermal waters, and escape from everything.
WYOMING
*** Amangani is an Extraordinary Journeys selected favorite! Explore our Luxury & Camping in the Old West Itinerary to learn more about planning your visit***
Amangani – Blanketed in snow in winter, alive with vivid greenery in summer, Amangani’s extraordinary wilderness at the foot of the Teton Mountains promises year-round, back-to-nature adventures. Take to the fresh mountain air in spring or summer and explore the backcountry of the old West – on foot or horseback, by hot-air balloon, or along the spectacular Snake River. With an elevation of 7,000 feet, Amangani, lies on the wandering paths of moose and elk and in day-trip distance to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Bentwood Inn -One of the Best Jackson Hole Bed & Breakfasts near Grand Teton National Park. Bentwood Inn is one of the finest Jackson Hole Lodging options in the area and part of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World collection.