***The worldwide pandemic has certainly rocked my world. But I am hopeful that all of the trips listed here will go in 2021. Be safe, wear a mask in public, and consider the health of others as you wander the globe!***
May 7-14, 2021 Rafting the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, with the Museum of Northern Arizona. The outfitter for this trip will be my long-time partner and official Grand Canyon National Park concessionaire Colorado River and Trail Expeditions (CRATE). This trip is already oversubscribed with a waiting list. However, be the first to sign up for my 2022 trip scheduled for around the same time. Contact me at wayneranney17@gmail.com for information on how to sign up. To see a past blog of this trip, click here.
May 22-29, 2021 Rafting the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, with the Northern Arizona University Geology Alumni. The outfitter for this trip will be my long-time partner and official Grand Canyon National Park concessionaire Colorado River and Trail Expeditions (CRATE). This trip is for geology alumni of NAU and their guests. However, be one of the first to sign up for a geology-themed trip with me in 2022, scheduled for around the same time. Contact me at wayneranney17@gmail.com for information on how to sign up. To view a past blo, click here.
June 6-14, 2021 The Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords: A Cruise from Glasgow to Bergen, with Smithsonian Journeys. I will attempt to return to overseas travel for the first time since my trip to Nepal and Bhutan in October, 2019. I am super excited to be going back to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, two of the more satisfying destinations in all of Scotland. This cruise will be on the vessel, Le Champlain. Launched in 2018, Le Champlain is among a new fleet of luxury expedition ships of the Ponant cruise line (French). The trip itinerary can be found here.
July 15-23, 2021 Iceland Voyage: A Circumnavigation Cruise, with Smithsonian Journeys. Join me in one of the premier geologic destinations in the entire world as Iceland sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This giant tear in the Earth's crust is where voluminous lava has piled high on the Atlantic's seafloor to create an island with amazingly diverse landscapes. And we get to circle the entire island while enjoying the luxury of our Ponant ship, Le Champlain. The trip itinerary can be viewed here.
August 17-27, 2021 Alaska's Natural Wonders, with Smithsonian Journeys. Summer is the best time to visit "The Last Frontier" of the United States. On this expedition, we will visit Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords National Parks. I am especially excited that this trip will visit the remote Wrangell Mountains where the Wrangellia terrane was first recognized and named for. Denali always delights with Mt. McKinley being the highest mountain in all of North America. See the full itinerary here.
September 27- October 3, 2021 Romancing the Stone: Grand Staircase-Escalante and Capitoil Reef, Utah with Southwest Seminars (Santa Fe, New Mexico). This late summer excursion will be led by myself and co-leader Kirt Kempter. The trip assembles in magical Bluff, Utah for a short hike and evening orientation. Then we drive across varied terrain to visit this 1.9 million acre gem of a Monument (I am confident that the original borders of this preserve will be restored). Next we travel to the gateway of Capitol Reef National Park in Torrey. At the end of the trip, we take the ferry across the blue water of Lake Powell. You can view the entire itinerary of this 11 day adventure here.
October 6-15, 2021 Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon, with Smithsonian Journeys. What could be better than visiting the great American Southwest with your own personal geologist along to explain the many colorful landforms! This trip begins in Scottsdale and visits Sedona's famous Red Rocks, Monument Valley, and the Lake Powell area, as well as the three crown jewel National Parks. You will not be disappointed at the amount of information conveyed during our overland journey. The full itinerary can bee seen here.
October 25-29, 2021 Journey to Toroweap Overlook and Western Grand Canyon, with the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute. This is a repeat of our trip in October, 2018 and once again I am most happy to announce that my wife Helen will be my co-leader on this camping trip. Toroweap Overlook can only be reached by a scenic 61-mile long dirt road but the reward is worth the effort. Day hikes will include one on the Esplanade Platform to Cove Canyon, Saddle Horse Point, and perhaps Vulcan's Throne, a scoria cone only 72,000 years old.
December 3-18, 2021 Expedition to Patagonia and Easter Island, with Yavapai College EdVentures. This trip was originally scheduled in 2020 but due to the pandemic it was postponed to these dates. The trip begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina, then boards the Mar Australis in Ushuaia for a four-day cruise of the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. Next, visit Torres del Paine National Park in Chile for three nights, before flying to Easter Island for another three nights. See the web site here for additional information.
------------------ 2020 Trips and Expeditions
***I have just entered the "twilight" of my career and will be offering a few less trips each year from now on. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone! It seems as if I just started out. However, I am offering some amazing destinations in 2020 so have a look below.***
January 23 to 31, 2020 Wonders of the Galapagos Islands, onboard the Santa Cruz II. This trip is sponsored by Smithsonian Journeys and will sail around various islands in the Galapagos for five days. The trip also includes two nights in Ecuador's capital, Quito. See the full itinerary here to sign up. You can peruse a blog posting I made from the same trip here.
May 2-8, 2020 Rafting the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, with the Museum of Northern Arizona. The outfitter for this trip will be my long-time partner and official Grand Canyon National Park concessionaire Colorado River and Trail Expeditions. This trip may already be oversubscribed and if so, you can still call Jennifer Glennon at MNA (928-774-5213, ext. 222) to get on the waiting list or be the first to sign up for my 2021 trip at around the same time. To see a past blog about this trip, click here.
May 30 to June 14 2020 Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, with Smithsonian Journeys. This is a really great itinerary with many days spent exploring in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and an overnight stay at the Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu. The full itinerary can be viewed here. To see a past posting on my blog about this trip, look here and here.
August 21 to 29 2020 Rafting the Colorado River in Grand Canyon with Southwest Seminars. The outfitter for this trip is my long-time partner and official Grand Canyon National Park concessionaire Colorado River and Trail Expeditions (CRATE). This trip may already be oversubscribed and if so, you can still write to Connie Eichstaedt at Southwest Seminars (505-466-2775) to get on the waiting list. To see a past blog about this trip, click here.
October 4 to 13, 2020 Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, with Smithsonian Journeys. Yep! I'm bringing a lifetime of far-flung, world-wide travel back to my home country in the American Southwest. This classic tour begins in Phoenix and ends in Las Vegas with stops in Sedona, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion. You can view the full itinerary here.
October 24 to November 17, 2020 Around the World by Private Jet, with TCS World Travel. This will be my fifth expedition around the world with TCS. This classic itinerary has visits to Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Samoa, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Ankor Wat, the Taj Mahal, Petra, the Serengeti, and Fez Morocco. You can view the full itinerary here.
November 28 to December 14, 2020 Epic Patagonia and Easter Island, South America, with Yavapai College EdVentures. Join me as we travel to Buenos Aires, Cape Horn, the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Torres del Paine National Park and Easter Island in one great adventure. This trip includes four days sailing on the Terra Australis ship through the Patagonian Archipelago. Only 30 lucky participants will have the opportunity to join me on this expedition. To view a full itinerary, click here.
------------------ 2019 Expedition and Trip Schedule
January 17 to February 1, 2019. Cruising Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia Island on Le Lyrial with Abercrombie and Kent Full itinerary here.
March 21-April 5, 2019 Journey to New Zealand with Smithsonian Journeys. A wonderful exploration of the two big islands in New Zealand including Auckland, Rororua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Franz Josef National Park and Queenstown,Full itinerary here.
May 4-10, 2019.. Rafting the Grand Canyon with the Museum of Northern Arizona: Call Jennifer Glennon at 928-774-5213, ext. 222. - SOLD OUT
May 19-25, 2019. Rafting the Grand Canyon with Southwest Seminars. Full itinerary here. .- SOLD OUT
May 31-June 4, 2019. Oar-powered rafting trip on the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado with OARS. E-mail me for sign-up details. Full itinerary here. - SOLD OUT
June 8-14, 2019. Rafting the Grand Canyon with the Association of Engineering Geologists. There are three spaces left on this departure. Call Ken Fergason at 602-733-6067 for details.
July 10-20, 2019. Exploring the Northern Rockies including Glacier National Park, Montana and Banff and Jasper National Parks, Alberta Canada. Great geology! Full itinerary here.
August 10-17, 2019.. Rafting the Grand Canyon with the Northern Arizona University Geology Alumni. - Four spaces left. Call Amy Wolkowinski at 928-523-0932 for details.
October 11-25, 2019. Himalayan Kingdoms - Nepal and Bhutan with Smithsonian Journeys. If you love mountains you will love seeing Earth's highest - the Himalayas. Join me on this fantastic destination. Full itinerary here.
------------------ 2018 Expedition and Trip Schedule
January 15-22, 2018. Galapagos Islands with Smithsonian Journeys. A seven-day cruise around most of the major islands.: Full itinerary here..
February 25-March 1, 2018. Death Valley Inn-Based Day Hiking, Museum of Northern Arizona SORRY - SOLD OUT Full itinerary: here..
March 7-28, 2018. Australia and New Zealand with Smithsonian Journeys. A wonderful exploration of Cairns, Ayers Rock, and the vibrant city of Sydney in Australia and Christchurch, Queenstown, Mt. Cook National Park, Rotorua, and Auckland in New Zealand. Full itinerary here.
April 3-8, 2018. Grand Canyon River Guides geology training trip on the Colorado River for river guides. Sign-ups only.
April 16-20, 2018. Grand Staircase-Escalante Inn-Based Day Hiking, Museum of Northern Arizona. One of my most popular trips since 1995 with geologic day hikes and lodging at the Boulder Mountain Lodge. Full itinerary here.:
April 28- May 20, 2018. Kingdoms and Cultures by Private Jet, TCS World Travel. Countries visited include Lithuania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Albania, Romania, Spain and Portugal. Full itinerary here.
July 5-15, 2018. Adventure in Iceland with Smithsonian Journeys. Full itinerary here.
August 1-15, 2018. Adventure in Iceland with Yavapai College Prescott. A 14-day circum-transit of this fascinating island. Full itinerary here.
August 31-September 9, 2018. Rafting the Grand Canyon with the Grand Canyon Field Institute.. Call Mike Buchheit - 928-638-7024. Full itinerary here.
September 21-October 4, 2018. Splendors of Morocco with Smithsonian Journeys. Full itinerary here.
October 22-26, 2018. Canyonlands and Arches Inn-Based Day Hiking, Museum of Northern Arizona. Full itinerary here.
October 29-November 1 2018. Toroweap Natural and Cultural History (Grand Canyon North Rim). Full itinerary here.
------------------ 2017 Expedition and Trip Schedule
February 25 to March 13, 2017 - Expedition with Smithsonian Journeys to Patagonia, including Buenos Aires Argentina, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn cruise, Chile's Lake District and the Osorno Volcano, Santiago and Valparaiso Chile. Full Itinerary here. SOLD OUT.
March 24 to 26, 2017 - Geology-themed backpack to Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Two nights lodging and all meals included. With Wildland Trekking - sign up here.
April 3 to 7, 2017 - Expedition to Canyonlands and Arches National Parkswith the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. Sorry - SOLD OUT.
May 1 to 4, 2017 - Private geology tour to Zion and Bryce National Parks with the Desert Foothills Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society. Write to me if you would like to request attendance.
May 20 to 28, 2017 - Special Grand Canyon Geology and Hiking river trip for Northern Arizona University Geology Alumni. I will be running the river with past and current geology grads and students at NAU with Colorado River and Trails Expeditions. Sorry - SOLD OUT.
June 15 to 25, 2017 - Adventure in Iceland with Smithsonian Journeys. My 2016 trip was an unqualified success! Join me in 2017 to this geologic paradise. The itinerary and registration can be found here.
September 9 to 18, 2017 - A chartered river trip in the Grand Canyon with the Grand Canyon Association Field Institute and Arizona Raft Adventures. This is another one of my Geology and Hiking river trips - this one 10 days long to Diamond Creek take-out.! This trip is likely SOLD OUT but cancellations often occur - write to me if interested and I will check availability.
September 27 to October 20, 2017 - Private Jet Excursion "Around the World" with TCS World Travel. This is the ultimate trip with visits to Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Samoa, Great Barrier Reef, Ankor Wat, Taj Mahal, Serengeti, and Morocco. Please see the itinerary of this exceptional trip here.
November 7 to 9, 2017 - Geology-themed backpack to Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Two nights lodging and all meals included. With Wildland Trekking - sign up here.
November 18 to December 2, 2017 - Smithsonian Journey's trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. This is a very popular trip and will be the third time I have led this particular itinerary for SJ's. See the itinerary here.
December 4 to 6, 2017 - Geology-themed backpack to Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Two nights lodging and all meals included. With Wildland Trekking - sign up here.
------------------ 2016 Expedition and Trip Schedule
January, 2016 - On the ocean-going vessel The World sailing around the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and the Falklands. The World is a private resident-owned ship only and this trip is not for sale.
February, 2016 - Private geology tour with a friend to Death Valley National Park, California.
March 8 to 22, 2016 - Expedition with Smithsonian Journeys to Machu Picchu, Peru and Galapagos, Ecuador.
May 7 to 14, 2016 - Private charter Grand Canyon Geology and Hiking river trip. SOLD OUT AND WAITLISTED - SORRY.
May 23 to 25 - My popular three-day Geology On The Edge class at Grand Canyon National Park. For Grand Canyon Association Members only.
July 12 to 14, 2016 - My popular three-day Geology On The Edge class at Grand Canyon National Park, this one open to anyone.
July 15 to 21, 2016 - Chartered river trip in the Grand Canyon. This is my ever-popular Geology and Hiking river trip on the Colorado. Helicopter and plane flyover take-out!
August 30 to September 8, 2016 - Chartered river trip in the Grand Canyon with Grand Canyon Association Field Institute and Arizona Raft Adventures. This is another one of my Geology and Hiking river trips this one 10 days long to Diamond Creek take-out.! SOLD OUT - SORRY.
September 10 to 20, 2016 - Adventure in Iceland with Smithsonian Journeys. This will be a geologic tour de force exploring this volcanic wonderland.
October 7 to 27, 2016 - Private Jet Excursion "Cuba and South America" with TCS-Starquest Expeditions.
An Archive of Previous Trips
I became a guide in 1980 when I participated in my first Grand Canyon river trip. I began leading river and backpacking and trips with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program in 1982. In 1992 I participated in my first Smithsonian Journeys trip and I still lead them throughout the world. You can read about my past adventures by reading my blog here.