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 A
Guide to Our Trips in 2007
We
combine our knowledge of the sweetest places of the outdoors with a
selection of country inns and camping areas for our own special brand of
hospitality. Our goal has always been to rise above the rest, to guarantee
more than just an ordinary trip, to provide you with a vacation that goes
beyond the mundane.
We
plan vacations, not expeditions.
Annual EarlyBird Discount
The EarlyBird Discount has been
extended to April 15 to save 10% on your trip prices. We appreciate the
fact that you plan your vacation  around
our trips, and we want to tempt you with our Annual EarlyBird Discount on
trip costs. As a special bonus, we
will also guarantee your departure so you can be assured your trip will not
be canceled for a low-sign-up, and we will waive all possible small trip
charges. We appreciate the fact that you plan your vacation around our
trip. It's simple, you save 10% on your trip costs, your trip is
guaranteed, and we are able to plan our season more effectively.
Special Trip Discounts:
Save
20% on two special trips. Vermont
Sampler May 20 departure and Newfoundland Explorer on
August 2. We have changed our policy on Trip Discounts. You must
mention the e-CanNews discount when making your reservation since the
discounts on our web site are only half of what the discount is here
– it is our way to encourage you to let us continue to have access to
your Inbox. Our Vermont
Sampler is classic Vermont;
Country Inns and exquisite rivers combine for a wonderful adventure. It is
a fine time in Vermont,
early summer with lots of river choices. Newfoundland is a land of
magnificent contrasts with its rugged coasts, majestic fiords, sparkling
rivers and open valleys. From the coastal village of Burgeo to the
awe-inspiring landscape of Gros Morne.
Canoe Rentals on the Kill
We
open for Day Trip Canoe Rentals on
May 1, or earlier, weather  permitting. Our home river, the Batten Kill, is one of the nation’s outstanding
streams -- just about
the perfect all-around river. Famous
the world over for trout fishing, it rises in the Green Mountains, flows
through some of the most beautiful countryside in southern Vermont, and
passes under four covered bridges on its way to the Hudson River.
We
run an operation as good as the river. The water on the Batten Kill is lively
and crystal-clear. Beginners float
easily in the quietwater, while experienced canoeists enjoy other sections
of quickwater and play in the eddies. We float past lonesome country lanes,
quiet meadows, deep woods and high mountainsides bathed in the sun. This is a small world apart made
especially for canoeing. It is
intimacy without equal. We won’t be surprised if you linger awhile in
this special corner of Vermont.
Day
trip rentals are offered 7 days a week between 9:00-4:30. Rentals include a canoe or kayak,
paddles, pfd, a drybag and shuttle service.
Midweek rentals are $35/kayaks and $55/canoe. Weekend and holiday rentals are $45/kayak
and $65/canoe. Guided Instructional Day trips
are designed for the new, apprehensive or timid paddler, guided day trips
introduce folks to canoeing in a non-stressful environment. Guided Day Trips are offered on Sunday
and Wednesday throughout the season for $59.50 per person, and reservations
are requested.
Inn to Inn Trips are a tapestry. Some of the threads reveal an  outdoors of splendid
rivers, isolated hiking trails, swimming holes, and sunny rocks. Other
threads describe an indoors of inns with cozy surroundings rubbed soft and
mellow by many seasons of hospitality, and fine food served by friendly
innkeepers, We combine our knowledge
of the sweetest places to explore with country inns for our own special
brand of hospitality.
Join
the Best of Vermont River Sampler and canoe the best of Vermont as part of a free-spirited band
of travelers, moving from river  to river and inn to inn.
Vermont
is a kaleidoscope of rustic and panoramic beauty. Our days are simple and
loosely structured, and evenings at the inns are relaxed and laid-back. It
is Vermont
distilled to its essence. Panoramic landscapes, quiet backroads,
picturesque villages and isolated rivers come together like a patchwork
quilt to give us a true insight to this special place
Our
week is filled with new discoveries, wonderful paddling, lasting
friendships and enchanting memories. We allow you to indulge in gourmet
meals, roam antique shops, chat with locals on the porch, or curl up with a
good book. By the end of the week, we guarantee that you’ll have
unwound on the Vermont Sampler. Many
guests describe it as a metamorphosis, widening from Sunday’s narrow
focus of worry and hurry... to Friday’s smiles and hugs. Best of Vermont River
Samplers are $1475.00 for 6 days/5 nights and are offered on: May 20-25,
June 24-29, July 8-13, July 22-27, Aug 5-10, Aug 19-24, Sept 23-28, Sept
30-Oct 5 and Oct 7-12.
Valley of Vermont is in our backyard of
southwestern Vermont. This corner of Vermont boasts some of the most
spectacular vistas, finest streams and rivers, and beautiful  country villages you can
imagine. Close your eyes and envision pure Vermont
– this is the Vermont
you have imagined. Covered bridges, and white steeple churches watching
over peaceful rural villages — the same restorative scenery that
inspired Robert Frost. Our canoes dance on the Batten Kill, our home river
and we explore by foot backroads and trails that lead us to hidden lakes
and isolated vistas. For four splendid days we will hike and canoe where we
can find peace and refreshment that is so lacking in today’s world. Valley of Vermont
Rambles are $875.00 for 5 days/4 nights and are offered on: June 4-7, Aug
6-9, Sept 17-20 and Oct 1-4.
Breakaways
are back -- two
and three day trips that are designed for those who just can’t take
five days to explore the best of Vermont.
Breakaways are two day trips that usually paddle a different river each
day, but stay in the same inn for both evenings. Three day breakaways allow
a bit more time to explore and enjoy our surroundings. We will settle into a classic Vermont country inn and spend our day floating
leisurely down a river or exploring the Green
Mountains by foot.
Canoe France, the words alone invoke visions of quiet countryside,
outdoor cafes, fine wines, and enchanting rivers Our trip weaves  together rivers, caves
(wine caves that is), prehistory art, and medieval castles with good food
and excellent wine in an area where man and nature have lived together in
harmony for 25,000 years. We discover in Southwest
France, a land of quiet calm, where rivers wander gracefully
through ancient valleys of towering limestone cliffs. Paddling down the rivers we will take in
breathtaking sights, have the opportunity to visit small hamlets and wander
through local markets.  Four magical rivers
offer an abundance of canoeing, prehistoric history and medieval villages
to stimulate our minds and fine wines and regional cuisine to satisfy our
gastronomical needs. Canoe France trips are $2675.00 for
12 days/11 nights and are offered on: May 9-20, June 6-17, July 11-22, Sept
12-23 and Oct 17-28.
Scotland Highlands and Islands Ramble is an enticing blend
of spectacular scenery, untamed beauty, ancient history and profound
tranquility. Our adventure explores the heritage and romantic beauty of the
Highlands by canoe and foot. We venture
off the beaten path to explore rugged vistas, where timeless and tranquil  beauty await. In this
peacefully remote region, we paddle exquisite isolated rivers, and walk
age-old trails past grand castles that rise above silver lochans (small
lakes), among the haunts of seabirds, golden eagles, and stag. Inn-to-inn
river touring with congenial hotels providing hospitality, lodging and
meals along the way and classic Highland
hospitality. The purple heather, the simmering crisp blue sky, the green
hills and the gray rocks have inspired writers and painters for centuries
and welcome us for our adventure, and like Robert Burns, you’ll soon
be singing “My heart’s in the highlands, wherever I go.” Scotland
Highland Rambles are $2750.00 for 11 days/10 nights and are offered on: May
24-June 3, June 21-July 1 and Aug 30- Sept 9.
Be
a part of our Newfoundland Explorer and be
prepared to experience unique history, friendly people, migrating
whales, stunning seacoasts, and unspoiled beauty and culture. The landscape
is diverse...deep valleys, stark cliffs, and curving beaches of white sand;
steep‑sided fjords gouged from the edge of a high plateau; mossy bogs
and wide stone barrens and partridge berries; mountains topped with arctic‑alpine
tundra; dense forest and wind‑stunted tangles of
 tuckamore; secret coves,
wild islands, lots of wildlife, and few people. The hiking and canoeing is
magnificent. Newfoundland
has been described as an island of the sea, and its history is easily seen
in its fishing villages. From the coastal village
of Burgeo to the
awe–inspiring landscape of Gros
Morne National
Park this trip takes us deep into the heart
of this magical province. Newfoundland has
attracted adventurers for almost ten thousand years — join us
now. Newfoundland Explorer trips are $1675.00 for 10
days/9 nights and are offered on: Aug 2-11 and Aug 30-Sept 8.
Whitewater Voyageurs are camping trips in the great Canadian wilderness. Whitewater camping trips are the
beginning of a relationship with the world of
nature, a world of rivers, pine covered forests, and sounds of nature. They allow us an escape from our daily
routine and are an opportunity to get back in touch with what is important.
There is a majesty that only nature can provide us. Isolation and quiet beauty, something
sweet in its stillness and immutable peace.
There are few places remaining on earth that offer such a rich
combination of nature’s wonders, and wilderness adventure as the Lure of Labrador.
The
Dumoine River
is a canoe tripper’s paradise - 75 kilometers of  magnificent river. The location is remote — so remote
that we fly in and canoe out. The
river is predominantly class II with a few class III’s thrown in to
keep your attention. Eight days of
wilderness camping, whitewater, eagles, cliffs and walks in the woods. There are enough rapids here to satisfy
the most advanced paddlers. The fishing is outstanding. Meals are special
affairs featuring fresh ingredients and Dutch Oven delights cooked over an
open fire. Becoming part of this river nurtures and strokes the body and
spirit. It is keenly a satisfying
experience.
Our
pace will be leisurely, to enjoy the wilderness. Basic instruction, river reading and
scouting techniques are incorporated.
Though prior paddling experience is usually required, this trip is
not beyond the ability of adventurous beginners. Dumoine
Voyageurs are $1050.00 for 9 days/8 nights and are offered on: July 10-18
and Aug 21-29.
Our
classic wilderness camping trip, St. Croix Voyageur, is ideal for families and beginning
paddlers. The St. Croix is
designated as a Canadian Heritage river that forms the border between New Brunswick and Maine. Our first and last evenings are
at Loon Bay Lodge — a wilderness lodge built in the tradition of the
great camps of the North Country. During
our trip we will become fully immersed in the wonderful isolation of the St Croix. We
will make camp at scenic secluded sights at rivers edge. Mornings find some of us up early
enjoying the solitude and the mist rising off the water, while others curl
up deeper in their sleeping bags waiting for their first cup of
coffee. The St.
Croix provides the perfect playground for novices wishing to
learn, or for those simply seeking a relaxed and peaceful river
sojourn. St Croix Voyageurs are $895.00 for 5 days/4
nights and are offered on: July 23-27 and Aug 13-17.
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BattenKill
Canoe, Ltd.
Arlington VT
05250
Distinctive River Journeys
1.800.421.5268
1.802.362.2800
trip@battenkill.com
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In
this e-CanNews
EarlyBird Discount
Last Minute Discounts
Inn to Inn Canoe Trips
Best of Vermont River
Sampler
Canoe France
Scotland Ramble
2-day Breakaways are Back
Whitewater Camping Trip
Dumoine Whitewater
Daytrips on the BattenKill
Solentiname Solidarity
Alliance
So you want to be a Canoe
Guide
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Dear
Friends;
We
are pleased to present e-CanNews, our periodic newsletter announcing special
discounts, unique exploratory expeditions, and the latest BattenKill
Canoe news. As always unsubscribe information is available at the bottom
of this newsletter. It is especially gratifying to renew friendships with
those of you who return year after year to paddle with us. We were
pleased to meet others for the first time, and we trust it won’t be
your last visit with us.
Spring,
it is an incredible time of rebirth and regeneration as our thoughts turn
to summer trips. River and wilderness trips are more than just a journey.
A canoe allows us to adapt to the calm rhythm of life as we work with the
natural flow of the river, rejuvenating our soul as well as the body.
It's sometimes a tangled web of life that we weave as we move through
life. Some of the threads reveal a work-a-day world of commitments,
duties and obligations. Other threads are of a quiet fabric of hope and
responsibility enriching both our lives and others and the environment.
This
brings me to what I would like talk about…Solentiname Solidarity
Alliance. As many we have been spending most of the winter in Solentiname --
those of you who have traveled with us to Nicaragua, know that
Solentiname is a special place. It started out just visiting, enjoying
the peace and quiet, but then we began to realize that as with life,
there were responsibilities; first we organized a reprint project for
Solentiname artists, and now we are helping coordinate a computer project
and teach ESL. When visitors walk into the bibliotheca (library) and there
are 30 students intently working on computers, the juxtaposition is
fascinating; isolated Solentiname with no telephones, internet or
electricity, very basic schooling, but with computers. We are actively
seeking volunteers to teach ESL as well as a computer geek to keep the
computers running.
As
founders of BattenKill Canoe, we are especially proud of our position as
acknowledged leaders – our trips are often copied or imitated, but
never equaled. As we enter into our 25th season, we are small enough to care,
large enough to operate, young enough to keep a fresh outlook, and old
enough to have the experience to be your guide. Above all we are
determined to make the difference between your vacation being just good
or great. Look through our selection of trips, and we are certain that at
least one will jump out and strike your fancy, and then leave the rest to
us. Thanks to you, we have evolved into the special organization that we
are now. Let us be your hosts as you travel, secure with the knowledge
that you are backed by a solid organization where most travelers become
friends.
Peace
and all the best, and join us on a river sometime, somewhere, but soon.
Jim
and Carolyn
for all the people of BattenKill Canoe Ltd.
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The BattenKill Philosophy
Canoeing,
a new world awaits a world of slowed-down time and stretched-out space,
of peace and quiet beauty. From a river, you feel more, and see with
different eyes. From our home on the Batten Kill, one of America’s
finest rivers, we offer a wide variety of trips. There’s nothing
quite as pleasurable as floating a river, skiing or walking an isolated
mountain ridge. It’s putting people in touch with the things that
really matter.
Canoeing
is a special window on our world - a world of peace and quiet beauty.
It’s a matter between you and the river. From a canoe you see, and
see with different eyes. Our groups are small, more like friends
traveling together than a tour group.
No previous skills are needed, just a sense of adventure and
exploration, since instruction and safety guidelines are part of every
trip. Most of all we encourage you to explore and make your own
discoveries.
Fortunately
most of the earth is not paved.
Let’s face it, if you’ve seen one road you’ve
seen them all. Thankfully, the same can not be said for the special
places that are wild and beautiful, the mountains, the deep valleys and
gorges and rivers and meadows. If you want to pass through quickly, then
travel by car. If you like roads, then bike. From the roads you see
little, and learn even less. Join us off the roads, away from the cars
and crowds, celebrating the peaceful places where nature is close.
We
canoe and walk because we want to stay close to this incredible planet
and its people to peel back the layers and feel, look and learn the
experience. Our days are simple and loosely structured. Take a few moments at the water’s
edge and you will feel yourself wrapped by the river’s gentle
music, and find the sounds of civilization stopped for a moment. Such moments are timeless and natural.
Why? Who knows? Take it as a gift from the river.
About BattenKill Canoe
We
are a professional and dynamic travel organization that operates
distinctive canoe trips for individuals, couples, families and
groups. Since 1983 we have
explored and researched rivers to provide the highest quality trip.
We
realize that people’s interests and definitions of the perfect
vacation vary widely, so we offer a wide variety of distinctive canoe
vacations. We avoid the commonplace for a vacation that goes well beyond
the mundane. We have never
considered ourselves as just another touring company.
Paddling
and safety instruction are part of every trip, but most of all, you are
encouraged to explore and make your own discoveries. On the first evening
of the trip, your guides will conduct a brief, but thorough orientation
session. Throughout the trip, your guides are eager to be of assistance,
answer your questions, supply information, and coach you to bring out and
sharpen your paddling skills.
Let
us be your hosts as you travel secure with the knowledge that you are
backed by a solid organization where every visitor becomes a friend. We
are determined to make the difference between your vacation being just
good... and being great.
We
plan vacations, not expeditions
Solentiname
Solidarity Alliance
It has been a busy winter for everyone involved with
Solentiname Solidarity Alliance as English and computer classes got into
full swing. After much cooperation
and commitment from friends, colleagues and volunteers, Solentiname
received 30 laptop computers in early December as the initial installment
for a computer lab. Both programs
have been well received by the students and general community. There are over 30 hours of courses
offered per week and approximately 60 students participating in classes.
There
are still many challenges ahead, but the student’s enthusiasm is a
powerful motivator. One goal is to
get a computer in the hands of every teacher and ultimately in the hands
of each high school student. We
are thankful for all of the support we have received and invite anyone
who would like to know more about the Alliance and how to support these
projects and others please contact us.
We enjoy hearing from folks and sharing in ways that we can give
back to the larger community.
So you
want to be a Canoe Guide
We
are still looking for a few good people who would like to work with us
and have something special to contribute. We need regular shuttle
staff as well as guide staff. We are especially interested in traits such
as: A sincere desire to help other people, a good sense of self, a love
of the outdoors, and the maturity to accept responsibility.
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