Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Geographic Selects Timberline Adventures for “50 Tours of a Lifetime”
National Geographic Honors Timberline Adventures
WASHINGTON (April 12, 2013) -- Timberline Adventure’s Columbia River Gorge
tour has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of
a Lifetime” and will be featured in the May 2013 issue. In addition to this latest
honor, National Geographic selected Timberline Adventures as one of the “Best
Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
The golden age of exploration continues: 125 years after the birth of National
Geographic explorers continue to extend the frontiers of geography and science.
Travelers have joined the movement, pushing beyond the boundaries of
mainstream tourism, exploring the planet as never before. To commemorate the
occasion, National Geographic scoured the globe for the guided trips that best
embody this inquisitive spirit for Traveler's eighth annual "50 Tours of a Lifetime."
The selection process was competitive and the editorial team worked long and
hard to find 2013’s most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-
guided, and most sustainable tours. “This year marks the 125th anniversary of
the National Geographic Society. Timberline Adventure’s Colombia River Gorge
capture that spirit of exploration,” says executive editor Norie Quintos. “They
push the boundaries of mainstream tourism”
The Columbia River Gorge’s geological and historical significance is palpable
on this series of hikes in and around the gorge’s summits, past dozens of
towering waterfalls, awesome alpine vistas, and come spring, riotous wildflower
displays. Stays at the Columbia River Inn and historic Timberline Lodge add an
exclamation point to our stay in this hiker’s paradise.
Timberline Adventures is celebrating our 31th year. The company is a leader in
active vacations. The company offers hiking and cycling adventure vacations
across North America. In addition to the Colombia River Gorge tour, Timberline’s
programs offer 72 Cycling and hiking tours across North America. The programs
range from breath taking rides down the California coast to tours of the Natchez
Trace in the Southeast. In all, the company visits 37 National Parks each year.
Hear what some of our guests have to say...
After taking 14 tours with Timberline since 1996, I highly recommend Timberline for an adventure vacation. Timberline fills a wonderful niche market, offering tours that are not too hard or too easy. The mileage is long enough that you get to cycle most of the day, but not so long that you are totally exhausted. Timberline’s guides are simply the best. Their love of the outdoors, cycling and hiking, and the genuine enjoyment of their interaction with the guests while leading these adventures is easy to see on their smiling faces. Timberline is a more like family than a company. The van support is excellent, everyone rides at their own pace, some zip along, and others like me, are near the back since I tend to take so many photographs.
With Timberline leading the tours, I have seen a great deal of the west, including nine states, two Canadian Provinces, and too many National Parks to count. I estimate that I have spent over 200 days on tour with Timberline. My favorite place of all is the Canadian Rockies. The scenery there is simply stunning and awesome. I’ve been there six times with Timberline.
Having the tours to look forward to and train for is half the fun. Knowing that a wonderful tour is coming up is great motivation to get out and ride. Life changing experiences occurred on these tours. I always came home with my soul restored, with my body, mind, and spirit reconnected. To celebrate my 50th birthday, I rode with Timberline from New Mexico, 40 miles north of the Mexico border, to Jasper Canada. We followed the spine of the continental divide up through the Rocky Mountains, crossing the great divide 24 times. That odyssey was a life changing event. My life is all for the better because of Timberline. I am so very grateful to Timberline for providing these extraordinary experiences.
Rob Spera