What we’re about
Welcome to the Washington DC International Adventure Travel Club!
The group tries to Meetup locally in the Washington DC area to bring adventurous people together to talk about where we’ve been and where we dream of going… fun, casual, free face to face get-togethers with members from our community to visit local restaurants, grab a social drink together in one of the local bars or maybe even take a hike or a walk at a local park. But ultimately we all love travel, especially our organizer Kevin, so you'll see some awesome trips where you can join other meetup members and explore amazing destinations with other like-minded meetup members!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Overnight kayak/camping: Upper James River, Buchanan to Snowden, Balcony FallsTwin River Outfitters, Buchanan, VA
DESCRIPTION: This is a 3 day, 2 night, 26.4 mile kayaking/camping trip on the scenic Upper James River, starting at the Twin River shop in Buchanan (640 Lowe St, Buchanan, VA 24066), VA, and ending at the Snowden public boat launch (river mile marker 63.7).
This trip features lots of remote wilderness scenery and fun class 1-2 rapids, with a white water section of class 2-3 rapids through the James River Gorge/Balcony falls on the last section (Glasgow to Snowden). Previous class 1-2 canoe/kayak experience required and there is an 8 person min to do this trip. An experienced guide will be available to pick up at Glasgow to guide us through the white water section if needed. If we have time Sunday afternoon, we could drive over to Natural Bridge (15 min away) and have lunch before heading home.
Day 1: Start at 1pm, paddle from Buchanan to Arcadia Campground (6 miles, mile #43.5)
Day 2: Start at 0800, paddle from Arcadia Campground to Back Run Campground (10 miles, mile #53.3)
Day 3: Start at 0800, paddle from Back Run Campground to take out spot, Snowden Boat Ramp (10 miles, mile #63.7)Planning to use Twin River Outfitters (contact info: 540-254-8012, contact person John, 540-261-7334 or twinriveroutfitter@gmail.com)
Note: A gear shuttle service is available for $15 to shuttle camping gear to/between campsites so you don't have to carry all your gear on your kayak!
Sit on top kayak $164
Sit inside kayak $164
Bring your own boat (shuttle service only) $126
I've booked the trip for our dates and reserved firewood/water jugs for our campsites. Please use the following link to sign up and pay individually for this trip:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/canoevirginia/items/37934/availability/1738649572/book/?full-items=yesPricing includes: Rental of boat, paddles, life jackets, safety orientation, river maps, use of dry bags, 5-gallon water jugs, access to private land for camping, and all required shuttles.
Campground is primitive, hammock friendly, right on the river, and has a bathroom (portajohn).
TRAIL MAP:
Maps - The Upper James River Water TrailMulti-Day Trips - Twin River Outfitters
PARKING/CARPOOLING: Please arrive at the Twin Rivers Shop, 640 Lowe St, Buchanan, VA 24066 15 minutes before the start of the paddle trip. Also, I encourage carpooling wherever possible. If you need a ride or want a ride, look at the list of attendees and where they live (it says in their profile). Then, for those who live near you, hit the "Chat" button to ask if they want or can offer a ride. If you are a rider, please chip in towards gas (usually $5 - $20 depending on distance and # of riders). Additionally, you can post a request to give or receive a ride in the chat section of the event.
EXPECTATIONS: Download the trail map onto your phone before you arrive. Bring hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, river shoes plus dry bag containing change of clothes/sleeping bag/camping gear and your own boat, paddle and life jacket, or you can rent these at Twin River Outfitters. Know your physical limits and cardiovascular fitness. Bring proper clothing and gear for the weather. Water temperature in the river is in the mid 50s - wetsuit/synthetic clothing encouraged! If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to contact the trip leader via the chat feature or direct messaging.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT: By attending this hike, I acknowledge that hiking in nature carries the risk of potential harm to myself up to and including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. These can be caused by slipping or falling off rocks due to loss of balance or lack of coordination; twisting ankles on rocks, brush, limbs, or ice; Acts of nature such as rock falls, inclement weather, lightning, strong wind, extreme temperatures; drownings in rivers, streams, or other bodies of water; drinking unfiltered contaminated water or becoming dehydrated; succumbing to heat exhaustion; getting bit or stung by venomous reptiles, animals, or insects; and my own or other’s negligent or risky behaviors. This list is not exhaustive nor is it inclusive of all risks. In response, I release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, the meetup group’s leadership as well as the designated event leaders for this activity.
SICKNESS (COVID/FLU/COLD): As always, if you have been exposed to a contagious illness, or are having any symptoms at all, please do not attend. There will be plenty of future events.
- Featured International Meetup Trips for 2025 & 2026Link visible for attendees
This group has some great local outdoorsy/adventure events.
As the main group leads for the group we do have some more involved adventures that take more planning than your average weekend hike or camping trip.
These are treks or adventure trips to epic places around the world.
Bucket List Experiences if you will.Here is what's ahead:
Aug 10-20, 2025 EPIC MACHU PICCHU! vis Short Inca Trail or Train!!
Aug 10-20, 2025 The Salkantay Trek EPIC MACHU PICCHU!
Oct 12-23, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with bonus of Wadi Rum
Jun 05-14, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18-27, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jul 05-14, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Mar 06-16, 2027 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25-May 11, 2027 Everest Base Camp Yoga TrekWe have other overseas events, which are not that adventurous, but more refined and cultural.
How to learn more about the itinerary and prices?
What to do next?
How to attend?
What to pack?
What's included and not included?
Or any question you might have!!!You can send a direct meetup message:
https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881In your message say which one and we can get the ball rolling from there and get you info.
The other easy way is to fill out our form. You can check-box several events that way.
https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8ALSO . . .
We have a monthly Q & A video conference call to answer it all!
Rsvp on this event and join us on the listed date at 6pm Pacific time.
Here is the link to join https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgbRSVP here and we will send you a reminder too!!
What's that? You want to see what the events look like?
pix Pix PIX . . . everybody lives pix!! Here are some galleries of past Treks
Everest Base Camp Trek Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jtHi3tTjVhYGjtc19
Machu Picchu Salkantay Trek Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1cveVTS54VkziKba6
Kilimanjaro Trek Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xxemRMegDqTHHi4UA
Galapagos https://photos.app.goo.gl/chQ3swWt4jGiAabx5Take a look at the pix. Send us a note. Fill out the event form. RSVP here . . . whatever!! Get the ball rolling on your next adventure. Come and join us!!
The posted date and time of this event is a zoom call.
Here is the video call link to join https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb - Portugal & Spain with Running of the Bulls! Gaudi, Paella, Sintra and more!!Dulles International Airport (IAD), Sterling, VA
Dine at the oldest restaurant in the world, visit iconic museums such as Prado and Guggenheim, be amazed at Gaudi's architecture, taste pinxtos, sip good Spanish wine and view the Running of the Bulls from your own private balcony! To top this off...visit Portugal with its rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking views!
This is just a little taste of what awaits us on this awesome culinary and cultural adventure!
Spain is truly a magical and fascinating country - full of history, culture and oh...so much good food and fun time!!! Portugal's history is intertwined with Spain's, so it makes perfect sense to combine these two destinations and be amazed at the similarities and the differences.
We get to travel as locals, mostly by trains between the cities AND at the best time of year to be able to experience in person The Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona.CLICK HERE to see the photos from our 2022/2023 amazing adventures!
We visit:
- Lisbon (with Sintra an Unesco World Heritage)
- Porto
- Madrid
- Bilbao
- Pamplona RUNNING OF THE BULLS
- Barcelona
Guided tours in each city, breakfast daily and several dinners, museum entrances, tasting menus, Running of the Bulls w/balcony view, transportation throughout the trip and much more!
We travel as a group, and also have the flexibility of hop-on, hop-off tours and museum passes with "skip the line" so you enjoy a complete independence. You can take our organized tours or do your own thing, cater to your special interests, visit other sites and locations in the cities, while still being guided and aided with arrangements. You can do it independently, or you can join new friends traveling with you, and do it together. The idea is come alone, meet new like-minded people and make lifelong memories, without the "one size fits all" tour formula.
Price per person, double occupancy: $4850
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6450Included:
- 13 nights in first class hotels with central locations
- Breakfast daily
- Dinner at Casa Botín in Madrid, founded in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records https://botin.es/
- Authentic Basque Foodie Tour in Bilbao
- Transportation between the 6 cities
- Arrival and departure transfers from airport to hotels and train stations
- City Sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona
- Entrance tickets and guided tours at Sintra, Prado and Guggenheim museums, La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and more
- Front Row Private Balcony to view (safely from above) the Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona
In addition to the services listed above, what's included mostly comes down to creating an awesome trip at a great value and balanced logistics, making new friends and lifelong memories.
Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and accidental expensesThe only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit Link
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit
Click Here to fill out our google info request form and receive detailed itinerary and inclusions.
Limited capacity of 24 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.We have designed this to include all the "must see" locations.
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.
Click Here to see all our other fun eventsSOT 2000318-10
