On an Olivia Outdoors trip, you'll discover a bounty of untold pleasures: the exhilaration of achievement as you stretch yourself and the boundaries of your horizons; the deep spiritual enrichment that comes from encountering the planet's diverse people and wildlife; and the sheer fun that comes from being "out there" (in more ways than one).

We're eager to share our passion for the outdoors with you.

Hiking — which basically means "taking a long walk" — is one of the best ways to truly get to know a region, to explore our world close up and absorb the sights and the sounds of the natural world. Hiking doesn't require a lot of gear; you can enjoy full days in the outdoors without having to "rough it" by carrying a lot of gear or staying in rustic campgrounds.

A Typical Hiking Day

If the day's hike is a long one, we'll start early — if it's a shorter hike, we have time to stroll around for a while in the town or village where we stayed overnight before heading out on the trail. Lunch is enjoyed either on the trails, picnic-style, or we seek out a small local restaurant where nothing beats the colorful ambiance or the tasty cuisine. After lunch, there's more hiking or other activities, depending on the trip you have chosen. In the late afternoon, we check into our overnight accommodation, and have time to take a look around and freshen up before dinner.

A Typical Day on the River

On a typical rafting day you get up early for a delicious breakfast before taking down the camp (your participation in this is always welcomed!). Then you spend a couple of hours in the morning on the river—floating, running rapids, swimming, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. At noon we pull over for a long, leisurely lunch (with maybe a hike thrown in to stretch your legs) followed by more rafting in the afternoon. Late in the afternoon we pull into camp for the night, and there's often time for exploring the beautiful surroundings before it gets dark. After dinner we like to gather around the campfire to relax, play games, sing, tell jokes, talk about the day — or whatever the group is up for. Most river trips have a layover day or two so we can explore the countryside beyond the river.

Accommodations & Food

The accommodations on our hiking trips vary with destinations. As you might expect, there are good hotels in the towns we encounter, but more rustic lodging higher in the mountains. And you should expect to share facilities, including showers, at some inns. All the accommodations we use, though, are comfortable and reflect the charm of the local culture, and there is nothing better than winding up a day of hiking with a hot shower and a great meal.

You will also enjoy delicious food and often fine wines on our hiking adventures. Most of our travelers are also adventurous when it comes to sampling local dishes, and this often becomes one of the highlights of the day! You will also discover that slowing down, taking your time and savoring a meal is a custom very easy to get used to. Not to mention conversations with your fellow travelers often lasting long into the night.