WHOA PLUS

BOUNDARY WATERS

This trip has been specially designed in partnership with Wilderness Inquiry for all you curvy and courageous adventurers out there. Join WHOA plus and other like-bodied women as we hike and canoe our way through one of the most scenic and remote regions of the United States - the beautiful Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota! By day we’ll canoe, hike and explore the wilderness that makes this region so spectacular, and by night we’ll relax and recharge by the campfire in our private lakeside lodge. Who’s ready for s’more adventure in a way that only WHOA plus can?


FAQ



BOOK NOW

$2,975

 
 

  • We plan our adventures with most of the logistics taken care of, so you can focus on lacing up your hiking boots and being your best adventure self! Here is a complete list of everything that’s included on this adventure:

    INCLUDED:

    • Airport pick-up on Day 1

    • All local transport to/from and throughout the Boundary Waters

    • 5 nights accommodation: 1 night in Duluth hotel, 3 nights in Boundary Waters Wintergreen Lodge, and 1 night in Minneapolis hotel (Twin/double beds in double or triple room occupancy)

    • Special Welcome and Farewell Dinner

    • Breakfast and all meals listed as included in the itinerary. NOTE: this is a collaborative and participatory style trip, so we’ll all be helping out with meal prep, clean up and cooking!

    • All activities, visits and entrance fees as listed in the itinerary

    • Local canoeing and hiking guides who are passionate and knowledgeable about the area

    • WHOA plus GAL on the ground to make sure you feel physically and mentally taken care of throughout the trip

    • Pre-adventure support from your WHOA team and GAL including a zoom call and Whatsapp group

    • All the TLC + shared experiences that come standard when traveling with WHOA!

    • 1% for the planet, as in 1% of what you pay goes towards grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities

    • Offsetting of this trip’s negative impact on the environment and carbon footprint, from the transportation to lodging to meals*

    NOT INCLUDED:

    • Flights

    • GAL tip (always appreciated, but never expected!)

    • Travel Insurance (mandatory)

    • Pick-up at airport if outside of designated time

    • Airport drop-off if not taking shuttle 

    • Additional food and drink not mentioned as included


    *For our carbon offsetting, we do our best to crunch the numbers and accurately calculate the carbon footprint the best we can with the information that we have. It’s not a perfect system and carbon offsetting isn’t an exact science, but we believe it’s more important to take action now, in every way that we can. All our offsetting programs are certified by our partners at Sustainable Travel International. At the moment, our traveler’s international airfare to the destination is beyond our scope, and not included. Flights are the largest carbon emitter on most of our adventures, so we encourage all our travelers to consider doing it independently through the airline or with our partners at STI.

  • Putting down a $750 deposit will reserve your spot on this WHOA Adventure! You’ll be invoiced and must pay in full at least 3 months before your adventure starts. All deposits are non-refundable. All prices are listed in USD.

    Discount codes are not valid for this adventure.

 


GET IN TOUCH

 

Or leave us a message below. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you step out of your comfort zone and plan your adventure of a lifetime!

 
 


HIGHLIGHTS

 

Adventuring from a charming basecamp on White Iron Lake tucked away in the remote Minnesota woods
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Paddling around and exploring the remote islands of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area by canoe
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Chasing waterfalls, practicing sunrise yoga, wild swimming, foraging local berries, and taking in all the adventure that will surround us!
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Relaxing under the stars around a campfire with s’mores
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Learning about our ecosystems and relationship with this fascinating species during a visit to International Wolf Center
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Disconnecting from the daily grind, and connecting with nature and a group of awesome adventurous women
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Experiencing the special combo of support, safety and sustainability that makes adventuring with WHOA plus and other like-bodied women so special

 
 


WHAT TO EXPECT

The Boundary Waters are a vast, protected wilderness area in northeastern Minnesota, extending along the Canadian border. Spanning over 1 million acres, the BWCAW (or Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) is renowned for its pristine lakes, old-growth forests, and remote wilderness experiences. This area is particularly popular for canoeing and hiking, with a network of interconnected waterways that beckon to be explored! As a protected wilderness area, the Boundary Waters are a sanctuary for wildlife and a perfect place to retreat and connect with nature!

This WHOA plus exclusive itinerary is designed for curvy and courageous adventurers who want to explore remote wilderness of the Boundary Waters by canoe (no previous canoe experience necessary). But, more than anything this adventure is about connecting with Mother Nature and each other! Prepare to immerse yourself in the region’s stunning beauty whose landscape is perfect for more than just paddling, we’ll go hiking, exploring, and discover endless opportunities for photography and connecting with nature (if we’re lucky we’ll see deer, loons, and possibly even moose)! Evening campfires will provide a chance to share stories and further enjoy the peaceful surroundings. This adventure is the perfect opportunity to unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and fully embrace the tranquility of the Boundary Waters with like-minded company!

THE CONDITIONS
GO WITH THE FLOW

This is the land of 10,000 freshwater lakes formed from bountiful precipitation, so rain is a definite possibility! Daytime temperatures can vary significantly while evenings around the campfire will likely be cool, so be prepared for a range of conditions. We’ll be in the remote wilderness every day, rain or shine, so have layers and be ready to embrace whatever Mother Nature throws our way! (Read: Have a poncho and raincoat and be ready to dance if it happens to rain!)

We’ll spend most of this adventure based out of the Wintergreen Lodge, a cozy retreat nestled in the heart of the Boundary Waters. The lodge provides comfortable amenities, including shared rooms, basic kitchen facilities, and a communal gathering area for group meals and relaxing after a day of adventure.

TRAINING
PREP YOURSELF

Break in and get comfortable using and layering the gear you’ll be bringing to find what works best for you in various weather conditions. Most importantly, be prepared to be a part of a team and support your fellow adventurers on this unforgettable experience in one of Minnesota’s most breathtaking natural landscapes! The more prepared you are, mentally and physically, the more enjoyable the experience will be!

OUR PARTNERS
WILDERNESS INQUIRY

We’re so excited to be partnered with Wilderness Inquiry for this one-of-a-kind WHOA plus Adventure! Wilderness Inquiry is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that focuses on providing outdoor adventure experiences to diverse groups, including those with disabilities, youth, and underserved communities. Founded in 1978, the organization aims to promote inclusivity and foster a love for nature through canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities!

 


ITINERARY

DAY 1

Minneapolis to Duluth

Fly into Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) to meet the team. We'll drive north to the bustling lakeside town of Duluth and have a WHOA Welcome Dinner out on the town!

Drive Time: ~2.5 hours
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Stay:  The Inn on Lake Superior or similar
Arrival Logistics: Plan to meet the group by 2PM on Day 1. The exact place will be coordinated and communicated prior to your trip.

DAY 2

DULUTH to BOUNDARY WATERS

We’ll continue our journey north to our basecamp, Wintergreen Lodge, which sits in the heart of the Superior National Forest and serves as a gateway to adventures in the Boundary Waters! After lunch and settling into our rooms, we'll learn the basics of canoeing with a paddle around White Iron Lake and an exploration of Beargrease Island. All the necessary canoeing equipment like life jackets, paddles, canoes, etc. will be provided for you there, so all you need to do is show up, splash around, and have fun! In the evening, we’ll meet around the campfire for dinner and rehash our stories from the day.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Wintergreen Lodge

DAY 3

BOUNDARY WATERS

Today you get to choose our own adventure! Whether it’s canoeing on Farm Lake, trying your hand at river paddling on the calm North Kawishiwi River, or curling up a porch chair with a good book, you’ll really start to feel that calm and contentment that only comes from being surrounded in nature!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Wintergreen Lodge

DAY 4

BOUNDARY WATERS

Today, we’ll lace up our hiking shoes and chase waterfalls on a short, yet scenic hike to Kawishiwi Falls. Then we’ll head to Lake One to enjoy a picnic lunch and paddle through its channels. We’ll end the day in the best way, around the campfire once again!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Wintergreen Lodge

DAY 5

BOUNDARY WATERS TO MINNEAPOLIS

Rise and shine early for a sunrise yoga session and one last paddle on White Iron Lake. After soaking in the remote wilderness one last time, we’ll head back to Minneapolis (with a super cool stop at the The International Wolf Center) for our final farewell dinner together!

Drive Time: ~2.5 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Courtyard Marriot or similar

DAY 6

MINNEAPOLIS

Time to say see ya later! After breakfast, you can take a shuttle from the hotel to the airport at your convenience.

Included Meals: Breakfast

 

 

Itinerary subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions, but that's part of the adventure! Even when things change, trust you'll be well taken care of with WHOA quality, professionalism, and TLC!

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It’s of the utmost importance to us that any giving back we do is sustainable and fills a need that is of value to our partners. For that reason, our visits and partnerships can and do vary depending on the season, the organization's needs, and the abilities and desires of our group. Bottom line, in each case, we do our best to seek out local partners that are doing great, sustainable work, and we work closely with them to understand their needs to create an experience that will truly be of value to them and you!