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If you see rain in the forecast, do not worry, since our early morning start almost always avoids afternoon rains. We are happy to provide ponchos, but please wear appropriate footwear for rain (we do not recommend permeable or white shoes).
Mountain weather can change quickly; we make some weather-related decisions (lightning, thunder, heavy rain) the morning of the tour and your guide will notify you in case the tour is cancelled. Even during light rain, our guests have a great time since the forest canopy breaks the rainfall, and the precipitation makes waterfalls extra stunning! In case of heavy rain the morning of the tour, guests can decide if they’d still like to join the tour, otherwise, we can provide a full refund.
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Bring your camera, sturdy walking shoes with good traction, a layer to protect from precipitation and cool temperatures. Our trails are technically in a deciduous “rainforest”; we can encounter wet trail conditions. Dress in layers, including a light jacket or heavier coat in cooler months— temperatures drop 8° F traveling up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pack your own water and snacks (or purchase before/during your tour). A hat, sunscreen, and insect repellant are not usually necessary, being under the forest canopy for much of the tour. For those interested in swimming on a Private Tour, bring your swimsuit and towel!
We provide hiking poles and ponchos (in case of rain).
If necessary, guests should bring their own EpiPen or other personal items that naturalist guides cannot provide.
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We’ve spent years tweaking the best combination of panoramic views and waterfalls so that your time spent on this tour is worth every moment, visiting the most scenic sites in Pisgah National Forest in only a half-day! We are local naturalists and expert storytellers DRIVING YOU AROUND, so that you can take in the views, stress-free. Also, most trails do not have cell phone reception, so we find that guests are happy they hired a guide to show them the top sites without any hassle or safety issues when in the forests.
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Yes! You can take Uber/Lyft or taxi to meet your guide, if transportation to our meeting location is an issue. We sometimes recommend a taxi service over other ride share options, as finding a last-minute Uber or Lyft can be limiting.
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Small (<25 lbs), leashed, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on tours. We find that bigger dogs or high energy dogs have a difficult time with other guests in our vehicles.
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Our Private Tours are specifically designed to suit the abilities of all the members of your group. We can arrange Private Tours with little to no hiking, yet captivating storytelling and breathtaking sights.
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Tour groups are small and intimate by design with up to 9 guests (and often fewer guests). Private Tours will accommodate only the booking party. For larger groups and private tours, up to 50 guests, we can provide multiple guides to lead smaller sub-groups, keeping the experience personal and intimate.
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Cell phone reception is scarce in the forested areas we visit on our tours. Our meeting places before and after the tour do have cell phone service.
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Yes, please contact us to receive your 10% military discount.
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We provide a discount for one child (14 and under) with two paid adults.
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We have tours specifically designed to for large groups traveling by coach or charter bus. We provide up to 3 guides to accommodate a group of up to 50 guests, visiting a few different premier hiking locations that are charter bus accessible. Please contact us to plan your customized group tour.
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We will provide a full refund if the customer contacts us with the desire to cancel at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled tour (except for Firefly Tours, which have their own cancellation policy). Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
