Trip difficulty is judged based on daily hiking mileages, elevation gain/loss, trail conditions, and expected backpack weight. Other factors that can affect difficulty is weather (heat, rain, snow, ice) and altitude, but this is not included in our rating determination. Trip difficulties are largely subjective and depend greatly on your previous hiking/backpacking experience, physical condition, and  your ability to acclimation to the elevation of the trip location.

Below, we have tried to outline how we rate each itinerary. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to ask. 

Level 1 – Relaxed

Activities may include scenic or wildlife drives along bumpy roads, river floats, or walks of 1-2 miles on flat terrain. Trail conditions may include paved or gravel trails, boardwalks or dirt paths. 

Level 2 – Active

Activities may include hikes of 3-7 miles over varied, rocky terrain with up to 1200′ elevation gain/loss. Rafting or kayaking Level I-II class rapids, or bike rides up to 12 miles on relatively flat terrain, paved or dirt. Usually about a half day of active hiking or activity. You don’t need any previous experience, but should be in a generally fit condition.

Level 3 – Moderate

Activities may include camping and hikes of 5-11 miles with a daypack. Hikes can reach up to 10,000+ feet in elevation and may include steep ascents or descents. River rafting include Class III rapids. Bike rides up to 20 miles with moderate elevation gain. 

Level 4 – Vigorous

Activities include hikes of up to 12 miles per day and 4,000 feet of elevation gain/loss per day with a multi-day backpack weighing 30-45 lbs. Terrain may include steep/rugged terrain with potential areas of exposure and elevation may exceed 10,000 feet. Locations include remote backcountry locations and overland travel. A training and conditioning program started 8-12 weeks prior to your trip is recommended.

Level 5 – Strenuous

Our most physically demanding trips. Hikes may exceed 14 miles per day and 5,000’+ elevation gain/loss with a heavy multi-day backpack weighing up to 50lbs. Locations include very remote backcountry locations and rugged, steep, and potentially exposed trails over many days. Previous experience is required. 

It is not uncommon that some of our guests must cancel their trips due to unforeseen reasons. When Cimarron Wild Adventures secures your tour, we incur many non-refundable expenses. When a guest cancels their reservation, we must enforce our cancellation policy. We highly recommend that all guests consider purchasing trip insurance for their upcoming hiking or backpacking adventure. Travel insurance can provide peace of mind by protecting against unforeseen events, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. It’s especially important to ensure that your policy specifically covers activities like backpacking, as some plans may exclude certain adventure sports or outdoor activities. Please take the time to carefully review your insurance options and confirm that backpacking is included in your coverage, so you’re fully protected during your trip.

For those seeking reliable trip insurance, here are a few reputable providers to consider:

• Allianz Travel: A well-established provider with customizable plans that can include hiking and other adventure activities.

• Travelex Insurance: Offers coverage options that include trip interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.

• World Nomads: Known for offering comprehensive coverage for outdoor and adventure travelers.

• Travel Guard: Offers a wide range of policies, including medical and emergency evacuation coverage.

We encourage you to compare plans and select the one that best fits your needs.

Please see each individual trip’s page for details on what is included in the price of each trip.

In general, each trip includes:

• Professional, knowledgable & medically certified guides.
• Transportation to and from the trip’s starting & ending location. (Our Yosemite Backpacking Trips are the exception to this where you will meet your guides inside the park.)
• Entrance fees into the park (when entering in a Cimarron Wild Adventures vehicle).
• Backcountry permits
• All necessary group gear including: tents, trekking poles, cookware, water filtration, bear canisters, bear spray.
• All meals starting with lunch on Day 1 through lunch on the last day (unless otherwise stated).
• Snacks and beverages for the van rides.
• Lodging or campsites through the trip (not including the nights before/after tour).
• Amazing memories!

Please see each trip’s individual page for details on what is not included in the trip price.

In general, these items are not included:

• Transportation to/from the trip meeting location.
• Lodging the night before/after the trip.
• Personal items such as: sleeping bag, pillow, clothing, rain gear, and footwear. (Sleeping bag rentals are available, please ask).
• Personal toiletries, sunscreen, bug spray, medications.
• Water bottles/hydration bladder.
• Headlamp or flashlight.
• Guide gratuity (we suggest 15% of trip cost).

Our guide to guest ratio is 1 guide for up to 8 guests. A second guide will be assigned to your trip if the group size is larger than 8 people.  Front country trips may have up to 12 guests total. 

For backpacking trips, we always have two guides for safety, regardless of group size. Backpacking trips may have up to 8-10 guests total depending on backcountry campsite capacity limits. 

Yes! Solo travelers are more than welcome to join an existing trip. It is common for the majority of guests on a trip to be solo travelers. Rooming assignments are based on double occupancy. Guests of the same gender may be assigned to share a room. A single supplement is available to guarantee a private room on our lodge-based departures. 

For most of our trips, we require a minimum of four guests to confirm the trip to run. Please see individual trip pages for any exceptions to that requirement. Custom and private trips are available for groups smaller than 4 people who do not wish to join an existing departure. Please inquire for more information if you are interested in a private trip.

An email will be sent when a trip has reached the minimum number of guests to run. Please wait to purchase any plane tickets or travel reservation until we have confirmed your trip will run.

Unless stated as a Family trip, all of our regularly scheduled trips are for guests 18 years or older. Private family trips are available for groups of 4 or more. Please reach out if you are interested in a family multiday or single day adventure!

Yes, call or email us with your request. All of our standard departures are available as a private departure with groups of 4 or more. If you don’t see a trip on our schedule that interests you, please contact us! We would love to create a custom itinerary that works for your whole group!

Our trips run rain, snow or shine. However, we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary due to weather or any other conditions beyond our control. Cimarron Wild Adventures reserves the right to cancel a trip due to extreme weather circumstances. We only do this with everyone’s safety in mind. 

Preparing for altitude is important to ensure you feel your best during the trip. In the weeks leading up to your adventure, it’s helpful to increase your cardiovascular fitness with regular hikes, walks, or other aerobic activities. Spending time at higher elevations is a great way to prepare and even arriving a day or two early for your trip will give your body time to acclimate. Once you arrive, staying well-hydrated is key to adjusting to higher elevations. If you’re concerned about altitude, please consult with your doctor, and please give us a call to talk over options.

Please tell friend and family members to call 1 (888) 680-3001 if there is an emergency. Depending on the trip, it can take up to 72 hours (or more) for us to get a message to you in the backcountry.

We offer a number of trips in a variety of National Parks and locations so our meeting places and times vary. Once registered, you will be emailed your pre-trip information that shares all the details for meeting times and locations for your particular departure. General locations, such as city, are shared in the trip’s description on our website. Feel free to contact us for more information.

For lodge-based trips, you will have outlets in the hotel rooms to charge your phone at night. 

On backpacking & camping trips, we recommend arriving with your phone fully charged and bringing a small, lightweight portable charger if you are concerned about battery life. It’s a good idea to put your phone in airplane mode to conserve your battery. 

It’s never expected, but always appreciated. Our guides are the best in the business and will do everything they can to make sure you have the trip of a lifetime. Gratuities are a wonderful way for you to show your appreciation. A typical gratuity on a trip is 15-20% of the trip’s cost. All guides assigned to your trip split the tips equally.

Cimarron Wild Adventures Cancellation Policy

A refundable deposit of 30% is required at the time of booking to secure your spot. Full payment is due 60 days before your departure. Please note that trips do not include flights, travel expenses, or other accommodations. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and lodging outside of the guided itinerary. 

Cancellation Policy:

• 91+ days prior to departure: Full refund of your deposit.
• 61 to 90 days prior to departure: Loss of deposit.
• 31 to 60 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip cost is non-refundable.
• 0 to 30 days prior to departure: No refund available.

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

Day Tours

A refundable deposit of $100 is required at the time of booking to secure your spot. Full payment is due 7 days before your departure date.

Cancellation Policy:

• 7+ days prior to departure: Full refund of your deposit.
• 4 to 7 days prior to departure: Loss of $100 deposit.
• 0 to 3 days prior to departure: cancellations will receive no refund.

An average backpack on a 4-day backpacking trip weighs a total of 35-45 lbs. You can add 5 to 10 pounds for cold weather trips or trips lasting 5+ days. Plan to carry 10-15lbs of group gear in addition to your personal gear. 

Our basecamp and lodge-based trips just require carrying a day pack with your water, snacks, lunch, rain gear, warm layer and essentials, usually less than 10-15lbs. 

We’d love to hear from you and want to make sure all your questions are answered. Please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing info@cimarronwild.com.