Day 1. Sentinel Mountain, Big Moose Inn (shared baths)
We met at 8:30 a.m. in Bangor at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott. After introductions, we drive to Baxter State Park and the Great North Woods for a hike to the summit of Sentinel Mountain where outstanding views of lakes, forests and the Katahdin Massif await.
Baxter is one of the largest and most pristine wilderness areas on the eastern U.S. with mountain peaks above timberline, countless lakes and marshes, vast old growth forests and extraordinary wildlife featuring the Park’s icon, the moose. In 1931 Percival Proctor Baxter donated the area surrounding Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine at 5267’, to the state as Baxter State Park to be preserved “perpetually wild” and it remains so today. Our home for the next three nights is the historic Big Moose Inn. This rustic 200 year old summer inn is nestled near Lake Millinocket and we enjoy dinner in its spacious dining room.
• Sentinel Mountain - 5.4 miles, 1000’ elevation gain/loss
• Transfer to Baxter State Park – 2.5 hours

Day 2. Hike Gulf Hagas or Raft the Penobscot River, Big Moose Inn
Today we have two choices: we can raft the wild Penobscot River, Maine's ultimate whitewater rafting adventure (additional cost) or hike around Gulf Hagas, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon” of Maine. Shadowed by Mt. Katahdin, the West Branch of the Penobscot River features the sheer rock walls of Ripogenus Gorge and world-class rapids like the Staircase, Cribwork, Big A, Abol and Nesowadnehunk Falls. After lunch along the river, we raft the lower portion of the Penobscot with its gentler whitewater and pristine wilderness setting.
Gulf Hagas canyon has spectacular forest shrouded slate walls up to 400' high and numerous waterfalls, chutes and pools which make tempting swimming holes. It is listed on the National Registry of Landmarks and was just purchased by the National Park Service. At the beginning of the trail, we cross the West Branch of the Pleasant River, so bring water shoes. We then follow the Appalachian Trail along the rim of the canyon where there are numerous viewing spots of the falls and gorge plus some wonderful stands of old growth forest.
Tonight we dine in Millinocket and relax back at the Big Moose Inn.
• Gulf Hagas Hike - 8.7 miles, approximately 1440’ elevation gain / loss, some rock scrambling
• Rafting Penobscot River, Class III-IV (approx. $100 additional cost)

Day 3. Chimney Pond & Katahdin, Big Moose Inn
Today we hike to spectacular Chimney Pond at the base of Katahdin. The hike to Chimney Pond is a gradual 3.3 mile climb that passes the pretty Basin Ponds. It's not unusual for a moose to cross the trail, so stay alert! The pond itself offers stunning views of Katahdin's South Basin and serves as a launching point for some of the more popular trails up Maine's highest peak.
• Chimney Pond Trail - 6.6 miles round trip; 2000’ elevation gain / loss

Day 4. Bar Harbor, Sea Kayaking in Acadia National Park, The Bayview Inn (private bathroom)
This morning we leave Baxter and head for the famous “Downeast” coast of Maine, the summer playground of the Rockefeller’s, Morgan’s, Roosevelt’s and America’s elite for over 100 years. This afternoon we explore the beautiful glacier-carved Maine coastline in sea kayaks. No worry if you've never sea kayaked before, our trip today is designed for all experience levels, and our guides will provide us with instruction in basic paddling techniques. We paddle the beautiful island dotted waters around Bar Harbor and stay on the lookout for osprey, bald eagles, harbor seals and porpoises. We also learn about the natural history and geology of the waters around Mount Desert Island before stopping on secluded Rum Key for some relaxing and beachcombing. For the next two evenings we enjoy the spacious rooms and magical ocean views of the Bayview Inn. After a sumptuous lobster dinner, the evening is free to explore bustling Bar Harbor.
• Kayaking [4 hours]

Day 5. Acadia National Park, The Bayview Inn
Today we hike up to two of Acadia's highest and most spectacular peaks - Sargent and Penobscot Mountains. The summits provided stunning 360-degree views of Somes Sound, the Cranberry Isles, the Gulf of Maine, Cadillac Mountain and Frenchman Bay. After summiting we continue down to the tranquil west side of Jordan Pond and follow it back to our trailhead at the Jordon Pond House.
• Sargent & Penobscot Mountains - 6.3 miles, 1600 elevation gain/loss

Day 6. The “Beehive” & Mt. Gorham, Acadia National Park
We start the day with a hike from pretty Sand Beach up the “Beehive” and over Gorham Mountain then loop back along the scenic shoreline past “Thunder Hole” and return to Sand Beach. The Beehive is a 520’ granite dome overlooking Sand Beach and was named for its jagged, glacially carved face by 19th-century artist Frederic Church. The trail features an exhilarating climb to the top of the Beehive that is assisted by iron rungs at its steepest points. After our hike, we enjoy some down time on the inviting shores of Sand Beach, before our drive back to Bangor and the end of our adventure.
• Beehive-Gorham Mountain Loop - 5 miles, 800’ elevation gain
• Transfer to Bangor – 2.5 hours

Trip Conclusion: 6:00 p.m., at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott. Shuttle services should be scheduled no earlier than 6:30 p.m. and airline departures should be scheduled no earlier than 8:00 p.m. out of Bangor.

-- itinerary subject to change --

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.