Les Cheneaux Islands kayak camping trip, Michigan

This destination offers much flexibility in pacing, routes and poor weather alternatives making this a very forgiving trip for first time and expert paddlers alike. Our destination lies just south of Cedarville, in Michigan's upper peninsula. Sheltered finger-like islands and bays abound in this area steeped in Voyageur history. Although we plan a leisurely pace, we'll find ample territory and time to explore with our boats, shoot photos, fish and maybe do some rolling practice.

During our journey we'll acquaint you with self-rescue, basic paddling and bracing techniques to get you "immersed" in new skills. Kayaks are a quiet and peaceful way to explore this gorgeous place. By the end of the trip you will be a skilled novice kayaker, knowledgeable in the finer points of storytelling and backcountry feasting...which could be a problem if you start out as an expert.

Itinerary:

Day 1) Meet in Cedarville at 1 pm at Loon's Point campground. We will pack, go over itineraries and set off for our island campsite.

Day 2-3) Since we're paddling out of a comfortable base camp, we will be able to explore at our leisure the myriad islands here....be prepared to see Ospreys, Eagles and maybe even an otter or two. It's a great destination, giving you the feeling of remote wilderness, but with very sheltered, easy access.

Day 4) After breaking camp and a few last photos, we'll paddle back to our launch site and prepare for a noon departure for points south.

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Trip fee includes: expert instructor guides, all group gear (tents, kitchen gear, safety and camp gear), camping fees, maps, dry bags and gourmet backcountry fare. When joining us for a guided kayak tour, don't expect campfire nuked hot dogs and a foil pouch full of sawdust for dinner. We pride ourselves on producing original recipes from minimally processed quality ingredients. You can expect fresh seafood and pasta dishes, fine vegetarian dishes, fresh baked treats and hearty fare to fuel the body and spirit. In some cases the trip may also include a night's lodging prior and post back-country experience.

You do need a touring kayak at least 14 feet long, with front and rear bulkheads. High performance expedition-equipped rentals are available from us for $100 for 4 day trips and $150 for one week trips with prior reservation. They include PFD, carbon hybrid paddle, sprayskirt and pump. We will transport your rental boat for you. We offer a variety of sizes and models from Valley, Wilderness Systems, Hurricane and P&H...all drop skegs.

Registration: A $150 deposit is required to hold your space. It is refundable until 30 days before the trip. The balance is also due 30 days prior to departure. Space is limited to 8, so plan ahead...

Please contact seller before booking to discuss fitness level and qualifications

Life is short. We want to help you make the most of it. We depend on the wild places of this planet for water, air, and a good dose of sanity. Positive wilderness experiences lead to a personal investment in their survival. Uncommon Adventures wants to help you realize your dreams while cultivating the preservation of that big, beautiful world out there. We arrange activities that are fun, self-propelled, and offer various degrees of physical challenge, from mild to wild. All experience levels are encouraged to join these trips — we enjoy sharing skills taught by the very best instructors available.

Uncommon Adventures specializes in kayak tours, certified kayak instruction, corporate retreats and backcountry fly fishing in fresh and saltwater environments. Since 1984, expert guides and professional workshop leaders have made Uncommon Adventures a good find for individuals, small groups and corporations.

We do not strive to be a large tour company offering "cookie cutter" experience to all corners of the world. Our focus is to offer excellence in a few very special locations that we know well, or we partner with local guides for the best local knowledge couple with our own high standards. Uncommon Adventures does not offer "seen that done that" kinds of experiences, but rather programs that are instructional in nature. You'll walk away with new skills, feeling more of an intimacy with the waterscapes traveled within.

"We live in a highly developed nation, with very specialized jobs, packed schedules and to-do lists that rival the roll in the bathroom. It is the beginning of the 21st century and we have never been more divorced from the planet that gives us life. I've developed these programs to address a screaming need for us all to get our hands dirty, our feet wet and breathe the musky aroma of earth back into our lungs. Put down that cell phone, go off-line, get out of the race...come outside and play."

• Michael Gray, Director