Your bachelorette party is a once-in-a-lifetime event that deserves to be celebrated in a unique and unforgettable way. While the typical club scene or spa day may be fun, why not break away from the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary? Imagine paddling across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. If you're looking for an adventure-filled, nature-inspired celebration, look no further than kayaking with Tahoe Adventure Company. The ultimate choice for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Connection with Nature:

Tahoe Adventure Company is located in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the United States. Lake Tahoe's stunning blue waters and the Sierra Nevada mountain backdrop provide an idyllic backdrop for your bachelorette celebration. Kayaking allows you to immerse yourself in this pristine environment, offering a sense of tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty that's hard to match.

Unique and Memorable Experience:

A kayaking bachelorette party isn't something your friends will forget easily. It's a departure from the ordinary and a chance to create lasting memories with your closest friends. Whether you're an experienced kayaker or a complete beginner, Tahoe Adventure Company offers guided tours suitable for all skill levels, ensuring everyone has a fantastic time.

Active and Healthy Celebration:

Say goodbye to the traditional bachelorette party indulgences and hello to a healthier alternative. Kayaking is a fantastic way to get some exercise while having fun. Paddling across Lake Tahoe engages your core and upper body, giving you a unique and invigorating workout. Plus, the fresh mountain air and sunshine are sure to leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Professional Guidance and Safety:

Safety should be a top priority on your bachelorette party, and with Tahoe Adventure Company, you can trust that you're in good hands. Our experienced guides are trained to ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure. We provide all the necessary equipment, including kayaks, life jackets, and paddles, and offer safety briefings to make sure everyone is comfortable and confident on the water.

Customizable Packages:

Tahoe Adventure Company understands that every bachelorette party is unique. That's why they offer customizable packages to suit your preferences. Whether you want a half-day paddle, a sunset tour, or even a combination of activities like kayaking and hiking, they can create the perfect itinerary for your group.

Photo-Worthy Moments:

Lake Tahoe's beauty provides the ideal backdrop for some seriously Instagram-worthy photos. Capture candid moments, group shots, and stunning scenery as you paddle along the lake. Your kayaking bachelorette party will be a feast for the eyes and a treasure trove of memories.

When it comes to planning your bachelorette party, why settle for the ordinary when you can have an extraordinary adventure? Kayaking with Tahoe Adventure Company offers a unique and unforgettable experience that combines nature, fun, and lasting memories. So, grab your paddle, round up your besties, and get ready to embark on a bachelorette celebration like no other. It's time to paddle into the perfect bachelorette party with Tahoe Adventure Company!

If you're seeking a unique and enchanting experience, look no further than Thunderbird Lodge, a historic gem nestled on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

Starting from the picturesque Sand Harbor, paddle out onto the calm waters and let the beauty of Tahoe surround you. Feel the cool breeze on your face as you glide along, mesmerized by the stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks and deep blue waters stretching as far as the eye can see.

As you paddle along, take your time to explore the magnificent shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Admire the tall pines and rocky outcrops, interspersed with sandy coves and hidden alcoves.

As you approach Thunderbird Lodge, a sense of history and charm emanates from its secluded perch on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. Built in the 1930s by eccentric millionaire George Whittell Jr., this sprawling estate captures the essence of a bygone era. Its iconic stone towers, terraced gardens, and beautiful sandy beach create a truly magical ambiance.

You'll have the opportunity to explore this architectural marvel up close. Take a guided tour of the property, led by our knowledgeable guides who bring the lodge's history to life. Discover hidden tunnels, secret passages, and the whimsical underground card room, which Whittell used to indulge in his love for high-stakes gambling.

The Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site preserves not only the lodge but also a collection of vintage boats, including the famous Thunderbird yacht, which was once the epitome of luxury and elegance on Lake Tahoe. This beautifully restored vessel recalls a time when socialites and Hollywood stars were whisked away on extravagant cruises across the lake.

While the Thunderbird Lodge is undeniably captivating, don't forget to savor the natural beauty that surrounds it. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and appreciate the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe that unfold before you. After your tour, enjoy a deli style lunch looking out at the lake before paddling back to Sand Harbor.

Tahoe Adventure Company’s Thunderbird Lodge Tour is an experience that combines the beauty of nature with a deep appreciation for history. From the moment you set out on the crystal-clear waters, you'll be enchanted by the stunning landscape that surrounds you. Exploring Thunderbird Lodge is like stepping back in time, immersing yourself in a world of opulence, eccentricity, and unparalleled natural splendor.

We can’t wait to host your adventure.

20 Years of Human Powered Adventure!

We are celebrating a big milestone by giving away 20 free adventures

Tahoe Adventure Company is celebrating 20 years in business this year. To mark the occasion we are giving away 20 free adventures – including everything from our exclusive Thunderbird Lodge tour to sunset snowshoe walks and SUP rentals. 

It all started back in 2003 when Kevin Hickey – a man with a van, a few kayaks and a vision, decided to launch his own Tahoe outfitting outfit. “I had been guiding a lot of youth education tours, living on the road, and I just wanted to put down some roots,” says Kevin. “In the beginning, I did everything. I answered calls, I guided the trip. But by the end of that first year I knew I was onto something.”

 Shortly after launching, Kevin brought his soon-to-be-bride, Katie, onboard. The business quickly grew, along with their family. TAC is truly a mom and pop shop, and our strong family values are at the heart of the operation. “Alongside growing TAC, we have been raising our two children as well,” says Katie. “As toddlers, they sorted first aid kits, clip boards and waivers; then counted shirts and now they file and shred. Our teenage daughter can’t wait for the opportunity to manage social media!”

A big part of those strong family values has been making sure that every guest learns a little something about the natural wonders of Tahoe. The ultimate goal is that every visitor falls in love with the area and becomes an advocate for the conservation of the natural resources that make Tahoe such a magical place. 

To that end, we also offer week-long outdoor education programs for school groups. “It has always been very important to me that people learn something about this amazing place while they’re here,” says Kevin. “There’s a lot of natural human history in this area and we like to make sure the guests get a taste of that.”

A lot has changed in the past two decades. A single man with a van has turned into nearly two dozen employees and a fleet of kayaks, SUPs, bikes – you name it. Any adventure that is human-powered is on our menu. The goal is for people of all ages – be it corporate team building groups, fun-loving extended families, or a gathering of longtime friends – to learn a little bit about themselves while enjoying all the majesty that Tahoe has to offer.

“These days with so many people working remotely, team building activities are more important than ever,” says Kevin. “A lot of times people have never even met their co-workers in person, so we love to get them out of their comfort zones, out of the zoom world, and into the real world. That’s how true bonds are formed.” 

20th Anniversary Giveaway Details

Tahoe Adventure Company will give away 20 different adventures, including equipment rentals and guided tours, via social media. Follow us on Instagram for a chance to win.

Here are a few examples of the adventures our social media followers will have a chance to win.

Thunderbird Lodge – Tahoe Adventure Company is the only guide company that has access to Thunderbird Lodge. After a kayaking 101 lesson, the group will paddle an easy 1.5 mile trek along the shore from Sand Harbor beach to explore the only undeveloped side of Lake Tahoe. Once at Thunderbird, their knowledgeable guides take visitors on an hour-long walk through the Whittel Estate, with stops at the lighthouse room, the old lodge, an underground tunnel leading to the infamous card house and boat house. The tour ends at Dragon’s Tail path, past the waterfall and fountain, ending with lunch at the gazebo. 

North Shore Kayak Tour – Launching from TAC’s beachfront location in Tahoe Vista, take in incredible views of the High Sierra while paddling along pristine shoreline. This tour also includes an introductory lesson on shore. Guides will discuss ecology, geology and other natural and human history topics along the way. Depending on lake conditions, participants will paddle along the shoreline of King's Beach and among the boulders of Crystal Bay or along scenic coastline towards Carnelian Bay while getting a unique glimpse of some of Tahoe's most beautiful waterfront homes.

Who knew snowshoeing was magical? My family found it so during a two-hour trek in Donner Memorial State Park.  With the snow softly falling and our pockets lined with snacks, our Tahoe Adventure Company guide Jill took us out into the forest near Donner Lake.  Yes, this is the area where the tragedy of the Donner Party unfolded but luckily there would be no repeat of a deadly pioneer tale today.  Civilization is closer now than it was back then, and the folks at Tahoe Adventure Company know what they’re doing!  

There was never any doubt that Jill had the lay of the land well in hand!  She knew several routes out to the shores of the frigid lake because she blazed a new one each time.  The state park does have a series of well-groomed and slick trails to navigate, but those are perfect for cross-country skiers and hikers.  To trudge through the trees on snowshoes is to really experience the pioneer history of this area.  (Note: this is my impression, and I expect it would make any local laugh).

Jill pointed out animal tracks --- nothing dangerous was lurking; we saw where mice, deer, and other rodents had dared to tread.  We learned about the trees and the irresponsible forestation in the area that dates back to the Gold Rush.   I had no idea how many pine needles were edible or could be utilized to make a savory tea before this hike either.

As the forest’s edge got closer, the frozen waters of Donner Lake came into view.  What a site!  I have spent many a summer weekend at Donner Lake, so seeing it this way was really something.  It appeared to be hibernating.  We took a moment with this cold, icy view before trekking back to the state park’s main hub.  The snow was coming down at a steadier pace, but it was still fun to be out there.

We finished our snowshoe tour with hot chocolate and cider, toasting our adventure.  I highly recommend booking this adventure.  It was an easily manageable activity for a group of varying fitness levels. In our group, we had my teenage son, the Energizer Bunny as I like to call him,  my husband, the triathlete, and me bringing up the rear with my bad knees.  Luckily, no one can get far on snowshoes quickly, so I wasn’t too far behind! No prior snowshoeing experience is needed.

Here's what’s included in this activity:
- Snowshoes
- Poles
- Snacks
- Hot drinks

Tip for a successful tour: Tahoe Adventure Company will email a list of recommended clothing and items to make you more comfortable during your activity.  READ IT and ADHERE TO IT!  Your guide really wants you to enjoy yourself so take their advice.

Snowshoeing Tahoe

Typical après ski activities include shopping, eating, and drinking. What about trying something new that the whole family can enjoy? Snowshoeing Tahoe can be a great after skiing activity for you and the whole family. Spend the day gliding down the mountain on the slopes, getting that adrenaline pumping on the resort all day. Then get away from the crowded restaurants and packed bars and hop on a Sunset Snowshoe or Full Moon Snowshoe tour. Move through the snowy forest, relax, watch the sunset over the mountains, enjoy the last of the daylight and cap things off with hot drinks and cookies. Sounds like a great way to experience all Lake Tahoe has to offer.

The History of Team Building

“I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial and above all, compassion” – Kurt Hahn

During the second World War, studies were done on what made certain ships of sailors most resilient, most likely to survive the torpedoes and attacks that threatened their teams. They found that physical fitness and youthfulness were less likely to predict survival than something more conceptual: experience in the field and team morale. Kurt Hahn and Lawrence Holt already knew this, but they were hired to train soldiers on teamwork, morale boosting, and playing to one another’s strengths. This was the conception of team building. After the war, they founded the first Outward Bound School to train British sailors through, rather than for, the hardships of the sea, not only through physical challenges but also the development teamwork and compassion.

The legacy of these beliefs carried on long after his death. Outward Bound received funding for its Expeditionary Learning Schools that now exist all over the world, and the idea that morale and team unity are essential has incorporated itself into modern productivity and efficiency models. With the idea that these traits are critical for problem-solving and even survival, it’s no wonder that companies and corporations turn towards team building to keep morale, productivity, and team efficiency up.

People often roll their eyes when they’re asked to participate in team building events with their co-workers, but we know from experience that most people end up having a blast even if they’re resistant at first. Not only is it fun, but team building is shown to break down barriers, increase communication, and build a general sense of morale and camaraderie. Competition can bring out the best and worst in people, and learning to work together under pressure can be essential.

A metaphor for work and life, challenge courses and team building trials foster a sense of curiosity and spirit, encourage tenacity and discipline through challenge and competition, and allow people to turn toward the risk of failure rather than run away from it. While it seems counterintuitive, it’s well known that the more we allow ourselves to fail, the more likely we are to take healthy risks and reap the rewards of stepping outside our comfort zones, leading to more successes in the long-term.

We’ve known since Kurt Hahn in the 1940s that maintaining high morale through hardships and team cohesion is the key to survival, and the grand success of Outward Bound and its participants affirms that. Team building and challenge courses simplify these hardships, allowing us to gain understanding of the experiences that really matter in a straightforward way that is applicable to our normal lives.

Reasons to do teambuilding events with your corporate office

Is your productivity dropping due to burnout and the repetitive nature of the corporate world? You’d be amazed what a difference a few days in Tahoe packed with adventure and team building activities can do! Tahoe Adventure Company offers a wide variety of experiences, and here are some reasons why your company should book with us!

1. It’s Fun!

The first and most obvious reason to do a teambuilding adventure activity with your corporate group is because it’s fun! Your group will have a blast hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, or even just hanging out on the beach. Add in some kind of team building event that gets people riled up and competitive, and you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. All that under the backdrop of stunning Lake Tahoe and it just doesn’t get better than that!

2. Networking

There can never be too many opportunities for networking. If your company is big or even if you’ve all been working remotely for a few years, there’s a good chance many of your employees have never met, let alone had the chance to get to know each other. When you do team building events, groups are often assigned randomly, giving people the opportunity to work together with folks they don’t normally.

3. Communication Skills

Attempting new things alongside new people is like weight lifting for our social and collaborative muscles. Maybe one of the work teams is perfectly streamlined and it appears that they don’t even need more than a glance to know what needs to happen next. When you put them in a group with others, they must work for the good outcomes again, they get the opportunity to try different communication skills and work together!

4. Share a Common Goal

It’s true in elementary school sports and it’s true with corporate groups. The more often you have people working together with a common goal, the closer those people feel. Give your company the chance to actually feel like a family and work together for a low-stakes goal, like building a cardboard boat or a sandcastle.

5. Give back to your employees

Employees work so hard to meet the goals of the company and deserve a little break and chance to unwind every once in a while. Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to have your company escape the fast pace of the Bay Area corporate world and slow it down, focus on things that matter a little less, and appreciate the natural beauty of the lake and mountains. You won’t regret it!

How do you sign up for team building with Tahoe Adventure Company? Check out our team building page, then email us here with your group size, dates, time range, and activities you’re interested in! Team building isn’t just for corporate groups—we work with families, school groups, summer camps, and more!

Reasons to go with a guide

In the Tahoe Adventure Company office, we get a lot of phone calls from people who want to get out on the water, but don’t want to take a guided kayaking or paddle boarding tour. Some people hold this belief so staunchly that they’ll turn down an opportunity to get on the water altogether to avoid the apparent agony of having someone lead you around. I understand it–especially after several years in a pandemic, sometimes the last thing we want is to hang out with a stranger. Yet, I heard in a podcast that often what we think we want and what we actually want are quite different. They did a study on people getting on a commuter train–some people were asked to engage in small talk with those around them, others to continue business as usual: headphones, screens, social isolation. When they asked people what group they wanted to be in, everyone said business as usual–almost nobody wanted to have to talk to fellow commuters. Surprisingly, the people who did socially engage left the train with a greater sense of satisfaction than those who self-isolated. I think it’s the same with adventure tours–we may think we just want to “putz around in a rented kayak for an hour or two” (direct quote from a guest)–but we don’t even realize what we’re missing. When we let someone else take the reins, we minimize the logistics headache, we open ourselves to learn more and connect with locals, and we maximize the opportunity to experience the awe of a well-done trip.

When you’re planning a trip, you probably spend hours looking into the coolest places to go, the least touristy spots, the secret tips and tricks for how to make the most of your time. What if, instead, you had a friend that lived in your destination who planned it for you and showed you around? You’d take their advice, right? Same thing with going with a guide. You might have less control (which for some people is a dealbreaker), but you’d probably have a more interesting, more exciting, more satisfying trip. Plus, when you book with an adventure company, all you have to do is show up in appropriate clothes and they handle literally everything else. At Tahoe Adventure Company, kayakers need not worry about transporting their gear or finding a well-fitting PFD. Bikers just have to send their height beforehand and will arrive at the trailhead with a perfectly fitting, well-tuned bike ready to be ripped on. Even our tour at Sand Harbor, an infamously difficult place to visit, cuts out all the parking hassle–just show up, we'll drive over and deal with parking for you. Best of all, adventure guides almost always have some kind of wilderness medicine certification and often have experience responding in wilderness emergencies, so you can rest assured that if the worst case scenario does play out, there is someone right there to handle it. 

Still not convinced? Our guides lead the same kayak tour nearly a hundred times over the course of the summer. You are guaranteed to see more, notice more, and find cooler spots to stop when traveling with someone whose literal job is to make you happy. These guides dedicate everything they’ve got to the job–they endure long hours in the sun, significant amounts of manual labor, and inconsistent schedules so that you can have a better vacation. They give their all so you can have the best experience possible–and we can all but guarantee you’ll have a better time with them than on your own. Give it a try, and don’t forget to tip them well!

In the past few years, the idea of “self-care” has taken off and people living stressful lifestyles have begun to invest more time and money into taking care of themselves. The self-care retail industry is predicted to be valued at $13 billion by 2026, showing astronomical growth since even 2019. It makes sense—work life has become more stressful, demanding after-hours work and blurring work/life balance boundaries due to the rise in working from home. “Quiet Quitting,” when you only put in the effort detailed in your job description, is also on the rise: a staunch resistance to the corporate trend of rewarding hard workers with more work without more compensation. All this is to say that people are more stressed out than ever before, therefore more willing to invest in self-care and mental wellness.

Yet, when some think of self-care, they think of serums, face masks, pedicures, or expensive gym memberships (that they probably won’t even use). These industries are built to make money off our insecurities: fears of aging, gaining weight, and other ways we may fail to achieve beauty standards. What if we looked at self-care differently; what if we approached taking care of ourselves through less expensive, more impactful experiences instead of shady products built to make you feel bad so you’ll spend money?

At Tahoe Adventure Company, we believe in sustainable wellness, in access to the outdoors as a (if not the) key to wellness and mental health. We hope to be a jumping off point, inspiring human powered adventures for all, in the hopes that learning the ropes with us will motivate our customers to continue engaging in slow travel, natural activities, and adventure sports for their benefit.

It’s well known that exercise is essential to both mental and physical health, but exercising in nature intensifies those positive outcomes. Outdoor activity such as kayaking, biking, or hiking, is proven to improve mood, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and create an overall sense of satisfaction and contentment—and that’s all after just one activity. When kept up consistently, exercise in nature can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, encourage the development of social support systems, and improve your physical health, which has its own mental health benefits.

When you’ve grown up in a city, spending time in nature can be intimidating—there are bugs, physical risks, and the threat of something going wrong when you’re far from any help. Additionally, activities like mountain biking, kayaking, and even hiking can require expensive gear and baseline skill levels that can increase the barrier between someone who is looking for a mental escape and an enriching outdoor experience. This is why Tahoe Adventure Company exists: to connect tourists, corporate companies, and even locals to the great outdoors in the Lake Tahoe region. Our guides are all medically trained, we carry first aid kits and emergency communication devices, and we outfit every single tour with the appropriate safety gear. We have detailed equipment lists so guests can know what to expect. Our guides are also trained naturalists, packed full of natural and human history and ecological knowledge they’re just dying to share with guests. We don’t just offer tours—we offer experiences.

Tahoe Adventure Company specializes in high-quality, inspirational guided tours in the Lake Tahoe basin with a focus on enjoying the natural environment. The outdoor activities we offer are kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, biking and mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing, and backpacking, and on top of that, we run team-building events for family reunions, friend groups, bachelor/ette parties, and corporate retreats. Our tours range from 2 hours to many days, and every experience can be customized to your group’s ability level and desire to get outside your comfort zones. We can guarantee that a few hours in a kayak on Lake Tahoe will elicit these magical feelings of better mood and reduced stress, but let us plan a whole week with you and your life will be changed for the better. Even if you don’t choose to go out with us, we hope you’ll find a way to enjoy the outdoors without us; it’s truly the most important piece of the self-care puzzle and we want it to be accessible to all!