PREMIER TOUR PACKAGES:

If you are looking for an all-inclusive Great Smoky Mountain adventure, whether a novice to the great outdoors and have never been backpacking or a seasoned outdoor adventurer, our comprehensive Premier Tour packages are for you.

Would you like to enjoy fine dining with an all-inclusive ambiance in a tranquil wilderness setting?

·          HET “Backcountry Chefs” prepare a full-course of gourmet meals before onset of main group and cater upon arrival.  Please view our Seasonal Menu for a detailed description of what we offer.   

Want to receive personalized attention and proficient instruction on resident flora/fauna, local history/culture, and applicable wilderness skills, to get the most out of your Great Smoky Mountain visit?

·          HET “On-trail Guides” are extremely knowledgeable on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and, with a 2:1 client to guide ratio, are able to educate clients at an individual level. 

Are you concerned about safety, or have apprehensions regarding the hazards of the outdoors?

·          At Highlander Expeditionary Tours, safety is paramount.  To substantiate this ideal, on all Premier Tours our Highly-trained and Professional Guides employ the most advanced outdoor safety technology and equipment available; such as, a complete BLS Wilderness Medical Pack, UDAP Bear Deterrent, SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, and eXRS/NOAA Two-way Radios.

Leave all planning and preparation to Highlander Expeditionary Tours, so that when you arrive at the HET transport for your excursion to the mountains, your backpack is already packed and ready to go.  We provide all the premium brand-name gear, from companies like The North Face, Arc’Teryx, Patagonia, and Lowe Alpine, except for a small amount of Personal Gear required by you.  The Premier Tour packages listed below are limited to 8 clients, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  Call today and speak to one of our experienced guides for pricing and availability.  Let your Great Smoky Mountains National Park begin with us, Highlander Expeditionary Tours.

And in case you are curious, “Highlander” originates from Horace Kephart’s book, Our Southern Highlanders, in which the rural inhabitants of the Southern Appalachians are termed “Highlanders”.

*Determined on a case-by-case basis.  Please view our Medical Questionnaire, and Contact Us with any queries.

Fall Appalachian Trail Hike
September 18th - 20th - CLOSED 

See the Smoky Mountains from the Appalachian Trail as the fall colors begin to reveal themselves on this 3 day 2 night hike from Clingmans Dome, Tennessee to Fontana Lake, North Carolina.  This trail is intermediate to difficult, so be ready to put down some miles for this once in a life time hike! 

We start at Clingmans Dome, standing at 6643 feet (2024m) it is the highest mountain peak in the Smoky Mountain National Park.  Enjoy the views as we traverse the historic Appalachian Trail and descend through a Red Spruce and Fraser Fir Forest to grassy balds of rhododendron, mountain laurel, and azaleas.  We continue down into a northern hardwood forest made up of Beech, Yellow Birch, Striped Maples, White Basswood, and Yellow buckeye.  And that’s just the first day.  

The next morning it’s a hearty breakfast and a hard climb up Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top for some really special views as the sun breaks over the eastern horizon.  The trail levels out and becomes surrounded by old growth forest as we trek in peace in Americas most loved and visited National Park. 

Our third and final day finds us leaving the Tennessee side of the park and crossing into the North Carolina side as we continue our decent to the nation’s largest concrete dam east of the Mississippi River, Fontana Dam.  We’ll follow the Appalachian Trail the last 200 feet across Fontana Dam with beautiful Fontana Lake at our backs to where the Highlander Expeditionary Tours van will be waiting to pick us up. 

This premier hike will fill up fast, so call or email us today and speak to one of our experienced guides. We are limited to only the first 8 clients.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  Tell your friends and family that you are going to hike the Appalachian Trail with Highlander Expeditionary Tours.

Rocky Top UT Game Weekend
October 9th - 11th - CLOSED 

Do you bleed big orange?  Then show everyone back at Neyland Stadium your dedication to the Vols with out fighting the crowds and cars on game day with this once in a lifetime hike to Rocky Top!  

Yes, Rocky Top is a real location deep in the heart of east Tennessee. High above the clouds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park it is the very place you’ve sang about for years.  It’s time you stopped singing and come see what makes Rocky Top so special to the Vols with Highlander Expeditionary Tours!  Come and see breath taking 360 degree views in all the vibrant colors of fall.  The mountains will be washed in reds, yellows and gold. Let’s not forget UT orange!  This is the ultimate UT tailgate party.  

You start the festivities on Friday with a drive through Cades Cove to the trailhead and then we hike to base camp for dinner.  Get the gear set up and then settle in for a gourmet steak dinner with baked potatoes cooked to order.  We end the first day by the fire in our sleeping bags under the Tennessee stars.  Get a good nights rest, you’ll want it for game day! 

We get up on Game day, but not to early, and have a good old Tennessee breakfast before heading out.  Or, if you prefer sleep in and drink coffee by the fire. Then we hit the trail to Rocky Top.  Pre-game starts as we break out the radio and chairs and grill up burgers and fries with all the sides!  We will air the entire UT game for you to enjoy via radio, live from Neyland Stadium.  Follow the Vols as they battle Georgia, and don’t be afraid to sing when UT scores!  What better way to show your Volunteer pride than from “good old Rocky Top”.  That evening enjoy dinner by the fire and share stories with one another as we unwind and relive the plays of the day. 

Sunday morning starts with a late breakfast then we hike back to the trailhead where the Highlander Expeditionary Tours van will be waiting to take us home. 

Back at the office on Monday ask your co-works and friends how the watched the game. Then show them the pictures of your weekend from Rocky Top!  

Leave all planning to Highlander Expeditionary Tours.  Call today and speak to one of our experienced guides for pricing and availability.  Spaces are limited to 8 clients.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  Tell your friends and family that you are going to hike the Appalachian Trail with Highlander Expeditionary Tours. 

Mount Cammerer Fire Tower
November 6th - 8th - CLOSED

Visit two places of history on this one hike:  The legendary Appalachian Trail and the historic fire-lookout tower on majestic Mt. Cammerer.  The fire tower was built in 1939 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.  This hike is far less crowded than Mt. LeConte and the 360° views are just as breathtaking, if not the best in the entire park.      

This 3 day 2 night trek will begin on Friday with a late afternoon start. After a moderate hike, we set up base camp under a silent canopy of Hemlock Forest, notorious for wildlife sightings, so have your camera ready.  Next morning after a creekside breakfast, we’ll climb though crisp morning clouds on the eastern slopes of the Smokies.   

Upon arrival at one of the illustrious Appalachian Trail shelters, we will drop our packs, loosen our laces, and enjoy a hot lunch and warm beverages.  From here we will continue along a ridge-top section of the Appalachian Trial then up Mt. Cammerer proper to the fire-lookout tower.  After photos and a bit of relaxing, we descend for a fire-light dinner beside the stacked stone fireplace in the shelter.  The next morning it is all down hill to the trailhead and a warm HET van.  

Call or email us and speak to one of our experienced guides. This hike is limited to only 8 clients, so book ASAP to secure a reservation. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Tell your friends and family that you are going to hike the Appalachian Trail with Highlander Expeditionary Tours. 

Islands in the Smokies
Late Fall / Early Spring - OPEN

Most people are unaware of the beautiful island camp sites that the Smoky Mountain National Park has to offer.  Located on the southern boundary of the park, these semi-private islands offer both mountain and lake views.  This is the perfect husband/wife getaway, but also is great for anyone who wants to experience a different aspect of the park.

Come with us as we kayak across Fontana Lake behind the largest concrete dam east of the Mississippi River and make our way to one of the quietest areas of the park.  Once at the camp site let us do the work as you kick your shoes off and unplug your mind while we prepare one of our many gourmet dinner options.  As the sun sets after dinner get your camera ready because you will not want to miss the spectacular sunset across the North Carolina country side.  

Later that night as the temperatures begin to fall we’ll put more wood on the fire and warm ourselves up with hot drinks as the stars come out and light up the night sky.  Or if you prefer you and your partner can get in your spacious tent and make your own heat!  Sleep nice and warm in your sleeping bag as the hustle and bustle of the work week fades away. 

Next morning you sleep in as we prepare breakfast and serve you coffee or tea in your tent.  After you get the sleep out of you eyes we’ll begin our kayak daytrip up the lake to view the Smoky Mountain National Park in a way that very few visitors ever do.  We’ll stop for lunch and stretch our legs with a short hike before returning to camp for dinner.  You’ll sleep good as you think back about the relaxing day on the water you’ve had.  In the morning its back to the vehicles and then home with a refreshed mind and body thanks to the quite weekend you’ve spent in the woods and on the water. 

Call or email us today and speak to one of our experienced guides.  This hike is limited to only 8 clients, so book ASAP to secure a reservation.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Tell your friends and family that you are going to hike with Highlander Expeditionary Tours.