Lansing, Iowa boat tours and cruises by Maiden Voyage tours | Mississippi River boat cruises and tours

TOM SAWYER ADVENTURE
Sign up for our Tom Sawyer cruise on the Upper Mississippi River and experience a four-day, three-night, outdoor adventure you will remember for a lifetime. We'll cruise among the wooded islands and spectacular bluffs of the huge Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The 25 mile section of the river we will explore on the 49-passenger Maiden Voyage is considered by many the most beautiful and unspoiled section of the entire Mississippi River. Home to bald eagles, great blue herons and hundreds of species of fish and birds, it is one of the best places in all of America to observe wildlife.

This adventure, however, is about more than just wildlife--the goal is a fun "hands-on" experience you won't forget. While exploring the backwaters or traveling the main channel we'll do some fishing, maybe even put out a trotline to see what we can catch. Like Tom and Huck 150 years ago, we'll build our campfire on an uninhabited island, cook our lunch and then return to base camp. At base camp you will stay in our new log cabins out under the stars and experience a wonderful camp fire.

You need not be an outdoorsman to go on this trip. We'll provide the fishing equipment and cook shore lunch meals (the Maiden Voyage has running water and a fully equipped bathroom). Your guide will be Captain Robert Vavra, a man who grew up on the Mississippi and loves to share his knowledge of the history and biology of the river with others. An assistant Boy Scout leader, Captain Robert is comfortable with youngsters and adults groups. His goal is an experience as educational as it is enjoyable. He is also a former commercial fisherman certified to pilot watercraft weighing up to 100 tons.

If your group would be interested in an adventure that can be matched nowhere else in the world, check our itinerary below:

TOM SAWYER ITINERARY

Day 1 Monday
You will arrive in Harper Ferry, Iowa on Monday for a 2pm check in. We will depart from Harpers Ferry mid afternoon and travel to the Mississippi River exploring the backwaters or traveling the main channel we'll do some fishing, and put out our trotlines to see what we catch for the next day. Upon setting trotlines we will have Mississippi River wildlife viewing and education. We will travel back to base camp and retire in your log cabin for the evening.

Day 2 Tuesday
We will board the Maiden Voyage and check our trotlines. We will then travel approximately 18 miles to lock through Lock and Dam #19 near Lynxville, Wisconsin. After passing through the locks (a fascinating experience by itself) we will spend the rest of the day in Pool 9 docking in Lansing, Iowa. Then we'll do some fishing, perhaps put out another trotline or take a meandering ride through the miles of backwaters near Lansing, Iowa to see muskrats, beavers, river otters and other interesting animals. That night you can build a nice campfire and make supper at your log cabin.

Day 3 Wednesday
We will board the Maiden Voyage and travel South approximately 20 miles to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Today we will be visiting the famous Villa Louis Mansion (World redound) and Effigy Mounds State Park. Click on the words for a link of more information. Upon the completion of our tours we will travel back to our base camp.

Day 4 Thursday
All party members can sleep in. Upon waking up all are invited to experience the panoramic views from Andy Mountain and the Yellow River State Park. Check out is by 12pm.

If you choose to stay longer their are a multitude of adventures that we can assist in lining up. Examples are Eco-tours in flat bottom boat, canoe ride on Yellow River, National Mississippi River Museum, National Eagle center, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, antiquing, shopping and more.

* Lunches on day 2 and 3 of the Adventure are provided by Maiden Voyage Tours.