Leisurely evenings in the rustic comfort of mountain chalets will cap off days of hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting deep in the Rocky Mountains on a six-day trip designed for active adults and families by The World Outdoors. Like many of its excursions, the Colorado Backcountry Multi-Sport trip is versatile, with options ranging from moderately easy to more challenging.

This tour of the stunning backcountry above Vail, Colo., will center on the charming chalets maintained in remote and idyllic settings by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and named in honor of that Army division. Perched on mountain ridges at 11,000 feet and higher, and connected by 350 miles of trails, the chalets feature vaulted ceilings, sun decks, bay windows, wood stoves, and solar lighting.

"After a day on the trail you can snuggle up to a good book or relax on the deck and soak in the gorgeous views of the surrounding peaks," company owner Bill Marriner says. "The huts are luxurious backcountry accommodations, but still relatively rustic."

Highlights include panoramic views of about a dozen snow-covered peaks, including two of Colorado's tallest, hikes through wildflower meadows and past emerald-tinted alpine lakes, rafting the rapids of Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River, biking through aspen forests and down an old railroad route to explore a frontier ghost town.

More challenging and with more hills than the company's "easy tours," this trip is intended for the average active adult who feels comfortable being active four to six hours a day, with hikes ranging from two to nine miles per day and climbs from 8,000 feet up to 12,000 feet. The more challenging options of rafting and biking are optional.

The Colorado Backcountry Multi-Sport trip is offered four times during July and August. One trip is tailored to solo travelers and another to families with children preferably 10 and older. Dates are July 3-8; July 17-22 (Singles); July 31-Aug. 5 (Family); and Aug. 14-19. The cost starts at $1,395.

Based in Boulder, Colo., The World Outdoors has specialized in off-the-beaten-path vacations throughout the world since 1988. For more information or to request a free, 80-page color catalog describing its tours, call 1-800-488-8483 or visit www.TheWorldOutdoors.com.