Travelling as a family can be an incredible bonding experience, especially if you love staying active together. From trekking breathtaking landscapes to exploring untouched wilderness, there’s no shortage of adventures to keep everyone moving. Most families agree that the holidays they take when they are active are jam-packed full of way more memories than when they simply lie on the beach. That can have it's advantages too, of course, but no one can deny that active families are more likely to stay healthier longer.
The Top Tours for Active Families Exploring the World
Chances are if you are an active & adventurous family who love to travel and have happened to have stumbled on this blog, you already know the advantages. So, let's get started - here are some of the best tours for families who crave excitement and discovery:
1. Trekking the Foothills of Mount Everest, Nepal
A family hike in the foothills of Mount Everest is perfect for active families looking to combine adventure with cultural discovery. The Everest Base Camp trek might be a bit challenging for younger adventurers, but guided tours to the lower altitudes like the Namche Bazaar or Tengboche Monastery treks offer stunning Himalayan views and a fascinating introduction to Nepalese traditions. These tours provide flexible itineraries, ensuring the journey is suitable for all ages while still thrilling enough for older kids and teens. And what's more, you can always make it a family tradition - show them the base when they're young, whet their appetites and when they are old enough, take them back to explore higher! The sky is the limit - literally.
2. Cycling Through the Loire Valley, France
For families who enjoy cycling, the Loire Valley offers picturesque bike trails through vineyards, fairytale castles and charming villages. Self-guided or guided cycling tours provide flexibility so you can set a comfortable pace for younger riders while still covering plenty of ground. The region’s gentle terrain and family-friendly accommodations make it a perfect getaway. Self-guided tours definitely leave you more open to adventure, mainly through getting lost and failing to communicate with your high-school French - so keep that in mind when deciding whether you want funny memories or perhaps safer fun!
3. Exploring Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
Thanks to the diverse landscapes, tours in Patagonia are an adventurer’s dream, with its towering mountains, expansive glaciers, and vibrant wildlife. Family-friendly tours in Torres del Paine National Park include shorter hikes and activities like kayaking, making them ideal for keeping everyone engaged.
Experienced guides often cater to children by weaving in storytelling and local myths, turning each step into an unforgettable learning experience for the young ones!
4. Safari Adventures in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Spotting lions, elephants and zebras on a guided safari is an experience no child could ever forget. Family-focused tours in Kruger National Park offer kid-friendly activities, such as bush walks and wildlife tracking, while accommodations range from lodges to camping under the stars for a real wilderness vibe. Highly recommended!
5. Rafting the Colorado River, USA
Take on white-water rapids as a family while soaking up the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon. Rafting tours along the Colorado River are ideal for active families with older kids and teens. Many operators include side excursions like hiking to hidden waterfalls, adding variety to the adventure too!
6. Hiking the Dolomites, Italy
The Italian Dolomites are perfect for family hiking, with scenic trails that cater to all levels of fitness. Guided tours often incorporate visits to alpine meadows, charming mountain villages, and even adventure parks, ensuring there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained - divertitevi, amici!
7. Snorkelling and Kayaking in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
How about introducing your family to the wonders of marine life with an active tour of the Galápagos? Snorkelling with sea turtles and kayaking past blue-footed boobies will surely thrill nature lovers of all ages! Many tours also balance adventure with education, offering kid-friendly insights into the islands’ unique ecosystem and the importance of preserving nature.
8. Exploring Fjords in Norway
Norway’s fjords are a stunning playground for active families. Kayaking, hiking and taking rib boat tours across serene waterways are just a few of the activities available - guided tours can include educational elements, teaching children about glacial formations, Viking history and so much more!
9. Volcano Trekking in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a paradise for active families, with volcano treks, zip-lining through rainforests and spotting wildlife in national parks. Tours around Arenal Volcano offer thrilling hikes, natural hot springs to relax in and eco-friendly lodges perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure.
10. Camping in the Outback, Australia
You could also explore Australia’s red heart with a family camping tour in the Outback. Walks around Uluru, stargazing and learning about Aboriginal culture provide a rich blend of physical activity, cultural discovery and instilling the values of social justice in children. Many tours cater to families with shorter hikes and kid-friendly guides, too! (Top tip: if you're in the area, a trip to the West Coast to swim with whale sharks is always a crowd-pleaser)
11. Skiing in Whistler, Canada
For winter-loving families, Whistler offers world-class skiing and snowboarding - ski schools and family-friendly slopes ensure that kids of all ages can enjoy the snowy fun. Off the slopes, you can try snowshoeing or tubing for more active excitement and please do not ever skip the chance to have a friendly snow fight!
12. Walking the Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
This coastal walk offers spectacular views of cliffs, beaches and historical sites like the Giant’s Causeway. Family tours often include kid-friendly storytelling and activities such as fossil hunting, keeping little adventurers engaged along the way. For the adults, perhaps a pint of Guinness along the way - le do shláinte!
Wrap Up: The Best Tours for Active Families Exploring the World
I've tried to make sure that these tours combine adventure, learning and family bonding, ensuring you create memories to treasure forever. As people who literally live and care for the future generations of humanity, you are probably more invested in keeping the planet healthy than most. Thus I encourage you to keep you adventures geographically as close to home as possible, wherever you live - opt for local active family tours over far away ones that take a lot of emissions to get to. As always, I encourage walking, cycling, buses, trains and even cars over flying.
Now all that's left to ask is which destination will you choose for your next family adventure? (Second photo by Natalie Pedigo on Unsplash)
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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