Top 5 Family Vacations for 2023
Summer is the perfect time to share a life-enriching adventure-based family vacation. Our fully-guided and all-inclusive trips take the hassle out of planning, leaving you free to engage, connect, and explore with your loved ones! So if you’re ready to unplug from your devices for a few days and focus on making memories as a family, we’ve got a few suggestions up our sleeves. Whether you’re looking for a fun-filled river rafting experience, a gentle cycling adventure, or an immersive wildlife viewing trip, get ready to be inspired.
Experience “Family Magic” on the Salmon River
Highlights
- Minimum Age: 5 years
- Season: July - September
- Trip Duration: 4-5 days
- All Inclusive
- Fully Guided
- Whitewater Rafting Class II-III rapids
- Riverside Camping
Taking in some of Idaho’s most magnificent landscapes, this family-friendly whitewater rafting trip is ideal for kids as young as five. We find that all of our families return with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. The high water this year makes it a particularly good time for families to get out on the water, with the favorable conditions expected to last throughout the summer.
Aside from the gentle rapids and stunning scenery, a highlight for kids is always the “River Jester”, a specially trained guide who is all about entertaining our youngest guests. From the moment they wake in the morning until they’re nodding off beneath a star-studded sky, they’ll enjoy fun-filled nature hikes and engaging games that celebrate the area’s natural and cultural history.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the native peoples who have lived along the Salmon River for thousands of years in Perce National Historical Park and take in the breathtaking scenery of Cougar and Snowhole canyons. When you arrive at camp each evening, you’ll find your tents already set up and our riverside dining room ready to serve a delicious, gourmet meal. So all you have to do is enjoy the undistracted time spent as a family while being completely immersed in nature.
Family Magic Trips on the Salmon River
Wildlife Eco-Tour in the Galapagos Islands
Highlights
- Minimum Age: 7 years
- Season: January - December
- Trip Duration: 10 days
- All Inclusive
- Fully Guided
- Lodge and Camp Accommodation
- Great for Wildlife Watching
Imagine 10 unforgettable days spent hiking, sea kayaking, and snorkeling in the wildlife-filled Galapagos Islands. This low-impact, land-based adventure is designed with families in mind and will take you well off the cruise-based tourist trail.
Wake in the morning with sea lions right outside your tent and slowly paddle through pristine coves inhabited by abundant marine life. Along the way, you’ll encounter nesting sea birds, curious iguanas, and volcanic landscapes that appear as though they are on another planet.
While the Galapagos Islands are famed for their exceptional wildlife, there is also a human element to discover. In addition to beach camping, we’ll stay at small, local hotels and dine at local restaurants where you can experience the slow hum of daily life. We pride ourselves on offering one of the most sustainable eco-tours available in the archipelago and ensuring that a large percentage of the costs remain in the Galapagos Islands.
Bike the Pacific Northwest “Rails-to-Trails”
Highlights
- Minimum Age: 12 years
- Season: June - September
- Trip Duration: 5 days
- All Inclusive
- Fully Guided
- Lodge Accommodation
While railways once served as the main means of getting from A to B across the United States, many have since been abandoned. In recent years, several have been given a new lease of life as “rails-to-trails”, with the Pacific North West boasting some of the best.
Taking in spectacular scenery and with minimal elevation gain, the Coeur d’Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha are both ideal for families. They are among several Pacific North West trails that have been added to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame due to their scenic beauty, excellent amenities, and historical significance.
Join us for a multi-day adventure on two wheels to explore this magnificent corner of the globe. Protected from traffic, the trails are predominantly paved or packed-gravel trails and suitable for families with kids aged 12 years and above.
As you slowly pedal along the routes, you’ll follow the banks of meandering rivers and sparkling lakes while passing through forests of ponderosa pine, fir, and tamarack. Throughout the trip, your knowledgeable guides will share their knowledge about the towns you pass through and the area’s cultural heritage.
Sea Kayaking at Orca Basecamp
Highlights
- Minimum Age: 12 years
- Season: July - September
- Trip Duration: 4 days
- All Inclusive
- Fully Guided
- Camp Accommodation
- Great for Wildlife Watching
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing orcas in the wild, then there’s no better place to do it than British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait. This majestic, glacial-carved waterway is ideally explored by sea kayak, with glassy waters and spectacular wilderness areas as your backdrop.
Each summer, more than 200 orcas pass through this protected channel, making it a whale watcher’s paradise. In addition, you can expect to sea basking seals and seabirds soaring in the skies above. Our family-friendly trips include visits to First Nations pictograph sites and camping near the Robson Bight Orca Preserve, which is the only orca sanctuary in the world.
Each day, we’ll spend a few hours kayaking, with plenty of time for floating rest breaks. At the end of the day, we’ll settle in beside the campfire to recount the day’s adventures before bunking down in comfortable, standing-height canvas tents that are prepared ahead of time for you.
Whitewater Rafting along the Deschutes River
Highlights
- Minimum Age: 7 years
- Season: June - September
- Trip Duration: 4 days
- All Inclusive
- Fully Guided
- Whitewater Rafting Class II-III rapids
- Riverside Camping
Winding its way through the spellbinding landscapes of central Oregon, the Deschutes has been designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. It’s the ideal destination for a summer family getaway, with hot days and invitingly warm waters that are perfect for swimming and splashing around.
Our highly experienced guides will share their enthusiasm for the river while ensuring your safety is always at the fore. A whitewater rafting trip is all about working as a team and is truly a rewarding family experience. In addition to tackling fun-filled rapids, you’ll float through spectacular canyons that few have the privilege to witness.
The calm sections of the river are ideal for observing the natural world, with two different species of bighorn sheep, ospreys and eagles all regularly spotted. Our Deschutes River trips also include easy hikes to historic homesteads, abandoned railroads, and sites of cultural interest.
