Nepal, Sweden, The Artic, Peru or Nicaragua with the kids?
Boys Fishing in Sweden - Photo by Greenloons LLC
Huck Finn Goes Scandinavian
If you are going to be an expert on green travel you have to have some cred. Greenloons think they have it covered and they have a criteria for endorsing certain trips and of course booking them. If you are looking for a unique family adventure with a nature based focus, check out their summer 2012 line up.
Here is what the press release says:
Irene Lane, Greenloons founder, is always on the lookout for exceptional ecotourism operators who can meet the demand for green travel estimated to be growing 5% annually worldwide. The following operators went through an extensive process of certified third-party vetting before Lane added them to the Greenloons collection.
Spirit of Nepal (12 days; July, August departures; minimum age 12; $2,699 per person): This eco-luxury trip unravels mysteries of Nepal’s ancient secrets by trekking unexplored nature paths, viewing Architectural marvels including Pashupatinath Temple and the Buddhist holy cities of Boudhanath and UNESCO-protected Bhaktapur, peeking into Gurung villages to see how the locals have lived for centuries, and partaking in an elephant safari in the Chitwan National Park while on alert for sightings of Royal Bengal tigers, rhinos, leopards, black bears, monkeys, crocodiles, deer and exotic birds.
Realm of the Polar Bear (8 days; June, July, August departures; minimum age 10; $3,599 per person quad, $4,099 per person triple, from $4,899 per person double): From close-up encounters with icebergs to the Arctic’s plentiful wildlife, this is a small ship voyage of nonstop highlights. Guests spot whales and polar bears, listen to and watch Arctic birdlife and glaciers, discover breathtaking ice-covered fjords, glimpse herds of Svalbard’s unique reindeer, brave the Arctic waters for a polar plunge and take advantage of time spent with expert guides.
Swedish Timber Raft Adventure (6 days; June, August departures; minimum age 6 and able to swim; from $1,775 per adult, $1,418 per child up to age 15): This trip has it all over on Tom Sawyer while rafting Sweden’s southerly wilderness. Guests under supervision build their own log rafts before going down the river Klarälven where they’ll pass small villages or just hear the sounds of the spruce forest along the way. Evenings are either in camps or in lodges (guest choice). Other activities include canoeing, photography, fishing, camping and adventure sightseeing.
Peru Hike, Bike & Raft (16 days; July, August departures; minimum age 12; $2,999 per person): Guests hike, bike and paddle through Peru's Andes Mountains and into the jungle below. They conquer the whitewater of the Apurimac River by raft and hike the Inca Trail to the cloud forest citadel of Machu Picchu. Mountain bikes come into play on the descent into the Manu Cloud Forest. There’s more adrenalin to come on optional excursions such as swimming and spotting wildlife around the Palomina Islands.
Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama (15 days; August departures; minimum age 16; $2,800 per person): Central America's narrow isthmus lends itself perfectly to exploration on two wheels. From the colonial hub of Granada to bustling Panama City, guests discover Costa Rica's steamy rainforests, La Fortuna's Arenal Volcano and the island paradise of Bocas del Toro. They visit a nature lover's paradise along Lake Nicaragua, cruise along the Tenorio River and snorkel over Panama's reefs before biking along the Panama Canal. On average guests bike 22 miles daily on tarmac (80%) and groomed dirt (20%) roads.
A Literary Adventure About A Single Father & His Two Kids Across The Globe
For intrepid parents together or single, here is a great read, Monkey Dancing, written by my friend Daniel Glick. Newly single, Glick took his son and daughter to the ends of the earth to play in the realm of several endangered species. This is about environmentalism, parenting and their unfolding adventure as a family.
Cover photo by Daniel Glick
