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Adventure Life News

 WELL DONE Adventure Life Travelers!
Since the Galapagos Traveler-Funding program was launched in late November 2006, Adventure Life’s Galapagos travelers have contributed nearly $50,000 to Galapagos conservation. Those numbers are incredible! You should be very proud of your generosity – I know we sure are.

To learn more about the program and how your Galapagos travels can contribute to protecting the islands, click here.

Family Travel

Traveling as a family can provide children – and adults – with unbelievable, hands-on learning experiences that inspire us to understand, respect, and appreciate other cultures and environments. Family travel, however, is not without its hazards and can create added challenges for the safety, health, and enjoyment of everyone involved. On top of that, throw a variety of ages and interests in the mix, and now you really have a challenge on your hands.

Whatever the adventure, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when planning your next family getaway...


1. Choose an adventure as a family: Include your kids of all ages in the decision-making process. Show them pictures, talk about what you are hoping to experience, and don't forget to discuss some of the challenges you might encounter such as people who don't speak their language, strange foods, long walks, unscheduled time, etc.

2. Research the area: Make it a family project to learn about the country you will be traveling to. Encourage children to read books and/or watch films before the trip. Help your children think up questions that they would like to ask while they are there.

3. Documents: Many governments enforce specific rules at entry/exit points that often require notarized documentary evidence of the relationship you have with a child, and/or the permission for a child to travel when the parents or guardian are not present. So come prepared. Remember, no matter the age, your children will also need their own passports.

4. Consider health precautions: Contact your pediatrician to find out minimum age recommendations for suggested immunizations. Don't forget to discuss any specific health concerns for your child that might be aggravated by the stresses of overseas travel. Pack a basic first-aid kit including Band-Aids, pain relievers, anti-itch lotion, and anti-diarrhea medication.

5. Pack the essentials: Make sure all children pack their favorite book or portable game, along with travel games to keep them entertained during long flights or airport layovers. Bring crayons, pens, paper, etc in your carry-on so that kids can quickly access these items.

Great Family Adventures for All Ages


For the wildlife enthusiasts:
Wildlife Odyssey 16-day
Combine a Galapagos cruise with time in the Ecuadorian Amazon at Sacha Lodge. Full of unprecedented wildlife encounters, this tour stays grounded on a yacht and at a top-notch Amazon lodge. Another reason to like this itinerary: most Galapagos yachts offer discounts for children 12 and under.

Looking for a shorter, wildlife rich, family getaway? Consider splitting this trip in two, and explore just the Galapagos, or Sacha Lodge. Either are excellent options for the whole family.

For the hands-on & budding biologists:
Turtles and Rainforest 8-day
A unique experience where families join scientists and researchers in their turtle breeding programs – catching the turtle eggs as they are laid or helping the turtle hatchlings dig their way free to the surface. Educating and exciting for the young and old alike. Lodging is relatively remote and does not have electricity.

For the culturally curious:
Machu Picchu by Train 7-day
Easy-paced and fully-guided, this cultural trip gives families the chance to try new foods, see amazing sites, and stay in small, bed and breakfast style hotels that each has a distinctive flavor. Explore the Cusco, the Sacred Valley and finish the trip at the incredible Machu Picchu ruins.

If you have a few extra days to spare in Peru, I recommend adding an extension to Lake Titicaca where you can discover first-hand Peruvian hospitality, on a homestay with a local family.

For the super-deal seekers:
Costa Rica Quest 8-day
Costa Rica is a favorite destination for many families -- and for good reason. Great sun, beautiful jungles, charming people, and enough activities to keep everyone happy. Our Costa Rica Quest combines the jungles of Tortuguero with whitewater rafting and a visit to famous Arenal volcano. This itinerary is easy-paced but designed to keep families engaged and exhilarated. The icing on the cake? We offer a great child discount on this trip.

A future newsletter will highlight some of the best trips for families with younger children (ages 6 to 10) and for families with active teenagers. Can’t wait until then? Click here to find some great options, or give us a call at 1-800-344-6118.


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Fun Fact

 Galapagos tortoise on a wildlife tour of the Enchanted Islands Whereas most of the world finds mammals the dominating land animal, reptiles are the principal species on the Galapagos. Unlike mammals, reptiles are able to survive long periods without water, equipping them with the ability to make the epic 620 mile-long journey to the volcanic Galapagos islands from mainland Ecuador. The islands’ most famous reptile species is the giant tortoise. Roughly 15,000 of this ancient reptiles are estimated to reside on the islands. Ten sub-species of giant tortoise exist in the Galapagos' wild. The 11th species has one remaining survivor, Lonesome George, who resides at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

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