Immersive Adventure Tours for Animal Lovers

Just as class pets and family fur-members can teach kids the importance of responsibility, patience and caring, working with animals is an invaluable lesson for all ages.

Working animals, like horses and sometimes dogs, can teach us humans a thing or two in fun, interesting ways. Traverse a new landscape on horseback, learning to trust the animal while leading it with confidence, or even whip through the snowy Arctic with a team of man’s best friend leading the charge.

For the Love of Horses and Warm Climates

Bushwhack through the jungle on horseback like a blockbuster adventure-movie hero with a Custom Family Costa Rica Adventure. Keep an eye out for local neon-colored bills of toucans amid the misty forests — all with towering volcanoes in the near distance. Sound scenic enough? Costa Rica is set for dramatic views, diverse landscapes and incredible wildlife sightings.

When seeing the landscape is just not good enough and your family also wants to learn about the diverse biology of the region from resident scientists and conservationists conducting important ecological research of the country’s rain forest ecosystem, this tour does not disappoint.

Sloth sighting in Costa Rica. Photo: Harry Collins | Dreamstime.com

The educational and immersive experiences in Costa Rica are endless. Discover how cacao beans become chocolate with hands-on lessons, or get the full scale of the rainforest in one fell swoop — literally with a zip line lesson. Horse enthusiasts and first-time riders alike can appreciate an incredible ride through the forest, seeking resident sloths. This tour begins at $5,095 and can be arranged upon request, with room to customize.

For Dog-Lovers and Snowy Tundra

When your summer is already filled to the brim with no time for (another) vacation, save this experience for fall. The Arctic tundra around Churchill, Manitoba, is truly a natural wonder and one of the last of its kind. Take a six-day adventure tour with Churchill Arctic Family Adventure and learn all about the delicate Arctic ecosystem. This meaningful and eye-opening excursion highlights the importance of understanding our warming world and conservation awareness.

Manitoba Polar Bear. Photo: Lynn Bystrom | Dreamstime.com

Follow along with Expedition Leaders with information-filled treks through the frozen tundra. Join helicopter rides over frozen Hudson Bay spotting polar bears, or hop onboard a special Polar Rover, a monster truck-sized vehicle specially designed to let guests experience up-close wildlife interactions safely for both the animals and riders. Keep an eye out for polar bear, Arctic fox and caribou.

A trip to the great white tundra wouldn’t be complete without a sled-dog ride. Race through the boreal forest with a team of four-legged friends at the helm.

Some lucky travelers might even see the stunning northern lights in the evening when all the racing, riding and wildlife spotting settles down.

This tour begins at $5,995 and departs for the Arctic Nov. 16 and 18.