Make Meaningful Memories While Helping Conserve the Planet

We know the many benefits of travel. When we journey away from our homes to destinations near and far, we gain opportunities to experience new (to us) communities through cultures, customs, landscapes and, of course, cuisines. And when we travel with others, those experiences are not only shared but they also improve our relationships.

According to a report published by Indiana University, families who travel together say they have “increased bonds, connectedness and positive feelings; improved cohesion, relationships and loyalty between family members; and creation of shared-life memories.” Additionally, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services says traveling as an ecotourist offers fun educational opportunities to learn about the local ecosystems and wildlife, perfect for families.

PHOTO: © CHAD CASE VISUALS

According to The Nature Conservancy, introducing children as young as 5 years old to the diversity of nature including animals, landscapes and climates, can help them build an appreciation for the world around them and their part in it. To that end, Biosphere, created by Responsible Tourism Institute, states one of the benefits of eco-travel for kids is exposure to different cultures, in turn leading to a lasting global vision.

In response to increased interest in family eco-travel, the travel industry has developed trips and itineraries to meet families’ needs. From right here in the United States to far-flung destinations around the world, we take a look at some of the leading eco-travel outfitters and the trips curated especially for families.

For nearly 90 years REI has been a leading name in the outdoors since its inception in 1938, with co-op stores around the country. Some may be surprised to learn REI also offers organized U.S.-based trips through its REI Adventures, including eight small-group family adventures ranging from three to six days and activity levels from Easy Active to Moderate.

If you and your family enjoy hiking and camping, consider itineraries to Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. Or add paddling and even bicycling to hiking on the REI Adventures to Yellowstone National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains, the New River Gorge in West Virginia or Washington’s San Juan Islands. All trips are led by expert, world-class guides from diverse backgrounds trained to minimize the environmental footprint of every adventure.

The mission behind Discover Corps is to inspire travelers, including the youngest ones, to become advocates for our planet’s natural wonders, cultural treasures and local communities through immersive and sustainable vacations with purpose. To that end, Discover Corps designs trips with sustainable travel practices in mind so experiences are authentic, meaningful and inspiring.

Discover Corps’ most popular family vacations include the six-day Baja – Marine Wildlife Adventure, wherein families swim with whale sharks, snorkel with sea lions, go standup paddling and kayaking, spot whales and help with sea turtle conservation in “the Aquarium of the World.” Tanzania – Safari & Service is a 10-day trip during which you and your family volunteer at a local school to tutor students in English and math, plant gardens, hike to waterfalls, learn to make traditional batik and go on a three-day safari. Oaxaca: Women & Girls’ Empowerment includes spending six days exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, making traditional dishes, and working with a leading nonprofit organization to empower and lift up women in the Oaxaca Valley.

Collaborating with the World Wildlife Fund, Natural Habitat Adventures firmly believes “we have a crucial responsibility to help protect our natural world, and that conservation and exploration go hand in hand.” For nearly 40 years the outfitter has helped travelers rediscover their connection to the world while working to protect it at the same time. With itineraries developed alongside WWF scientists, you’re sure to find a trip that appeals to your entire family, all 100 percent offset by NatHab.

For example, there’s the Custom Family Costa Rica Adventure, a design- your-own option that can include zip lining in the rainforest, horseback riding and float trips, not to mention spotting wildlife such as sloths, crocodiles, monkeys and iguanas — the choice is yours. Or go on a 10-day Family Botswana Safari and watch elephants, lions, cheetahs and more stunning wildlife from your authentic tented safari camp and safari vehicles.

© GREG MCGILL | DREAMSTIME.COM

Making its start as a rafting company in Oregon 45 years ago, ROW Adventures has grown to offer adventures around the world, remaining inclusive and sustainable along the way. In addition to living out its mission of sharing nature and enriching the lives of its guests, ROW Adventures works to minimize its impact on the destinations to which it travels while at the same time supporting local communities and organizations. The outfitter sees its trips as opportunities and a responsibility to encourage more people to advocate for the places they visit.

With rafting at the heart of ROW, it’s no surprise several of its Family Adventures hit the water for some epic float time over three to five days in Idaho, Montana and Oregon. There are other adventures, too, like four- to six-day bike trips in Idaho and Washington; and three- to nine-day international adventures to British Columbia, Mexico, Peru and the Galápagos.

With a name like Adventures by Disney, it should come as no surprise it curates nearly all of its itineraries especially for families and the length of time they have to travel. From two- to five-day Escapes (which also make terrific add-ons to other trips) to five- to nine-day Small Ship Adventures to seven- to 12-day Land Adventures, Adventures by Disney offers something for every family.

Eco-travel opportunities with Adventures by Disney include a five-day Amazon Escape complete with a multinight Amazon Basin riverboat cruise, rainforest walks, kayaking and a visit to one of the world’s most biodiverse places. Also consider a nine-day Galápagos Islands Expedition Cruise with snorkeling, kayaking and hiking amid the archipelago’s stunning landscapes and among its famous wildlife; or an eight-day Land Adventure to Colombia where you and your family hike in the Cocora Valley (which inspired Encanto filmmakers), make arepas in a private cooking class and learn about the conservation of cotton-top tamarin monkeys. A team of Adventure Guides and local experts lead all Adventures by Disney trips to make the most of your journey.

© DAVID MERRON / JACADA TRAVEL

Luxury and eco-travel effortlessly blend in the family-friendly trips offered by Jacada Travel, a provider of bespoke travel experiences driven by positive impact that encourage travelers to rediscover, reconnect and be part of something bigger than themselves. Jacada’s Positive Impact travel supports conservation efforts and communities in the destinations it visits, with an intention to support local businesses and causes.

Family trips, safaris and tours available from Jacada span Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, each tailored to perfectly fit your family’s preferences. From stunning safaris in Kenya to chasing the Northern Lights in Finland, hiking among the cherry blossoms in Japan to snorkeling teeming reefs and spotting kangaroos in Australia, the Jacada team makes all your family eco-travel dreams come true.

© QUARK EXPEDITIONS

Since its inception in 1991 when it took its first group of adventurers to the North Pole, Quark Expeditions has committed to environmentally responsible tourism to protect the destinations to which they guide trips. The outfitter also endeavors to create meaningful and lasting connections between its guests and the places they visit. To that end, Quark Expeditions partners with community leaders, scientists and sustainable innovators in polar regions to support their projects and programs through both monetary and in-kind donations.

Focused on the world’s polar regions, Quark Expeditions’ family-friendly itineraries include the Canadian High Arctic; Greenland and Svalbard, Norway, in the Arctic; Patagonia at the tip of South America; the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in the South Atlantic; and Snow Hill Island and the Antarctic Peninsula in Antarctica, each with its own appeal.

What better way to reconnect with your family and make lasting memories together than on a trip that benefits the planet, too?