Patagonia
Torres del Paine’s granite towers, glaciers and windswept trails, with lodges that make it feel easy.
- Best months
- November to March
- Typical length
- 7 to 10 nights
- Best for
- Hikers
Active & adventure
Earn the view, then enjoy a great dinner and a real bed.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Typical length
- 6 to 12 days
- Best time
- Depends on where; every month is good somewhere
- Group size
- Private or small groups
- The pace
- Active days, comfortable nights
- Usually included
- Guides, gear and logistics
- Great for
- Active couples, families with teens and friends
Why active travel feels so good
You see more on foot, by bike or by kayak, and you come home feeling better than when you left.
Hike Patagonia or the Dolomites, bike through Croatia, kayak in Alaska or snorkel the reef in Belize. We match the trip to your fitness and your idea of fun, with expert guides and comfortable lodges at the end of each day.
Adventure doesn’t have to mean roughing it. Most of our active trips pair big days outside with boutique hotels, great food and luggage that moves without you.
Where to go
Big landscapes and great guides, from easy adventures to bucket-list treks.
The Dolomites & Alps
Hut-to-hut hikes, via ferratas and alpine villages with cable cars to the top.
- Best months
- June to September
- Typical length
- 7 to 10 nights
- Best for
- Hikers, families with teens
Machu Picchu & Peru
Hike the Inca Trail or ride the train, with time in the Sacred Valley and Cusco.
- Best months
- April to October
- Typical length
- 8 to 10 nights
- Best for
- Bucket-list adventure
Iceland
Glacier hikes, waterfalls and hot springs, plus the northern lights in winter.
- Best months
- June to August; September to March for aurora
- Typical length
- 6 to 8 nights
- Best for
- Short flights, big landscapes
New Zealand
Great Walks, kayaking in Milford Sound and Queenstown’s adventures.
- Best months
- November to April
- Typical length
- 12 to 16 nights
- Best for
- Big trips
Costa Rica
Zip lines, whitewater rafting, volcano hikes and surf lessons.
- Best months
- December to April
- Typical length
- 8 to 10 nights
- Best for
- Families, first adventures
Belize
Snorkel the barrier reef, tube through caves and climb Maya temples.
- Best months
- December to April
- Typical length
- 7 to 9 nights
- Best for
- Water lovers
Utah & Arizona
Zion, Bryce at sunrise and the Grand Canyon, no passport required.
- Best months
- April to May, September to October
- Typical length
- 6 to 8 nights
- Best for
- Close-to-home adventure
Croatia & the Adriatic
Sea kayaking, island biking and swimming between old stone towns.
- Best months
- May to June, September
- Typical length
- 7 to 9 nights
- Best for
- Couples, friends
When to go
Adventure is seasonal. Here’s when each place is at its best.
DestinationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PatagoniaJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: GoodMay: Off seasonJun: Off seasonJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: Off seasonOct: GoodNov: BestDec: Best
Dolomites & AlpsJan: Off seasonFeb: Off seasonMar: Off seasonApr: Off seasonMay: GoodJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: GoodNov: Off seasonDec: Off season
PeruJan: Off seasonFeb: Off seasonMar: Off seasonApr: GoodMay: BestJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: GoodNov: GoodDec: Off season
IcelandJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: GoodApr: Off seasonMay: GoodJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: GoodOct: GoodNov: GoodDec: Good
New ZealandJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: GoodMay: Off seasonJun: Off seasonJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: Off seasonOct: GoodNov: BestDec: Best
Costa RicaJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: GoodJun: GoodJul: BestAug: GoodSep: Off seasonOct: Off seasonNov: GoodDec: Best
BelizeJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: GoodJun: GoodJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: Off seasonOct: Off seasonNov: GoodDec: Best
Utah & ArizonaJan: Off seasonFeb: Off seasonMar: GoodApr: BestMay: BestJun: GoodJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Off season
CroatiaJan: Off seasonFeb: Off seasonMar: Off seasonApr: GoodMay: BestJun: BestJul: GoodAug: GoodSep: BestOct: GoodNov: Off seasonDec: Off season
Best Good Off season
Northern summer
June to September is prime time for the Alps, the Dolomites and Iceland.
Southern summer
November to March brings the best weather in Patagonia and New Zealand.
Dry seasons
December to April is ideal in Costa Rica and Belize, and April to October in Peru.
Shoulder seasons
Spring and fall are perfect for Utah, Arizona and Croatia, when it’s cooler and quieter.
Find your pace
Be honest about how active you want to be. We’ll match the trip to it.
Easy active
Gentle walks, bike paths and snorkeling, with plenty of downtime.
Moderate
Half-day to full-day hikes or rides, with a support vehicle when you need it.
Challenging
Multi-day treks, long rides and big climbs, for travelers who train for it.
Family adventure
Activities teens and parents can share, with a few thrills built in.
On the water
Snorkeling, sea kayaking, rafting and sailing.
A day on an active trip
- Morning
Fuel up
A hearty breakfast and a briefing from your guide.
- Late morning
On the trail
Hike, bike or paddle at your own pace, with support nearby.
- Midday
Lunch with a view
Somewhere you earned.
- Afternoon
Your choice
Keep going, or head back early for a massage.
- Evening
A real bed
A hot shower, good food and a comfortable lodge.
Usually included
- Expert local guides
- Bikes, kayaks or gear as needed
- Luggage moved between stops
- A support vehicle on many trips
- Comfortable lodges and most meals
Often extra
- Flights
- Permits on some trips, like the Inca Trail
- Add-ons like rafting or helicopter tours
- Gratuities for guides
- Travel insurance that covers your activities
Destination spotlight
Costa Rica
Zip lines, volcanoes, hot springs and two coastlines, the perfect first adventure for families and friends.
Explore Costa RicaGood to know
The small things that make a big difference.
Be honest about fitness
We’ll match the trip to how you actually like to move, not how you think you should.
Break in your boots
A few weeks of walks before you go makes a big difference on day one.
Book permits early
Popular routes like the Inca Trail sell out months ahead.
Get the right insurance
Make sure your policy covers hiking, biking or anything else you’re planning.
Dress in layers
Mountain weather changes fast. Layers and a rain shell cover almost everything.
Mind the altitude
Cusco sits above 11,000 feet. Plan an easy first day and drink plenty of water.
Questions we hear a lot
How fit do I need to be?
It depends on the trip. We offer everything from easy, flexible days to serious treks, and we’ll help you choose honestly.
Can we mix active and relaxed days?
Yes. Most of our trips alternate big days with easier ones, and include time to rest.
Are adventure trips good for teenagers?
Very. Many activities have minimum ages, but teens are often the most enthusiastic travelers on the trip.
What if someone in our group is less active?
We plan options for each day, so everyone can choose their own level and meet up for dinner.
Do I need special gear?
Usually just good shoes and layers. Bikes, kayaks and technical gear are provided on most trips.
Let’s plan your adventure
Tell us how you like to move and where you’ve always wanted to go. An advisor will take it from there.