4.8 Stars (46 reviews)
Honestly, we were not sure what to expect: as time drew closer, we were starting to get concerned about our plan of going to the desert in the middle of the summer. There were heat warnings and advisories and even news of a lady that died of heat in the Grand Canyon! We had never done a guided trip before with the kids and there was going to be plenty of hiking in 100+ heat.
Our trip started off with a long day in Scottsdale after our airline moved us to a very early morning. It was a scorching day in Scottsdale waiting for our tour to start. The next morning, our guides, Joel and Bob, showed up promptly and ready to go. They greeted us and the kids and we set out. We got used to seeing the Austin Adventures van and trailer for the next week!
On day 1, we headed down to the Salt River and got ready to kayak. Joel joined us on our adventure while Bob drove the van to the pick up spot. We had an REI guide with us who lead the group, but having our AA guide with us was great too. They were all very diligent in our need of water, sunblock, and snacks all week. The kayak trip was very nice. The weather was very hot, but the water was cold. We got to paddle and even take turns jumping off of a rock into the channel. It was a very fun way to get things rolling, esp. for the kids. Bob had lunch waitin for us and it was great. All of the guide lunches we had were very good and plentiful. After the kayaking, we headed to Prescott.
Day 2- we started off with a fantastic breakfast at the Hassayampa Inn. The pancakes were huge! My daughter loved her parfait and rest of the crew had tasty omelets. I loved getting Joel's advice on what was good on the menu at each place. After a big breakfast, we headed to Watson Lake outside Prescott. What a beautiful place! Yes, it was hot... But, Joel and Bob always had plenty of water and lots of info about local plants, wildlife, and geological formations. . After the hike, we headed to "Bear"-izona. That's the most bears I've ever seen. We got to feed the grizzlies which was cool. Then we headed to Williams. We would be on our own for the afternoon. Joel gave us several recommendations for what to try for supper.
Day 3-after breakfast the next morning in Williams, we watched a wild west show at the train depot. It was pretty "meh", but we didn't have anything else to do while waiting for the train. The train ride was fun. I enjoyed looking for wildlife as we rode along. After we got to the Grand Canyon, they picked us up and took us to another tasty lunch, except this time it was on the rim and our first glimpse of the GC. We hiked along the rim back to our hotel. What a magnificent sight! It's such a beautiful place. That rim hike was a good warm-up to our canyon hike the next day. We rested up, did a little souvenir shopping, then had a great supper at the El Tovar.
Day 4-This was the big day--into the Grand Canyon! We had a good breakfast at El Tovar. Joel had recommended the avocado toast. I'd never had it before and it was very good. After that we headed to the South Kaibab trail head. We were going to head some miles into the canyon and then back out. Like the guides said, "into the canyon, optional. Out of the canyon, mandatory!" We loaded up lunch and plenty of water. We went all the way down to Cedar Point. The trip out was tough, but not as bad as we thought. We rested a bit then headed to supper outside the park.
Day 5-We headed out of the park to the watch tower and lunch in Flagstaff. The pizza there was great! After that, a beautiful drive to Sedona. It was hot again, but another great place. We got to spend some time in the pool watching the bats fly around.
Day 6-The last day. The Pink Jeep tour was a fantastic way to see the Sedona area. We had a good time doing that. We saw Montezuma's Castle which was a very interesting look at some American history. Then back to the airport and home! It was a great trip!
Grand Canyon Family Vacation, January 1970
4.9 Stars (165 reviews)
This vacation was nothing short of EPIC. It was well-planned and efficient, with everything running smoothly. There was a great variety of activity that kept the whole family engaged (ages 9-70+). The food was great, and meals accommodated all dietary needs, including vegan. The views and the experiences are things we will be talking about for many years to come - whitewater rafting, Old Faithful, moose and bison galore, Artist Point, Wapiti Trail, and biking in the shadows of the Grand Tetons. Every picture I took on my phone looks like a postcard!
It was our magnificent guides, Rhet and Bryson, that made it all happen. This was concierge service at its finest! These gentlemen joyful engaged the whole family, especially the kids. They recognized and addressed needs even before we expressed them. They kept us safe and entertained at every step. They adjusted our itinerary based on our interests and energy levels. By the end of the trip, we were prepared to adopt them as permanent members of the family.
Yellowstone & Grand Teton Family Vacation, January 1970
4.9 Stars (125 reviews)
It sounds silly, but I had no idea that Alaska would be so beautiful. I kept forgetting how splendid it was, and then I would look up suddenly and see the snow covered mountains off in the distance and marvel again at what a great place I’d come to. The guides (Jessie, Steve and Olivia) were phenomenal. I could never do that job. They always had a smile on their face and their enthusiasm was contagious. The weather did not always cooperate but the benefit of being with the group was we got up and did the activities anyway. Afterwards, we were glad we did. We saw humpback whales bubble netting, saw a bear in a tree, saw a sea otter with a baby on her belly and had some splendid bike rides and hikes. All and all I am very glad I went to Alaska with the wonderful people in my group.
Kenai Fjords Adventure, January 1970
4.8 Stars (41 reviews)
I loved every moment of this trip. The itinerary was on point and we saw so much in just 8 days. The highlight was our guides who went out of their way to make sure everyone in the group had the best experience. Looking forward to my next trip with Austin/Active!
Yellowstone, Glacier & Grand Teton Adventure, January 1970
4.9 Stars (177 reviews)
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
Yellowstone, Big Sky & Paradise Valley Family Vacation, January 1970
4.8 Stars (9 reviews)
Everything was top notch on our trip to Switzerland. Great guides, great itinerary and very organized.
Swiss Alps Adventure, January 1970
4.8 Stars (9 reviews)
We did an Active Adventures trip to Switzerland in July 2023. Neither of us had been, and always up for an active adventure, this seemed perfect for us. We're not really "group" people and were worried about getting "stuck" with people who weren't compatible, but we were fortunate not only to have only two other guests in our group, but they happened to be perfectly matched with us in terms of fitness and lust for adventure. They were awesome, and we formed genuine friendships with them and our guides.
Our guides were Peter and Ronnie, and they had everything to do with why our experience was so great. Obviously personable, warm, and "tuned in" to their guests, they were also willing to adjust our schedules when it was advantageous to do so. We tended to finish the planned activities quite early (partly because there were only four of us, and we were a bit quick), so they would improvise and tack on additional activities that always proved to be a welcome accoutrement. We were exhausted, exhilarated, and sated at the end of every day ~ exactly what we were hoping for!
We worried that we'd be bike riding "in the Alps," so we opted for ebikes. Not really necessary, as most of the biking is quite flat. The hiking can sometimes be straight up, so be prepared for some stiff hikes, although not overly strenuous. If you can do the Via Ferrata, DO IT! We've done one before (Peru), and this one was every bit as wonderful. It's truly a highlight.
The accommodations and meals were amazing. The servers and hotel staff all knew our guides well, so we were treated to impeccable service (I'm sure it would have been in any case). They choose locations that are stunningly beautiful and provide access to everything the areas have to offer. Our guides took care of absolutely every detail, from caring for and storing the bikes to tipping the Via Ferrata guide, preparing snacks for the activities, and providing history and culture details that we were hungry for.
As an aside, if you happen to get either Peter or Ronnie as your guide, consider yourself lucky. They work well as a team, showing one another immense respect and playing off each other's strengths - but be sure to treat yourself to some of their personal stories. They're both adventuresome, and have the most amazing experiences ~ I couldn't get enough! Ask Peter about his biking tour through the U.S. with his wife and kids ~ you'll think you're in the middle of the most intriguing docudrama you've ever watched.
Swiss Alps Adventure, January 1970
4.9 Stars (321 reviews)
We did the Yellowstone Family trip in July 2023. We felt that we hit the jackpot when we got Jamie and Jackie as our tour guides! They were just amazing and so knowledgeable about the park. I felt that we got a great education about the area and especially about all of the geothermal features. They took absolutely perfect care of us and made everything fun and easy. Although it seemed expensive, I truly felt that we got even more than what we paid for. The accomadations were terrific. When the guides cooked for us, the food was quite yummy. It was only OK at some of the hotel restaurants, though the last hotel meal was really good. We liked the itinerary and adventures. My 13 year old daughter especially enjoyed the river rafting and zip line. For me, the hikes were the highlight. The guides found spectacular hikes off the beaten track where we did not encounter crowds. Overall, I would highly recommend this trip for families.
Yellowstone Family Vacation, January 1970