Jetsettersblog

Peregrine has released its program of dedicated family adventures for 2012, venturing into North America for the first time. The holidays are designed to strike a balance between exciting kid-friendly adventure, learning experiences – and taking the travel hassles out of the family holiday for harried parents.

From tracking big game with Masai warriors to camping with nomads in Morocco, to visiting wonders like the Pyramids, Angkor Wat and the Great Wall, the trips offer opportunities for families to meet the locals and experience other ways of life. Most are suitable for children aged six and above, and consider child-friendly practicalities as minimising travelling times and ensuring family-friendly accommodation.

New for 2012, the Cowboys and Indians Discovery adventure explores America’s wild west, starting with Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, where the pink, orange and white sandstone spires known locally as the ‘Hoodoos’ form a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Kids – and adventurous parents – can try horse riding on a ranch in Utah’s high country, and enjoy some home-cooked ‘cowboy’ food, before continuing to Monument Valley, the setting for countless westerns and heart of the Navajo Nation. The trip includes a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour with a Navajo guide, followed by a swim at Lake Powell – parents can relax while kids can burn off energy with a range of watersport options.

The climax of the trip is the Grand Canyon, where there is a full day to walk the trails, watch the IMAX film and take the optional helicopter ride over the canyon.

The 10-day Cowboys and Indians Discovery adventure begins and ends in Las Vegas and costs $1979 per person, twin share, including all accommodation and transport, tour leader and entrance fees. There are departures in April, July and August, 2012.

Also new for 2012 is the Canada Discovery family adventure, which gets underway in Yoho National Park in British Columbia with a full day to try canoeing on Emerald Lake or white water rafting on the legendary Kicking Horse River.

There’s plenty to do over three days in Banff National Park, from taking the cable car to the top of Sulphur Mountain, to walking the trails, relaxing in the hot springs or spotting some of the 260 local bird species – as well as hiking around Lake Louise to a teahouse renowned for the best chocolate cake in Canada!

The Icefields Parkway tracks beneath the towering, jagged peaks of the Rockies, leading to Jasper National Park, where there is a guided walk on the Athabasca Glacier, and time to rent a bicycle for a ride through a landscape of mountain lakes and meadows.

There are more adventures en route along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and at Wells Gray Provincial Park, before the penultimate stop in Vancouver. There are guided activities and free time to explore the city before the crossing the US border to where the trip ends in Seattle.

The 11-day Canada Discovery family tour starts in Seattle and costs from $1809 per person, twin share, including all accommodation and transport, some meals, tour leader and entrance fees. There are four departures over July and August, 2012.

For further information, contact your travel agent or Peregrine Travel Centre on 1300 854 500, or visit www.peregrineadventures.com