Outdoor Activities

Get up close to giant pandas during a private tour of the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Center from Chengdu. Volunteer alongside dedicated animal keepers to record behavior, clean enclosures and prepare food for the adorable mammals. Ensure the endangered species continue to prosper in the wild and in enclosures with your valued support and gain fascinating insight into the behavior and physiology of the animals. Capture photgraphs with the pandas to immortalize you memories (own expense) and enjoy a traditional Chinese lunch and convenient round-trip transportation on this tour.

It's not just the skiing and climbing that makes Chamonix a world-class adventure destination: the area is famous for paragliding, too. Take to the air in perfect safety from 3,900 feet (2,100 meters) on a tandem flight with an instructor. Savor spectacular views of the Alps as your pilot manipulates the wing to ride the air currents from Plan Praz or Plan de l'Aiguille (cable-car ticket not included).

Float high over the Swiss Alps on this 1.5-hour paragliding adventure from Lauterbrunnen. Flying tandem with an experienced pilot, soar over the alpine landscape of the Schilthorn and the Lauterbrunnen U-Valley. No experience is necessary; participants of all abilities are welcome. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lauterbrunnen is included.

Learn about the amazingly diverse creatures that inhabit the coastal areas of Peru during this 4-hour Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge tour in Lima. Admire the refuge's beautiful collection of birds including Andean coots, Peruvian pelicans, gulls and Great grebes, along with the numerous fish, reptiles and amphibians that also call the site home. Your refuge visit also includes a professional guide and round-trip hotel transport.

Fly like a bird above Teide National Park, and feel your adrenaline rush, on this tandem paragliding experience with an expert pilot. After a brief orientation from your pilot, take off from one of the highest peaks in Spain. Soar over the valley of La Orotava, the tourist town of Puerto de la Cruz, and more.

Trek through the rainforest to Praia do Sono (Sono Beach) on this full-day guided tour from Paraty. Set out from Laranjeiras Village through the leafy jungle filled with native plant and animal life, learning about the area's history and natural resources from your experienced hiking guide along the way. After about an hour, reach Praia do Sono to relax and swim during several hours' free time before hiking back to your starting point. Round-trip transportation from Paraty hotels is included.

Explore a tropical forest in the heart of Panama City on a half-day walking tour through the Parque Natural Metropolitano and Ancon Hill. Watch for sloths, monkeys and tree frogs as you hike through the lush jungle, and learn the names for Panama's native plants and animals. Take in sweeping views of the capital from the top of Ancon Hill, see flocks of birds erupt from the foliage and experience the tranquility of Panama City's only wildlife refuge. 

Immerse yourself in Palo Verde National Park and the surrounding area on this half-day guided tour. At the park, you'll be able to spot wildlife such as white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys; 3-foot-long (1-meter-long) iguanas; crocodiles; and more from on board a boat. Following a Costa Rican lunch, view a demonstration of local hand-crafted pottery and stop in Coco Beach to shop.

Feel like you're floating on air in Cape Town thanks to this fun-filled, 30-minute paragliding flight from Signal Hill. Get a bird's eye view of the famous Table Mountain, the coast, and the city of Cape Town below as gracefully glide through the air with a tandem paragliding instructor.

If you've already ticked off Rome's historical attractions, spend the day in the great outdoors at an adventure park that takes you on a journey over the treetops. An ideal choice for families and thrill seekers, this experience includes all equipment and can be upgraded to include convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Rome.

India's National Chambal Sanctuary, a wildlife reserve along the River Chambal, lies south of Ranthambore National Park, and boasts crocodiles, turtles, foxes, and rich birdlife. On this boat safari, float along the river to look for marsh crocodiles, the endangered gharial crocodile, and other species, while absorbing the tranquil scenery. Ideal for visitors to Ranthambore wanting to widen their wildlife-spotting without having to arrange a boat themselves.

Take your Rio de Janeiro visit to new heights thanks to this 8-hour private hiking excursion to the top of Pedra da Gavea. Travel to Rio's Tijuca rainforest for your ascent of this 9,060-foot (842-meter) pinnacle of rock, admiring local wildlife during the steep climb. You'll eventually strap on climbing equipment, completing a few basic rock climbing sections on your trip to the top. Enjoy stunning views of greater Rio from the peak before rappelling back down. A guide, equipment and round-trip hotel transport from select locations are all included.

Hike to the summit of Pedra Bonita, a rocky viewpoint with a magnificent look at Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. This moderate 4-hour hiking tour through the Tijuca Forest takes you along the Agulhinha Gavea trail to the granite peak. Snap photos of Pedra da Gávea, Sao Conrado and the hang gliders taking off from the top. Upgrade to venture with your own personal guide on a private tour that includes round-trip hotel transport.

Head inland from Tamarindo to explore one of Costa Rica's natural treasures from the water on a small-group boat tour through Palo Verde National Park. Trade in the beach for the forests and mangroves of this protected wildlife reserve as you cruise down the Tempisque River, where wildlife such as crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and birds are often spotted in the surrounding wetlands. All transport and a fresh Costa Rican lunch are included.

Experience Palm Springs' wilder side with admission to The Living Desert, a zoo and botanical garden that showcase desert plants and wildlife from around the world. Explore the 1200-acre (486-ha) property on hiking trails and extensive tram lines that cross ecosystems from Africa, the Americas and the Australian Outback. Watch for the park's 450 animals as you learn how they adapt to life in earth's most arid places, and enjoy live shows, animal feedings and family-friendly activities aimed at education and conservation.

Cruise through a tropical rain forest on a 7-hour excursion to the Tempisque River along Costa Rica's Palo Verde National Park. Explore an ecosystem teeming with wildlife as a guide with extensive knowledge about the area points out flora and fauna while navigating the river on an intimate motor boat.

Explore a jungle river that flows alongside Palo Verde National park with a 5-hour wildlife tour and riverboat cruise from Tamarindo. Watch for crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys and dozens of birds as you navigate the slow-moving Tempisque River, spend two hours on the water spotting animals in their natural habitats, then come to shore for a traditional Costa Rican lunch. Learn the history of this once-bustling river that's among the region's most important bird sanctuaries, and finish your day with a return transfer to Tamarindo.

Imagine yourself as a bird, feel the currents of air rushing past your face. Enjoy a 25 to 30 minute paragliding experience and look at the beautiful views of Alanya beneath you. Transfer provided from centrally located Alanya Hotels. Alanya paragliding can be done 3 times a day. Please ask for availability.

Trek the Pedra da Gávea trail with a hiking guide during this 3-hour eco-adventure in Rio. Over the course of 2.5 hours, make your way to the summit of one of the city's most famous rock formations at 2,763 feet (842 meters) above sea level. Get stunning views of the Tijuca Forest and the entire city of Rio de Janeiro, including its most famous landmarks. Although the last portion of the trail is steep, this hike is suitable for most fitness levels. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Take a full-day detour from Alice Springs to visit Palm Valley - a fertile oasis in the midst of the Outback that's accessible only by 4WD vehicle. See ancient rock formations and spring-fed pools, and enjoy a picnic lunch in Finke Gorge National Park. Learn about the area's indigenous history with a visit to the Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg, where you can tour the town mission and a local painter's home.