Best ABD trip with active 12 and 14 year old boys??

[iujen94]

We went on our first ABD trip 2 years ago - to Costa Rica, and the destination was perfect for our two super active boys (then 9 and 11, will be 12 and 14 for a possible ABD trip next summer). What other ABD trips are good with active boy tweens and teens? I'd love to go to Italy but they pooh-poohed that as "too much sightseeing". Suggestions??

 

[BluesTraveler]

We have Wyoming booked this summer with our 2 active boys (ages 9 and 12), and based on what I've read this looks like a good fit. I will report back, we don't go until late July.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Australia had snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, boating around crocs, semi-sub ride through the GBR, surfing, kayaking, bicycling, stargazing, zip lining, and hiking in the rainforest (on our own in Queensland) and in the desert with ABD in Uluru and on Tasmania. On our own we also climbed Sydney Harbor Bridge and took a helicopter ride over the GBR. Also learned how to throw boomerangs and spears. It was a pretty active trip.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I know you're looking at ABD, which is great, but have you looked at NatGeo, at all? I'm not sure what their age requirement is but they have trips specifically for more active adventurers.

 

[calypso726]

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I just had stop and say best DISboards name ever!

 

[DCPhotoGal]

Hi Ecuador and Galapagos trip is quite active as was Peru. My girls are 11 and 13 and both enjoyed those trips in the past two years.

 

[Bobo912]

We visited the Galapagos when my son was 11 (with Lindblad/Nat Geo, not ABD), and that is a wonderful and active location for young people. We did the Alaska ABD when he was 9, Arizona/Utah at 11, and Peru at 13, I recommend all of those. My son enjoyed the Ireland ABD, but some other kids on the trip seemed bored at times with the more historical stops on the trip.

 

[Luv2trav]

Following this post. We too have 2 sons 15/13 and I am interested in others suggestions. We are doing our first ABD this summer AZ/UT but hopefully not out last

 

[vikequeen]

I have boys about that age. I am looking at the new Montana itinerary. It seems like a good fit for active boys.

 

[acndis]

Another vote for Peru! A very active adventure with almost no museums or estate tours. My nine year old LOVED it! The Grand Canyon trip is also really fun.

 

[Cousin Orville]

For @acndis and @DCPhotoGal, did you feel you had enough time in Machu Picchu? It looks like some tours include 1 day and some 2 days.

 

[acndis]

For @acndis and @DCPhotoGal, did you feel you had enough time in Machu Picchu? It looks like some tours include 1 day and some 2 days.

Cousin O,

I did. It was amazing but the one day was enough for me. I would have liked to hike to Sun Gate so it might have been nice to have an extra hour or so at the site.

I know some other companies spend the night in Machu Picchu while ABD returns to Sol y Luna (which is one of the best places I have ever stayed). Alyssa (ABD guide) said Disney had considered that but it would only be for one night which the guest don't usually like too much. (She mentioned Uluru in Australia as the exception to that but still mentioned the logistics there were tough).

I am sure there is a lot more to take in at Machu Picchu but I felt the same way that I did at Angkor Watt. The day was fine for me. If you spent the free day at Angkor Watt or have several hikes you want to do, it may not be enough for you at Macchu Picchu.

The Peru trip is only 9 days and they are packed! I was okay with the good price (I think Peru is one of the best values ABD offers) even if it meant a shorter visit to Machu Picchu.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

For @acndis and @DCPhotoGal, did you feel you had enough time in Machu Picchu? It looks like some tours include 1 day and some 2 days.

Yes, I felt like it was enough time for me. Because ABD has lunch up on the mountain, we had all morning and then all afternoon there, and in the afternoon a lot of the other folks have left. So you essentially get two sessions with a lunch break. Our group also had the option to either walk down or take the bus. My older daughter and husband walked down and my younger daughter and I rode the bus.

If you are real serious hikers then you might feel like you missed out on hiking the Incan trail in conjunction with MP, but I think even that is pretty touristy. I enjoyed the train ride out to MP, it was also scenic.