natural habitat trips

15 Great Natural and Wildlife Adventure Travel Trips

Some of the most amazing adventure travel experiences include interactions with wildlife in their natural habitats. There is nothing quite like spotting wild creatures in exotic locations around the globe, and fortunately you can have these types of experience on all seven continents. With that in mind, these are our favorite nature and wildlife adventures, all of which should be on your bucket list. 

Explore the Galapagos' Diverse Wildlife

Exploring blue-footed boobies on the Galapagos Islands and swimming near playful sea lions and giant tortoises in the surrounding ocean is the equivalent of putting yourself inside the latest edition of Planet Earth . That is exactly why so many travelers are choosing to spend days on a boat exploring these spectacular islands located off the coast of Ecuador. The award-winning Ecoventura ,  International Expeditions , ​and  Geographic Expeditions  offer departures throughout the year, with some family-friendly options for those who want to bring the kids.

Go Shark Diving

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

One of the most thrilling, heart-pounding, and visceral wildlife encounters takes place when divers come face-to-face with a great white sharks, tiger sharks, or other massive sea creatures. While it is true that these fearsome predators can be dangerous and intimidating at times, adventurous travelers can observe them safely from within a reinforced shark cage. The result is the opportunity to observe these legendary animals as they roam the open ocean. 

Shark Diver offers a variety of intimate encounters with sea life, taking clients on a cage dive to view great white sharks off Isla Guadalupe or into its deep dive-submarine to catch a glimpse  of giant squid in Roatan.

The Classic African Safari

When it comes to spotting animals in the wild, few experiences can compare with the classic African safari. Travelers can visit the Serengeti to watch a million wildebeest roam across the endless grasslands of Tanzania and Kenya  or the explore Kruger National Par k in South Africa for a different kind of safari experience. In both cases, you'll have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhinos and perhaps even cheetahs. Overnights can be in simple camping locations or luxury lodges or tents, depending on how much you want to spend. Some of the companies offering these tours include International Expeditions , Natural Habitat Adventures , and Abercrombie & Kent .

Spot Polar Bears in the Arctic

Everyone knows that Churchill in Manitoba, Canada is considers itself the "polar bear capital of the world," but there are other places where these creatures can be found in the wild. For instance, Norway's Svalbard region offers opportunities to see polar bears on the prowl in their natural habitat too. The remote and rugged Svalbard is an island that sits above the Arctic Circle and is said that the bears outnumber the people there. Adventurous travelers can find out of that is true by joining a tour hosted by Oceanwide Expeditions , which has been taking visitors into the wild for decades. 

Visit the Serengeti of North America

Yellowstone National Park is home to so much wildlife that it has been called the " Serengeti of North America ." Visitors to the world's first national park are likely to spot bison, elk, black and grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and an array of other creatures. The park offers stunning landscapes that serve as amazing backdrops to all of the wildlife viewing opportunities, which are available all year round, but are particularly epic during the winter. As with most U.S. national parks, Yellowstone is very easy to explore independently, just be sure to include the Lamar Valley on your "must-see" destinations. Alternatively however, there are a number of companies that offer great Yellowstone Tours, such as Austin Adventures based out of Billings, Montana . 

Dive the Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Ree f is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, and quite a destination for anyone who loves spotting sea creatures. The GBR is made up of 3000 individual reef systems and 900 islands, spread out across 1500 sq miles of area. It also happens to be home to more than 30 species of whales, dolphins, and other purposes, along with 1500 species of fish, and 17 species of sea snakes, and literally dozens of other creatures too. The reef is one of the absolute best spots in the world to go diving and snorkeling, with an abundance of guide companies offering live-aboard trips to explore its depths. Some of the best are found in Cairns , where you'll find operators that will take you out for a day or for a week. 

Bird Watching in the Amazon

The Amazon Jungle is home to more than 1500 different bird species, making it a fantastic destination for those who enjoy spotting avian wildlife. The birds of the Amazon are bright, colorful, large, and playful, making them fun to spot. Peru is one of the best places to experience these amazing creatures and G Adventures offers some of the best options for those looking to take a boat up the river. Along the way, you might even spot some other types of animals, including river dolphins that like to swim alongside the boat. 

Take an Orangutan Tour in Indonesia

Orangutans are some of the most fascinating primates on the planet, but it isn't always easy to find ways to see them in the wild. Fortunately,  Adventure Indonesia puts together regular trips into the jungle, which includes some unique opportunities to see these creatures in their natural home. The trip includes a boat excursion down the Lamandau River where travelers will learn more about orangutans and visit Camp Leakey where older orangutans are ​reintroduced back into the rain forest. They'll also get the chance to visit a Dyak Tribe villages too, providing a cultural context to the adventure as well. 

Watch Grizzly Bears in Their Natural Habitat

Wildlife viewing, with twice-a-day opportunities to spot grizzly bears in their natural habitat, is the focus for guests at the floating Great Bear Lodge , May through October, guests are shuttled in by a floatplane to the lodge, which is located about 50 air miles from Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada. One- to seven-day visits can be booked, depending on how long you wish to stay, and while grizzly bears might be the main attraction, there are also plenty of black bears, moose, bald eagles, seals, wolves, and other creatures in the area too. 

Go on a Whale Watching Tour

Spotting whales on the open ocean is one of the most awe-inspiring travel opportunities imaginable. These massive creatures are simply wonderful to behold and can be found in numerous parts of the world, including Northern Europe, Australia, Alaska, and dozens of other locations. One of the best places to encounter whales is along the Baja Coast of California and Mexico. This region serves as the nursing ground for several different species, making them easy to spot at various times throughout the year. Natural Habitat Adventures offers a variety of whale watching excursions, including chances to see Pacific gray whales up close and personal. 

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

One of the most rewarding animal encounter experiences that any adventure traveler can have is a gorilla trek in Uganda . These journeys take visitors into the heart of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where they'll have the chance to observe and interact with mountain gorillas in their own natural habitat. These creatures are as curious about humans as we are about them, often wandering within a few feet in order to get a better view. Tourism dollars are used to help protect these creatures and gorilla treks have become one of the best conservation programs in the world. There are a number of companies that offer these excursions, but Mountain Travel Sobek has some of the best, offering options in Rwanda too. 

Visit a Penguin Colony in Antarctica

Penguins have always been popular amongst adventure travelers, and while there are places you can encounter them that aren't in the Antarctic, why would you want to go anywhere else? Some of the largest Emperor penguin colonies are found on the frozen continent itself, with numbers stretching into the hundreds of thousand. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitat is an experience unlike any other as their colonies stretch as far as the eye can see. Lindblad Expeditions offers excellent trips to Antarctica and South Georgia Island, another great place to spot penguins in the wild. 

Join a Tiger Safari in India

Tigers are amongst the w orld's most endangered animals so spotting them in the wild can be a challenge. Fortunately, these majestic creatures are protected in India , where much of the remaining tiger population lives, and part of the conversation process involves adventure travelers going on photo safaris to locate these big cats in their natural habitat. Natural World Safaris operates some of the best tiger excursions in the country, with options to no only interact with the wildlife but also immerse visitors in the local culture too. That isn't always a priority on other safaris, but here it is a top draw. 

See Rhinos in Nepal

When most adventure travelers think about Nepal the first thing that comes to mind is the amazing trekking and climbing that takes place there. But what they don't realize is that the Himalayan country is also a great place to spot wildlife, particularly in the Chitwan National Park . This lowland area far from the mountains is home to a stable population of rhinos, making it a great spot to see these creatures in the wild. The rhinos there are a different species than those found in Africa, but are no less impressive to witness in person. Nepal Safari offers a two-day, one-night rhino excursion that makes a great add-on before or after you trek to Everest Base Camp. 

Run with the Wolves in Belarus

Humans have always been drawn to wolves and that fascination continues even today. One of the best places to encounter these mesmerizing creatures is in the Nalibooki Forest of Belarus. The creatures roam free in this untamed wilderness, where you may also get the chance to spot bison, lynx, beaver, and elk too. Explore! offers some fantastic opportunities  to go in search of these animals, while also experiencing the Belarusian culture and history too. 

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• Snorkel with sea lions, sunbathe with iguanas, scout for whales and dolphins, and spend a night among wild tortoises at our exclusive highlands camp

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NHA offers top guides and naturalists to help our guests exclusively visit these sacred natural places in an up close and personal manner. As the world's first 100% carbon neutral travel company, we immerse ourselves in nature’s greatest sites with an aim towards life-enhancing travel experiences and conservation.

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Moscow parks – leisure, nature and historical

Moscow is the most green megapolis in the world. There are over a hundred parks and green spaces like gardens, squares and boulevards. You will definitely bump into a few of them wherever you go. Whether you are interested in memorial, historic parks, parks of wildlife or you just want to have a calm break from the speedy city life – city parks have something special for everyone.

Moscow leisure parks

The leisure Moscow parks are undoubtedly the most popular and famous with the locals and travelers. Today such parks provide a great number of exciting entertainments for Muscovites and city guests, adults and children.

The Gorky Park

Gorky Park opened in 1928 and was the first holiday park in the Soviet Union with playgrounds, a sports stadium, exhibition halls and attractions for kids. Today it has a fresh, vibrant appearance. The park features bike rental stations, a comfortable business area with Wi-Fi, an outdoor movie theatre and a greenhouse where you can buy fresh greens such as basil and lettuce. To contemplate the sky and the stars, go to the observatory and look through the telescope while listening to fascinating stories from astronomers. Enjoy many sports in the park: volleyball, handball, football or a peaceful jog around the beautiful surroundings.

Zaryadye Park

Opened in September 2017, Zaryadye is the youngest on our list. Located just a few minutes away from Red Square, it includes various activities like the floating bridge with its thin V-form extension, an ice cave, also concert hall and an amphitheater. The entire territory of the park was divided into four zones of Russia: forest, steppe, tundra, and the floodplains.

Neskuchny Sad

By walking along the Moskva River’s bank from the Gorky Park towards Vorobievy Gory (Sparrow Hills) you’ll reach Neskuchny Sad («Not Boring» garden), a wonderful place in the Moscow center, one of Moscow’s oldest parks, charming slice of wildlife. The park mostly consists of pristine forest, dotted with old summer pavilions, ponds and quaint little stone bridges. There are a lot of opportunities for different activities lots of children playground, a ping-pong and chess clubs, football fields and tennis courts, horse riding, tree climbing and having rest in one of the nice cafes.

Museon Park

Hermitage Garden

Hermitage Garden has always been known as an amusement, entertainment center with theatres, shows, cafes, summer pavilions, pergolas since 1830. Shalyapin, Sobinov, Nezhdanova – great Russian opera singers starred on the garden stage. Famous Russian composer Rakhmaninov conducted the orchestra. Sara Bernar, Maria Yermolova, outstanding actresses, played in the open air performances. Tolstoy and Lenin had a stroll in the garden. So lots of celebrities from different epoques liked it a lot and spent their time in Hermitage Garden. You can find here three theatres in the garden: Hermitage, Sphere and New Opera. During winter an ice rink works here and in summer a musical stage is assembled to host jazz and brass band festivals.

In Sokolniki Park visitors can play billiard, chess or draughts, table tennis, as well as go cycling, roller blading and swimming in the summer and ice skating or skiing in winter. Each season is highlighted by special memorable and bright events, for example, Summer Jazz Festival or Baby Fest (for future mums), open air beach disco parties, Ice Cream Day, International Clown Festival and many other shows and exhibitions. The park has an observatory, kids center and a co-working zone with free Wi-Fi which is really nice for spending high quality work time there.

Moscow nature parks

The nature parks are national reserves with the amazing forestry and incredible variety of animals and plants there. The breath of wildlife and the chance to be closer to the virgin nature excites both children and grownups. Hundreds of different species of animals can be found in Moscow nature parks. The richest woodlands with old and even ancient trees, like a 200 years pine-tree in the Elk Island National Nature Park, are the point of passionate interest for visitors.

Aptekarsky Ogorod

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden)

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden) is one of the oldest gardens in Moscow. It was founded in the XVIII century by Peter the First (great Russian emperor). A larch that he planted himself still grows in the garden, so it’s more than 250 years old. At the time of its foundation, it was a garden with herbs and medicinal plants and was used as an educational center for doctors. Today there are the orangery with its tropical palms, the carp pond, and the immense trees that dot the landscape and turn wonderful golden shades in the autumn. Several restaurants and cafes work here making it a very nice spot for relaxation no matter what season it is. You can book a special tour or join the guided excursion group.

Losiny Ostrov

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park)

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park) is located at the north of Moscow. It covers 22 km from the west to the east and 10 km from the north to the south and it’s one of the most beautiful national parks in Moscow. Two rivers, Yausa and Pechorka begin here. You can find lots of fields, ponds, meadows, streams in the park as well as elks. Here you can enjoy guided tours, available in English. You can choose a guided tour about flora and fauna of the area, you’ll learn why elks are there, which animals are their neighbors. Or enjoy another excursion, which is totally devoted to historical past of ancient tribes once lived there, you’ll know about old Russian mythology, rituals and traditions.

Serebyany Bor

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest)

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest) is a famous pine forest in the west of Moscow. The park has 230 forms of plant life, and is also home to watersports complex, providing a lot of activities for visitors. The layout of Serebryany Bor is unusual, as it is located on an artificial island between a meander in the Moscow River and a channel. There is an artificial lake, the Deep Gulf and picturesque Bezdonnoe (Bottomless) Lake in the depths of the forest. Serebryany Bor’s beaches are the cleanest in the city and very popular among Muscovites. On weekends it is difficult to find a free spot here, especially because a whole range of services are offered to visitors, from simple deckchairs to catamaran and yacht rides. Driving is prohibited on the territory of the island so be ready to use trolleybus to reach the entrance.

Botanichesky Sad

Greenhouse of Botanical Garden

Main Botanical Garden of The Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest and most famous is Moscow. The garden is a real museum of nature with a very rich (more than 18000 types) collection of plants. The park was founded in 1945 at the place of the 17th century Apothecaries’ Gardens. The garden’s collection is turned into botanical expositions, made with use of modern receptions of landscape architecture. Here you can see a tree nursery, a shadow garden, hothouse complex, collection of flowers, a rosary, exposition of coastal plants, garden of continuous blossoming, Japanese garden and expositions of cultural plants and natural flora plants. The biggest part of Garden is the Tree nursery occupying the space of 75 hectares. About 2 thousand wood plants grow here. Another big exposition of the Garden is nature Flora, divided into six botanic-geographical collections: European part of Russia, Caucuses, Central Asia, Siberia and Far East. Pride of the Main Botanical Garden is the collection of tropical, coastal and water plants, which is considered as the best in Europe. The Japanese garden, a great model of Japanese landscape gardening art has a 13-level stone pagoda of the 18th century, stone Japanese lamps, ponds, falls and streams, tea lodges and more than 100 species of the most character Japan plants. It is especially decorative in spring, during Oriental cherry blossoming and in fall, when foliage blazes in crimson colors.

Moscow historic parks

Historic nature parks and estates once were the mansions of the Moscow aristocracy. At that far times the estates were outside the Moscow city limits, but after the city expansion and urbanization, they became easily accessible.

Kolomenskoye

Kolomenskoye Museum and Park

The chief attraction of the park is undoubtedly the stone Church of the Ascension of the Lord. It was constructed in 1532 by order of Tsar Vasily III to commemorate the birth of his son and heir, Ivan the Terrible. But there is a lot more to see in the park: the pretty Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan – with its bright azure domes and plenty of gold. Further into the park there is a charming Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, built by Ivan the Terrible to mark his coronation.

Kuskovo Park

Kuskovo Park is one of the oldest country estates in Moscow. It was given to General Sheremetev by Peter the Great in 1715, but was left to fall into neglect before being plundered by Napoleon’s troops in 1812. Nowadays the estate has been restored to its former glory and is a good example of Russian 18th Century imperial architecture. The palace is a fine and rare example of wooden neoclassicism. It was completed in 1775, and the rich interiors remain unchanged since 1779. It includes a room hung with exclusive exquisite Flemish tapestries, an abundance of silk wallpaper and an impressive collection of 18th century European and Russian paintings. The palace looks onto the lake, which is surrounded by smaller pavilions: pretty Italian, Dutch and Swiss Cottages, Blank’s Hermitage and the old Orangery, where the State Ceramics Museum is located now, an extensive and absorbing collection of porcelain from the 18th century to the present day. On the other side of the lake is a large wood popular with local cyclists and joggers.

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A view of the Komsomolskaya metro station in Moscow.

Discover the Best of Moscow

Ten can't-miss activities for your next trip to Moscow.

National Park

To escape the crowds and clamor of the city, you don't have to go any farther than the Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island), one of Russia's first national parks created in 1983. Stroll through its network of numerous paved and unpaved pathways surrounded by grasslands, coniferous and broad-leaved trees and observe more than 200 animal species including elks roaming in their natural habitat.

Archeological Site

Descend to the Archeological Museum , a seven meter-deep underground pavilion below the central Tverskaya Street that showcases an eclectic collection of artifacts harvested from excavations of Voskresensky Bridge. The exposition spans the Stone and Bronze ages as well as more recent items including pottery and coins from the 1700s. Don't miss the 3D virtual reality binoculars to see how that particular place looked back in history.

UNESCO Site

Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve , located a 10-minute metro ride from the city center, will teleport you to medieval Moscow. Explore its scenic 390-hectares seeded with churches dating back to the 16th century, and the spectacular wooden palace of Tsar Alexis I that is straight out of a fairytale. Equally impressive is the Novodevichy Convent - the fortress founded in 1524 that contains four cathedrals, a mesmerizing icon collection and a venerable cemetery.

Cultural Site

Put on your fanciest outfit and immerse yourself in the cultural scene of Moscow by booking a ticket to an opera or ballet performance at Russia Bolshoi Theatre . This quintessential institution of the Russian musical tradition not only offers traditional world-class productions, but also strives to defy its classical music heritage by constantly offering new experimental stagings.

Off the Beaten Path

Venture down 65 meters beneath Taganka Square for a guided underground tour of Bunker 42 which offers a fascinating deep-dive into Soviet history. Constructed in 1951 under the command of Joseph Stalin, the bunker was supposed to shelter top Kremlin officials during nuclear attack. It currently houses the Cold War Museum offering invaluable insights into the historical developments of that era.

Most Iconic Place

The candy-colored, swirling-patterned domes of St. Basil's Cathedral are an undeniable icon of Moscow. Commissioned by infamous Ivan the Terrible, the cathedral was built in the 16th century to commemorate the victory over The Khanate of Kazan. The complex consists of ten separate churches festooned with centuries-old historic frescoes, oil paintings and Russian icons.

Historic Site

The spacious cobble-stoned Red Square is the heart of the capital and a symbol of Russia's historically rich and captivating past. Perpetually brimming with people, the place is filled with frantic energy and has plenty to offer. Plan to spend a full day scouting its numerous sights including the extensive grounds of Kremlin, astounding St. Basil's Cathedral, eerie Lenin's Mausoleum and luxurious national department store GUM built in 1893.

Local Quirk

Nothing unites Russians like a collective visit to one of the banyas (bath houses). Indulge in this invigorating quintessential Russian experience by visiting the iconic Sandunovskiye Baths, which will impress with its 19th century ornate halls, or the Rzhevskie baths for a down-to-earth therapeutic sequence starting with steaming, then plunging into cold pools, followed by a whipping with birch twigs, finishing with a massage and tea afterwards.

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Neighborhood to Explore

To see the hip side of Moscow head to Winzavod, a complex of former wine-bottling companies which were converted into a cluster of cool exhibit and studio spaces used by local artists. It is a great place to peruse contemporary art galleries and creative showrooms, or kick back in one of the trendy cafes and book stores.

Museums Not To Be Missed

Take a walk through Russia's art history at Tretyakov Gallery which displays a collection of 1,300 works spanning early religious relics to modern avant-garde masterpieces. The Garage Centre of Contemporary Art designed by eco-friendly architect Shigeru Ban, or the Multimedia Art Museum, which is devoted entirely to photography, are perfect places to tap into the city's modern art scene. A hangout spot for locals and tourists alike, the massive VDNKh (All-Russian Exhibition Centre) is a fun open-air museum park of Soviet-era architecture paired with an entertainment complex.

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Four Tours Designed To Teach Travelers About Climate Change

In 2022, there were 963 million international tourist arrivals worldwide.

That’s 963 million opportunities for the travel industry to be a positive influence and drive transformative change. More specifically, that’s 963 million chances to increase knowledge about the realities of the climate crisis in vivid and unforgettable ways and inspire dedication to protecting the planet and fighting for climate action.

If you spend any amount of time searching online for travel experiences designed to provide education specifically about climate change, there continues to be an underwhelming amount of information and options.

But at least a handful of thoughtful travel companies and tour operators in business today have begun crafting tours that integrate first-hand education or exposure to the environmental challenges unfolding worldwide as global temperatures warm and weather patterns the world over make dramatic shifts.

From journeys that bring travelers to Iceland to witness and learn first-hand about glaciers that are rapidly retreating in the face of warming temperatures to citizen science projects that allow travelers to participate in research and data collection about the changing planet, to itineraries that include traveling alongside educators, scientists, and individuals with Ph.D.s, here are some of the emerging ways travel companies are shining a light on the serious challenges facing the planet in an attempt to inspire climate action.

1.Earth Watch, Climate Change in the Mackenzie Mountains

Earthwatch offers an inspiring number of thoughtfully designed tours that delve deep into the climate crisis.  From the Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge tour to the Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park trip, and Climate Change in the Mackenzie Mountains, Earth Watch provides a unique variety of ways to engage in thoughtful travels alongside scientists and Ph.D.s in order to learn more about our fragile planet. The company also offers tours focused on ocean health, and wildlife and ecosystems. 

Its 11-day Mackenzie Mountains tour in particular, takes travelers to the majestic Mackenzie Mountains, a range that forms the border between Canada’s Northwest Territories and the Yukon. An area that’s on the front line of climate change, participants will use sophisticated equipment to collect data about permafrost and soil—work that helps reveal global-warming-related changes in the region. Additional activities include monitoring the status of the tree line, and record information on native plant species, says the company’s website.

There will also be time spent observing native mammals and birds in this striking and beautiful region. And here too, there’s a climate change-related purpose: travelers will record when and where animals are spotted and how many are observed. By helping researchers learn all they can about this fragile environment now, travelers will be helping to preserve it for the future, says the company’s website.

2.Global Family Travels,  Immerse in Iceland’s Dynamic Geology: A Transformative Adventure to Inspire Climate Change Action

A trailblazer when it comes to crafting trips designed to illuminate the challenges unfolding around the world, Global Family Travels offers an immersive, living science experience in Iceland.

The nine-night trip provides the opportunity to explore the beauty of Iceland’s landscape and learn about how climate change has impacted the country’s geography, how warming ocean temperatures are threatening some local wildlife and of course, take an up-close look at the heartbreaking retreat of glaciers.

“From beginning to end, this new trip to Iceland (which is appropriate for travelers from 8 to 80

years old) was created to educate participants about our changing climate and inspire them to

take up the cause, spreading the critical message about the need to protect this planet we call

home,” says Global Family Travels founder and CEO Jennifer Spatz.

Want to learn more? Read the company’s blog about the trip . There’s also an informational webinar that provides more details about this impactful itinerary.

“By the time you leave Iceland you will truly know the impacts of climate change, how to treat the environment in a sustainable way and hopefully have some ideas about what you personally can do to minimize your impact and help mitigate climate change,” says Spatz.

3.Intrepid Travel, Citizens Science Program, Antarctica 

Like the other companies on this list, Intrepid Travel believes that “when people know better, they do better.” This includes how climate change is reshaping the world.

On its small-group Antarctica journeys, which range from 11- to 23-days, Intrepid invites travelers to take part in a unique Citizen Science program that allows for assisting researchers and science coordinators in collecting data and making observations.

“Citizen Science is a way to harness the power of thousands of travelers around the world to observe, record, and report on natural phenomena,” says the company’s website. “This is particularly useful in remote and isolated destinations like Antarctica, where it is challenging to support long-term academic observation teams. Scientific research in the Antarctic is often a costly, time-consuming and difficult task.”

In particular, Intrepid's Antarctica tours feature partnerships with NASA, Oxford University, Happy Whale and other research organizations, giving passengers the ability to track animal migration, observe weather patterns, and measure the health of phytoplankton (the tiny microscopic organisms that form the basis of the ocean’s entire food chain).

“Antarctica and the Southern Ocean play critical roles in the regulation of the Earth’s climate system and in many ways are the ‘canary in the coal mine’ of climate change,” the company’s website explains. “In the coming years, politicians and regulatory bodies will decide the fate of Antarctica and our scientists need all the information they can get to help inform this future policy.”

4.Natural Habitat Adventures, Climate Change & Our Wild World

It’s hardly an overstatement to say that our planet is warming at a dangerous pace, a reality that Natural Habitat Adventures points out is impacting ecosystems, habitats, wildlife and people.

“As lovers of nature, we feel acutely how much is at stake,” says the company’s website. “From the Amazon to the Arctic, as rain forests burn and sea ice melts, wild places are under duress. That’s why we believe it is critical to understand what is happening so we can influence our leaders to respond and alter our behaviors accordingly.”

With this in mind, Natural Habitat Adventures launched a special trip series called Climate Change & Our Wild World, which was crafted to bring travelers face-to-face with the how the warming climate is impacting the world. And, ideally, the trips “inspire hope and action on behalf of our planet.”

Trips included in this special series exploring the Amazon, East Greenland and even spending time with Canada’s polar bears—an animal whose plight has been particularly devastating as the sea ice that polar bears depend upon rapidly melts.

They also include traveling alongside World Wildlife Fund (WWF) experts who will provide information all along the way regarding the impacts of climate change on the wild places being visited. Trip participants will meet conservationists, researchers and other experts. 

The Nat Hab trips, along with the others mentioned in this story, have been designed with this critical concept in mind:

“We only tend to advocate for issues we feel personally invested in. And there’s no more powerful way to spark that incentive than to experience these places for yourself."

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