Recently updated on August 1st, 2023 at 02:39 pm
Whether you love to hike through ancient forests, cruise across boundless lakes, or stargaze under inky night skies, there is something so exhilarating about spending time in nature. If you love nature as much as we do, you’ll be thrilled to know we’ve got plenty of outdoor travel ideas. From Scandinavia to the Serengeti and from Alaska to the Amazon, here are 6 of our most extraordinary Trafalgar trips for nature lovers.
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1. Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park
The Canadian Rockies is one of the most magnificent places on the planet. It’s full of natural wonders from the dazzling Jasper and Banff National Parks to all the stunning lakes, glaciers, and canyons in between. We’ll take you gliding across the glittering Athabasca Glacier and cruising down the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, the ‘Crown of the Continent’. Marvel at the electric blues of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and cruise across the tranquil Maligne Lake. Learn about the incredible wildlife like bears, and hear local stories about brave buffalo runners at the UNESCO-listed Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump.
You’ll get even more immersed in nature when you stay at the extraordinary Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, famed as the ‘Castle in the Rockies’. It’s set in the heart of the Banff National Park, just minutes away from treasures like Bow Falls, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Mount Rundle Trailhead, and the scenic Banff Gondola. Whether you want to go hiking, kayaking, driving – or just breathe in the pure mountain air – this trip is a dream come true for nature lovers.
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2. African Safari Adventure
If you love nature travel, you’ve probably got Kenya and Tanzania on your bucket list. These beautiful East African countries are packed full of unique natural wonders, like the iconic Serengeti where millions of wildebeest thunder across the plains every year in their pilgrimage to the Masaai Mara National Reserve. We’ll also take you to the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, a vast oasis of forests and grasslands filled with Big Five wildlife and more.
Witness the stunning Thomson Falls and marvel at the wildlife of Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru. See the famous giant baobabs and flat-topped acacias of Tarangire National Park. You’ll even gaze upon the mighty peak of Mt Kilimanjaro and visit Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. With astonishing beauty and wild wonders at every turn, this is the king of outdoor travel destinations.
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3. Five Epic National Parks
The national parks of the United States are one of the most popular trips for nature lovers… And for good reason. There are 63 official national parks across the country, each one as staggeringly beautiful as the last. You can go from ancient redwood trees to blazing deserts to icy glaciers to steaming volcanoes. So how do you choose the best ones? We’ve got you covered with our Five Epic National Parks trip.
We’ve cherry-picked five of the greatest US national parks, including the mighty Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks in Utah. You’ll also explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in Wyoming. This trip is chockfull of unbelievable scenery from the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, to the surreal rock spires of Bryce Canyon, and the colossal Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world. Don’t forget your camera.
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4. Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords
Ever wanted to dive into the forests and rivers of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales? Now you can with our Scenic Scandinavia trip. This magical journey will take you to all the natural treasures of Scandinavia, from Norway to Sweden to Denmark. Spend the night at the Havila Geiranger Hotel, set on the edge of Geirangerfjord, the crown jewel of the Norwegian Fjords. Then get immersed in nature at Sognefjord Hotel, located on a peninsula in the breathtaking Sognefjord.
You’ll even take the scenic Flåm Railway, one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. Roll past mountains and waterfalls through the Norwegian countryside – and don’t forget to blink! From ancient farms in Bergen to fjordlands and whimsical villages, this is storybook beauty at its best.
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5. Majestic Alaska
If you’re looking for our best outdoor travel tours, put this one on your list. Our Majestic Alaska trip takes you deep into one of the planet’s greatest wilderness areas. Journey through the rugged Denali National Park, where you can set eyes on Mount Denali, North America’s tallest mountain. Spot icebergs, Humpback whales, and black bears in Kenai Fjords National Park… Or go in search of the spellbinding Northern Lights.
Board the iconic Alaska Railroad train journey through the indomitable Alaskan wilderness. Marvel at the ice cliffs of Columbia Glacier and spot seals, otters, and porpoises as you cruise Prince William Sound. From Scenic Seward Byway to Wrangell St. Elias National Park, you’ll be truly blown away when you experience Alaska.
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6. South America Revealed with Brazilian Amazon and Galápagos Legend East Cruise
If you love nature, you’ve almost certainly dreamed of the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands. Turn those dreams into reality with this trip and get up close with some of the world’s greatest natural treasures. Cruise through the rainforests of the Amazon with eyes peeled for capybaras, tapirs and anaconda. Then explore the mighty Iguazu Falls, the world’s largest waterfall system that spreads across both Brazil and Argentina. You’ll also encounter world-class nature in the coastal city of Rio… Did you know the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is one of the seven natural wonders of the world? As the world’s largest bay, ringed with golden beaches, granite monoliths, and Sugar Loaf Mountain, this is awe-inspiring nature.
Next, hike up to the Gate of the Sun at the iconic Machu Picchu for soul-stirring views over the fortress and valley below. Then cruise to the famous Galápagos Islands and San Cristobal Island. Here you can swim, snorkel, and walk in the midst of incredible wildlife like Galápagos penguins, seals, tortoises and iguanas. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget.
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Do you love nature? What is the most beautiful natural landscape you’ve seen on our Trafalgar trips? Let us know in the comments below…