NATIONAL PARKS · TOUR REVIEWS
Some parks you fit around a holiday. These 15 are worth building one around — the leopard blocks, the travertine lakes, the canyon rims and the volcano nights, each with what it costs and how long the day really runs.
At Gator Park, you’ll take a 35 to 40-minute narrated airboat ride through Everglades National Park, then watch a 30-minute alligator and wildlife show. Guides such as Cody, John, Tom, and Anthony are known for mixing facts with humor. The $42 price excludes the $8 park fee and transportation.
“10/10, really good value for the money, would defintely go again with the same guys”
Spend nine hours exploring Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai with a guide such as Nom, Jin, Sunny, or Nuttaya. Visit Thailand’s highest point, walk the 360-meter Ang Ka boardwalk, see the Twin Pagodas and Wachirathan Waterfall, then meet a hill tribe community for lunch and traditional coffee. Pickup, park fees, and lunch vary by option.
“Doi Inthanon is totally worth visiting of you are staying in Chiang Mai. The hill tribe coffee degustation makes for a nice break too. Our guide was very nice and helpful!”
Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Tierra Verde to Shell Key Preserve with a small group of up to 10. Guides such as Alessia, Jenna, Ben, Jesse, and Chris point out birds, fish, mangroves, dolphins, and shells. You will stop at the beach, and may pass through a mangrove tunnel when the tide allows.
“Shell Key is a beautiful place with plenty of wildlife in & out of the water. Our guide, Alesia, was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour great.”
Travel from southern Tenerife into Teide National Park for a sunset above the clouds and a guided night-sky session. Ozzi is the main guide on many departures, using green lasers and powerful telescopes to show constellations, planets, nebulae, and sometimes the Milky Way. Dinner, transport, and pickup are optional extras depending on your booking.
“It was an amazing experience! We had already read many great reviews, especially about the man, the myth, the legend: Ozzi, and they were absolutely right. Ozzi truly delivers a one-man show. He is a wise man, an incredible guide, and an outstanding showman. His ability to connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds is genuinely impressive and added so much to the experience. From the multiple languages he speaks, to his deep knowledge, to the great jokes he makes along the way, everything came together perfectly. All in all, an unforgettable experience. Thank you, Ozzi!”
Leave San Francisco before sunrise for Yosemite with an English-speaking guide such as Glenda, Gino, Andy, or Rob. See Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Valley View, and Tuolumne Grove. You get hotel pickup, WiFi, free time in the valley, and a winter substitute when snow closes the sequoia trail.
“Glenda was TERRIFIC, really helpful and informative,.super funny but at the same time having impressive knowledge about the park.”
Travel from Denver or Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park in an upscale 14-passenger vehicle. Stop in Lyons, Lily Lake, Estes Park, and the park itself, with chances to see elk, moose, deer, eagles, and more. Guides such as Jason, Jerry, Aaron, Jed, and Brennon add local stories, while weather determines how high and how far you go.
“Very well done day trip with Jason. He was very entertaining, professional & friendly. Highly recommend Jason as driver. He clearly works in every way to make the day as memorable as possible!”
Leave Seattle early for a guided Mt. Rainier day trip with hotel pickup, scenic stops, and easy walks. You may visit Longmire, Christine Falls, Narada Falls, Paradise, Reflection Lakes, or summer sites such as Sunrise and Tipsoo Lake. Guides including Lucas, Cory, Joel, and James adapt the route to weather and road conditions.
“Who says a tour of Mt Rainier in the winter is a bad ideal!?! Not us!! We had such a great tour. Lucas took us to places not normally on the tour due to the weather and I think they were better! Yes, we probably will do another in the spring or summer, but we got the most dramatic pictures from all the snow. We went snow shoeing (provided by the tour) and hikes at beautiful locations. This is NOT a sitting tour so expect to be active. Lucas was very informative and friendly. Highly recommend!!”
Travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim with a separate driver and guide, onboard restroom, bottled water, and optional breakfast and lunch. The route passes Boulder City, Kingman, and Route 66’s Seligman before about three hours at Mather Point, Hopi House, and Bright Angel Lodge. Guides such as Jim, Robert, Russ, and Curty are praised for clear history and humor.
“Review all emails. Received string of 6 emails the day before tour. Instead of 1 email (which would have been easier) requesting your pick for breakfast, lunch & letting you know pick up info they had to send 6. If miss one & don't respond you may not get your meals. Very long day, but enjoyed it.”
Spend about six hours touring Alaska’s Wildlife Conservation Center, Chugach National Forest, Beluga Point, Bird Point, and seasonal glacier trails from Anchorage. Guides such as Holly, Hunter, Patrick, and Aaron add local history, wildlife facts, and smartphone photography tips. A summer Portage Glacier cruise is optional and costs extra.
“Hunter was personable, knowledgeable, and made the wildlife refuge, Turnagain Arm, and glacier tour both fun and educational. He even taught us new smartphone camera tricks that made our photos incredible. A great experience, well worth the time!”
Travel from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park in an air-conditioned bus or van, with an English-speaking guide, panoramic boat ride, and electric train included. Expect about four hours in the park, roughly 5 kilometers of walking on uneven paths, and a separate €40 entrance fee. Guides such as Sanja, Lovro, Ivana, and Luka are praised for clear explanations and good group management.
“Ivana from Booker travel agency was our guide; she was outstanding, very knowledgeable friendly and provided a lot of recommendations for Split Hi 5 to Ivana”
Join guides such as Peter, Phil, Roland, and Dani for a small-group sunset and stargazing trip from Tenerife’s south coast. Sip Cava above the clouds, learn the constellations with a laser pointer, view planets through a 12-inch telescope, and receive a free astrophotography portrait. Bring serious warm clothing.
“We loved that this tour was run with a smaller group. We wanted to experience the sunset and star gazing but didn't feel we needed a long experience with dinner and lots of other people. our group of 8 was perfect. There was no time wasted waiting to look in the telescopes. Guides were so friendly and knowledgeable. We took our 14 year old and he found it entertaining and didn't get bored at all. The whole experience was stunning. Pick up/drop off to our hotel door made it all very convenient. Thank you 😊”
Ride from South Tenerife into Teide National Park for a Canarian three-course dinner, a cava toast at Montaña Sámara, and guided stargazing near 2,000 meters. Guides including Craig, Kieran, Sol, and Sonja explain the constellations, while four telescopes, warm coats, and free night photos add real value. The coach language is English.
“Amazing experience and so well organised. We all absolutely loved it and all the Night Sky guides were so knowledgeable and made the whole evening WOW!!! Never thought I would see what I saw with the naked eye. Also what a sunset and food was great too. You must try this”
Leave Las Vegas before sunrise for Zion and Bryce Canyon. You will see the Virgin River Gorge, Zion’s canyon walls, Checkerboard Mesa, and Bryce’s famous hoodoos, with lunch, water, WiFi, and park entry included for eligible U.S. residents. Guides such as Paulie, Ita, Joel, and Aloe are often praised for their local insight and friendly service.
“Good experience. Bus tour has more access to the park than regular visitors. Specially it is the Bryce Canyon”
Spend nine hours traveling from Split to Krka National Park by air-conditioned coach. Your English-speaking guide, such as Dario, Mate, or Rosana, leads a short walk among the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, then gives you free time before an optional wine tasting and time in Skradin. Bring cash for park entry.
“Really well organized tour. We were mesmerized by the breathtaking nature and our guide Mate Beric was very nice and helpful! 100% recommend”
Travel from Split or Trogir to Plitvice Lakes National Park with an English-speaking guide such as Ivanka, Mia, or Elena. Expect about four hours in the park, walking beside waterfalls and lakes, a short boat crossing, photo stops, and a long but comfortable coach ride. The entrance fee is extra and paid in cash.
“Had a fabulous time at plitvice Lakes, the lakes were stunning, our tour guide Oliver was fantastic he was friendly and chatty, knowledgeable and organised and offered to take photos for the group at different points which was appreciated by all. The lunch stop served burgers, sandwiches and chips ect, something to note is they are only taking card payments so do bring a bank card. We stopped off at a service station on the way there and on the way back and we was made aware of all toilet facilities when at the park also. We travelled on a full size bus with only 20 of us in the…”
By the vehicle, the animal or the landform.
