NATIONAL PARKS · TOURS
A guide is the difference between looking at a reserve and understanding it. The 15 below are the guided days that justify the surcharge, priced, timed and honest about how much of the day is spent in the vehicle.
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.”
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.”
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”
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…”
From Hilo Pier, a guide such as Robert, Jess, Donna, or Hannibal takes you into Volcanoes National Park for steam vents, crater views, and a lava tube walk. You’ll also visit Richardson Ocean Park, a macadamia stop, and a local lunch spot. The route can change with weather, volcanic activity, and ship timing.
“Dress appropriately. It got very cool at the volcano so bring a jacket! Robert was a fantastic guide. Extremely knowledgeable. Got to see some amazing sites. He went above and beyond offering to take pictures of us at all the stops!”
Spend two hours touring Gettysburg’s battlefield by air-conditioned coach with a licensed guide. Hear the three-day battle explained in order, see Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, Pickett’s Charge, and key monuments, then return to the Gettysburg Tour Center. Guides such as John, Paul, Christina, and Christine are praised for clear, lively storytelling.
“This was a great tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate in recounting the battle of Gettysburg. He really made the history come to life as he told about the events that unfolded at the battle.”
Travel by air-conditioned coach through Timanfaya National Park on its official Volcano Route, with a Spanish and English guide such as Eric, Ana, or Nelly. Watch steam geysers and heat demonstrations at Islote de Hilario, see craters and lava fields, and choose an optional 30-minute camel ride for an extra cash payment.
“Lovely. Been before and really enjoyed it. Guide Stella was great.”
Leave Split at 7 a.m. for a guided visit to Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s famous UNESCO site. Guides such as Mia, Ivanka, Barry, and Mate lead the four-hour park walk through the Upper and Lower Lakes, with time for photos, waterfalls, and optional lunch. Transport, insurance, and selected hotel pickup are included, but park entry is extra and payable in cash.
“This is truly one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. It was a long day to travel from Split but worth it. If your elderly and don’t want/can’t walk it could be too much as 2 in our group we’re very tired.”
Spend about 2.5 hours touring Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert Island, and Acadia National Park by bus. An English-speaking narrator such as Rick, Ronny, Ken, or Ron handles the roads and shares local history, humor, and park details. You stop at Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and Sieur de Monts Spring, with about 45 to 60 minutes off the bus.
“Very good tour, informative and beautiful views. Bus windows allow the views to be seen very well. Thank you”
By the vehicle, the animal or the landform.
