non-UK Operators

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Walking Holidays non-UK Operators Walks Worldwide 

	Walks Worldwide
12, The Square, Ingleton, Carnforth, LA6 3EG			MAP
tel: (01524) 242 000

The manager Mike Wynne previously arranged Schools Adventure Services and has been a pioneer in the provision of active family holidays. Walks Worldwide steers away from over exposed walking regions because of the crowds. The company points out that ‘in the less developed countries we will take stringent measures to ensure that hygiene is of a very high standard, although . ultimately parents will be responsible for the personal hygiene and health of their own children'. As a smallish company it is in a good position to offer personalised advice on this as other issues.
A range of equipment is available for hire including a baby carrier at £30 per week.
Unlike many operators, the company's pack it out policy on rubbish, includes at some destinations such as Nepal, actually employing people to collect rubbish on the trails and at camp sites, and take back anything non burnable or biodegradeable for recycling or proper recycling and disposal.

Where

Family trips are to Nepal, Vietnam, Canada, Peru, Ecuador, Morocco, Tanzania, Greece, Cyprus, Corsica, France, Spain, Switzerland, Jordan, Oman, Bulgaria and Finland.

Style

Specialists in classic treks, increasingly tailormade tours, and offering family holidays around the world with a walking theme. The maximum number in a guided group is 16 or 10 on backpacking tours (only for teenagers as participants carry their own packs). Where numbers are very small there will only be a local, English-speaking guide, otherwise both the local and a European leader.

Minimum Age

None as where children are included a form of transport is always provided for ‘those with weary legs at the end of the day's walk'. Family tours generally coincide with UK school holidays but there are also some for those with pre-school children outside those days to avoid the crowds.

Accommodation

Depending on the trips but generally small local hotels or pensions with the occasional camping option.

Length of Trips

Generally around seven or 14 days.

Sample Price

An eight-day trip to Morocco (Gardens of the Western Atlas) is £650 for adults, £75 for 0-1 year, £595 for 2-11 years, including flights, all transport, accommodation, most meals' mule support (great for tired children and guides). A 14-day trip to Bulgaria would be £870 per adult, children 0-1 £90 and 2-11 £580 and would be similarly inclusive.