Adventure holiday with older teens

[TeenHere]

We have always wanted to go on an adventure type holiday with our only ds, but I think now at 15 he’s probably a bit too old for the family ones. He would hate to be with loads of younger kids and even the ones badged teenager have an average age of 14. It’s annoying because we were going to go with Explore when he was the perfect age during covid.

Now we are thinking about next year after his GCSEs when he will be 16. We are big cyclists and hikers so would love to go to the Andes, Himalayas or mountains in Europe. There are lots of great companies but for has anyone been on a non-family trip with a 16yo? Will it be boring for ds as it’s just adults? Most say a minimum age of 15 so that side of things is covered

Does it have to be a group trip?
Or could you book some independently and do some chunks with local companies?
I did Peru with a friend like that - booked a group for the 4 day Inca trail (not sure how it works these days) and the rainforest, but sorted ourselves out for Cusco and Lake Titicaca.

(sorry for not actually answering your question - just an alternative idea. I'm taking my GCSE kid to Costa Rica this year. She'd curl up and die in a group but more than happy otherwise. Having said that there are so many options so I can see the appeal of booking with an adventure company!)

Skyhook different ages for different trips, but 16 looks to be fine if accompanied by an adult.

I have never used them, but I like the look of them for when my dc are older.

Thank you for your responses. Ontheup - that is exactly what we are doing this year (off to Thailand) but I’m a bit nervous about the logistics about going somewhere less touristy.

And the Skyhook suggestion is fantastic - opens up so much!

@TeenHere that was pre-smart phones. Lonely planet, flight tickets and 2 x 3 day things booked by email. Everything else was figured out along the way. With access to info in your phone, unless you going somewhere super remote you'd be fine. Booking.com is great.
Please report back when you return from your Thailand trip - that's high on our bucket list but summer rain has always put me off a bit.

ASIA 2024

We've just come back from South Asia with the family and my brothers older teenagers. Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. We booked most of the trip ourselves but happy to give reocmmendations. The older teens were very engaged by the different sights and sounds you'll never find in the UK. Krabi was our favourite in Thailand. Angkor Wat temples were incredible in Cambodia and Kuala Lumpur had the most amazing skyscrapers etc. Lots of activities to keep teenagers happy. Hotel in Siem Reap was: https://theaviaryhotel.com/ Hotel in Bangkok was: https://www.dusit.com/dusitd2-samyanbangkok/ Hotel in KL was: http://www.frasershospitality.com/

@TeenHere how was Thailand last year? Was that in the summer holidays? I'd love to know your route.
Did you decide on a destination for this summer?

hi @Ontheup75 - it was amazing! We did 2 nights in Bangkok (wish it had been 3) then flew down to Phuket for a night near the airport. Next was a trip to Elephant Hills where we did kayaking, met elephants etc for a few nights. They took us then to Koh Samui and we spent the rest of the holiday on the beach. Was absolutely perfect for us. And yes it was in the summer holidays. This year we are going back to the Alps. Happy to answer any other questions! Weather wasn’t an issue at all in Koh Samui. Although damp at Elephant Hills