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Geckos Adventures, the Intrepid Group’s youth operator, is adding new experiential activities in the United States, Canada and Africa to its 2017 lineup of itineraries. From hiking in Banff National Park to exploring the Grand Canyon, the new itineraries offer big, bold, experiential options for travellers in the 18-29 age range.

“We’re excited to showcase Africa, Canada and the U.S. in a way that only Geckos can,” says Leigh Barnes, North American Regional Director for Geckos Adventures. “We have serious fun, but on a budget that makes it doable for nearly everyone. These itineraries will bring travel a bit closer to home, and we hope it will encourage Canadian travellers to see their own country before heading off to see the world.”

The 2017 line up marks the company’s first entrance into North America, as well as its first-ever safaris. In total, the tour catalogue includes nine new adventures for 2017:

Best of Canada
A recent survey produced by Geckos Adventures found that American millennials consider Canada at the top of the list of countries they’d like to visit. The new Best of Canada itinerary visits several Canadian National Parks, including Banff, Jasper, Mt. Revelstoke and Wells Gray, which should be particularly distinctive during 2017, when the national park system celebrates its 150th anniversary. Other stops include Whistler, Lake Louise and Okanagan Lake. Rates start from $1,695 per person; accommodations mostly include camping and one night in a hotel.

Eastern USA Highlights
From the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls to the historic Gettysburg battlefield, Eastern USA highlights takes in some of America’s most notable sites. Visit the Big Apple, see laws being made in Washington D.C. or channel Paul Revere in Boston. Rates start from around $1,530 per person; accommodations are mostly in campgrounds, with one night in a hostel and one night in a hotel.

LA to San Francisco Highlights
California, Arizona and the Nevada Desert are all featured on this eight-day journey. You’ll visit some of the region’s most famous national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks. But the itinerary also includes Route 66, the Las Vegas Strip before concluding in San Francisco. Rates start from $1,395 per person with a mix of accommodations in hotels, hostels and camping.

Quito to Lima Adventure
Explore the Andes and some of the top cities in Ecuador and Peru, including Quito, Banos, Cuenca and Lima. The itinerary includes plenty of time at volcanoes, waterfalls and some the lesser known cultural oddities in these South American countries. Rates start from $1,150 per person.

Amazing East Africa
Starting in Nairobi, Kenya, you’ll spend 12 days in is an overland-style trip where you’ll hop into a truck with up to 22 fellow travellers as well as your camping gear and a full safari crew, including a chef. Along the way, visit East Africa’s most iconic game reserves, including the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Warm up your Instagram account with snaps of hippos, lions, leopards, elephants, zebras and much more. You’ll also spend a night with a local Maasai tribe in Loita Hills, Kenya. Rates start from $2,725 per person.

Journey Through Botswana
In Botswana, one of the most biodiverse regions on earth, you’ll come face to face with rhinos at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary camp in the Okavango wilderness and watch for hippos in the Okavango Delta. The tour also includes a stop at Chobe National Park, which houses the biggest concentration of African elephants in the world. Also included on the itinerary is a visit to Victoria Falls. The tour not only visits Botswana but also Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Rates from $1,275 per person.

Vic Falls & Safari
This 9-day program packages together the most popular sites in southern Africa, including Hwange and Kruger National Parks and Victoria Falls. Visitors can search for the “Big Five” on multiple wildlife drives and will also visit the Blyde River Canyon, a gigantic canyon in the Drakensberg escarpment. From $1,095 per person.

Epic African Adventure
On this epic, 29-day adventure, travellers will visit six countries across Africa and explore the best of the continent. Meet the Maasai, watch for game in Overland vehicles, and visit a rhino sanctuary. You’ll also visit Lake Victoria, the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. Rates start from $5,125 per person; most accommodation is camping.

Best of Southern Africa
In 17 days, visit eight national parks in four countries. You’ll enjoy a full safari in search of the Big Five, track rhinos on foot, visit a white rhino sanctuary, paddle a rapid river and explore Victoria Falls. Rates start from $2,310; accommodations are mostly camping in the African bush.

With the new itineraries, Geckos’ now offers adventures in 50 countries on five continents, through 100 distinctive itineraries. Most Geckos itineraries do not include airfare or most meals, so travellers can control how much they spend on these components.

For more information, visit www.GeckosAdventures.com. 

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