The Ten Best: Family adventure holidays

Explore in Egypt

£2,900 for a family of four

Smuggle some history into their holiday. The key to getting the best out of a trip like this is having a good guide, and Explore has experienced tour leaders who'll talk the kids through pyramids, spooky tombs and ancient civilizations without patronising them.

Explore! (0870 333 4001; www.explore.co.uk/familyadventures)

Iceland

Approx £1,500 for a family for one week

Put together your own adventure in Iceland - and keep costs down by flying on the budget airline Iceland Express, and by camping. Reluctant teenage nature enthusiasts can be bought off by a night out in Reykjavik. For the real wow factor go in winter, though check temperatures if you plan to sleep outdoors. www.icelandtourist.is

Snowdonia Adventures

£890 for a family of four

Why not take advantage of Britain's beautiful landscape by hiking up Snowdon? Lazy family members can catch the Mountain Railway and wait at the top with a picnic. The budget covers one week's self-catering, plus mountaineering classes.

Snowdonia Adventures (01341 247733; www.snowdonia-adventures.co.uk)

Aardvark Safaris

£13,868 for a family of four

For a great family break, choose a tailor-made safari in a small, flexible camp. Botswana has easy-to-spot wildlife and excellent weather during the summer holidays, and, for its holidays in the Okavango Delta, Aardvark has a dedicated children's guide.

Aardvark Safaris (01980 849160; www.aardvarksafaris.com)

Bike Events

£1,196 for a family of four

Adventure holidays aren't just for fat cats: you can take the kids on a sponsored bike ride in Ireland to raise money for Greenpeace. What with all those hills and chasing relations for sponsorship cash, it's an ideal challenge for teenagers. There are easier family rides in Holland and Denmark for younger children.

Bike Events (0870 755 8519; www.bike-events.com)

Wild West Adventure

£7,440 for two weeks for a family of four

Follow the cowboy trail across the Rocky Mountains, hike along the Grand Canyon and through the ghost towns of Colorado, and finish by trying your luck in Las Vegas. It's not cheap, but the views - both of the Grand Canyon and the old ladies playing the slots - will make this trip unforgettable. Good for first-time adventurers, with guaranteed French fries at every meal.

KE Adventure Travel (01768 773966; www.keadventure.com)

Naturetrek

£2,640 for a family of four

Spending the night on the Finno-Russian border, watching bears from the safety of a log hideout, is definitely something for your children to brag about when they get back to school. Swim in the lakes, eat cloudberries and watch the midnight sun.

Naturetrek (01962 733051; www.naturetrek.co.uk)

Dragoman

£2,292 for a family of four, excluding flights

For the ultimate in exotic holidays, take your family on a walk over the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. It can be tiring on the legs, but little ones can hitch a ride on a donkey. When you're not walking, camp in the Sahara and ride camels across the dunes.

Dragoman (01728 861133; www.dragoman.com)

Reef and Rainforest

£7,164 for a family of four

Fire up the imaginations of budding Brunels with a cruise along one of history's greatest feats of engineering - the Panama Canal. Gaze on islands that were once the tops of mountains and dodge giant cargo ships.

Reef and Rainforest Tours (01803 866965; www.reefandrainforesttours.co.uk)

Kayak Vert canoeing

£850 for a family of four

Active families wanting to get the most out of a weekend should canoe down the River Gard and under the ancient Pont du Gard - definitely a change from Saturday morning TV.

Kayak Vert (00 33 466 228 076; www.canoefrance.com/gardon)

Rosie Whitehouse is the author of Take the Kids: South of France (Cadogan Guides, £12.99)

All prices include flights and accommodation unless otherwise stated