Taking children into nature is wonderful, but a mountain trail is no ordinary outing. Many routes involve steep climbs, intense cold or heat, slippery ground, exposed sections and, at times, difficult rescue conditions. Not every child is ready for this environment, and ignoring that raises the risk for the family and for whoever is guiding.
Activities WITHOUT an agency vs. activities WITH an agency
In an activity without an agency (a private outing, on your own), the person or family chooses the route, assesses the risks, decides whether to bring children and directly bears the consequences of those choices.
In an activity run through an agency, such as the tours operated by Watrip Turismo, there is a consumer relationship and a set of legal and technical obligations. The company cannot decide simply “by feel”: it must follow safety standards and Brazilian tourism law.
- Decree No. 7,381/2010, which regulates Brazil’s National Tourism Policy, requires activities in natural environments to have qualified guides, a safety management system, signed risk-awareness terms and clear information for the consumer.
- Adventure tourism technical standards, such as ABNT NBR ISO 21101, 21102 and 21103, guide risk assessment, the definition of participant profiles, guide competencies and the detailed planning of each activity.
- Brazil’s Consumer Protection Code, in Article 39, item VIII, considers it abusive to offer a product or service that does not comply with official standards or, in their absence, with the standards of ABNT (the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards).
That is why Watrip Turismo only offers tours that respect these parameters. Offering an activity that goes against a risk assessment or a technical standard is not just reckless; it is legally questionable.
Why Watrip sets minimum ages
From a safety standpoint, children are not “small adults”. Their bodies are still developing, they tire faster, regulate their temperature less well, find it harder to perceive danger and depend entirely on adults and staff in any emergency.
On mountain trails, this can mean:
- early fatigue on long climbs, increasing the risk of falls;
- greater vulnerability to cold, heat or sudden changes in the weather;
- natural curiosity drawing them toward edges, venomous animals, loose rocks and exposed sections;
- more complexity in any rescue situation.
When Watrip Turismo sets a minimum age for a given tour, it is doing exactly what the law and technical standards require: analyzing the risk, matching the service to the participant profile and protecting everyone taking part. It is not about “not wanting to take children”, but about not being able to expose them to a level of risk that is not appropriate for their age.
Watrip Turismo’s commitment
- choosing routes suited to each participant profile;
- being transparent about the conditions and risks of each activity;
- declining, when necessary, children’s participation in environments that are not suitable for them;
- offering lighter, more controlled alternatives for families with young children, keeping contact with nature safe.
At Watrip Turismo, family adventure starts with responsibility. Respecting the limits of the environment, the route and each person is part of the company’s commitment to safety, to the law and to everyone who trusts its services.
