Most of the 16-month-old toddlers spend their time playing with toys at home or learning to walk unlike Aarya, who is busy becoming the youngest baby to visit all the 63 national parks in the United States.
The Indian-origin toddler based in Schaumburg, Illinois is driven by her parents Akshay Sharma and Aparajita Rai, to the US national parks on regular long weekends.
As of now Aarya family's US national parks travel has already reached a tally of 34 parks. The family began the journey simply with a desire to introduce their daughter to fresh air. But somehow their family travels have evolved into an official Guinness World Record attempt.
How did the Aarya Family National Parks Travel Start?
Aarya’s incredible journey through America's national parks began when she was just six weeks old with a trip to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The idea of chasing a formal entry in the Youngest Guinness World Record list came much later.
Aarya and family were visiting their 15th park when an enthusiastic park ranger noticed the baby's incredible comfort on the trails. He then suggested that the family should look into breaking a world record.
Speaking about the unexpected turn of events, her father Akshay Sharma shared:
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Since their very first travel the family documents every milestone on their Instagram page eternalvoyager1001. From watching a waterfall at Yosemite National Park to exploring the massive peaks of Grand Teton. Aarya’s parents notice a pure sense of wonder in her eyes.
Her mother Aparajita, recalls how Aarya sat completely captivated by the mist and roaring sounds of the Yosemite waters. She was fully soaking in the natural world as if she were meant to become a young traveller one day.
The family is currently coordinating with Guinness World Records and trying to understand their detailed verification guidelines. Up next the trio is packing their bags for a major expedition to Alaska to tick off more remote US national parks.
Ultimately the parents hope their journey breaks the stereotype that traveling with young toddlers is too difficult. And they hope to inspire more and more families to step outside of their comfort zone.