Tours

Through our partnership with G Adventures, we're able to bring you uniquely styled tours that not only provide a truly rich experience in a destination but also serve to keep the costs down. Your money is spent on providing an authentic experience, instead of on lavish hotels and expensive western-style meals. These savings are passed on to you with the low prices. Another thing you'll notice are the inclusions. While not everything is included, there are major highlights of a destination thrown in. On every trip page, you can see the 'Included Highlights' of your trip, things that many other companies charge locally for. There are other activities left as options, to provide you the freedom and flexibility to choose what you want to do on a daily basis.

Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin the tours and as such it is not possible to include airfare in the prices. However, our Tour Specialist team would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking. You may also book these flights through your preferred travel agent.

The group sizes are kept low so you have the freedom to move around and get involved with your surroundings. This intimate size ensures that your group won't crowd your experience. You can expect anywhere from 12-18 travelers on a trip but the average is 10 with the exception of our ship-based and Overland truck trips. Check individual trip pages for maximum group sizes.

For privacy reasons we cannot provide you with advance details on your traveling companions. However, the tours appeal to a wide range of travelers, most of whom share an adventurous spirit and a desire to experience these destinations at a grass-roots level. The tours are conducted in English and so they attract many travelers from North America, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

To travel independently you must be at least 18 years of age. There are no upper age limits on our tours, however travelers with pre existing medical conditions are required to complete a medical questionnaire. Family Adventures are open to families with children aged between 5 and 17 years of age. Standard (non-family) adventures are open to children aged 12 years or older when accompanied by a parent (max. two children per adult). The two children per adult restriction does not apply to our family adventures.

You do not need to be a verified student to book a tour. Although most of the tours are designed with youth (18 to 30-year-olds) in mind. If you're looking for student specific tours, there are YOLO styled tours which are made for 18-30 somethings.

The optional service called "My Own Room" is a a service that allows solo travelers to request their own private room while on tour. Most of the trips have an accommodation that is on a twin share basis and, if you are traveling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another traveler of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement or rarely a mandatory single supplement. The cost and the details vary by trip, so please refer to each trip summary page for details.

Yes, in most cases we can arrange additional accommodations at our starting or ending hotels, excluding European tours. Please contact a Tour Specialist for price information. If we are unable to provide you with the extra nights we will give you the name of a hotel you can contact directly. Please also note that extra accommodations must be booked 30 days prior to departure.

Starting and ending hotels are listed on your travel voucher and in the Trip Details document. There are a variety of hotels used en-route and so a complete list of hotels won't be provided until day 1 of your tour.

It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary please consult a Tours Specialist before you book your adventure.

Most of the adventures do not include airport transfers and so we recommend you arrange a taxi on arrival (this is the most economical and efficient way of getting you to your hotel). If you would prefer a pre-arranged transfer these are usually available at an additional cost. Please contact us for more information. Some of our adventures, including our “Superior”, "Comfort Class", "Independent" and "Family Adventures" include an arrival transfer. Departure transfers can be locally arranged at additional cost from the finishing point hotel.

Trip specific information on transportation can be found on the trip summary page, however in most cases, public transportation is used. It's been found that how you get there significantly influences the tone of your journey and public transportation allows face-to-face interaction with the local people. Some of our adventures, including our “Superior”, "Comfort Class" and most adventures in Africa, use private transportation.

We strongly recommend bringing a backpack or duffel bag, as suitcases can be cumbersome and difficult to store in buses, under seats, etc. Keep in mind that you will normally have to carry your own luggage on and off buses and trains and up and down hotel staircases. Suitcases with wheels may not work well on dirt or cobblestone roads.

Requirements for travel visas vary widely depending on your nationality and your destination. Although we are unable to arrange visas on your behalf we have provided information on our Student Travel page that can help you find information about needing a visa. If you do require a visa you can arrange them yourself or use the services of a travel agent or visa processing company.

It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic.

Although deposits are non-refundable, your deposits are good for life so you can always use your deposit towards another tour.