So, you’ve decided that it’s time to add a little adventure to your life, and you’re researching the best adventure travel companies, but how do you choose the right one?
The first thing you should do is to check out the tried and true companies who have been around a while and have a good track record.
For your convenience, I’ve listed a few below. That’s the safest route to take, however, maybe they don’t offer exactly what it is that you’re looking for.
If you’re going to do your own research, I’ve got a few tips here to help you get started on your adventure travel quest.
Get answers to the right questions and rest assured you’ve got the right company.
You don’t necessarily need to do all of the things below to find the right adventure travel company, but you should do enough due diligence to where you’re comfortable with your choice.
Tips For Finding The Best Adventure Travel Companies
Know what it is you want before spending the time and effort digging into the details.
The key is to find out what the adventure travel company does best, and if it’s what you’re looking for then take the next step.
Don’t let a slick salesperson convince you they can bend a trip into something they think you’ll buy. Go with your gut feeling. If it’s not exactly what you want, keep searching. There are plenty exciting trips to choose from.
Check out several companies and compare before making a decision.
You might find a great special deal this way. Going with the first company you find may limit you.
Find an adventure travel company with a good track record.
There are several ways to do this. You can search their site for testimonials, check with the better business bureau and/or do a quick search on the Internet to see if you can find what appear to be valid complaints or concerns. You can also give them a call and ask for referrals.
Get a detailed itinerary.
This will help you make sure they’ve got a good plan that interests you and have covered all of the bases.
Do a little networking in search of referrals from your friends and family.
Chances are that someone you know (or someone they know) has been on a trip similar to what you’re looking for and can recommend a good adventure travel company to you.
Look for a good value, but don’t book a trip based solely on price.
If you’re on a tight budget then plan to go on your trip in the off season for a particular destination.
Be careful of companies whose main selling point is that their prices are cheap. You may find that you really do get what you pay for. You don’t want any bad surprises while trying to make your adventure travel dream come true.
Travel Forums For Research
Following are some of the more popular forums that can help you get some questions answered.
- Fodors: http://www.fodors.com/community
- Trip advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ForumHome
- Trippy: http://forum.virtualtourist.com
Top Adventure Travel Companies
G Adventures
G Adventures is one of the top adventure travel companies in the business with a wide variety of adventures to choose from all over the world. They have a solid reputation and a flexible Lifetime Deposit Policy to help you if you should have an issue that would change the time of your travel plans. Click here to go to their site: www.gadventures.com.
REI Adventures
You may be familiar with REI from their local retail outlets for adventure gear. Well, they also offer top-notch adventure travel experiences from sultry tours of exotic Thailand to the frigid Arctic trips at the North Pole. This adventure travel company has a strong brand in this industry due to the fact that they take good care of their clients. Click here to go to their site: http://www.rei.com/adventures
Exodus Travels
Adventure Center has been around for many years and is a trusted source for adventure experiences all around the world. They can help you with just about any kind of adventure imaginable, and they’re very passionate about promoting responsible adventure travel trips everywhere they go. Click here to go to their site: https://www.exodustravels.com/
Abercrombie & Kent
If you’re looking for a true luxury adventure travel experience, then check out this adventure travel company. Abercrombie and Kent offers everything from exquisite accommodations and fine dining while on safari in Africa to personal small group experiences in the Galapagos with incredible wildlife… perfect for a family adventure. You may pay a pretty penny for the experience, but the one-of-a-kind memories will last a lifetime. Click here to go to their site: http://www.abercrombiekent.com
iExplore
This is one of the biggies. They’re very well established and have an awful lot to offer. If you’re looking for one company to give you just about any kind of adventure travel experience you can imagine then you may want to start here. Click here to go to their site: http://www.iexplore.com
If you have had a great experience with a different adventure travel company please let us know about it in the comments below. We’re always on the lookout for hidden gems.