Adventure travel, or how to make your dream trip without worrying about planning

If I say “adventure travel” or “adventure tourism”, does that mean anything to you? To be honest, two years ago I had only a vague idea of the concept. I had heard the names of some of the companies, without dwelling too much on them. Guided tours, very little for me.

This article is for those who, like me, dream of admiring the wonders of this world: Petra in Jordan, the pyramids of Egypt, the Maya temples … and to set foot in lands more or less easily accessible: Amazonia, Tibet, Antartica, the Sahara…

Such a journey requires a lot of preparation. One of my aunts spent almost five years planning her trip to Egypt, and she told me she experienced a lot of stress in the process. Moreover, once there, she quickly realized that she had omitted several details.

That’s where adventure travel companies come in. They offer tours in small groups (usually 6 to 15 people) that target various types of travellers.

I had the opportunity to try three of them, but I will focus today on a company I particularly like (G Adventures) for the simple reason that their tours seem to me suitable for more types of travellers, not just young adults. Also, I love the fact that G Adventures have created their own charity, Planeterra (which I’ll talk about a little below).

This article is not sponsored: it is my personal opinion. milesopedia.com is affiliated with G Adventures and receives a commission if you book through one of the links on this page a tour with G Adventures.

G Adventures, a Canadian company, has prided itself on being the leader in small group adventure travel for nearly 30 years.

How did it get there? By listening to its travellers and giving them what they want – flexible itineraries, the freedom to explore in small groups, safety and peace of mind, and local guides who show you your destination in a way you would never see if you travelled any other way.

Are you looking for the right balance between independent backpacking and organized groups? Congratulations, you found it. Classic style tours combine the support and security of group travel, unbeatable variety, and the flexibility to not follow the schedule to the letter when destiny has other plans in store for you.

For experienced travellers, it is not enough to simply “see” a destination. They want to dig in, go deeper. This is the spirit that drives every Classic Tour; a tasty mix of must-see highlights and many experiences you didn’t even know you could do, all organized and managed by a local expert.

These tours are for:

• Everyone (18 years old and over for a solo traveller; 12 years old and over for a child with an adult)

National Geographic Tours with G Adventures is a collection of unique tours designed to introduce you to the cultures and habitats of the places we explore.

They offer more inclusions than other G Adventures travel styles, more direct exploration, interaction with local experts and the freedom to move around, all within the structure and security of a small group.

These trips include more luxurious accommodations, more comfortable transportation and more inclusions than G Adventures’ other travel styles.

As you prepare for your adventure, you’ll receive pre-departure articles from National Geographic to learn about your trip.

This type of circuit is more expensive than the others.

These tours are for:

• Everyone (18 years old and over for a solo traveller; 12 years old and over for a child with an adult);
• Those who have a slightly more flexible budget than the average.

Why settle for seeing the world when you can hike, mountain bike, kayak or swim through it? Those who like to move a lot don’t have to look any further.

Active Circuits with G Adventures take you closer to the destination with hiking, biking and other sports. G Adventures provides the equipment and the experts, you provide the energy.

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy experiences that mobilize the muscles as well as the mind and heart. Whether it’s a bike ride through remote villages, a hike to the top of the Kilimanjaro, or physical activities such as rock climbing, zip line or dogsled, these tours offer as many activities as you want.

These tours are for:

• Those who are already in good physical shape and wish to be active during their trip;
• Lovers of thrills and landscapes that not everyone can see.

G Adventures’ 18-to-Thirty somethings tours are designed for young adults looking for experience rather than comfort. They offer a mix of campsites, youth hostels, homestays, etc. depending on the destination.

For example, the same itinerary can be offered in a Classic tour format for 18 to 39 year olds – the Classic version will be a little more expensive and offer hotels, while the one for young adults will involve a little less privacy.

These tours include lots of free time, time to socialize and meet other travelers who share your state of mind. All this on a tight budget! They have a nice portion of culture during the day, before letting you sample the local bars and restaurants after dusk.

These tours are for:

• People between 18 and 39;
• Those who have no problem sleeping in a tent or a dormitory;
• Those who want to live unique experiences and meet people from all over the world on a small budget.

Other types of tours are also proposed: Marine, Family, Wellness, Local Living… There is certainly no lack of choice!

You might find yourself sailing through the Maldives, moving from island to island in Greece or exploring Dubrovnik as a local!