So you’re interested in outdoor adventure trips but haven’t decided which travel company is the right fit for you. There are many factors you should be thinking about, each important to your own needs. From our experiences, here are five useful questions to keep in mind while searching for your trip-of-a-lifetime.

Tips To Find The Right Adventure Travel Company

1. How long has the company been in business?

The perfect vacation package is like a fine wine. It takes years of crafting and testing to produce the best results. Over the years, any successful tour company will have gathered great reviews from customers and likely have been mentioned in the media. Take other people's advice, and choose the one they feel comfortable with.

Just some of the awards we have received over the years include best adventure travel company and some award-winning adventure tours.
(photo: BikeHike Adventures in the early 1990s)

 

2. Do they have references you can contact?

The beauty of a successful adventure travel company is the number of satisfied customers willing to spread the word. Try asking for references and checking online for reviews on sites like TripAdvisor. 

3. What are the qualifications of the guides?

To put it lightly, your guide will make or break your experience. Make sure the operators know who they’re sending you away with. How many years of experience do they have in the destination? What languages do they speak? How are they trained? Do they have wilderness medicine training? Asking these questions will lead to important answers and is an easy way to catch a glimpse of the company's credibility.

4. What is the commitment to responsible tourism?

Be mindful of the impact each operator has on the environment and local destinations. By booking locally owned accommodation, dining at small establishments, and employing local guides, adventure travel companies help sustain the communities and ensure an authentic travel experience. Think about it, who knows the “ins and outs” of a city better than the locals? Also, make sure the company is cautious of fragile ecosystems and sensitive to wildlife.

5. Is the company licensed to sell adventure travel?

You’ve just transferred funds to your adventure travel operator when you find out they’ve gone insolvent. What do you do now? These situations highlight the importance of booking with a licensed travel company. Some countries, provinces and states have mandatory licensing. Ideally, choose a company that is licensed. For instance, Consumer Protection BC enforces consumer protection laws in British Columbia. It’s just good business.

By asking these five questions, you’ll be better situated to choose an adventure travel company that is right for you.

If you are looking for any advice feel free to get in touch and we are more than happy to answer your questions!

Happy Travels,

BikeHike Adventures