As far as tour companies go you can’t really get any better for the cost you are paying. G Adventures are one of the best tour operators in the world, from trekking the Inca Trail in Peru to sailing around the Maldives islands. The number of tours and trips that G has to offer is quite incredible. They are a Canadian company, well this was where they started off anyway, Toronto, before expanding to have offices in the US, UK and throughout Europe. They cover ten different tour styles depending on your budget and these range from weekend breaks away, to a month-long backpacking adventure.
What are you looking for? That’s the question. Their easy to navigate site makes finding your adventure simple and painless. Once you have found the tour you are wanting to purchase, the price will more than likely surprise you. Affordable and for all travellers; whether you are an 18-year-old fresh out of college, or parents wanting to go on a trip of a lifetime.
G Adventures use the best local guides who actually work for them, not another external company. G makes sure each of their guides has gone through a certain amount of training before being able to take charge of a group. They also need to take a written exam before starting their career with them. In comparison to other tour operators this makes G Adventures stand out from everyone else. This is because the guides are fully experienced, they have the most amount of knowledge and can answer any question you have about a certain tradition, or part of the country you are exploring. They also have impeccable English; I have never had a tour guide who I didn’t understand.
So how do you get booking? Easy, you can just head onto their website and off you go. All their tours are guaranteed departures, there is no minimum number of travellers needed for any of the tours. This means that once you are booked on, you are going. Simple as that! £200 is all that is needed per person to be able to secure a tour with them. I’m guessing that would be $300 for any US reading this. If you are booking flights through them as well, you may have to pay more than this.
There cancellation has usually been very good, once you have paid in full for the tour and it is unable to operate (for example due to COVID-19) you are entitled to a refund or to rebook your trip. If you were to cancel before the final payment your £200 deposit stays with G for life. Yes, for life. No expiry. So if you can’t travel this year but will be wanting to go on an adventure tour in 10 years time, then that’s fine you have your couple hundred off already. How good is that?
Below is a list of all the travel styles they offer:
- 18-To-30-Somethings Tours
- Classic Tours
- National Geographic Tours
- Active Tours
- Wellness Tours
- Family Tours
- Rail Tours
- National Geographic Family Tours
- Marine Tours
- Local Living Tours
I’m sorry but if you can’t find something to like in there then I just don’t think travelling is for you. Let’s just take a random location and give you a taste of what’s on offer. Bali (it was the first option in Asia):
- 13 tour results
- Price range £429 – £2529
- Tour length 8 days – 34 days
- 5 x (18-30 somethings), 1 x Active, 6 x Classic, 1 x Wellness
- 12 with booking discounts
There couldn’t be a larger choice. You can book online or over the phone with one of the agents at G Adventures. If you wanted to have extra protection you could book through another travel agent. They would be able to organise the flights for you and any extra accommodation you would like, if you wanted to make one of these tours part of a larger trip. You may also get better package protection, so it’s worth exploring all options.
As a solo traveller purchasing a G Adventures tour; I always felt very secure and safe. I would purchase the tour through them, any pre and post night accommodation, as well as any transfers to and from the airport. When you land in your desired country there will be someone official with a G Adventures sign and your name on it, no fussing about. When you arrive at your starting hotel the guide will know exactly who you are with no questions asked. Always so friendly and happy to meet you. Everyone I have met on the tours I have done, have been very like-minded and it’s always been a pleasure meeting these people from around the world. If you are a solo traveller you can either pay for your own room, which will come as a supplement, or if you didn’t want to pay you can just take a chance with a twin room; but you will likely be paired with another solo traveller (always of the same sex).
If you have any further questions about G Adventures or my experience then feel free to get in contact.
LEAH HANCOX 