USA TODAY 10Best
Best adventure travel company? G Adventures!
Best Adventure Travel Company (2019)
Adventure travel has exploded in popularity in recent years, and today it’s easier than ever to explore the highest peaks and most remote corners of the globe. Whether you’re looking for an individualized journey, eco-friendly group tour or multi-generational trip, these 10 travel companies can help.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Adventure Travel Company are as follows:
- Wild Frontiers Travel
- REI Adventures
- Lindblad Expeditions
- BikeHike Adventures
- MT Sobek
- Natural Habitat Adventures
- Geographic Expeditions
- Austin Adventures
- Intrepid Travel
- G Adventures
Photo courtesy of Wild Frontiers Travel
No. 10:
Wild Frontiers Travel specializes in small group tours and tailored trips around the globe. Travelers can choose from family adventures, walking holidays, wildlife tours or signature trips to far flung destinations like Georgia, Azerbaijan, India and Ethiopia.
Photo courtesy of REI Adventures
No. 9:
Adventure travelers have long turned to REI to outfit their travels; with REI Adventures, they’ll also find fully curated experiences on every continent. These active travel itineraries might involve cycling the paths of Zion National Park, trekking through the snowy Himalayas, spotting wildlife in the Galapagos or enjoying a weekend of backpacking close to home.
Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions
No. 8:
Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic to inspire a spirit of exploration and a sense of environmental stewardship in its passengers. With a focus on sustainable tourism and conservation, these educational voyages put guests in contact with naturalists, scientists and researchers working in spectacular natural environments.
Photo courtesy of BikeHike Adventures
No. 7:
BikeHike Adventures was founded in 1994 based on a love for cultural exploration and active travel. Today, the company specializes in small group multi-active itineraries in South and Central America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and Europe, with a range of activities on the menu.
No. 6:
MT Sobek have been leaders in the adventure travel industry for more than half a century. Today, travelers can choose from some 200 journeys designed to inspire and exhilarate, with interest categories like Family Adventure, Women’s Adventure, Cruising, Wellness, Hiking & Trekking or Rafting & Kayaking.
Photo courtesy of Natural Habitat Adventures
No. 5:
In partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, Natural Habitat Adventures is a leader in responsible adventure travel and ecotourism. Travelers can spot polar bears in the Canadian tundra, sail the Galapagos or head out on safari, all with an eye toward sustainability.
Photo courtesy of E+ / Andrey Danilovich
No. 4:
GeoEx takes travelers “to the ends of the Earth” on luxury small group tours and custom journeys. Itineraries are grouped by interest, from family, solo travel and special occasions to philanthropy, active or trailblazing.
Photo courtesy of Austin Adventures
No. 3:
Austin Adventures seeks to bring its “WOW Factor” to every trip, whether through spectacular scenery and well-planned itineraries or thoughtful touches, like freshly prepared trailside treats at the end of a hike. Austin Adventures leads multi-sport and active trips to more than 30 countries on all seven continents.
Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel
No. 2:
Intrepid offers more than 1,000 trips in 100 countries around the world each year, each designed with “small groups, big adventures and responsible travel” in mind. Trip leaders are born and raised in-country, ensuring they know the destination better than anyone else.
Photo courtesy of G Adventures
No. 1:
G Adventures specializes in small group adventure travel, with itineraries designed for active travelers, wellness tourists, families and the 18-to-thirtysomething crowd. Trips take travelers to destinations throughout the world, including the polar regions.
A panel of experts (listed below) partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning adventure travel companies!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
LiLing Pang
LiLing Pang is Founder & CEO at Trekaroo, a travel... Read More
LiLing Pang is Founder & CEO at Trekaroo, a travel resource and online community of "community of families inspiring each other to travel the world." Pang's personal mantra is "have kids, will travel," and she's always looking to push the limit of what's possible with children in tow.
LiLing Pang
LiLing Pang is Founder & CEO at Trekaroo, a travel resource and online community of "community of families inspiring each other to travel the world." Pang's personal mantra is "have kids, will travel," and she's always looking to push the limit of what's possible with children in tow.
Lisa Niver
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert... Read More
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 101 countries and six continents. Her website, We Said Go Travel, was read in 212 countries in 2018. Find her talking travel on KTLA TV and her YouTube videos with over 900,000 views. Lisa has contributed to AARP, American Airways, Jewish Journal, Ms. Magazine, Smithsonian, USA Today 10best and Wharton Magazine. She is writing a book, “Brave Rebel: 50 Scary Challenges Before 50,” about her most recent travels and challenges. Look for her underwater SCUBA diving, in her art studio making ceramics or helping people find their next dream trip.
Lisa Niver
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 101 countries and six continents. Her website, We Said Go Travel, was read in 212 countries in 2018. Find her talking travel on KTLA TV and her YouTube videos with over 900,000 views. Lisa has contributed to AARP, American Airways, Jewish Journal, Ms. Magazine, Smithsonian, USA Today 10best and Wharton Magazine. She is writing a book, “Brave Rebel: 50 Scary Challenges Before 50,” about her most recent travels and challenges. Look for her underwater SCUBA diving, in her art studio making ceramics or helping people find their next dream trip.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
