G Adventures

Travellers arrive from all over the world to begin their adventure so they do not include international airfare in their prices. Global Journeys would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for a flight quote when requesting a quote.

The security that comes from knowing your trip is locked-in is a feeling that can't be topped. Every G Adventures departure is guaranteed to run. All of them. Once you've booked and paid, that's it; you're going. Guaranteed. Your trip won't be cancelled by G Adventures for any reason (beyond harsh weather or safety issues).

All of G Adventures tours require that you have medical travel insurance which includes at least $200,000 worth of emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage. You will be required to complete “Good to go” an online check in before your tour commences, including details of your insurance policy. Cancellation insurance is recommended but not mandatory.

Requirements for travel visas vary widely depending on your nationality and your destination. Although we are unable to arrange visas on your behalf we have provided information on our "Passports & Visas" page that will help you determine if visas are required. If you do require a visa you can arrange them yourself or a visa processing company.

G Adventures keep their group sizes low so you have the freedom to move around and get involved with your surroundings, as well as more personal attention from the local guides. This intimate size ensures that your group will not crowd your experience. You can expect up to 15 travellers on a trip but the average is 10.

To travel independently you must be at least 18 years of age. There are no upper age limits for most of our tours (although 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours are restricted exclusively to 18-to-39-year-olds). Also, travellers with pre-existing medical conditions are required to complete a medical questionnaire. Family Adventures are open to families with children aged between 6 and 17 years of age. Standard (non-family) adventures are open to children aged 12 years or older when accompanied by a parent (max. two children per adult). The two-children-per-adult restriction does not apply to Family Adventures.

Most of G's trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if you are travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another G Adventures traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement or rarely a mandatory single supplement. An optional service that may be available is called "My Own Room". This service allows solo travellers to request their own private room while on tour. The cost and the details vary by trip, so please refer to each trip summary page for details.

Groups often experience a good mix of ages, everything from travellers in their early-20s to those aged 60 and over. G Adventures sort all of their trips into Travel Styles, which guarantee that you'll be travelling with people who share the same interests you do. Over the years, we've found that a good range of ages within a group often adds to the experience.

Starting and ending hotels are listed on your travel voucher and in the Trip Details document Global Journeys send to you. G Adventures use a variety of hotels en-route and so a complete list of hotels won't be provided until day 1 of your tour. If your family requires contact information, or in case of emergency, please have them phone the emergency phone number that is found on the Trip Details document you'll receive. This number can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary please let your Global Journeys specialist know before you book your adventure.

Trip specific information on transportation can be found on our itinerary pages however in most cases G Adventures use public transportation. They have found that how you get there significantly influences the tone of your journey and public transportation allows face-to-face interaction with the local people. Some of their adventures, including their National Geographic Journeys and most adventures in Africa, use private transportation.

For privacy reasons we cannot provide you with advance details on your traveling companions. However, G Adventures tours appeal to a wide range of travellers, most of whom share an adventurous spirit and a desire to experience these destinations at a grass-roots level. Our tours are conducted in English and so they attract many travellers from North America, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

G Adventures unique style of off the beaten track, face-to-face travel is the only way to really experience a destination, but it also serves to keep the costs down. They spend your money providing an authentic experience, instead of on lavish hotels and expensive western-style meals. They pass these savings on to you with our low prices. Another thing you'll notice are the inclusions. While they don't include everything, they do throw in the major highlights of a destination, the things that everyone goes to see. On every trip page we show you the 'Included Highlights' of your trip, things that many other companies charge locally for. They leave many other activities as options, to provide you the freedom and flexibility to choose what you want to do on a daily basis.

Yes, in most cases we can arrange additional accommodation at our starting or ending hotels, excluding European tours. If we are unable to provide you with the extra nights we will give you the name of a hotel you can contact directly. Please also note that extra accommodations must be booked outside of 30 days of departure.

It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic.

Tips are not included in the tour price and tipping is entirely at your discretion. Our Trip Details documentation includes suggested tipping amounts and these can be downloaded from each individual trip summary page.

All documentation for G Adventures is sent electronically by email. Shortly after we receive your payment we will send you your initial documents. Final documentation will be sent by email no later than two weeks prior to the departure.

When your deposit is made, and we confirm your booking, it is non-refundable. If you cancel, the deposit becomes a lifetime deposit with G Adventures, it can be used to book another tour of greater or equal value when you are ready to travel. If you cancel your booking within 60 days of departure, G Adventure's penalty is 50% loss, and if you cancel within 30 days, it is 100%. For further information regarding G Adventures terms and conditions, please scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to their booking Terms and Conditions.

G Adventures strongly recommend bringing a backpack or duffel bag, as suitcases can be cumbersome and difficult to store in buses, under seats, etc. Keep in mind that you will normally have to carry your own luggage on and off buses and trains and up and down hotel staircases. Suitcases with wheels may not work well on dirt or cobblestone roads.

We always recommend packing as light as possible however the specific requirements for your tour will vary widely depending on where and when you are traveling. Your 'Trip Details' documentation includes a suggested packing list and these can be downloaded from each individual trip summary page. The checklist is tour specific and based upon the experience of G Adventures ground staff.

On most evenings, your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will organize a group meal. It's pretty flexible; you can choose to dine with the group or head off and do your own thing. Other nights, your CEO may recommend a few nearby restaurants you can try. Again, you determine whether you want to stick with the group or go it alone.

Shore excursions are typically 2 to 3 hours long and there is at least one a day (depending on weather).

The ship departs from Ushuaia, Argentina. Flights typically arrive in Ushuaia via Buenos Aires.

Antarctica can only be visited during the summer season which lasts from November to March. November is best for viewing penguin rookeries and typically has more immense icebergs to enjoy, while March is a good time for whale watching.

We recommend you bring a warm winter jacket, waterproof pants, tall Wellington boots, hats, mitts and anything else that would make you comfortable in cold weather. There are places in Ushuaia where outerwear can be rented however there is no guarantee that items will be available (and so we recommend you bring it with you). More information is provided in the Trip Details document available on each of our trip pages.

All our Antarctic voyages cross the Drake Passage, notorious for rough seas. We recommend bringing seasickness medication and if you are unsure which type to bring please consult your physician.

There is never a bad time to visit. The warm season runs from January to May with an average temperature of 30°C (86°F). The seas are also calmer and warmer during these months. If you’re an avid snorkeller, then we suggest visiting during January through March, when underwater visibility is at its best. This is also the mating season for land birds and sea lions, and nesting season for sea turtles.

If flowers and lush vegetation is your thing, then visit the islands from February through April, when the island is in full bloom. March and April are great months to get up-close-and-personal with sea lion pups.

The Galápagos cool season starts in June and wraps up in December. The average temperature is 25°C (81°F) and is typically overcast, but with very little rain. The seas are rougher at this point, especially from July through September. However, the Humboldt Current brings colder water that is rich in plankton, which means more fish and birds. Blue-footed boobies also mate during this season.

Yes! We only hire certified naturalist guides from the Galápagos National Park Service. They are also trained G Adventures Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) focussed on giving you the most memorable experience, both on and off the boat.

Your guide will hold an informational meeting to discuss the flora and fauna you’ll encounter on your adventure. Curiosity is encouraged, as your guide is pleased to answer all of your questions. Your guide will also provide the group with instructions on how to tread lightly on this highly sensitive environment.

All of our Galápagos tours depart from Quito, Ecuador. Usually, you will fly from Quito on the second day of your tour. You will depart Quito between 7am and 11am, arriving in the Galápagos between noon and 2pm.

On the last day of the tour, you’ll depart after breakfast and catch a morning flight that gets you back to Quito in the early afternoon. It’s easy breezy!

We spend most of the night cruising, so that you can spend the day mingling with the wildlife.

Absolutely! You’ll have plenty of opportunities to go snorkelling. Masks, snorkels, and fins are available on board, free of charge. On most days, you'll visit two islands – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. We do our best to give you time to snorkel at each stop, so you can expect to get in about an hour in the water both in the morning and the afternoon. Don't forget to pack your swimsuit!

Unfortunately, due to permit regulations dictated by the Galápagos National Park Service, we cannot offer scuba diving, but there’s plenty of time to splash in the turquoise waters.

The Galápagos National Park Service issues a National Park fee of USD 100, which must be paid at the Galápagos airport. This fee is used to help protect and preserve the islands.

The water around the Galápagos Islands is fairly calm, but it can get a little choppy when the cold Humboldt Current arrives between July and September. If you’re prone to seasickness or nervous of the possibility, we suggest contacting your physician Before You Depart.

All of our vessels are equipped with a basic first-aid-kit. However, they aren’t equipped to handle serious medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, all travellers must have valid medical insurance that covers medical emergency evacuation.

Aside from your arrival and departure days, you’ll see approximately two islands per day, spending at least four hours on each. Pretty sweet, huh?

We offer wetsuits on-board all the boats free of charge. Wetsuits are not needed all year round, but from July through September, the water is a little cooler, and a wetsuit can make splashing around a little more comfortable.

Most G Adventures tours do not include airport transfers and so we recommend you arrange a taxi on arrival (this is the most economical and efficient way of getting you to your hotel). Arrival instructions and full address details of your accommodation are supplied in the trip documentation your Travel Advisor will email to you before you leave.