Wilderness Travel, based in Berkeley, California, has been in business since 1978 and takes travelers around the world. But don't let the name "Wilderness" mislead you. While you'll be able to take a strenuous trek in the Himalayas or Andes with the company's stable of experienced guides, you can also book an easy trip to Europe complete with stays at comfortable hotels and picnics served with wine. Even the Himalayan journeys come with "cozy" mountaineering tents and warm sleeping bags, and the African safari camps and lodgings are luxurious.
What Makes Wilderness Travel Stand Out?
Award-wnning tour operator
Small group sizes
Specially chosen tour guides
Exceptional customer service
They’ve received countless awards for their outstanding itineraries, destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and value. Since they cap their small group tours at 16 max, you get to feel more connected with everyone.
Their itineraries are also organized to make the most out of your limited time. Expect to beat the crowds and see more than other tour groups that have the same itinerary.
Tour guides are specially chosen people that have deep knowledge about the place. These people are charismatic, genuine, and passionate about what they have to share with you - all while providing first-class customer service! If having an exceptional tour guide that goes above and beyond is important to you, consider a trip with Wilderness Travel.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Wilderness Travel?
Moderately active travelers
Ages 30-50
High budget travelers
If you’re willing to spend the extra penny to experience the best of the best, then you’ll surely enjoy Wilderness Travel tours. Tours are at the luxury and premium level, which attracts a higher clientele of friendly, well-traveled, educated, and open-minded travelers.
Wilderness Travel ranks its trips from one to seven in order of difficulty, so you have plenty of choice. If you want to take it slow and explore Kyoto’s majestic castles and teahouses, there’s a tour in Japan for that. Like a good challenge? Get your sweat on and hike the coast of Crete.
They cover a wide range of tour themes such as archaeology, culinary, hiking/trekking, journeying by rail, safari, river cruise, snorkeling, yacht cruising, and whale watching just to name a few. Whatever your interest may be, there’s a tour for it!
Top Destinations
Wilderness Travel offers trips in seven continents and remote locations featured in their special expeditions, from tropical Papua New Guinea to Spitsbergen in the Arctic. Small ship cruising to exotic locations is a specialty, and WT will also put together family trips.
Experience classic destinations but with new routes and destinations along the way that put a spin on the experience. Sail through the Galapagos Islands on a yacht, Some trips are also focused on taking you off the beaten path.
Wilderness Travel’s Travel Style
Wilderness Travel believes in bringing you the very best that every destination has to offer. Their lavish and luxurious travel style brings you experiences that are beyond your wildest imagination. They’re all about HOW you travel, so you’ll want to pull out your camera just to take a snap of the bedroom decor. Imagine drifting asleep to the sounds of the African night in a safari camping tent or staying overnight in a Japanese mountaintop temple.
From the minute you book, you’re assigned an Area Specialist that’s there to guide you through every bit of planning and preparing. They’ll help you with every trip detail from travel visas to what you should wear. Also it’s best to reserve tours well in advanced since space is limited.
Their activity level system ranks the trips according to the activity and general travel rigors. A plus sign (+) also indicates the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of the same level. It’s important to check the itinerary details for the more specific activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions.
1 - Easiest: Non camping journeys, optional walks, minimal elevation changes.
2 - Easy to Moderate: Hotels and/or safari camping, hikes on some days, optional sea kayaking.
3 - Moderate: Half to full day hikes (3-6 hours) in the countryside, occasional steep trails. Hotel-based walking tours and snorkeling adventures are usually in this category.
4 - Moderate to strenuous: Full day hikes (4-6 hours) on mountainous terrains, significant elevation gains and losses (as much as 3,000 feet) on many hikes.
5 - Strenuous: Full day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, very steep, with altitudes of 10,000-12,000 ft.
6 - Very Strenuous: Full day hikes (5-8 hours), just as mountainous and steep as level 5, with altitudes as high as 18,000 ft.
7 - Most Strenuous: Full day hikes in mountainous terrain, camping, and hiking at extreme altitudes.
Why Choose a Tour With Wilderness Travel?
Wilderness Travel tours is all about creating unrivaled experiences in destinations all around the world. They’ve continued to be an award-winning tour company as a result of their top-notch travel guides and well thought out itineraries. Even if you don’t enjoy group tours, this is the tour operator that’ll change your mind. With such a wide array of activities and destinations, they’re ready to tick off all your travel bucket list items.
At the same time, their travel style makes for experiences that more refined than authentic. If you prefer to travel without the added comforts and luxuries, and celebrating with champagne at the end of an African safari isn’t your style, you might want to consider looking elsewhere.
Wilderness Travel is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable travel. They gives back to the communities around the world, making sure that your travel dollars go into the local economy. They support numerous cultural and conservation organizations - some that were started by Wilderness Travel trip leaders.