Hiking & Trekking
Hiking, trekking, and adventure travel seem to go hand in hand, with denizens of bold travelers dreaming of lofty peaks, alpine meadows, or hiking across the icy expanse of a glacier. Our hiking & trekking expeditions run the gamut from comfortable hikes across remote rocky beaches in Antarctica or the Galápagos, searching for resident wildlife, to making our way through rain forests and semi-arid deserts as part of an intense exploration for primates in Uganda. As often as possible, we offer a choice for travelers, allowing you to shorten or lengthen your trekking time and choose your level of difficulty as well.
Trekking eco travel comes with vast rewards: Rare glimpses of off-the-beaten path destinations, whether it’s 11,000-foot Pelila Pass and its vast array of wildlife in Bhutan, or the snow monkeys of northern Japan, soaking peacefully in natural thermal springs. Climbing the geological masterpiece that is the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, or trekking across lava terrain in the Galápagos to meet the enormous waved albatross. Our trekking adventure tour leaders are as excited as you are by the discoveries and opportunities we encounter on our expeditions and will be there to encourage your chosen level of exertion. May the exploration begin!
The itineraries we offer vary from year to year; below please find our upcoming history-focused expeditions.
Africa
Back to Africa with Lex Hes: Safari to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia
Heighten your Africa adventure travel experience with one of the finest bush guides on the continent, Lex Hes. We combine three remarkable countries—Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia—on this Africa expedition, enjoying a staggering array of wildlife, from desert rhino to Thornicroft’s giraffe, via chartered aircraft and 4x4 vehicles. Each Lex Hes tour benefits from his 30 years of experience as a guide at the famous Londolozi Game Reserve and his innate knowledge and instincts about Africa.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Classic Botswana
Join us as we visit the true Africa—Botswana—where the landscape has remained relatively unscathed and offers vintage Africa adventure travel. Here we find all the major wildlife: elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos, plains antelopes, leopards, cheetahs, and more. Well over half of Africa’s most endangered carnivore, the wild dog, is here.
Upcoming Departures
Classic Uganda: A Primate Paradise
Uganda adventure travel is alluring and profound—after all, this is one of Africa’s most biologically diverse countries and home to the amazing mountain gorilla. Our experience here focuses on Uganda’s primates, but delves into the natural wonders of the country from the rain forests of the great Congo Basin to the wetlands of Lake Victoria to the semi-arid deserts of the Sahel. During our trekking safari tour, we hope to glimpse lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalos, and, of course, the 400-pound knuckle-walking mountain gorillas.
Upcoming Departures
Senegal to Spain with Cape Verde, Canary Islands & Morocco
A revelation of amazing landscapes, cultures, and history, our multifaceted Senegal to Spain adventure travel vacation begins in Dakar, Senegal’s lively capital. Our tour of the World Heritage Site of Gorée Island, the notorious former slave-trading center, is a humbling experience. With our expert guides, we sail northward to the unique Cape Verde Islands, a geographically important staging area in Portugal’s exploration of the New World.
Upcoming Departures
Uganda: A Trekking Adventure
Join us for this inaugural Uganda trekking expedition, as we search for primates, hippos, Nile crocodiles, bountiful birds, and the majestic mountain gorilla. With the active traveler in mind, we explore the many treasures of the region during hikes, cruises, game drives, and rafting with our expert guides Jonathan Rossouw and Simon Bellingham.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Ultimate Botswana
Join us as we visit the true Africa—Botswana—where the landscape has remained relatively unscathed and offers vintage Africa adventure travel. Here we find all the major wildlife: elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos, plains antelopes, leopards, cheetahs, and more. Well over half of Africa’s most endangered carnivore, the wild dog, is here. Our Botswana expedition includes mokoro cruising on the Okavango Delta, searching for more than 350 bird species (including the scarce black egret and pygmy goose), and romantic accommodations in some of Africa’s best camps.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Voyage to Madagascar with Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros & Zanzibar
Spectacular scenery awaits throughout this Madagascar expedition with Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros, and Zanzibar. Our East Africa expedition combines the volcanic peaks of Mauritius and Reunion, the colorful chameleons and pristine coral reefs of Madagascar, and the rugged Comoros Islands. Spend six days on a Madagascar tour as we search for mouse, black, and brown lemurs; 32 species of reptiles; and over 100 species of birds, among them rare endemics such as the Madagascar fish eagle and white-breasted mesite.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Zambia: Africa's Best Kept Secret
Africa’s “best kept secret,” Zambia presents myriad opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and cultural immersion, especially in the company of renowned Africa safari guide, Lex Hes. During our Zambia expedition, we visit three national parks: Kafue, Lower Zambezi, and South Luangwa. We search by day and night for the intense concentrations of wildlife, some 60 animal species and at least 400 species of birds. We boat the Zambezi River, tracking hippos and crocodiles, a highlight of Zambia adventure travel, then spend peaceful evenings at luxury tented camps.
Upcoming Departures
Antarctica
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands
In the spirit of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctica expedition, our exploration of the White Continent offers in-depth Antarctica, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands adventure travel – all while seamlessly combining rich natural history with some of Mother Nature’s most rugged and dramatic landscapes.
Upcoming Departures
Circumnavigation of South Georgia with the Falkland Islands
Join us as we celebrate Zegrahm’s 20th anniversary in the land we hold most dear, South Georgia. Our comprehensive South Georgia adventure travel tour aboard the Sea Spirit will capture it all, from the snow-covered plateaus and cliffs draped in 15-foot icicles to the stunning wildlife: majestic king penguins, four species of albatross, fur seals, reindeer, and more. On this exciting wildlife expedition, get up close and personal with the amazing creatures that call this region home.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Arctic
Polar Bear Quest: A Voyage Through Svalbard
From Tromsøe, the “Gateway to the Arctic,” our Svalbard polar bear expedition makes for the North Cape, where we’ll stand on the northernmost tip of the European continent. With such heady beginnings, this trip is one you’re sure to treasure for years to come.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Asia
Bhutan: Journey Through a Himalayan Kingdom
Bhutan adventure travel is the experience of a lifetime. In a country where they’ve adopted the concept of Gross National Happiness and where snowcapped peaks are set off by ornate temples and colorful houses, we journey where few travelers have gone before. Your Himalayas expedition includes nature hikes, interactions with local people, and wildlife viewing—glimpse the Himalayan black bear and the black-necked cranes from Tibet. This is a pilgrimage back in time to places where determined people live close to the heavens and keep their traditions alive.
Upcoming Departures
Mongolia: Land of Chinggis Khaan
From fossilized dinosaur bones to wild horses thundering across grassy steppes, you’ll soon understand why Mongolia adventure travel is a journey to the “Land of Blue Sky.” The recreational and anthropological pursuits are countless, from horseback and camelback treks to visits with local families to learn about their traditions and customs, and the fragility of their nomadic lifestyles.
Upcoming Departures
Snow Monkeys & Cranes
This extraordinary Japan expedition blends an array of fascinating wildlife with the exquisite wintertime landscapes of the country. Birders and photographers are in heaven as we visit Arasaki, Kyushu, where nearly 12,000 hooded and white-naped cranes winter each year. We continue on for our snow monkeys expedition, visiting these stirring creatures in Jigokudani in central Honshu, as they soak in the region’s thermal baths.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Western Himalayas: A Journey Through Sacred Lands
This fascinating Himalayas adventure travel expedition takes us to spectacular natural wonders and exquisite cultural landmarks. We begin with a Delhi tour, where we visit energetic bazaars, lavish palaces, and stunning British Raj and Mughal architecture. From here, we venture to Ladakh, in the Trans-Himalayan region and former commercial hub on the Asian Silk Road. Visit Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh’s oldest spiritual center; attend a traditional Tara puja ceremony in Palampur; and explore the Tibetan complex and home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, McLeod Ganj.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Europe
Azores with Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Canary Islands, and Madeira
We follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus as we take on this Azores expedition, including a Canary Islands tour. Step ashore on the Rock of Gibraltar; delight your senses in Moroccan bazaars; and set sail for the Canaries, Madeira, and the splendid Azores.
Upcoming Departures
Circumnavigation of Iceland
Larger than life, yet just shy of Cuba’s landmass area, Iceland is a Land of Fire and Ice, natural diversity, and a hardy and hospitable population. Our Iceland adventure travel expedition makes every effort to capture the geological drama of the land, aboard the superb Clipper Odyssey, by Zodiac, by snowmobile, and on foot.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Circumnavigation of Ireland
Board the elegant, 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey for this in-depth Ireland expedition. As we maneuver the waterways of the region, our Emerald Island adventure travel tour will include visits to Dún Aengus; the passage tombs of Knowth; the cliffside monasteries and defense lookout towers of the Celtic monks; the Viking legacy of Waterford; and Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, and Killarney. We explore the dramatic landscape on foot and by Zodiac, taking us to the World Heritage Site of Giant’s Causeway or to remote islands to commingle with fascinating seabirds.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Circumnavigation of Sicily
Join us for our most in-depth Sicily expedition ever as we delve into one of the most fascinating islands in the Mediterranean. In Malta, visit Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural masterpiece. Follow ancient trade routes aboard the Clipper Odyssey, charting a course for the Roman theaters and villas of Taormina, Piazza Amerina, and Lipari. And, of course, no Sicily and Palermo tour is complete without food and wine! We stop at several vineyards, sample olive oil straight from the press, visit local outdoor markets, and savor the best local cuisine.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Ireland & the British Isles
Enjoy the Emerald Isle like never before on a British Isles expedition which includes a comprehensive Ireland tour. Discover mysterious Dún Aengus; the cliffside monasteries and lookout towers of the Celtic monks; the Viking legacy of Waterford; and the 17th – 18th century English fortresses, mansions, and elaborate gardens gracing Cork and Killarney. Rolling green glens are studded with shimmering lakes and dramatic cliffs, busy with breeding seabirds, that reach vertically from the sea.
Upcoming Departures
Norwegian Fjords & Scottish Isles
Our Norwegian Fjords expedition capitalizes on the longest days of summer as we explore Norway’s exquisite, scenic coastline from Tromsø, above the Arctic Circle, to the remote and isolated Scottish Isles. Brightly painted villages, vertical cliffs trailing lacey cascades, and serpentine fjords call to the camera; while millions of seabirds—kittiwakes, shags, razorbills, and puffins—call this paradise home.
Upcoming Departures
Galapagos
Galápagos My Way
Certainly one of the most iconic and memorable expeditions one can take, Galápagos adventure travel is exhilarating and humbling. You’ll find yourself in the company of species found nowhere else in the world, walking among abundant wildlife that has grown astonishingly fearless in the absence of humans and large predators. On your Galápagos tour, you might find yourself face to face with a pair of courting blue-footed boobies, sitting next to a marine iguana as it basks in the sun, or snorkeling amidst a family of playful sea lions.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Ultimate Galápagos
Certainly one of the most iconic and memorable expeditions one can take, Galápagos adventure travel is exhilarating and humbling. You’ll find yourself in the company of species found nowhere else in the world, walking among abundant wildlife that has grown astonishingly fearless in the absence of humans and large predators. On your Galápagos tour, you might find yourself face to face with a pair of courting blue-footed boobies, sitting next to a marine iguana as it basks in the sun, or snorkeling amidst a family of playful sea lions.
Upcoming Departures
India and Indian Ocean
Classic Seychelles with the Comoros & Zanzibar
Enjoy eight full days of Seychelles adventure travel followed by a visit to the fascinating Comoros and Zanzibar. This Seychelles expedition has it all—from spectacular snorkeling and diving, including two days at magical Aldabra Atoll—to beautiful beaches and endemic flora and fauna, such as the giant Indian Ocean tortoise. Our exploration of the rugged, volcanic Comoros Islands includes spotting brown lemurs and endemic bird life, and experiencing a delightful blend of cultures.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
India & the Maldives with Sri Lanka & Lakshadweeps
A potpourri of natural and cultural highlights, our new Southern India and Maldives adventure travel expedition features sublime scenery, time-honored traditions, and dazzling undersea wonders. Aboard the 110-passsenger Clipper Odyssey, we embark from Chennai, en route to Sri Lanka, where our Southern India tour includes three World Heritage Sites. We search for wild elephants on a 4x4 safari at Minneriya Eco Park and seek the 400 bird species found here. In Kochi, our Southern India expedition includes a houseboat tour, lending insight into traditional daily life.
Upcoming Departures
Madagascar: The Eighth Continent
A must for nature-lovers, Madagascar adventure travel is ripe with botanicals, birds, and land animals, including the island’s icon—lemurs. The island’s isolation and size (it’s the world’s fourth-largest island) has made for striking biodiversity: 90 percent of all forest flora is endemic and more than half of the 250-plus bird species are found nowhere else. Our special Madagascar expedition takes you where few others have ventured before, and rewards your curiosity with exotic plants and animals, from pygmy stump-tailed chameleons to 1,000 varieties of orchid.
Upcoming Departures
Ultimate Seychelles with Aldabra Atoll
Zegrahm’s Seychelles expedition takes you all the way from the stunning granitic islands of the north to the remote and rarely visited coral atolls of the south. Our comprehensive Seychelles adventure travel tour to this untouched Eden, led by expert guides, offers spectacular snorkeling and diving, including a two-day Aldabra Atoll tour; beautiful white-sand beaches; and endemic flora and fauna, with rare Seychelles paradise flycatchers, coco-de-mer palms, flying foxes, and giant Indian Ocean tortoises.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Wild India
With more than 5,000 years of human history to its name, India is the perfect setting for adventure travel on a grand scale. Our 19-day India and Delhi tour reveals the dramatic landscapes, varied wildlife, and rich culture of the region, from 1,000-year-old Hindu temples to the increasingly rare Bengal tiger. An in-depth Delhi tour, including sights of both Old and New Delhi, kicks off our India expedition.
Upcoming Departures
Indonesia
Baliem Valley & Raja Ampat: Cultural & Underwater Adventure
A once-in-a-lifetime adventure, this western New Guinea tour combines the best of land and sea in the Baliem Valley and Raja Ampat. In the Baliem Valley, with its 2,700 species of orchid and 124 endemic plants, we meet the Dani and Lani people, known for their dress of feathers, orchid-fiber fabrics, and boar tusks. We move on to Raja Ampat, a centerpiece of our western New Guinea expedition. Witness 75 percent of the Earth’s coral species as you dive and snorkel among these stunning islands.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Circumnavigation of Sumatra
Join us for our Sumatra expedition, an in-depth immersion in Indonesia’s largest island and its wealth of unspoiled wilderness and traditional cultures. Meet the Batak peoples and learn about their unique dress code, religious beliefs, and customs. Watch as young boys prove their manhood on Nias Island by jumping over six-foot-high stone megaliths. And—a true highlight of Sumatra adventure travel—view orphaned orangutans at Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Station as well as some of the 580 bird species recorded in this region.
Upcoming Departures
South America
Wild Brazil with the Pantanal
Brazil unfolds before us in all its stunning natural glory during this popular South America expedition. We visit several different biomes, see as many as 25 indigenous mammals, study ten times as many birds, and even meet some of the planet’s rarest primates. Of course, no Brazil expedition is complete without Iguaçu Falls; this two-and-a-half-mile-wide cataract is our introduction to this spectacular country. Also, included in our Brazil adventure travel tour is the massive Pantanal, the planet’s largest seasonal wetland area.