Our Quality-Value Guarantees

The World Outdoors' Promise
We know you will love our adventures, and our goal is to earn your 100% satisfaction! In fact, we are so confident that your time with us will equal if not exceed your expectations that we guarantee the quality of your trip. If for some reason you find any element of our trips unsatisfactory, we pledge to address your concerns and remedy the situation. We value you and your business and we want our relationship to be positive and rewarding.

"My life is marked between trips with you -- just as it should be. Thus far I've been on two of your trips, both class-act operations. The accommodations, meals, trails, and guides have been tops. The agendas are well planned and executed ? pushing my limits and sense of adventure just enough." S. Blum, MN

The Best Value in Active Travel Guarantee
We commit to you the highest quality and best valued trips ... guaranteed! Without sacrificing comfort or quality we consistently offer prices below similar tour companies while providing comparable amenities and more activities for our guests. If you find a trip of equal quality that matches our itinerary and inclusions at a lower fare within 30 days of your initial booking, we will gladly refund the difference. A simple guarantee that assures you of the best trip at the best fare!

"My budget likes The World Outdoors, too. The prices are often slightly cheaper than those of other major tour operators and the trip quality doesn't suffer." Fodor's Travel Publications

"Excellent value! The World Outdoors does not cut corners to save money." C. Sorensen, MN

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Small Groups
We believe that your vacation should be a personal affair, a chance for you to enjoy yourself as part of an intimate group. That's why most of our domestic trips are limited to only 12 guests, giving The World Outdoors one of the lowest guide-to-guest ratios in the industry -- an average of 1 to 5. In addition to affording more personal attention, small groups increase our access to special places and people, and allow the flexibility to indulge in your particular interests.

"Keeping the group small makes it very personal and enjoyable. Our guides made us feel relaxed and 'at home' with their friendly outgoing attitudes. They obviously love what they do, making it so much more enjoyable for our group." S. Latevola, NJ

"Everything was what I expected or more. The organization was wonderful and I really have no suggestions for improvement. The options gave everyone a chance to do things at their own skill level and interest. Everything ran like clockwork." L. Park, IL

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Pure, Carefree Fun
Traveling with The World Outdoors is a carefree and comfortable affair. We've found the most scenic trails, the best guides, the finest restaurants, and the most charming country inns. We take care of everything from planning each day's activities and routes to ensuring your safety and comfort. Although you may not be aware of what happens behind the scenes, we are certain you will have a comforting sense of being well cared for. This is your vacation and we want to make it the best you've ever had!

"I travel a lot and am very athletic, but this was the most organized, most professional trip I've ever been on. I'm an addict now. Our guides took care of everything -- I never lifted a finger or had to think -- which is a true vacation!" A. Rappaport, NY

"I have never been on a trip where I did not have to worry about anything. A hiking cruise!" M. Parrott, KY

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Accommodating Your Needs
Looking to extend your afternoon bike ride? Feel like putting your feet up instead of putting your hiking boots on? This is your vacation and we want you to feel free to do what you want! Our trips often offer varying route lengths and challenges, and the flexibility of van support. You can engage in as much or as little activity as you would like. You are free to go your own pace, alone or in the company of others, with plenty of time to stop and smell the wildflowers!

"Your patience, kindness, good sense and bloody hard work created the best holiday I have had to date. You helped me find my "zest" for life again." M. Stark, South Africa

"Jeff and Shelly were FABULOUS, both as individuals and as a team. I would love to take a trip with them in the future. They were really supportive and encouraged everyone to go at their own pace, which was great." C. Cavicchio, PA

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Off-the-Beaten-Path Itineraries
We pride ourselves on taking people to places we've discovered only after years of guiding -- places most tourists don't go -- like Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska, the biggest, and maybe the least known, national park in America, or "forbidden" Cuba with its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, and the little known vastness of Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante Wilderness. Even in more popular areas like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon we avoid the crowds and lead you to the hidden gems.

"We loved the 'off the beaten path' itinerary. On our hikes and bike rides we were not constantly bumping into other people, which certainly enhanced our opportunities to encounter the varied wildlife in the parks. It was such an incredible feeling to stand gazing out at the canyon, with only the other people in our group for company." S. Marks, FL

"Although we've been on bike trips before, never before have we gotten off the road into the backcountry to see sights that are not available to the casual tourist. Your concept is truly a terrific one!" B. Steiner, IL

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Our Guests Keep Coming Back!
Half of our guests become repeat customers or were referred by a previous guest. For years we've maintained this standard and this is the single best testimony to the quality, value, and personal attention we lavish on our guests. If you haven't taken a trip with The World Outdoors, then we have hundreds of past customers who would love to tell you about their experience. Call about any of our trips and we'll be happy to refer you to a guest who's been there with us.

"I've taken seven trips with The World Outdoors with an eighth one coming up. I haven't repeated with any other company -- that says it all. I've never had the same guide on any of your trips to date but they've been consistently excellent -- quite a track record!" B. Brady, MA

"Once again, I arrived with super high expectations and you delivered!" M. Parrott, KY

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Why Active Travel?
Active travel can best be defined as traveling under your own power and at your own pace. You will enjoy great rewards by having your physical senses challenged and your intellectual senses stimulated. We believe an active adventure vacation is the best way to return home refreshed, renewed and revitalized.

"Any outdoors-oriented, active adult who wants to enjoy some of the country's most beautiful sights, view incredible wildlife, get some great exercise and have a lot of fun in the process should look into experiencing The World Outdoors." Stacy Small, Travel Agent Magazine June 2000

 

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Multi-Sport Adventures

Pioneered in Colorado 18 years ago, our incredibly diverse and exciting "Multi-Sport Adventures" venture off-the-beaten-path and help you discover the hidden beauty of the true backcountry.

Discover The World Outdoors from a new angle! Whether we're biking, hiking, rafting or experiencing regional-based activities such as sea kayaking, snorkeling, rock climbing or horseback riding, no prior experience is necessary. Our exceptional instructors are experts in their chosen field. All you need is an appetite for fun and adventure.

And on days when you'd prefer to hike or bike, a variety of activities and options are most always available. The World Outdoors' Multi-Sport tours are perfect for friends and families with varied interests, and "try-it-all" adventurers. So for those looking for the thrill of new experiences, put a bit of adventure into your life!

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Goethe

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Hiking Holidays

Do you love to HIKE? For many, experiencing the pristine wilds of the backcountry is best on foot ... at a carefree pace that invites discovery, awakens the senses and captures the essence of nature. In keeping with The World Outdoors' tradition for flexible, personalized adventures, most days of our 'Hiker' programs offer a range of options and routes -- from our standard 5-8 mile hikes to more challenging 12-mile treks.

We have applied our 18 years of experience to designing hikes and walks that offer more than just an opportunity to travel through beautiful scenery. Our trips provide a close-up view of the nature, culture and people of the regions we visit. Our pursuit of desirable, less-traveled landscapes involves daily shuttles that transport us to the best trails and backcountry routes. Come explore with us ... one step at a time!

"Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me. The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose." - Walt Whitman

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Specialty Trips...

Solo Travelers
If you're traveling on your own and want to share the experiences with other solo travelers, we've set aside special Singles Departures. Itineraries are identical to our standard departures, but because these departures are composed entirely of independent travelers, there's a new, fun dimension to the group dynamic. Of course, solo travelers are welcome on all of our regular departures where typically 50% of our guests are solo travelers too.

Family Trips
Hotdogs and grilled salmon. Day hikes and afternoon naps. Natural history and ghost stories. Time with the kids and private time for yourself. Whatever your different needs as a family, we have a trip for you. Meticulously planned with plenty of flexibility, freedom and fun, our exclusive family departures feature exciting options suitable for all ages involved. Best of all, you can take comfort in the fact that your guides are equipped with a mixed bag of age-appropriate tricks, and your family's safety is their utmost concern.

Young people, ages eight through 18, receive a 15% discount on all The World Outdoors camping trips when accompanied by two full-paying guests, and on inn trips when sharing a room with two full-paying guests. Though children 8 years of age or older are welcome on most of our tours, the level of physical activity on some trips require young people to be a certain age to participate. Please call 800-488-8483 to discuss the suitability of a particular tour, and note that all minors must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Custom Group Travel
Custom Travel is our signature, premier service, and we do it all -- 25th wedding anniversaries, multi-sport adventures for top performing sales staff, birthday celebrations, luxurious getaways for networking CEOs, a mountain biking getaway with your buddies, naturalist lead tours for birding, botany, geology and more.

The Smithsonian Institute, Cabelas, Colorado Mountain Club, American Hiking Society and many other alumni, corporate, non-profit, and family groups from across the country have chosen The World Outdoors to create for them a trip of a lifetime.

You tell us when and where you wish to travel, your special interests and budget. We then design a trip to fit the exact needs and expectations of your group. You can charter one of our scheduled departures or we can customize an itinerary to your exact requirements. Plus we can show you how our tours can generate additional revenue for your organization.

To plan a private trip, simply contact us, then sit back and relax as your adventure unfolds!

"We've gotten rave reviews on your trips -- the beauty of the destinations, the flawless execution of the itineraries, the quality of your naturalist guides -- even your delicious trailside lunches! And your ability to meet all of our special requirements on lodging, food, and trip logistics was outstanding." D. Lanier, Smithsonian Study Tours

Group Discounts
Groups of 8 or more get a 10% discount per guest when jointly making reservations for the same regularly scheduled departure.

Corporate Incentive Travel and Adventure Training
Don't do another Caribbean cruise or trip to Las Vegas, try something new and exciting -- the fastest growing type of vacation in the travel industry -- adventure travel! It's the ideal incentive vacation for high achievers who thrive on activity and challenge. We've hosted programs for MTV and Saab among others. Contact us to customize a travel package that will motivate and educate your team like never before.

We also offer corporate adventure training programs that help stimulate fresh thinking, unlock potential and accelerate change. Together with our corporate retreat and development partners, Corporate Adventure Training (CAT), we provide leading edge professional development and team building packages, tailored to address your specific corporate goals and objectives whatever your requirements.

Student Travel
There is nothing more fulfilling than helping young people discover the natural world. We contribute to students' learning experiences by offering vacations that are as educational as they are fun. We know that after exploring a desert ecosystem or completing a challenging mountaintop hike, students come home not only with new knowledge but also a sense of accomplishment.

Designed for 13-to-18-year-olds, and appropriate for schools, scout troops, church and youth-at-risk groups, each custom program is led by instructor-guides experienced in education and outdoor programming for young people. Trips combine experiential learning with outdoor activities and leave plenty of downtime for swimming, an impromptu game of hacky sack and s'mores at the campfire.

Mature Travelers
Mature travelers interested in traveling in groups with a mix of ages and interests are welcome on all of our regular departures. Choose between 45 of our easy to moderately easy level itineraries that blend carefree days of far-from-the-crowds hiking and biking with nights of divine comfort at historic inns and eclectic bed and breakfasts. Best of all, each of these itineraries are suitable for anyone, regardless of age, skills and experience. Whether you are a fitness fanatic or a bit more tentative, The World Outdoors can accommodate your comfort level.

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