Travel companies for RTW trips?

Marez

Hello,

I'd like to take a year's career break and do a round the world trips. Problem is I don't know anyone who wants to go now also. I've found internet forums where you can make contact with other people travelling at the same time but I don't want to plan a trip with a stranger. It seems that mostly people plan RTW trips flight by flight as individuals or groups. Although, travelling on my own is not a problem for me normally, for such a long period of travel and because I need a break so badly - I'd really like to book some kind of package or group of packages, even if I'm losing out on adventure/ flexibility to some extent.

I'd be delighted if anyone could suggest some pointers for research/ travel companies, share own experiences....?

Thanks in advance!

M

aine1980

hi there, i'm heading to nz for 6 weeks in may alone which is a little daunting but none of my friends were in a position to come with me.

a friend of my sisters spent a year travelling round the world alone and used www.intrepidtravel.com/ and found it great

hopefully this helps you a little

Marez

Hi Aine,

Thank you! My research since has led me to Intrepid and other companies like Gap, Kumuka, Dragoman, Explore, Exodus. It does seem that I should be able to see the world by linking different trips. Down to lots of reading and planning now! Intrepid do seem to come most highly recommended on the forums I've looked at.

Great to hear someone else did the RTW trip in the same way. By any chance did your sister's friend have a blog? - I imagine it would be so helpful to hear her experiences....

Tx again.

M.

Glowing

Doing trips for an entire year will be exhausting! And not to mention expensive! I'd be inclined to think about travelling alone for the best part, and then perhaps doing tours in the more interesting spots .... you'll meet so many people along the way anyway, and you'll also have the freedom and flexibility to stay longer in certain areas. Not to mention the fact you'll save yourself an absolute fortune!!!!

aine1980

i asked the same question! unfortunately she didn't have a blog, it would have been great if she did but no such luck... in saying that i may try to get in contact with her before i go

have you decided when/where you're going to go?

The-Baron

I actually just went into TrailFinders on Dawson's Street in town to find out about a trip I'm planning on doing.

The guy I was chatting to was full of information, he had been everywhere and gave me a bunch of tips for travelling around the places I plan on visiting, gave me a great idea of a boating trip between Japan, Korea and China he went on himself.

Even if I don't go with Trailfinders, he was very informative.

Marez

Glowing - thank you, everything I read confirms what you say - you've really got me thinking on another track - definitely I will travel independently in the English speaking countries - Australia and New Zealand - and by talking to people I'm going to try to find out which other places on my list might also be very manageable for independent travel. Then I'll use the adventure travel companies in the areas where language and infrastructure challenges would make the cost worthwhile. As you say, the people I will meet and the opportunity to stay longer in places I like will be the highlights of going it alone.

Aine, I'm planning to go in September - where? - I want to go everywhere! :-) Africa (Nairobi - Capetown), South America, India, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand. So much research to do, so little time! You'll be going in a few weeks to NZ... I found elsewhere on this site a recommendation by "Shiraz" for a hop on/ hop off tour company in New Zealand called Magic Bus.... you might find her review helpful....?

The-Baron, I dropped in to Trailfinders last weekend and unfortunately met a girl who provided minimal information - by any chance would you remember the name of the chap you found helpful?? - That's exactly
the type of agent I'd like to get direction from and I do intend to go with Trailfinders....

Thanks all for your advice...really helpful!

M.

mcdavor

It has gotten a lot easier though to travel on your own, not just in english speaking countries. You don't really need to book a bunch of expensive trips. It's a lot easier to arrange things locally.
In addition to traditional travel agencies, you now have travel coaches who can help you set up your own trip or give you general advice before you start of. I'm sure there are many ... e.g. Travel Mentoring (http://indeptrav.com) or Backpacking Guide (http://www.backpackingguidecompany.com), amongst others.