The Top Inexpensive Adventure Outfitters

A list of my favorite affordable adventure tour companies

Most adventure tour outfits seem to consider $5,000 a starting price; for these guys, that's more of a price ceiling.

Adventure Center (800-228-8747, www.adventurecenter.com) - This major player is able to maintain low prices on 700 adventures on all seven continents by contracting with expert local outfitters and other specialist operators. Drawback: Most are priced without airfare, though they can arrange it.
Sample: $1,195 for 17 days in Borneo, without transpacific airfare but including all internal flights, guides, and lodging from hotels to longhouses to rainforest lodges.

Djoser (877-356-7376, www.djoserusa.com) - Perhaps since they're Dutch (and Europeans get longer vacations), Djoser offers longer trips and looser schedules, admirably not trying to pack too much into too short a time. You get to pick your group style: travel with other North Americans or with an international group (some conducted in English, others in Dutch and English).
Sample: $2,930 for 11 days in Ecuador, including airfare from Chicago, three days touring Quito and indigenous villages, and five days of cruising the Galapagos Islands.

REI Adventures (800-622-2236, www.reiadventures.com) - America's greatest co-op chain of outdoors gear stores also offers active vacations. They hit all seven continents, and are better than most at offering a variety of domestic adventures. They also run shorter, 3 to 4–day trips for long-weekenders. It tends to be pricier than most, but with impeccable credentials, and is ideal for those for whom being active is as important as the destination.
Samples: $1,199 for six days of hiking in Death Valley; $1,099 for six days of kayaking the San Juan Islands; airfare not included.

G.A.P. Adventures (800-708-7761, www.gapadventures.com) - G.A.P. boasts 1,000 trips in 100 countries, from the more tour-like Comfort and Original trips to the gnarlier Active and Overland ones. Drawbacks: no airfare (yet), and quoted prices are not as inclusive as some others (read the fine print to find out about lots of on-the-ground costs, often including most meals).
Sample: $1,695 for 16 days of hiking, biking, and rafting in Spain's Catalonia region, not including airfare or meals.

Intrepid Travel (866-847-8192, www.intrepidtravel.com) - This fantastic Australian company marries an independent travel style (staying in cheap guesthouses, traveling by public transport) with the expertise of truly knowledgeable guides. It has a larger than usual commitment to sustainable tourism, and tiny groups, often limited to 8-12. When my (anti–group tour) parents found themselves with airfare to Japan and no time to plan, this is where I sent them. Only drawback: no airfare.
Sample: $709 for ten days in Nepal, from touring Kathmandu and Pokhara to visiting remote villages, mountains trekking, and river rafting; airfare not included.

Overseas Adventure Travel (800-493-6824, www.oattravel.com) - This soft adventure tour operator hits all the exotic hotspots, but without as many hard-core activities. Aimed at a slghtly older (40s-60s) crowd (their sister company, Grand Circle Travel, specializes in standard tours for mature travelers)
Sample: $2,495 for ten days in Peru, including airfare from Chicago, guides, and nearly all meals over three night in Lima and six on a riverboat cruising the Amazon, with nighttime rainforest walks, piranha fishing, and visits to village shamen.

Goway (800-387-8850, www.goway.com) - Goway runs African safaris and plenty of programs in Asia, but it really shines when it comes to Australia. Book an Aussie adventure by New Year's and any friend who also books get 20% off.
Sample: $2,579 for the classic Aussie experience, 15 days split between Sydney, the Outback (Alice Springs and Uluru/Ayers Rock), and the Great Barrier Reef, airfare from Chicago included.

2Afrika (866-462-2374, www.2afrika.com) - This Africa specialist us run by a South African ex-pat who has devoted 20 years to making safaris more affordable.
Sample: $2,975 for a ten-day safari in Botswana with an excursion to Victoria Falls, airfare from Chicago and most meals included.

Caradonna Dive Adventures (800-328-2288, www.caradonna.com) - Caradonna is the only place to go for the best prices on diving trips throughout the Caribbean and Latin America (with some coverage of Asia ad the South Pacific as well).
Sample: $1,625, including airfare from Chicago, for seven nights in luxury resort AquaMarina Suites on Ambergris Cay in Belize, four days of three-tank dives, a night dive, and snorkeling in Shark Ray Alley.

Cross Country International (800-828-8768, www.equestrianvacations.com) - Industry leader in horseback trips throughout England, Scotland, France, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Spain, and Portugal.
Sample: $2,225 for a seven-night inn-to-inn trail ride in southern Tuscany, including six days of riding, all emals, horse, tack, and taxes.