There’s an amazing planet out there – where’s your next adventure? (interview with G Adventures Lucas Bialecki)

During my recent visit to Tucson for the GTM West conference one of the companies I was very impressed with was G Adventures – offering adventures all over the World.  “We believe that travel transforms. That it builds peace and understanding. We believe that the power of travel can change lives and make the world a better place” is G Adventures motto.  We believe that too!  I sat down with Lucas Bialecki of G Adventures to learn more about this wonderful company and their travel offerings. – Tim Larison

What makes G Adventures different from other tour companies?

Lucas: I think the fact that G Adventures is a social enterprise rather than just a profit driven company is what really sets us apart.  Dozens of travel companies can and do run great trips to explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.  But if you have your travelers stay in small locally owned hotels rather than large chain hotels, you hire local employees to operate your trips, you sometimes use local transportation as a way to get from point A to point B, you support local business as much as possible and when you’re even involved with small business development projects, that’s where a travel company can really make a difference and keep more of their travelers’ dollars within the developing nations’ economies that they visit.  That’s how G Adventures operates our adventures all over the world, and that’s what makes us a social enterprise, and makes us different from other tour companies.

Tim: We at familytravelgurus.com, as the name implies, specialize in family travel.  I understand that you can book adventures for a group as small as four people.  Pick an adventure you’d suggest for these types of active families (pictures welcome too!):

Two adults, a girl age 8 and a boy age 6.

Lucas: Costa Rica Family Experience:  I think Costa Rica is a great first place to visit outside of the United States with younger children that are old enough to enjoy unique activities in the National Parks, be wowed by the easily viewed wildlife and explore a different culture from their own.  Costa Rica has everything, it’s a small enough country (the size of West Virginia) to not have long drives and it’s a short flight away.

Two adults and two twin boys age 16

Lucas: Amazon to the Andes – Teenage Adventure:  Peru is such a magical place, the history is fascinating and trekking through the Andes is an activity that can be an enjoyable challenge for everyone in the family.  This is a true Indiana Jones experience.

A generational trip, with grandparents in their early 70’s, adult children and their families with kids ranging from age 8 to 18.

Lucas: Family Land Galapagos – Multi-Activities:  Not many operators offer great Galapagos by land itineraries and this trip has the perfect blend of activities that everyone can enjoy, including the grandparents.  It’s as much or as little activity as the group would like, and the wildlife exploration and unique landscape of the Galapagos is like no where else on the planet.

If a single or a small family have less than four people, can they join one of your existing adventures?

Lucas: Families with children over the age of 12 can join any existing departure on any one of our over 650 itineraries.  Families with children younger than 12 can join anyone of our 17 Family adventures.   Read more about our family adventures here.

Do you have adventures you can offer for all types of travel budgets, from basic to luxury?

Lucas: Yes, we have adventures for every budget out there, broken down by four different service levels (Camping, Basic, Standard and Comfort).  If you are a young, 20 something backpacker or an empty nest couple in your 50’s we have the right product for you.

I like that you support local economies in the places you visit.  Tell us more.

Lucas: As a social enterprise, our organization is closely tied in with our non-profit called Planeterra.  We’re actively involved with a lot of small business development projects all over the world, and just the way we operate our adventures (hiring local employees, using locally owned hotels, local transportation, locally owned restaurants and visiting small businesses) we help support local economies of the places we visit everywhere we travel.

Planeterra – Inter-American Development Bank

What personally has been your favorite trip you have taken with G Adventures?

Lucas: I just experienced a Private Group with 8 of my friends on our adventure called “In the Shadow of Machu Picchu,” trekking the 4-day Inca Trail and experiencing Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Vally and the Amazon Jungle.  It was amazing, and it was a trip none of us will ever forget!

Thanks Lucas.  Now I want to take my family on a G Adventure myself! If you would like information or a price quote on one of G Adventures amazing trips contact us today!

For a great video summarizing what G Adventures is all about watch this:

Why Travel with G Adventures? from G Adventures on Vimeo.

All photos courtesy of G Adventures