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Expeditions With National Geographic

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1000 16th St NW

Washington, DC 20036

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Buyer Beware! Some of the National Geographic tours are outsourced to G Adventures, a private tour company that provides similar tours at a much lower cost. While this is disclosed in very small print without giving any details about who this is. I thought that I had paid for a National geographic tour with their over site and expertise. On arrival we discovered that this was not the case. None of the features or the tour were acceptable. The hotels were poor quality in questionable areas. The tours did not follow their published itineraries. Seven of the thirteen members of our tour became ill, probably because of the eating establishments they took us to. One member was hospitalized for two and a half days. I would never use them again.

National Geographic/Lindblad Excursions: Baja California: Among the Great Whales Aboard National Geographic ship, Venture, Saturday, February 11, 2023 to Saturday, February 18, 2023. Security was a big concern. No cabin keys provided to passengers. No room safes in the cabins. Crew member uncertain if the boat had a safe. Really? When I asked about a lack of cabin keys, was informed "its not been a problem". If I were to go to a Marriott or Hyatt to check in, and was informed room keys were not provided, I would turn around, walk out and never return. I obtained a key to my cabin from the purser. The Venture is a ship stuck in 20th century technology. Internet access was limited for much of the cruise. Wifi for the 8 day cruise could be obtained for $175 but according to a senior staff member, "it doesn't work really well". No televisions in rooms or in lounges. This was a whale watch cruise...that is what I and others signed up for. I get it. But it was also not a monastic retreat. Keeping in touch with the outside world and loved ones is important in 2023. It just wasn't possible on this voyage. Transparency & communication delay in informing staff about a passenger couple testing positive for Covid was a big concern. At 8 am on Friday February 17th passengers were informed that a couple on the Venture had tested positive for Covid "the afternoon of Thursday February 17th". Further, we were told, "we are telling you this immediately so that rumors don't start." My math says that at least 12 hours passed before passengers were informed and probably a lot more hours. Immediately does not mean 12+ hours. Had I known of the Covid outbreak, I would have taken steps to better protect myself ..wearing masks, skipping a bus trip to La Paz. The Venture ran out of staples like Diet Coke, Chardonnay by mid week, and eventually, all sodas. These were restocked by the end of the cruise..but an indication of poor planning. No lit overhead Exit signs were in halls. No man overboard instructions provided, no life boat drills. No idea where lifeboats were kept or how to get to them. Instruction only on how to wear life preservers were provided. Perhaps these are not required by Mexican maritime law. Lindblad apparently didn't consider them important. We paid a good deal of money for this cruise. Never again.

NatGeo has really gone downhill. Unresponsive "service", impossible to get trip details, poorly written email responses with blanks that haven't been filled in. Also, hidden fees that deceptively make their trips more expensive or equivalent to competitors. Never made it past the onerous booking process, but since that process is so bad have to wonder what happens if there's a problem or a question about the trip. Recommend staying awa from using them, as they seem like a disaster.

After Nat Geo cancelled (due to the Pandemic) our scheduled Nile River cruise just 5 days before our departure date in 2022, they asked us to reschedule the cruise. We did, opting to let them hold onto our existing payment of nearly $15,000 for a total of 18 months. Yet when I got vertigo on this year's day of departure and had to cancel, I requested another reschedule which Nat Geo refused, saying we forfeited our entire payment and needed to file a claim with the insurance company which they had endorsed. (That insurance company ultimately denied our claim on a number of flimsy excuses, so we lost our entire payment.) Nat Geo was happy to reschedule our trip when it benefited them, yet was not willing to offer us the same consideration. This double standard is shameful and disgusting. We will no longer have anything to do with this organization.

My wife and I are anxiously awaiting word about our scheduled June 24th hiking trip in the Alps with Nat Geo Expeditions. It is now less than 4 weeks before departure and we have heard nothing from them. No itinerary, packing list, names of fellow travelers, names of guides, or even confirmation that the trip is going ahead. We already have plane reservations (we booked refundable tickets on our own, as we never received info from them on travel reservations). We had a great trip with them in 2019, before Covid, but now we are stunned by their lack of communication. I see other complaints here, and worry that our vacation won't happen. It is impossible to reach them by phone-- even their phone message box is full-- and e-mails go unanswered. We are wondering if they are out of business, and are concerned about our huge investment in airline tickets and the trip itself, which was nearly $7000 for each of us, and is fully paid to Nat Geo. I advise people wanting to travel with a small group to consider using other travel companies. We had a great trip with Country Walkers to Iceland last summer, and they were super responsive, stayed in touch throughout the planning process, and organized a great experience.

I booked a trip to South Africa with National Geographic... what I thought was a reputable company. A couple weeks before I was supposed to go, they canceled the tour. They have not refunded any portion of my money. They said the airfare was non-refundable and that I couldn't even have a flight credit. But they are the ones that canceled the trip. However Delta told me that a refund check was sent to the agency. Then they said they would refund the other portion of the trip expense, but it may take 6 months. It is completely unacceptable. The entire 100% of the trip should be refunded and should have been refunded the day they canceled the trip. The business is not responsive to this. I filed a complaint with the BBB and they did not respond. I sent a 30 day demand letter in preparation of filing in court against them. So far no resolution. I expect a 100% refund AND I share this story to strongly advise against anyone ever booking a national geographic trip of any kind. I will be posting this review online in every spot I can find.

Since Disney took over National Geographic trips have definitely gone downhill. Our recent signature land trip was not up to "snuff." This was our fifth trip with National Geographic. Expedition Leader was good, but we did not really have an "additional expert" along on the trip. Schedule changed as we went, the pace of the trip (in and out of airports) was hectic; got held up by tourist police for an hour (not not trip leader's fault) after a rather painful travel day (i.e., the planning at Nat Geo central needs some better supervision). They changed cruise ships on us and we did not get private airplane back on one final trip segment as promised (and we always got the very back of all planes). No health protocols (and several got ill). The hotel we stayed at most was very noisy (from party boats parked on river). We could not ever get prompt response from Nat Geo pre-trip.

National Geographic Expeditions Yosemite DON'T TAKE THIS EXPEDITION Four of us took the "private" expedition of Yosemite. At great expense, we received a canned itinerary that they were unwilling to be flexible in any way. The last day's special meal was at a place that had been renamed 2 years before and they did not make reservations for us so we had to eat at someplace else. The guide was fabulous but he is an independent contractor, does not work for Nat Geo, and we could have gotten the same tour for thousands less using one of the other tours he works for. There response to our 7 major complaints was to pay us $100 dollars each for the meal we ended up eating on the last day. A really fly-by-night approach to a special place

Horrible experience! We paid for a private expedition, and our trip was passed on to a 3rd party, without our knowledge. The service and care was poor and upon receiving our negative feedback, they only gave us minimal credit towards another expedition with them. Save your money and go with another more professional tour company!

Haven't gone on trip yet scheduled for September 10th but I can't get anyone to answer my phone calls or return my phone calls. Doesn't bode well for this company. I have traveled with many different companies an I have never had this experience before.

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An Epic Galápagos Cruise on the National Geographic Endeavour II [In-depth Review]

Katie Seemann

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Table of Contents

An epic galápagos cruise, national geographic endeavour ii review, final thoughts.

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A Galápagos cruise has been on the top of my bucket list for years. I knew when I was able to finally make it happen that I wanted to book it with Lindblad/National Geographic Expeditions (those beautiful, glossy catalogs that they have been sending me for years worked, I guess).

In this post, I will take you on a tour of the ship I sailed on, the National Geographic Endeavour II, and tell you a bit about what I did on this trip. This was my first experience on such a small ship, so it was all new to me (I’ve only cruised on traditional large ships before).

If you’ve had your eye on a Galápagos cruise, I hope this post will give you an idea of what you can expect.

There are a couple of different Galápagos cruise itineraries offered by Lindblad/National Geographic. I booked the 10-day/9-night Galápagos cruise on the National Geographic Endeavour II .

I wish I could tell you that I redeemed points at an amazing 6 cents each in value, but I can’t. I booked this trip the old-fashioned way — with cash a credit card.

Unfortunately, the partnership between Lindblad and Hyatt ended on December 31, 2023, so it’s no longer possible to earn 4x points by paying for Lindblad trips with Hyatt credit cards.

Lindblad now has a partnership with World of Hyatt , but I booked this trip before that partnership was announced and wasn’t able to take advantage of any of the benefits (which bummed me out). I paid the initial deposit on my  Chase Sapphire Reserve ® to earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points. However, I was still able to earn a lot of World of Hyatt points in the process because I paid for the majority of the trip after the partnership was announced.

I paid for the balance of the trip using both of my World of Hyatt credit cards — The World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card . I was even able to use the charges to help me hit the minimum spending requirement for the welcome bonus on the World of Hyatt Business card.

The good news is that Lindblad/National Geographic trips code as Hyatt purchases and therefore earn 4 points per $1 when you use either World of Hyatt credit card . This is separate from the 5 points per dollar you can earn booking through World of Hyatt , and you can earn the credit card points even if you don’t book through World of Hyatt.

Here’s a breakdown of what I spent:

Additionally, I earned a 75,000-point welcome bonus on the World of Hyatt Business card and these charges triggered the 2 $50 Hyatt credits on that card, as well.

So, in total, I was able to earn 129,856 World of Hyatt points and 4,500 Ultimate Rewards points from this trip!

Bottom Line: Lindblad/National Geographic Expeditions offers an incredible collection of bucket-list-worthy cruises and land excursions.

Why Book a Cruise?

There were a lot of reasons I booked a cruise to the Galápagos Islands instead of staying in hotels on land. The first reason is that Galápagos is an area where you’ll want to see lots of different locations, many of which are small, uninhabited islands, and a cruise is the best way to access those.

Also, most of these locations require visitors to be with a naturalist at all times , so these aren’t places you can just visit on your own. Plus, a cruise gives you easy access to all of the water activities you’ll want to try, such as snorkeling and kayaking.

Bottom Line: A small ship cruise is a great way to visit the Galápagos Islands because it gives you the best access to all of the places you’ll want to see and takes care of all of the regulations, like the required naturalists, so you can just enjoy your trip.

Getting to Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands are a part of Ecuador, so I flew from Columbus, Ohio (CMH) to Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE), with a stop in Miami (MIA) as the first leg of this trip.

We stayed overnight at Hotel Oro Verde and had a day to explore Guayaquil. We flew in a day early because we didn’t want to get in late at night (the flight from Miami didn’t land until 10 p.m.) and then have to get on the ship the next day.

We stayed at Hotel Oro Verde for 2 nights before the cruise and 1 night after the cruise, and it was all arranged by Lindblad.

Lindblad/National Geographic required all passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide a negative COVID-19 test result 3 to 5 days before the trip . We also had to take another test upon arrival in Ecuador.

Hot Tip: If you find yourself at Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), be sure to check out the VIP Aeropuertos Club lounge.

Getting to the National Geographic Endeavour II

The next day, we flew on Avianca from Guayaquil to San Cristóbal Island (SCY) to board the National Geographic Endeavour II. After a short bus ride, we arrived at a small dock and hopped on a zodiac to get to the ship. It was there that I first saw what I discovered was a common sight in the Galápagos Islands — sea lions everywhere !

My Galápagos cruise visited many different islands and points of interest:

• Day 1: San Cristóbal Island
• Day 2: Española Island/Gardner Bay/Punta Suárez
• Day 3: Floreana Island
• Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
• Day 5: Dragon Hill/Guy Fawkes/Daphne Major
• Day 6: San Salvador Island/Bartolomé/Sombrero Chino
• Day 7: Genovesa Island
• Day 8: Baltra Island

Each day, we would usually stop in 2 different locations — 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. There would be a variety of included activities available, ranging from hiking and snorkeling to photography tours and glass-bottom boat rides .

I sailed through the Galápagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II . The ship carries 96 passengers in 52 cabins . It has 4 categories of cabins along with 3 categories of suites. Select rooms can accommodate solo travelers or groups of 3.

There are only 52 cabins on 3 deck levels on the National Geographic Endeavour II. I booked a Category 1 cabin — the least expensive option. There are only 2 examples of this cabin level on the ship — rooms 201 (mine) and 202.

The room itself was just a hair smaller than those in other room categories (excluding suites) and was more than sufficient for my husband and me. But there was a problem, and it was a big one, in my opinion. My room was located right above the anchor, and it was incredibly loud when it was raised or lowered.

Unfortunately, this happened most nights in the middle of the night as well as during the day on occasion. It sounded as though someone was in my room hitting a large metal pipe with a shovel — it was crazy loud! I was really surprised that this wasn’t disclosed at the time of booking, and I think it should have been.

My mom’s room was next to ours (a Category 2 solo room), and she was bothered by the noise every night as well.

I understand I booked the least expensive room, but it was by no means cheap, so this isn’t something that I would expect based on how much the room cost.

Bottom Line: There are only 52 cabins, including 4 suites, accommodating up to 96 passengers on the National Geographic Endeavour II. If you book a Category 1 or some Category 2 rooms, prepare to be woken up every night by the very loud anchor.

Category 1: Room 201

My room was small, but it was fine for my husband and me. This wasn’t the kind of trip where you spend a lot of time in your room, so we didn’t need more space.

There was a comfortable king-sized bed with a large window behind it that let in a lot of light. There were small bedside tables and lamps on either side of the bed.

There were plenty of plugs available by the bedside lights and within the headboard of the bed.

Opposite the bed was a small desk and chair. The desk had a drawer with a lock where you could store any valuables. There was also a pitcher that was filled with cold water each day by the housekeeping staff .

Next to the desk was a closet with 4 small drawers and space for hanging clothes. There was a laundry bag in the closet, as well as an extra blanket and 2 robes.

The entryway had hooks for hanging your life jacket and other essentials.

There was a cute do not disturb sign in case you didn’t want housekeeping services.

The bathroom was small but functional — which is all I expect on a cruise.

There was a toilet and sink with a few small shelves by the mirror.

The shower always had plenty of hot water and good pressure, which was a nice treat after adventuring every day.

There was shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available in large containers in the shower.

Unlocked Rooms

The cabins on the ship only locked from the inside.  Any time you left your cabin it would remain unlocked, so you never needed a key to enter. I found it strange the first time it was mentioned but it ended up being great. It was a small and intimate ship so I never had any worry that something would be stolen from my room.

The rooms could be locked from the inside so that you didn’t have to sleep or shower in an unlocked room.

The 3-Person Cabin

There were a few rooms on the ship that could accommodate a third person. My mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in-law shared a room, so I was able to get a photo. It was definitely tight with the third bed, which folded out from the wall, but it was less expensive than having the additional person in a separate room.

Bottom Line: My cabin, 201, was small but functional. It had a comfortable king-sized bed with a large window, a desk, a closet, and a private bathroom.

There was hand sanitizer and filtered water available in the ship’s hallways. High-touch areas, such as railings, were cleaned multiple times a day.

Dining Room

There’s 1 dining room on the National Geographic Endeavour II. We had every meal there except 1 during our expedition.

Overall the food was great , and it exceeded my expectations. I had gone in assuming that since this was an activity-focused expedition, food may be an afterthought. It absolutely wasn’t. I appreciated that most of what was served had an Ecuadorian or South American flair and wasn’t “Americanized.” The one exception was a BBQ-themed dinner with ribs and hamburgers which ended up being my least favorite meal of the entire trip.

Breakfast Buffet

Breakfast was served buffet-style each morning, but coffee, tea, and fresh juice were served at the table. Pastries were available before breakfast in the lounge for early risers.

Each morning, there was a selection of cold items, such as cereal, yogurt, and fruit.

There was a featured fruit of the day in addition to common fruits that were served every day. These featured fruits were usually relatively obscure or tropical fruits that we don’t see often in the U.S., such as tree tomato, soursop, and dragonfruit.

There was also a hot buffet with typical breakfast fare, such as eggs, pancakes, and hash browns, as well as rotating items that included Ecuadorian dishes.

There was also an omelet station. After a day or 2 on the ship, the waitstaff seemed to know everyone’s names and where you were sitting in the dining room, so you could order your omelet and the staff would bring it to your table.

Bottom Line: Breakfast was served buffet-style each morning on the ship. There were also pastries available in the lounge before breakfast.

Lunch and Dinner

Lunch and dinner were served as sit-down meals each day. Each had a choice between 3 entrees — a meat option, a fish option, or a vegetarian option.

There was usually a soup or specialty salad each day in addition to the option of a green salad or Caesar salad.

Each meal concluded with dessert and/or a choice of ice cream. We had the same waiter for each meal and he got so used to the way my husband ordered his ice cream he ended up bringing it without even asking by the end of the trip.

The lounge was an important part of the ship because that’s where we met each evening for the day’s recap. It was bright and cozy, with plenty of seating and lots of windows .

There were also different lectures and seminars held in the lounge throughout the week.

There was a coffee machine that made regular coffee as well as specialty coffees, such as cappuccinos and mochaccinos, that was available at all times. There was also an ice machine and a selection of teas.

Plus, there were snacks available throughout the day — the locally-made plantain chips were my favorite.

There was a different fresh juice and flavored water available daily.

In addition, there was a mini fridge with sodas and local beers.

The bar was open during the evening recaps, and most drinks, except for some high-end liquors, were included.

Top-shelf liquor brands could be ordered for an additional charge.

Appetizers were served each evening during the recap and before dinner. There were different options each night, ranging from Caprese salad bites to mini pasta bowls to sushi.

There was also a specialty cocktail served each evening. The Santa Cruz was my favorite. I’m not a big drinker, so I ordered mine without rum, and it was very tasty.

The ship’s library is on Deck 4, and I found it to be a great place to sit and relax. It has lots of seating and floor-to-ceiling windows, making it easy to take in the stunning vistas around you.

Coffee and tea were available at any time in the library, just as they were in the lounge.

Plus, there was a computer station available for use.

Global Gallery (Gift Shop)

Next to the library is the Global Gallery, the ship’s gift shop. It was open each day after breakfast, after lunch, and before dinner.

It sold a variety of items made by local artists, along with a few toiletry essentials and Lindblad/National Geographic-branded expedition clothing.

There is a gym onboard the National Geographic Endeavour II, but I honestly don’t know how anyone could find the time to use it! It has large windows and fantastic views, but the trip was so packed with activities I can imagine it only got used by die-hard gym rats.

I’ll admit, I never stepped foot inside the gym except to take this photo!

There were 2 treadmills, 2 bikes, and an elliptical machine, along with some accessories, such as balance balls, yoga mats, and free weights.

Each morning, the ship’s wellness expert hosted a stretch class on the deck. I wanted to try it out but the times were just too early for me!

Guests could book massages with the ship’s wellness expert/masseuse in the spa room. I wanted to get a massage, but I didn’t want to miss out on any activities, so I skipped it. My mom got a massage, and she said it was excellent.

Massages are not included in the cost of the cruise .

Observation Deck

The top deck was open for guests to enjoy anytime. There were a few chairs set up, but I didn’t use them much because the shade was minimal.

There were also racks set up if you needed to dry off any clothing.

One evening before dinner there was a wine tasting event on the top deck that took place as the ship was circumnavigating Daphne Major Islet .

There were plenty of activities during my cruise through the Galápagos Islands, and everything was included in the cruise price .

The ship was well-equipped with kayaks, paddleboards, zodiacs, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, walking sticks, and even a glass-bottom boat .

I snorkeled with sea lions, took hikes along rugged ocean cliffs, kayaked with sea turtles, and got to see animals up close , including blue- and red-footed boobies, Galápagos land iguanas, Galápagos tortoises, and much more.

Each time we went ashore, we went in small groups accompanied by a certified naturalist (this is required by law in many locations) who was able to educate us on the local flora and fauna we were seeing.

There were also photography-themed groups that went ashore with certified National Geographic photo instructors .

During normal times, the ship’s staff can arrange for guests to scuba dive (which I really wanted to do), but due to COVID-19, the cruise line still wasn’t allowing it. I was disappointed, but now, at least I have an excuse to go back!

Diving isn’t included in the price, so when it’s available there is an extra cost .

Bottom Line: All of the activities were included in my Galápagos cruise on the National Geographic Endeavour II, including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, paddleboarding, zodiacs, and glass-bottom boat rides.

Open Bridge

The National Geographic Endeavour II had an open-bridge policy, so you could check it out at any time of day. And they really mean any time — they even gave my mother-in-law a wake-up call in the middle of the night so that she could be on the bridge while the ship crossed the equator.

There’s a nice observation deck at the front of the ship that can be accessed via the bridge.

The Wi-Fi on the ship was bad, plain and simple. However, I wasn’t sure I’d have any Wi-Fi at all, so I was happy with the little I got. It was just enough to send my daughter a quick text or to post a photo to Instagram. It usually only worked for a couple of minutes at a time, so you couldn’t do much more than that.

The nice thing was that the first 7 hours of internet use were free — and I don’t think I could have used that much if I tried!

Crew Workstation

This ship has a crew workstation that served as the central hub for signing up for activities, getting information about the day’s plans, signing up for spa treatments, and much more. This area also had a map that tracked where we cruised each day and a checklist of all of the wildlife we saw.

Staff and Crew

I can’t say enough about the staff and crew of the National Geographic Endeavour II. Everyone I came into contact with was simply fantastic.

From the expert naturalists and photo instructors to the waitstaff and zodiac drivers, the service was top-notch .

Housekeeping

Cabins were serviced 3 times per day ! It seemed like every time I came back to my room it was picked up, and I had fresh towels. In the evenings, we got the next day’s itinerary along with some local chocolates.

Gratuities weren’t included in the cruise fare. An amount of $200 per person for the 7-night cruise was suggested on board. This amount could be adjusted and added to your shipboard account.

COVID-19 Protocols

My trip was from April 28 to May 8, 2022, so there were extra COVID-19 considerations that we had to deal with in order to travel.

Lindblad/National Geographic Expeditions took its COVID-19 protocols very seriously. First, every guest had to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We also had to take a PCR test 3 to 5 days before traveling. The Ecuadorian government wasn’t requiring this, but the cruise line did.

Then, we had to take another test once we got to the hotel the day before we departed on the cruise. Lindblad/National Geographic set this up, and the cost was included.

Once on the ship, masks were required in public areas and during embarkation and disembarkation on the zodiacs that took us ashore each day.

There was hand sanitizer widely available and there were yellow symptom cards that we had to turn in each day to confirm that no one in the cabin had experienced any COVID-19 symptoms.

Despite all of the effort, there ended up being 4 confirmed cases of COVID-19 during our cruise . The expedition leader was very open about this and disclosed the details to all of the guests. As it turned out, all 4 cases were from guests and staff that had participated in a pre-trip extension. The guests that were in close contact with those infected were tested on board as were all of the crew and staff.

Unfortunately, 2 of the photography experts who were traveling with us were among those infected, which was disappointing. Those infected were taken off of the ship and sent to a hotel.

Lindblad/National Geographic also administered the tests we needed to fly back to the U.S. after the cruise. Thankfully, there was no additional spread after the 4 who tested positive and everyone else got a negative test and was able to fly home as scheduled.

This Galápagos cruise on the National Geographic Endeavour II was indeed a bucket-list trip for me and one that I highly recommend if you enjoy active vacations, incredible scenery, and unique wildlife.

I loved that everything was included — I didn’t have to pay extra for any activities, and this trip was jam-packed with things to do, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and paddleboarding.

I’ll definitely consider booking through Lindblad/National Geographic again — especially since there’s now a partnership with World of Hyatt that allows you to earn or use World of Hyatt points on these expeditions!

The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a galápagos cruise worth it.

To me, it was 100% worth it! I absolutely loved this trip and would do it again in a heartbeat if I could. If you enjoy activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and seeing incredible animals, then you’ll probably love a trip to the Galápagos Islands.

What country owns the Galápagos Islands?

The Galápagos Islands belong to the South American nation of Ecuador. You can fly from mainland Ecuador to the Galápagos Islands in about 90 minutes.

How many days do you need in the Galápagos Islands?

I did a 7-night cruise through the Galápagos Islands and felt that was a good amount of time to see a lot. I would say anything less than 5 days wouldn’t be enough time.

What's included in a Galápagos cruise on the National Geographic Endeavour II?

Almost everything is included when you cruise the Galápagos on the National Geographic Endeavour II, including food, drinks, activities, and transportation. The only things that cost extra on board were top-shelf alcohol, massages, gift shop purchases, and gratuities.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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• Here’s what it was like, and what I think is important to know before you book this deep-dive into the history and culture of The Netherlands and Holland.
• The 2024 cruise tour is from April 15 to 22.

I sailed on National Geographic Expeditions’ Holland and Belgium in Springtime by River Cruise , a group tour that brings the history and culture of The Netherlands and Belgium to life. The moderately active eight-day tour is only offered once per year, at the height of tulip season. Along with sailing down canals and rivers on an AmaWaterways river cruise ship, the itinerary is filled with other pretty fantastic activities like visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk, learning about how Delft pottery is made, walking around Antwerp and trying some local delicacies like chocolate and beer, and venturing back in time to see 13th-century architecture in Brugge. 

NAT GEO AROUND THE WORLD: See More National Geographic Expeditions Tours

National Geographic Expeditions trips are often centered around the history and culture of a destination. Because of this, National Geographic experts travel with each tour to give lectures and answer questions about the cities and towns that are highlighted on the itinerary. What makes river cruising with National Geographic Expeditions stand out among competitors is the unique opportunity to learn from a National Geographic expert and a National Geographic photographer, both of whom travel with the group throughout the voyage. 

Things to Know About National Geographic Expeditions’ Holland and Belgium in Springtime by River Cruise Tour

• The river cruise boat that the tour uses is operated by AmaWaterways. It’s a luxury river cruise with a dedicated staff, upscale dining, and a cruise manager that can assist you with any questions about a city or tour. 
• Even though the trip’s activity level is listed as light to moderate, some daily excursions are more physically demanding than others (for instance, the Ghent and Brugge all-day walking tour). Everyone should be able to walk at least one mile at a moderate pace, get into and off of coach buses, and stand for extended periods. 
• The walking tours offered on this trip often don’t go into buildings, so if you want to see inside a church or other significant structure you may need to purchase tickets in advance or ask the AmaWaterways cruise director for assistance. 
• Every river cruise has one National Geographic Expert and one National Geographic Expert Photographer onboard to give lectures and answer questions. During free time, the experts may also host one-on-one sessions or chat with cruisers about topics of interest.
• Before the trip, every traveler gets a box of goodies from National Geographic Expeditions. This box includes a backpack, reusable water bottle, luggage straps, name tags, and a National Geographic Expedition pin. If you only bring one thing with you on the trip, be sure to bring your name tag to wear on the first day of the river cruise. 
• Most meals are included in the tour price. Those that are not included are often because a tour is scheduled for an entire day. Guests who take full-day tours can ask the cruise director prior to leaving the ship about where to eat in town, or ask the local guides who lead each tour about recommended dining options. 
• Because of the nature of river cruising, the itinerary may shuffle depending on port availability and other factors. Even if the day of a visit to a certain city changes, the activities that are offered will stay the same. 
• The joy of river cruising compared to a National Geographic Expedition land-based adventure is that you only have to unpack once onboard the river cruise boat. I appreciated that this made some of the logistics of the trip a lot easier to manage. 

PERFECT PACKING: 10 Essentials for Your Next River Cruise

Important Details About National Geographic Expeditions’ Holland and Belgium in Springtime by River Cruise

Itinerary Overview

The tour starts in the bustling city of Amsterdam, where guests will travel from a pre-night hotel or the airport to the AmaWaterways river cruise. Day one is where everyone will meet the National Geographic experts and enjoy a welcome reception hosted by the cruise director and captain. 

SIPS AND SIGHTS: 10 Best European Wine Tours This Year and Next

This is a full day of touring around Amsterdam. The morning starts with a few options of excursions including a canal cruise or heading to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. The afternoon and evening are spent cruising and enjoying lectures by the National Geographic Experts. This is one of the most leisurely days of the cruise. 

The morning starts with a walk, boat ride, or bike ride around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinderdijk. Then, in the afternoon, guests get the chance to explore Rotterdam with a walking tour. Other afternoon activities include a visit to Pilgrim Father’s Church, a bike tour of Rotterdam, or visiting a porcelain factory to learn about Delft pottery. This day has a lot of walking involved, so take the free time between the two cities to sit back and relax. 

Day 4 

On day four, the group docks in Antwerp, Belgium, the second country on this exciting expedition. The city is known for a juxtaposition that combines high fashion and diamonds with medieval architecture. In the morning, you can take a walking tour of the city, enjoy a bike tour, or enjoy the Rubens House museum. 

After lunch, there are a few excursion options that will please almost everyone. The first is a foodie tour of the city with stops at a local restaurant for waffles, then into a chocolate shop to learn about the art of Belgian chocolates, then to a local bar to sample craft beer. Alternatively, guests can head to the Groot-Bijgaarden Castle for the annual flower show. For those who are interested in flowers, just know the end of the trip includes a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, so you may want to select the food tour. 

Day 5 

Day five is the most active day of the tour with visits to Ghent and Brugge. Guests can choose from a few different tours; including a day in Ghent, which includes a walking tour to see the Belfry, the Castle of the Counts, and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb altarpiece. You can also spend the entire day in Brugge, where the morning is filled with a historic walking tour and the afternoon is on your own to explore the town. 

Those who want a taste of both cities can do a full-day tour, where the morning is spent in Brugge, during which travelers can take a walking tour and have lunch at a local restaurant; then make their way to Ghent to take a brief tour of the city. When it’s time for lunch in Brugge, be sure to ask your local guide about the best spots in town. The evening cruise will take everyone back to the Netherlands for the rest of the trip.

After disembarking the ship, everyone will get to see Middelburg, Netherlands. During the morning guests can pick one of three tours: a walking tour, a bike ride through the countryside, or a visit to the Delta Works, the latter of which is an engineering marvel that helps to prevent flooding in the region.

YOUR STYLE/YOUR BUDGET: How to Choose the Best European Tour for You 

In the afternoon, everyone boards the AmaWaterways ship for an afternoon cruise to Amsterdam. During the time on the ship, there is a lecture by one of the National Geographic Experts. Dinner is a true highlight with a meal crafted by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, which is a gastronomic society that was established in Paris in 1950. 

Day seven is the last full day of the trip. The morning starts in Hoorn, where travelers can head to a tulip farm, explore the city by bike, take a guided walking tour, or enjoy a visit to the Westfries Museum. For those who choose the walking tour, know that there is time at the end of the tour to explore on your own and the small shops that line the main square are filled with artisanal snacks, cheeses, and meats that can be brought back home with you. 

The afternoon is spent at the Keukenhof Gardens, which is one of the most popular gardens in the world, with over seven million flowers. After a brief overview of the gardens with a local guide, guests can explore on their own. Be sure to make your way over to the windmill for a great photo opportunity. There are also small pop-up food stalls tucked around the garden, so be sure to try some of the local treats like stroopwafels and frites with mayo. 

Route Notes

National Geographic Expeditions’ Holland and Belgium in Springtime by River Cruise has a number of bus rides on busy streets to get from the river cruise boat to the center of town. For many people, these bus rides were calm, but if you do get motion sick, be sure to pack Bonine or Dramamine . The majority of the travel time is on the river cruise boat, which mainly stays in calmer waters, though one night of my trip there was some rough water for a few hours due to a nearby storm. 

Some of the days are particularly long and include a lot of walking and standing around depending on what tour each guest picked. The longest day was Ghent and Brugge, where the all-day tour started around 9:00 a.m. and went until about 5:30 p.m. with a large group of other travelers in crowded cities. 

The activity level for the National Geographic Expeditions Holland and Belgium in Springtime by River Cruise is listed as light to moderate, and I would agree with that. The majority of the travelers on my trip were over 50, and some were in their late 70s or early 80s, but everyone completed their tours with smiles on their faces, even if they were tired. There are walking tours, food tastings, bike rides, and plenty of free time to do as you wish. 

WOMEN ADVENTURING: 9 Travel Companies That Specialize in Women-Only Tours

The ease of getting around and having expert local guides lead the way made the activities easy for most of the guests on this trip. For those who are nervous about the walking tour pace, know that AmaWaterways and National Geographic Expeditions offer a standard pace and a gentle, or slower, pace. The slower pace got more popular as the trip went on since many folks realized how much walking they would be doing in each city. 

Dining 

On most days, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included with the tour and take place on the river cruise ship. Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed either in the dining room or in the main lounge The menus for both areas are similar, though the dining room does have a larger selection of available times. Dinner is only served in the main dining room. 

There were a few times when you could go off of the ship for lunch, or lunch was on your own during a scheduled time on a group excursion. During these on your own meals, guests are in charge of paying for the meal, though the local guides leading tours did give nice suggestions about where to go to eat. 

Amenities Along the Way

The AmaWaterways cruise ship offers select amenities. The upper deck does have a heated pool, though the weather on my trip was too cold to use the pool. There are also onboard happy hours every night, wellness activities led by a wellness director, and tea time each afternoon. 

Tour Highlights

• The canal cruise through Amsterdam to see all of the architecture and pass by famous landmarks like the Anne Frank House.
• Walking along the windmill-lined lanes of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk.
• Waffles, beer, and chocolate tour in Antwerp, which gives a great intro to the culinary prowess of the city.
• Strolling the Keukenhof gardens and seeing seven million flowers in brilliant colors.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Go on the National Geographic Expeditions Holland and Belgium in Springtime by River Cruise Tour

Adults traveling together, whether as a couple, parents and adult children, siblings, or friends will enjoy this trip the most. The tour has a good mix of activities that immerse guests in the culture of the Netherlands and Belgium, along with downtime to enjoy the ship, get to know other travelers, or explore cities on their own. The real highlight for most guests on this tour is that they are traveling with a National Geographic Expert and National Geographic Expert Photographer, who both bring rich storytelling and deep cultural knowledge to the overall trip. 

Anyone who is worried about long travel days, lengthy walks, or crowded cities may struggle. But the payoff to see medieval cities, try local food and drinks, and see thousands of blooms is a good reward for pushing yourself. 

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Although tours like that work for many, it might make sense to use a safari agent who can arrange a similar trip. Doing it on your own will open up the opportunities to do stuff you’d like to experience, not just on a group tour. Southern Africa is very easy.

Personally, with just 17 days on the ground, it tries to do too much in too short a time and the itinerary is odd with too many wasted layovers. Group tours to S Africa are tough to do well.

Did you end up taking the National Geographic tour you mentioned above? I am looking at the same tour for 2019; but am not not familiar with the company. All our escorted tours have been with GLOBUS; but this one sure has a good price and inclusions.

I did not end up booking with National Geographic. We booked with Rhino Africa and leave mid May.

thank you for replying!

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/destinations/africa/journeys/south-africa-and-namibia-tour/

If this is the tour.... its not too rushed: meaning unlike some other group tours your not travelling long distances every 2nd day..

BUT... and there is always a but

My opinion is theres is better bang for your buck elsewhere.

Thank you, Steve!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Re: National Geographic Travel?

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G Adventures: Is It Worth the Money? Our Honest Review

It's never easy to pick a group tour, especially when they're all saying the same things. Are they actually as great as they're saying they are? Find out what their tours feature, whats their pros and cons are, and how they compare to other tour companies.

Traveling solo is quite difficult when compared to traveling in a group with friends or family. You have to tackle everything from planning the trip to navigating your way to conversing in a foreign language with locals. This is where Pilot comes in handy to aid you in the trip planning process and allow you to focus on making meaningful experiences. However, planning a trip alone all by themselves is not for everyone.

This is why tour companies are a good choice for solo travelers who also have less experience! They can help you optimize your travel experience better. But, as you might know already, there’s an endless list of options when it comes to tour companies. As if choosing from the endless possibilities of tour companies isn’t enough, the entire outcome of your trip depends on the tour company you choose.

Let us help you pick the right tour company for you. We’re here to review a popular adventure travel company, G Adventures.

G Adventures is a tour service that pledges to “Do the Right Thing” by offering travelers valuable experiences and supporting local communities at the same time. It is a company that supports ethical tourism, and we thought it is worth your attention.

If you're looking for more options, we've previously done reviews of similar tour companies like GetYourGuide so you might want to check that out as well!

Is G Adventures a good tour company? Read our review to find out!

What is G Adventures?

G Adventures , formerly known as Gap Adventures, was founded by Bruce Poon Tip in 1990. It is an adventure travel company that carries out guided tours in small groups of up to 16 people. They offer itineraries to destinations around the world, mostly with local tour guides to assist travelers. 

Since its inception, G Adventures tour has earned fame as a tour operator that offers unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences for travelers, with a focus on sustainability and responsible travel.

Who uses G Adventures?

G Adventures tour caters to travelers aged 18 and above. Its main client base consists of young to middle-aged travelers, and some tours are restricted to independent travelers between 18-39 years. However, there are packages for older travelers and families as well. 

G Adventure tours are mainly focused on adventure travel aspects, but they do provide other types of travel tours. They offer a standard tour service which is neither budget-friendly nor luxurious but somewhere in between. G Adventures is ideal if you need the support of a reliable tour company but with ample flexibility to do your own thing!

What does a G Adventures tour include?

Every trip has a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), otherwise known as a tour guide, to assist the group throughout the trip. They are mostly locals, although some can be expats with good knowledge about the destination.  

G Adventures will take care of accommodation, transportation (within the destination), some meals (mostly breakfast), and the costs of entrance tickets for attractions and other major experiences included in the itinerary. 

What’s not included in the pricing are visas, airfare (unless you book via them), border crossing fees, meals, additional activities, and tips. So, it's necessary to bring extra cash.

What are the types of tours offered by G Adventures?

G Adventures offers a long list of tours based on different travel styles, experiences, and age categories.

• Classic Tours : A mix of different experiences that include major attractions and activities, cultural sites, uncommon and local experiences.
• National Geographic Journeys : A high-end tour with close-up experiences of the best attractions and activities of the destination.
• 18- Thirtysomethings Tours : Fun, fast-paced, and adventurous tours ideal for the young. Expect a lot of partying and drinking.
• Wellness Tours : Tours focusing on yoga, meditation, nourishing food, and other experiencing focusing on self-improvement. Ideal if you are looking for a retreat.
• Active Tours : Action-packed activities like hiking, kayaking, biking, and other experiences that are ideal for adventure seekers.
• Rail Tours : Tours along famous rail routes in the world, experiencing different cities along the way.
• Marine Tours : Cruise tours exploring marine life and other attractions that are only accessible by boats or ships. Eg: G Adventures Arctic cruises.
• Local Living Tours : Tours that give you a good dose of local life in each destination.
• Family Tours: Tailor-made tours to cater to all family members with kid-friendly activities.

What's Great About G Adventures.

In a G Adventures tour, every major aspect of a trip is planned for you, ensuring you have a hassle-free experience. This way, you can focus on enjoying the trip without worrying about logistics, accommodation, etc. You also don’t have to worry about tackling a new language as your tour guide will help you.

• Better travel experience

Many guided-tour companies carry out tours in large, crowded groups, and it’s not a very comfortable experience. Most of the time, it feels like you are taken from place to place with less time to enjoy them. G Adventures tours allow for more interaction. They hire knowledgeable local tour guides to give you informative details! Their tours also focus on authentic and off-the-beaten-path activities, helping you derive more localized experiences.

Many G Adventures reviews praised the service for its reasonable pricing. There are tours available in varying budget ranges, offering a choice for everyone. Traveling with a tour company shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg, and G Adventures is a good example of it.

• Transparency

G Adventure’s “Ripple Score” shows the impact of your spending on local communities. This way, you know how your travel supports the livelihood of people and businesses that need support. If you feel like making an impact while you’re traveling, this is the perfect opportunity to do so!

• Female-friendly

If you are a solo female traveler, there would be a bunch of concerns, regardless of how safe a destination is. G Adventures is renowned as one of the best tour companies for female travelers. They pair you with a female traveler when sharing accommodation and will update you on tips to stay safe when touring around.

What's Not Great About G Adventures.

• Tour guides

Your tour guide can significantly elevate or hamper your experience. While most of them tend to be very knowledgeable and eager to help, there are instances where travelers have got stuck with unreliable guides who are just there for the money.

• The cancellation policy

Although G Adventures claims to have a flexible refund policy, it seems to be otherwise. Many customers had to go through a frustrating process and lousy customer service to cancel their trips and claim a refund. Some had to wait over a year.

Also, G Adventures had canceled many trips over the last year due to the pandemic and has refused to provide refunds, inconveniencing many customers. Keep reading to find out what other people have been saying about their experiences.

• Poor choice of accommodation (rarely)

There had been instances when travelers had to stay in subpar hotels throughout their tour. The complaints included lack of amenities, insect bites, and poor customer service. We think it’s important to provide comfortable accommodation so travelers can get a good rest before their next trip.

Although not really a con, we like to warn you about how extras can easily pile up your expenses. When traveling in a group, you are somewhat compelled to go with the rest – be it dinner at an expensive restaurant or a river cruise (who wants to be a party pooper?). You might overspend if you are not cautious enough, especially if you are on a tight budget.

G Adventures vs. Contiki tours - What’s the difference?

A popular question amongst travelers looking for tour companies to choose from is the difference between the G Adventures tour and the Contiki tour. Which tour company offers the better touring experience, and why?

G Adventures and Contiki are both adventure-based tours that cater to young adults. They’re both small to medium-sized tours that offer authentic and local experiences. If you’re a solo traveler, both tours will likely pair you up with one or more travelers of the same gender in shared accommodation. 

In general, if you’re interested in socializing, making new friends, and partying, Contiki might be a better choice. If you’re interested in a slower-paced tour with more free time, then G Adventures might be the better choice for you.

As always, it’s a good idea to check the individual tours that you’re interested in to see what kinds of activities or people it would attract. If you’re not interested in strenuous activities, Contiki might be a better choice but there are always different tour options in G Adventures as well.

Contiki might be slightly cheaper and budget-friendly than G Adventures but keep in mind that different itineraries may vary in cost and you might also spend more during your trip on optional activities.

What’s up with the G adventures reviews?

As with every tour company, your experiences will vary from the people and guides that you’re traveling with. However, there seem to be a few G Adventures complaints that talk about the same points. We’ll summarize some G Adventures reviews here for you so that you can make a more informed decision on picking the right tour company for you.

One of the big complaints that many users experienced is the level of knowledge the “CEOs” have during their trip. Some “CEOs” will provide an excellent guide that goes above and beyond what you’d expect on a group tour, while others might not. With group tours, it’s very difficult to know who you’re going to get, but the majority of the reviews on the quality of their guides are quite positive.

Some G adventure reviews have mentioned that their dietary restrictions were not honored during the trip. This might be due to the lack of communication between the service and their caterers. If you have dietary restrictions, make sure to check up ahead of the trip to make sure that everything’s good!

Another complaint that travelers had with G Adventures was with the amenities that come with the accommodations. Some of the travelers found that there was no air conditioning, bedding, hot water, etc during their stay despite the trip description saying that they’re provided. A good rule of thumb is to always check up with the trip operator ahead of time to reconfirm and make sure all the amenities are there!

Is G Adventures worth it?

With over 30 years of experience, we think G Adventures is a great tour company that knows what’s good for its clientele.

It takes the hassle of organizing everything by yourself and is a safer way to travel. There are downsides, of course, as with every other tour company. They also don’t offer tours for every country in the world, so make sure you check that. The choice also depends on your personal preference, and you can reach out to their support team and clarify your doubts.

If you want more options for other reliable and established tour guide companies, read our reviews on Contiki, Busabout , and EF Ultimate Break .

Our Rating: 4.6/5

• Adventure-based travel
• Local, real, and sustainable experiences
• Affordable tours
• Many positive experiences by past travelers
• Lacking amenities (sometimes)
• Varying customer service
• Frustrating cancellation policy
• Poor accommodation (sometimes)

Traveling solo? You’ll need a plan.

If you’re still indecisive about joining a group tour, why not try traveling solo? While it is daunting to go traveling alone, the experiences and friendships you’ll gain on the trip is second to none.

Whether you’re going on a trip solo or with friends and family, you’ll need a good plan. Let Pilot take care of that for you!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Alaska's Inside Passage

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• Kayak into protected coves and look for sea otters, seabirds, and whales.
• Hike through lush forest trails to cascading waterfalls, and take a motorized landing craft into sheltered coves where brown bears feed.
• Watch for calving ice in the iceberg-laden waters of Glacier Bay National Park.
• Meet members of the Alaska Whale Foundation to learn about the local whale population, and get a firsthand perspective on Alaska’s indigenous peple from a Tlingit cultural interpreter.

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Travel themes.

• Hiking & Walking
• National Parks
• Nature & Wildlife
• Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

• North America
• United States

Attractions

• Glacier National Park
• Educational/ learning
• River cruise
• Wildlife viewing

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Fly from Seattle to Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier. There is time to explore Juneau on your own before we embark the ship in the late afternoon.

National Geographic Sea Lion or National Geographic Sea Bird (D)

Enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord where waterfalls cascade from towering, glacially carved walls. We maneuver among large icebergs, keeping an eye out for feeding bears on the shoreline and mountain goats on the cliffs above.

Hike and kayak among the Inian Islands, where an abundance of Steller sea lions and sea otters reside. We’ll search for whales in the rich waters of Icy Straits and, conditions permitting, lower the ship’s hydrophone to listen in on the whales’ communication.

Beachcomb, hike forest trails, explore by kayak, or cruise along Admiralty Island, where the massive brown bear is found, along with perhaps the world's highest density of nesting bald eagles. If conditions permit, explore the coastlines of some remote islands by kayak. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

After breakfast, disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. Visit St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a striking testament to Alaska's roots prior to the U.S. purchase of the territory from Russia. In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Seattle.

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Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour operator, national geographic expeditions.

National Geographic Expeditions span the globe and are designed to reflect our travelers' broad spectrum of interests, from small-ship expeditions and classic train journeys to photography workshops and family adventures. When you travel with us, you'll enjoy boundless opportunities to be surrounded by natural wonders and exotic wildlife, to explore celebrated archaeological sites, to learn about different cultures and share in local traditions. A National Geographic expert or expert team accompanies each expedition, sharing their knowledge and passion for a region and making each experience enriching and unforgettable.

An Extraordinary Legacy of Exploration

National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the National Geographic Society, was founded on the same belief in the importance of exploration that distinguishes the Society's 125-year history. Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions now operates hundreds of trips each year, spanning all seven continents and more than 60 destinations.

Since its founding in 1888, the Society has developed incredible resources—from its network of experts, contacts, and Society-sponsored researchers all over the globe, to the top-tier editorial staff of National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines, and the books, maps, and film and television divisions. National Geographic Expeditions taps these resources to create unique and authentic expeditions to fascinating parts of the world.

As part of the National Geographic Travel group, National Geographic Expeditions aims to fulfill the Society's mission to inspire people to care about the planet by providing meaningful opportunities to explore it. Proceeds from all travel programs support the Society’s efforts to increase global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research.

National Geographic Adventures

National Geographic Adventures are unique, active itineraries for intrepid travelers that feature spectacular places, cultural interaction, and physical challenge: the perfect mix for an unforgettable adventure. Trek through some of the world's most legendary mountain ranges and veer far off the beaten path, discovering wild landscapes by foot, kayak, horseback, or camel. Each adventure has a designated activity level—from Easy to Ultimate Challenge, and you'll have the option to take it easy or push your limits on a harder hike throughout most trips. Your group will never be larger than 16 travelers, and you'll explore in the company of top guides, enjoying adventures that are both physically active and culturally rewarding.

National Geographic Student Expeditions

National Geographic Student Expeditions offer active summer travel experiences for high school students in some of the world's most amazing places. With the guidance of dynamic trip leaders and top National Geographic experts, students explore their interests, build new skills, and experience new landscapes and cultures firsthand. Each type of program—expedition, field workshop, community service trip, and photo workshop—is designed to educate and inspire, combining adventure, discovery, and cultural immersion. Photo workshops are led by a National Geographic photographer and include instruction and daily photo shoots. Students in our community service programs live in a village and work with community members on a variety of service projects. On each expedition and field workshop, students get involved in a unique, hands-on project that allows them to delve deeper into a specific topic—such as photography, wildlife and conservation, filmmaking, or archaeology—and further engage with the places they visit.

National Geographic Difference

Travel that’s tailored to your interests: Whether you're a budding photographer, a natural history enthusiast, a parent looking for a great family trip, or a traveler seeking an active adventure, you'll find an array of opportunities that fit your passions and interests.

The beauty of happenstance: Some of the best moments in travel occur when you least expect them. So that you can savor these instances and enjoy each place in a way that’s meaningful to you, we offer options and build free time into our itineraries wherever we can.

Travel in good company: Lasting friendships often begin on National Geographic Expeditions. Your traveling companions are Society members like you: active, engaged, and curious about the world.

Explore the world in comfort and style: Whether you're relaxing in the arcaded courtyard of a 15th-century monastery in Peru or speeding through Siberia on a private luxury train, our accommodations are carefully selected for their exceptional quality, location, and character.

We'll take care of the details: Leave the legwork to us. We take care of the logistics and details so you can relax, enjoy, and immerse yourself in the places you are exploring.

Exceptional resources at your fingertips: To help prepare for your trip, we’ll send you detailed information specific to your trip, including National Geographic books, articles, or maps relating to your destination. You’ll also receive a 20-percent discount on your next purchase* from our gift catalog or online store—shopng.com—as well as a free one-year subscription to a National Geographic magazine of your choice.

We’ve explored the world for 125 years. Now, let us take you with us!

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