G Adventures steps into luxury travel with new Geluxe itineraries

Since 1990, G Adventures has been leading people around the world as one of the biggest tour operators in the travel industry.

From National Geographic itineraries across the Galapagos Islands, to wildlife tours in Madagascar, this company has kept an adventurous spirit for decades. And continues to find new ways to open up the world, support local communities, and give travellers profound experiences.

The newest? Geluxe. Think of it as a more premium leg of G Adventures’ active adventure programs. And given the tour operator’s extensive connections in various countries, I’m not surprised to see it growing so far.

In fact, demand must already be brimming because Geluxe has just added 17 new trips in 10 countries, bringing the total number of Geluxe adventures available to book to 45 itineraries in 26 different countries.

When Geluxe was first announced in November 2023, the sub-style included trips in Botswana, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Now the company has added bucketlist destinations like Argentina / Chile (Patagonia), Ecuador (Galapagos), Iceland, Ireland, India, Kenya, Portugal, Spain, Tanzania and Turkey, with departures available from October 2024. The maximum group size is 16, with an average of 10-12 people per departure.

Current G Adventures Styles

Anyone who hasn’t taken a G Adventures trip before might not know this, but the company is much more than just an adventure-minded small group tour operator. There are numerous sub-programs conceived as “travel styles” that are tailored towards different types of trips and preferences.

Right now, they are:

– G Adventures Land
– G Adventures Sailing & Cruises
– G Adventures Private Travel
– Geluxe
– National Geographic Tours
– National Geographic Family Journeys
– Jane Goodall Collection (focusing on wildlife trips)
– Roamies by Hostelworld

What Is Geluxe?

Again, it’s the premium leg of G Adventures. Travellers will stay at more upscale accommodations and enjoyed elevated dining experiences as well as more creature comforts along with the full-throttle adventure the brand is known for while keeping the focus on community and culture.

Given focusing on community and culture is the absolute best way to localise trips and ensure they resonate more deeply with travellers, those with the cash to get on a Geluxe itinerary should be in for a genuinely lift-changing experience.

Not to say a regular G Adventures trip is exactly roughing it, but these are ideal for people who want to break up the adventures with a bit of premium travel along the way, while also enjoying hard-won local experiences in the communities they visit along the way.

Any traveller worth their salt knows that small group tours like this are the best way to take the logistics out of the equation, meet a bunch of new people from around the world, and really dip deep into these destinations. In a way that self-planning rarely allows for.

“The travellers who are booking these trips are slightly older than our usual demographic, with the majority of travellers being aged above 40,” said G Adventures.

“It’s especially appealing to female travellers, a high proportion of whom are travelling solo, showing us there was a niche in the market that wasn’t being fulfilled. We’re also seeing a lot of couples looking to connect with other like minded travellers. We’re delighted to be able to provide even more Geluxe options around the world, and at the same time give back to more local people and communities with this new style of travel.”

These highly curated itineraries are now available online. Highlights on each Geluxe trip are conceived of at least one “OMG Stay” and “OMG Day” on every trip, denoting incredibly unique experiences you’ll rarely (and not at all) find anywhere else in the world.

An “OMG Day” would be the opportunity to personalise one of the days and pick between two different travel experiences on each trip. Examples include a yoga class on an organic farm in Pushkar, India, a river cruise with port tasting experience in Porto, Portugal, the opportunity to explore the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia in Turkey by e-bike, and a half-day spent horseback riding to scenic viewpoints in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia.

Examples of new Geluxe trips below:

Kenya: Cultural Connections, Mt Kenya & the Maasai Mara – From the majesty of seeing the migration of some of Earth’s most incredible creatures, to the magic of being immersed into the bush of the Maasai Mara, this adventure goes well beyond that. Staying at a Maasai owned and operated lodge brings travellers straight into authentic Maasai life with hosts who’ve expertly crafted the experience. This welcome to Kenya sets the stage for a once in a lifetime adventure, full of animals, heart pounding moments, and a profound and enduring connection to the country’s gracious people. Priced from $9,349pp for a 10-day trip from Nairobi return.

Portugal: Coastal Walks, Vineyards & Villages of the Douro Valley – Walk Portugal’s coastline with its rocky cliffs and sweeping views of the Atlantic. Continuing inland, discover mediaeval villages and picturesque countryside that are best appreciated on foot, walking alongside fig and olive trees and seeing castles in the distance, and follow trails next to vineyards in the Douro Valley, stopping to savour the wine and delicious regional food before capping off the adventure in Porto. Priced from $7,499pp for a 10-day trip from Lisbon to Porto.

Northern India: Riverside Safaris, Ancient Fortresses & the Taj Mahal – Explore, hike, and cycle through India on this 15-day odyssey, wandering the bustling streets of Delhi and exploring Agra and Pushkar with their bold forts and ancient temples. Ranthambore National Park, a real-life fairy tale land, invites travellers to discover elephants roaming freely, peacocks putting on dazzling dance moves, and maybe even a tiger or two. Priced from $6,379pp for a 15-day trip from Delhi to Mumbai.

Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Walking the Turquoise Coast – Be whisked into the past with the sights and smells of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, and experience the city’s rich history and traditions showcased by iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Moving inland, explore the dramatic rock formations and underground cities of Cappadocia on foot or by bicycle. Next, visit Ephesus and Pinare before heading to Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast for hikes along the Lycian Way and a boat ride to see cliff-side rock tombs along the Dalyan River. Priced from $8,949pp for a 14-day trip from Istanbul to Göcek.

To check out all the current Geluxe itineraries and book a trip head on over to gadventures.com.

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.