WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Important payment and cancellation information for Outgoing Adventures travellers
In recognition of the current environment, for bookings made in 2021, Outgoing Adventures is adjusting its payment and cancellation terms for our travellers' enhanced flexibility and security. This promotion is not available retroactively and will only apply to NEW bookings made within the above designated promotion period.
Booking Flexibility
Take comfort with a flexible transfer and refund policy in an ever-changing world.
From the time of booking until 60 days prior to your trip's departure, it will be possible to transfer 100% of your deposit to another tour without our usual fee, or receive a full refund. Alternatively, travellers may select a Travel Credit to allow more time to select a new trip credits may be applied to any other tour departing no more than 24 months beyond original booking date. Credits may also be transferred to friends or family if you decide not to travel for whatever reason.
Cancellations within 60 days are subject to Outgoing Adventures's standard terms and conditions. All transfer and cancellation requests must be received in writing.
By submitting your deposit, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the terms and conditions and release required for participation on any Outgoing Adventures tour. Qualifying applicants will receive a note on their invoice indicating that the special terms listed above will supersede the standard version that appears on our website and in your post-reservation confirmation documents.
Passengers are strongly advised to obtain trip cancellation insurance at time of deposit. No refunds shall be made to passengers who do not participate in any part of, or otherwise do not complete the tour for any reason whatsoever.
As a registered British Columbia tour operator, we are governed by the rules set out by Consumer Protection BC regardless of where you reside.
OUR TRAVELLERS
Our clients comprise a very special bunch of people: interesting, curious, active, and often very well-travelled gay or gay-friendly couples, friends, and singles. Ages are as diverse as backgrounds. Some of us are in our 30s, while others are 70 or more. Our travellers love to experience new places, peoples, cuisines, philosophies and points-of-view in a relaxed social environment where they can feel free to be themselves.
We also attract adventurous types who want to experience the exotic with the added security of expert guidance that ensures that they can be themselves while minding local sensitivities in places (as yet) unaccustomed to openly gay travellers.
Our English-speaking tours attract travellers from all over Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. By and large our trips are male-dominated, but we are thrilled when our lesbian sisters join us.
OUR ITINERARIES
Spontaneity and flexibility are integral aspects of our trips, as are organization and efficient time management. Each of our itineraries is carefully crafted to be as detailed, accurate, and appropriately paced as possible. We also want to allow for special events and experiences that cannot always be planned.
A small group can easily venture off the "beaten path" and get around by special means to interesting places that enrich the travel experience. Home visits and local markets provide special insight into the lives of the local people.
Good itineraries are, however, always evolving. Thanks to our insightful clients and tireless Tour Leaders, we are constantly revamping existing trips and brainstorming new and exciting touring ideas.
CLASSIC
Three and four-star hotel based, "soft adventure" trips that concentrate on the culture, history, and natural attributes of our destination.
Though these are not "active" trips as such, you should be prepared for full days with some early starts and some walking on uneven surfaces through villages, cities, and archaeological sites.
TRAMP
Trips that are more physical than our Classic series. All walking and hiking trips are included in the category, as well as programs that involve camping or sailing.
Accessing more remote areas means that our accommodation may be of a simpler standard or involve camping in some locales.
POSH
A series of luxury experiences with gorgeous 5-star accommodations and lots of pampering.
LEVEL 1
No particular physical activity is involved other than town/city walks and short walks to dinners and sites of interest, some of which are large.
LEVEL 2
These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train; short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling also fall into this category.
LEVEL 3
Most weekend hikers should have no trouble with our moderate hikes. Some walking at moderate-to-high elevations and an occasional long day with a pass crossing may be involved. Although no previous experience is required, being physically fit and active are important.
WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION
The vast majority of our accommodation choices worldwide reflect our clients' insistence on clean, well-located, three- and four-star properties with private bath facilities.
Choosing gay-run or gay-friendly hotels wherever possible eliminates embarrassing situations — "ah, we prefer a double bed…" In some particularly special spots, where accommodation forms the focus of our stay—such as Machu Picchu or Santorini—we notch it up a bit for that added degree of comfort or exclusivity that will make our time there all the more memorable. Where such accommodation is not available because of the area or our activities, we use the best hotels available.
Though all hotels, inns and lodges are carefully chosen, our tours are not always about accommodation in the same way as beach holidays are: a hotel is sometimes just place to spend a night or two, not the main focus of your trip.
Though some adventures and locations involve a certain element of "roughing it", it all adds to the experience and doesn't have to be arduous.