Photo: The Galápagos Wildlife of Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands
 

G Adventures has added 17 new trips in 10 countries to its new collection of Geluxe premium active adventures.

Calling it its most successful launch to date in terms of speed to book and number of bookings, The Geluxe Collection focuses on physical activity in the great outdoors and features one-of-a-kind accommodation and elevated dining experiences. Like all G Adventures trips, it’s centered on community and culture.

Portugal Village Walks & the Douro Valley

With the new additional trips, the collection now includes 45 itineraries across 26 different countries, up from the 28 trips offered when it launched in November 2023. New destinations include 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.

“We’ve taken a lot of care with this collection, curating every experience in a way that provides a balance of activity and cultural immersion,” said Yves Marceau, VP of product for G Adventures. “Meals reflect the history and tell the story of the place and its people, with accommodation unique to the location. Travellers will come away feeling personally rejuvenated, as well as connected to the world around them.”

Who's Booking Geluxe?

On who the typical customer would be for The Geluxe Collection, Marceau added: “The travellers who are booking these trips are slightly older than our usual demographic, with the majority of travellers being aged above 40. 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.”

Top Highlights

Each Geluxe trip includes at least one ‘Your OMG Stay’ and one ‘Your OMG Day’.

‘Your OMG Stay’ is a style of accommodation selected for its history, design or surrounding experiences. These include: stone cottages at Narsingh Bagh in Dholpur, India; a stay at Il Ngwesi, Nanyukia, a Maasai community-owned and operated lodge in Kenya; the Exedra Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey; and the Luxé Hotel, Guatapéin Colombia with its sweeping views over the Guatapé reservoir.

‘Your OMG Day’ gives travellers the opportunity to personalize one of their days by picking between two different experiences on each trip. Examples include: a yoga class on an organic farm in Pushkar, India; a river cruise with port tasting in Porto, Portugal; exploring the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia in Turkey by e-bike; and a half-day horseback ride in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia. 

New Itineraries

Example new trips in The Geluxe Collection that are available to book now include:

• Kenya: Cultural Connections, Mt Kenya & the Maasai Mara: Guests will stay at a Maasai-owned and operated lodge that immerses them in authentic Maasai life with hosts who’ve expertly crafted the experience. Price: from $8,849 per person for a 10-day trip from Nairobi return
• Portugal:  Coastal Walks, Vineyards & Villages of the Douro Valley: Guests will walk Portugal’s coastline with its rocky cliffs and views of the Atlantic, discover medieval villages and follow trails next to vineyards in the Douro Valley, all while stopping and savouring the wine and food of the region. Price: from $6,699 per person for a 10-day trip from Lisbon to Porto
• Northern India: Riverside Safaris, Ancient Fortresses & the Taj Mahal: Guests will explore, hike and cycle through India on this 15-day itinerary, which includes visits to Delhi, Agra and Pushkar as well as Ranthambore National Park. Price: from $5,399 per person for a 15-day trip from Delhi to Mumbai
• Turkey:  Istanbul, Cappadocia & Walking the Turquoise Coast: Highlights include Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, exploring the dramatic rock formations and underground cities of Cappadocia on foot or by bicycle, a visit to Ephesus and Pinare, hikes along the Lycian Way on the Turquoise Coast, and a boat ride to see rock tombs along the Dalyan River. Price: from $7,999 per person for a 14-day trip from Istanbul to Göcek

The Geluxe Collection’s initial trips depart starting in May 2024 to destinations like Botswana, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. For more information go to gadventures.com/geluxe.  

Source: Travelweek