Greek island sunrise

The sun rises on an island in Greece.

Photograph by Kenneth DiLuigi, My Shot

2010 Deals for Adventurous Travelers

Save money on these tours

ByGiovanna Palatucci
April 20, 2010
15 min read

Note: These deals may no longer be available.

Travelers today are searching for active, cultural engagement. In the pursuit of authenticity, they’re trekking through the Andes, biking through South Africa, and rafting in Bhutan. That is why we’ve dubbed this year “The Year of Adventure,” because travelers are pushing past their comfort zones to find engaging, veritable experiences. Below we've assembled some of the currently available deals, but this list isn't comprehensive. If you are interested in a specific tour or operator, don't be shy. Find out if the tour is full; if it isn't, there may be room to negotiate an upgrade, an add-on, or a break on the price.

Baja Airventures: Kids travel free

Book the Las Animas Wilderness Retreat package and up to two kids travel free with two paid adults. Valid from June 15 through September 15. All-inclusive packages are $1,695 per person, double occupancy.

Baobab Expeditions: 10 percent off trips to Africa

Save 10 percent on select expeditions. Sample: “Mountain Gorillas and the Big 5”—Go on a private gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda. Search for the Big 5 in Kenya and Tanzania. Departs June 6 and November 3. June departure: Regular price: $9,990; Discounted price: $8,991. November departure: Regular price: $9,590; Discounted price: $8,631.

Compass Expeditions: Select adventure motorcycle tours 10 percent off

Save 10 percent on two Brazilian motorcycle tours. Sample: The “Taste of Brazil” tour takes riders through Brazil and Argentina along a 13-day, scenic route including Rio, Paraty, and nearby colonial towns. Single rider regular price: $4,491; Discounted price: $4,990. Co-rider regular price: $2,691; Discounted price: $2,990. Valid for the June 27 departures.

Cultural Crossroads: $300 savings on tours to Turkey in 2010

Mention National Geographic Traveler and receive a $300 discount on five tours to Turkey. Must book by June 15. Sample: “Historical Treasures of Turkey”—15-day tour departing August 15. Regular price: $3,485; Discounted price: $3,185.

Culture Xplorers: Free pre-departure, Peru culinary workshop

Mention National Geographic Traveler when booking one of Culture Xplorers Peru trips and get a free, pre-departure culinary workshop for up to ten guests. Preview Peruvian cuisine and culture while you have your trip questions answered. Retail value is $700. Offer valid for two or more travelers booking together with a deposit by July 31. Travel must be completed by December 31, 2010.

Friendly Planet Travel: Save $300-400 per person

32 tour packages with varying reservation deadlines are offering $300-400 savings. Sample: “Borneo Adventure”—on this 15-day trip explore the island's natural and man-made beauty, from the Proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park to the city of Kuala Lumpur. Regular price: $3,499; Discounted price: $3,099. Book by June 23.

Geographic Expeditions: Couples save $1,000 on Galápagos journeys

Cruise the Galápagos by small yacht on an itinerary approved by the Galápagos National Park. Save $1,000 per couple. Regular price: $6,675 per person; Discounted price: $6,175. Offer is valid on all weekly departures between June 30 and August 18. Booking deadline is June 30.

Global Exchange: $200 off the India Reality Tour

Travel from Mumbai to Delhi on a tour led by Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and his son Tushar Gandhi. Mention NGS when booking and receive $200 off the $2,900 tour price. Valid for December 29, 2010-January 11, 2011 departures.

H2Outfitters: Save $1,000 on international trips with a $1,000 commitment

Pay a $1,000 commitment fee on any international trip and receive a $1,000 reduction on the tour price (does not include North American departures). Valid through July 2010. Sample: “The Inland Sea of Japan”—paddle through Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. Take $1,000 off the regular price of $6,550 per person. Departs May 12 and October 20.

Maris Freighter Cruises: 15-20 percent off around the world cruises

Take an 18-week around the world cruise by freighter, visiting close to two dozen ports from New Orleans to Hong Kong. Regular fare: $13,390. Save 15 percent on bookings made 6 months in advance ($11,380). Save 20 percent on trips booked 12 months in advance ($10,710).

Natural Habitat Adventures: Save $1,000 on a Wild India Adventure

Track tigers during this 14-day tour. Book by June 30 for the November 12-25 tour and receive the $1,000 “economic stimulus” discount. Double occupancy regular price: $9,595; Discounted price: $8,595. Single occupancy regular price: $11,290; Discounted price: $10,290.

Oceanic Society: 20 percent off adult and 30 percent off child rates for Belize

Two family trips to Belize offer discounts to children and adults. Sample: Family Field Study—Join biologists for a study of Belizean marine wildlife. Spend the day collecting data with a dolphin researcher. Geared for children ten and older. Regular price: $1,950 for adults; Discounted price: $1,462. Regular price: $1,750 for kids. Discounted price: $1,312. Book before May 30. Trip valid July 3-10.

Pedalers Pub and Grille: 15 percent off Thailand bicycle tours

Save 15 percent off any Thailand Bicycle Tour: Northern Highlands, Ancient Kingdoms, or Thailand Land & Sea. Discount is per person for new bookings made between May 1 and June 30. Use discount code: NGT15 in the comments/discount box on the tour booking form.

Planeterra: 20 percent off Project Galápagos Tour

Spend ten days on Santa Cruz Island working with the local community to build a safe playground area for children. Book between May 1 and July 1 and save 20 percent. Regular price: $1,299; Discounted price: $1,039.20. Must travel by December 31.

REI Adventures: Save $300-400 with anniversary prices

Save on three itineraries during REI’s Anniversary Sale running from May 21-31. Sample: San Juan Islands Multisport—Kayak, hike, and camp your way through the San Juan Island just off the coast of Seattle. Conclude the trip with a rare whale watching experience. Regular Price: $1,899 per person; Discounted price: $1,599. Trip departs August 22.

Rothschild Safaris: 10 percent on Botswana

Save 10 percent on one of two trips to Botswana. Sample: “Footsteps of the Kalahari”—Regular price: $2,088; Discounted price: $1,880. Valid on all bookings through May 31.

Tour d’Afrique: 5 percent off 2010 Silk Route cycling

Take 5 percent off any section of the 2010 Silk Route Cycling Expedition or the entire tour. Book with Tour d’Afrique and a bicycle will be donated in your name to a healthcare worker in Africa who will use the bicycle to treat patients in remote villages. Full tour starts at $5,411.60. Departs May 22.

Blue Ventures: 10-15 percent off volunteer expeditions

Save 10-15 percent off volunteer expeditions to Madagascar and Belize. Sample: Madagascar—Join a marine conservation expedition to southwest Madagascar where, alongside international scientists, you’ll collect data on threatened coral reefs. Prices start at $2,029.35 for three-week expeditions. Quote code NGT2010 for the 15 percent discount. Book by November 1.

Backroads: Save $400-800 on fall biking and walking tours

20 autumn trips to Europe are on sale, with $400-$800 discounts. Sample: Amalfi Coast Walking—Save $800 on six-day walking tour. Regular Price: $5,698; Discounted Price: $4,898.

Reefs to Rockies: 10 percent off daring adventures

Save 10 percent on Reefs to Rockies’ top three trips for 2010. Sample: Swim with whale sharks in the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve off the north coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Regular price: from $625 per person, double occupancy; Discounted price: from $562.50.

One World Trekking: $250 off all Nepal classic treks

Take $250 off per person on all Classic Nepal Treks. Sample: Gokyo Lakes to Mount Everest Trek—A 21-day trek over the Cho La Pass to the Everest Base Camp. Regular prices range from $2,045 to $3,550, depending on group size.

BikeHike Adventures Inc.: 10 percent discount on select tours

Five trips are being offered at a 10 percent discount for bookings between May and September 2010. Sample: 12-day “Vietnam, Paddle and Play.” Regular price: $2,399 per person; Discounted Price: $2,159. Valid for departures in May and August-December 2010.

ROW Adventures: Free hotel on Idaho Multi-sport adventure

The Bitterroot Bonanza Tri-State Multi-Sport tour includes biking in Washington, biking and kayaking in Idaho, and rafting in Montana. Book by June 10 for any 2010 departure and get a free pre- and post-trip hotel night in Spokane. Total savings of $150 per person.

Lindblad Expeditions: Kids free on select summer 2010 expeditions

Kids stay free on select summer trips to Alaska, Galápagos, or Arctic Norway. The first child (age 17 and younger) goes free with two paying adults. The second child pays 50 percent. Valid on select days from June through August. Prices per person start at $5,650 (Alaska), $4,980 (Galápagos), and $7,260 (Arctic Norway). Must book by May 31.

Boundless Journeys: Save 10 percent in June

Save 10 percent on seven June trips. Sample: “Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice”—Hike spectacular trails among volcanoes and glaciers. Discounted price: $4,405. Trip departs June 20.

Sea Kayak Adventures Inc.: $150 off on Baja Tours

Book any 2011 tour by July 15 and save $150. Regular prices: $895 for five-day tour, $995 for a six-day tour, $1,155 for a 7-day tour, and $1,255 for an eight-day tour.

Roadtrips Sports Travel: World Cup Savings

Book a Roadtrip Sports package to the World Cup Final by May 31 and receive a 20 percent discount off a 1-3 day pre- or post- tour extension. Mention promo code NGT0510. Prices start at $3,995 per person.

Abercrombie & Kent: Child travels free on East Africa journey

On tailor-made East Africa journeys, one child (must be younger than 12) receives complimentary internal airfare and the land program is waived when traveling with two adults. Promotional value of from $5,000. Valid on all May, June, and July departures. Book by July 10.

Africa Adventure Consultants: Special prices on safari tours

Six special offers on safaris to East and Southern Africa exclusively for Traveler readers. Sample: “Tanzania Peaks and People”—50 percent off the regular price of $7,538 for the second climber on travel booked through December 31.

Africa Adventure Company: Two free nights

Book a tour for June, July or September and receive two nights free. Sample: “Zimbabwe World Heritage Explorer”—Get two free nights, one at Camp Amalinda and one at Vundu Camp for a value of $800 saved.

Escape Adventures: Save $100 on top trips

Select from six trips and receive $100 off, exclusively for Traveler. Mention NGT at time of booking. Sample: “Death Valley Hiker”—six-day tour departs October 3. Regular price: $1,290; Discounted price: $1,190. Includes guided hikes, meals, and camping accommodations.

Ciclisimo Classico: $600-800 couple discounts on summer biking trips

Choose from five $800 and four $600 discounts on couple bike tours in Italy, Spain, Slovenia, and Croatia. Sample: “Bike Across Italy”—Save $800 per couple on the April 21 and May 11 departures. Regular price: $4,895 per person; Discounted price: $4,495.

Adventure Life Voyages: 50 percent off voyages

Take 50 percent off the November 1 Natural Wonders and Ancient Civilization cruise. The 20-day package begins at $21,990 for a Category E cabin.

Mountain Lodges of Peru: Add guests and save up to 60 percent

Single travelers skip the 50 percent single supplement fee on the Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge Trek. Single occupancy regular price: $3,975; Discounted price: $2,650. Add a second guest to the room and that person saves 40 percent off the regular rate. Regular price: $2,650; Discounted price: $1,590. A third guest will save 60 percent off the rack rate. Regular price: $2,650; Discounted price: $1,060. Final price reflects triple occupancy.

Gap Adventures: Sail the Greek Isle at a 20 percent discount

Choose from one of four different routes departing in May and get 20 percent off. Valid on 8, 10, 15, or 22 day sailing itineraries. Book by April 30 using promo code Greek20. Discounted price starts as low as $959.

Mango Safaris: Save 30 percent on Tanzania tours

Book the “Tanzania’s Wild Side” safari by May 31 and receive a 30 percent discount. Regular price: $9,525; Discounted price: $6,675.

Imperial Tours: Take 5 percent off the Unique China

Book the Unique Destinations Tour, which visits Chengdu, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Lhasa and save 5 percent when you mention Traveler. Regular price starts at $8,055 per person plus $1,190 for economy-class internal air within China or $1,725 for business class. Departs October 20.

Wilderness Travel: Save up to $2,000 per person on select cruises

Select from four different cruise discounts—Into the Arctic, Empires of the Sea, North Africa’s Mediterranean Coast, or The Great Lakes. Discount varies by cabin category. Sample: “The Great Lakes”—For “A Class” cabin save $700 per person. Regular price: $9,495; Discounted price: $8,795.

Tucan Travel: Build your own discount

Combine any three of the 5 percent discounts to save a total of 15 percent. Discounts: early booking (six months in advance), book two tours, repeat client discount, book three or more people on the same tour, student discount, under-26 discount, and over-55 discount. Discounts do not apply to Independent Travel, Expedition Cruises, Local Payments/Funds and extra services. Discounts must be requested at the time of booking.

Intrepid Travel: $100 off Thailand

Choose the eight-day tour through northern Thailand, booking by August 31 and receive $100 off. Regular price: $730; Discounted price: $630. Use promo code 4661 for travel through December 31.

Sea Kayak Adventures: Kids save 10 percent on British Columbia Eagles and Orcas Trip

Book a four-, five-, or six-day family kayaking tour through the wilds of British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait and save 10 percent on kids ages 14-17. Regular price: four days paddling $1,095/person, five days paddling $1,295/person, six days $1,395. Book by June 1 for travel between June and August 30. Tax and travel not included.

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