Many who look at the Venture Outside web site have the following questions:

How do Venture Outside tours differ from those of other active travel companies?
Many companies offer exciting adventures at interesting locations led by tour guides that are competent and trained to safely lead you through your tour, and maybe impart some basic information about an area….basic brochure fact stuff. Our tours are designed for those who want to exercise the mind as well as the body. Exciting adventures at interesting locations are so much more valuable if you are presented with thought-provoking facts and stories, and issues concerning the problems that our natural and cultural resources are facing. That’s the difference. Our trips are led by expert scientists and adventurers who will be able to answer your questions and impart insight to make your trip truly memorable, and to guide you on your own voyage of discovery.


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How does the “learning” part of this take place?
It’s laid back and it’s “experiential.” We emphasize seeing, touching, hearing, and smelling. We informally talk about the things we see, identify them and discuss the interactions, including how we as humans fit into the environment and the ecosystems we visit, and how we can lessen our impacts to various resources. Over meals, we’ll introduce interesting discussion points, to get you to think the way locals do, or the way the pre-explorer residents might have. You’ll learn about coastal ecology by seeing it and hearing about it at close range, and immersing yourself into it. You’ll learn about archaeology by seeing sites, and participating in some focused excavating. You’ll learn orientation by using the equipment, solving map puzzles, and searching for and finding “treasures”. Experiential Learning is when you learn not by being lectured but by seeing, feeling, doing, and generally experiencing something. Combine experiential learning with active travel to exciting destinations and enjoy a vacation that renews, refreshes, and revitalizes.

Our learning takes place outside, rain or shine, by being presented with new ideas, skills, and information, and then being given opportunities to use those skills. Whether it’s to navigate to a location to see and identify the habitats and wildlife, or evaluate an area’s potential to have been occupied by pre-historic cultures. You’ll feel you’ve accomplished something.


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How strenuous are the activities?
Through pre-trip questionnaires and orientation and initiation activities at the start of the trip, we will gauge the capabilities of each group. We’ll then design activities and agendas that will challenge, but not overwhelm our adventurers. Our goal is that you lay down to sleep each night with that pleasant “I feel like I did something today” –type fatigue…..not an “I’m so exhausted I can’t move” feeling.


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Will there be time to relax?
VO trips are active, and we’ll be active anywhere from 3 to 8 hours a day depending on the trip and the abilities of the particular group. Remember, we try to fit the activity level to the groups’ abilities. But, we also realize that enjoyment and appreciation of nature and culture are best done at a reasonable pace that allows you to absorb and reflect. We feel that allowing time for personal reflection and contemplation is an important aspect of getting the most out of your trip. When the adventure allows, and the group is game, we’ll work in some meditation concepts, some yoga stretches, and maybe even some readings of the great poets who contemplated nature, like Thoreau and Emerson. Evenings in particular, are meant to meditate about that day’s experiences, write in your journal, draw, engage in conversation….or lay in a hammock and sway in the breeze.


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What kind of shape do I need to be in to enjoy my trip?
Venture Outside tours and classes are designed for all abilities, but some of our trips are more challenging than others and we suggest that you refer to our Trip Descriptions or talk to one of our Trip Specialists about your current activity level and the type of adventure you're looking for. They'll help you choose the trip that's right for you by asking detailed questions about your outdoor background, physical activity, and preferred style of travel. We want you to be on the right trip just as much as you do.


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How should I train for my trip?
While you don't have to be an "athlete" to enjoy a Venture Outside trip, you will get the most enjoyment from your trip if you are reasonably fit. We encourage you to engage in some sort of aerobic activity three times a week and to slowly increase the distance and difficulty of this activity. A week or two before the trip you should be comfortable walking or biking the distance that is typical of a day on your trip. We also recommend that you get comfortable training up to several days "back-to-back" as we typically are active for at least 5 consecutive days on our tours.


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What's included in the trip price?

All lodging, double-occupancy, at specified accommodations.
All meals, or all meals except for one or two meals (as specified in daily trip itinerary).
Snacks and beverages between meals.
Flexible handcrafted itineraries
Expertise and services of professional naturalist guides
Equipment and experienced guides for sea kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, etc. for multi-sport trips.
Vehicle support (including baggage transfers) for a variety of route options
A maximum 7:1 guide-to-guest ratio
A Venture Outside t-shirt and water bottle
All land transportation from trip assembly points
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities
State and National park and other entrance fees
Pre-departure information and extras listed on trip itineraries.


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Do I have to carry my own luggage or gear?
Usually we use our own vehicles to transport luggage between various lodges and campgrounds. You need only carry food, clothing and personal items desired for that day's activity. Certain trips will require that you get more involved with your own gear, like the Panama Kayak Expedition, and Survival. But we address that under those trips.


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What kind of people go on Venture Outside adventures?
Participants in Venture Outside adventures are active and interesting people who come from all over the world, and from all different walks of life. They work in a variety of occupations and industries, and have many different hobbies and interests.

They share a love of adventure, they value our ecological and cultural heritage, and they look for a little something extra out of their vacation. They choose Venture Outside because of its commitment to providing them with a unique vacation of “adventure with a purpose”, and to giving something back.


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How large will my group be?
For logistical reasons, we usually do not hold trips for fewer than 4 participants. The average group size on all Venture Outside trips is about 8-10. For company groups and extended families, we can accommodate up to around 16.


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Do you have guest references for your trips?
Please contact us to be referred to a guest who has gone on a Venture Outside trip.


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How far in advance do I need to book?
We recommend you book at least 3 to 4 months in advance to make sure you have a spot in one of our scheduled tours, or to give us enough time to plan a custom adventure for your group on the dates that work best for your group.


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What kind of gear will I need for my adventure?
You’ll need to bring your personal gear. VO will send you a detailed clothing and equipment list in your pre-departure information so you know what you'll need.


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How do I get to the start of the trip? How will I get to the airport at the trip's end?
From each gateway city, convenient transportation is available to the assembly point. As noted in individual "Adventures" descriptions , trips almost always conclude where they began. Specific information regarding your trip meeting and ending times, transportation to the assembly point, and driving directions are included in your Confirmation Packet that is e-mailed or mailed to you upon registration. If you wish to make airline reservations before receiving your planner, please contact your Trip Consultant for trip starting and ending times. Optional van transfers are available from some of these locations to the meeting place and back at trip's end. Advance reservations are required.


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How can I arrange my travel before and after my Venture Outside trip?
For help in arranging air transportation, pre and post-trip hotels, rental cars or rail tickets in conjunction with your VO Adventure, please email us and we will put you in touch with our travel coordinators. Please note that The VO is not responsible for the purchase of non-refundable advance purchase airline tickets.


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What responsibilities do I have as a Venture Outside adventurer?
VO guests are responsible for choosing a trip that suits their abilities, level of fitness and state of health (for assistance, refer to Trip Ratings). Guests must provide VO with signed release and medical information forms prior to trip departure (guests will not be permitted to join a trip without this information on file). Finally, guests traveling with VO are expected to follow environmental guidelines and regulations in accordance with leader direction as well as respect the rights and privacy of other trip members. An individual may be asked to leave a trip if the leader feels that the person's continuing participation may prove detrimental to the individual or to the well-being or enjoyment of other guests.


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