Navigation Required

Our system is such that we do not stay in one big group during the day's activity. We do this for several reasons. First, the tour is an adventure and we don't want to isolate you from the local culture by always staying in a group. Second, participants on our tours have a wide diversity of skill levels and interests. Rather than forcing you to go at a common speed, we allow you to move as slowly or quickly as you wish and to stop when and where you desire.

Each morning we have a Route Talk where we explain that day's route options. Very quickly you will learn who else in the group has interests and abilities similar to yours and the group will break into small groups, meeting and changing during the day as people decide to do more or less of the scheduled routes. We make this system possible by providing you with maps or detailed route directions that enable you to find your way.

Some people love to follow the route directions or maps, while others prefer to stay with those who do. Because each trip is different, the level of navigation varies but no specific skills are required on any of the tours:

No Navigation Required: Some of our trips have no maps or route directions, including our Skate Camps and trips such as Tibet and Peru where we are almost always with a local guide.

Basic Map Reading: Other tours, especially in the US, take place on trails (paved or dirt) where it is almost impossible to go wrong. We provide basic maps on these tours; no special skills are required.

Detailed Directions: On still other tours, especially in Europe, we provide detailed route directions. No specific skills are required but we find those with an analytical bent love the directions while others prefer to leave the directions to fellow participants!