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About International Expeditions
Escorted Tours Around the World
International Expeditions’ escorted tours combine elements that make them extraordinary. Please read on to learn about the things that set us apart... and why we think you'll enjoy traveling with us.
Extraordinary Journeys...The IE Way
When you travel with International Expeditions, you travel with a company that not only shows you some of the most remarkable places in the world — but does so in a way that’s as enriching as we can make it. Our escorted tours, planned and continuously refined over almost three decades, include many elements that would be next to impossible to do otherwise. On our rainforest tours, for example, we’ll take you further into the reserves than anyone else, so that you have the chance for some exceptional sightings. And as you learn, you’ll also have a lot of fun and laughter — the joy that comes from making new discoveries in the company of friends who share in the excitement. Our escorted tours are companionable adventures.
Award-Winning Experiences
Our unique itineraries and trail-blazing spirit have led International Expeditions to be awarded as one of the 2008 Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth by the editors of National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine. We are proud to be included on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of “World’s Best” tour operators and safari outfitters for the fifth consecutive year (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008). And recently Travel + Leisure rated our 10-day Galapagos cruise aboard the M/V Evolution as one of the “50 most romantic places on Earth.” Our Amazon River tour was recognized in National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine as one of the “25 Greatest Adventures in the World,” and by renowned writer Patricia Schultz as one of the 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. And our Web site was voted part of the "Best of the Web" by Forbes magazine. These and other honors are a testament to our mission of providing guests with the very best experiences we possibly can, and to the passion and dedication that our staff members bring to their work.
Great Guides
International Expeditions is the “world leader in nature travel” for one reason above all others — the superb, English-speaking naturalists and historians who guide you through Earth’s great wildlife and cultural destinations. These are not typical “tour leaders.” Rather, our guides are consummate local experts with the uncanny ability to tell you about all the animals, plants, history and culture you’ll encounter on our escorted tours, and who care that you enjoy yourself and get the most out of your experience. You can be sure that because of them, your International Expeditions journey will be interesting, enriching, fun and exciting. Learn more about our Guides.
Small Groups and Independent Travel
International Expeditions specializes in small group natural history tours. Our strong contacts around the globe and thorough knowledge of each destination enable us to serve “independent” guests like no other travel outfitter. That’s why so many people turn to us to customize their ideal journeys to Earth’s great nature and cultural history destinations. Learn more about Small Group Tours.
Demonstrating Our Commitment Worldwide
International Expeditions is proud to be a pioneer in ecotourism. Throughout our history, we have supported conservation projects across the globe. For example, we organized the First International Rainforest Workshop in the Amazon in 1990, raising funds for a research center and the Canopy Walkway System. Our rainforest tours help to fund ongoing conservation efforts. In Belize, we provided major support for the fledgling Belize Zoo, now a symbol of how to work together in wildlife education and ecotourism. Also, we and the villagers of Crooked Tree, Belize worked together to create the sustainable agriculture project “Crooked Tree Cashews.” This project is now in its thirteenth year. The list is extensive. We are founding members of IGTOA, which protects the fragile reserves of the Galapagos. In 1994, we created the First African Savannah Workshop, enabling travelers to enjoy hands-on learning with renowned researchers and local naturalists. We are a corporate sponsor of the East African Wild Life Society. There are many more projects, and we are continually on the lookout for new opportunities. Learn more about our ecotourism and conservation efforts.
Travel in Style
With International Expeditions, you’ll travel in small groups (seldom over 16 guests), with great guides, on meticulously planned itineraries. And you’ll stay in top-rate accommodations. You’ll be well looked after wherever you go. From our stylish riverboats on the Amazon (which we helped design!) to romantic tented camps in Africa and everywhere in between, you can expect the very highest order of service. We’re detail-oriented, and it shows in our unrivaled pre-departure materials. From our picturesque brochures to the comprehensive Destination Handbook provided free of charge in your pre-departure package, no one prepares you for your journey like we do. Request a catalog.
Rainforest Tours
International Expeditions has a number of extraordinary rainforest tours. Our rainforest tours are led by one of our experienced native guides who help you discover the wildlife and wilderness. International Expeditions offers rainforest tours in the Amazon, Belize, Tikal, Costa Rica and Panama.
The Society of Nature Travelers
In recognition of our commitment to our guests, we have enhanced the benefits for our loyalty program — “The Society of Nature Travelers.” After your second journey with International Expeditions, you automatically become a member of “The Society.” As a Society member you are entitled to benefits that now include:
- A $100 savings when you travel on any regularly scheduled departure.
- An additional $100 credit for every traveling companion who is not a Society member.
- A 10% savings on clothing and apparel purchases made online at www.IEtravel.com/gear.
- Free shipping on all purchases of books, maps and travel guides at www.IEtravel.com/readinglist.
- Entry into a quarterly “Society Sweepstakes” competition to win a $5,000 credit towards a future IE journey. You get one entry for each time you’ve traveled with IE, so the more you travel with us, the better your chances of winning!
- Exclusive offers for Society members.
- Advance notice of new IE journeys.
- Free embroidered destination patches (an IE favorite) — mementos of every journey you take with IE.
If you have never traveled with International Expeditions on one of our many escorted tours, this is the year to do it! We hope that soon you too will join the ranks of The Society.
The TUI Travel Family
International Expeditions is a proud member of the TUI Travel collection of extraordinary travel companies. Within our family you will find: TCS Expeditions, the world leader in private jet expeditions; Travcoa, the luxury travel experts; Country Walkers, the world’s best-established provider of walking vacations; Quark Expeditions, the polar cruise experts; and Cardonna Dive Adventures, dive travel to the world’s top scuba diving destinations. For more information on our parent company, visit www.tuitravel.com.
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In 1991 we left our urban offices for a place in the woods: Environs Park, a 52-acre sanctuary skirting the Cahaba River in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama.
The team at our home office (shown here on the deck) is commited to bringing you the very best in natural history travel.
Maggie Hart, our president.
Nature is always close at hand at our Environs Park office. We've recorded many bird species and even had a fox staying under our porch.
A brochure promoting one of our first Amazon expeditions in 1983.
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