Self guided tours make up a significant volume of adventure travel vacations. For years, the only known option for most people was a guided bicycle vacation. The description is obvious, but to summarize, this historic trip was a package a traveler booked with a tour operator offering a vacation with a specific departure date and a minimum number of participants. However guided trips have evolved in recent years, with more companies offering custom guided trips and pricing their tours to operate with fewer participants. On the other end of the travel spectrum are self contained tours, where you do everything on your own, such as equipment, accommodation bookings and design the routes. In the middle are self-guided tours, offering travelers travelers what Pure Adventures’ believe is the best of both worlds (being self-guided travel pioneers, we’re a bit biased!).
With such a wide variety of bicycle tour options, how do you pick the option that best fits your travel personality? Here is a round up of the different types of cycling vacations in the marketplace and suggestions on which one might be the best one for you.
Self Guided Vacations
We are proud to be pioneers in the self guided travel Pure Adventures pioneered and perfected the art of self-guided travel. Every one of our self-guided cycling and multisport tours is a complete and very affordable vacation, tailored specifically for active, independent and curious travelers who demand exceptional value and flexibility. The majority of Pure Adventures’ travel cycling and hiking itineraries are self guided.
We include:
- accommodations
- most meals
- bike rentals
- detailed route maps with turn by turn instructions
- local expertise and some support (in case of weather changes, for example)
- luggage transfers
- professional travel services to help customize your trip
Choose a self-guided bicycle vacation if you:
- have “graduated” from guided tours and want more flexibility during your vacations
- can confidently read maps and road signs
- prefer to explore your destination at your own speed
- feel comfortable traveling in a country where the primary language is not your own
- have a good level of fitness and can comfortably cycle the distances outlined in the itinerary
- want to choose your own departure date
- want to travel with your cycling club and reap the benefits of group travel (like reduced costs)
Fully Guided Tours
Fully guided cycling vacations are the ultimate in luxury travel. Not only do you get to explore some of the worlds most fascinating destinations, but you benefit from the extra support and meals not included in self guided vacations. Sometimes the logistics or safety concerns of traveling in a destination make a fully guided tour the best option. For example, our Ecuador and Galapagos tours are fully guided, making certain experiences only possible with a local guide. With a fully guided tour, nearly everything is included (gratuities and alcohol being the few exceptions).
Choose a fully guided tour if you:
- have never been to this particular destination before and want expert guidance
- visit a remote destinations or undeveloped destination that can only be done with a guide
- want a more full service experience
- have a good level of fitness but like the idea that there is support in case you can’t finish the route on a particular day