5 Tips for Choosing a Good Tour Company
Finding the right tour company can often be a confusing and daunting task. For example, putting in a ‘organised tour’ into your favourite search engine will return literally millions of results. So, where do you start? Before you read this list, you need to ask yourself two basic questions: where you want to go and what it is you want to see. Once you have this basic information, read our top 5 tips below to save you hours of time and research – we’ve been there and done the hard work for you.
1. Ask other travellers
If you are already at your destination, you will often find likeminded travellers who have either done a few tours, or in the process of organising one. Talk to them. The ones who have just returned will offer the best info, get the details from them – what was good, what did they see, what types of people were on the tour and how much did they pay. Don’t be afraid to ask how much they paid – it could save you from being ripped off.
If you haven’t arrived at your destination and are looking to pre-book the tour, you can still ask other travellers via email, through forums and facebook travel groups. Another tip is to put the tour company name into a search engine and a forum search – see what dirt you can find!
2. Enquire at multiple companies
By asking around, you get a feel on ball park costs, what the tour companies offer as standard. You will find out about itineraries and get an idea as to which suits your time frame and budget best. It also provides you with more questions to ask the next company: ‘Do you go to X, like your competitors ABC tours?’ It shows you know what you are talking about, and what is expected.
3. Check what’s included
Make sure you cover all the details on what exactly you are paying for, and what is extra. Check the transport to and from the tour destination, accommodation, food and drinks and any park entry fees. Many tours we booked rarely had drinks included in the tour price, so take a few bottles with you. If your destination needs warm clothing, check what you need to take, companies often offer sleeping bags, at extra cost. It is worth asking if you can leave your larger backpack somewhere (at the tour companies office for example) If you are going to be away for a few nights – a well equipped day pack is much easier to travel with.
4. Try and meet your tour guide
Meeting your guide before you depart is not always possible, but if you get the chance, do it! It will give you an idea on character and personality, his knowledge and spoken languages. For longer tours, the guide becomes even more important. You will generally be spending full days with them and long drives to remote areas. You will want someone who is easy going, knowledgeable and open to questions along the way.
5. Is the company eco –friendly?
This may seem to be a bit of a buzzword at the moment, but being eco-friendly is an important aspect for a tour company. Tours often embark to areas of natural beauty so it is important tour companies take some responsibility in the upkeep of the environment. Ask if the company donates part of your money to environmental causes, and find out what they do to keep their tour foot print to a minimum. For example, tour companies should be using local accommodation (not huge resort chains), food (locally grown food, not shipped in) and transport – anything else has a greater impact on the environment.
Practical examples whilst on the tour could include; not disturbing animals for better pictures, not cutting flowers, not feeding animals, travelling light to reduce weight and impact on the land (a car loaded with 5 20kg backpacks is far less efficient and environment friendly) using a local guide and removing all rubbish when you leave.
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have just returned from a tour, what would you add to this list?
