Overview
JOURNEYS grew from gratifying experiences in the Peace Corps and as teachers, conservation workers and travelers in Nepal in the early 1970s. The directors of the company, Drs. Will and Joan Weber, learned how inspirational and satisfying culturally respectful and environmentally sensitive travel can be.
After returning to graduate school at the University of Michigan, Will and Joan longed to revisit the Himalayas. They sat in a student apartment and typed up (on a typewriter!) a one-page flyer inviting "curious, hearty souls" to join them on a "Journey to Nepal". Will and Joan were clear about what they wanted to do: they hoped to share a place that they knew and loved with others who were open and eager for new adventures. Joan and Will didn’t label this ecotourism, or sustainable travel, or responsible tourism. They only knew that they wanted their travel group to be small enough not to overwhelm the experience... they wanted to interact directly and respectfully with local people and natural environments, and, rather than drain local resources, believed they should make a contribution to their preservation. Will and Joan were committed to the idea that local people and communities must tangibly benefit from this idea which came to be called ecotravel and ecotourism. They made this concept work and JOURNEYS today is an ongoing experiment and celebration of more than 30 years of ecotourism evolution in action.
Seeking New Trips and Lasting Friendships
Now there are many more people working with JOURNEYS and many more destinations in the tour portfolio. JOURNEYS' growth has been steady but gradual. They added new trip destinations only after they knew them well and had established personal relationships with the people who would be operating the programs. Many of JOURNEYS' staff around the world have worked with them since their first experiences in their home areas. JOURNEYS continues to enjoy the process of developing new trips and personalizing each departure for the interests of the participants.
JOURNEYS' task is to provide you with intimate access to other worlds. Every year, the staff is as enthusiastic about each new trip as they were about their first trek. JOURNEYS is repeatedly touched by the kindness of the people who work with them and befriend them all around the globe. In traveling with JOURNEYS, you will join a network of people who seek peace and understanding and offer cheerfulness, insight and compassion.
Why JOURNEYS?
They are quite simply the best. No other company matches JOURNEYS’ experience, breadth, flexibility and personal service. Their reputation is impeccable.
JOURNEYS has been an acknowledged innovator in global adventure travel and ecotourism since 1978. JOURNEYS’ itineraries are original, and trip content is thoughtful, intellectually ambitious, and as adventurous as you like. JOURNEYS is committed to the communities and environments visited. Their Ecological Code of Ethics serves as a model for others.
JOURNEYS has won the most prestigious awards in the industry. Conde Nast selected JOURNEYS for their list of the world’s Top Travel Specialists every year since 2003. National Geographic Adventure selected JOURNEYS for their Top Ten list of global adventure tour operators.
JOURNEYS’ staff is professional and devoted. Many remain with the company for decades. The specialists in Ann Arbor and the guides in the field take pride in 100% client satisfaction. JOURNEYS founders, Drs. Joan and Will Weber, are active in daily operations.
JOURNEYS makes your travel planning easy. JOURNEYS pays attention to detail and prepares you well. They respond promptly to your email. If you call during business hours, you will be greeted by a person and not a machine. Request custom inclusions and extensions. JOURNEYS will make your air arrangements or you’re free to do your own.
JOURNEYS knows their destinations well. They will give you as honest and complete a picture of what you can expect as possible. They don’t want to make an easy sale… they want to make an honest one. You will likely find that JOURNEYS under promises and over delivers.
JOURNEYS travelers come back again and again. JOURNEYS has a sophisticated clientele with wide reaching travel goals. Many return for three, four, five or more trips.
JOURNEYS loves what they do and takes great pleasure in sharing their expertise and enthusiasm with you.
Travel & Industry Awards
- Named Top Travel Specialist for Family Travel from Conde Nast Every Year Since 2003
- National Geographic Adventure JOURNEYS One of 10 “Best Outfitters on Earth”
Payments Accepted
- American Express
- Certified Check
- MasterCard
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- Personal Checks
- Traveler's Checks
- Visa
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Reservation Policy
In most cases the deposit is $500 per person per trip, though for some trips it may be more. The minimum deposit requirement for custom trips is $800 per person. A trip-planning fee of $100 is also charged to cover costs of preparing the itinerary. This fee is credited to the cost of the trip, but is nonrefundable if you do not do the trip.
Cancellation Policy
Land cancellation fees per person/trip: - 90 or more days prior to departure: $300.
- 45-89 days prior to departure: 30% of land cost.
- 31-44 days prior to departure: 75% of land cost.
- 0-30 days prior to departure: 100% of land cost.
Other Travel Offerings
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