Backroads

"I just visited the Backroads site to see if there were reviews demonstrating an improvement in the client experience with this tour company. I traveled once to Costa Rica with them and it was an amazing trip! Later, I booked a trip to South Africa and had the same experience as a previous reviewer had booking to Patagonia. Backroads cancelled the trip and I already had airfare and pre/post travel in place. When I spoke to them about it I was treated discourteously and was presented with a cross-sell to another trip on another continent. I had already paid in full and I was refunded the money, and was offered a very modest credit to a trip with them in the future--not worth the resulting expense and hassle. I ended up having to create a custom trip on short lead time with another company. Now I'd like to go to Patagonia, but I am wary of their cancellation protocol, and given the a recent review, I am inclined to select another tour company."

"I have had the privilege of working with Backroads as their Ground Handler in Bhutan for over 20 years now, and let me tell you, they sure know how to provide an adventure of a lifetime! Backroads guests have come in all shapes and sizes, young and old, working professionals and retirees, families and solo travelers, you name it! And what makes each of my experiences exciting is meeting and connecting with people from many different countries, from all walks of life coming together to explore the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan through Backroads tours in Bhutan. Whether it's rafting down rapids in Punakha, biking through lush valleys or hiking up to sacred monasteries, the Backroads team of Trip Experts, Tour Leaders and local Bhutanese guides are well-versed with the local terrain and culture, making each tour a truly immersive experience. What sets Backroads apart is their attention to detail and their unwavering focus on the comfort and safety of their guests."

"This was my second trip with Backroads. I completed the Taste of the Camino hiking tour in October 2023. My trip was exceptional. I loved our itinerary, where we stayed, and the ability to select a daily pace that suited me. Our trip leaders were amazing people in their own right and performed their jobs flawlessly. I just got a thank you back from their “Guest Focus Coordinator” and I have to say, I am very impressed with her note. Quite detailed, it captured my feedback exactly and it notes how the company is addressing two incredibly small things that I wish were different. I mean small. i.e. A dining room that was loud because, well, it’s in a CASTLE and sound bounces off stone. Every restaurant in DC is loud so this is nothing new. But they asked so I answered and their response assured me they would take my feedback and see how they could improve the experience. Whether they can make a change to a place they don’t even own is not the point. The point is that they do something with the feedback they’re given. That’s unusual. Mostly people ask just to ask, in my experience. The fact they will internalize this is what makes them special, even when it’s ridiculously menial. I’m telling this because it is how I know this company is truly exceptional. They design amazing trips, hire overqualified people who are smart, funny, nice, accommodating and resourceful. They ask for feedback and actually act on it. They are def not the cheapest but they are worth every penny imo. I would book with them again and again, as long as my body can fulfill what my mind says I can do and what their trips have to offer. I’m very positively impressed by them and how they run their company. It makes me think about how I can replicate their practices in my own company. They try very hard to give each person an amazing experience and they deliver. Hands down."

"Great bike touring company. Had a wonderful time cycling from Prague to Vienna. I’m 47 and I was the youngest person on the trip and one of only 3 singles. Most people were over 60 and used e-bikes. Ideally more people would have been on regular bikes and in my age group. Not much Backroads can do about that but it is something to be aware of when considering booking with them."

"Wow, what an experience! It was incredible. My family had a fantastic time. Great for kids. Super flexible. We did the Brittany/Normandy trip"