What Explore-Share.com does

Explore-Share.com is a Brussels-headquartered online marketplace, founded in 2015 by co-founders Gauthier Poncelet and Nicolas Vandepaer, that connects individual adventure seekers with certified local mountain guides for guided outdoor activities. The platform lists 12,000+ activities across 70+ countries, supplied by 1,500+ guides holding IFMGA/UIAGM, UIMLA, or local certifications, and serves primary segments including individual adventure seekers, Seven Summits and high-altitude climbers, and cultural/historical trekkers. Core offerings span guided mountaineering (Mont Blanc, Mount Fuji, Kilimanjaro, Matterhorn, Aconcagua, Ben Nevis), backcountry skiing and ski touring (Chamonix, Niseko), via ferrata (Dolomites), and trekking (Inca Trail, Salkantay).

The platform is built around an online booking system with destination, activity, difficulty, and date filters, a guide certification verification layer, secure online payments, and a tiered cancellation policy (100% refund up to 60 days, declining to 0% under 21 days). Supporting features include a Global Rescue safety partnership, weather-related trip rescheduling, a concierge service for custom trip requests, and online customer support available seven days a week. The technology stack appears to be a standard web-based marketplace with no disclosed mobile app, public API, SDK, or AI/ML capabilities; integrations are commercial rather than technical (Decathlon, Airbnb, Canon, ZAG, AS Adventure, Banff, We Mountain, Ski Asia).

Explore-Share generates revenue through marketplace commissions on bookings, with a disclosed fee stack of approximately 10% comprising a 5% customer service fee, a 3% administration fee, and roughly 2.3% credit card processing. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website, supported by a content-led marketing mix (blog, Instagram, Facebook, email newsletter, SEO) and earned media in outlets such as Travel+Leisure, Paris Match, Elle, and Ski Canada. The company has raised $1.13M in a single disclosed funding round in February 2019, with investors and lead not identified, and reports no subsequent financing activity in the available data.

Name

Explore-Share.com

Legal name

Explore-Share

Website

https://explore-share.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Explore-Share.com is a Brussels-based online marketplace, founded in 2015, that connects individual adventure travelers with 1,500+ certified mountain guides offering guided mountaineering, backcountry skiing, via ferrata, and trekking activities across 70+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Travel Marketplace

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Travel Agencies (561510)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity & Expedition Packages (Guided Adventure Trips) (THAJABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA), Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB), Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD), Private Adventure & Expedition Experiences (Custom Hikes, Safaris, Backcountry) (THAJALAG)

Keywords

• Guided mountaineering trips
• Outdoor adventure marketplace
• Mountain guide booking
• Backcountry skiing tours
• Guided trekking expeditions

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Marketplace Transaction Fees: Explore-Share acts as a booking platform收取佣金。Fees include 5% customer service fee at booking, 3% administration fee, and approximately 2.3% credit card processing fee. These are deducted from refunds during cancellations or retained from guide payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Explore-Share is an online two-sided marketplace that connects individual adventure travelers with certified mountain guides for booking guided outdoor activities worldwide. The platform aggregates 12,000+ activities across 70+ countries sourced from 1,500+ IFMGA/UIAGM/UIMLA-certified guides, spanning mountaineering expeditions, backcountry skiing and ski touring, hiking and trekking, and via ferrata trips. Revenue is earned via marketplace commissions deducted from guide payments (5% customer service fee, 3% administration fee, ~2.3% credit card processing fee).

Product overview

Explore-Share is an online booking marketplace for guided outdoor activities, offering access to 12,000+ outdoor activities worldwide with over 1,500 certified guides across 70+ countries. The platform centers on three core product categories: Guided Mountain Climbing Trips (including Mont Blanc, Mount Fuji, Kilimanjaro, Matterhorn, Aconcagua, and Ben Nevis), Guided Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring (in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Niseko, and other destinations), and Guided Hiking & Trekking Tours (such as Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu). The platform provides an online booking system with search/filter capabilities, guide certification verification, and 7-day customer support. All trips are led by professionally certified guides (IFMGA, UIAGM, UIMLA, or local certifications).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Explore-Share Booking Platform Global online marketplace where travelers discover, compare, and book certified-guide outdoor adventures, with secure online payment, verified reviews, and 7-day customer support. Catalog spans 12,000+ activities across 70+ countries via 1,500+ certified guides.
• Guided Mountain Climbing Trips Guided mountaineering expeditions to iconic peaks led by IFMGA/UIAGM-certified mountain guides, ranging from short 2-3 day ascents to multi-week high-altitude expeditions with acclimatization. Per-person pricing spans EUR 1,000 - USD 10,748+ depending on peak and duration.
• Guided Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Off-piste and backcountry skiing experiences led by certified mountain guides in destinations such as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Niseko, covering lift-accessed and human-powered ski touring itineraries.
• Guided Hiking & Trekking Tours Guided hiking and trekking experiences including the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Salkantay Trek, guided night hikes in Patagonia (Fitz Roy), and other Andean routes, with local cultural interpretation and permit coordination.
• Via Ferrata Trips Guided via ferrata climbing routes, with featured trips in the Dolomites (Italy) and Slovenia, led by certified mountain guides.
• All-Inclusive Trip Packages Comprehensive trip packages that bundle the guiding fee with hut accommodations, meals, equipment rental, and sometimes airport transfers, offered as a single per-person price for select destinations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.8/5 overall platform rating based on verified customer reviews across multiple platforms

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Rescue is a safety and security partner providing emergency support services to Explore-Share customers. The partnership is highlighted as a trust badge on the platform, signaling a commitment to customer safety during outdoor adventures. The partnership allows customers to access Global Rescue's emergency evacuation and medical services.
• DecathlonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor equipment retailer partnership for gear recommendations and potential customer referrals.
• AirbnbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel accommodation partnership potentially offering bundled adventure and lodging experiences.
• CanonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography equipment brand partnership supporting adventure photography content.
• We MountainminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMountain guide company offering guided trips on the Explore-Share platform.
• BanffminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanff tourism board partnership for destination marketing.
• Ski AsiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSki touring company in Asia offering trips on the Explore-Share platform.
• ZAGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki equipment brand partnership for adventure sports equipment.
• AS AdventureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor adventure equipment and travel company partnership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Airbnb Experiences:

Broad incumbents

• Viator (Tripadvisor): Largest global tours-and-activities marketplace. Broad incumbent in the same online activity-booking category as Explore-Share but serves a much wider (mostly non-adventure) activity mix.
• GetYourGuide: Major online marketplace for tours, attractions, and activities with global supply. Broad incumbent in tours-and-activities marketplace competing for the same traveler's booking wallet but lacking Explore-Share's certification depth in mountaineering.
• REI Adventures: Established US outdoor retailer operating guided adventure trips across trekking, climbing, and cycling. Broad incumbent in guided outdoor travel with strong brand recognition; comparable on activity type but uses in-house rather than third-party marketplace model.

Regional players

• Komoot: Europe-focused outdoor routing and trip-planning platform with tour-discovery features. Regional player overlapping with Explore-Share's European customer base; adjacent rather than directly competitive as it focuses on self-guided route planning.

Emerging players

• Outdooractive: European-focused outdoor platform offering hiking, biking, and ski touring routes and tours. Emerging player with partial overlap: shares outdoor adventure customer base but emphasizes self-guided route planning over guided-experience booking.

Direct peers

• Mountain Trip: IFMGA-certified guide service running Denali, Aconcagua, and alpine expeditions. Direct peer in guided high-altitude climbing with comparable per-person pricing on iconic peaks.
• International Mountain Guides: US-based guiding outfit offering certified IFMGA-led mountaineering expeditions worldwide (Rainier, Everest, Denali, Alpamayo). Closely matches Explore-Share on customer profile, certification standards, and activity mix.
• Jagged Globe: UK-based mountaineering expedition company offering guided climbs and treks to Everest, Ama Dablam, and Alpine peaks. Direct peer in certified-led mountain expedition booking, with overlapping European customer base.
• Alpenglow Expeditions: Operates guided mountaineering trips globally (Aconcagua, Denali, Rainier) led by AMGA/IFMGA-certified guides. Direct peer: same certification-led model, same premium guided-climbing customer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ExploreShare
• Instagraminstagram.com/explore_share

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Explore-Share.com