Zephyr Adventures

What Zephyr Adventures does

Zephyr Adventures is a privately held, boutique adventure travel company founded in 1997 by Allan Wright and headquartered in Red Lodge, Montana. The company curates and operates small-group guided tours centered on active outdoor experiences — including hiking, trekking, biking, e-biking, inline skating, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, and multisport combinations — across roughly 25+ countries spanning North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Its product portfolio comprises four tour types: Public Tours (small-group scheduled departures, ~15 per year, average group size 9-13), Private Tours (custom itineraries for groups of 2-45), Self-Guided Tours (independent travel with pre-arranged logistics and digital navigation), and Exploratory Adventures (first-run small-group trips of 4-10 led personally by the founder). Pricing ranges from approximately $2,300 to $6,650 per person, with a $500 deposit and balance due 90 days before departure.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model through its website, phone, and email, supplemented by a Travel Professionals Hub that offers travel agents 10% commission. Underlying technology is limited to standard booking, email, and website systems; the company has no proprietary platform, app, or API, and its competitive position rests on curation, brand reputation, and community rather than technology. Customers are typically aged 40-70 (average ~50), 40% sign up solo, ~20% travel as families, and 65-70% are repeat travelers, supported by an Alumni Club, High Roller Club (after 20 trip days), and a Refer-a-Friend program offering $100 credits to both parties. The company is owned and operated by founder Allan Wright alongside a core office team of three (Marketing Manager Stephanie Vidergar, Operations Manager Sarah Wohlner, and Tour Operations Manager Katie Schroepfer), with carefully chosen contract guides scaled to group size. Sister companies Travel Montana (active Montana/Yellowstone tours) and Taste Vacations (culinary tours) operate under the Zephyr United umbrella, diversifying the brand's vertical reach.

Name

Zephyr Adventures

Legal name

Zephyr Adventures

Website

https://zephyradventures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zephyr Adventures is a privately held, boutique adventure travel company founded in 1997 in Red Lodge, Montana, curating small-group guided hiking, biking, skating, and multisport tours across 25+ countries for active travelers typically aged 40-70.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Travel Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Adventure Tour Operators (Mixed itineraries) (THAAADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB), Multi-Activity & Expedition Packages (Guided Adventure Trips) (THAJABAL), Bespoke Multi-Day Itinerary Planning & Custom Tour Design (THAJALAB), Eco-Adventure Multi-Day Expeditions (Trekking, Hut-to-Hut, Pack Trips) (THAAAEAJ)

Keywords

• Adventure travel tours
• Guided hiking tours
• Small group tours
• Biking and e-biking tours
• Private tour services

Headquarters

HQ city

Red Lodge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Guided Group Tours: Per-person pricing for small-group guided adventures including hiking, trekking, biking, and multisport tours. Prices range from approximately $2,300 to $6,650 per person depending on destination and duration. Includes accommodations, most meals, guide services, and activities.
2. Self-Guided Tours: Independent hiking or biking tours with pre-arranged logistics but without full-time guide or support van. Includes accommodations, route notes, digital navigation, and luggage transport. Lower price point than guided tours.
3. Private Tours: Custom group tours for private parties with their own dates and itineraries. Same per-person pricing as public tours. Minimum group size varies by tour (2-10 people depending on itinerary).
4. Ancillary Services: Single supplements for solo travelers ($500 deposit required), travel insurance referrals, equipment rentals (bicycles, sleeping bags), and optional activities. Balance payments due 90 days before departure with 3.55% administrative fee for credit card payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zephyr Adventures is a boutique adventure travel company that designs, sells, and operates small-group guided tours worldwide, including hiking & trekking, biking & e-biking, exploratory, and specialty/multisport itineraries (inline skating, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, pickleball). It also offers private custom group tours and independent self-guided journeys with pre-arranged accommodations and logistics. Per-person tour pricing ranges roughly from $2,300 to $6,650, with a $500 per-person deposit and balance due 90 days before departure.

Product overview

Zephyr Adventures is a boutique adventure travel company founded in 1997, operating as the core brand under Zephyr United alongside sister companies Travel Montana and Taste Vacations. The company offers a portfolio of active vacation experiences centered around four main tour types: Public Tours (small-group scheduled adventures with fixed dates), Private Tours (custom group itineraries), Self-Guided Tours (independent travel with professional planning support), and Exploratory Adventures (first-run trips to emerging destinations). Activities span hiking & trekking, biking & e-biking, inline skating, multisport combinations, and specialty adventures including pickleball. The company maintains a focused schedule of approximately 15 public tours annually, emphasizing intimate group experiences led by experienced guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Tours Small-group scheduled adventures with fixed departure dates covering hiking & trekking, biking & e-biking, exploratory, and specialty/multisport tours. Average group size ~13 participants, per-person pricing from roughly $2,300 to $6,650 including accommodations, most meals, guide services, and activities.
• Private Tours Custom group tours with dates and destinations chosen by the client, minimum group sizes as low as 2 people (varies by itinerary), covering hiking, biking, and multisport trips in destinations including Tanzania, South Africa, Portugal, Peru, Oregon, Tuscany, Glacier NP, Scotland, Greece, Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, Provence, Croatia, and Ecuador/Galapagos. Same per-person pricing as public tours.
• Self-Guided Tours Independent hiking and biking tours without a full-time guide or support van, including handpicked accommodations, detailed route notes, digital navigation, daily luggage transport, and local contacts. Covers cycling routes in Poland, Austria/Danube, France/Provence, Italy/Puglia, Italy Coast to Coast, and Tuscany, plus hiking in Tuscany, England/Hadrian's Wall, and France/Chamonix.
• Exploratory Adventures First-run small-group tours (4–10 participants) to less-traveled destinations led by founder Allan Wright, offering insider access to emerging destinations such as Bolivia and Northern Michigan.
• Hiking & Trekking Adventures Guided hiking and trekking tours to destinations including Peru/Machu Picchu, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Southwest US National Parks, Georgia/Caucasus, and Puglia, with public tour prices ranging from $3,300 to $5,750 per person and private tours from $2,300 to $5,700.
• Biking & E-Biking Adventures Guided cycling tours with e-bike options covering Belgium, Vermont, Poland, Switzerland, Ohio, and other destinations, with multiple route options for varying abilities and van support. Self-guided cycling options available.
• Specialty & Multisport Adventures Multisport and specialty tours including inline skating, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, pickleball, and combinations of activities, at destinations such as Acadia, Oregon, Caribbean, Arizona, Oman, and Montana. Public tour prices from $2,700 (Arizona Pickleball) to $6,650 (Ecuador Galapagos).
• Travel Professionals Hub Program for travel agents and travel professionals offering 10% commission (paid within two weeks of tour completion), the ability to place clients on existing public tours or create private tours, and a $1,000 deposit requirement for custom itinerary planning.
• Travel Montana Sister company under the Zephyr United umbrella offering active vacations in Montana and Yellowstone, including National Parks visits, scenic highways, and outdoor adventures.
• Taste Vacations Sister company under the Zephyr United umbrella specializing in culinary food, wine, beer, and spirits tours around the world for travelers interested in gastronomic experiences without physical activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65%+ of travelers return for additional trips
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Taste VacationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Zephyr United umbrella specializing in food, wine, beer, and spirits tours around the world. Provides additional travel options for Zephyr customers seeking culinary-focused experiences without physical activities. Sarah Wohlner manages operations for Taste Vacations.
• Travel MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Zephyr United umbrella focused on active vacations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Katie Schroepfer serves as manager for both Zephyr Adventures and Travel Montana. Targets the growing market for Montana-based outdoor adventures.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Backroads: Backroads is the leading U.S.-based active small-group adventure travel company offering biking, walking, hiking, and multisport trips worldwide. Directly comparable to Zephyr in target demographic (active travelers 40+), small-group model, and premium experiential positioning, though at materially larger scale.
• Country Walkers: Country Walkers offers guided and self-guided walking tours globally with a similar boutique, high-touch service model targeting affluent 50+ travelers. Closely comparable to Zephyr's hiking and self-guided tour segments and customer profile.
• VBT Bicycling Vacations: VBT specializes in guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide, with a comparable mix of small-group scheduled departures and self-guided options. Overlaps directly with Zephyr's biking and e-biking product line and active-traveler customer base.
• Austin Adventures: Austin Adventures runs small-group guided active vacations (biking, hiking, multisport) primarily in North America with a family-friendly positioning. Similar boutique scale, guided group model, and reliance on repeat/referral customers.
• Wildland Adventures: Wildland Adventures curates small-group cultural and adventure trips worldwide with a similar emphasis on authenticity and personal service. Comparable in catalog size and demographic focus, though with a stronger cultural-immersion angle.

Broad incumbents

• Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT): OAT is part of Grand Circle Corporation and offers small-group adventure travel to older travelers (typically 50+). Comparable in customer demographic and small-group philosophy, though materially larger and broader in geographic coverage.
• REI Adventures: REI Adventures is the tour arm of the REI outdoor co-op, offering guided active trips (hiking, biking, multisport) globally. Overlaps with Zephyr's active adventure positioning, with a much broader catalog and the backing of REI's brand and membership base.
• Mountain Travel Sobek: Mountain Travel Sobek is a long-established adventure travel operator offering trekking, hiking, and expedition-style trips worldwide. Comparable to Zephyr's hiking/trekking and exploratory adventure segments, with deeper expedition expertise but a more premium positioning.
• G Adventures: G Adventures is a large global small-group tour operator with a broad adventure catalog across all continents. Comparable tour-style and target market overlap, though operating at significantly larger scale and with broader (and younger) demographic reach.
• Intrepid Travel: Intrepid Travel operates small-group adventure tours worldwide with a similar activity-led positioning to Zephyr. Overlaps in hiking, biking, and active itineraries, though Intrepid operates at substantially larger scale and serves a broader demographic including younger travelers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/zephyradventures
• Facebookfacebook.com/zephyradventures
• Instagraminstagram.com/zephyradventuretravel
• Xx.com/zephyradventure

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Zephyr Adventures