Explore Worldwide

What Explore Worldwide does

Explore Worldwide is a UK-based adventure travel company founded in 1981 and headquartered in Farnborough, operating over 350 small-group tours across approximately 100 countries. The core product is guided small-group adventure travel with an average group size of 11, spanning walking and trekking, cycling, wildlife and safari, polar expeditions, family adventures, solo holidays, rail journeys, cultural discovery, food and drink, and festival-aligned itineraries, with a premium tier (Explore Upgraded) offering enhanced accommodation. The portfolio is delivered by expert local tour leaders and is supported by ATOL (license 2595) and ABTOT financial protection, B Corp certification, and published carbon footprints for every tour.

The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and trade-partner go-to-market model. Consumers book directly through six localized regional websites (UK, US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Switzerland, New Zealand) and phone sales; the indirect channel is built on a Travel Agent Hub, XML/API feeds for trade partners, and a community of more than 8,500 UK travel agents managed by a dedicated Trade Sales Team. Revenue mechanics combine per-person package tour sales (deposits of 10%, balance due 70 days before departure; polar trips require a £500 or 30% deposit with balance 130 days prior), an Explore Loyalty Club that incentivizes repeat bookings with transferable loyalty, and commission-based travel agent referrals. Marketing relies on content (Explore Blog, Explorer Magazine), SEO-optimized destination pages, email newsletters, social media communities, and a Recommend-a-Friend referral program.

The technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary — standard e-commerce booking, regional CMS, and XML/API feeds for the trade channel — with no documented AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary platform. Sustainability alliances with ecollective, Rewilding Britain, and ethy, combined with B Corp status and a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award (2024), underpin the responsible-travel positioning. The company is privately held, with no disclosed parent, funding rounds, or M&A activity, and operates as Explore Worldwide Ltd., a private limited company registered in England.

Name

Explore Worldwide

Legal name

Explore Worldwide Ltd.

Website

https://explore.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Explore Worldwide is a UK-based adventure travel company, founded in 1981, offering 350+ small-group tours (average group size 11) across approximately 100 countries to individual consumers, families, solo travelers, and a network of 8,500+ travel agents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Travel

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity & Expedition Packages (Guided Adventure Trips) (THAJABAL), Polar & Remote-Destination Expedition Tour Operators (THAKADAM), Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC), Safari & Overland Wildlife Adventures (4x4/Jeep) (THAJABAD)

Keywords

• Adventure travel tours
• Small group tours
• Walking and trekking
• Wildlife and safaris
• Polar expeditions

Headquarters

HQ city

Farnborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Package Tour Sales: Primary revenue from selling small group adventure tour packages to consumers. Tours include accommodation, transport, tour leader services, and some meals. Pricing varies by destination and duration, with deposits starting at 10% and full payment due 70 days before departure.
2. Loyalty Program: Explore Loyalty Club rewards repeat customers with discounts on subsequent bookings, creating recurring revenue through customer retention.
3. Travel Agent Referrals: Commission-based revenue through travel agent bookings. Travel agents earn commission on bookings and receive exclusive discounts and incentives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Explore Worldwide is an adventure travel operator that designs and sells small group guided tours (average 11 travelers) across approximately 100 countries, covering walking and trekking, cycling, wildlife and safari, polar voyages, family holidays, rail journeys, cultural discovery, boat journeys, food and drink tours, festival tours, eclipse trips, multi-activity and winter activity holidays, plus a premium 'Explore Upgraded' collection. Tours are packaged with hand-picked accommodation, transport, tour leader services and some meals, sold primarily direct to consumers with a parallel trade agent distribution channel.

Product overview

Explore Worldwide operates as an adventure travel company offering small group tours across approximately 100 countries worldwide. The core product is small group adventure travel (average group size of 11), encompassing walking and trekking, cycling holidays, wildlife/safari tours, polar voyages, family adventures, and cultural discovery experiences. The portfolio includes over 350 tours spanning diverse trip styles including Rail Journeys, Boat Journeys, Food & Drink tours, Festival tours, Solo Holidays, Exclusive Groups (private departures), and Multi-Activity Holidays. A premium tier called Explore Upgraded offers enhanced accommodation while maintaining the same adventure focus. The company also offers Polar Expeditions to Antarctic and Arctic regions, Winter Activity holidays, and Eclipse trips for astronomical tourism. Founded in 1981, the company has been operating for over 40 years with a focus on authentic, experiential travel experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Group Tours Guided small group adventure tours averaging 11 travelers, covering 350+ itineraries across ~100 countries with accommodation, transport, tour leader services and some meals included. Targeted at adventure travelers seeking authentic guided experiences.
• Walking and Trekking Tours Guided walking and trekking holidays ranging from short walks to multi-day summit treks, including iconic routes such as Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, Mont Blanc, Lycian Way and Camino de Santiago.
• Cycling Holidays Group cycling tours available with electric bike options, featuring graded routes from leisurely to challenging across destinations in Europe, Cuba and Asia.
• Wildlife and Safari Holidays Wildlife-focused tours including African safaris, big cat sightings, bear watching, gorilla trekking, and whale and dolphin watching expeditions.
• Polar Voyages Expedition cruises to Antarctic and Arctic regions including Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbard and South Georgia, operated on specialized polar vessels with polar-specific booking conditions (£500 or 30% deposit, balance 130 days before departure).
• Family Adventures Small group family holidays with age-appropriate activities designed for multi-generational travel across Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America.
• Explore Upgraded Premium travel collection pairing the adventure of standard Explore trips with upgraded accommodation across European destinations.
• Rail Journeys Guided tours incorporating train travel, including European rail routes and longer rail journeys to access tour destinations.
• Solo Holidays Adventure holidays designed for solo travelers with solo walking, cycling and general adventure options, avoiding single supplements on many departures.
• Exclusive Groups Private group tours where customers can gather five or more friends or family and take over their own departure with itinerary customisation options.
• Cultural Discovery Tours Cultural exploration tours combining sightseeing, heritage sites, local experiences and authentic encounters with local traditions and communities.
• Boat Journeys Water-based adventure experiences including sailing, kayaking and boat-based touring to coastal and island destinations.
• Food and Drink Tours Culinary-focused tours featuring local cuisine, wine tastings, cooking experiences and food market visits across various destinations.
• Festival Tours Specialized tours timed to coincide with local festivals and cultural celebrations around the world.
• Eclipse Trips Specialized astronomical tourism experiences timed around solar and lunar eclipses at unique global locations.
• Multi-Activity Holidays Combination adventure holidays blending walking, cycling, kayaking and other active pursuits within a single tour.
• Winter Activity Holidays Cold-weather adventure experiences including winter walking, snowshoeing and other cold-season activities in Scandinavia and alpine regions.
• Short Breaks Compact adventure tours designed for shorter timeframes, offering concentrated travel experiences in European and nearby destinations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of customers say they would book an adventure with Explore again
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• ecollectiveminorOthersCarbon measurement partner for calculating and publishing the carbon footprint of every tour offered. Partnership provides environmental transparency for customers.
• Rewilding BritainminorOthersEnvironmental partnership focused on rewilding initiatives in Britain, supporting the company's sustainability and responsible travel commitments.
• ethyminorOthersSustainable travel certification or rating platform partner helping showcase Explore's responsible travel credentials.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• G Adventures: Canadian small-group adventure travel company with a global footprint across 100+ countries, including a strong portfolio of walking, trekking, wildlife, and cultural tours. Direct rival in itinerary style, group sizes, and trade/B2B partnerships.
• KE Adventure Travel: UK-based adventure tour operator specializing in trekking, climbing, cycling, and family adventure holidays worldwide. Comparable product mix and customer demographic to Explore, with overlapping destinations and similar premium small-group positioning.
• Wild Frontiers: UK-based adventure tour operator focused on off-the-beaten-path small-group trips including trekking, wildlife, and cultural experiences in emerging destinations. Comparable to Explore in group sizes, customer profile, and experiential positioning.
• Intrepid Travel: Australian-founded global small-group adventure tour operator offering walking, cycling, wildlife, and cultural trips across 100+ countries. Direct competitor to Explore with overlapping product mix, similar group sizes, and comparable sustainability positioning, but materially larger scale and PE backing.
• World Expeditions: Australian adventure travel company offering small-group trekking, cycling, and cultural tours globally, including strong polar and high-altitude programs. Direct competitor in walking, trekking, polar voyages, and responsible travel branding.
• Exodus Travels: UK-based small-group adventure tour operator founded in 1974, offering walking, cycling, wildlife, and cultural discovery trips worldwide. Near-clone of Explore's portfolio and customer base, competing head-to-head in the UK outbound adventure market.

Broad incumbents

• REI Adventures: US outdoor co-operative's guided adventure travel arm offering walking, trekking, cycling, and family trips worldwide. Comparable to Explore on product and sustainability ethos, with strong US customer overlap and the backing of REI's retail brand.
• Audley Travel: UK-based tailor-made travel specialist designing bespoke, high-end international trips including adventure, cultural, and wildlife itineraries. Overlaps with Explore's premium and cultural discovery offerings while operating a higher-touch, custom-trip model.

Emerging players

• Responsible Travel: UK-based online marketplace curating small, locally-run, sustainable tour operators across the world. Comparable to Explore on responsible-travel positioning and breadth of destinations, with a marketplace model rather than direct operation.
• Much Better Adventures: UK-based digital-first small-group adventure tour operator offering guided hiking, cycling, and active trips across Europe and beyond. Comparable product and customer base to Explore but with a modern booking platform, lower overhead, and direct-to-consumer focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ExploreWorldwide
• Xx.com/ExploreWW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explore-worldwide

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Explore Worldwide