Kontiki-Saga Reisen

What Kontiki-Saga Reisen does

Kontiki-Saga Reisen (legal entity: Kontiki Reisen DERTOUR Suisse AG) is a privately held Swiss tour operator founded in 1979 and headquartered in Baden, with a second regional office in Lausanne under the Kontiki Voyages brand. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of DERTOUR Suisse AG, itself part of the REWE Group, and focuses exclusively on travel to northern destinations — Scandinavia, Iceland, Scotland, the Baltic states, the Arctic, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Antarctica — across more than 50 destinations. Its core function is curating and packaging complex itineraries into bookable products for individual travelers, families, group travelers, and luxury/expedition segments.

The product portfolio covers cabin holidays (Blockhausferien), cruise and expedition voyages (including charter arrangements such as MS Hondius), Hurtigruten coastal routes, self-drive tours, polar expeditions, rail journeys (including trans-Siberian), camper and motorhome rentals, family holidays, active adventure packages, and dog sledding experiences. Direct flights from Switzerland to Nordic destinations are operated under the Kontiki-Direktfluege program in cooperation with SWISS. The technology backbone is described as standard booking and reservation systems with no proprietary AI or platform architecture disclosed; engagement tooling includes the myKontiki customer portal, the Kontiki-Nordlichtalarm aurora alert service, and a 360-degree VR experience (Kontiki-Erlebniswelt).

Distribution combines a direct sales channel (website and phone consultation in German and French) with an extensive network of Swiss travel-agency resellers including Kuoni, ACS Reisen, Helvetic Tours, and lastminute.ch. Pricing is quote-based via advisor consultation rather than publicly listed tiers. The company monetizes packaged tours across cruise, rail, expedition, cabin, and self-drive categories. Sustainability credentials are central to positioning: TourCert certification has been maintained continuously since 2013, the KONTIKI2030 initiative formalizes 17 commitments aligned to UN SDGs, and the proprietary engage label certifies animal-welfare standards for partner tours (notably husky sledding). Recognition includes 1st place in the Blick/Statista Top Kundenservice 2025 ranking and Great Place to Work certification.

Name

Kontiki-Saga Reisen

Legal name

Kontiki Reisen DERTOUR Suisse AG

Website

https://kontiki.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kontiki-Saga Reisen is a privately held Swiss tour operator, founded 1979 and a subsidiary of DERTOUR Suisse AG, specializing in packaged travel to more than 50 northern destinations across Scandinavia, Iceland, the Arctic, the Baltic states, Scotland, and Antarctica, sold directly and through Swiss travel-agency partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Travel and Tour Operator Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Travel Agencies (56151)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Polar & Remote-Destination Expedition Tour Operators (THAKADAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury & Expedition Cruise Specialists (THAKAKAE), Multi-Country/Regional Circuit Tour Operators (THAKADAK), Destination-Specific Custom Itinerary Specialists (THAKAOAN), Escorted Coach & Bus Package Tour Operators (THAKADAA)

Keywords

• Nordic tour operator
• Expedition cruises
• Polar expeditions
• Cabin holidays
• Travel agency services

Headquarters

HQ city

Baden

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Packaged Tours: Kontiki generates revenue through curated travel packages including blockhausferien (cabin holidays), schiffsreisen (cruises), Hurtigruten expeditions, mietwagenrundreisen (self-drive tours), polarreisen (polar expeditions), bahnreisen (rail travel), and camper rentals. The company also operates Kontiki-Direktfluege (direct flights) to northern destinations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kontiki-Saga Reisen is a Swiss tour operator specializing in curated travel packages to northern destinations including Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Scotland, the Baltic states, the Arctic, and Antarctica. The company sells packaged tours covering cabin holidays, cruises, Hurtigruten coastal voyages, self-drive tours, polar expeditions, rail journeys, motorhome rentals, group and family trips, plus direct flights from Switzerland to Nordic destinations. They also provide travel insurance via HanseMerkur and operate customer engagement tools including the myKontiki portal and the Nordlichtalarm aurora alert service.

Product overview

Kontiki Reisen is a specialized Nordic travel operator offering a comprehensive portfolio of travel products and services centered around northern destinations including Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, the Arctic, Scotland, and the Baltic states. The core offering consists of diverse travel types including cabin holidays (Blockhausferien), cruise packages (Schiffsreisen), Hurtigruten coastal voyages, self-drive tours (Mietwagenrundreisen), polar expeditions (Polarreisen), rail journeys (Bahnreisen), and motorhome rentals. The company differentiates through specialized expedition cruises on vessels like MS Hondius and MS Sea Spirit, complemented by direct flights from Switzerland (Kontiki-Direktflüge). Customer engagement features include the myKontiki portal, aurora borealis alert service (Nordlichtalarm), and Nordic cooking content. A strong sustainability commitment is embedded through the KONTIKI2030 initiative aligned with UN SDGs, with TourCert certification maintained for over a decade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KONTIKI2030: Sustainability initiative with 17 concrete promises aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Kontiki-Direktflüge
• myKontiki
• Kontiki-Nordlichtalarm
• engage
• TourCert

Products and services

• Blockhausferien (Cabin Holidays)

Quantifiable outcome

• TourCert certified since 2013 - over 10 years of verified sustainability commitment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• myclimatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Long-term partnership for climate protection projects. Kontiki offers customers the option to support myclimate Gold Standard projects for clean drinking water. The partnership enables voluntary climate contributions with every booking.
• SWISScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) development. Kontiki and SWISS collaborate to advance sustainable aviation fuels that can reduce emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
• TourCertcoreOthersSustainability certification body that has verified Kontiki's responsible tourism practices since 2013. Provides ongoing certification and sustainability verification.
• Green ActivitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification organization for sustainable activity providers. Kontiki uses Green Activities criteria as basis for their animal welfare standards for husky tours.
• University of LaplandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing animal welfare criteria guidelines for tourism activities. Kontiki uses University of Lapland research for developing animal welfare standards.
• Powerun (Husky Farm)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish husky farm partner that collaborated with Kontiki to develop the company's sled dog welfare standards and best practices.
• HuskyHomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish Lapland husky farm operated by Ylva Forssen. Partner in developing Kontiki's animal welfare framework for sled dogs.
• ANIMONDIALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare experts who provided recommendations for Kontiki's sled dog welfare framework, adapting international standards to Kontiki's specific requirements.
• Kuoni ReisenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Swiss travel agency network that distributes Kontiki travel packages to end customers. Related to parent company DERTOUR Suisse AG.
• Kuoni CruisesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized cruise booking channel under Kuoni that offers Kontiki cruise packages.
• HavilaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorwegian shipping company whose Hurtigruten vessels are featured in Kontiki travel packages.
• HX Expeditions (Hurtigruten Expeditions)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpedition cruise partner offering polar expeditions featured in Kontiki's Arctic travel portfolio.
• DERTOUR Suisse AGcoreOthersParent company of Kontiki Reisen. Part of the REWE Group, which also owns DERTOUR Group. Kontiki operates as a subsidiary under DERTOUR Suisse AG.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Studiosus Reisen: Premium German tour operator offering escorted, expert-led group tours worldwide including Scandinavia and Iceland. Comparable to Kontiki in DACH-region positioning, quality-led curation, and reliance on expert tour leaders, with overlapping northern-Europe itineraries.
• Intrepid Travel: Global B-Corp-certified adventure tour operator with small-group, sustainable itineraries including extensive Scandinavia and Arctic programmes. Comparable to Kontiki on small-group active travel, sustainability credentials, and emphasis on locally-led guides.
• Hurtigruten (HX / Hurtigruten Expeditions): Norwegian coastal voyage and expedition cruise operator that is both a key supplier to Kontiki (featured Hurtigruten/HX products) and a direct competitor to Kontiki's polar expedition and Norwegian coastal offerings, targeting similar travellers in northern Europe.
• Exodus Travels: UK-based adventure and small-group tour operator with worldwide itineraries including Norway, Iceland, the Arctic and rail journeys. Comparable to Kontiki on active/adventure travel, escorted-group format, and award-winning sustainability positioning (TourRadar/Responsible Travel).
• Iceland Travel: Iceland-specialist destination management company offering escorted tours, self-drive packages, and northern-lights/aurora holidays. Directly overlaps with Kontiki's Iceland product portfolio (self-drive, ring road, aurora, highlands) and similar experiential positioning.
• Wikinger Reisen: German active and nature-based tour operator with strong Nordic, Scandinavia, and adventure product lines. Comparable to Kontiki in focus on active travel, sustainability-oriented itineraries, and German-speaking customer base seeking northern European experiences.
• Nordic Visitor: Iceland- and Nordic-focused DMC/tour operator building self-drive, multi-day itineraries across Scandinavia and the Baltic. Highly comparable to Kontiki on destination set (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Baltic) and on self-drive and multi-day package tour products.
• 50 Degrees North: Norwegian-owned boutique tour operator specialising in premium Scandinavia, Iceland, and Arctic small-group holidays. Closely mirrors Kontiki's northern destination mix, sustainability emphasis, and small-group/hands-on product format.

Broad incumbents

• DERTOUR Group: German-headquartered travel conglomerate (REWE Group) and Kontiki's ultimate parent family; operates broad tour-operator, retail, and destination services across Europe. Comparable as the broader portfolio operator that distributes and complements Kontiki's Nordic specialist offering.
• TUI Group: Europe's largest integrated tour operator and cruise group with mass-market and specialist brands covering Scandinavia, Iceland, and expedition-style products. Comparable to Kontiki at the industry level as a broad incumbent that competes for the same Nordic leisure-travel wallet through sister brands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kontiki_reisen
• Facebookfacebook.com/kontikireisen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kontiki-reisen
• Instagraminstagram.com/kontikireisen

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Kontiki-Saga Reisen