Exodus Travels has announced its 2023 line-up of Exodus RCGS Quests, a series of expert-led itineraries developed in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) and Canadian Geographic Travel.
These limited edition, small group trips are intended to push travellers to discover, learn, and explore, accompanied by world-renowned explorers, authors, photographers, and conservationists. A portion of every Exodus RCGS Quest will be used to support RCGS fellowship grants, to help continue to expand the boundaries of modern exploration.
From Bolivia’s landscapes and Annapurna’s mountainscapes, to Peru’s Colca Canyon, Egypt’s ancient temples, and Italy’s classic Dolomites, Exodus RCGS Quests are designed to satisfy the "curious and intrepid" traveller.
“We’re honored to once again be partnering with The Royal Canadian Geographical Society,” says Robin Brooks, Exodus’ Marketing Director and RCGS Fellow. “Following the massive success of our inaugural year of Exodus RCGS Quests, and continued demand to explore further and experience more, we’re thrilled to be able to once again provide this unique opportunity to journey through a destination from the perspective of an accomplished adventurer.”
“Further understanding of people and places, cultural heritage, and the natural environment is what contributes to the strength of the global travel community,” adds John Geiger, CEO of the RCGS. “As a non-profit organization dedicated to research and education, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society is very proud to be once again partnering with Exodus Travels, to have the opportunity to share our expertise, experience, and curiosity with travelers.”
The 2023 Exodus RCGS Quests series currently includes:
RCGS: Highlights of Bolivia with George Kourounis - 15 days from USD $6,879, departing 16JUN 2023
RCGS: Highlights of Bolivia with George Kourounis
This special departure of Exodus’ Highlights of Bolivia itinerary is accompanied by filmmaker, photographer, TV personality, daredevil, Chapter Chair of the Explorers Club, National Geographic Explorer, and Canadian Geographic Explorer-in-Residence George Kourounis. Whether it is swapping travel and expedition stories from across the globe, learning about Kourounis’ adventures and expeditions, or gaining tips and training on photography techniques, this adventurer will be there every step of the journey to share his expertise.
Bolivia's Amboró National Park boasts biodiversity and the gateway town of Samaipata gives access to the nearby Pre-Columbian UNESCO site of El Fuerte. Guests can gaze at the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, the largest on the planet. This journey includes a comprehensive three-day 4WD adventure that reveals Bolivia’s multi-colored lagoons, cacti islands, and spouting geysers. In contrast to the incredible nature, guests can visit the cities of Sucre, Potosi, and La Paz whose history and culture run deep with the Incas and the Spanish Conquistadores. To finish the adventure, guests can wind down with a night in an eco-lodge on the Isla del Sol overlooking the waters of Lake Titicaca - surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real.
RCGS: Annapurna Sanctuary Photography Trek with Javier Frutos - 15 days from USD $3,199, departing 21OCT 2023
This special departure of Exodus’ Annapurna Sanctuary Photography Trek in Nepal is led by renowned photographer and Canadian Geographic Creative Director, Javier Frutos. Trek the Annapurna Base Camp with this RCGS photographer, explorer, and adventurer. This special photographic departure includes scenery and trekking with a helpful photographer’s eye by your side. From photographing glaciers in the Alps to penguins in Antarctica, Javier has experience and will be on hand to share the secrets to wildlife and nature photography/
The Annapurna Himal is a vast mountain range with several peaks above 22,000 ft/7,000 m. Part of the range forms a natural amphitheater known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, ringed by such giants as Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang, and Machhapuchhare. The trek starts through forested hillsides before arriving at the Sanctuary with its panoramic views of the Annapurna. There is a day to explore this mountain arena before returning to Pokhara via a different route.
RCGS: Essential Peru with Jill Heinerth - 15 days from USD $4,349, departing 03NOV 2023
This special departure of Exodus’ Essential Peru trip is led by writer, photographer, cave diver, underwater explorer, and filmmaker for the BBC, National Geographic, and PBS, Jill Heinerth. With over 30 years of filming, photography, and exploration on projects in submerged caves around the world, Heinerth is a Fellow of the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame and was awarded the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration from the RCGS, and the William Beebe Award from the Explorers Club.
A journey through Peru's varied landscape encompassing coastal desert, snow-capped Andean peaks, the high altiplano, and cloud forest. The most famous sites are all visited including the Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu in its mountaintop setting, Lake Titicaca, where the night is spent in an island homestay, and the 9,800 ft/3000 m deep Colca Canyon. On the way, the group will encounter traditional culture, condors, llamas, and a welcome from the Peruvian people.
RCGS: Egypt Nile Cruise with Joe Frey - 9 days from USD $2,579, departing 02DEC
Discover ancient temples and tombs, traveling on the Nile by boat with Chair of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s College of Fellows, Joe Frey. Joe has visited more than 80 countries and all seven continents. He is an accomplished science writer, published in TIME, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Star, Canadian Geographic, and DIVER, to name a few.
Guests can immerse themselves in Egypt’s history and the well-preserved monuments and treasures. Guests can visit major sites and attractions along the Nile, tasting traditional Egyptian cuisine. Boarding the cruise boat at Luxor, the group travels upstream, watching local life pass by, whilst also visiting the Edfu and Kom Ombo temples along the way.
RCGS: Classic Dolomites in Italy with Marlis Butcher - 8 days from USD $3,049, departing 16SEP 2023
Marlis Butcher is an environmental conservationist, author, and photographer. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and of The Explorers Club, in 2019, Marlis accomplished her goal of visiting all 47 National Parks of Canada. Based in Ontario, Canada, Marlis is on the board of directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens and served on the board of the Bruce Trail Conservancy protecting the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. She is a canoeist, kayaker, hiker, cyclist, Nordic skier, and world traveller.
The village of Villabassa – close to the Austrian border and sandwiched between the jagged limestone peaks – is the base for this Dolomites walking week. From here the group enjoys achoice of routes with the opportunity to relax at the end of a day's walking.
The itinerary ventures into the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Along the way the group will also visit numerous open-air museums, reflecting the status of these imposing mountains as the frontline of the fighting between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in WWI.
RCGS: The Zambezi Valley with Dr. Travis Steffens - 8 days from USD $3,199, departing 22JUL 2023
Embark on a wildlife experience, canoeing and walking through the Zambezi Valley hosted by Dr. Travis Steffens, Naturalist, Primatologist, and Professor of Anthropology, and Executive Director of the charity, Planet Madagascar. A Fellow of the RCGS and Explorers Club, Travis has spent over 15 years leading wildlife expeditions, safaris, and conservation project worldwide.
The Zambezi is a location for a canoe safari, taking all the "excitement and thrill" of a safari into an active adventure. Camping out on secluded beaches, the days are spent relishing scenery and abundant game, while passing the basking crocodiles and hippo pods. Away from the water there is also plenty of time for game walks and drives to experience the diverse wildlife and scenery this region has to offer.
For more information, visit Exodus Travels' web site.
