Detour is an adventure travel marketplace that sells trips from the best sustainable, locally owned and operated, tour operators in each destination. These companies operate trips for the world’s most prestigious international tour operators, but they also run the same trips under their own names at much, much lower prices. Detour gets a commission for selling their trips, and because none of the trips are Detour's, and there is no advantage to Detour of selling one trip over another, we can focus on our goal of helping you get a great trip that best meets your goals and needs, at a fair price. Last but not least, when you travel with Detour you can be assured that most of the money you spend goes directly into your travel destination, and that just by traveling you are helping to make your destination a better place.
World Class Trips at Great Prices
We sell trips operated by the best local tour operators in each destination! These trips are of the highest international quality, and most of our local operators also operate trips for the world's most expensive tour operators, as very few international companies operate their own trips in most destinations. By buying from our marketplace you get these great trips without all the markup of the expensive brands who need to pay for fancy offices, expensive brochures, and other overhead costs in their home country, none of which adds to the quality of your trip.
You can definitely find locally operated trips for lower prices than those we sell, but you also will get a very different quality and level of trip. Our trips are inexpensive when compared with comparable quality trips from international tour operators which can cost 2 to 3 times as much.
Detour Specializes in Helping You Get Your Perfect Trip
With so many tour operators and trip options available everywhere, it can be very hard to understand the differences between trips. Everyone says their trip is the best, and since everyone displays their trips differently it is very hard to compare one trip to the next. It is almost impossible to tell why one trip is better than another, or why the prices are different, or which one is best for you. Should you buy an inexpensive trip from an unknown local tour operator, or will they basically take your money and deliver a horrible trip (or not even run the trip at all)? Or, do you pay a lot more for a trip from a US Based tour operator, only to realize the trip is actually operated by a local company, and you have paid twice or more what you needed to pay for the same trip?
At Detour, we use our decades of experience in the sustainable and adventure travel world's to select high quality trips at fair prices, and to match travelers with the trips that best meet their interests and needs. Now two people are alike and no one trip is perfect for every person. Anyone who tells you they have the best trip for everyone is either uninformed, or lying.
We sell trips from local tour operators at the same prices they would sell the trip to you if you went directly, so you save nothing by going direct.
Why Buying From Detour Makes Good Sense
Compared to Local Tour Operators
- Because none of the trips are "ours," there is no benefit to us for you to take a particular trip, so we will never try to talk you into a trip that isn't right for you.
- We are based in the US where we can easily be reached by toll-free phone number or by email to answer any questions you may have, no matter how large or small. We understand what it takes to travel from the USA, Europe, or elsewhere to Latin America, and can help ease any concerns you may have and smooth out any cultural bumps on the proverbial road.
- We accept major credit cards via secure online payment or over the phone, at no additional charge. You can also pay by check or wire if you prefer.
- Because we work with each tour operator repeatedly, we have great relationships with each of them. If there should ever be a problem on your trip (this rarely occurs) we are always your advocate to resolve any issues, and as we represent more than one customer to each tour operator, we have more sway to help correct things quickly.
- We provide professional and helpful assistance booking any extensions, hotels, transfers, or tours you may want, even from other tour operators than is operated the main portion of your trip.
- We can mix and match trips from different tour operators to combine them together to get you your perfect trip, which wouldn't be possible with a tour operator who only sells their own trips.
- You pay the same price as if you purchased the trip directly from the local tour operator.
- Each local tour operator specializes in operating great trips, not selling or providing information directly to customers. We are helping them focus on their core business by relieving them of having to take care of sales, answer questions, and provide detailed pre-departure information in a language that is not their native tongue.
- Most international tour operators don't actually operate their own trip, and they use top local tour operators to operate them for them (many of them the same tour operators we sell).
- Most international tour operators only offer a few options in each destination, and they will try to convince you that you fit into their trip rather than helping you find the trip that fits you.
- Their prices are quite high to cover to overhead and other costs of their operations, none of which add to your actual trip experience.
Compared to International Tour Operators
- Most international tour operators don't actually operate their own trip, and they use top local tour operators to operate them for them (many of them the same tour operators we sell).
- Most international tour operators only offer a few options in each destination, and they will try to convince you that you fit into their trip rather than helping you find the trip that fits you.
- Their prices are quite high to cover to overhead and other costs of their operations, none of which add to your actual trip experience.
- They make more money when a trip operates "full," so they will try to push you onto their trips and dates where they make the most money.
Why You Shouldn't Buy From Detour
If the lowest possible price is all you care about, by all means you should book with a local tour operator directly, either via the internet or ideally in person in country.
If you don't mind overspending just to buy a brand name, and can fit into one of their trips, then you should purchase from one of the larger name international tour operators
Can A Price Be Too Low?
Sometimes there are incredible deals for trips on the internet or when in country, but is there a point when a price is too low?
Absolutely! The old saying "you get what you pay for" is often true, and your trip quality won't be good, wasting your vacation days and the money you spent to get there and do the trip. Too low a price can also mean that guides, porters, and other staff aren't being paid or that garbage and waste aren't being taken care of properly, so that by traveling you are actually destroying the destination you are visiting. Too low a price means local people aren't really benefiting from tourism and they have no incentive to protect the local resources, whether historical, cultural, or environmental.
We urge you to pay a "fair price," that allows the local tour operator to pay a living wage to staff and so that they can afford to deal properly with garbage and human waste, and so that
Where Your Money Goes, Matters.
When buying from Detour, the vast majority of the money you spend on your trip goes into the local economy, not into a foreign tour operator's home office. All inclusive resorts and cruises generally leave the least money behind in the local destination, making these sorts of travel bad for local people and the environment.
Local travel means sustainable travel, as most of what you spend on your trip makes it into the local economy where it provides jobs, stimulates the economy, and protects the natural and cultural resources. Just like buying from your local merchants at home benefits your community, buying trips operated by locally based travel companies ensures that local people benefit from your visit. And, when local people benefit from tourism, they have a financial interest in protecting the environmental and cultural resources of their destination.