G Adventures Wellness travelers in Costa Rica 11 Oct 2018
G Adventures Introduces a New Way to Travel with Wellness Adventures

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G Adventures

Boston, MA -- Today, G Adventures introduces a new collection of tours dedicated to wellness and adventure -- its first new product launch since 2015. In doing so, the small-group tour operator becomes the world's largest adventure travel company to make personal wellness and balance a mainstay of adventure travel.

The new 'Wellness' product line makes its commercial debut on the G Adventures website today and offers travel experiences in 10 destinations across the Americas, Europe and Asia. First departures will begin on Global Wellness Day (June 8, 2019).

More than 80 such departures will offer an upgraded service level that includes more meals and activities in destinations including: Costa Rica, Colombia, Patagonia, Peru, Iceland, Italy, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Nepal. The new Wellness trips range from seven to 13 days in length, and balance must-see highlights with a slower, more mindful pace of travel. Each destination was selected for its unique wellness offerings and the tours were designed to help travelers slow down, find their balance and reconnect with the world, as well as with themselves.

Watch the new Wellness Adventures video

Regular yoga sessions, intention setting and healthy food choices are all offered on the new program of tours so that travelers return home feeling renewed and balanced. Travelers will also participate in local healing and mindfulness rituals such as a purification bath in Bali, a prayer ceremony with monks in Nepal and an ashram stay in India.

Ben Perlo, U.S. Managing Director for G Adventures, explained why the company sees now as the ideal time to tap into the Wellness trend, as more people look to combine the healthy lifestyles they have cultivated at home with their explorations and vacations abroad.

“The wellness industry has skyrocketed in recent years and we've been taking note. Data we reviewed from the Global Wellness Institute reports that the wellness industry is now worth $3.7 trillion USD globally, with consumers seeking new ways to alleviate stress, reduce illness and boost their personal wellbeing. Plus - a full 50 percent of the more than 5,000 G Adventures customers we recently *polled expressed strong interest in taking a Wellness adventure next year. We designed these tours to meet this demand in a comfortable, inclusive way.”

Perlo added, “We certainly anticipate the Wellness tours will appeal to women, but they are also open to men, and accessible to travelers of most ages and physical abilities. The slower pace we designed for them was built to stretch travelers -- physically and experientially -- whether they are looking to jump start a healthier way of living, or reinforce good habits. They're for the traveler who wants to get out and explore an amazing destination, while keeping their wellness in mind.”

The 10 new Wellness itineraries are priced from $1,549 - 3,299 USD per person, with air separate, and are centered around three primary pillars: mindfulness, movement and nourishment.

Mindfulness -- Each Wellness trip will be led by a specially-trained G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), and begins with an intention setting ceremony where travelers will explore their reasons for seeking wellbeing, and set out what they want to achieve from their journey. The slower-paced itineraries give travelers time to ground themselves on arrival and to explore their local surroundings, while the accommodation options provide a quiet and calming base outside city centers.

Movement -- A variety of different types of yoga will be led by local experts, including Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa and Aerial, and optional guided meditations will steer guests toward mindfulness, mantra and transcendental practices. Wellness travelers will also connect with their physicality through movement experiences, including natural hikes in Iceland, stand-up paddle boarding in Costa Rica and cycling through rice terraces in Bali.

Nourishment -- Operating with the understanding that food is more than a meal, each tour will feature local culinary tours including market visits, tastings with local guides, and cooking classes with fresh ingredients. These healthy dining experiences will be centered around fresh, local and seasonal produce with optional vegetarian and vegan options available. They are meals designed to nourish the body and mind.

Jill Sala, Affinity Groups Manager for G Adventures in the U.S., predicts that the new Wellness adventures will be extremely popular with private groups, special interest groups and solo travelers, alike.

“At G, we are all about going farther and experiencing more. But sometimes, the best thing we can do for a traveler is help them look inward so they can focus on themselves. Whether they crave 'me-time' on a solo adventure, or want to share a healthy reboot with like-minded friends and family in a close-knit group, Wellness is a common interest that most of us share. We can't wait to start booking these tours.”

Itineraries include:

  • Wellness Costa Rica-8 days, from $1,699- Renowned for its adventure experiences, stunning beaches and biodiversity that is second-to-none, wellness-seekers can tap into Costa Rica's unique energy on this eight-day tour. From remote eco lodges in the Rincon de la Vieja and surf lessons on secluded beaches near Samara, to aerial yoga in Playa Carrillo and a visit to the G Adventures-supported Mi Cafecito coffee co-operative, everything on the itinerary is designed with the pura vidaethos in mind.

  • Wellness Colombia- 8 days, from $1,799. pp -While Colombia may not be a traditional wellness destination, the combination of tranquility and activity on this eight-day tour is perfect for travelers looking to rejuvenate and recharge. Highlights include sampling local flavours on a street food tour in Cartagena, spending a day hiking into Tayrona National Park and wandering through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to the Aluna Springs to enjoy a guided meditation next to a waterfall.

  • Wellness Peru - Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley- 7 days, from $1,599. pp- Deep in the Sacred Valley, this seven day tour is designed to energise and rejuvenate. Travelers will connect to movement with stand up paddle board yoga on Pray Lagoon, surrounded by the vast Andean mountains, enjoy some light hiking, before taking a relaxing soak in the Lares hot springs. A visit to the G Adventures supported Parwa Community Restaurant offers a special lunch, with locally-grown ingredients, while back in the Sacred Valley travelers will try a traditional Incan ceremony.

  • Wellness Iceland-7 days, from $2,799. pp- Clean air, vast landscapes, geothermal spas and yoga overlooking the waterfalls of Thingvellir National Park make this seven-day wellness journey unforgettable. Travelers will get active, hiking Solheimajokull Glacier using crampons and pickaxes, visit a horse farm to learn about the beautiful Icelandic horses and take part in a rye-bread cooking class in a geothermal bakery.

  • Wellness Patagonia- 8 days, from $2,999. pp - Retreat from the bustle of life to one of the world's most southern and remote regions. Glaciers, mountains and parks awaits travelers on this 10 days wellness journey, along with the time - and the space - to stop and reconnect to the planet and oneself. From hiking the beautiful Cerro Tronador, kayaking on crystal-clear lakes and horse riding across grasslands to watching the sunset with a beer in hand at a local brewery, this tour incorporates activity and local cuisine with the space to recenter and relax.

  • Wellness Italy in Rome & Tuscany- 7 days, from $2,099. - In the land of rolling hills and delicious wine, this seven day tour focuses on local food and being present in the stunning surroundings. Farm to table style cooking classes, restorative evening yoga and natural thermal pools are twinned with a traditional vineyard visit and a local wine tasting, showing that true well being is all about balance.

  • Wellness Nepal- 13 days, from $3,299. pp- Starting and finishing in Kathmandu, this Wellness tour balances daily yoga, including Surya Namaskar Yoga, with jeep safaris through Chitwan National Park and a two-night stay in the spiritual hub of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. A three night stay in a working monastery will see travelers take part in a traditional prayer ceremony and meditation session, guided by the Nepalese monks.

  • Wellness Bali- 9 days, from $1,549. pp- Often referred to as “The Island of the Gods”, this nine-day tour begins in Ubud and concludes in Sanur, taking in some of Bali's most ancient spiritual sites and wellness rituals. From the Hindu temple of Tirta Empul, where travelers will purify themselves a traditional holy bath, to discovering the secrets of “Boreh”, the island's traditional herbal medicine, you will be entranced by Bali's natural calming spirit

  • Wellness India- 11 days, from $2,199. pp - In the birthplace of yoga, this 11-day tour sees travelers spending three nights in a traditional Ashram on the banks of the Ganges river. Here they will enjoy an authentic vegetarian diet and daily yoga sessions, before heading to Dharamshala, the home to the Dalai Lama. Learning about Hindu and Buddhist spiritual beliefs, they will also visit the Pakistan border to watch the famous changing of the guard.

  • Wellness Thailand- 9 days, from $1,799. pp -This nine-day tour takes travelers to Thailand's northern regions, unwinding in Pai's natural hot springs and de-stressing in the depths of the Thai jungle. In Bangkok, a traditional Thai Massage School teaches travelers the skills to soothe tense muscles, while in Koh Samui, stand up paddle boarding and sunrise yoga on the beach restores balance.

For more information, please contact your local travel advisor, call 1-877-277-9851, or visit us online:www.gadventures.com/wellness 

 

EDITORS' NOTES:

 

* G Adventures surveyed its international, all-volunteer Virtual Advisory Panel between April 26 - May 1, 2018 via Qualtrics; sample size was 5,579 respondents.

 

PHOTOS to download for use with credit to © G Adventures, Inc. -- https://gadvnt.rs/wellness-photos

 

ABOUT: G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering the widest selection of affordable small group tours, safaris and expeditions to more than 100 countries on all continents. It was the first adventure travel company to offer 100% guaranteed departures in 2013. Powered by an international team of passionate travelers, the award-winning trips embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport to put travelers on a first-name basis with the planet's people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife. The intimate, authentic and sustainable approach to small-group travel introduces travelers to the highlights of a destination while offering the freedom to explore it on their own. Whatever age, interest, ability or budget, G Adventures has a genuine life-changing experience. For more information please visit : www.gadventures.com.