Award-winning adventure tour company 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 will answer the call of any wild and adventurous spirits looking for opportunities to challenge themselves and expand their perspectives. Exodus RCGS Quests 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 continue to expand the boundaries of modern exploration.
From Bolivia’s expansive landscapes and Annapurna’s sky-grazing mountainscapes, to Peru’s Colca Canyon, Egypt’s ancient temples, and Italy’s classic Dolomites, Exodus RCGS Quests are designed to satisfy the innately curious and intrepid traveller.
“We’re honoured 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 travellers.”
The 2023 Exodus RCGS Quests series currently includes:
RCGS: Highlights of Bolivia with George Kourounis
This special departure of Exodus’ popular 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’ thrilling adventures and expeditions, or gaining tips and training on photography techniques, this epic adventurer will be there every step of the journey to share his expertise.
Bolivia is a quintessential South American country both in terms of the immensity of its landscapes and its strong indigenous culture. Amboró National Park boasts almost unparalleled biodiversity and the charming gateway town of Samaipata gives access to the nearby Pre-Columbian UNESCO site of El Fuerte. Gaze at the incredible salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, the largest on the planet! This exciting journey includes a comprehensive three-day 4WD adventure that reveals Bolivia’s eye-catching multi-coloured lagoons, cacti islands, and spouting geysers. In stark contrast to the incredible nature, visit the vibrant cities of Sucre, Potosi, and La Paz whose history and culture run deep with the Incas and the Spanish Conquistadores. To finish your adventure wind down with a night in an eco-lodge on the Isla del Sol overlooking the deep, tranquil waters of Lake Titicaca – surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real.
RCGS: Annapurna Sanctuary Photography Trek with Javier Frutos
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 incredible RCGS photographer, explorer, and adventurer. This special photographic departure includes breathtaking scenery and trekking with a helpful photographer’s eye by your side. From photographing glaciers in the Alps to penguins in Antarctica, Javier has extensive experience and will be on hand to share the secrets to wildlife and nature photography surrounded by some of the most fascinating scenery in the world.
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. At higher altitudes, the close-up mountain views are among the finest in the world. There is a day to explore this awe-inspiring mountain arena before returning to Pokhara via a different route.
RCGS: Essential Peru with Jill Heinerth
This special departure of Exodus’ incredibly popular 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 spectacular journey through Peru’s varied landscape encompassing coastal desert, snow-capped Andean peaks, the high altiplano, and lush cloud forest. The most famous sites are all visited including the mysterious Nazca Lines, awe-inspiring Machu Picchu in its incredible mountaintop setting, Lake Titicaca, where the night is spent in an island homestay, and the remarkable 9,800 ft/3000 m deep Colca Canyon. On the way, the group will encounter traditional culture, condors, llamas, and a warm welcome from the Peruvian people.
RCGS: Egypt Nile Cruise with Joe Frey
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.
Fall under the spell of the mighty pharaohs’ legacy on this special departure. Immerse yourself in Egypt’s fascinating history and the abundance of well-preserved monuments and treasures. You will visit major sites and attractions along the Nile in a comfortable fashion, tasting traditional Egyptian cuisine. Boarding the cruise boat at Luxor, the group travels upstream, watching local life pass by, whilst also visiting the spectacular Edfu and Kom Ombo temples along the way. Cruising past the lush green banks and the beautiful sunsets over the Nile, with incredible onboard facilities, Cruising the Nile makes for an unforgettable Egyptian odyssey.
RCGS: Classic Dolomites in Italy with Marlis Butcher
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 spectacular, jagged limestone peaks – is the perfect base for this Dolomites walking week. From here the group enjoys an excellent choice of routes with the opportunity to relax in comfort at the end of a day’s walking.
The itinerary ventures into the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for magnificent 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
Embark on an exciting and intimate wildlife experience, canoeing and walking through the Zambezi Valley hosted by Dr. Travis Steffens, Naturalist, Primatologist, 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 mighty Zambezi is an excellent 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 magnificent scenery and abundant game, while passing the ever-present 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 remarkable scenery this region has to offer.
