conxGuide: OutWest Global Adventures
Active gay and lesbian travel
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| Who Goes On OutWest Trips? |
Most travellers are gay men; however some of their trips (like the ranch vacation and the Baja sea kayaking) also attract lesbians.
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| Types of Trips Offered |
While a few of their vacations are relatively relaxed (e.g. the ranch vacation) and others are more "tour" oriented (e.g., Egypt), most have major components of physical activity such as hiking, biking or climbing.
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| Destinations |
OutWest operates trips on all the continents with a strong emphasis on North America, Africa and Asia.
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| Best Known For |
Challenging, physically active trips to intersting destinations. The Aspen Gay Ski Week as well as the ranch trips are their signature vacations.
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| Travelling Solo |
The majority of people on OutWest trips are travelling on their own. (Most guests are single but many are partnered yet travel independently.) So it's very typical for OutWest to match travellers looking to share with other solo guests on almost all of their trips. If you prefer not to share, a single supplement will apply. Some trips, however, cannot accommodate single travellers and are required to share with other solo travellers. If you book less than 45 days prior to departure you may be required to pay a single supplement if a share cannot be found.
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| Price Range |
Prices range widely depending on the destination and the activities invovled. Prices are in the $1,345 to $3,195 range. Vacations in less-travelled parts of the world tend torward the upper end of the range.
All prices are in US dollars and include all taxes.
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Something Outside the Box
“So many people want to see more than what’s outside their bus or cabin
window”, says Aaron Kampfe of OutWest Global Adventures, a company which
specializes in active trips for gays and lesbians. “They’re over the Atlantis cruise,
done the big city thing and now they’re looking for a more down-to-earth
experience.”
OutWest has a strong selection of North American trips in addition to others in South America, Europe and Africa. Their US national park holidays and their ranch week are among the most popular. Based in Montana, OutWest is well suited to offer a number of hiking and skiing trips in the US Rockies. While some
departures are camping trips, OutWest knows that many gay and lesbian travellers prefer a comfy bed at the end of the
day so most trips include lodge or hotel accommodation.
Kampfe leads many of their trips and sees firsthand the
power and appeal of the active holiday. “Sometimes people come on our trips and
purposely put themselves in an uncomfortable situation so they can learn
something about themselves. They want to be pushed. They want to take a risk.
And by the time they’ve completed our trip I can see that they have changed. They
have a different view of the world and of themselves when they go back home.”
Like the other gay and lesbian adventure tour companies, Outwest clients return year after year, oftening selling out the small groups well in advance. With the tremendous appeal of their unique itineraries (particularly for the Asian and Africa trips) the pressure is on to book early to avoid disappointment.
North America
South America
Mexico/Central America
Caribbean
Europe
Africa
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