Frequently Asked Questions

Every Out Adventures tour includes a local Group Leader, and in most cases, a Host from our core team. We’re committed to supporting the communities we visit, which is why we prioritize hiring locally-based leaders who understand the language, customs, and culture from the inside out—something Western guides simply can’t match. Our Group Leaders handle day-to-day logistics and share their local insight, while our Hosts uphold our standards and help turn a group of strangers into a chosen family. Meet some of the incredible folks who’ve become part of the Out Adventures crew here.

All of our Hosts are proudly part of the LGBTQ+ community, and many of our Group Leaders are as well. That said, we always prioritize experience, professionalism, and personality when selecting the best people to lead our tours. No matter their gender identity or sexual orientation, our guides are well-versed in the local LGBTQ+ scene—from hidden cafés and lively bars to cultural touchpoints that matter. Our goal is to ensure you feel safe, celebrated, and fully in the know, wherever we go.

It depends on the tour. Our gay tours vary by theme—active adventures tend to attract more solo travelers, typically aged 40–55. Our cruises and cultural trips usually see a balanced mix of solos and couples, with an average age of 45–65. That said, everyone is welcome on our tours: all sexual orientations, gender expressions, friends, and family. What brings our groups together is a shared spirit of curiosity, connection, and fun.

Our guests are primarily from North America, with a sprinkle of international travellers.

Absolutely. Our tours are open to transgender men and women, as well as non-binary, agender, and two-spirit travelers. We also recognize that TGNC travelers can face unique challenges while abroad. To help, we’ve put together this blog post with practical tips and insights. And if you’d prefer to chat one-on-one, we’re always happy to answer questions about a destination—or whether one of our tours feels like the right fit for you.

We are firmly committed to protecting the safety and privacy of our transgender, agender, non-binary and two-spirit travellers. While we collect passport details, including your documented sex marker, we fully respect your true gender identity. We will only share the sex marker listed on your passport with employees and partners on a need-to-know basis and can consult with you on when this would be required so that you are aware. It is also worth mentioning our team will always refer to you by your correct pronouns.

Further, if you’re flying solo and need to be paired with a roommate, you will be placed with an individual who matches your gender identity. If sharing a bathroom gives you any pause whatsoever, please contact us to discuss alternative options, such as a Single Supplement.

Finally, transgender acceptance varies from destination to destination, and some destinations may present problems for individuals who present differently than the photo or gender on their passport. While we can never guarantee the opinions and beliefs of all locals you’ll encounter on tour, we DO guarantee all of our Group Leaders and hosts are either LGBTQ+ themselves or steadfast allies. These rock stars will do their best to make you feel comfortable throughout your vacation. 

While almost all of our female travellers are either lesbian or bisexual, and the majority of our male travellers are gay, we welcome all genders regardless of orientation. Friends and family are always welcome.

Internal flights are included on most of our 2025 tours and will be included on all tours from 2026 onward. When you book, we’ll clearly indicate whether any flights are included or not. Please note that frequent flyer numbers can’t be added to group bookings in advance—they must be provided at airport check-in.

We insist on quality experiences regardless of the trip theme. On our camping trips, we hire the best guides and porters, rent the best equipment, and cook the freshest meals. Meanwhile, on city tours, we slumber in exceptional boutique hotels and focus on gourmet meals. In addition, we also strive to include exclusive activities to make your experience extra special and limit how often you’re pulling your wallet out on tour. 

Don’t let our name fool you. An adventure can be culinary. Or spiritual. Or adrenaline-inducing. If you’re worried about how to fit you should be for a tour, reference the ‘Physical Rating’ and ‘Activities’ listed under the tour’s ‘Quick Facts’ or read about them below. We will also highlight any strenuous activities at the time of booking, and will go further to qualify guests interested in booking our more advanced hiking tours. 

All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, and walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant, which varies by country and is only possible on a case-by-case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants. Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities, such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, and hiking is are components of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above-average fitness level

We use a range of accommodations depending on the locale and theme of your tour. From luxury glamping in the Sahara to a private yacht in Croatia, from a homestay in Cuba to a 5-star boutique in Cambodia, we assure you all properties are hand-selected, LGBTQ-welcoming and locally owned where possible. Be sure to reference ‘Accommodations’ in the ‘Quick Facts’ section of a tour to see the accommodation style used.

On most of our tours, we average two included meals per day, allowing you the freedom and flexibility to break away from the group without missing out on a meal you’ve paid for. Included meals usually don’t include alcohol except for Welcome and Farewell Dinners.

We do our best to ensure dietary restrictions and allergies are managed by your Group Leader. At included meals, you’ll be provided with the best possible alternative. We recommend travelling with supplements and snacks if you’re heading for a developing nation where it can sometimes be difficult to meet specific dietary restrictions.

On land tours you can expect 10-14 people, but no more than 16 and no less than 4, plus your Group Leader and/or Host. Our cruises average between 30 and 60 people, depending on the vessel. 

Very rarely. But if we do cancel, we’ll usually do so before your final payment is due. You will be provided with multiple options including the option of a full refund minus unrecoverable costs or a full credit to switch to another tour. We require a minimum number of guests to guarantee land tours, so we offer an early bird discount to the first 4 people who book a tour. To sum it up, we’ll never leave you hanging.

It’s as simple as providing us with your details and agreeing to our booking conditions. Then one of our staff will be in touch to ensure you’ve been matched to the right trip before we collect your non-refundable deposit. 

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards, as well as personal checks. If paying by check, it is important to ensure it arrives a minimum of 3 weeks prior to your date of final payment so the funds can clear our bank account in time.

We also accept payment in both US Dollars (USD) and Canadian Dollars (CAD). For those clients with a Canadian billing address who choose to pay in CAD, the deposit and total trip price will be converted to CAD based on the last official Bank of Canada exchange rate. Before final payment is collected, we will convert the full booking value once again, and adjust your booking accordingly. Once you have made your final payment, you will no longer be subject to currency fluctuation.

The short answer is no; however, if you provide cancellation notice in writing before your date of final payment, there will be fewer fees. We understand things can happen, so we recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance. Before booking any of our tours, please familiarize yourself with our Booking Conditions and the payment and cancellation terms for your trip in the “DATES & PRICES” section of the tour page.

Travel insurance is required for our tours. Your policy must include a minimum of US$50,000 in emergency medical coverage and US$100,000 in emergency medical evacuation/repatriation, or the equivalent in your home currency. We also recommend coverage for cancellation, curtailment, and luggage loss/damage. Ensure your policy covers all activities in your itinerary.

We have partnered with Travelex to offer affordable and comprehensive insurance policies for our clients based in the United States. Their Ultimate ($$$), Advantage ($$), and Travel Med Go policies ($) include our minimum requirements for medical and emergency medical evacuation/repatriation. Guests residing outside the United States can search a wide range of policies at www.insuremytrip.com.

Not necessarily. If you’re open to sharing a room with another solo traveller, you’ll pay the standard twin-share rate. We’ll do our best to pair you with someone based on factors like gender identity and age. To help ensure everyone sleeps well, we ask all guests if they snore. If you do, you may be required to book your own room.

If snoring becomes an issue during the trip—especially if it wasn’t disclosed ahead of time—we may ask you to cover the cost of a separate room so your roommate can rest properly.

Prefer a private room from the start? You can opt for a single supplement. Pricing is listed under “Dates & Prices,” on the tour page, and in the booking form.

Yes. We are licensed with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario, meaning you – and your money – are protected based on strict financial requirements. We hold all funds in trust until payment is due to suppliers, and we do not access profits from your booking until all suppliers are paid in full, and your booking is 100% non-refundable.

We include internal flights on most tours, but international airfare is not included and we don’t book it directly. Since our guests join us from all over the world, we leave those travel plans in your capable hands—but we’re happy to connect you with a trusted airfare specialist who can help with even the trickiest itineraries.

We will notify you of any required vaccinations, but we are unable to recommend vaccinations or medication. We recommend visiting https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel for a list of recommended vaccinations by destination.

Visas vary based on destination and citizenship. We will do the research for you and will clearly outline any required visas on your invoice, but obtaining them is your responsibility. For more complex applications, we will provide the necessary details for you to complete your applications. 

Yes, and no. We are a retail agency/operator licensed with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. We are happy to offer a 10% referral payment for the base tour price. However, we must work directly with and take payment directly from the traveller. All communication will be sent to the traveller, with a CC to you, their travel agent. Think of us as a tool to help you market and sell the trip, and rest assured, even if your client comes back to us in the future, you’ll always receive a referral fee. We do all of the work, and you receive a reward. Win-win, right?

We no longer require guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19, nor will we require them to isolate themselves in the event of respiratory illness. Some countries and/or ships may have COVID-19 restrictions in place that supersede our policies—in these instances, they will be communicated in advance.

While we follow guidelines set out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), it is nearly impossible for us to prevent illness on tour due to the close proximity we’ll be in throughout the trip.

If a tour guest is sick, our host and/or group leader will encourage good hygiene and masking in confined spaces to protect the other group members.

Where available we’ve selected twin accommodations with ample space between the beds, but this is not possible in all locations. Single supplements are available for solo travellers who do not wish to share a room. If one guest in a shared room becomes ill, we will offer both guests the option of their own room, at their own cost, and based on availability.

If a guide or host suffers from minor illness, they will continue to run the trip to the best of their ability, and they will wear a mask as needed. In the event a guide or host suffers from severe illness, we will provide a suitable replacement and continue the tour, however if that is not possible we may need to pause or cancel the remainder of the trip.

Unfortunately, you will not receive a refund for unused services if you fall ill. In these instances, Out Adventures will provide you with a letter outlining your unrecoverable expenses which can be used to make a claim with your insurance provider, if you have purchased adequate coverage.

While our group leaders and hosts will usually have a few extra masks, it is not guaranteed. Guests must bring their own masks and hygiene products, as they may not be available for purchase in remote locations.