Self-guided travel is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional guided tours—and for good reason. It offers the best of all worlds: tried-and-tested itineraries, just the right level of support, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. So, how exactly does it work? And what is a self-guided tour, exactly? Here’s what you need to know.

What is a Self-guided tour?

With a self-guided trip, you get to hit the trail at your own pace. No guides, no big groups. Just you, the route ahead, and whatever companions you choose. 

Your tour operator handles all the logistics for you: they design your itinerary, reserve any taxis, organize your luggage transfers, and book your accommodations. 

Who is Self-guided Travel For?

Self-guided adventure travel is for those who want an adventure. While it’s a great choice for couples, small groups of friends and solo adventurers alike, there’s no groups, guides or tour buses.

Solo adventurers

If you're someone who dreams big but can’t always find an adventure partner, self-guided trips empower you to take the leap and do it solo. Plus, with Macs Adventure 24/7 support, you’re never really alone - an expert is only a phone call away if you get stuck or need help. Before your trip, you’ll also have access to the Macs Adventure community on Facebook. More than 14,000 adventurers strong, our community is always there to provide an encouraging nudge or recommend helpful tips and tricks.

Couples and families

Lining up PTO, school breaks, and other dates is hard enough. Add to that the hassle of complex travel logistics, and planning a vacation can be exhausting. Self-guided travel tours are a great choice for couples and families with older kids, because they allow you to plan your whole trip at the click of a button. The less planning stress you’re stuck with, the more you can focus on spending quality time together. Every trip has a minimum age requirement with the youngest being 12 years old- be sure to check with an Adventure Specialist regarding the guidelines for your desired trip.

Groups of friends

Most friend groups have someone who identifies as a planner. That means the labor of organizing group trips usually falls to one person, as does all the booking—and the subsequent hassle of getting your friends to pay you back. Macs Adventure offers an alternative: Book an epic self-guided tour, and you’ll be left with minimal planning and just one easy expense to split up. Plus, we let you sort trips by activity level, region, and length. That makes it easy to find something the whole group will enjoy. 

What Kind of Adventurer Are You?

Macs Adventure offers five different trip types for different kinds of adventurers.

• Avid Adventurer: If you’re an adventurous traveler looking to push your limits, target one of our popular Classic Trips Routes. These world-famous hikes and bike trips are designed to challenge and inspire.
• Soul Searcher: If you’re looking for a more spiritual or cultural experience, consider a Pilgrimage. These routes are both vehicles for self-discovery and great ways to meet like-minded travelers.  
• Relaxed Wanderer: If you want to take your time to soak in the sights and sounds of a new place, our Slower Adventures offer active explorers a fun challenge at an easy-going pace.
• Indulgent Adventurer: You don’t have to give up the comforts of home to see the world. Combine active travel with fine dining and outstanding accommodations on our elevated In Style tours. 
• Eager Explorer: Don’t want to be confined to a single trail? Explore more ground with our Discovery Tours, which provide a mix of active-travel days and rest days. These tours let you see a region’s best offerings by foot, train, car, and bike. 

Who is the Average Macs Adventure Customer? 

Macs Adventure customers are for adventurers. For people who want to explore the world and navigate nature on their own terms, in their own time. They’re folks who are motivated to do something special for themselves and achieve something beyond the everyday grind. 

Macs Adventure customers tend to be people who are flexible and adventurous but who don’t want to give up all the comforts of home. They view nature and exploration as top values, but they still want vacation to feel like, well, vacation. We get it—which is why we provide a range of accommodations from locally-owned B&Bs to first-class boutique hotels. At Macs Adventure, there’s always a trip to suit your style. 

Why People Choose Self-Guided Adventure Trips 

People choose self-guide trips for a host of reasons. Some have limited time to plan, or want the reassurance that they’re seeing the absolute best spots a region has to offer. Others like the peace of mind that comes with having 24/7 backup and expert guidance. And others choose self-guided adventures because they don’t want the limitations of a guided trip.

What’s Included in a Macs Adventure Tour? 

The idea for Macs Adventure first came to Founder Neil Lapping in 2003, when he saw a bus full of tourists hop off and on the bus without experiencing nature or engaging with locals. Immediately, he knew there had to be a better way to do adventure travel. So, he launched Macs Adventure, a UK- and US-based tour operator specializing in active, low-impact adventures.

Today, Macs Adventure is more than 160 experts strong and offers self-guided tours in countries around the world. Book a Macs Adventure trip, and we’ll set your itinerary, book all your lodging, and organize any luggage transfers for you. You’ll then get access to the Macs Adventure app—our custom-built self-guided tour app—pre-loaded with maps, lodging information, local tips, and historical tidbits. Essentially, we give you everything else you need to guide yourself with confidence—no guide or tour group required. 

How to Prepare for a Self-Guided Tour

Before you book a self-guided tour, make sure you:

• Are able to walk along uneven paths, rugged terrain and in some places steep trails.
• Know how to use a smartphone and download the Macs Adventure app
• Are physically able to go on an adventure tour
• Are in good health and able to travel
• Have or know how to obtain your gear
• Are able to research your trip details and plan in advance
• Can research and book your own flights
• Have independent travel insurance for your trip
• Feel confident in researching and book train tickets and food reservations that aren’t included in your Macs Adventure tour 
• Have any requisite passports and visas
• Know how to obtain cash in local currencies
  

Self-guided tours are ideal for a wide range of adventurers—from solo travelers and couples to small groups. If you’re ready to start planning but aren’t sure how to choose, give Macs Adventure a call. Our expert staff members know our routes inside and out and can help you choose the perfect tour for your needs.