7 Travel Agencies To Call For Your Next Unforgettable Experience

Planning a holiday comes with its own set of travails. Way before the trip starts, many hours are spent on calls and e-mail messages putting together the perfect itinerary and negotiating the best deals.

When it comes to vacation planning, let one of these travel agencies handle the legwork. Not only do they offer packages that take you through some of the world’s most memorable experiences, they're more than happy to help you design a bespoke adventure that suits your every taste.

Abercrombie and Kent

IMAGE Abercrombie & Kent USA

One of this operator's more intriguing offerings is a cruise around the Galapagos Islands (from $6,695 or P333,002 per person). You’ll start off with a leisurely day in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, before retiring to the Hotel del Parque, a luxury boutique hotel hidden inside the verdant Parque Histórico. After that, it’s four days of adventure on a cruise around the Galapagos Islands, the volcanic archipelago that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Disembark from the ship for snorkeling, kayaking, and island exploration, with a chance to see some of the world’s most exotic wildlife. When the cruise is over, you’ll fly off to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, for a day of touring through its history, art, and culture.

Amala Destinations

IMAGE Amala Destinations 2015

Amala Destinations is known for its tours of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a beautiful mountainous region known by many as “the Last Shangri-La.” Its 10-day Path to Chokor package (from $3,680 or P183,039 per person) is the most extensive option on its list, taking you through dozens of the kingdom’s most memorable locales.

From Paro, you’ll travel to the capital of Thimpu, where you’ll pass by Tachog Lhakang to cross an iron bridge over the Paro River. Souvenirs and delicacies abound at the Weekend Market, so make sure you pass by before departing for the Phojikha Valley the next day. The third day will have you visiting the Gangtay Goemba, a centuries-old Buddhist monastery overlooking the lush valley. Along the way, you can try your hand at local archery, or soak your muscles in a traditional Bhutanese stone bath.

The fourth through fifth days offer a taste of the royal experience, with a visit to the king’s ancestral home, Trongsa Dzong, and a meal in a farmhouse prepared by cooks serving the royal family. The next few days take you through an assortment of landmarks and gorgeous scenery, including the sacred “burning lake,” Mebar Tsho; the Punakha Dzong, where the king was married; the Paro Dzong; and Bhutan’s most famous monastery, the enormous Taktsang Goemba. Your last day will be spent sightseeing before departing for your return flight home.

Inquire: [email protected]

Adventure International Tours, Inc.

IMAGE Adventure International Tours, Inc.

Although Adventure International Tours, Inc. built its name offering corporate packages, its menu of leisure options remains one of the best in the country. The agency is partnered with 5-star cruise providers like Crystal Cruises and Silversea. The former’s Sands of Time cruise (from $9,845 or P489,680 per person) takes you by sea through the world of antiquity, traveling from Dubai to Rome. Starting from Dubai, you’ll sail through the Arabian Sea to Oman, and then travel to Jordan and Egypt by way of the Red Sea. The cruise will then traverse the historical Suez Canal to Cairo, where the Middle East meets the Mediterranean Sea. A quick stop in Israel precedes the final stretch to Rome via Sorrento. You’ll have the option to depart the ship for several onshore adventures, or to stay in and indulge in the luxe accommodations and services.

Throughout the entire trip, you’ll be staying on board the Crystal Serenity, a state-of-the-art ship with spacious cabins, fabulous onboard entertainment, and fine dining. For the ultimate experience, upgrade your accommodations to the plush Crystal Penthouse (from $67,845 or P3,374,542), which includes a private verandah, butler, library, and a Jacuzzi with an ocean view, among other premium inclusions.

Inquire: (+632) 884-9400

A2A Safaris

IMAGE A2A Safaris

For over 15 years, A2A Safaris has been specializing in luxury tours of Africa and Latin America. One of their premiere options is the Botswana Ultra-Luxe package (from $8,688 or P432,132 per person), which includes sunset cruises through Zambia's Victoria Falls, the worlds' widest curtain of water over a kilometer wide, plus luxury accommodations in Botswana's Selinda Reserve and Okavango Delta. Meet spectacular wildlife including lions, elephants, leopards, and cheetahs.

If you prefer a colder climate, they also offer a tour of Antarctica (from $13,000 or P646,607 per person). You’ll cruise through some of the world’s most breathtaking frozen landscapes–and even meet waddles of chinstrap penguins.

Inquire: (+632) 952-7414

Sea to Summit

IMAGE Sea to Summit: The Art of Luxury Adventure

For the more active set, Sea to Summit offers adventures that reward several hours of trekking with majestic scenerey and the finest lodging each destination has to offer. The Luxury Everest Panorama package (inquire for rates), for example, takes you deep into the heart of the Himalayas, climbing to as high as four kilometers above sea level for a spectacular view of Mt. Everest. The first two days will have you trekking from Lukla to Monjo, stopping over for local delicacies along the way. After spending two nights in Monjo at the gorgeous Summit Lodge, you’ll continue on your journey to Mende, with a quick trip through the famous Namche Bazaar in Khumbu.

The next two days will take you through the scenic village of Khumjung to the Tengboche Monastery, ending at a rest stop at a lodge in Pangboche. At this point, you’ll spend two days exploring the surrounding peaks, with a stop at the Ama Dablam Basecamp. The return to Lukla will take you on an alternative route for even more sights. From Lukla, you’ll fly to Kathmandu and enjoy a full day of sightseeing before the tour guides see you off with a farewell dinner.

Inquire: (+632) 815-6948

Access Travel

A post shared by Access Travel and Tours Inc. ™ (@accesstravelph) on Jun 7, 2017 at 1:27am PDT

If you prefer your vacations laid-back and carefree, try Access Travel, where itineraries are designed to help you explore your destinations however you prefer. Its Maldives package (from $4,200 or P208,903 per person), for instance, includes round-trip airfare, airport transfer, and a 4D/3N stay at one of several five-star hotels. We recommend the Ayada Maldives, an award-winning luxury resort situated on a private island along the pristine Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.

Inquire: (+632) 534-0116

MAD Travel

IMAGE MAD Travel / Alex Indigo

Vacations don’t have to be all about flying outside the Philippines. The people at MAD (Make a Difference) Travel want to help make the Philippines a prime social tourism destination, where tourists fly in for fun and volunteer work. For instance, their 3D/2N Tribes and Treks package (P2,400 per person) takes you to Yangil Village in Zambales, where you’ll spend the weekend experiencing Aeta culture while helping them rebuild a rainforest. The rainforest is not only a source of food and medicine for the village, but it’s also a renewable source of income for these indigenous peoples. While it may not be the most extravagant trip you’ll ever go on, it certainly has the chance to be the most meaningful.

Inquire: [email protected]

*$1 = P49.74