We are
trailblazers innovators pioneers responsible
 

Innovation is, and always has been, a cornerstone of the World Expeditions philosophy.

We began as a Himalayan trekking company, with the simple vision of organising responsible and sustainable small group treks to Nepal and the Indian Himalaya.

As a result, World Expeditions became the pioneers of responsible and sustainable tourism, a legacy that we are very proud of. While ‘responsible tourism’ was not a coined phrase at the time, we placed significant effort on creating operations that provided benefit and employment for the local communities and did not negatively impact the environment.

Today, our trips have evolved beyond the Himalaya and now explore more than 100 countries across all seven continents.

Our world firsts:


  • Cycling on our North India Adventure - Photo: Nicola Croom

    1978

    India – first cycling and camel riding trips

  • Cycling through rural villages Yangshuo, China - Photo: Scott Pinnegar

    1978

    China – first commercial cycling group

  • Paddling down the Franklin River, Tasmania - Photo: Glenn Walker

    1978

    Franklin River - first commercial descent

  • We camp at Akkem base with spectacular views of Belukha mountain - Photo: Tim Cope

    1980

    Mongolia – first commercial trekking group

  • A yak herder and his yaks make their way through fields in Tibet - Photo: Jamie Williams

    1981

    Tibet – first commercial trekking group

  • Hinchinbrook Island sea kayaking, Queensland - Photo: Mark Daffey

    1987

    Hinchinbrook Island – first commercial kayaking trips

  • Cycling a backroad through rural Vietnam - Photo: Richard I'Anson

    1990

    Vietnam – first commercial cycling group

  • The clear night sky of the Outback is an unforgettable experience of the Larapinta Semi-permanent Camps - Photo: Brett Boardman

    1995

    Larapinta Trail – first commercial walks

  • Clearing nets and marine debris from Arhnem Land Coastline - Photo: Dhimurru Land Management

    1995

    Community Projects – first Australia tour operator to develop a trip for travellers that involved them in community projects across the globe

  • Beautiful Kyoto Temple - Photo: JNTO

    1997

    Japan – first commercial trekking group

  • Local family on the World Expeditions community project trip in Arnhem Land, NT - Photo: Gesine Cheung

    1999

    Garma Festival – first tourism operator to develop land based travel around a festival

  • Rocky mountain side trail towards Ghunsa Kola on the Great Himalaya Trail - Photo: Ray Mustey

    2010

    Great Himalayan Trail – first company to offer a full traverse of the newly mapped GHT

  • The happy faces of young Nepali boys in Kathmandu | <i>Peter Walton</i>

    2013

    First Australian tour operator to remove orphanage tourism from our program

  • Monique Forestier - Photo: Simon Carter

    2016

    Sicily on the Rocks with Monique Forestier & Simon Carter – first commercial rock climbing tour