8 Reasons to choose Gecko's

1 Local leaders

This is what sets Gecko's apart from other travel companies...and keeps people coming back to travel with us again and again. We exclusively use leaders who were born and raised in the region, so they can show you a side of their homeland that other travellers miss out on. They are highly trained, speak English and will take you beyond the superficial, 'touristy' side of their country and show you what makes it tick.

2 Awesome prices

Our trips are fantastic value. You only pay for the 'must haves' (we don't include things you might not want), accommodation is basic, but clean and comfortable and you'll travel mainly on local transport. All this adds up to a lot of a fun and a low price! You can do it a bit cheaper on your own, of course, but with us, you'll enjoy a hassle-free, safe, fun trip and have experiences you would never find on your own.

3 Small groups

The average group size is about nine people. Generally the maximum is 15 (24 in Africa and with budget Egypt trips). Small groups offer a low-impact, safe and fun way to travel. You won't stick out like a sore thumb, and your local leader will help immerse you in the culture.

4 'Real' experiences

If you want to get under the skin of a country, and see what makes it tick, Gecko's is for you. You'll try the exotic food, meet the locals, get off the tourist path and enjoy authentic experiences. While this a lot of fun (at least we think so) it can be confronting, challenging and even frustrating, but we will ensure that you love every minute of it!

5 Free time

Many of your most memorable experiences will occur when you branch out and do your own thing, and we understand that different people have different interests, so we build in free time to make your own discoveries. The framework is in place, and the details are taken care of, but on many days, you decide what you want to see and do. After all, you might be thoroughly sick and tired of temples, while another group member just can't get enough of them. It's your holiday, so it's your choice.

6 Great trips

Over the years, we have listened to our travellers and refined our trips so that the pace is just right (action-packed but not exhausting) and there is a balance between free time and organised activities. We aim to cover off the 'must see' places (after all we all have a list of things we want to see in our lives!) but also take time to get off the beaten track and see the weird and wonderful things that you'll be talking about for years to come.

7 Better than backpacking

Many of our travellers consider themselves 'independent' travellers and wear their backpack as a badge of honour! If you have limited time, safety or language concerns, or just want someone else to take care of all the nitty gritty, Gecko's is a great alternative to doing it on your own and won't cost much more.

8 Travelling responsibly

As a guest in someone else's homeland, it's important to do the right thing and travel responsibly. We only travel in small groups, to minimise the impact of our presence, and use local leaders who can help overcome sensitive cultural issues. By employing locals and staying in locally-owned lodgings, we ensure that your travel dollar stays in the country, supporting the local economy. We also support a multitude of small, grassroots charities through the Gecko's Community Trust. Visit our Responsible Travel pages for more information.