Adventure Life

Adventure Life is an adventure travel company that provides private and small-group tours in Latin America and small-ship cruises throughout the world. They offer over 100 different itineraries in South America and Central America, and hundreds of small-ship cruises to less conventional destinations such as Africa, the Arctic, Antarctica and Alaska.
Their focus is nature, cultural, and active travel and they apply ecotourism 
 principles to their tour and cruise programs. Most trips have a maximum group size of 12, and the average size is 8. Since their founding in 1999, over 16,000 clients have traveled with the company.
Adventure Life is registered in the State of Montana as ALJ, Inc., and they do business as Adventure Life Journeys and Adventure Life VOYAGES.
==History==
Adventure Life was founded by Brian Morgan in 1999.Leigh Buchanan (1 July 2009). "How to Start an Adventure Travel Company (http://www.inc.com/magazine/20090701/how-to-start-an-adventure-travel-company.html)". Inc Magazine. Retrieved on 28 August 2009. Morgan was working as a consultant in Quito for CARE in the late 1990s, but decided to return home to Montana. While applying for jobs in Montana, Morgan planned a group tour back to Ecuador and promoted it locally. This experience made him recognize that guided tours were a service in demand, and a niche industry that his own travel experiences and Ecuadorian connections had prepared him to explore further.Jared Ritz (30 April 2005). "Escape artists: Adventure Life offers clients a bolder brand of travel (http://www.mtinbusiness.com/inbusiness_spring_04/bus17.html)". Montana in Business. Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
Adventure Life launched in February 1999 with Spanish language study-trips, internships, and tours to Peru and Ecuador. Office is initially located in Havre, Montana. Morgan hired first staff member. First year of business, Adventure Life has fewer than 100 travelers.
Starting in 2000, The Company decided to focus on offering tours only, and no longer provides Spanish language study-trips, or internships. Office moves from Havre, and settles in Missoula, Montana. By the end of 2000, company hires 4 full-time staff members. Establishes a partner office in Lima, Peru.
Between 2001-2003, Adventure Life added tours to Bolivia, Costa Rica and Belize, Chile, Argentina, Patagonia and Guatemala. They also Establishes a second partner office in Quito, Ecuador. The company moves from Morgan's home into its first office.In 2005, tours started sending travelers to Antarctica. The next year they added Panama to the list of destinations.
Adventure Life also launched Adventure Life VOYAGES[1], which provide small-ship cruises throughout the world. During 2007, Adventure Life provides trips for over 3500 travelers. In 2008 they added the Falkland Islands. Company launches an online community forum offering client Trip Journals[2] - system utilizes the services of Google Maps.
==Responsible travel==
Galapagos Conservation Fundraising
Adventure Life is an active member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, (IGTOA). The president of Adventure Life, Brian Morgan, is also currently the president of IGTOA."Officers, Staff and Honorary Board Members (http://www.igtoa.org/about_us/staff.php)", IGTOA (8 December 2008). In Nov. 2006, IGTOA they launched a Galapagos traveler-funding program for island conservation, and Adventure Life was one of the first members to adopt this initiative."IGTOA Traveler Funding Program (http://www.igtoa.org/funding)", IGTOA (8 December 2008). A voluntary donation is added to all of Adventure Life's Galapagos travelers’ invoices. 40% of this donation goes to IGTOA and 60% goes to the Charles Darwin Foundation. Dollar for dollar, Adventure Life matches these donations with travel vouchers for future trips with their company. As of June 2008, Adventure Life’s travelers have raised nearly $40,000 for island conservation.
IGTOA supports program in the Galapagos that include both Conservation and Professional Standards. Conservation funding is for projects that directly impact issues like introduced species, patrol of the park, and scientific research. Professional Standards relates to boat safety; passenger care; training and treatment of captains and crew members; guide training; educating travelers on conservation issues; and other issues relating to health, safety, and the rights and responsibilities of both travelers and tourist industry personnel."Projects and Funding (http://www.igtoa.org/funded_projects)", IGTOA (8 December 2008).
The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) has carried out research for the conservation of the Galapagos ecosystem for almost 50 years. They have been a leader in conservation science and the practical application of information gained and lessons learned in Galapagos, and are one the most respected non-profit research organization currently in operation.
Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC)
The CTTC is a non-profit organization established in 1996 to aid in the survival of Incan textile traditions and to provide support to weaving communities. Working with the Center, Quechua weavers and their families in the region of the former Incan capitol are engaged in skills-building, community networking and market development. By researching and documenting complex styles and techniques of the ancestors, the Center helps to ensure that 2,000 year-old textiles traditions will not be lost to future generations."About Us (http://www.textilescusco.org/eng/index.html)", Centro de Textiles Traditionales del Cusco (8 December 2008). Adventure Life provides an annual donation to the CTTC, and incorporates visits to the center for all of its Peru itineraries that spend time in the Cusco region.
==Awards==
* 2009 Best Places to Work, Outside Magazine(1 May 2009). "Outside Magazine Best Places to Work (http://outsideonline.com/outside/culture/200905/best-companies-adventure-life.html)", Outside Magazine. Retrieved on 2 February 2010.
* 2008 Employer of Choice winner, Missoula Job Service Employer's CouncilPamela J. Podger (19 February 2008). "Eco-tour company wins employer award (http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/02/19/news/local/news05.txt)", Missoulian. Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
* 2007 Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth, National Geographic Adventure"Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth (http://atr.nationalgeographic.com/outfitters/outfitterDetail.action?id=49)", National Geographic Adventure. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
* 2007 Best in Travel Class, Transitions AbroadChristina Heyniger and Sherry Schwarz (7 April 2007). "Best in Travel Class 2007", Transitions Abroad.
* 2007 Trip of the Year, Outside MagazineMeg Lukens Noonan (1 March 2007) "Outside 2007 Trip of the Year: The World's Greatest Trips Ever (http://outsideonline.com/outside/destinations/200703/best-trips-3.html)", Outside Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
* 2006 Green List Honoree, Conde Nast TravelerBrook Wilkinson (September 2006). "Condé Nast Traveler presents the 12th annual Green List (http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/10419?pageNumber=6)". Conde Nast Traveler. Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
* 2006 Best Trips, Outside Magazine "Outside Best Trip of 2006: The Wanderlist (http://outsideonline.com/outside/destinations/best-outdoor-adventure-trips-1.html)", Outside Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
==Media References==
Adventure Life has been featured in major publications such as USA Today "These 6 global adventures span the extraordinary (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-09-20-new-adventures_n.htm?loc=interstitialskip)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Five adventures to get your blood rushing (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-12-07-new-adventure-tours_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Evolution of a good idea (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-09-28-galapagos-hiking_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Edges of the world (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-12-15-adventure-travel_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."The trail less trampled on (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-09-22-peru_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Alternate Incan trail routes (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-09-22-other-trails_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Guatemala in a new light(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-03-10-guatemala_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Adventure lite(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2004-03-11-adventure-lite_x.htm)", USA Today. Retrieved 9 December 2008., The New York Times "Ancient Symbols in the Sand (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E4DF173BF934A35752C0A9679C8B63&sec=travel&spon=&&scp=3&sq="AdventureLife"&st=cse)", The New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2008."The 53 Places to Go in 2008 (http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/travel/09where.html?pagewanted=2", The New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Hiking the Inca Trail: Procrastinators Need Not Apply (http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/travel/05advmachu.html", The New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
"The Galápagos Without a Paddle (http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/01/08/travel/08galapside.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1136907983-GWxcMsGet5Mba5aYGP0Q3g", The New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Tours to Antarctica from Argentina and Shorter Cruises of Hawaii (http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/09/18/travel/18qna.html?_r=1", The New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2008." Tours of Every Stripe (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E2D71330F93BA25752C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2=9501E2D71330F93BA25752C0A9629C8B63)", The New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2008., National Geographic Adventure "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth (http://atr.nationalgeographic.com/outfitters/outfitterDetail.action?id=49)", National Geographic Adventure. Retrieved 9 December 2008., Outside Magazine "GO FAR: 10 New Outfitted Trips for Families(http://outsideonline.com/outside/destinations/familyguide2002/outfitted_trips_1.html)", Outside Magazine. Retrieved 9 December 2008.Meg Lukens Noonan (1 March 2007) "Outside 2007 Trip of the Year: The World's Greatest Trips Ever (http://outsideonline.com/outside/destinations/200703/best-trips-3.html)", Outside Magazine. Retrieved 9 December 2008."Outside Best Trip of 2006: The Wanderlist (http://outsideonline.com/outside/destinations/best-outdoor-adventure-trips-1.html)" Outside Magazine. Retrieved 9 December 2008., ForbesLife "Go with the Floe (http://www.forbes.com/business/fyi/2008/1027/085.html", Forbes.com. Retrieved 9 December 2008., Conde Nast TravelerBrook Wilkinson (September 2006). "Condé Nast Traveler presents the 12th annual Green List (http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/10419?pageNumber=6)". Conde Nast Traveler. Retrieved on 9 December 2008. and Inc. Magazine.Leigh Buchanan (1 July 2009). "How to Start an Adventure Travel Company (http://www.inc.com/magazine/20090701/how-to-start-an-adventure-travel-company.html)". Inc Magazine. Retrieved on 28 August 2009.
==References==
==External links==
* Adventure Life Journeys homepage
* Adventure Life VOYAGES homepage
Category:Travel and holiday companies of the United States
Category:Travel agencies