About Us

logo symbol

The Evolved Traveler Story

In the early 20th century, author G.K. Chesterton reportedly responded to a query from The Times of London asking, “What is wrong with the world today?” As the story goes, Chesterton replied simply, “I am.” This was not a personal commentary on his part, but an observation on the behavior of humans and the flawed paradigms we live under.

After 30 years in the travel industry, having the good fortune to travel to a great many places and experience things I would have never imagined, a personal fork-in-the-road in 2015 led me to believe there was a more productive way to approach travel, let alone luxury travel. It seemed to me that we were only looking at one side of the experience—our own. This thought, and my personal journey at the time, was what lead to the concept and creation of The Evolved Traveler.

We believe simple acts of care and compassion on our journeys are like a pebble thrown into still waters—the ripples are perpetual.

So what is this aspect of travel that we are missing? It is likely nothing more than having a broader perspective. What if, during our journeys, we began to see the people we met as members of the global community, just as we are, and to have a genuine interest in their lives and culture? To have respect for the towns and communities we visit and minimize the footprints, both figurative and literal, we leave behind? The concept is simple—to travel with a purpose, to travel and experience with the intent of being a citizen of the world, not just a consumer of it. Again, I’ll cite Chesterton, who summarized this in one simple sentence: “The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” I hope he wouldn’t mind if I embellished that just slightly and said, “The evolved traveler sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.”

Some might ask, “What good will this do, and what good will I do?” We believe simple acts of care and compassion on our journeys are like a pebble thrown into still waters—the ripples are perpetual. The Evolved Traveler team truly believes in these ideas and values, and while others might approach the world carelessly or unaware, we actively choose kindness and compassion, believing these are the attributes that collectively change the world for the better. Margaret Mead summarized this best when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

We hope you will not only allow us the opportunity to provide you with exceptional journeys around the world but also share our vision of what responsible travel can be. If enough of us share this idea, we might hopefully be asked one day, “What is right with the world today? ” and we can all say, “I am.”

Our Sustainability & Animal Policy

logo symbol

Sustainability &
Animal Policy

Built upon the core principles of sustainable tourism and building a sense of global community, The Evolved Traveler promotes responsible travel that respects the destination, its people, and culture, as well as the surrounding environment.

Our “business as usual” is anything but. Our mindset at The Evolved Traveler is simple: when we treat the environment as an integral part of our humanity and not just an afterthought, we can ensure the health and happiness of our planet and future generations.

Sustainability
Guidelines

Sustainability is a core value of The Evolved Traveler. There is no “one size fits all“ solution for the myriad issues that ail our planet, our environment, and even the multitude of cultures amongst us. Accordingly, we have resourced the sustainability guidelines set forth by several organizations we consider to be at the forefront of this effort including The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Sustainable Tourism International, and UNESCO.

The guidelines adopted by The Evolved Traveler for sustainable tourism focus on three primary areas:

Socioeconomic: Maximize benefits for the local community

Cultural Heritage: Protect at all costs

Environmental stewardship: Reduce negative impacts to the best of our abilities

Declaration of
Sustainability

We believe that our guests and partners are capable of amazing feats of good. Our goal is to create positive and lasting impacts wherever we go. By using best practices from around the globe, as well as some of our own, we’ve created the following declaration of sustainability.

We vow to:

Strive to leave every location in better condition than we found it

Educate our guests regularly regarding responsible tourism and sustainability

Encourage the use of local goods and services

Respect all places, people, and cultures

Speak out against the consumption, trading, or harvesting of protected wildlife and plant life

Offset carbon emissions by donating to re-forestation causes

Volunteer in our local community, just as we encourage our guests and partners to

We not only adhere to these guidelines but further strive to pioneer new concepts and practices for sustainable travel. See our full Sustainability Declaration here.

Our Animal Policy

One of our key tenets as a company is that of giving back, which we apply to the people, cultures, environment, and most certainly to the animals, we encounter on our travels.

We do not involve ourselves or our guests in any activities which cause harm, discomfort, or danger to animals of any kind, nor do we engage our guests in activities that involve contact with endangered species or captive wild animals. We do not offer rides on elephants at any point. As world travelers, we know that wildlife encounters can be some of the most memorable highlights of a journey, which is why we want to make sure those encounters are positive experiences for the animals as well.

Evolved Experiences

logo symbol

Evolved
Experiences

Travel today isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s about connections, experiences, and making a real difference. We get it – you’re looking for journeys that go beyond the ordinary, that touch your soul and leave a positive mark on the places you visit. That is exactly what we had in mind when we created Evolved Experiences.

What sets Evolved Experiences apart? It is not just luxury travel; it is travel with a heart and a purpose. We’re talking about immersive experiences that let you dive deep into local cultures, share moments with communities, and contribute in ways that matter. It is about extending a hand of friendship across the globe and creating stories that stay with you forever – stories that you are proud to share, not just because of where you went, but because of what you experienced and the impact you made.

With Evolved Experiences, your journey becomes a tapestry of meaningful interactions and unforgettable memories. It is about leaving a place a little better than you found it and carrying a piece of it in your heart long after you’ve returned home. This is the essence of being an Evolved Traveler.

Incorporated into each journey, Evolved Experiences epitomize our “benefit to all approach.” We believe adventure and purpose can intertwine, seamlessly blending life-enriching explorations with acts of kindness that leave a lasting impact.

For example, engage with Vietnamese students, once deemed at-risk-youth, now being taught skills to work in the hospitality industry. Or in India, allow a former homeless youth the chance to be your personal guide and teach you about their home, former life, and the foundation – the Salaam Baalak Trust – that provided them with life-changing opportunities. In Cambodia, delight children with bicycles or schoolbooks that have been bestowed on your behalf through The Evolved Traveler’s “give back“ commitment. In Myanmar, provide loving care to the incredible elephants at Green Hill Elephant Camp by helping feed and bathe them, and learn why we have taken a pledge to ensure all animal interactions on an Evolved Traveler journeys are conducted with absolute respect for the animals and their environments.

The Evolved Traveler upholds the belief that we don’t have to give up anything ourselves in order to give. The act of giving does as much for the giver as it does for the receiver. That is our overriding goal with Evolved Experiences. So while we will always provide you with the best accommodations, private guides, and one-of-a-kind surprises that guests have come to love about The Evolved Traveler. We ask that you take one additional journey—to step a little further and to see the good that you can do on a human and grassroots level, leaving you, the places, and people you engage with, and ultimately our global community changed for the better.

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Journeys

logo symbol

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Journeys

At The Evolved Traveler, we believe in helping to create a world that is warmly inclusive. We appreciate the opportunity to champion the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring every journey with us is not just safe but welcoming. Our global partnerships are more than just connections; they are our means to foster an environment where every guest feels like family.

As artisans of bespoke, luxury travel, we specialize in crafting private and small group tours that are as unique as our Guests. Imagine immersing yourself in the vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes of Amsterdam, Berlin, and Tel Aviv, or embarking on a private safari on the African Plains. We are dedicated to not just showcasing the rich LGBTQ+ history of each destination but also ensuring you’re well-informed and comfortable, embracing every aspect of your journey.

So, whether it is exploring new horizons or finding a home away from home, we are here to make your travel dreams come true. Welcome aboard, where every journey with us is a celebration of you!

What The Evolved Traveler Offers the LGBTQ+ Community:

Private luxury journeys for LGBTQ+ couples, honeymoons, family and friend trips, and solo travelers.

Local guides knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ history and culture.

Luxury accommodations that treat all Guests with dignity and respect.

International Pride events and celebrations.

Destination cultural and safety guides.

Dedicated Evolved Traveler staff who are sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community members.

A commitment to sustainability and building a sense of global community.

Through these benefits and more, it is our sincere and continuing goal to embody the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization,” with one inspiring journey at a time.

Partners in Travel & Sustainability

logo symbol

Hotel Partners

Evolved Travel is proud to partner with world-class hotels and resorts around the globe that allow us to further personalize each guest’s experience even further.

Our global Preferred Partners include enhanced amenities and benefits*, such as:

Room & Suite Upgrades

Hotel & Resort Credits

Early Check-in & Late Check-out

Daily Breakfast

Dedicated Concierges

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Welcome Gifts

& More!

*Amenities and benefits vary for each property at the time of booking and may be subject to availability.

jumeirah
platinum partner
marriot international stars
four seasons
marriott international luminous
rosewood Elite logo
mandarin oriental fan club logo
impresario logo stacked+(1)
the peninsula penclub logo
one and only resorts
1200px relais chateaux logo.svg
slh within logo resize
lhw vita common
logo symbol

Travel Resource Partners

The Evolved Traveler recommends purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect your travel investment.

travelex
tds

Travelex Insurance Services

For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link above or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228- 9792 and reference location number 05-1426. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 W20.

Pinnacle Travel Documents Service

Every international trip is more smooth and streamlined with Pinnacle TDS when we handle your visa & passport processing! Whether you have already booked your tour or cruise program or you are planning an independent vacation or business trip on your own, every aspect of your visa and passport application process is more expeditious when you choose Pinnacle TDS. Allow our dedicated team of visa & passport professionals to take the worry out of your visa and passport processing needs. Dealing with foreign governments to acquire your travel visa or the US passport offices to obtain your US passport can be daunting, so Pinnacle TDS works with you through every stage of the process to make the experience less stressful and more relaxing. We do the worrying so you can concentrate on planning your trip. Travel documentation processing does not have to be a stressful experience when you allow a professional team to handle all the details. We look forward to working with you and thank you in advance for trusting us with all your travel documentation (visa & passport) needs.

Pinnacle can be reached at 888-838-4867.

logo symbol

Sustainability Partners

Offset Alliance

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment, The Evolved Traveler has formed a partnership with Offset Alliance.

The purpose of our partnership is to offset travel emissions through Offset Alliance’s portfolio of carbon reduction projects, which are based on global best standards and provide co-benefits to communities and biodiversity in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our journeys will incorporate meaningful, realistically measurable climate action by reducing the CO2 emissions that are generated from our global journeys. Using a baseline of CO2 from air and ground transportation, and hotels, we will pay to offset emissions associated with each tour in addition to a 50% buffer to cover activities and meals during the course of our guests’ global journeys.
While we strive toward making our journeys completely carbon-neutral, at this time it is virtually impossible to verify accurate reporting of supply chains and proper disposal of waste in all destinations to successfully reach 100% carbon neutrality. However, we strongly believe it’s important to be transparent about these challenges while taking positive, achievable actions that provide tangible, verifiable results.

And one of the best parts, our renewed commitment to responsible tourism comes at no cost to our guests—we simply believe it is the right thing to do.