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| Private trips
| The basics |
Get the Ball Rolling... |
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Private trips are the perfect way to share and celebrate special occasions with friends and family. They are equally ideally suited for special interest organizations as well as corporate training and reward programs. You can schedule your own dates on one of our regular trips or let us create a unique trip tailored to your specific needs and wishes. We've arranged private trips for more than 44 years, and are experts at planning complex itineraries anywhere in the world. If you can imagine it, we can make it happen - all you need to do is get the group together.
Please download and fill out the Private Trip Application Form to start the process of creating your very own Private Trip with Horizon.
Alternatively, you can send us an email at private@horizon-co.com or call us at 1-800-387-2977 to discuss the next steps. |
| What is a Private trip? |
Whatever You Want It To Be... |
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A private trip is any Horizon trip that is not open to the general public. There are two forms of private trips:
- Block Trips - a block trip is a private trip based on any of our existing itineraries (which have already been researched, planned and priced). The easiest way to build a block trip is to simply to take over an existing departure date with your group.
- Custom trips - a custom trip is a private trip built from scratch to reflect the unique needs and interests of your group. Since creating a custom trip and confirming availability takes longer than taking over a block trip, we recommend that you contact us as soon as you have an idea of when and where you want to travel.
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| What s in it for you? |
Personal Satisfaction, the Joy of Helping Others...the Trip of a Lifetime! |
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The process is simple and the rewards can be huge whether it s a free trip for the organizers, raising money for your favourite charity, or simply receiving kudos for organizing the trip of a life-time for friends, family or colleagues. While most group leaders tend to have their own specific ambitions in terms of what they hope to get out of organizing the trip, they all share the same goal on behalf of those for whom they are doing the organizing - they want them to be amazed and delighted by the experience. |
| Where can I go? |
Anywhere |
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Anywhere your heart desires. A block trip is based on existing or previous itineraries (surf this site or call us for ideas), while a custom trip starts where your dreams end. Check out the sample "thought-starter" trips below or look through our Past Trips Archive for more ideas. We've planned trips on every continent for every occasion, so feel free to give us a call to speak with one of our travel experts. |
| Who takes private trips? |
People Like You... |

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Anyone who likes to travel with people they know to a place where they want to visit in a style that is uniquely their own. In our experience, there are four different categories of people who take private trips.
- Individuals - Many private travellers are simply individuals who want to spend time together with friends and family. We generally recommend a group size of 6 or more in order to build a private trip (to keep the costs reasonable), but we also run private journeys for individuals and couples who want to travel on their own.
- Group Leaders - There is a growing community of people who organize private trips as a business. Some are already professionals in the travel field (i.e. travel agents), while others are inspired amateurs who happen to have an ability to influence peoples' travel decisions. These group leaders tend to already have access to a network of potential travellers, and look to us to help market, plan and execute the trip itself. We are happy to support the ambitions of these group leaders by providing a marketing and planning platform from which to grow their business.
- Organizations - Many special interest groups, nonprofits and affinity organizations have developed travel programs as a means of building loyalty with their community, extending their brand to new markets, and generating additional revenue. We have put together programs on both a co-branded (both brands share profile) or a private label (their brand, our organization and planning) basis, and have worked with everyone from Queen's University to World Wildlife Fund Canada.
- Corporations - Companies have been using travel for years as either an incentive for driving performance or a tool for developing teamwork and corporate strategy. We work closely with companies to build a travel program that achieves the desired objective in a measurable fashion, whether it be rewarding top performers, building integrated business teams or creating breakthrough thinking.
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| How does it work? |
It's as Easy as 1,2,3... |
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Rather than being forced to live within someone else's choices, building a private trip allows you to make your own decisions that reflect the unique interests of your group. We have developed a private trip timeline and a private group application form for the purposes of simplifying the process and refining the questions that we need to have answered in advance. Please review the timeline, fill out the Private Trip Application Form and send it along with any questions to: private@horizon-co.com in order to start the private trip planning process. |
| How much will it cost? |
As Little or as Much as You Want... |
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Private custom trips are priced based upon the specific itinerary and planning choices, and thus the price range is entirely up to you. Private block trips, on the other hand, tend to have a tiered pricing structure based on the brochure price of the specific itinerary. If you have enough people in your group, the members will receive a discount from the brochure price. Likewise, if the group is smaller than the same number, each member will pay a premium over the brochure price to keep the trip private. A custom tiered pricing sheet will be created depending on the trip selected and the size of the group. |
| A Sampling of "Thought Starter" Private Trip Itineraries |
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| African Safaris: South Africa |
| Experience South Africa in comfort, safety and style. From the cosmopolitan chic of Cape Town to the lush vineyards of the wine district; from the breaching whales of Hermanus to cheetah-stalking at the malaria-free Eastern Cape game reserves, this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for the whole family. |
| Dates: Year round |
Prices from: $5,995 | |
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| Dream Cars: Australia |
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Take in the vast panorama of the Canadian Rockies as you drive on winding mountain roads. Cruise along the famed Ice fields Parkway, take in the picturesque Alpine lakes and grassy meadows, hike among snow-capped peaks, enjoy superb meals and finish each day at legendary hotels. |
| Dates: Year round |
Prices from: $6,250 | |
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| Epicurean Journeys: Tuscany |
| Explore open-air markets, private farms and olive groves with some of Tuscany’s most colourful locals on a journey of discovery deep into the heart of Chianti, where culinary tradition is the meaning of life. Taste nature’s bounty, absorb the timeless lifestyle and embrace a vibrant culture. |
| Dates: May - Oct |
Prices from:$4,995 | |
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| Family Expeditions: Belize |
| Home to the longest continuous barrier reef in the West, Belize is a paradise for divers and snorkelers. On land, an intricate network of mysterious caves and the sprawling jungle provides haven to exotic birds and large cats as well as the ancient architectural remains of the once mighty Mayan civilization. |
| Dates: Nov-Apr |
Prices from: $3,300 | |
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| Family Expeditions: Costa Rica |
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Explore the epicentre of soft adventure as we journey from restored coffee plantations to cutting-edge eco-lodges and over-the-top indulgent beach resorts. Climb through the tropical jungle canopy, slip into hot thermal baths, hike through lava fields, surf private beaches and enjoy gourmet meals. |
| Dates: Nov-Apr |
Prices from: $4,995 | |
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| Family Expeditions: Galapagos Islands |
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Off the coast of Ecuador lies the beguiling destination of the Galapagos, a collection of magical islands characterized by desolate volcanic landscapes and enchanting and unique wildlife. Join us as we move from the restored haciendas near Quito to the endless wonders of the UNESCO-protected marine reserve. |
| Dates: Year-round |
Prices from: $4,995 | |
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| Family Expeditions: Guatemala & Belize |
Guatemala is a magical and inspiring country, rich in Mayan history. Begin your journey in colonial Antigua followed by stunning Lake Atitlan before flying to Flores to witness the incredible ruins at Tikal. Continue across the border to Belize and the highlands around San Ignacio then to the southern beaches around Placencia.
| Dates: Nov - Apr |
Prices from: $4,750 | |
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| Family Expeditions: Peru |
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Explore the exotic wilderness and ancient mysticism of Peru; from the remote stone temples of Machu Picchu to the lush rainforests of the Amazon. Stroll the cobblestone alleys of Cusco, tap into the cosmopolitan hub of Lima, and discover the rich layers of history and culture that make Peru unique. |
| Dates: Year round |
Prices from: $5,475 | |
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| Family Expeditions: Western Canada |
| Explore the vast open landscapes of Caribou country while riding horseback in the foothills across open rolling plains. Discover “glamping” at our luxury resort in Clayoquot, view a myriad of wildlife including bear, whales and eagles and walk the infinite stretch of sand down Long Beach. |
| Dates: May - Sep |
Prices: from $5,995 | |
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