FAQs

True to our name, we offer trips that keep our travellers active. Broadly our trips are divided into three travel styles: running, cycling and walking / hiking. We offer both guided and self-guided trips around the world based on these travel styles. To know more about each trip style please go through the FAQs pertaining to each specific travel style by clicking the link here: MARATHON TRIP FAQs | CYCLING TRIP FAQs | HIKING TRIP FAQs

We are also appointed partners for some of the world’s renowned small group adventure travel companies that are amazing for solo travellers who want to experience a destination via roads less travelled. The general group sizes for these are 8 to 15 travellers. 

Assuming that you are familiar with the activity you are choosing (example you are comfortable cycling or have a base in running etc.) two key points to consider are your level of fitness and the level of support you need on the trip. 
STUDY THE PACE METER: Our trips are designed for people of all fitness levels, yet, some can help set new personal records. Each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 5 to help you choose one that suits your ability. While this may be a simplified guideline, given the different terrains, countries, weather conditions, duration and challenges, it is a good start in setting a uniform standard to compare trips based on its physical demands. 
Grade 1 – Very easy, good for people of all abilities including first timers.
Grade 2 – Fairly easy for people of all abilities though requires some caution and fitness
Grade 3 – Requires good fitness. Some rough days may be interspersed with light ones.
Grade 4 – Challenging. May warrant prior training and very good fitness levels.  
Grade 5 – Difficult and may need expertise and excellent fitness level as well as prior experience
You may also want to consider JOINING A GROUP vs DOING IT ON YOUR OWN. Travelling by yourself you will have the opportunity to set your own based on your comfort and level of expertise. While a group with a Trip Leader means access to assistance with cycling repairs, or if you get altitude sickness on a trek. A guide also brings to life stories behind places you are passing through and secret insights that local experts on the region can offer. On the flip side, you have to stick to a schedule and there is often no option to change the itinerary if you are in a group. All our self-guided trips provide access to a helpline or an emergency contact.
We are happy to assist in helping you choose the right trip. If you have to cut short your vacation or change or alter the itinerary, cancellations are due to suppliers, and you are unlikely to receive a refund. For this reason, we recommend you choose your trip carefully, evaluating your own physical ability and buy appropriate insurance to help you cut your losses if the situation arises.

Several solo travellers join our trips to benefit from our services as we handle all the logistics behind the scene. Travelling solo can mean paying extra for a single room and while some travellers want their own room, if you are looking to save money by sharing your room we will be happy to pair you with another single traveller, if someone is looking to share a room on your trip. This of course is not guaranteed. Single rooms may not be available on some trips due to the limited supply of rooms. 

Our outdoorsy trips are a wonderful family bonding opportunity and the pace of many vacations is appropriate for families with children Keeping in mind their safety and ability, there is a minimum age set for each trip some trips may not allow children. Children must always be under the supervision of parents / accompanying guardians.

We customise trips for groups, families and individuals seeking travel experiences around running, cycling and hiking. We do not offer for other travel styles. Custom quotes are offered to first time travellers against a non-refundable fee of INR2000 or US$30 per booking (comprising any number of travellers). This fee entitles you to a maximum of 3 iterations of a customised itinerary and costing. If you confirm your travel based on any of these iterations, the non-refundable fee of Rs 2000 / USD 30 is adjusted towards the final cost of your trip. This charge does not apply to past travellers and should you prefer that we do not invest our time and effort in customising your travel, you are welcome to choose from our large selection of trip options. 

The probability of an injury on an active holiday is the same as when playing a sport like cricket or basketball. We have taken pains to find reliable and experienced on-ground partners, whose ability to support you in case of an emergency and safety standards are impeccable. On some trips, you may have the option of skipping excursions if you need to recuperate. Children must be under parent supervision at all times.
All self-guided trips include access to a helpline or an emergency contact so help will always be close-by. However, you must be aware that there is often no option to change the itinerary, especially if you are in a group. If you have to cut short your vacation or change your itinerary, cancellations are due to suppliers, and you are unlikely to receive a refund. Moreover, all medical and repatriation expenses need to be borne by you. For this reason, we recommend you choose your trip carefully, evaluating your own physical ability and ensure that you are adequately covered with the right insurance if the unlikely situation arises.

Insurance of any form is excluded from our trip prices and whether you take an easy trip or an extreme adventure break, we strongly recommend you get yourself covered. Active Holiday Company can assist with special insurance meant for adventure trips. Please refer to our ‘insurance’ link.

Our travellers come from all parts of the world. Based on their nationality the visa rules applicable can vary vastly. Plus, some travellers like to extend with extra days, others prefer to book online and at times they even like to use their miles for discounted travel. It is always easy to add flights and we can do so if you would like us to, even if all of our trips are priced on ‘land-only’ basis (excluding flight costs). To know more about our charges on flights please viist this link. If you'd like to consult us regarding visa services please see more details here.

Not all trips include all meals. We typically include breakfasts and a few other meals, leaving you free to explore on your own. The number of meals included in your trip are explained on each trip page. When meals are not included you will have the flexibility to choose your own eating stops and food and at times you may need to stick to the plan and eat with the rest of the group. Vegetarianism having become popular worldwide, we don’t expect our vegetarian guests to go hungry but we do appreciate your understanding that at times, your choices could be limited or somewhat repetitive. We truly believe that the best way to experience a destination is by hitting those corner cafes frequented by the locals, so don’t feel shy to explore your options. 

Our stay options are diverse and differ greatly based on the trip style. Our cycling and walking trips strive to deliver authenticity of a destination and therefore stays are at small properties run by locals: family run Inns, fabulous villas, basic tea houses we have them all. Some trips may offer the opportunity to upgrade your stay. For all of our marathon trips, in addition to runner friendly facilities, proximity to the start or finish is important and we may offer a choice between multi-bed mixed gender hostel stays and first class hotels. 

Please see our standard terms and conditions here. Depending on the trip, there may be other specific conditions and cancellation terms applicable, particularly if you are signing up for a marathon tour. You can see these on the respective trip page. When you sign up for a small group trip with one of the partners we represent, their conditions are applicable. You can request the details at the time of booking. Booking deposits are generally non-refundable. 

Unlike our World Marathon Major and small group trips which are confirmed at the time of booking, for our self-guided cycling and walking trips we do not hold any inventory at accommodations. The process of checking if we have the space to accommodate your booking requires that each property is contacted individually to get your room confirmed. This can take up to a few days. If an accommodation option in unavailable we will discuss options with you – including refunding your deposit if alternate options don’t work for you. We do not process bookings without a deposit payment. Please do not make any travel arrangements unless you have received our confirmation as we are not liable for airline tickets and visa costs if these are done prior to your trip being confirmed.

Typical check-in baggage permitted is 15 or 20 kilos, however, on some walking trips your baggage allowance may be restricted to as little as 10 kilos. Your luggage should be appropriate for the type of vacation you are taking. Bags with wheels and hard suitcases are not suitable on treks though they may be what you need on certain other trips. Also, we take no responsibility for the contents of your luggage and damage to it. We strongly recommend that you carry along a small back-pack for day on all trips. You may also need special equipment for certain trips and this may or may not be included in your trip price. If special clothing, footwear or equipement is needed on your trip we will provide you with details at the time of booking, along with a comprehensive packing list before departure. We strongly recommend that all runners keep a set of their running gear in their hand luggage in case the airline delays or loses your luggage.

We accept bank transfers, credit cards, debit cards and certain e-wallets. You can access our payment options here. Please note that credit cards and debit cards attract a service surcharge. Final payment due dates vary based on the trip you have booked and generally vary between 90 to 60 days before travel.  

Your final travel documents are sent about 2 weeks to 10 days before travel. In accordance with our responsible tourism stand we no longer provide travel documents in hard copy / paper print outs. We recommend that you save them on your phone to refer to them.