Discover the joy of travel on a walking program that exposes you to history, culture, and scenery on all 7 continents
Walking is the oldest form of travel, and we at Walking Adventures soon discovered it is also the purest form of travel. It slows us down and gives our senses a chance to connect with our surroundings. Early on, our travel programs were based exclusively upon 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) trails sponsored by walking clubs affiliated with the International Federation of Popular Sports. These events provi
ded the added dimension of walking with locals - everyday citizens from the host country who love walking and love sharing it with others. As we’ve taken our message of walking blended with motorcoach travel farther afield, we’ve continued to slow our travel pace and look for ever more creative ways to use walks to connect with the culture, history, and scenery of our destination. Most walks in international destinations are planned by WAI staff. These walking adventures generally combine a greater number of shorter walks, still blending them with local points-of-interest and cultural experiences. Walking Adventures International offers an up-close and personal style of travel to more than 60 countries on all 7 continents! We feature 15 different destinations on average per year, offering a different rotation of destinations each year.
31/07/2025
🌵 Tucson Update!
Ready to swap winter chill for desert sunshine? Join us next January for our Tucson Rendezvous - over 70+ adventurers already signed up and the list keeps growing! 🎉
We’ve just unveiled an incredible line-up of optional excursions to make this trip truly unforgettable:
🎈 Soar above the desert in a hot air balloon
🕳️ Explore the depths of Kartchner Caverns
🤠 Walk the wild streets of historic Tombstone
🌮 Savor Southwestern flavors on a mouthwatering food tour (Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, after all!)
…and that’s just the beginning!
Come for the sunshine, stay for the stunning scenery and authentic Southwest charm. We can’t wait to see you there! 🌞
📩 Reach out with any questions at [email protected] or 360.260.9393.
24/07/2025
🚂 Our travelers just wrapped up their Colorado by Train journey – and what an adventure it was!
From exploring the ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde …To standing in awe before Colorado’s towering sand dunes …Or soaking up the Swiss-style scenery of charming Ouray ...And gazing upon the dramatic depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison - This tour was filled with unforgettable, magical moments.
💭Ready to ride the rails and see America’s hidden wonders with us? Stay tuned for upcoming adventures!
19/07/2025
Big news, walking friends!
We’ve finally joined Instagram! 🎉👣
After years of exploring the world on foot, we’re bringing the journey to your feed—one scenic step at a time. 🌍📸
👉 Follow us .adventures.travel for travel inspiration, behind-the-scenes moments, and a closer look at the walking adventures we love to share.
Our travelers have just returned from the Great Land, where every day brought unforgettable moments. ✨
We explored the stunning Kenai Peninsula, spotting active volcanoes 🌋, calving glaciers, playful puffins, salmon-packed rivers, and wetlands alive with moose. In Denali National Park, we walked through breathtaking landscapes, keeping watch for grizzlies and hoping for that elusive clear view of Denali, North America’s tallest peak.
Up in Fairbanks, we experienced authentic Alaskan life with visits to the Alaska Pipeline, Gold Dredge #8, a riverboat discovery cruise, Running Reindeer Ranch, and Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. For a lucky few, the adventure continued across the Arctic Circle to witness the magical Midnight Sun shining over Alaska’s Far North. 🌞
Thank you to everyone who joined us in exploring America’s Last Frontier!
16/07/2025
🌵Announcing the Tucson Rendezvous!
Walking Adventures is entering an exciting new chapter with fresh leadership as our President, Dan Friesen, retires. Through all these changes, one thing remains the same – our love of travel, friendship, and exploring this beautiful world together.
Join us for our Rendezvous in Tucson – a special reunion to celebrate travel and connection. It’s been years since our last reunion tour, and we’re thrilled to invite you to sunny Tucson, with its stunning saguaro sunsets, rich Mexican cultural influences, Wild West history, and incredible food.
We’ve crafted a memorable itinerary with walks, relaxing moments, and exciting optional excursions, like breathtaking hot air balloon rides over the Sonoran Desert, deep cave explorations at Kartchner Caverns, visits to the Wild West territory at Tombstone, mouthwatering Tucson food tours, and more!
We launched our adventure with an unforgettable day in the heart of the Centennial State — soaking in the energy, sights, and stories of Downtown Denver! 🏙️
From the iconic Union Station to the majestic Capitol Building, we explored the rich culture, history, and charm that make the Mile High City so special. 🌄
🌞 It’s a hot summer day here, making us dream of those refreshing fjord breezes in Norway just a couple weeks ago… 🇳🇴❄️
Here are a few final snapshots from our recent Norway adventure – exploring the dramatic peaks of Jotunheimen National Park, stepping back in time at a historic stave church in Borgund, hiking into the depths of some dramatic ice caves, driving along the breathtaking Sognefjell National Tourist Route, and wrapping it all up in vibrant Oslo.
Have a wonderful week, everyone!
02/07/2025
🗻Bon Voyage to Our Alaskan Adventurers!
Yesterday, our group took off in Anchorage, kicking off the Alaska: The Great Land journey in epic style!
We jumped right into Alaska’s glacier magic with a Byron Glacier Walk, strolling through the scenic Portage Valley along Turnagain Arm, followed by a breathtaking 26-Glacier Cruise in Prince William Sound - one of the world’s largest concentrations of tidewater glaciers. What an incredible way to start this northern adventure!🚢
We can’t wait to see what the coming days bring as we continue exploring America’s Last Frontier.
In 1989, Dan’s dad, George Friesen, turned his love for travel into what would become Walking Adventures International. Since then, we’ve journeyed across all 7 continents, sharing unforgettable walking experiences with so many of you along the way. 🌍👣
Now, after 37 incredible years, Dan is passing the torch—and it couldn’t be going to a more passionate, capable leader: our very own Scott Isom, alongside the inspiring Hugo Palma and his team at Borealis. 🙌
We’re calling this new era WAI 2.0 – a continuation of the legacy, filled with fresh energy, big dreams, and the same heart for meaningful, joyful travel. 💫
📬 This message was part of our most recent email update to the WAI community—if you missed it, you can catch up with the article below.
Thanks for being part of this amazing journey. We truly couldn’t have done it without you. ❤️
What started in 1989 as one man’s post-retirement passion has grown into a globe-spanning legacy of exploration. From George Friesen’s early tours through Europe to walking adventures on all seven continents, Walking Adventures International (WAI) has spent over three decades creating unforgetta...
16/06/2025
🌍✈️ Postcard from Norway!
Our adventurers have kicked off our Norwegian journey in style!
We began in beautiful Bergen, exploring colorful harbors, historic wooden buildings, and the medieval charm of the old Hanseatic wharf. 🏘️
We've cruised fjords like locals on a high-speed ferry, landing in peaceful Frøya Island, where cozy fishing villages and sea views stole the show. In the tiny hamlet of Davik, our local guide Rogier shared his hometown with sweeping views over Nordfjord and a warm welcome.
Highlights so far? Hiking high above the legendary Geiranger Fjord—a UNESCO World Heritage site—then cruising through its dramatic S-curve by ferry, surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
We've also walked along the shores of a lake shaped by two historic tsunamis, visited a glacier deep in the valley, and picnicked with views straight out of a postcard.
📍 Tonight, we’re relaxing in Stryn, where we’ve earned some downtime (and maybe a waffle or two).
📸 Stay tuned—more fjords, folklore, and fun await as our Norwegian saga continues!
06/06/2025
👣“Walking is good for solving problems. It’s like the feet are little psychiatrists.” – Pepper Giardino
Did your week feel like a bit of a rollercoaster 🎢 – if so, you're not alone. Let your feet do the therapy for a change — lace up those sneakers, take a stroll, clear your mind, and welcome the weekend. 👟
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Our Story
Small is Better!
Walking Adventures International (WAI) is a small travel company based in Vancouver, Washington offering travel programs on all 7 continents. We have offered walking tours as the optimal way to connect with the world since 1989. We are dedicated to providing meaningful experiences around the world. We promote lifelong learning and provide a superior, customized product with a focus on customer service. Many of our clients keep coming back; any given tour is comprised of at least 50% repeat travelers.
Original and Personalized
WAI creates each tour from scratch! We do not purchase pre-packaged programs from other travel companies. New trips involve months of planning, including on-site research to plan walks, review hotels, and handcraft the schedule for each day. Subsequent editions of these trips are refreshed with research from our office and collaboration with in-country guides and suppliers.
More Guides
We send two WAI tour leaders on each trip. International trips also benefit from in-country guides. Typically a national guide is with the group from the time they arrive until the day they depart. Local guides also make cameo appearances to add commentary and share insights.
Nature Walks and More!
We’re convinced that walking is the best way to see the world. We love nature walks and off the beaten path experiences, but great cities of the world have much to share as well. We blend sightseeing and educational excursions in urban settings, traditional and cultural connections in rural areas, as well as natural wonders of the great outdoors to provide a holistic understanding of our destination.
Different Schedule Each Year
We cover the globe—all 7 continents! But every year we offer a different menu of tours based upon client input. Thus, each year the schedule is full of fresh travel experiences. This adds an element of customization—each tour is refreshed and revisited every time we travel. The traveler benefits from our expertise, our past experience, and the invaluable input of our in-country guides and suppliers. But because each trip is essentially a new tour, it doesn’t feel canned or scripted. Authenticity is one of our core travel values!
