Welcome back to travel!

“Now more than ever, making real connections matters. Bonds forged with others–whether friends, family, or fellow adventurers–add vibrancy and a depth of experience to our lives. So too does our relationship with the natural world. For more than 53 years, Mountain Travel Sobek has opened the world up to travelers interested in connecting with new places, people, and cultures in a meaningful way. We’ve built our reputation on relationships–those we have with our worldwide network of guides and experts, those we have with you, our guests, and those we have with our planet.”
Massimo P.
MT Sobek President & CEO
Our Story
The Pioneers of Adventure Travel
In 1969, three intrepid mountaineer-explorers, Leo Le Bon, Allen Steck, and Barry Bishop, came up with a then-radical idea: to create a business out of their incurable wanderlust for global adventure, sharing backcountry wilderness trips to remote areas where foot travel was the only means of access. Their venture was called Mountain Travel and with it, the business of “adventure travel” was born. Around the same time, Richard Bangs, Lew Greenwald, and John Yost were rafting the first descents of rivers across the globe. In 1973 they formed Sobek Expeditions—an international rafting company named after the ancient Egyptian god of crocodiles.
For the next two decades, each flourished on its own—earning world-renown as a leader in the adventure travel industry. In 1991, the two companies joined forces, becoming Mountain Travel Sobek, offering the world’s single largest selection of active adventure journeys across the globe.
In 2019, MT Sobek turned 50 and our deep passion for adventure is as strong today as it was in ’69. We are proud of our adventure travel legacy and thankful to our founders, guides, and intrepid guests who have helped craft the adventure company of today.


Traveling the World for Over 53 Years!
This is where adventure travel began! Since our first Everest Base Camp trek in 1969, we’ve been connecting adventurers to the world through genuine, active, and immersive experiences. We can’t think of anything more fulfilling than being outside and going deep into nature, exploring hidden places, and getting to know local people. It’s what we love to do, so let us share it with you.
To feed your spirit of adventure, Mountain Travel Sobek offers a wide range of unique and perfectly-paced itineraries led by incredible local guides. We keep groups small, usually fewer than 10 people, and seek out great food and characterful accommodations everywhere we go. Beyond the seamless logistics and careful attention to detail, our aim is to create a space for truly special moments in unforgettable places.
We are the Adventure Company—come explore with us.
Our Timeline
Explore the exciting history of Mountain Travel Sobek from 1969 to the present day. Our pioneering firsts include the first Galapagos sailing cruise for the Sierra Club, the first descent of the Bio Bio River in Chile, and fields the first commercial cross-country ski expedition to the South Pole.
Ask an Expert
We want you to have the best adventure, so don’t hesitate to call our expert team of adventure specialists at 800-974-0300 to learn more. Or click the button to use our online contact form.