User:Bitterroot01

Adventure Life is an adventure travel company that provides private and small-group tours in Latin America and small-ship cruises throughout the world. They offer over a 100 different itineraries in South America & Central America, and hundreds of small ship cruises to less conventional destinations such as Africa, the Arctic, Antarctica and Alaska.

Their focus is nature, cultural, and active travel and they apply ecotourism principles to their tour and cruise programs (ecotourism). Most trips have a maximum group size of 12, and the average size is 8. Since their founding in 1999, over 16,000 clients have traveled with the company.

Adventure Life is registered in the State of Montana as ALJ, Inc., and they do business as Adventure Life Journeys and Adventure Life VOYAGES.

History
Adventure Life was founded by Brian Morgan in 1999. Morgan was working as a consultant in Quito for CARE in the late 1990s, but decided to return home to Montana. While applying for jobs in Montana, Morgan planned a group tour back to Ecuador and promoted it locally. This experience made him recognize that guided tours were a service in demand, and a niche industry that his own travel experiences and Ecuadorian connections had prepared him to explore further.

Time line:

- 1999: Adventure Life launches in February with Spanish language study-trips, internships, and tours to Peru and Ecuador. Office is initially located in Havre, Montana. Morgan hires first staff member. First year of business, Adventure Life has fewer than 100 travelers.

- 2000: Company decides to focus on offering tours only, and no longer provides Spanish language study-trips, or internships. Office moves from Havre, and settles in Missoula, Montana. By the end of 2000, company hires 4 full-time staff members. Establishes a partner office in Lima, Peru.

- 2001: Adds tours to Bolivia, Costa Rica and Belize. Establishes a second partner office in Quito, Ecuador. The company moves from Morgan's home into it's first office.

- 2003: Adds Chile, Argentina, Patagonia and Guatemala to list of destinations. Moves into a new office building, their current location.

- 2005: Adventure Life starts sending travelers on expedition cruises to Antarctica

- 2006: Panama is added to list of destinations. Partners with Rainforest Alliance's Best Management Practices in Sustainable Tourism Program.

- 2007: Company launches Adventure Life VOYAGES, which provide small-ship cruises throughout the world. During 2007, Adventure Life provides trips for over 3500 travelers.

- 2008: Ads the Falkland Islands. Company launches an online community forum offering client Trip Journals - system utilizes the services of Google Maps.

Responsible Travel
Galapagos Conservation Fundraising

Adventure Life is an active member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, (IGTOA). The president of Adventure Life, Brian Morgan, is also currently the president of IGTOA. In Nov. 2006, IGTOA they launched a Galapagos traveler-funding program for island conservation, and Adventure Life was one of the first members to adopt this initiative. A voluntary donation is added to all of Adventure Life's Galapagos travelers’ invoices. 40% of this donation goes to IGTOA and 60% goes to the Charles Darwin Foundation. Dollar for dollar, Adventure Life matches these donations with travel vouchers for future trips with their company. As of June 2008, Adventure Life’s travelers have raised nearly $40,000 for island conservation.

IGTOA supports program in the Galapagos that include both Conservation and Professional Standards. Conservation funding is for projects that directly impact issues like introduced species, patrol of the park, and scientific research. Professional Standards relates to boat safety; passenger care; training and treatment of captains and crew members; guide training; educating travelers on conservation issues; and other issues relating to health, safety, and the rights and responsibilities of both travelers and tourist industry personnel.

The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) has carried out research for the conservation of the Galapagos ecosystem for almost 50 years. They have been a leader in conservation science and the practical application of information gained and lessons learned in Galapagos, and are one the most respected non-profit research organization currently in operation.

Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC)

The CTTC is a non-profit organization established in 1996 to aid in the survival of Incan textile traditions and to provide support to weaving communities. Working with the Center, Quechua weavers and their families in the region of the former Incan capitol are engaged in skills-building, community networking and market development. By researching and documenting complex styles and techniques of the ancestors, the Center helps to ensure that 2,000 year-old textiles traditions will not be lost to future generations. Adventure Life provides an annual donation to the CTTC, and incorporates visits to the center for all of its Peru itineraries that spend time in the Cusco region.

Awards
- 2008 Employer of Choice winner, Missoula Job Service Employer's Council

- 2007 Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth, National Geographic Adventure

- 2007 Best in Travel Class, Transitions Abroad

- 2007 Trip of the Year, Outside Magazine - 2006 Green List Honoree, Conde Nast Traveler

- 2006 Best Trips, Outside Magazine

Media References
Adventure Life has been featured in major publications such as USA Today      , The New York Times , National Geographic Adventure, Outside Magazine  , ForbesLife and Conde Nast Traveler.