Bike Riders Tours, Berkeley CA

I have had the privilege of working with Backroads as their Ground Handler in Bhutan for over 20 years now, and let me tell you, they sure know how to provide an adventure of a lifetime!

Backroads guests have come in all shapes and sizes, young and old, working professionals and retirees, families and solo travelers, you name it! And what makes each of my experiences exciting is meeting and connecting with people from many different countries, from all walks of life coming together to explore the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan through Backroads tours in Bhutan.

Whether it's rafting down rapids in Punakha, biking through lush valleys or hiking up to sacred monasteries, the Backroads team of Trip Experts, Tour Leaders and local Bhutanese guides are well-versed with the local terrain and culture, making each tour a truly immersive experience.

What sets Backroads apart is their attention to detail and their unwavering focus on the comfort and safety of their guests.

This was my second trip with Backroads.

I completed the Taste of the Camino hiking tour in October 2023. My trip was exceptional. I loved our itinerary, where we stayed, and the ability to select a daily pace that suited me. Our trip leaders were amazing people in their own right and performed their jobs flawlessly.

I just got a thank you back from their “Guest Focus Coordinator” and I have to say, I am very impressed with her note. Quite detailed, it captured my feedback exactly and it notes how the company is addressing two incredibly small things that I wish were different. I mean small.i. E. A dining room that was loud because, well, it’s in a CASTLE and sound bounces off stone. Every restaurant in DC is loud so this is nothing new. But they asked so I answered and their response assured me they would take my feedback and see how they could improve the experience. Whether they can make a change to a place they don’t even own is not the point. The point is that they do something with the feedback they’re given. That’s unusual. Mostly people ask just to ask, in my experience. The fact they will internalize this is what makes them special, even when it’s ridiculously menial.

I’m telling this because it is how I know this company is truly exceptional. They design amazing trips, hire overqualified people who are smart, funny, nice, accommodating and resourceful. They ask for feedback and actually act on it.

They are def not the cheapest but they are worth every penny imo. I would book with them again and again, as long as my body can fulfill what my mind says I can do and what their trips have to offer.

I’m very positively impressed by them and how they run their company. It makes me think about how I can replicate their practices in my own company.

They try very hard to give each person an amazing experience and they deliver. Hands down.

Tremendous Company. I've done 7 trips with them including biking, multisport and, most recently, hiking in Tuscany. Guides are the best! Itineraries, lodging and food always exceptional. Highly recommend.

It's good for upscale tours. If you are looking for a real bicycle touring experience this won't cut it.
Pampered is great but you can't transform yourself like that. Also most employees are not the adventure guide type. They are upscale and that's ok. Also disappointed in your refund policy for sick and dying humans. Shame

Great bike touring company. Had a wonderful time cycling from Prague to Vienna. I’m 47 and I was the youngest person on the trip and one of only 3 singles. Most people were over 60 and used e-bikes. Ideally more people would have been on regular bikes and in my age group. Not much Backroads can do about that but it is something to be aware of when considering booking with them.

My experience with backroads has been very disappointing. After having several people tell me how fantastic they are, my girlfriend and I took the plunge and booked a trip to Patagonia through them. After receiving our confirmation, we booked non refundable flights down to Argentina. So far so good, right? Not so fast. 2 months later, we get an email saying the trip is cancelled. Their accommodation was to offer us either the same trip on different dates which don't work for us (non refundable flights and also due to other other engagements) or to offer us a nominal discount on a more expensive trip leaving on the same dates. To add insult to injury, no one will call me back to help resolve this. Going forward, we will be booking with other operators and strongly advise you to do the same. Proceed with caution!

Please let me know who I should be asking for or provide an extension where I can reach you

Update: the situation has been resolved to everyone's satisfaction, thank you!

We have done one Backroads trip and it was one of the best trips we have taken. Customer service is excellent.

My parents-in-law booked a tour, but right before the tour, my mother-in-law tested positive covid, she has a serious lung issue that doctor does not suggest her to travel, we are calling to discuss alternative plan to make up over $10,000 trip expense, but the company agency has no flexibility since they do not buy travel insurance. They seems not care about the health condition of the customers, we will keep following up and hope there is a solution.

What kind of travel/tour company doesn't know gas station etiquette? Took up half the pumps of my towns busiest gas station for half an hour even after they were done getting gas. You get gas and then leave the pump for things like talking and getting snacks. Pahrump NV, march 26th @9am if yall are wondering which group in specific

We just finished our 4th Backroads biking trip and continue to be blown away. We loved all of them but this one was somehow even better. The scenery, quality of the biking, the introduction to the local culture and the extraordinary leaders seemed better than ever. And what other things in our world in 2022 are “better than ever”? I dare say very few. Backroads gave us a life-changing vacation and at the same time gave us back our optimism. THAT is a vacation. Just knowing that we as human beings are producing people as knowledgeable, fun, thoughtful and professional as our Backroads guides gives us hope. Thank you, Backroads.

I’ve always thought this was a great idea for a company. While I’ve never taken one of their tours, I ran into them again near one of my random adventures to a new spot. I almost tagged along but they are more about pavement than single track.

Canadian Rockies “walking” and hiking tour has virtually no less difficult options. This trip was a complete disappointment. Pack your own sandwich and water and hike straight up a mountain each day for 5-6 hours. No culture but of course beautiful scenery. Very difficult hikes even for a physically fit 59 year old. Impossible to reach the company it took a month to get ahold of someone to complain.

I am posting this on my son's account as my review has mysteriously disappeared. We had a much less than desirable experience on a Backroads Costa Rica tour. We were forced to leave the excursion only after 2 days due to one of the other guests contracting Covid. Despite CDC guidelines stating that anyone exposed should wear masks for 10 days and be tested on day 5, neither of these protocols were followed. We were told mask wearing was still optional and that no testing would be performed, despite being told incorrectly on multiple occasions that CDC protocols were being followed. Upon return home, our phone calls and a customer review requesting a call from Backroads were not returned. This was not a premium experience despite the premium price. I would consider another provider such as VBT. We travel internationally 3 times a year and found our experience very disappointing.

Very disappointed. We were getting ready for our Nova Scotia ride when my wife suffered a heart attack four weeks before the tour was to start. Her doctor said she absolutely could not ride for at least a few months. We called Backroads and asked if we could get a refund—No, since it was less than a month before the start of the tour. We understood. And we didn’t have insurance—a mistake on our part. But could we reschedule when my wife is fully recovered? No, we were told by Backroads. Tough luck. Our $7000 is now theirs. We’re still hoping for resolution to this because we really want to go, but in the meantime, we’re wondering, Is this really a good way to run a business?