About Headwater Active Holidays

Headwater has specialised in self‑guided active holidays since 1985, offering over 40 years of expertise in creating itineraries with luggage transfers, hand‑picked accommodations, and our Headwater Navigation App. Unlike generic tour operators, our routes are enriched with scenic viewpoints, cultural stops, and local insights - not just GPS directions. We're also a certified B Corporation, meaning we're independently verified as meeting high standards of social and environmental performance. With ABTA (Y0751) and ATOL (2582) protection, plus a 4.9/5 Feefo rating, we deliver the reassurance and quality discerning travellers expect.

Yes. Headwater is a proud ABTA member (No. Y0751) and ATOL protected (No. 2582) for all flight-inclusive holidays. This means that you can book in confidence knowing that your money and your holiday are fully protected should the travel company or airline cease trading before or during your holiday. This financial protection means you would either be refunded or able to complete your trip, including repatriation if required. These are the gold standards of UK travel financial protection, giving you complete peace of mind when you book. To learn more about travel protection, please visit our Booking Conditions page.

A B Corporation (B Corp) is a certification awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. As a certified B Corp, Headwater is independently verified as using business as a force for good. This means we're committed to sustainable practices, supporting local communities, and continuously improving our impact. We partner with organisations like World Bicycle Relief (providing bikes to rural communities in Uganda) and Rewilding Apennines (restoring 100 square metres of Italian wilderness for every guest who travels). For travellers, it's a trusted signal that your holiday supports positive environmental and social outcomes. Learn more about our sustainability commitments.

As Headwater is part of the Exodus Adventure Travels family, we have a shared Vision and Purpose:

VISION:
Be the world’s leading small group and self-guided adventure travel company.

PURPOSE:
Enriching lives through travel by creating extraordinary adventures and supporting people and nature to thrive.

Headwater welcomes more than 6,000 travellers annually across our portfolio of 300+ trips in 35 countries. Our customers consistently rate us highly: 95% say they would travel with us again, and we hold a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Feefo, earning the Platinum Trusted Service Award for consecutive years. Many of our guests have been travelling with us for decades - some for over 30 years - demonstrating the lasting trust and satisfaction our service delivers. You can read verified customer reviews on our Feefo page or explore customer stories to see why travellers choose Headwater time and again.

We offer active holidays across six continents: UK & Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. Our trip styles include self‑guided walking holidays, self‑guided cycling holidays (including e‑bike options), cross‑country skiing, canoeing, multi‑activity trips, pilgrimages, private‑guided cultural tours, and independent cultural tours. Whether you're exploring the Italian Dolomites, the Camino de Santiago, Japan's cultural heartland, or New Zealand's South Island, every itinerary is designed for comfort, cultural immersion, and memorable experiences. Browse our full range of walking holidays, cycling holidays, and specialist trips.

The Headwater Navigation App is our GPS tool, available on self‑guided trips. Unlike standard navigation apps, our routes are expertly curated and enriched with scenic viewpoints, cultural points of interest, local recommendations, and authentic experiences - not just turn‑by‑turn directions. The app works offline, so you can explore with confidence even in remote areas. It's part of our commitment to delivering self‑guided freedom with expert support - one reason customers rate us so highly. To see the app in action, watch our video guide or download a sample route.

Absolutely. While our holidays are active, they're designed to be accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of fitness levels and ages. Many are seeking cultural depth, comfort and meaningful travel rather than extreme adventure. We provide clear activity grading for every trip, so you can choose routes that match your ability and pace. There is no upper age limit, though we may ask additional health questions for guests over 80 to ensure your safety and enjoyment. Our luggage transfer service, hand‑picked accommodations, and 24/7 support mean you can focus on the experience, not the logistics. For guidance on choosing the right trip, please explore our activity grading system or speak to our expert travel consultants.

Headwater was founded in 1985 by Richard and Christine Bass in Northwich, Cheshire, beginning with a single canoeing holiday on the Loire Valley. Over 40 years, we've grown into a specialist leader in self‑guided active holidays, while maintaining our focus on quality, expertise, and customer care. Today, Headwater is part of the Travelopia Group, a global portfolio of 19 specialist travel brands supported by colleagues across six continents, all united by a mission to create unique, meaningful travel experiences. This combination gives you the personal service of a specialist operator with the strength and global expertise of a leading travel group. Our headquarters remain in Northwich, North-West England, where our passionate team designs every itinerary.