The Company

Our story
Established in 1989 by Dimiter Popov, Penguin Travel rose as a trailblazing travel agency in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. Dimiter's vision was to showcase the beauty of off-the-beaten-path destinations to Danish travellers. The company started out offering destinations like Russia, which had just opened to Western travellers, Mongolia and a few countries in Africa and the Middle East. You can learn more about his story and those first years of the agency here. 

Over the years, we have added more than 100 destinations and over 15 types of tours to our portfolio. We also started operating on the international market and to date, we have had clients from over 30 countries from all around the globe.

But one thing remained the same: we are still guided by our restless exploration drive in everything we do. Our focus continues to be on off-the-beaten-path destinations and we strive to make small-group adventure travel affordable to more people.

Our tours
We specialize in offering tours in six main categories:

  • cultural roundtrips to off-the-beaten-path destinations
  • self-guided trekking and cycling tours in Europe
  • guided trekking and cycling tours in Europe
  • horseriding holidays
  • mountaineering expeditions
  • African safaris

You can see our best-seller tours in these categories here.

Our team
Operating from offices in Denmark and Bulgaria, our small team comprises avid travellers committed to discovering and appreciating the diverse cultures and locales we come across. Learn more about our team here.

Our partners
We believe in forging strong partnerships that share our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and a passion for travel. We are partnering with various booking platforms and travel associations with a strong focus on delivering high-quality travel experiences like Tour Radar, where we were awarded a Golden Badge. (Badges are awarded based on an operator's overall performance and traveller feedback across all of their adventures. It recognises those operators who have received highly-rated verified reviews from TourRadar travellers, a great tour score, high response times for all enquiries, and most importantly, high customer satisfaction.)

We are also a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association - the largest global network of adventure travel leaders.

Responsible travel
At Penguin Travel, we strive to be an ethical travel company committed to sustainable and responsible tourism practices. We do that by keeping our groups small and prioritize the employment of local guides, thus fostering a deep connection between our travellers and the communities they explore. By choosing to stay in local hotels, we aim to immerse our clients in the authentic charm of the destinations while simultaneously supporting the growth of local businesses.

What people say about us:
You can read verified reviews about our services on the below pages and platforms:

How to stay in touch with us?
The best way to stay up to date with our new programs, the status of scheduled tours, and promotions, is to sign up for our newsletter here. We send emails once or twice per week with new tours and status updates.
You can also follow us on social media: Instagram/Facebook

Penguin Travel is a fully bonded tour operator with license РК-01-7272 and your trip is protected through our Euroins insurance against insolvency 03700100005133.

Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), guaranteed departures 740 , 8 Days

Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), guaranteed departures

A unique mountain hike above the clouds in the highest mountains on The Balkan...
The Lure of Central America 1740 , 13 Days

The Lure of Central America

Embark on an incredible adventure through Central America, where the vibrant cultures of El...
Behind the curtain of the spiritual Islam: A glance of Saudi Arabia 2240 , 8 Days

Behind the curtain of the spiritual Islam: A glance of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the most enigmatic places to visit in the Middle East - a blend of...

View all» What people say about us

Great
Penguin Travel on Trust Pilot
Based on 86 reviews
Trust Pilot
Binky's Review Verified review Verified
Great caucus Explorer trip
Caucus Explorer( Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan ) was a great trip . Even though our Van is fully...
Beth, 5 May
Daniel's review Verified review Verified
8 day Caucasus trip
5/5 for the Caucasus trip in apr/may 2024. Everything was well planned and executed.
Haris, 3 May
Maribeth's review Verified review Verified
Excellent and Amazing Tour
Excellent tour. My highlight of the tour is Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid and more places. I like the itinerary...
Arnold, 6 April
View all»

Blog

14.02.2025 11:50

Everything you need to know about travelling to Cameroon and Central African Republic: Essential travel information (Q&A with our tour leader)

We just got back from an unforgettable journey through Cameroon and the Central African Republic, and we’re still buzzing from the experience. It was an adventure in the truest sense - bouncing along remote dirt roads in sturdy 4x4s, deep in the Central African rainforest, where every turn reveals something incredible—lush green landscapes, curious children running out to greet us,...


12.02.2025 07:47

Into the Heart of Africa: A Journey Through the Central African Republic

Some places pull you in with their beauty, others with their mystery. The Central African Republic (CAR) does both. It’s not a country you stumble into—it’s a place you choose, a place that challenges and rewards in equal measure. Our journey took us through its bustling capital, deep into the jungle, across colonial relics, and to breathtaking waterfalls, but more than...


24.01.2025 06:56

Îles du Salut, French Guiana: Paradise with a Past (What You Need to Know About Visitng the Islands)

Just off the coast of French Guiana, the Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands) shimmer like emerald jewels in the Atlantic, enticing travelers with their beauty and enigmatic past. The name might suggest refuge, but for most who came here, salvation was the furthest thing from reality. The islands were so named because they offered a safe haven from the deadly diseases that ravaged French Guiana's...


22.01.2025 08:09

Kaieteur Falls: Exploring Guyana’s Majestic Wonder (Facts, Legends and Practical Information for Visiting the Falls)

Nestled deep in the pristine rainforest of Guyana, Kaieteur Falls is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world. Cascading 741 feet (226 meters) from the Potaro River into a gorge below, it’s not only one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls globally but also one of the most mesmerizing. Whether you're drawn by its sheer scale, lush surroundings, or the sense of untouched...