Four professional agencies to help you design your dream trip. By Sharon Kaserer and Kevalin Athayu.

When it comes to one’s hard-won holiday time, only the best should suffice. So why settle for the run of the mill package tours that leaves you feeling like one of the herd? Boutique travel agencies attempt to offer a more personal solution to all your travel needs. Be it personalized special interest tours, trips to exotic secret locations, or action-packed holidays. We look at four operators that aim to satisfy the most fastidious of travelers.

Connecting Asia

29/F, I.T.F. Bldg., 160/730 Silom Rd., 02-233-4255. www.connecting-asia.com.

Best for: Those who like to be the boss.

What: Connecting Asia is all about being different. Take things into your own hands by personalizing your itinerary down to the finest detail. Whether it’s a family vacation, a romantic getaway for two, or an “off the beaten track” adventure they’ll make sure you get nothing short of a once in a lifetime experience.

Destinations: Asian countries with a strong Buddist heritage.

Sample Itinerary: Nothing comes pre-packaged. You get your say in everything from travel dates to where you stay, what you do, to where you eat. As each trip is so intensely personalized, it is difficult to give a price, but let’s just say that it won’t come cheap… Recently, they offered a five-day, four-night package to witness Prince Jigme’s coronation ceremony in Bhutan for B64,000.

Hyper Venture

5/F, Thip Thani Condominium, Soi Ong Lam, Bang Na-Trad Rd., 02-746-8921.
www.hyperventure.com.

Best for: Outdoor warriors, always searching for that next adventure.

What: With an emphasis on fun, variety and action, Venture Travel capitalizes on the rising popularity of adrenaline-fueled holidays. Thrill seekers can choose from caving, canoeing, hiking and rock climbing to get the blood pumping. If you want to take things a step further then you can indulge in extras like night-climbing and canyon trips.

Destinations: From Saraburi’s Muak Lek to Mokuju Peak in Kamphaeng Phet, the action spans the length and breadth of the Kingdom, which gives you the chance to discover some of the country’s hidden gems. They also offer the option to rent climbing walls for private and corporate use, in case your holiday leaves you with spidey-like desires. They also have beginners rock climbing and kayaking courses.

Sample itinerary: B950 per person gets you a day-trip canyoning, a visit to a waterfall and other ‘fun’ activities that involve hurtling through the leafy canopy in Prayayen, Saraburi. For a longer experience full of thrills, the two-day and one-night Tipuchae Cave exploration package in Kanchanaburi costs B3,200 per person including transport from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.

Intrepid Travel

2 Sam Sen Soi 2, Pra Nakorn, 02-282-2863. www.intrepidtravel.com.

Best for: Tree-huggers and free-spirited travelers who want to globetrot with a clean conscience.

What: Started in Australia, this eco-orientated boutique travel agency is a poster-child for responsible yet fun group-oriented tourism. Mindful of varying preferences and budgets, there are ten different styles of travel that cover all sorts of interests—for instance, those insisting on three-star accommodation (“intrepid comfort”); those who love roughing it (“intrepid basix” or “intrepid overland”) and even those traveling with children (“intrepid family”).

Destinations: A selection of over 300 different trips to more than 90 destinations. There are even “special” choices for the discerning, such as Artic Circle tours and “quirky accommodations” that may include nights spent in an underground Australian motel or in Chilean stargazing domes.

Sample itinerary: Take in sights and sounds of tropical Cuba with the Rum and Rumba package that takes in the best of the tiny island in 15 days, with prices starting at B42,000. For the more gastronomically-inclined, the 14-day Food Lovers Japan package (from B99,400) lets you sample the best in food from the Land of the Rising Sun. Another option is the eight-day Serengeti Trail package, which takes you through Tanzania and Kenya in a 4WD Safari vehicle (starting from B35,000).

SpiceRoads

14/1-B Soi Promsi 2, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-712-5305. www.spiceroads.com.

Best for: Amateur to iron-thighed bikers and outdoor fans wanting to enjoy Southeast Asian vistas at a more leisurely pace.

What: SpiceRoads offers trips for cyclists of all levels with tours varying in length from one day to over two weeks. Customized packages can also be tailored to your specific needs. “On the road” trips are there for bikers who like to keep things on the tarmac.

Destinations: Whether your dream destination is the Khao Yai Wine Trails or the Malaysian Peninsula, SpiceRoads promises to get you there under your own steam. Biking routes are carefully planned to keep you safe without sacrificing breathtaking views and visits to key sites. Supplies of iced water, snacks, even cold towels keep you energized, while support vehicles are on hand to carry your kit and let you rest those tired legs.

Sample Itinerary: The eight-day-trip in Bali offers a chance to swim in the Toyah Bungkah Hot Springs and a visit to the two highest volcanoes on the island. As you bike along the coast, witness some of the island’s most pristine beaches. Plenty of off-saddle time means you can also try scuba diving and explore what lies below the shimmering turquoise water. The price of B37,500 per person includes accommodation, bike rental, and most meals.