Private Trip Planning for the Curious, Well-Traveled Explorer

A service for the most seasoned travelers who want to discover places in ways they never have before.

Apply for private trip planning

Learn more about why we are application only under “How the Process Works”

  • Private Trip Planning with El Camino is not about outsourcing logistics—it’s about designing a journey with intention.

    We work with travelers who already know how to travel, but want something deeper: more context, better access, and experiences that feel considered rather than packaged. Every trip is custom-built around how you move through the world—your pace, curiosities, and priorities—not a preset route or list of highlights.

    This is experiential design, not trip assembly.

  • Private Trip Planning with El Camino is application-based.

    Before any planning begins, travelers must apply so we can determine whether we’re a good fit for your travel style, expectations, and needs. This step is intentional—it ensures alignment on both sides and allows us to do our best work.

    Once accepted, we begin with a detailed consultation to understand your travel history, interests, rhythm, and non-negotiables.

    From there, we design a complete, full-service itinerary that includes:

    • Thoughtfully selected accommodations

    • Vetted local guides and fixers

    • Cultural, creative, and people-led experiences

    • All on-the-ground logistics

    Flights are not included.

    We design trips holistically, not à la carte. Because each journey is custom-built through long-standing relationships, we do not provide itemized pricing. This allows us to manage logistics seamlessly, protect our partners, and focus on quality rather than transactions.

  • We do not work on commission.

    Our recommendations are not influenced by preferred supplier lists, kickbacks, or incentives. We operate on a flat-fee model so decisions are made based on what’s right for you, not what benefits us behind the scenes. This is why we do not do à la carte planning and only focus on trips we design end to end.

    We also intentionally limit the number of private trips we take on each year. That’s how we stay deeply involved, responsive, and thoughtful at every stage of the process.

  • Who This Is For

    This service is best suited for travelers who:

    • Have traveled extensively and want something more nuanced

    • Value access, context, and cultural depth

    • Enjoy collaboration and trust the creative process

    • Care how a place is experienced—not just where they stay

    • Prefer quality over volume

    If you’re looking for a quick turnaround, a rigid checklist, or the cheapest option available, this won’t be the right fit.

  • Private itineraries begin at $450 per person per day, including accommodations, and scale based on destination, season, and level of experience. Flights are not included.

    We ask for budget parameters upfront—not to limit possibility, but to ensure the trip we design is realistic, thoughtful, and aligned with your expectations.

  • El Camino is intentionally small by design. That’s what allows us to go deep—both with our travelers and with the local partners we work alongside.

    The result isn’t just a well-planned trip.
    It’s a journey that feels personal, considered, and genuinely different from anything you’ve done before.

  • We can plan trips almost anywhere in the world.

    After a decade in the industry, we’ve built an extensive global network of guides, fixers, creatives, and hospitality partners that align with our style of travel—curious, culturally grounded, and experience-led. This allows us to design journeys across a wide range of destinations while maintaining the level of care and depth El Camino is known for.

    That said, we’re selective.

    If we don’t feel confident that we can design a trip that meets our standards—or one we would genuinely want to travel on ourselves—we’ll tell you. In those cases, we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction, whether that’s another expert, operator, or resource better suited to your needs.

    We’d rather say no than deliver something that feels compromised.