Having the edge
Dublin-based adventure travel company Earth’s Edge is going the extra mile in providing customers with unforgettable experiences in exciting locations
“We are now looking for more adventurous clients and our planned new trips can definitely meet expectations”
James McManus, founder and managing director of adventure travel company Earth’s Edge, says the best part of the job is “seeing people so happy to realise their dream as they successfully complete a huge personal challenge, such as reaching the summit of K2”. He founded the company in 2007, while only 24 years of age, because he wanted other people to share in his lifelong passion for adventure travel.
Based on McManus’ personal experience of working and travelling around the world, the company takes people from Ireland on expeditions in 40 different countries. These adventure holidays include trekking, biking, river and tri-adventure expeditions – all in farflung destinations.
As the only fully licensed adventure travel company in Ireland, family-run Earth’s Edge stands out for bringing an Irish guide and doctor on every trip.
It holds a preparatory weekend for clients in Dublin before a group heads off to climb Kilimanjaro, trek through the Himalayas, or combine trekking, biking and rafting-kayaking in Kenya – just some examples of Earth’s Edge’s organised expeditions.
The company’s philosophy of ‘Explore, Experience, Evolve’ reflects its goal to provide a high-quality, life-changing experience in a safe and fun environment. The service is professional and personal; the company’s five staff were chosen for their passion for adventure and their competence. All of them hold current wilderness first aid certificates. Part of the job for staff includes doing one trip per year themselves to build up their expertise and fully understand customer needs.
The company has an ethos of sustainability: group sizes are low to minimise the environmental impact and to maximise clients’ experiences. McManus himself continues to guide, completing about five or six expeditions each year.
Earth’s Edge does information talks and social media promotions but, tellingly, 40% of sales is return business and referrals. Customers tend to be between the ages of 25 and 45 but may be much older. While most business is from private clients, Earth’s Edge caters for corporate trips and charity events also. This year it is bringing some groups of secondary school students on educational trips such a month-long trip to east Africa.
“We are now looking for more adventurous clients and our planned new trips can definitely meet expectations,” says McManus. “This year we are organising new trips, such as to Mera Peak and Island Peak in Nepal, and we will do our first expedition to the new K2 base camp in Pakistan in 2019.”