About Us

Ker & Downey is a USA-based, award-winning luxury tour operator with over four decades of success in the industry. What sets us apart from all the others is our commitment to experiential travel with luxury journeys that are completely unique, specifically designed for each client’s style and budget.

Each journey is flawlessly arranged to provide the traveler a worry-free experience. Our Ker & Downey Signature Meet and Greet services, incredible private guides, and fabulous properties all combine on every itinerary. We work hard to get to know each and every client and partner with them to design the ultimate itinerary that will be memorable, unforgettable, and even life-changing.

The country lists found on our website ensures clients that we have in-house expertise for those destinations. Each member of our staff travels to these destination on a yearly basis, if not more. With this “white glove” expertise, we can recommend properties, transfers, guide services, and even the best location for lunch. This credibility has been our focal point for over four decades. When we say “talk to an expert”, you can be assured that you are.

Our big, beautiful world belongs to you. Many of our clients request adding destinations that are not in our featured line up of country offerings, so don’t be afraid to ask – we will be happy to make your special arrangements. Take a look at our suggested itineraries on the website. While some choose to follow the exact itinerary, over 80% of our clients enjoy customizing and tweaking to fulfill their own desires. Either way, we are here to help you.

Talk to an expert and contact us today.

Awards and Accolades:

2012

- National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime – Path of the Polynesians
- Ranked No. 4 by Travel + Leisure in the 2012 World’s Best Awards for Top Safari Outfitter
- Travel + Leisure Magazine T+L Trip Pick – Primates of Africa

2011

- Ranked No. 2 by Travel + Leisure in the 2011 World’s Best Awards for Luxury Tour Operator
- National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime – Uncovering Alexander’s Egypt: A Desert and Diving Expedition

2010

- Ranked in the Top Ten by Travel + Leisure in the 2010 World’s Best Awards for Luxury Tour Operator

2009

- Ranked No. 3 by Travel + Leisure in the 2009 World’s Best Awards for Luxury Tour Operator
- National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” – Luxury Category

2008

- National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” – Luxury Category
- National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime – Australian Dreamtime
- Conde Nast’s online magazine Concierge.com “Best Adventure Tour” – Best of Peru
- National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth”

2007

- National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime – Splendors of the Cape
- Luxury Link – “World’s Best Tour Companies”

2006

- National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime – Namibia Explorer
- Outside Magazine’s “Trip of the Year” – Tribes of the Amazon

Ecuador was fantastic we had a terrific time. The whitewater rafting was the highlight (but with tremendous competition from the Galapagos). I am still nursing a sprained ankle but have absolutely no regrets about the whitewater rafting and did not let my ankle keep me back from the rest of the trip.

I enjoyed the fact that the trip itself was so varied and all the guides were great, but a very special thanks to Cecelia. Loved that it included some shopping and art galleries. I was in my element and of course I had to buy a Panama “Ecuador” hat. Hotel Plaza Grande felt like home. They kept giving us the same room and were always so welcoming. Natalie now judges all service by Hotel Plaza Grande standards and no one has been able to come anywhere near their standards. La Mirage was also excellent, accommodating my request for a spa treatment even though it was close to closing time. I loved the little quirky touches, the goldfish in a bowl and the amuse bouche in a music box.

Cuenca was so beautiful and we were able to enjoy the city in the evening. We even joined an open air exercise class one evening. Only wish we had a little more time in Quito but we did have a wonderful evening tour, the restaurant was gorgeous. The visits to the rose farm was a big hit. All those beautiful haciendas with their wonderful chapels. I was able to practice my Spanish and did not do too badly.

Galapagos, what can I say. I snorkeled with sharks, went kayaking, swam with stingrays, walked through a carpet of marine iguanas”, was woken up early to follow whales. We had a lovely group (just ten persons) on the Galapagos Grand Odyssey. The crew decorated the dining area and baked a cake for my birthday. The Galapagos was enjoyable, interesting and relaxing. I definitely have to return.

Thanks for arranging such a wonderful trip. We really had a great time.

Anne C. , Trinidad Tobago