What is an ABSORBtour's® trip?

The 1980's were the dawn of the eco-tour. The 1990's began the age of the adventure-tour. In the 21st century, we bring to you the ABSORBtour's® experience.

An ABSORBtour's® excursion is travel for the soul, travel for the heart and travel for the mind. When we say "journeys into the soul of a destination®" we mean it.

At ABSORBtours® we are dedicated to creating customized, private tours for the independent traveler with special interests. We offer a select few destinations: Asia/Pacific - Borneo, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea; South America - Bolivia and Brazil.

We believe that our concept of travel is shared by others who know what type of experience they want, but cannot find a company both knowledgeable enough and fully committed to meet their very personalized needs.

You will not be a tourist-observer on an ABSORBtour's® trip; you will be a traveler-absorber. Absorb the cultures of Borneo, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea. Absorb the history of ancient Cambodia; absorb the art of the craftspeople of Bolivia and Malaysia. Absorb the pulsating rhythm and exotic wildlife of Brazil. You will come home with the most memorable and lasting souvenir of travel-the spirit of kinship with the peoples of these magical lands.

Your ABSORBtour's® journey is meticulously planned for you by our company’s founder, Richard C. Bell. The specific itinerary is based upon a comprehensive discussion with you about your interests, your needs and your choices.

Whether your interests are culture, history, nature, art, crafts, anthropology or any other special interest, we will ensure that your customized itinerary meets your demands.

As President of ABSORBtours®, Richard has fostered personal relationships with experienced local land operators and many local guides. Your tour guides are chosen for their ability to communicate the uniqueness of their people. Learn about rich cultures from guides who are locals raised in the traditions of their lands.

Richard has experienced Borneo, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Bolivia and Brazil the ABSORBtour's® way so that your trip will become a "journey into the soul of a destination®".

If your interest is ancient culture, you will not visit a Borneo longhouse created for tourists, but you will sleep overnight in a real, working longhouse where the relics of tribal ancestry surround you throughout.

Your ABSORBtour's® guide will not merely arrange for you to see a performance of the world-renowned water puppets in Hanoi, but he will take you to meet with a water puppet- maker at a small water puppet "workshop" and experience the craft behind the art form.


For devoteés of weaving, you will not merely watch a traditional weaving demonstration in Bolivia, you will be invited to participate in lessons from village masters so that you can absorb the delicate creative process, not just observe it.

Lovers of wildlife and nature will not merely visit the Amazon or the Pantanal, they will fish in its waters for piranha and trek through its jungles in search of wildlife, rare birds, and the surviving villagers of the rainforest.

These are just a few examples of what ABSORBtours® can do for you. Since all of our tours are private and customized, the possibilities for creating a truly memorable journey are endless.

Some of our offerings include the following special interests: Culinary lessons, puppet-making, cultural immersion, ancient arts and crafts, exotic wedding ceremonies, kite-making, birdwatching, festival tours, anthropological expeditions, profession-specific tours (e.g. for physicians, professors, etc.) and many, many more.

At points of your journey, you may want to unwind on idyllic beaches, relax in a cool mountain retreat or shop for the unusual in exotic cities. We offer these options as well.

You may travel as a couple, alone, as a family, as a self-formed group from a university or corporation, or as a group of friends. THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

Our passion for ABSORBtours®’ journeys is as boundless as your enthusiasm to experience this unique form of travel. Come join us in our search to make passionate travelers realize their travel desires and to foster real understanding among peoples of different cultures.

In the new millennium, although technology connects the peoples of the world through text messages, e-mail, faxes and cell phones, ABSORBtours® brings the peoples of the world a little bit closer-person to person.


At ABSORBtours®, we look forward to planning your "journey into the soul of a destination®".