Is Steppes Travel a good company to book a luxury trip with?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 4 November 2026
Steppes Travel was founded in 1989 by Nick Laing and is registered in England as Steppes Travel Ltd, of Cirencester. It sells bespoke journeys built from scratch and expert-led group tours. Its Managing Director is Justin Wateridge.
Is Steppes Travel a good company to book a luxury trip with?
It depends on what you need: Steppes Travel suits travellers who want a bespoke trip built from scratch or an expert-led group tour averaging eight to ten people, who can pay a deposit of at least 30% and must hold travel insurance.
What does it sell?
What Steppes Travel's own website says, read 3 November 2026.
- What it sells: Sells bespoke journeys and expert-led group tours. Source
- Bespoke trips: Builds every itinerary from scratch around the traveller's interests and aspirations. Source
- Private charters: Also arranges private charters at sea. Source
- Group size: Its group tours have an average group size of eight to ten people. Source
- Hotels: Its India private tour uses heritage hotels, each chosen for its sense of place and cultural depth. Source
Who is behind it?
What Steppes Travel's own website says, read 3 November 2026.
- Legal entity: Steppes Travel Ltd, of 51 Castle Street, Cirencester, GL7 1QD, is registered in England under number 03307429. Source
- Office: Meets clients face to face in its Cotswolds office. Source
- Founded: Was founded in 1989 on the Great Steppe by Nick Laing. Source
- Management: Justin Wateridge is its Managing Director. Source
- Team: Its team includes former rangers, guides and camp managers who have each explored their specialist countries in detail. Source
- Tour experts: Its tour experts accompany travellers at every step of a group tour. Source
- Local guides: Its Central Anatolia group tour has a local English-speaking guide throughout. Source
How is your money protected?
What Steppes Travel's own website says, read 3 November 2026.
- If it stops trading: If it stopped trading, refunds would come through the ATOL scheme for flight-inclusive holidays or through ABTOT for packages without flights. Source
- ATOL certificate: Clients should check that everything they have booked is listed on their ATOL certificate. Source
- Trust account: Since 2022, money it receives for ATOL-protected bookings has been held in an independent trust account managed by Serenity Trust until clients return from their travels. Source
- ABTOT: ABTOT provides financial protection for Steppes Travel, number 5488, under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 if it becomes insolvent. Source
What are its deposit and payment terms?
What Steppes Travel's own website says, read 3 November 2026.
- Deposit: A deposit of at least 30% of the total booking value is due with the booking form. Source
- Late booking: Booking 12 weeks or less before departure requires full payment at the time of booking. Source
- Balance: The balance is due no less than 12 weeks before scheduled departure. Source
What help is there while you travel?
What Steppes Travel's own website says, read 3 November 2026.
- 24/7 expert: One of its experts is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer questions and change travel plans. Source
- Failure helpline: A 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 is for clients abroad who need help because the company has failed financially. Source
- Insurance required: Adequate travel insurance is a condition of its contract. Source
- Proof of insurance: Travellers must show evidence of insurance at least 8 weeks before departure, or at booking if later. Source
- Insurance role: Is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd. Source
What awards and certifications does it name?
What Steppes Travel's own website says, read 3 November 2026.
- TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2018: In 2018 its Managing Director Justin Wateridge received the first Contribution to Luxury Award at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards. Source
- B Corporation: Became a Certified B Corporation in August 2022. Source
How is Steppes Travel rated?
Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 23 reviews. Read 3 November 2026; each platform's figure stands on its own.
Steppes Travel: the questions people ask
Does Steppes Travel sell tailor-made trips or group tours?
Both: bespoke journeys built from scratch and expert-led group tours.
How big are Steppes Travel group tours?
They have an average group size of eight to ten people.
Who runs Steppes Travel?
Justin Wateridge is Managing Director; the company was founded in 1989 by Nick Laing and is registered in England under number 03307429.
Where is Steppes Travel based?
At 51 Castle Street, Cirencester, in the Cotswolds.
Is my money protected with Steppes Travel?
Flight-inclusive holidays are covered by ATOL and packages without flights by ABTOT, number 5488; check that everything you booked is listed on your ATOL certificate. Since 2022, money for ATOL-protected bookings sits in a Serenity Trust account.
How much deposit does Steppes Travel ask?
At least 30% of the total booking value, with the balance due no less than 12 weeks before departure.
Do I need travel insurance with Steppes Travel?
Yes. It is a condition of the contract; you must show evidence at least 8 weeks before departure.
Is Steppes Travel a B Corp?
Yes. It became a Certified B Corporation in August 2022.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Every line on this page links the page of the company's own website it was read from, read 3 November 2026.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each company published on its own website, read on 3 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the company's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel luxury tour operators table. Cards are in alphabetical order. Photos show the places named in their captions, not any company's trips. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.