Building A World of Adventure: Interview with Frank Castro, Founder of Adventure International

In a world where “adventure travel” can mean anything from a beginner's hike to a full-scale mountain expedition, Frank Castro and his Adventure International team have carved out a space that stands apart - one as much about awakening as it is about adrenaline.

This exceptional DMC’s own awakening has guided their every move, from pioneering one of the first ethical, high-end Kilimanjaro climbs to establishing a global portfolio that now spans Tanzania, the Himalayas, Andes, Patagonia and, increasingly, North America’s great outdoors.

And beyond the epic scenery lies a deeper story: one of collaboration, care and a belief that premium adventure travel can (and should) leave a positive footprint on both people and planet.

That ethos runs through everything they do.

In our new series, Voices of Kinship, Travel Kinship’s Kelly Tolliday sits down with Frank to talk about what it really takes to build a leading adventure DMC, going beyond epic scenery and bucket list activities.

They explore the inspiration behind Adventure International and the partnerships that make it all work - guides who can hold their own with a CEO at 5,000 metres, top chefs who elevate the trail and local experts who open the doors you can’t open alone.

What We Cover:

• We learn how Adventure International evolved from a high-end, high-ethics Kilimanjaro outfitter to a global operation across Tanzania, Nepal, Peru and beyond, and why doing right by porters, guides and communities is non-negotiable.
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• Frank describes the Adventure International “sweet spot” that lets them bridge the gap between luxury travel and expedition expertise; delivering risk management and luxurious comfort on the same itinerary.
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• We discuss how honest counsel is crucial on everything from seasonality to crowds, and how the team can marry high-end adventures like Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp or Machu Picchu with high-end extensions: from Serengeti safaris and Zanzibar downtime to Sacred Valley stays, luxury surfing getaways and private-yacht hops in the Galapagos.
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• We explore the rising demand for nature as medicine - journeys that reset perspective in a screen-saturated world and the quiet, human moments that transform: tea shared in a village, wisdom from a Patagonian gaucho, a conversation between a billionaire and a mountain guide where status just falls away.
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• And Frank shares what’s coming next for Adventure International, with a growing focus on North America (think privately guided National Parks, Canada, Alaska) - home-grown experiences that marry conservation, luxury and the simple joy of time outdoors.

Building a World of Adventure

Throughout the conversation, Frank returns to the same idea: real adventure is the container that lets transformation happen - safely, respectfully and with the right people beside you.

For travellers who experience an Adventure International itinerary, the pay-off is a journey that feels elevated but never insulated; top-tier guides and logistics balanced by the space to summit a mountain or sit by a campfire and feel that freedom that is so transformational.

And for advisors?

The response is consistently glowing, proof of the trust they can place in the team to deliver the hard stuff (permits, altitude, contingencies) while crafting trips that feel both beautifully rounded and deeply local.

​Press play to hear how Adventure International is reshaping adventure travel for those who crave more than a summit - journeys that honour the land, the people and the transformation that happens in between.

Ready for an introduction to Adventure International? Get in touch today for a connection to Frank and the team.