ABOUT US
Firecrest Travel creates unforgettable holidays, with a personal service & attention to detail. Whether you're looking for a group or private tour, a family adventure or a luxury escape, we will take care of all the research and planning, keeping you at the heart of everything.
FIRECREST TRAVEL
We are a small UK-based tour operator, owned & run by an experienced traveller, with a passion for live-changing adventures.
Our namesake, the Firecrest is a cheeky little bird from the UK, it's bold, adventurous, full of energy and like us, loves to journey to warmer climes when the winter arrives.
Firecrest Travel is a member of the Travel Trust Association to offer full financial protection & ATOL bonding for our tours.
HELEN BATEMAN
After a sabbatical in South America in 2011, I was hooked on adventure travel. I learned to drive a truck & became a tour leader with Dragoman Overseas Travel, sharing adventures with passengers all over Asia, Africa and the Americas.
My favourite experiences include canoeing the Zambezi river, watching elephants using their trunks as snorkels to cross the river (main picture) & hiking on multi-day treks like the W-Walk, the Annapurna Circuit & our Wild Andes trek in Peru (pictured opposite). It's hard to choose a favourite country, but I love the chaos & colours of India and the vibrancy & diversity of Brazil.
I'm passionate about responsible travel, the protection of wildlife and making sure that the communities we visit benefit from tourism as much as we do.
I launched Firecrest Travel in 2025, having run a successful travel franchise since 2023, with the aim of inspiring people to venture out on responsible adventures around the world.
NATHAN SMITH
Hi, I’m Nathan – and I’m excited to now be part of the Firecrest Travel team in Sales & Marketing!
Travel has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over the past 10 years in the adventure travel industry, I’ve been lucky enough to explore the world both independently and on group tours. For me, it’s not just about ticking off destinations – it’s about the people you meet, the challenges you take on, and the unforgettable stories you bring home.
Some of my favourite travel experiences include:
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Trekking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas and coming face-to-face with a Silverback.
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Hiking over the Khumbu Glacier after hiking to Everest Base Camp - one of the toughest challenges that I've undertaken but the hike over the glacier was a fun way to end the trek.
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Taking a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti
These moments have shaped the way I see travel: as something that should inspire, connect, and push us beyond the ordinary.
At Firecrest Travel, I’m looking forward to sharing that same spirit of adventure with our travellers – helping people find experiences that are not only memorable but truly life-changing.
HOW WE WORK
“Helen listed to what we wanted and found the perfect holiday to suit. She was fast to reply to messages and incredibly professional. I loved the way the information was laid out and sent to me. It’s comforting to know there is someone at the end of the phone should I have any questions.”
Heidi Baker, UK