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Traveling with your Kayak – When expedition starts from the airport

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Traveling with Your Kayak: How It Works

On some destinations there’s no reliable sea-kayak fleet or compliant safety gear on site. Rather than giving up, we bring everything with us. Which means the expedition starts… at the airport.

TRAK folding kayak packed in a rolling bag, ready to fly
A TRAK kayak in its rolling bag

Expedition-Ready Folding Kayaks

We use two proven references to combine on-water performance with airline/train portability:

TRAK Kayak 2.0 (single): a premium folding kayak that travels in a duffel (≈ 110 × 50 × 25 cm). Light, stiff, sub-15-minute setup. An excellent performance / safety / comfort balance.

TRAK 2.0 folding kayak ready for expedition use
TRAK Kayaks
Kayak bags being checked at an airline counter
Checking the kayaks at the airport

Nautiraid (tandems):

  • Grand Raid 540: very stable with high load capacity for multi-day raids.
  • Grand Narak 550: faster and more seaworthy; an ideal efficiency/comfort balance.
Nautiraid folding kayaks being moved locally in Palawan
Folding kayaks in a tricycle, Palawan (Philippines)

👉 Once assembled, these kayaks feel remarkably close to a hard-shell while remaining durable and ultra-portable.

Kayak assembly on the dock in Khasab, Oman
Assembling the kayaks in Khasab – Oman

How Does It Work in Practice?

Case 1: You depart from the same airport as the guide
We meet directly at departure. Your kayak (single or tandem) is handed over at the airport and we fly together. Benefit: you handle zero transport logistics.

Case 2: You depart from another airport
A few days before departure, you receive the kayak and full kit at home (via UPS) in its travel bag. You check it as sports baggage (per your airline’s policy), then meet the group on site (e.g., a Dubai rendezvous for Oman). For the return, simply re-pack the kayak and send it back using the prepaid return label we provide.

TRAK kayak on a beach in Pemba, Tanzania
TRAK kayak on Pemba Island – Tanzania

Why This Setup Is Unique

  • Access to areas without outfitters (e.g., Oman, parts of the Philippines, etc.).
  • Consistent safety standards: our equipment, our procedures, our quality level—wherever we go.
  • Expedition spirit from the start: the adventure begins at the airport.
Dreaming of an “off-the-map” trip?
Tell us where and when: we’ll advise on feasibility, handle the logistics, and—if needed—help complete your crew.