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The Best Compasses of 2024

Whether hiking, traveling off-grid, or backpacking, having a reliable compass available can help ensure that you'll always find true north.

Even in this technology-filled world, a good outdoors person knows the importance of having the best compass possible when adventuring outside .

Yes, there are compass apps, but phones can break or die and there’s no beating the reliability of a tried and true compass when you head off the beaten path.

The GearJunkie team is composed of arctic explorers, competitive orienteers, and accomplished long-distance thru-hikers. We’ve ventured far beyond the bounds of well-traveled trails and 5G-LTE. We rely on compasses to maintain our bearings and remain in touch with our path of travel in white-out blizzards, dense forests, and barren featureless deserts.

A reliable compass can be the difference between efficient backcountry travel and potential disaster. Through rigorous testing of dozens of compasses, the selections of this list have proven themselves as bonafide navigation tools fit during far-flung adventures.

We’ve found the best compasses to fit every budget and use. Scroll through to see all of our recommendations, or click ahead to the product you’re looking for. For information on compass types, features, and usage tips, check out our comparison table and buyer’s guide . If you still have questions, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions at the end of this article.

Editor’s Note: We updated this article on Decembe r 15, 2023, to dial in our selection of recommended products, provide additional buying guidance, and include new photos of our testing process in the field.

The Best Compasses of 202 4

• Best Overall Compass: SUUNTO M-3 D Leader Compass
• Best Budget Compass: TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass
• Best Compass for Most People: SUUNTO A-10 Compass
• Best Travel Compass: SUUNTO MB-6G Global Compass
• Best Compass for Kids: Coghlan’s Function Whistle
• Best Thumb Compass for Orienteering: SUUNTO AIM-6 NH
• Best Hiking Compass: SUUNTO MC-2 Global Compass

SUUNTO M-3 D Leader Compass

• Weight 1.6 oz.
• Increments 2 degrees
• Dimensions 4.72″ x 2.4″ x 0.55″

• Luminescent markings
• Handy wristlock lanyard
• Small degree markings on the device can be hard to read, especially in low light

As noted, SUUNTO makes a lot of compasses, and the  M-3 D Leader hiking compass  ($65) is a big step up to a powerful navigation tool for those who desire more precision.

Simple yet effective, this compass contains everything you need to find your way and nothing you don’t. Built for hiking, the M-3 D leader is popular with backpackers and hunters for its reliability and toughness.

It sports metric and imperial scales and is balanced for use in the Northern Hemisphere, with 2-degree increments. The adjustable declination orientation is smooth for easy adjustment but is firm enough to keep its orientation while you move.

A baseplate with a magnifying lens and glow-in-the-dark markings make it easy to use on a map, even in low light. And the detachable locking lanyard allows you to keep it handy and prevents drops while moving over rugged terrain. With optimal durability and functionality, the M-3 D Leader is the best compass on the market today.

TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass

• Dimensions ‎ 8.23″ x 3.9″ x 0.67″

• Excellent price
• No declination feature, no direction box

Learning orienteering can be a daunting proposition to the uninitiated, and some of the more feature-rich compasses on this list can be intimidating for someone looking to learn to navigate without GPS devices. For beginners, we recommend a simple and inexpensive option on which you can learn the basics.

This orienteering compass from  TurnOnSport  ($12) has all the features needed for learning compass-and-map navigation without the restrictive cost of higher-end compasses. The durable acrylic baseplate sports an adjustable bearing, a compass ruler, a magnifying glass, and a 1:24,000 scale.

The liquid-filled needle case provides a quick, responsive magnetic north bearing, and the waterproof bearings mean you can use it in any weather.

The TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass is easily the best compass we’ve seen for the price . Offering only the necessary features, it’s equipped to allow you to learn basic navigational skills with minimal investment. At this price, you can upgrade to a more feature-rich compass and keep this as a backup, or buy a dozen and teach a scout troop as a group.

SUUNTO A-10 Compass

• Weight 1.06 oz.
• Dimensions 4.09" x 2.2" x 0.39"

• Easy to use
• No magnification

Finnish company SUUNTO is best known for its GPS fitness watches. It also makes excellent analog navigation devices. The SUUNTO A-10 ($24) is far from the brand’s top-shelf compasses, but for the vast majority of users, this compass does everything they need at a great price.

First, it has a liquid-filled chamber that results in a “quick-damping needle.” This, according to GearJunkie founder and U.S. champion adventure racer Stephen Regenold, is the most important element in a compass. “It means it points north extremely quickly and is solid. Most of the features on a compass are just not really needed for common navigation. You just need to know which way is north.”

And the SUUNTO A-10 will point north reliably, consistently, and quickly. It’s proven reliable over thousands of hours of use. And it’s so affordable, you have no excuse to not put one in every kit to ensure you find your way home every time.

SUUNTO MB-6G Global Compass

• Weight 2 oz.
• Dimensions ‎2.64″ x 1.85″ x 0.87″

• Balanced for use in all hemispheres
• More expensive than others on this list

Balanced for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres,  SUUNTO’s MB-6G  ($115) is built for use wherever your travels may take you. The high-grade steel needle provides specific navigational directions, and the integrated clinometer tells you the steepness of the hill you’re climbing, which comes in handy during avalanche season.

We love the matchbox design, which adds durability by not only protecting the compass from cracks and scratches when tumbling around in your pack or down a rock face but also by doing away with the weak point of the hinges that hold flip-top compasses together.

Additionally, the matchbox features a sighting mirror, which allows you to view the compass dial and the background at the same time, making it easier to take accurate bearings. If global excursions are in your future plans, the SUUNTO MB-6G might be the best compass for you.

Coghlan’s Function Whistle

• Weight 1.75 oz.
• Increments Unknown
• Dimensions ‎‎3.35″ x 1.18″ x 0.98″

• Yellow color makes it easy to find
• Shrill whistle makes your kids easy to find
• No compass features besides finding magnetic north

Keeping an eye on a child while camping is a full-time job.  Coghlan’s Function Whistle  ($7) is a great way to keep your kids safe and teach them the rudimentary aspects of navigation if they wander too far from the campsite.

The body of the compass is a whistle with a small compass on the top, a thermometer on the bottom, and a handy clip on the end. This compass is basic, but it will find magnetic north, allowing you to teach your kids how to figure out which direction is which if they get turned around.

The bright yellow body makes it easy to find if they drop it, and the key clip makes dropping it less likely. Just clip it onto a zipper, and it’ll always be easy to find.

A key function of the Coghlan Function Whistle is the whistle, which makes kids easier to find if they get lost. Just make sure they know to start blasting that whistle, and you’ll be able to zero in on them in no time.

SUUNTO AIM-6 NH

• Weight 0.95 oz.
• Dimensions ‎3.15" x 2.76" x 0.43“

• Attaches to thumb for use on-the-go
• Specialized for racers
• No measurements or sighting tools

For orienteers or other racers, running with a compass means attaching it to your thumb, where you can easily reference your direction with a map. GearJunkie founder Stephen Regenold uses this SUUNTO AIM-6 NH ($70) during his frequent orienteering and adventure races.

While he admits these are a somewhat esoteric navigation tool, they provide a quick-to-read arrow to guide racers or others moving quickly through the landscape.

As with other compasses, you want a quick-damping needle to allow for fast reads. Light, powerful, and easy to read in low light, the  AIM-6 NH  (optimized for the northern hemisphere) is a strong choice for elite users.

SUUNTO MC-2 Global Compass

• Weight 2.5 oz.
• Dimensions 3.9″ x 2.5″

• Global needle
• Protective case doubles as mirror and sighting notch
• Lid snap takes a good amount of force to lock

Compact and feature-rich, the  MC-2  ($95) is a great compass for hiking thanks to all the perks harnessed into a small package.

The global needle finds magnetic north in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It’s also a mirrored compass, sporting a large sighting mirror that allows not only better bearing but can also be used for signaling if you manage to get lost.

A liquid-filled capsule provides stability for the needle, while the clinometer indicates incline and elevation within 2 degrees. The luminescent bezel, orientation markings, and direction of travel make it easier to read in low light, and the clear red direction arrow makes it easy to see your way when moving fast.

At only 2.5 ounces and very compact, the MC-2 is the best compass for thru-hikers, or anyone who spends a lot of time in the backcountry.

Compass Comparison Table

How we tested compasses.

The GearJunkie team is composed of hunters, anglers, climbers, backpackers, and paddlers. When our adventures take us away from the beaten path, reliable compasses become an essential tool. And our founder, Stephen Regenold, is one of the top adventure racers in the country and an avid orienteer. As such, he uses map-and-compass navigation extensively during race scenarios and has experience with many compasses.

We tested the compasses on this list while recreating in the field. Like all compass users, we prefer models that are accurate, durable, and intuitive. While roaming between waypoints and hugging long-distance bearings through featureless terrain, we paid careful attention to each compass’ precision, durability, versatility readability, and overall value. The compasses on this list held up to our scrutiny with flying colors. They’re the best of the best.

As new compasses hit the market in future seasons, we’ll be sure to test them in consideration for this product roundup. And if you’re wanting to get more digital with your navigation solutions, check out our guide on the Best Handheld GPS units .

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Compass

Compass types.

There are three main types of compasses: the basic compass, the sighting compass, and the baseplate (or orienteering) compass. Some compasses contain elements of all three.

The basic compass has only one feature: a needle that points toward the magnetic north. It’s handy for any situation in which you only need to know your approximate direction. They tend to be inexpensive as well, so they can be useful for keeping as a spare.

Sighting compasses have flip-up lenses that allow users to get bearings from a distant object like a nearby peak. Put simply, use the sight notch to identify your desired location, adjust the bezel to align with the needle to identify the direction you need to go to get there, and then follow the heading.

Orienteering (baseplate) compasses are designed to be used with a map, as the base lays directly on the map for easy triangulation and orienting.

Many compasses combine a baseplate for map navigation and sighting accessories to combine the two types. This allows for whatever navigation method is most useful at any time.

How to Use a Compass

The short lesson on compasses is very simple: The compass needle always points to magnetic north. With that knowledge, you can maintain a consistent direction of travel relative to north.

The longer version of compass use is much more nuanced and complicated. Check out our full explainer on how to use a compass here .

Basic Compass Features

By definition, a compass will have a magnetic needle that always points to the magnetic north. Beyond that, compasses can sport a bevy of features, from liquid-filled needle casings and rotating bezels to whistles and thermometers (some are more useful than others), generally depending on the price range.

For general direction-finding, a basic compass will do. But for more in-depth orienteering, you’ll want a compass with the following features:

A magnetic needle that always points north is the most basic and essential feature of any compass. One of the more important features of a good compass is a quick but stable needle that finds north fast and consistently.

The mounting case holds the needle. It’s often filled with liquid to allow the needle to float freely and find magnetic north quickly. The liquid also dampens the motion of the needle.

The mounting for the compass housing, a baseplate is generally printed with tools that help find direction and distance. It provides a straight edge for identifying your location via triangulation.

A rotating ring that surrounds the housing, the bezel is printed with direction indicators (N, S, E, W) and varying points in between.

Orienting Lines

Fixed within the compass housing, these lines are designed to align with the vertical grid lines on maps.

Orienting Arrow

Also fixed within the compass housing, the orienting arrow aligns to the magnetic north.

Direction-of-Travel Arrow

Fixed parallel to the sides of the baseplate, the direction-of-travel arrow shows the direction you want to travel.

Fixed on the bezel. The index line is an extension of the direction-of-travel arrow. It marks the direction you set via rotating the compass housing.

Many baseplates feature a small magnifying lens for easier map reading.

Compass Scale

Located on the edges of the baseplate, the compass scale allows you to measure the distance on maps.

Key Features & Considerations

Besides the basic features mentioned above, these additional features can serve to make navigation easier or more accurate. They allow you to measure height and slope and to find north on any part of the globe.

Declination Adjustment

Declination adjustment allows you to adjust your compass for the varying difference between magnetic north and true north. Magnetic north (where a compass needle points) follows the direction of north in the Earth’s magnetic lines, and true north represents the direction of the North Pole.

Magnetic declination varies from place to place due to the changing nature of the Earth’s core. To compensate, many compasses allow you to adjust your compass readings to accommodate the magnetic declination for your location.

Sighting Mirror

Sighting mirrors are mirrors on a hinged lid that attach to the compass body. They allow you to see a direction or an object and your compass capsule at the same time. This allows you to orient your direction to a location and maintain that direction even when you can’t see the marker.

Clinometers measure the angle of elevation, the slope, or the height from the ground. Clinometers measure the height of objects and the steepness of hills (useful in avalanche terrain). They also gauge the height of your bear hang when you’re setting up camp.

Global Needle

Because the Earth’s magnetic field varies in different locations on the planet, a compass needle that balances well in one location may dip and drag or stick in a different location, making it completely useless. A compass with a taller dial allows the needle to tilt without hitting the casing, preventing that drag.

Compass Storage

In the past, caring for a compass would just mean not dropping it or crushing the casing. Now, people need to consider the plethora of electronic devices that can threaten a compass’s lifespan. Be sure to store your compass away from computers and other electronic devices — the magnetic fields can damage it.

The speakers in these devices can demagnetize the needle, rendering it useless. Also, keep it away from fires, heaters, and other hot places like a hot car. Any warping of the casing can affect the needle’s accuracy.

The most accurate compass depends on several factors. Most importantly, you should know how to use it. Every compass can find north, but it’s up to you to know what to do with that information.

Your ability to read your bearings and follow them, or transfer a compass’s information to a map to find your location and put it to use accurately, is paramount. For more information on how to get the most out of your compass, check out our article on orienteering basics .

A good compass can cost anywhere from $10 for a simple compass with basic orienteering features to over $100 for a compass with a global needle, clinometer, mirror sight, and a plethora of other features. Consider the features you need versus what you’re willing to pay when choosing the best compass for you.

In addition to the standard needle and rotating bezel, look for a cover with sighting wire and luminous lighting dots for evening navigation, a flip-up sighting slot and lens (or rear sight), and a thumb loop for stability while sighting your visual marker.

Although a good lensatic compass is great for finding bearings, we prefer one that also incorporates the features of a baseplate compass. Look for a compass that combines the two to give you several methods of finding your way.

While compass apps may be less accurate than traditional compasses and rely on a battery, they’re very convenient. Most people already have their phones with them on adventures, and smartphones can sport a wide range of features that a traditional compass does not, like barometers, altimeters, and, of course, GPS.

We’re fans of the Gaia GPS app (free for iOS and Android ) because of its map integration, which allows you to use topo maps, aerial photos, or a hybrid of the two. It also shows your altitude, allows you to share that data to keep others informed of your location in case you get lost, and tracks data like speed, time, location, and direction. It can also estimate your GPS accuracy to let you know if you start going off course.

Remember, if you’re relying on an app for navigation, you’re also counting on the performance of the technology. We recommend always having a traditional compass on hand in case your phone ends up at the bottom of a lake.

The Best Handheld GPS of 2024

There’s no need to rely on your smartphone or smartwatch for navigation. We rounded up the best handheld GPS devices for finding your way.

The Best Satellite Messengers of 2024

Failure isn’t an option when it comes to choosing a satellite messenger. When you absolutely need to get the word out, here are the best sat messaging devices in 2024.

Austin Beck-Doss is a Staff Writer at GearJunkie. Austin has been writing about climbing, hiking, and snowsports for 6+ years. Prior to that, Austin worked as a rock climbing and wilderness guide.

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The 5 Best Compasses for Hiking of 2024

One of the essentials of hiking, a compass is a necessary tool to plan a route, find points of interest, and self-rescue in an emergency

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The best compass is one that you know how to use and have with you. It can help you take a bearing of a distant object, follow a route through wilderness, and orient yourself on a map. Even if you prefer digital navigation aids, like a handheld GPS , you should always have a compass on hand to ensure you never lose your bearings if the GPS runs out of battery power. Whether you are a novice to the world of orienteering or looking to level up, here are some things to consider before making your purchase of the best compass for hiking.

• Best Overall: Silva Ranger 2.0
• Best Budget: Survive Outdoors Longer (S.O.L.) Sighting Compass with Mirror
• Most Durable: Cammenga 3H Cammenga G.I. Military Lensatic Compass
• Best for Kids and Beginners: Silva Starter 1-2-3
• Best for Travel: Suunto MC-2G Global Compass

How We Picked the Best Compasses for Hiking

As an avid hiker and wilderness adventurer, I recognize that the compass is one of the most important essentials in my backpack. Even though it’s packed most of the time, I know it could easily save my life someday if I become lost, disoriented, or forced to maneuver off trail.

My compass expertise sharpened over the years I taught orienteering courses for Appalachian Mountain Club’s Mountain Classroom program. I gained experience by teaching compass skills and setting up compass orienteering challenge courses in the woods. I have spent many seasons getting to know my way around a compass.

In choosing the best compass for hiking, I looked at a few main criteria:

• Quality: There are plenty of affordable plastic compasses out there, but in a real bind, you want to have the assurance that your instrument will get you to where you need to go. If it’s a matter of life or death, the best compass is the one that will be reliable and trustworthy.
• Features: While a beginner needs few features so they can learn the basics, an experienced orienteer should choose a compass with features that make their instrument a multi-use tool. Mirrors, rulers, magnifying glass, and lanyards can have other uses in the field for first aid, survival, and hygiene.
• Durability: If you’re throwing your compass into your hiking backpack for the day, it’s important that it’s durable enough to survive the trek. I looked for compasses that were waterproof, protected, and proven industry leaders.

Best Compasses for Hiking: Reviews and Recommendations

Silva Ranger 2.0 Silva

• Type: Mirrored baseplate
• Weight: 3.88 oz
• Dimensions: 5 x 11 x 2 in
• Materials: Plastic
• Sighting mirror
• Lanyard with distance measurements
• Declination adjustment with included tool
• Complicated features not good for beginner

The Silva Ranger 2.0 is a quality mirrored baseplate compass that is the perfect fit for hiking, bushwhacking, hunting, or forestry. If you are comfortable with mirrored baseplate compass use, it is the best compass for hiking.

This compass includes a mirror for sighting. By tilting the mirror at 45° angle, the user can keep an eye on the needle by looking at the bezel in the mirror while sighting the direction. This is especially helpful over long distances.

In addition, the Ranger comes with a magnifying glass, luminous markings, and a separate “slope card”. Experienced hikers can use the slope card to measure grade on a map or assess avalanche risk.

The lanyard of the Ranger 2.0 is unique in that it has four scales of measurement to help the hiker measure distances on a map. Since it is soft, it’s more useful than a straightedge when tracing a path on a map.

The adjustable declination of this compass allows the hiker to adjust the compass to their location. This saves time as well as reducing the possibility of user error when adjusting for declination with each bearing.

While the bells and whistles of this compass are sweet, they can also be overwhelming. If you are new to orienteering and looking for something the same quality but less overwhelming, try the Silva Explorer . It’s a quality baseplate compass that will help a hiker with basic orienteering.

Survive Outdoors Longer (S.O.L.) Sighting Compass with Mirror S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer

• Weight: 3.53 oz
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.94 x 0.79 in
• Low light visibility
• Less Durable

If you’re looking for an affordable compass that still comes with the bells and whistles of its higher price competitors, the Survive Outdoors Longer (S.O.L) Sighting Compass with Mirror is the best budget compass.

This is a mirrored baseplate compass that is great for hiking or bushwhacking. Some of the notable features include a mirror, rulers in both millimeter and inches, and magnifying glass. Luminous markings on the orienting arrow, needle, and direction of travel marking glow in the dark after briefly being exposed to a light (like your flashlight).

The SOL compass also has a clinometer on the baseplate that allows you to measure a slope angle.

One of the most useful features of this compass is the ability to adjust declination. A small tool comes with the compass that allows you to fine-tune the bezel to compensate for declination and calculate your bearing with the proper offset for your region every time.

Although this compass has held up well, its materials appear far less durable than its Silva and Suunto counterparts. My only real complaint is that I find the bezel ring a little tough to spin. Nevertheless, this compass is great value. The fold down mirror protects the compass when not in use so you don’t have to worry about it being destroyed in your pack.

Cammenga 3H Cammenga G.I. Military Lensatic Compass Cammenga

• Type: Lensatic
• Weight: 7.04 oz
• Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 in
• Materials: Aluminum
• Low light capability
• No declination adjustment capability

Similar to the compass used by the US military, the Cammenga Lensatic Compass is great for shooting a line to a distant object using a sight wire. This is helpful for tracking a route back to your car after a day in the woods or crossing wilderness using azimuth.

This model has some serious benefits that make it a favorite of military and civilians alike. The tough aluminum casing means it is durable and easy to toss into your pack. The housing is air filled which means the needle is more sensitive to movement but will not develop bubbles in the housing.

Perhaps most importantly, this compass comes with tritium lighting — a radioactive phosphorescence that glows in the dark (don’t worry, it’s not harmful with the amount used). This makes the Cammenga the best compass for night use as well.

While this compass is great for finding and following a sight bearing, it’s challenging to use with a map. There are no magnetic declination adjustments which makes it difficult to account for actual north. The main measurement of this compass is in Mils (short for mili-radians) whereas most hikers prefer degrees. Also, it doesn’t have grid lines like the baseplate compasses so it is challenging to line up with the grid. Still, it’s hard to argue that there is a more durable field compass on the market. If the price tag has you sweating, consider the more affordable 9077 Lensatic Military-Style Compass from Brunton .

Silva Starter 1-2-3 Silva

• Type: Baseplate
• Weight: 1.4 oz
• Dimensions: 2 x 3 x 0.4 in
• Easy to use
• Lightweight

If you are looking for a simple and sleek starter compass, the Silva Starter 1-2-3 is your best bet. The compass is small and light with an easy-to-read housing. It’s also waterproof which makes it a durable choice to bring into the field.

This starter compass is high quality with few bells and whistles. This helps beginners focus on the basics and not get overwhelmed by features on mirrored baseplate counterparts. There are mm and inch ruler markings on the side of the baseplate and clear degree parks on the bezel.

The bezel ring is fairly large and turns really smoothly. This is perfect for children and others learning the basics, easily putting “red in the shed” and orienting the compass.

Being so simple, this compass does not come with declination adjustment capacity so users pairing this with a map would need to adjust each bearing for declination. Overall, it is exactly what it’s supposed to be: a great starter compass.

Suunto MC-2G Global Compass SUUNTO

• Weight: 2.65 oz
• Dimensions: 2.56 x 3.98 x 0.71 in
• Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
• Global needle

Compasses are usually created to work in their specific hemisphere (north or south). However, Suunto’s “global needle” works in both, so whether you’re trekking through a U.S. national park, climbing a peak in New Zealand, or crossing glaciers in Patagonia, this compass will do the job. This makes the Suunto MC-2G Global Compass the best compass for travel. 

This instrument also comes with all the extras. The signing mirror, ruler, clinometer, and magnifying lens are all useful tools that a seasoned compass-user will find valuable. Another feature that makes navigating on a hike much easier is the ability to adjust declination to the area. The lanyard has a small adjustment key attached so you can adjust your declination to every new location traveled. This compass also comes with luminous points and bezel for low light navigation.

While the MC-2G is about as loaded with features as you can get, it is a tool for an experienced user and could easily overwhelm a newbie. If you are looking for a simpler model that can still take on both hemispheres (and half the cost), consider the Silva Ranger Global Compass . It can be used in all three magnetic zones and has the same simple features you see on the Silva Starter.

What to Consider When Choosing a Compass for Hiking

Types of compasses.

Before you look at brands or features on a compass, it’s important to know the types available . There are three main types of hiking compasses: baseplate, mirrored baseplate, and lensatic. All can be used to orienteer through wilderness. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Baseplate Compass: A baseplate compass is great for hiking since it pairs well with a map. As the name implies, a liquid filled housing contains the needle and sits on a clear baseplate. The liquid allows the needle to move slowly and smoothly. The clear baseplate permits you to see through to the map to set waypoints and align the compass to north. The plate usually has a straightedge on the side for drawing lines between waypoints and a ruler to determine distances.
• Mirrored Baseplate Compass: The addition of the mirror on a traditional baseplate compass adds versatility, allowing the user to see the compass dial and the background at the same time. The mirror opens with the hinge at the direction-of-travel arrow, and there is usually a v-notch on the base of the mirror that the user can use as a sight for finding objects in the field. By keeping the mirror at a 45° angle, you can align the compass to a target by looking through the notch then by looking at the mirror align the orienting arrow to the north arrow. This adds accuracy but can also add challenge. Therefore, a typical baseplate compass is better for beginners.
• Lensatic Compass: Also known as the military compass, the lensatic compass is a great companion to those who know how to use it. They are usually air-filled, which results in a faster moving needle and more durable compass. This compass type is mainly used to get a site bearing and are more challenging to use with a map. However, the military lensatic compass is durable, has night capacity, and greater precision than its baseplate companions.

Features to Look For

Most compasses come with the same basic features including a needle that points to magnetic north, direction of travel arrow, and moveable bezel ring. However, the best compasses for hiking add a few more features that make them a multi-use tool. Here are some additional items that will make the compass even better.

• Mirror: As mentioned above, some baseplate compasses come with a mirror. While it can help with accuracy, the mirror can also double as a signaling device as well as serving as a hygiene mirror for first aid in the wilderness.
• Magnifying Lenses: Some baseplate and lensatic compasses come with a small magnifying lens. This is helpful when reading fine print on a map and can be used as a tool for fire starting.
• Glow in the Dark Indicators: Luminescent markings are usually made from strontium-alumina based pigments and can help you make your way in the dark.
• Declination Adjustment: Gridlines on maps are aligned to geographic north while the compass is oriented to magnetic north. If you don’t account for this difference, you’ll be off course. Some baseplate compasses come with a declination screw that can be adjusted to match that of your region. This allows the user to change the declination to match the area. It’s very useful for backcountry navigation with a map.
• Clinometer: A small moving arrow in the liquid-filled housing allows the user to measure slope and steepness.
• Global Needle: If you plan to take your compass into the southern hemisphere, be sure to get one with a global needle that is designed for both hemispheres.

Q: Is a liquid filled compass better?

A liquid filled compass isn’t necessarily better, but it does have its benefits. Most baseplate compasses are liquid filled, which means the needle is rotating through a liquid. This slows the needle, making it less sensitive to movement in your hand. But aggressive movements, such as bumping around in your bag or drops, can develop bubbles in the liquid or create leaks which will impede the accuracy of the compass. Some liquid filled compasses are also sensitive to temperature extremes.

Q: What should I look for in a hiking compass?

If you are new to hiking compasses, you should look for a user-friendly design that’s easy to use. Make sure your basic hiking compass has: ●  A clear baseplate for seeing a map underneath ●  Easily moveable bezel ring ●  Clearly marked direction of travel arrow ●  Needle that orients to magnetic north ●  Orienting arrow and lines

Q: How much does a good compass cost?

Compass price varies wildly depending on quality and features. A good compass can cost anywhere from $15 to $100. A solid, reliable hiking compass like the Silva Explorer or Suunto A-30 fall into the $20 to $30 range. If taken care of, these can last for a lifetime of adventures.

Q: Do compasses lose accuracy?

It is possible for the needle in your compass to demagnetize over time if you store it near a strong magnet. However, the most likely need for a new compass is wear and tear from being crammed into a backpack, falling onto rocks, or tolerating extreme swings in temperature. If taken care of, a good compass could easily last a lifetime.

Best Compasses for Hiking: Final Thoughts

Whether you are headed into the woods on a hunt, staying on a hiking route, picking out a peak on a map, or following a course – the best compass is one you know how to use and keep on your person. Make sure one is tucked into your bag on every adventure.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

Lindsey Lapointe is an avid outdoor adventurer. Her favorite activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, and canoeing. She also spends time rock-climbing, skiing, and fishing. She’s worked as a freelance adventure writer for multiple sites and publications. She enjoys testing outdoor gear and passing her expertise to Field & Stream readers.

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Margie and I would like to thank Cathy Clark for all she did for us in planning our New Zealand trip. From the very first time I called Global ... Read more

Emilie did a fantastic job. She calmly handled all of our questions and changes!!

This company has changed my life for the better! I have never received better deals or better service planning travel in my life. This company takes all ... Read more

My friend and I recently completed an 11 day trip to Utah and Vegas. Emilie did a wonderful job of handling reservations and securing tickets for events ... Read more

I do travel a lot for work in the amount of time that I come within this whole year this company has made it so affordable it does not kill my pockets so ... Read more

I have been enjoying using Compass Group so far. They have already saved me several hundred dollars on flights. I have primarily been working with Kenzie, ... Read more

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Mapping and Navigating Your Route

Navigation 101: Skills and Tools for Finding Your Way on a Hike

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When the famed frontiersman Daniel Boone was asked if he ever got lost in the woods, he replied as follows: “I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.”

Even pros get turned around from time to time while hiking. Simply stepping off the trail for a covert bathroom break could be enough to disorient you in dense undergrowth. Game trails or drainage paths are sometimes mistaken for human trails. Making the situation worse, confused hikers tend to wander around hastily looking for the right path.

Knowing some basic wilderness navigation skills can keep you going in the right direction. As always, adhere to good hiking safety and carry a whistle—blowing it could be enough to help fellow hikers find you.

How to Navigate Your Route Before Your Hike

Navigating yourself along a hiking trail doesn't start when you reach the trailhead. A lot, if not most, of the navigation work occurs in preparation for your hike, so don't neglect these steps before starting your journey.

Study Your Route in Advance

The expression "can't see the forest for the trees" especially applies to hiking. Fortunately, we now have ways to see the forest from above before plunging into it.

Proper preparation for a hike includes getting an aerial overview. Use Google Earth or AllTrails.com to determine a high-level “box” of your hiking area. The sides of the box can be primary trails, roads, rivers, or whatever forms a perimeter. Know how far you would have to walk in a straight line to intersect some sort of natural or man-made barrier to orient yourself mentally in advance of your hike.

(If using Google Earth, click on “Map Style” and select “Everything” for the most detail. You can use the handy measurement tool for determining distances.)

Buy (or Download) Proper Technology

Don’t rely solely on technology for finding your way—many things can go wrong. Always pick up or print a paper map just in case. That said, a good navigation app or handheld GPS can supplement your toolkit for staying oriented; learn how to use it before going to the field.

Alltrails is a popular hiking app that works quite well; Gaia GPS is another good option. Both offer free versions, but you’ll need a paid membership to use offline maps when hiking without phone service. Avenza Maps can also be useful for offline maps.

Learn to Use and Adjust a Compass

You can use your compass to get rough approximations for cardinal directions, but you’ll need some training and practice before relying on it to shoot azimuths for backcountry bushwhacking. To be accurate, a compass needs to be adjusted for declination in the region you are hiking.

Did you know there are three types of north?

• Grid North: The top of the map
• True North: The True North Pole / Earth’s axis
• Magnetic North: Where a compass wants to point

Magnetic north in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park varies more than 21 degrees from magnetic north in the Pacific Northwest—enough to get you lost if your compass isn’t adjusted. Read more about using a compass properly from the American Hiking Society .

Learn to Read Topographic Maps

“Topo” maps provide useful detail but can appear more intimidating than regular trail maps. Each contour line represents an interval (found in the map’s legend) of elevation change. The number on darker index lines is the elevation at that point. The closer together the lines, the steeper the terrain. With practice, you’ll be able to identify peaks, valleys, and other terrain features by reading the lines and spacing between. The U.S. Geological Survey provides a guide to common symbols found on topo maps .

To delve deeper, consider signing up for a navigation class at your local outfitting shop (REI offers half-day classes). You can purchase topo maps for practice from the USGS website .

How to Orient Yourself During the Hike

Many of the skills and gear you prepared in advance also come into play while you're on the hike—referring to a map, knowing how to use your compass, and having ingrained knowledge of your route. Other than those, here's what to remember when you're actually out on the trail.

Look for Trail Blazes

Trees, rocks, or posts on major trails are typically marked at eye level with a painted “blaze.” Knowing how the trails are officially blazed (it varies) can help you stay on track. For instance, the famous Appalachian Trail is often blazed with vertical, white rectangles, but blue-colored blazes indicate a spur trail to a viewpoint, campground, or some other feature.

Avoid “Bending the Map”

Bending the map happens when you realize something on a hike just doesn’t add up. Maybe you crossed a stream where there shouldn’t be one or see a distant peak not represented on the map. Instead of taking action and admitting you’re in the wrong place, the tendency is to “bend the map” by warping observations and then proceeding in the wrong direction anyway. Inexperienced hikers sometimes assume the map is outdated. (Even U.S. Army Rangers tend to “bend the map” sometimes during land navigation exercises.) Either way, don’t disregard your map!

The best way to avoid bending the map is to check it frequently to make sure you know where you are before you get too far from your intended route. Don’t wait until you’re potentially lost to pull out your map. Instead, orient yourself frequently while having a drink of water at major trail junctions or terrain features.

Mark the Map

Instead of bending the map, mark it. Your memory may not be as good as you think, especially while your nerves get the best of you if you think you've veered off course. Mark progress along the way by writing the times when you reached major features or trail junctions. Doing so will help you backtrack should you stray off course.

What to Do If You Become Lost While Hiking

Almost always, getting lost while hiking is caused by a seemingly small event (such as missing one turn) followed by a bad decision. Stop the situation from deteriorating further by using the STOP method:

S – Stop moving and stay calm. The thought of being lost, especially alone in the woods can create a feeling of panic that leads to bad decisions. Don’t make a simple problem worse by wandering around in circles hoping to find the trail.

T – Think clearly. How long have you been going in this direction? When was the last trail junction? Think of the bigger picture and where something could have gone wrong.

O – Observe. Scan in a widening radius for trail blazes, bent undergrowth, boot scrapes on the ground, or any signs that could indicate hikers passed through. Listen carefully for distant sounds.

P – Plan. Before you begin moving again, have a solid plan; doing so will prevent you from becoming even more confused and acting on impulse, which can be dangerous. For instance, you could mark your current location with natural materials then proceed in a straight line for 50 paces (count each time your left foot hits the ground). If you haven’t intersected the trail, you’ll turn around and return 50 paces back to your starting point before trying another direction in a straight line.

Hopefully, the STOP method, as well as the other tools in your gear and skill arsenal have helped you get yourself back on track. If not, here are some more natural cues to follow if needed.

Follow Water Downhill

If hopelessly lost in hilly backcountry and staying put isn’t an option, many survival guides recommend following water downhill and downstream. The logic is that streams run into rivers that then lead to lakes or the coast—places where humans tend to build and frequent. And, if you’re out there for the long haul, this approach also helps solve the critical problem of having enough water to drink. (On that note, a lightweight and portable filter is an easy and useful item to bring on every hike, as it helps in case of emergencies or you run out of water, and it doesn't take up much space in a pack.)

Navigating With the Stars

The two stars at the “bowl” end of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), the two furthest from the "handle," line up to point at Polaris, the North Star; it's the brightest star in the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor). In the Northern Hemisphere, the North Star can help you approximate true north.

Unless you have a serious emergency, however, leave celestial navigation to sailors, and consider spending the night where you are if possible and waiting until daylight to keep moving. Trying to find your way out of the woods at night is one of the worst things you can do. Even Daniel Boone would probably opt to stay put and wait for sunrise!

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Compass Travel Israel

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Israel Holy Land Christian Tour Package 7 days - Private Tour Package

Jerusalem & Dead Sea Private Tour - Visit Holy Jerusalem & Dead Sea Relaxation

2024 Israel Christmas Holy Land Tour - Bethlehem Midnight Mass

Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group

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Compass Travel Israel (Jerusalem) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Compass travel israel offers you day tours to all top traveled destinations in israel from tel aviv, jerusalem, netanya and herzliya., our day tours available in english, spanish, french and german according to weekly schedule you will find inside each tour description., compass israel day tours include pickups from your hotel or any other place upon request, professional government licensed tour guides in your native language, all entrance fees during the tour according to our itinerary, transfer back to your pickup point or any other place upon request., with compass only you have one step online booking system –  real time availability. you receive instant payment and booking confirmations., best user friendly online booking system – top destinations in israel. if you are doing airbnb or just staying with your friends or family in israel contact us for more information regarding our tours via whatsapp + 972 58 707 66 11 or write us via email [email protected], we designed each tour so scrupulously – to offer you opportunity fully to explore and enjoy each destination has to offer., enjoy your stay in israel & tour with compass..

Jerusalem Tours

Jerusalem is the holiest city in the world – it is the official capital and holy city to three world religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Old City of Jerusalem is home to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Anyone who follows these three faiths is therefore instantly [...]

Bethlehem Tours

Like many cities in Israel and Palestine, Bethlehem is biblical important to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Bethlehem is located in the central West Bank, Palestine, about 10 km south of Jerusalem. For Jews, Bethlehem is the burial place of the matriarch Rachel and the birthplace of King David. For Christians, Bethlehem is recognized in the [...]

Masada Tours

Masada is one of the most exciting and frequently-toured places in Israel, and relates a story of perseverance and power, faith and surrender, ambitions, and a tragic end. Masada is situated on the top of a mountain with steep sides and a flat top like a parapet overlooking the desert panorama to the west and the Dead Sea [...]

Dead Sea Tours

The lowest place on the face of earth, the Dead Sea (428m below sea level) brings together breathtaking natural beauty, compelling ancient history & modern mineral spas that soothe and pamper every inch of your body. At just over an hour away from Jerusalem, the Dead Sea is an easy trip to include when planning your  visit to [...]

Galilee Tours

The Sea of Galilee is not only Israel’s main water source but it has huge religious significance and also major touristic value thanks to the beauty of the surroundings – it’s an area of mountains and beaches and terrific wildlife. The Kineret played an important role in the early years of Christianity and has now become [...]

Jericho Tours

The “City of Palms” spreads out on the west side of the Jordan River at 825 feet below sea level. Located 36 km east of Jerusalem. Jericho is believed to be one of, if not the oldest cities in the world. It was also the first city captured by the Israelis upon entering the land of [...]

Nazareth Tours

Nazareth is a city of religion and faith, of spirituality and holiness, but also a city with a rich history, fascinating archaeology, modern culture and Middle Eastern charm. Nazareth is the cradle of Christianity. In downtown Nazareth you can visit the Church of the Annunciation. This is the largest church in the Middle East and features mosaic artwork [...]

Golan Heights Tours

The Golan Heights is one of the most beautiful and most traveled parts of the country as it is abundant with wonderful scenic treasures and archaeological sites. The view from the Golan Heights becomes more and more magnificent as you gradually climb from the plains, at 300 meters above sea level in the south to 1,200 meters in [...]

Haifa Tours

Haifa, with its beautiful location on the Mediterranean shoreline, is not only Israel’s third largest city, but also a treasure trove of history and magnificent sights! Haifa is about 90 kilometers north of the city of Tel Aviv. It has the country’s largest port, a particularly active beach and is the home of the World Center [...]

Tel Aviv City Tours

Tel Aviv, a city on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, is marked by stark 1930's Bauhaus buildings, thousands of which are clustered in the White City architectural area. Tel Aviv, the 'white city' of Israel, and a UNESCO Heritage site since 2003 is the culinary and commercial hub of Israel and is world renowned for its nightlife. Founded [...]

Northern Israel Tours

Northern Israel is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and diverse areas in the country, and a magnet for adventure lovers. Israel’s lush green northern region is ideal for leisure, history and nature-focused travelers. From its wealth of Christian holy sites, including Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum and the 40-mile Gospel Trail, to [...]

Petra Tours

Petra is One of the 7 Wonders of the World. The city of Petra, capital of the Nabataean Arabs, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, it is Located 240 km south of the capital Amman and 120 km north of the red sea town of Aqapa. Petra the world wonder is undoubtedly Jordan's most [...]

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Dear Guests, Assistance During ISRAEL WAR We understand that this may be a challenging time, and we want to inform you that our staff will not be available during the war. However, please be assured that once the conflict is over, we will be fully operational and ready to provide assistance. Safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will do our utmost to support you when conditions allow. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

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Always late by a large margin

Always late by a large margin. Literally the embodiment of incompetence. Worthless company never use

Date of experience : October 09, 2023

FAKE AND CHEATER TOUR COMPANY

FAKE AND CHEATER TOUR COMPANY, HE TAKE BOOKING FOR MANALI IN 3 AC COACH BEFROE 1 MONTH BUT TODAY 14 MAY 2023 DAY OF TOUR ALL WAITLISTED TICKET ARE CANCELLD AND HE SAID YOU TRAVEL IN GENERAL COACH (NOT SLEEPER) ONLY GENERAL COACH WITHOUT ANY BOOKING .20 OUT OF 30 STUDENTS CANCELD HIS TOUR .ALL 20 STUDENTS ARE COMING FROM OUT OF AHMEDAVAD (KUTCH AND SURAT AND MUMBAI) AFTER CHART PRAPARTION ON 13 MAY ,HE GIVE ASSURANCE FOR INDIVIDUAL SEAT IN 3 AC.BUT AT THE TIME OF JOURNEY SAID FOR NON SLEEPAR NON AC GENERAL COACH PL NEVER SEND YOUR KIDS TO COMPASS HOLIDAY

Date of experience : May 14, 2023

Just got back from a 7 days China Shanghai tour

Just got back from a 7 days China Shanghai tour with this company. The food were ok but greasy and about the same items everyday needless to say we were all fairly sick of it a few days into the tour. The negative aspect is that the tour guides, the merchants, and the bus driver are all professional con artists of an elaborately rehearsed and choreographed scam with one objective, pressure you into spending as much money as possible on over priced items, and they'll even offer to lend you money for outrageously expensive items that you can't afford. Here is how our activities were distributed, 70% wasting time in shops, 20% on the bus, 10% actual sight seeing. Be forewarned.

Date of experience : January 07, 2020

10 day tour of China with Compass Holidays

We went on a 10 day tour of China in Feb/Mar 2018. There were 6 of us travelling together in a tour group of 31 on the bus. The tour guides were great - easy to understand and very thorough in their information. Friendly and patient. We had a wonderful time. This was a low cost trip ($680 all inclusive) so there were shopping stops at different government factories but, we found them quite interesting. There was some pressure to buy at the shops but we were able to decline. We saw some amazing sites such as the Great Wall of China, Summer Palace etc so it was a great way to get a taste of China without spending a fortune.

Date of experience : March 12, 2018

Life Exprience Trip

We booked our tour through our travel agent Sally with Goyal Travel and once payment was done, we received our confirmation, process on how to obtain our visa and complete detailed schedule. We were updated frequently ensuring we have obtained our visa and complete details of the tours and what it entailed. So definitely completely impressed with level of professionalism.

Date of experience : November 30, 2017

Great trip for such a great price!

I had a great time in China for such a low price I paid. It was well worth it. It was a shopping trip but they did not pressure me into buying anything. Eventhough it was a shopping trip, we still had time to explore China such as going to The Great Wall, The Summer Palace, The Three Kingdoms, etc. The trip was very well organized. They were quick with the China Visa process. They were quick with answering any questions I had either by phone or email. (Jamie provided me with excellent services!) They were very organized with the flight tickets, meeting me at the airport, transferring me to the hotel and completing the itinerary as planned. The English tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and culture of China. All the hotels they put me in were 4-or 5-stars, very nice and modern. The people in Beijing and Shanghai were very nice even though they didn't speak English.

Date of experience : December 19, 2018

This was our second trip to China

This was our second trip to China. Once with a different company and this past September with Compass. Overall the trip was good, with one very big complaint being the tour guide in Beijing. Leon was a very poor tour guide. He did not give informative information at all. Example at The Forbidden Palace he walked us down the sides in a rush, did not explain any of the history. He did not wait for the people in wheelchairs or the slower people and just barrelled along. When asked a question, he would reply "later, not now, later". There never was a later, and he did not give any information about China while travelling long hours on the bus. He got angry with people in the group at times for not joining his optional tours, and treated people badly for it, and he even outright lied to us at one point. He was a terrible tour guide. Glad we went to Beijing first and had the rest of the trip with an incredible tour guide who made our trip very fun, informative and memorable. Compass Holidays should not use Leon if they hope to have repeat customers.

Date of experience : October 01, 2018

they dont even deserve this one star!

they dont even deserve this one star! Taketours.com!. they dont even deserve this one star! I took a tour with them for three days from Toronto to Montreal, I paid the fees on the website and as per the policies agreed on mandatory service fees, of $CAD 10 per days. The tour guide, Carmen Xu, forced me to take the optional tours and when I refused made really nasty, racist, derogatory comments on the first day and treated me utter hostility for the three days. The last day after paying for the mandatory fees I asked her to provide me the contact numbers to a complaint she lost her temper and threaten to throw me out of the bus. Use this company to get the taste of the lowest class of humans with no self-respect, abusive and they think it is ok to use a derogatory language with the customer because it offends the tour guide of an individuals choice of not takin the optional tours as its impacts the personal profits of the tour manner. on complain to the company they think this is professional service provided by the tour guide and we provide a feedback so we can receive our money back. they make u feel so cheap in every way, u wouldn't want to go on a holiday ever again. you have to pay mandatory service fees to be humiliated by their staff. wouldn't be unfair to say these tours are not for non-Chinese people.

Date of experience : November 02, 2017

I just came back from the 10-days China…

I just came back from the 10-days China tour. I would say it is worth to go to China for just $1200 including air tickets with my wife even through it including shopping sites. I spent about $500 for shopping and $200 for the others like food..... The total cost for me and my wife was about $2000. I would say worth. We did't expect too much. Just went to China and Looked around.

Date of experience : April 17, 2018

5 day tour of Toronto

I just returned from a 5 day tour of Toronto, Canada and it was horrible! I booked through a website called Tours4fun, because it was last minute and I thought I was getting a good deal, but BUYER BEWARE! Cheap price really does equal poor quality!! The tour company that conducted the tour was Tian Bao travel aka Compass Holidays. This company should be put out of business!! The bus is equipped with a restroom, but as soon as everyone gets on the bus, the first thing that the tour guide tells us is that the restroom is “for emergency only.” She basically discouraged us from using toilet and shunned anyone who even thought about “going” on the bus. The second bus we were transferred to also had a restroom but the tour guide informed us it was “locked.” He said a the bus would stop for restroom breaks after 2.5 hours of driving. Most of the tourists on the bus were afraid to drink water because of the “locked” toilets. WHY DO YOU HAVE A RESTROOM ON YOUR BUS WHEN NO ONE CAN USE IT?? Also, this tour mostly caters to Mandarin speaking tourists. If you are English speaking, you will feel left out. Their tour buses are outdated and poorly maintained. The USB outlets don’t work. There are no seatbelts. The window was flapping and I could feel the outside air rushing in through the crack. The schedule is very rushed so you just get a snapshot understanding of each attraction. To summarize traveling with Tian Bao and Compass Holidays means you get off the bus, take a quick picture, and get back on so the driver can rush to the next destination. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE, especially seniors, children, or people who cannot hold their urge to pee for more than 2 hours. This is a horrible, unethical company that is only interested in ripping you off by employing bait and switch tactics. If you want to get ripped off while being shuttled to attractions in a poorly maintained bus, go ahead and book with this company. For everyone else, stay away!

Date of experience : July 04, 2019

Very mediocre and mostly shopping tour of China.

Took my son on the 10 day Compass Holidays tour of Beijing, Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou and Hangzhou. First day at the Summer Palace, we were 3 minutes late getting back to the meeting spot (I timed it) but the tour guide, May, left us. We were stranded, alone in this city of 24 million, not knowing where the heck we were. We had no way of contacting her, no money having just arrived less than 12 hours earlier. Only thing saved me was the hotel's card that I had wisely taken with me and we were able to track her down. Very irresponsible, She was only interested in getting to the Chinese pharmacy where, I am told everyone was enticed to spend lots of money. No apology, nothing from her after, I wonder if she realized just how harrowing an experience it was for us? Trip was mostly geared towards shopping, shopping and shopping. All optional tours were way over priced, at least double the cost had I booked it by myself. Most optional tours were also not interesting at all. After wasting 2 hours in the Chinese pharmacy, we were hustled through the Forbidden Palace, in what should have been one of the high points of the trip, in less than an hour. At least we were able to spend enough time at the Great Wall. Optional tour to go to the observation tower in Shanghai was also silly. It was the 3rd highest building, my son and I opted out, instead walked next door and went to the highest building in Shanghai (the tour guide had said it was closed which was nonsense). Everyday spent at least four hours at a shopping venue, 2 jade shops, silk, pearl and tea places as well. Highlight of the tour was the 5 star hotels we stayed at each night and then our only free time which was at night when we would go out to eat on our own. In retrospect, I would say it would be better to spend more money on a tour that would show us more, take us to more interesting places rather than just the shopping experience, which is what this largely was. In each Shanghai and in Beijing, there was only one tour guide for about 40 people. The tour guide, especially in Beijing, would walk forward seldom looking back seemingly uncaring if anyone would get lost. We quickly started to look out for each other but she couldn't care less. Each day the shop we had visited would feed us a free lunch and that was very mediocre. It would have been much better if we were allowed to buy our own food in a restaurant rather than eat the slop that was served us.

Date of experience : May 02, 2018

We booked a tour on Globerouter…

We booked a tour on Globerouter website, but, apparently, it was a mediatory company so that at the end, you end up with some other company taking you to the chosen destinations. Unfortunately, our experience with Compass Holidays was not that great. As we have traveled by bus around Europe a lot with different travel agencies, we had already the vision of what it is and what to expect. But what we got with Globeretour and their partner Compass Holidays, was a completely different experience. We booked a 3-day trip to Quebec-Montreal-Ottawa. At first, you book a tour and then you have to pay additional fees for the bus driver and tour guide. SERIOUSLY? Can a tour go without a bus driver? It's ridiculous how some companies try to lower the price. Then, the bus... It was NOT good at all. Chairs are broken and the A/C was broken and a huge flow of air was blowing into my father's face. So the driver had to switch off one type of A/C and turn on from the side. The guide... We paid for the ENGLISH tour, but ended up with the Chinese-English tour. In this order... 65% of the info was in Chinese and 35% in English. The guide we paid additional money for did not do ANY walking tour with you in the museums. The only benefit from her was that she was telling us where the WC is and where and at what time we meet. Food - well, imagine 4 out of 5 restaurants were Chinese buffet.... That's exactly what we wanted on the trip to Quebec-Montreal-Ottawa... Chinese food. Not French, not Canadian. Ridiculous. Hotel - was okay. The only thing - it's very far from downtown, so you can walk there. Which is a minus, as we wanted to explore smth as we didn't see much on the first day. Food provided by hotel was very basic (muffin, apple and juice). Bare in mind that each destination you go to, there will be veeery little time to see anything. Basically, you spend the majority driving and won't see much. They also put some museums that you spend time on and won't see the city much. We were very disappointed with the trip and have very poor overall experience..

Date of experience : October 30, 2019

After seeing all the bogus reviews on…

After seeing all the bogus reviews on this page, I decided to offer a honest review of the entire tour from my experience couple years back. And I got to say, baiting people with fabricated reviews is not cool. Compass Holidays is a subsidiary of Tianbao Travel; their products are practically the same. What I realized when I was at the office was that the same package in English is far more expensive than in Chinese. Even for trips such as cruise whereas guides are not included, the price gap is still HUGE. Go check it out yourself. Ultimately, people wants to know if this tour is genuine. The answer is NO! And I’ll break down the scheme. Advertisement It’s really just a click bait. You see a super value tour and would definitely check it out. But in reality, most of these prices are not offered and availability are fake. My cousin made a call 15mins in after the sales started, and the sale price was sold out!? And I realized we’ve been tricked to make this call. We did get a call back telling us this sale price is available at a different date and then we took it. Other tourist told us that they were also rescheduled to be on that day. So I guess to prevent themselves from breaking the law, they do have a small number of tour for the sale price. If you are to book your days off ahead of time then you are screwed! They don’t reschedule until a few months before departure. Administration They are a mess in this area. And if the availability on their website is half true, then they are serving thousands of guest with only 3 staff!? No wonder calls can never get through. And to make the matter worst, they flat out admitted that they are not TICO licensed staff. In other words, their administrative staff is not even qualified for their job. Refunds Payment is easy, but getting money back is hell. After being overcharged by mistake, which I think occurs frequently, they asked to use the overpayment for excursions. Upon refusal they would try again, very consistent people. Finally, they agreed to make a refund. Just when I thought it was resolved, the refund didn’t make it back for months. Then again the offer for excursion is brought up. I surrendered. Insurance Traveling with Compass Holidays you MUST have travel insurance. The insurance provided by the agency is one of the most expensive insurance I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend calling your credit card company or bank to get a travel insurance quote. Not only are they cheap, but sometimes travel insurance are already included for free. Flight This is the biggest joke ever. Flight information wasn’t delivered until a couple weeks before departure. Apparently, it is the travelers duty to reserve their own seats. After a long struggle with the wrong reservation number, we got the right number and got to the reservation page. And its fully booked. So the reservation was opened for months… As a result, my partner and I ended up in different section. The flight was delayed and we arrived late around midnight. Barely anyone is at the airport, so same goes for our tour guide. We attempted to get assistance but no one speaks English. Fortunately, someone from the same tour can speak Chinese. Tour bus is gone; hotel doesn’t recognize our names so we won’t be getting a shuttle bus. The next best option are the airport benches. In the morning, someone contacted the guide and we were rescued! Gratuities Demanding for the reason for the mix up, the guide gave us insights to their job and got 100% empathy from me. The so called mandatory tip collected doesn’t go to the tour guide, the agency pocket the money. As for the guide, they have to bid to get a group to guide. Their only source of income is commission from retailers. When I asked the office staff about this, they said the tip is for administration staff. Really…!? Tour Have you ever been to a sales pitch where they promise you a prize after you go into a room where they sell you stuff for hours? This is it, just in a foreign country. How bad could it be!? The tour is 15 hours a day, and if you don’t participate there is a penalty (forgot the amount). There was this teapot factory that we visit, and it was a REAL visit. We were there for 4hours. For every single day, most of the time was be spent either on the bus or in sales pitch. Places like the Great Wall, we spent a little over an hour stop. All these amazing sites can easily burn a day or two to explore, but instead, we are confined to these shopping locations. To make matter worst, the prices of these products are 10 times more expensive then the retailers. Aren’t they factories!? Obviously, tourist gets the special treatment. And if you bought something big and expect it to be mailed home, then good luck with that. The excursion is the only good thing about the tour. These excursions are the real deal with no additional selling. We just go enjoy the ride or show and then head back. Dinner Bring lots of granola bars because you need enough for 8 nights. Dinner is not included in the tour not because it cost them more, but there are no time with all the sales pitch. You get back by 9 and you would be starving. Then you’ll realize the hotel restaurant is about to close. Going to restaurant outside, you would not be able to order because there are no English menu nor English speaking staff. People legit speaks no English. You’ll end up going back to your room eating granola bars or you can do room service. I can’t believe no one rant about this on the forum. Conclusion You really do get a lot of awesome views from the bus. The entire trip is about going to these locations and taking snap shots. Do you really get to explore or know these places!? Not really. At the least you can tell your friends you’ve been there. For people who signed up, remember to take all excursions to make it worthwhile; refrain from buying too much overprice stuff and just pay the poor tour guide a tip. As for people who are still considering, I would advise you to explore other options. Even though there might be a slight difference in price, but it would be legit.

Date of experience : May 06, 2019

Shi*ty Chinese company..

Shi*ty Chinese company... stay away from them!!!

Date of experience : March 27, 2018

Compass Travel Israel

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Israel Holy Land Christian Tour Package 7 days - Private Tour Package

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These are some of the latest independent reviews of Compass Odyssey posted on SafariBookings.com by our travellers. We are always striving to stay on top of our game and are keen to know what is (and isn’t) working on our journeys. We therefore greatly value the opinions of our travellers and receiving their feedback is an essential spoke within the wheels of Compass Odyssey.

“Compass Odyssey trip to Namibia”

Unbelievable trip of a lifetime. We had the best service possible. Compass Odyssey offered a quick reply whenever we had a question. They answered all our wishes and provided amazing guides both in Namibia and for our short stay in Cape Town, South Africa. I strongly recommend them for a personalized trip to a beautiful country.

“Amazing, exceeding expectations”

We had a wonderful private Safari to Namibia organised for four people. Landed in Capetown, spent the day to visit with a guide, flying to Windhoek the following morning. Also half a day on the way back. Then our Namibian guide took over in Windhoek and looked after us for the next 12 days. We had a very comfi 4×4 car, 8 seats, air conditioning. Drove through the Namib desert. Our guide made the most of it. We were the first ones hiking the orange dunes at sunrise, then running down to the petrified trees. We were the last persons climbing the Dune 45 at sunset, amazing colours and landscape. We then drove through Namib desert to Swakop. Wonderful cruise experience watching Flamingoes, Dolphins, Seals…. Then a few days in Damaraland desert, watching wild elephants and learning from desert plants, animals, and engraving stones 4000 years old. Finally a few days in Etosha park, watching so many wild animals : Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Spring box, Cheetas, Lions, Rhinos, Oryx, Hyena, Jackal… Our guides were fantastic making the most of it, very attentionate, organised and knowledgeable. We can’t thank enough Darren and Kate who have organised our trip and given us excellent advices. The Hotels and guesthouse were very comfortable. We came from London and had a stop in Capetown. We then flied with Airlink to Windhoek.

“Nostalgia for Africa”

Our annual family trip had Namibia as its destination this year. Unfortunately, like every year, before deciding where to go, we arrive a few weeks before departure. I’m the family travel organizer and when we made the decision for Namibia, I started calling all the Italian tour operators to see the availability, but unfortunately for the month of August, the month in which all Italians are on holidays, I did not find anything. I started looking at all Namibian tour operators’ websites. I wrote to 5 of them but none of them convinced me enough, except Compass Odyssey. I started writing to Darren all my requests, doubts, fears and I always found a helpful person, attentive to every detail to create an unforgettable holiday. I booked with Compass easily and I trusted in them. The trip was magnificent, not a problem, the organization at the top, good standard of hotel and safari tents. Our guide Raymond was a friendly, helpful and discreet man and when he left us a little free we missed him. Every evening for dinner we organized the following day about the departure time and what we wanted to see, and Raymond always gave us excellent advice. Everything was perfect, even for my skeptical husband who before leaving said, “What are we going to do in Namibia?” and when he returned, he spoke of ‘Africa sickness’ and not of ‘African massage’, as Raymond said when he was driving on unpaved roads. Thank you to Darren, Kate, and Raymond, which made us cry before leaving.

“Compass Odyssey are the best Safari tour operator we have come across.”

We were recommended Compass Odyssey by another Irish family so we were already assured of the diamond service we were going to receive. Darren was able to surmount the initial challenges presented by an age diverse family particularly in terms of scheduling as we were set in the dates we could travel to Zimbabwe and Zambia. The itinerary was exiting and sold our family from the outset. We found Compass Odyssey to be very attentive to our needs, flexible in delivery and trustworthy in handling the large outlay.

We arrived in Victoria falls after a long journey from Ireland to be met by the Compass Odyssey man on the ground , Mortimer. He was worth his weight in gold over the next week transporting us here and there, booking activities and restaurants, and was generally a great source of information on the country. We stayed 3 nights in the ‘Hide’ at the Hwangi National and we loved every moment of it from the morning walking safaris with our expert guide Adam Jones ,to the chats around the fire watching the watering hole sipping a few beers. Our accomadation was suprisingly comfortable with a hot water bottle to combat the African cold nights.

Victoria falls ,the adrenelin capital of Africa was everything we hoped for. Firstly the Falls are so beautiful from both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides. The kids loved the Gorge plunge .We all did the White Water Rafting which was thrilling until we found that we had a 30-40 minute ascent to the top of the gorge at the end (Not for the faint hearted).

The Elephant Cafe was special. We fed the elephants and enjoyed a top class meal.

All it remains to do is thank Darren and Kate for really looking after us with our trip.It remains among the best we’ve been on.

“Trip of a Lifetime Indeed!”

What else can be said about Compass Odyssey that hasnt been said in all these reviews?

It was our pleasure to work with Darren and Kate to set up our inaugural trip to Africa. We ended up doing a trip which started off with Capetown (3 nights), Victoria Falls (2 nights), and 3 camps in Botswana (8 nights). Throughout, Darren’s meticulous communication and planning made the entire trip seamless. I note some highlights below: * Excellent and prompt email communications in the early stages while plannng the trip * Superb dossier right before the trip commences, which includes all the details of the trip. It’s very helpful to have this printed out with you while on the trip. * Darren’s “feet on the ground” in the various cities are wonderful and knowledgeable. These included Garth in Capetown and Ruth/Mortimer in Vic Falls * Seamless intra-botswana flight and transport arrangements

…and I can go on and on.

Thank you Darren and team for helping us have a trip of a lifetime, and we look forward to more trips in the future. Tony Tina Theo Nicholas

“Compass Odyssey provided us with a truly memorable experience for our safari with our grandson.”

This is our second trip to Africa with Compass Odyssey, to a different part of Africa than the first time. Just as before, the trip was amazing, the accommodations were very comfortable, the guides were knowledgeable and friendly and the safari experiences were top-notch. We have no hesitation in recommending Compass Odyssey to anyone and will absolutely use them again for any future trips to Africa!

“The journey of life.”

As we stated in the title. This was the best trip of our lives so far. Darren and all the co-workers were fantastic. Every wish of ours was fulfilled and organized and carried out down to the smallest detail. Darren’s every suggestion if we weren’t sure what to choose from excursions or other events was a hit. During our trip, we visited many places and countries: Doha, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Mauritius, and in each country we were greeted by a fantastic guide who went through the entire itinerary with us. The accommodation units were excellent, the entire staff and the food. Everything was really perfect. I wholeheartedly recommend cooperation with Daren and his associates and we will definitely continue to travel with their organization.

“The organization was perfect, nothing was left to chance and everything that was agreed was fulfilled.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Darren and his team at Compass Odyssey for organizing our safari, the organization itself was amazing from meeting at the airport to transportation to our accommodation. The proposed accommodation was superb, the people who looked after us were beyond amazing , the itinerary itself that was suggested to us and that we accepted was absolutely amazing starting with the breathtaking Victoria Falls and then the fantastic Chobe National Park and the absolutely amazing Okavango Delta. I have absolutely no complaints about any segment of our trip. We saw absolutely all the animals that we wanted and more than that, we met wonderful people and created a memory for a lifetime. I hope we will have the opportunity to return again.

“Extremely knowledgeable, very professional and always on hand to answer (and solve) all queries.”

Darren was introduced to me by a good friend in SA. Compass Odyssey’s reputation it seems, was well established. They lived up to that reputation over and over again! We wanted a safari experience in Greater Kruger, Zambia and Zimbabwe and, although I had previously worked in Southern Africa for many years, we decided to let CO (Compass Odyssey) put together a trip of a lifetime. They did not disappoint! Once Darren and I agreed on a budget (in our case, upper mid-scale) he went ahead and developed a wonderful itinerary, the experiences from which, we will talk-about and reflect on for the rest of our lives! Darren was very patient with our needs. Initially, friends said they would join us on the trip, and Darren spent many hours trying to find lodges that could take a group of nine! In the end, we just travelled as one family which assisted the process immensely. Not once did Darren show any frustration at the number of people, which was changing constantly in the early planning. CO also has a great advantage in being able to provide ground support teams for airport transfers, safari transfers and support expertise at national borders; Alan in Johannesburg, Mortimer and his family who assisted us in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Wonderful people and so less stressful when one has local expertise to assist with these processes! If ever we have another opportunity to travel to southern Africa, I would not hesitate to call CO again to put something together. The trip was spectacular, the value excellent, and they are fantastic people to deal with!

“We travel all around the world and Compass Odyssey was the best tour operator we’ve ever worked with.”

From our first contact with Darren at Compass Odyssey, we knew we had found the ideal tour operator. He is the ultimate professional. Competent, knowledgable, pleasant, responsive and best of all he listens to the customer. The pre-trip communications were highly informative and thorough. Darren created a perfect trip for us to southern Africa. Our entire trip was stress free because we were in good hands with our guides and Darren was just a text away if we needed anything. Our accommodations, guides and itinerary were all great and as described in the documents from Darren. We highly recommend Compass Odyssey to anyone planning a trip to Africa.

“I doubt a better tour organizer exists!”

From our first contact a year ago to now post trip, Darren has been absolutely the best tour organizer we have ever worked with (and we travel A LOT!) He is incredibly detail oriented and highly knowledgeable about the areas where we traveled (South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana). There was not one step of the way that we were not treated like honored guests and everything we might have wanted was already in place at every stop we made. We had not even finished our trip before I was looking where he could send us next. All of our accommodations were lovely and all of our guides were absolutely top notch. (I must make a special mention of our guide Garth in Cape Town. He was so wonderful that we were sad we were not taking him along with us on the rest of our trip. He is incredibly kind, warm, friendly, and has an amazing wealth of knowledge of the area.) It is very apparent that Darren is well respected and liked as everywhere we traveled the hosts at the lodges/guest houses and the guides talked about how wonderful he is and how they wanted to treat his guests as extra special. And indeed we felt extra special the whole way. Can’t wait to plan our next trip with him!

“Darren listened to our wishes and planned a seamless and very personal itinerary.”

We communicated with Darren or Compass Odyssey exactly what we wanted and he was very thoughtful and precise with the planning of our trip. We began with 4 nights in Capetown, which was just perfect. Our personal guide, Glen, was fabulous! We saw all of the sights, plus a couple that we requested, as well as a day of wine tasting at some beautiful wineries. Our entire trip was very personal, in that there were only the 5 of us on all of our tours and Safaris, except for 1 camp in Kruger, where another couple joined us, who fit in perfectly. No big crowds or tours! All of our accommodations were very nice, and our safari hosts and guides were extremely knowledgable. All of our accommodations had very comfortable beds, and nice baths with good showers. Queen Victoria in Cape Town was a boutique luxury hotel, as was The Peech Hotel in Johannesburg. Highly recommend both! The Victoria Safari Lodge had the feeling of a real African setting and we enjoyed sitting at the outdoor bar each evening watching the sunset and the animals at the watering hole. After having dinner one night at the famous and historic Victoria Falls Hotel, we were quite happy with our choice of accommodation, feeling the VFHotel was a bit stuffy. LOVED the Chobe River Lodge, and the Pom Pom tent camp in the Okavango Delta. Senalala Lodge was nicer than expected and the hosts were very nice, knowledgable, and accommodating. The trip could not have been better planned by Compass Odyssey, and we thank you for truly memorable experience.

“Trip of a lifetime!”

We had overall a great experience embracing nature at its purest coupled with amazing food and people that further enhanced the experience. Compass took care of everything and made us feel ‘at home’. This started already before the trip, where received a lot of info/advice. The guides were warm, passionate and knowledgeable. Compass put together a fantastic itinerary for us which left us with memories that will last a life time ! Was our first trip to the continent, and I am sure it wont be the last. We can highly recommend Compass.

“Experienced, trustworthy, detailed , quality tour operators.”

I was a bit nervous to plan an African safari trip for two women, traveling alone. But when I found compass odyssey, all my worries faded. Darren and Kate helped us create a personalized 10 day trip of a lifetime. We began in South Africa and travel to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. They took care of all the logistics from start to finish. Including flights, and quality accommodations with top notch guides, and amazing food and staff. They took care of our dietary restrictions, our transfers and last minute changes were made without issue. They provided a detailed dossier with all the information we needed for our travels and more! You won’t be disappointed with Compass Odyssey and Darren and Kate’s team. We look forward to our next adventure with them!

“Knowledgeable, kind, funny, simply amazing.”

When using compass odyssey you need to plan and worry about nothing. Darren and Kate pre plan and execute an amazing safari. Timely communication, best value, amazing staff/tour guides. This was a dream trip for me and being able to just go and be present in the moment, knowing that Darren and Kate had my back was priceless. The lodges they use have incredible staff, amazing food, superb trackers. It’s hard to put into words how incredibly life changing this trip was, to be one with nature, surrounded by incredible people is just magical. Compass Odyssey will not disappoint.

“Highly recommend, great communication and great service, always there to help if necessary.”

Our adventure to Namibia was originally scheduled for 2020. We have had the best communication over the past three years to ensure us we still had our credits to use and keep us up todate with the economic happenings to ensure we didn’t miss out on our trip. The wait was so worth it. From climbing stunning sand dunes, hilarious coastal adventures, to an amazing safari in Etosha National Park, there was never a dull moment. Well organised and our amazing guide Elvis kept us informed and entertained our entire journey. We meet the most friendly and beautiful people, felt so safe and enjoyed the wonders of Namibia. The contrast from location to location was mind blowing. The history and general knowledge from Elvis made the trip incredibly memorable. I don’t think I will ever see so many free roaming animals in their natural habitat as in Etosha, certainly did not disappoint on animal sightings! An amazing country that we highly recommend to visit, the vastness is incredible. We need to come back to see more! Thank you Darren, Kate and Elvis, impeccable service and communication and the most amazing experience from start to finish, (3 years!). So worth the investment.

“Compass Odyssey is outstanding in every way; great service, awesome guides, and spectacular tours!”

Darren, aka Crusty, and Kate provided us great service during the 3 1/2 years it took to get us to Africa. We started planning this trip in 2019 and then, you all know what happened in spring of 2020! Darren was so patient and helpful through two sets of dates over the past 3 years. Their attention to detail is outstanding; they left nothing to chance for our trip. We were elated to finally make this trip in March 2023 and it was better than I ever dreamed it would be. All of the tour guides and drivers that hired by Compass Odyssey were fantastic; very helpful and attentive to our needs and security. Tifo our safari guide in Botswana, through the Chobe River Lodge was the best safari guide I’ve ever had. Tifo was driving, missing many of the ruts and holes while looking for animals all around us and checking the ground for tracks and scat. He was amazing. And, Garth, our guide in Cape Town, was the best tour guide I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from. Garth gave us a concise history of Cape Town and surroundings. He was also very knowledgeable on the winemaking areas. Garth presented all the information in a well-ordered classroom type format. He made it very easy to listen to and in a very interesting manner. Again, this trip with Compass Odyssey’s help, was one of our favorite trips, ever!

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Old Compass Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)