Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Secret Tours are self-guided adventures designed to be experienced in the real world. They blend storytelling, exploration, and carefully placed details into places you can actually visit.
This page answers the practical questions.
The experience itself answers the rest.
All Secret Tours experiences are self-guided and unsupervised. Individual experiences and interpretations vary.
Time Commitment
Most adventures unfold over a few hours, but there’s no rush. You can pause, wander, and return when it suits you.
Guided or Self-Guided
All Secret Tours are self-guided. You move at your own pace, following location-based clues encountered in the real world.
What You’ll Need
A phone, comfortable shoes, water, and good judgment. No prior knowledge is required, but participants should assess their own abilities and comfort level.
Solo or Group
Designed for solo explorers, couples, friends, and families. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Accessibility
Routes prioritize public areas and commonly accessible spaces. Some locations may be uneven, remote, or subject to changing conditions. Participants are responsible for assessing terrain and determining whether to proceed.
Safety First
The experience does not instruct participants to trespass, climb restricted structures, dig, or take unnecessary risks.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What exactly is The Secret Tours?
The Secret Tours are self-guided real-world experiences. They combine storytelling, observation, and exploration, unfolding through physical locations rather than screens alone. There is no guide, supervision, or real-time monitoring. You begin when you’re ready and discover details by paying attention.
Is this a tour, a game, or a puzzle?
It borrows from all three, but fits neatly into none of them. Think of it as an experience designed to change how you notice a place. Some moments feel playful, some feel quiet, and others feel unexpectedly meaningful.
Do I need prior experience with puzzles or escape rooms?
No. The experiences are designed to be intuitive and approachable. Curiosity matters more than cleverness. Participants should assess their own comfort level and abilities before proceeding.
PREPARATION & PACE
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, water, sun protection, and a fully charged phone. In desert environments, preparation matters. Participants are responsible for bringing adequate supplies and ensuring their vehicle and equipment are suitable for local conditions. Trust your own limits.
Is this physically demanding?
Routes favor public, walkable areas, though terrain conditions may vary and some surfaces may be uneven. The experience does not instruct participants to run, climb restricted structures, or push beyond their personal comfort level. Participants are responsible for assessing their own physical abilities.
What if I get stuck or confused?
If you feel uncertain, pause and reassess. This is a self-guided experience. You are free to stop at any time and return later.
If you need technical assistance with the app, contact us at thesecrettours@gmail.com.
SAFETY & RESPECT
Is this safe?
Outdoor environments involve inherent risks. All Secret Tours experiences are self-guided and unsupervised. Participants are responsible for assessing conditions, making safe decisions, and complying with local laws.
The experience does not instruct participants to trespass, dig, climb restricted structures, or enter clearly marked prohibited areas. Exploration is designed to take place in public or commonly accessible spaces, though conditions may vary.
Always use good judgment and proceed within your comfort level.
Do I need to interact with strangers?
No. The experience does not require interaction with strangers. Any interactions you choose to have are entirely voluntary and at your discretion.
How does this respect the land and local communities?
The Secret Tours are designed with respect at their core. Leave no trace. Take only photos. Follow all posted rules and local regulations. If conditions feel unsafe or inappropriate, do not proceed.
THE TOOLS WE USE
What is ClueKeeper and how does it fit in?
ClueKeeper provides the digital framework for the experience. It delivers structure and optional prompts, while the environment itself carries most of the storytelling. The Secret Tours does not monitor participants in real time.
Do I need internet or cell service the whole time?
Some portions can be accessed offline, but having service may improve certain features. Plan ahead, especially in remote areas where cellular coverage may be limited. Participants are responsible for ensuring they are prepared for limited connectivity.
GIFTING & SHARING
Is this a good gift?
Some portions can be accessed offline, but having service may improve certain features. Plan ahead, especially in remote areas where cellular coverage may be limited. Participants are responsible for ensuring they are prepared for limited connectivity.
Can I do this with friends or family?
Absolutely. One experience can be shared by a group exploring together. Each participant is responsible for their own decisions and safety.
Do I need one purchase per person?
No. One experience is intended to be shared by a small group.
ABOUT THE MYSTERY
Is there something hidden?
There are elements of the experience that unfold in the physical world. Not everything is metaphorical.
Is this connected to a larger story?
Yes. Each location is part of a broader framework that unfolds over time, across places, and through careful attention.
Will this spoil future adventures?
No. Each city stands on its own while quietly connecting to something larger.
Still wondering where to begin?
Every Secret Tour is designed to be an entry point. If this is your first time, Joshua Tree is a good place to start.
Some answers are meant to be read. Others are meant to be found.