The game is in two parts.
In the first part, each player prepares for an expedition by obtaining the appropriate personnel and equipment. Players can choose from two land expeditions (mountaineering or archaeology) and two sea expeditions (sailing or diving).
The second part of the game then starts. Travel from base camp to the main objective for that expedition and then back to base, overcoming hazards along the way, with the choice of visiting lesser objectives. The choices and route taken are determined by the personnel and equipment collected in the first part of the game. Since each expedition is different in length and difficulty it is important to obtain the best personnel and equipment, but skilful play is necessary for their best use.
Players receive payments for reaching objectives. The first player to return to base having visited their main objective receives a prize of £1,000. The second player receives £500 and the third player receives £200. All play stops when three players have returned to base. The winner is the player with the most money at the end of the game.

First made in 1967 for 2 to 5 players, the game was re-launched for 4 players. The (now) 4 pawns were changed to models shaped as a ship (diving expedition), a lorry (archaeology expedition), a tent (mountaineering expedition) and a yacht (sailing expedition). The playing piece movement illustrations and examples of play are included in the instructions leaflet.
The 4 expeditions each have specific objectives.
- Archaeology expedition is to the lost city with lesser objectives of locating a prehistoric skeleton and an idol.
- Mountaineering expedition is to the mountain summit with lesser objectives of locating a rare flower and a prehistoric skeleton.
- Diving expedition is to the sunken galleon with lesser objectives of locating pearls and a treasure chest.
- Sailing expedition is to the island with lesser objectives of locating rare fish, treasure chest and an idol.