Southern Africa Encompassed (DAJJ)
When it comes to raw, in-your-face wildness, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe are incredible—from the vantage of our 16-seat minibus they are even more spectacular. Witness traditional dancing, explore the Okavango Delta with game walks and bush camping, track rhinos on foot in Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park and capture the Big Five (with your camera, of course) in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. All the while, camping keeps you close to the incomparable scenery. This quick tour isn't simply a taste of Africa; it's a full-course meal—with seconds.
Highlights: Spotting the Big Five in Kruger National Park, gazing out across Victoria Falls, tracking rhinos on foot in Matobo National Park, feeling the pulse of a continent at a dancing demonstration, discovering the less-visited Zimbabwe, exploring the Okavango Delta the traditional way on a mokoro canoe excursion, feeling the pulse of four diverse countries.
Best of the West (NUAA)
Skyscrapers, sequoias and impossibly big skies await you in America’s West. This 15-day tour through the urban and natural wonders of California, Arizona and Nevada is perfect for travellers who want to inject a little downtown energy into their out-of-town escapes. In the cities, you’ll traverse the concrete jungle by day with an expert CEO and overnight in centrally located hotels. Elsewhere, you’ll get the chance to marvel at the grandeur of the Grand Canyon and bike in the Yosemite Valley before tucking into a barbecue dinner and camping under the stars. This is no dream; it’s the West like you’ve never seen it before.
Highlights: Stargazing in Los Angeles, marvelling at a Grand Canyon sunset, getting your kicks on Route 66, breaking a sweat in Death Valley, taking a chance in Las Vegas, camping under the stars, hiking in Yosemite, embracing the laidback spirit of California's coast.
Frontier Country (NUAW)
The last gunfighter hung up his spurs long ago, but the dust, duels and derring-do of the Old West still captivate 21st-century imaginations today. On this trip, you’ll journey back to a time when the only things a man needed to get by were a trusty horse and a steady six-shooter. From the gritty essence of Tombstone and Santa Fe to the wild back countries of New Mexico and Colorado, we reckon you’ll get the most authentic feel for life in the saddle this side of the Rio Grande.
Highlights: Reliving the Wild West in Tombstone, walking amongst the spectacular rock formations of the Garden of the Gods, counting stars at Lake Powell, being humbled by the beauty of Zion, trying your luck in Las Vegas, learning about Navajo culture in Monument Valley.
National Parks of the Canadian Rockies Westbound (NCRU)
The Rockies are a great reason to explore the Canadian West, but why stop there? We asked that question, then answered it with this trip—a sprawling, nature-rich mini-epic that melds some of Canada’s best national parks with time off the mist-shrouded shores of Vancouver Island. Loaded with diverse experiences—whale-watching, glacier hikes, hot springs and much, much more—and bookend nights in Calgary and Vancouver, you’ll stuff a lifetime’s worth of adventure into the space of a mere two weeks.
Highlights: Watching surfers in Tofino, creating a postcard-perfect photo in Jasper, sipping lattes with the pretty people in Vancouver, feeling humble while gazing up at the mighty Rockies, getting a bird's-eye view of Banff from a gondola, sharing lunch with the goats at Coombs market.
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Camping
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Yellowstone & Canyonlands Adventure South (NULV)
This region is a riot of natural treasures and this tour offers plenty of time in the best national parks including the Grand Canyon. Yellowstone, with over half the earth’s geothermal features, and the appropriately named Canyonlands offer thrilling views for the appreciative. For even more wild times, Las Vegas awaits. Whether you’re camping under the stars or spending a night with the Navajo, this adventure will show you a side of America you don’t want to miss.
Highlights: Marvelling at Yellowstone's geysers, searching for wildlife in Grand Teton, saddling up to the bar in Jackson, peering into the Grand Canyon, meeting the Navajo in Monument Valley, hiking the Southwest's best National Parks.
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Camping
- Physical Grading:
- 2
Galapagos on a Shoestring (SEGS)
This 9-day adventure is perfect for those who want to experience the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galapagos Islands but prefer to sleep on shore—so your time on the water is limited to commuting between islands. Go ashore at the lesser-visited island of Isabela and spend your days with playful sea lions, giant manta rays and the Galapagos giant tortoise. With fewer inclusions but plenty of options, you can choose which activities are right for you and experience one of the natural wonders of the world on a budget.
Highlights: Witnessing whitetip sharks at 'Shark Alley', travelling by public speedboats around the Galapagos Islands, feeling like a local during a family homestay, camping in the highlands of Isabela Island with views towards the ocean, visiting Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Discover India—Delhi to Kochi (AHDC)
From the hectic pace of northern Delhi to the beaches of Goa and the fishing nets of relaxed Kochi, this epic journey packages the subcontinent’s highlights into three well-paced weeks. Watch the sunrise at Savitri temple in Pushkar and explore the canals of Alleppey on your way to a homestay with a local family. With your hotel and transport arranged by our CEOs, you can concentrate on choosing your own adventure. Pack your trip with everything you want—and nothing you don't. What are you waiting for? Lush hills, bustling cities and mouth-watering curries await!
Highlights: Exploring the national and financial capitals of Delhi and Mumbai, experiencing the Taj Mahal at sunrise, capturing colourful Rajasthan in your viewfinder, relaxing on quiet beaches in Goa, connecting with the locals in a homestay, sampling delicious Indian cuisine.
Vietnam, Laos & Thailand on a Shoestring (AVVL)
From the fast-paced nightlife of Bangkok to a slow boat along the Mekong, this trip brings you the best of South East Asia on a shoestring. You'll party along the beautiful bay of Vietnam’s Nha Trang in the company of like-minded travellers and channel the French vibe sipping coffee in riverside cafés in Laos. Explore golden temples or hunt down treasures in local markets—the choice is all yours. Best of all, your CEO will take the hassle out of planning, so you're free to soak up the spirit of this amazing region.
Highlights: Exploring vibrant cities, snorkelling vibrant reefs, shopping in quaint Hoi An, floating among the karsts of Halong Bay, discovering sleepy Laos, cruising the mighty Mekong.
Uganda & Gorillas Overland (DUUG)
Using Uganda's vibrant Kampala as a base, this compact 8-day adventure offers those short on time a life-changing experience in the forests of Uganda. Experienced trackers will take you deep into the region’s forests for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spot endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Our overland trucks are an adventurous and inexpensive way to see the highlights while wilderness camping will keep you in the thick of the action. Your CEO will take care of the planning so you're free to explore all that Uganda has to offer. What a trip!
Highlights: Encountering wildlife in several game parks, searching for hippos while enjoying a boat ride down the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, getting up-close to mountain gorillas on their turf
Marrakech Express (EEME)
There’s so much to see in Europe; don’t settle for a cramped bus tour. Head south for an adventure as unique as you are. Beginning in London—traveller central—you’ll cross the channel for some French culture before hitting Spain for Moorish history, architecture in Barcelona and a tapas culture that will set you up for the endless nightlife. Best of all, this trip doesn’t fade out—you’ll finish up in Morocco with its mosques, medinas and kasbahs. It’s a European tour with a southern kiss of the exotic.
Highlights: Meeting the ghost of Moorish Spain at the Alhambra, sampling small plates on a tapas bar crawl, dining on a picnic lunch at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, exploring the medinas and kasbahs of Morocco, dodging snake charmers, keeping it real with a small group of like-minded travellers.
Highlights of the Eastern US & Canada (NUYH)
This grand tour of the eastern US and Canada is a sensory overload of everything that makes North America great—skyscrapers, monuments, Niagara Falls, ice cream, canoeing, poutine, subways, whales, sunshine, designer boutiques and nature hikes. On this adventure, we’ll ditch the big, clunky buses and pile small groups into private vans, clocking miles of smiles all over New York, Washington, Toronto, Montreal, Vermont and all points in between. Your friends are already jealous.
Highlights: Taking a bite out of the Big Apple, embracing the diversity of Toronto and Montreal, hiking through paradise in Algonquin Provincial Park, following the Freedom Trail in Boston and the path to independence in Philadelphia, getting wet on the Maid of the Mist.
Chicago to San Francisco Road Trip (NUCF)
Remember the country they sing about in 'America the Beautiful'? The one with the spacious skies, gleaming alabaster cities and majestic purple mountains? It’s still out there. Come see it with us. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and outdoorsy folk who want to see the country by day and revel downtown by night, this trip takes you across the Great West, from the City of Big Shoulders through Yellowstone and Yosemite and past herds of grazing bison to the City by the Bay. In a word: Perfect.
Highlights: Camping along the Mississippi, hiking the Badlands, witnessing geysers at Yellowstone and presidents at Mt Rushmore, meeting the wildlife of Grand Teton National Park and in Jackson's Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Camping
- Physical Grading:
- 2
South East Asia on a Shoestring (ATRA)
Feast on a Nyonya delicacy in Melaka or delicious street food in Singapore as you hit the highlights of South East Asia. With other travellers your own age, you’ll enjoy this adventure’s pace, exploring the hilltribes of Northern Thailand or mellowing out on the white-sand beaches of the exotic south—it’s your choice. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert CEO, you’ll enjoy the freedom of roaming where you want to and choosing your activities—cross into Malaysia to experience mouthwatering Laksa while shopping in KL's night market or take high tea at Raffles in Singapore.
Highlights: Explore Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Chiang Mai, jungle trek on foot and on the back of an elephant, remote hill-tribe villages, bamboo rafting, Krabi's stunning karst scenery, dream islands, Penang's Chinese shop houses, tea stations of the Cameron Highlands, Melaka, surprising Singapore.
China on a Shoestring: Hong Kong to Beijing (ACRC)
Soak in the vibrant pulse of Hong Kong, float down the Yangtze on a Chinese-style riverboat and walk the Great Wall with other others that share your appetite for adventure. Enjoy eighteen days packed with China's major sights and out-of-the way gems with the freedom to choose those that interest you. Cycle along Xian’s ancient city walls and through the stunning rice fields and limestone karsts of Yangzhou. Explore gorgeous scenery straight out of a painting or just relax and take it all in.
Highlights: Exploring Shanghai and Hong Kong's bustling streets and Yangshuo's karst scenery, cruising the Three Gorges of the Yangtse River, discovering history in Xi'an and Beijing, walking along the Great Wall of China.
China on a Shoestring—Beijing to Hong Kong (ACRG)
For ambitious travellers on a tight budget who are after an experience full of the very best this country has to offer, this tour showcases the scenic wonders without missing its most famous cities and sites. Walk back in time along the Great Wall then see the future in Shanghai. Our CEOs will help you dig deeper into the very best of China. Offering a great deal of flexibility, our optional activities allow you to go beyond the highlights.
Highlights: Exploring cosmopolitan cities, uncovering ancient capitals and charming rural villages, cruising the Yangtze River, marvelling at the Terracotta Warriors, standing in awe on the Great Wall.
Canyon Country & Coasts (NUFV)
Speckled with national parks, bustling cities, natural treasures and must-see monuments, the Southwest—America’s great wide open—is a living postcard. On this trip, you’ll venture inland from the Pacific Coast of California to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, camping outdoors and reconnecting with a side of this great country most rarely see. Paired up with an attentive and knowledgeable CEO, this trip is perfect for nature-minded travellers eager to see the best of the Southwest in a short period of time.
Highlights: Strolling the streets of San Francisco, stargazing in Los Angeles, marvelling at cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle, peering over the Grand Canyon, hiking the best of the West's national parks.
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Camping
- Physical Grading:
- 2
Melbourne to the Red Centre (OAMR)
If you really want to get Down Under and experience Australia’s highlights without feeling rushed, you’ll have to get off the big coaches. Explore Melbourne before hitting the Great Ocean Road and cutting through the outback to the Red Centre. Here you’ll experience the mysteries of Uluru and gain insight into Aboriginal culture. When it comes time to bed down, shake things up with a variety of unique accommodation—from safari tents to underground hostels and even a traditional sheep station.
Highlights: Marvelling at the 12 Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, bedding down at a traditional sheep station, learning about dreamtime stories from the Aborigines, catching the magnificent colours of Uluru at sunset, exploring the Red Centre with a local guide
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Nairobi to Zanzibar Adventure (DKT)
From the buzz of Kenya's capital Nairobi to the excitement of tracking the Big Five across the Serengeti, feel the pulse of Africa on this 10-day journey. Explore the incomparable beauty of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater before heading east through the savannah to visit spice plantations and relax on the beach. While our agile 4x4s will improve your chances of seeing some of the planet’s most amazing wildlife, our unique overland truck will get you around safely—and camping will keep you at the heart of the action along the way. Our certified CEO will lead the way and share with you the hidden gems that will have your camera’s shutter working overtime.
Highlights: Tracking the Big Five across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in agile 4x4 safari vehicles, Seeing Mt Kilimanjaro towering in the distance, Exploring Zanzibar's spice plantations and pristine beaches.
Brazil and Argentina on a Shoestring (SAZD)
Experience the treasures of Argentina and Brazil in this jam-packed trip. From tango in Buenos Aires to sun and surf in Rio, explore two of the continent’s most vibrant capitals. Marvel at the majesty of Iguassu Falls and let its power engulf you. Our CEOs will take you to the highlights on a shoestring and then let you loose so you can really do what you want. You’ll stick to public bus, which not only keeps costs down but gives you a chance to really meet the locals.
Highlights: Sipping caipirinhas on the beach, savouring the sophistication and cuisine of Buenos Aires, marvelling at Iguassu Falls, wandering around colonial Paraty, living it up in Rio.
Adriatic Adventure - Zagreb to Athens (ECZA)
From cultural Zagreb to ancient Athens and historic walled Balkan towns to the dance floors of exclusive nightclubs, this 15-day adventure promises a Europe you didn’t know was there. You’ll hit the Adriatic’s famous sites and hidden gems in the company of other young travellers while indulging in sailing and hiking, exploring Montenegro and Albania and embracing beach and social life in Corfu. This is a European trip like no other—strap on your sandals and discover it the right way.
Highlights: Lazing on Corfu’s beaches, making new friends over drinks along the Adriatic, scrambling around medieval fortresses, exploring charming old villages, discovering the rich and varied culture of the Balkans, exploring Diocletian's Palace on a guided tour.
