Outback to the Top End - Adelaide to Darwin (OAAD)
You can’t get Down Under through a bus window. If you’re going to get off the tourist track, you’ll have to shake things up a bit—that’s why we’ve turned to trains, 4x4s, and buses for this itinerary. Starting in charming Adelaide, cut through the outback and explore the mysteries of Uluru. Follow your curiosity down the deserted tracks that make Australia so remote and spend 14 days discovering the natural beauty of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations.
Highlights: Bedding down at a traditional sheep station and outside under the outback sky, learning about dreamtime stories from the Aborigines, experiencing a night underground in Coober Pedy, catching the magnificent colours of Uluru, hiking the Red Centre, riding the route of Afghan cameleers on the Ghan Train, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park
New Zealand—South Island Encompassed (ONSE)
Looking to tackle a bundle of different environments all in one go? New Zealand’s South Island has what you need and then some. Action is the common thread throughout this trip that incorporates hiking, kayaking, biking, glacier treks and even bungee jumping across a variety of landscapes, including rainforests, glaciers and some of the most gorgeous coastline you’ll ever see. This trip is exciting even when you’re not moving; accommodations include an authentic bush camp and a wilderness lodge deep in the rainforest itself. Unique? You bet.
Highlights: Exploring the trails of Abel Tasman National Park by foot, hiking the Franz Josef glacier valley, getting an adrenaline rush in Queenstown, weaving through the remote fjords of the Doubtful Sound by sea kayak, biking while stopping to taste local wine.
Most of the Coast—Sydney to Cairns (OASC)
The route up Australia’s East Coast has earned its rep as one of the seemingly endless supply of must-do experiences in the country. The classic Sydney-to-Cairns route introduces you to both sides of modern Australia—the bright lights of the big city and the raw beauty of the outback. You’ll get to try your hand at dozens of atypical activities—everything from sheep-shearing and wine-tasting to yachting and snorkelling. And when you travel in small groups like we do, you really get out there into the wild to meet the locals and experience the land like they do. That amazing new frontier you’ve been looking for? Here it is.
Highlights: Tasting wine in the Hunter Valley, Sleeping under the stars and at a sheep station, Learning to surf in famous Byron Bay, Island-hopping through the Whitsundays, Cooling off in remote swimming holes, Snorkelling the world's largest reef.
Kenya & Tanzania Overland Adventure (DKKT)
For those who want it all, this 16-day adventure offers the promise of Kenya and Tanzania's best wilderness as well as plenty of time at Zanzibar's beaches and exotic spice gardens. Track the Big Five across the acacia-spotted savannah of the Serengeti and the legendary plains of Masai Mara. Our unique overland truck will carry you through the incredible scenery safely and in good spirits—and camping will keep you at the heart of the action. This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience like no other.
Highlights: Encountering the wildlife of the famous Masai Mara, photographing legions of flamingos at Lake Nakuru National Park, walking among giraffes on Crescent Island at Lake Naivasha, learning from the Masai people in the Loita Hills, tracking the Big Five across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, exploring Zanzibar's spice plantations and pristine waters.
San Francisco to New Orleans Road Trip (NUFO)
Bridging two iconic cities, this is a road trip that features amazing national parks, quirky landmarks and the spirit of America. Learn about Navajo culture, play the odds in Vegas, bask in genuine southern hospitality and get your cowboy on in Texas. Centrally located hotels in the cities and campsites in the wilderness keep you in the heart of the action no matter where you are. With so much heart and soul and so much to see and do on the road to New Orleans, don’t leave your heart in San Francisco because you’re going to need it.
Highlights: Strolling the hills of San Francisco, catching a sunset at the Grand Canyon, marvelling at cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, feeling the heat in Death Valley, rolling the dice in Las Vegas, searching for wildlife in Yosemite.
New Orleans to San Francisco Road Trip (NUNF)
Bats in Texas, aliens in Roswell, pretty much everything else in San Francisco—get off the well-worn tourist trail and really discover the south and west of the United States. After leaving fabulous New Orleans, you'll explore some of the most incredible natural wonders anywhere—the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite—then trade wildlife for the nightlife in Las Vegas. It's the ultimate roadtrip. Now, let's get rolling.
Highlights: Strolling the hills of San Francisco, hiking Yosemite, taking a chance in Las Vegas, savouring the sunset at the Grand Canyon, learning about the Navajo, witnessing bats in flight at Carlsbad Caverns, looking for aliens in Roswell, dancing in New Orleans.
London to Prague Adventure (EELP)
Paris, the Swiss Alps, the Italian Riviera, modern Bohemia—you’d be surprised how much of Europe you can pack into 17 days. This excellent whirlwind tour of Europe for younger travellers reads like a greatest-hits compilation of classic Europe experiences: The bustle of busy London, cultural exploration in the French capital, postcard-worthy scenery in Switzerland, trekking in Cinque Terre and a frosty mug of Pilsner in an authentic Czech hospoda at the end of it all.
Highlights: Visiting six countries in 17 days, Exploring the history-filled streets of European capitals, Eating and dancing your way through Western Europe.
Rome to London Adventure (EIRL)
With just 17 days to play with, time is tight on this tour, but the possibilities (and options) are wide open. It begins in Rome, home to more ancient landmarks than you could shake a centurion’s spear at. From there, you’ll explore elegant Prague, cut loose in the clubs of Amsterdam and Berlin, and savour the historical charms of romantic Bruges before the whirlwind drops us off in England. Hang on tight.
Highlights: Discovering medieval towns and frenetic capital cities, partying across Europe, setting eyes on world-famous monuments and museums, embracing a variety of cultures, sampling local food and drink everywhere you go.
East Coast Encompassed - Sydney to Cairns (OAEC)
Rugged landscapes, crashing surf and indigenous culture stretching back through time and beyond—Australia’s East Coast possesses a truly otherworldly allure. This trip offers you a comprehensive, authentic and wholly affordable experience in one of the country’s most popular regions. Raw thrills and refined pleasures abound out here. In the space of a few days, you’ll sample wines in the Hunter Valley, spend the night in a teepee, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, catch a few waves, spearfish with local Aborigines, shear a sheep and play a didgeridoo. When people back home ask what you did on your trip, just tell ‘em: “Everything.”
Highlights: Island hopping by yacht through the Whitsunday Islands, overnighting at a traditional sheep station and a beach teepee, learning to surf in Byron Bay, zipping over dunes in a 4x4 on a remote sand island, snorkelling the world's largest reef, spearing fish and savouring lunch with local Aborigines, sleeping in a 'swag' under the impressive southern night sky
Australia South to North - Melbourne to Darwin (OAMD)
You can’t get Down Under through a bus window. If you’re going to get off the tourist track, you’ll have to shake things up a bit—that’s why we’ve turned to trains, 4x4s, buses and boats for this itinerary. From the cobblestones of charming Melbourne, cut through the outback and explore the mysteries of Uluru. Follow your curiosity down the deserted tracks that make Australia so remote and spend 18 days discovering the natural beauty of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations.
Highlights: Bedding down at a traditional sheep station and outside under the outback sky, learning about dreamtime stories from the Aborigines, experiencing a night underground in Coober Pedy, catching the magnificent colours of Uluru, hiking through gorgeous natural rock formations in the Red Centre, riding the route of Afghan cameleers on the Ghan Train, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kakadu National Park
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Best of New Zealand (ONNS)
Compared with their enormous western neighbour, the islands of New Zealand don’t look especially big on the map, but don’t let their small stature deceive you. There is much, much, much to do here, be it biking to old gold mining sites, kayaking remote coves and some of the most breathtaking hiking routes in the whole world. But if you’re short on travel dollars, fear not; this trip squeezes in the very best of both the North and South islands into an affordable, action-packed 21-day itinerary that moves swiftly without ever seeming rushed.
Highlights: Learning about the Maori culture, conquering New Zealand's top-rated 1-day trek—the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, hiking Franz Josef Glacier, getting an adrenaline rush in Queenstown, weaving through the remote fjords of the Doubtful Sound by sea kayak, discovering Abel Tasman National Park by foot
Southern Cross Country Westbound (NUCW)
Can one 23-day trip define the elusive essence of a complex nation with centuries of incredible history? Probably not, but it’d be a blast to try, no? Designed specifically for curious travellers with a passion for real experiences and lots of time, this adventure takes you from the busy streets of NYC to the shores of San Francisco Bay, with just about every shade of Americana thrown in along the way: Philly steaks, Lincoln, Music City USA, the French Quarter, Tex-Mex, Yosemite, the Vegas Strip… forget e pluribus unum; America’s real motto is “go big or go home.”
Highlights: Getting wild in San Francisco and Las Vegas, embracing nature in Monument Valley, Yosemite and Mesa Verde, facing America’s history in Washington, DC, feeling the beat in Memphis and Nashville, watching bats at Carlsbad Caverns and the sunset at the Grand Canyon.
New Zealand Encompassed (ONNZ)
It dosen’t look so big on the map, but New Zealand is positively massive once you’re there in person. This comprehensive 24-day trip—our longest in this part of the world—delivers the most immersive NZ experience possible. Get close to the land by exploring volcanoes, national parks, sustainable farms, and meet the water up-close on expert-led kayak excursions and during surf lessons. Best of all, you’ll get to explore the magnificent Bay of Islands, home to some of the world’s top fishing. 24 days? You’ll wish it was longer.
Highlights: Learning about the Maori culture, exploring the Bay of Islands, conquering New Zealand's top-rated 1-day trek—the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, hiking Franz Josef Glacier, getting an adrenaline rush in Queenstown, weaving through the remote fjords of the Doubtful Sound by sea kayak, discovering Abel Tasman National Park by foot.
Nairobi to Joburg Overland (DKBJ)
Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Kruger National Park, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar, Victoria Falls—we originally called this trip ‘Africa Complete,’ but those pesky lawyers made us change it. While it may not feature all of Africa, it’s still pretty darn close: Wildlife safaris, cultural contact, rugged landscapes and natural landmarks spread across six incredible countries. And with supremely knowledgeable CEOs, meals prepared from fresh local produce and starlit camping stays, you’ll gain a kinship with this land and its people you won’t find anywhere else.
Highlights: Spotting the 'Big Five' from 4x4 safari vehicles, inhaling the aromas of a spice plantation, snorkelling Zanzibar's waters, getting the heart pumping at Lake Malawi, gazing out across Victoria Falls, spotting the 'Big 5' in Kruger National Park, discovering the less-visited Zimbabwe, walking in search of rhinos in Matobo National Park, witnessing Shangaan traditions.
