Shift Your Perspective With These Life-Changing Trips
Need to shake things up? Here’s a killer collection of epic small-group trips that you can book – choose from Japan, Iceland, Colombia and more for an experience that’s sure to change your life.
Shift your perspective with these life-changing trips that delve deep into different cultures and destinations around the world. From the bright neon lights of Tokyo to the graffitied streets of Cartagena, these trips are packed with contrasts guaranteed to leave you feeling immersed and designed to open up the world around you – in a positive way. Looking for a new take on travel? Here are the best trips we have that could potentially change your life.
Japan by Train: The Grand Tour
From neon-lit skyscrapers to bamboo forests dotted with ancient temples, there’s nowhere quite like Japan. This 12-day trip will take you from the foodie capital of Osaka, to the city lights of Tokyo and even down to the floating Torii Gate of Miyajima Island, which sits in Hiroshima Bay. Along the way, you’ll get to see geishas in Kyoto, sample sake in Takayama and watch sumo wrestlers train in the capital. You’ll even get the chance to stay in a traditional ryokan-style hotel and sing your heart out at karaoke alongside your fellow travellers. How can we squeeze so much into one itinerary?
From US$2774
Next available from 12th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Osaka, Japan
ENDS AT
Tokyo, Japan
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Iceland: From frozen waterfalls to black-sand beaches
A journey into Iceland’s frozen wilderness is guaranteed to be one of those trips that change your life. This overland journey to Iceland’s most scenic destinations is just five days long, but you’ll leave the Nordic nation having experienced one of the most extreme environments in the world. Bring your thermal clothes on this trip, because in winter, Iceland is cold. Starting and ending in Reykjavik, this adventure tour takes you to frozen waterfalls, black sand beaches and powerful natural geysers. Snowmobile across icy glaciers, soak up the – much-needed – heat of geothermal hot springs and be in awe of the natural phenomenon that is the Northern Lights.
From US$2369
Next available from 21st Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
ENDS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Morocco: From maze-like souks to the starry-skied Sahara
For first time travellers, the busy bazaars and packed medinas of Morocco can be a culture shock. But with the help of one of our Insider Guide’s, you’ll quickly adjust to the North African way of life – and you’ll soon appreciate the architectural wonders and symmetry of cities like Casablanca and Fez and the subtle spices and flavours of Berber cuisine. This life-changing 13-day experience sees you travelling to Morocco’s most important destinations and you’ll journey through souks, walk through blue cities, ride camels across the Sahara and trek through the Atlas Mountains.
From US$1897
Next available from 7th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Casablanca, Morocco
ENDS AT
Marrakech, Morocco
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Nepal: From the soaring Annapurna mountains to wild Chitwan jungles
The high mountains of the Himalayas have inspired travellers for millennia and you’re guaranteed to be blown away by the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Range on this 11-day journey through Nepal. But your life-changing trip begins lower down the mountains in Kathmandu. Here, you’ll not only see the sights of the capital but you’ll meet with locals from the Seven Women Centre – an organisation that helps to empower Nepalese women. Pokhara is up next and in addition to mountain treks, you’ll visit a Tibetan Refugee Camp where you’ll be taught the secret behind Momos – the region’s most famous dumpling dish. Swap the snowy mountains of Annapurna for the hot, humid jungles of Chitwan – where you’ll seek out tigers on safari – before finally returning to Kathmandu as both a changed and enlightened traveller.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Kathmandu, Nepal
ENDS AT
Kathmandu, Nepal
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Caribbean Colombia: From Cartagena to Palomina
From pristine beaches to snow-capped mountains, discover the majestic landscapes of Colombia’s Caribbean coast on this eight-day adventure. Wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena’s walled city, sample authentic street food and canoe through mangroves in La Boquilla before taking a day trip to the tropical Rosario Islands. Your journey continues north towards the base of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, where you’ll trek to deserted beaches in Tayrona National Park and try river tubing on the Río Don Diego. Cap off your trip with a farewell dinner in Palomino.
From US$1711
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cartagena, Colombia
ENDS AT
Santa Marta, Colombia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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