Unforgettable Trips for Exploring National Parks
Senior Travel Writer
Travel is a walk in the park, literally, with these tours through the world’s wondrous national parks.
A national park is a place worthy of distinction, as well as your next holiday. They’re so much more than protected green spaces, often harbouring the soul of a country as it was before civilisation rose. Iconic landscapes, crafted by Mother Nature long ago, are masterpieces framed by the park boundaries. The wild beasts that roam these lands know all too well the beauty and bounty of the earth – and with these top trips for exploring national parks, you can too.
Secrets of Sri Lanka
It’s not the cycling, hiking or whitewater rafting that presents difficulty on this 12-day exploration tour through Sri Lanka; it’s the fact that you’ll find it impossible to decide whether Yala National Park or Minneriya National Park is your favourite. The former will send you on a game drive in search of crocodiles, monkeys and leopards. The latter will stick you in a 4×4 for a front-row seat to watch herds of elephants roam. In the end, you’ll find that both of these Sri Lankan sanctuaries have stolen your heart.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ENDS AT
Kosgoda, Sri Lanka
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
All-Action Nepal
Think Nepal, and soaring, steep mountain ranges spring to mind. On this epic nine-day trip by Culture Trip, there’ll be plenty of time for hiking tamer trails – both in the mountains and the subtropical forests and wetlands of Chitwan National Park. Following your Local Insider through this steamy landscape, you’ll encounter all kinds of wildlife. Bison, sloth bears, one-horned rhinos and even a Bengal tiger may cross your path. There’s also a canoe safari and the chance to meet locals in a nearby village for a fascinating insight into Nepalese culture.
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
Georgia and the Caucasus
You won’t find big crowds in Georgia’s national parks – this spectacular country still flies under the radar for most travellers. But those who do visit are blown away by the majestic mountain scenery here. Our nine-day trip includes a hike in Lagodekhi National Park, where you’ll see the country’s natural beauty up close on a five-hour trek. Next, you’ll head into the Caucasus mountains for unbeatable views around Stepantsminda. After all that hiking, finish with a well-deserved soak in the sulphur baths in Tbilisi.
From US$1189
Next available from 18th May 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Tbilisi, Georgia
ENDS AT
Tbilisi, Georgia
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Splendid South Africa
Tsitsikamma National Park is the gem of South Africa’s much-loved Garden Route. Lined along the Western Cape coast, this national park blends rugged coastline and rich marine life with the luscious greenery of forest and Fynbos. You’ll get the chance to explore a range of verdant hiking trails as you watch the Indian Ocean crash against the park’s boundaries. We’ll cross the suspension bridge that spans the mouth of Storms River, discovering little coves and secret beaches en route to Bloukrans Bridge. Adrenaline junkies may recognise this as the world’s tallest bungee jump bridge. Depending on your propensity for heights you can do the jump yourself, opt for the slightly more serene skywalk or simply enjoy the view from solid ground – we won’t judge you either way.
From US$2129
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cape Town, South Africa
ENDS AT
Cape Town, South Africa
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Go Wild in the Galapagos
This whole trip takes place on one big national park, since almost all of this famous archipelago is protected, as well as being a Unesco World Heritage site. It’s no wonder when you consider the wide array of extremely exotic wildlife that calls these islands home – from giant tortoises to endemic iguanas, penguins and a wide variety of bird and marine life. Our five-day trip is one big exploration of this biological playground, including a hike along lava trails spotting San Cristóbal’s rarest birds, a swim with sea lions at Punta Carola Beach, and a snorkel session with the penguins off the coast of Bartolome. You’ll even get to camp alongside giant tortoises in safari-style tents on the highlands of Santa Cruz.
From US$1869
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Additional reporting was contributed by Siobhan Grogan, Gethin Morgan and Maja Proescholdt.
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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