The Best Private Trips to Book in Asia
Content Editor
Whether you’re looking to book a private trip with family, friends or a social group, these are the best Culture Trip itineraries you can book in Asia.
There’s plenty of pros for going private. Obviously it means you can keep the guest-list locked down, but it also allows for far greater flexibility on travel dates, group sizes (minimum of 4) and even age requirements. Simply get in touch with our Travel Experts to organise your personalised Culture Trip adventure.
Secrets of Sri Lanka by Train
Sri Lanka might just be the most underrated destination in all of Asia. This island nation, off the coast of India, is brimming with luscious natural beauty and remarkable ancient history, as well as some of the most scenic train routes on the planet. Those form the basis of this 10-day itinerary, which starts and ends in Colombo. On the natural beauty front, you’ve got the rolling tea plantations and green valleys of Kandy and Ella, the elephant herds of Udawalawe National Park and the coastline surrounding Galle. In terms of ancient history, you’ll explore the ruins of Polonnaruwa, visit the surreal rock fortress of Sigirya and stroll along the city walls of Galle Fort. All of this is connected by three train journeys, starting with Colombo to Habarana. The second, Kandy to Ella, is one of the most famously beautiful routes on the planet, while the seaside tracks tracing the west coast from Galle to Colombo aren’t bad either.
From US$1431.2
Next available from 19th Oct 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ENDS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Summer Sale
Japan by Train: The Grand Tour
The rail theme continues in Japan, albeit the trains here are a little more futuristic. The high-speed and efficiency of the bullet train network allows us to cram an awful lot into just 12 days. We start in Osaka, before hopping onboard the train to Hiroshima. Having also explored nearby Miyajima Island, we’ll continue on to the gorgeous city of Kyoto, stopping off at a bamboo forest en route. Then it’s up into the Japanese Alps for sake tasting and on to Hakone for a stay in a traditional ryokan inn. We’ll detour to Lake Ashi for a cruise – with views of Mount Fuji – on the way to Tokyo, where sushi-rolling, taiko drumming and karaoke singing awaits.
From US$4045.15
Next available from 2nd Sep 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Osaka, Japan
ENDS AT
Tokyo, Japan
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Summer Sale
Blissful Bali
Southeast Asia feels like a continent itself, certainly when it comes to travel. Perhaps the best destination to soak up all of the tropical wonders of this region is the island paradise of Bali. Our 12-day itinerary combines outdoor adventure and unique cultural experiences with ultimate relaxation. You’ll hike through rice paddies, swim in waterfalls and summit Mount Batur at sunrise, as well as taking a cooking class, creating traditional offerings to place in a sacred temple and experiencing a Balinese blessing ceremony. We’ll round off the trip with a few days at a luxurious beach resort on the tiny island of Gili Trawangan – truly paradise personified.
From US$2098.55
Next available from 5th Oct 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bali, Indonesia
ENDS AT
Bali, Indonesia
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Summer Sale
A Taste of Taiwan by Train
Another deeply underrated Asian destination is the nation of Taiwan. Our nine-day Rail Trip, which loops around the entire island, is the perfect introduction to the sights, sounds and tastes of this vibrant country. It starts and ends in Taipei, full of culture, architecture and bustling night markets. From there we’ll explore the cities of Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as the serene Sun Moon Lake, which you’ll cycle around and cruise across, before sampling locally grown tea at a nearby factory. Taroko Gorge offers a hint of adventure with its epic bridges, hillside trails and surreal caves, while the train journey along Taiwan’s East Coast National Scenic Area is simply stunning. Foodies are also well catered for on this one, with multiple market visits and a Taiwanese cooking class at a local culinary school.
From US$2031.2
Next available from 7th Jun 2025
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Taipei, Taiwan
ENDS AT
Taipei, Taiwan
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
Why stick to just one Asian destination? This border-crossing adventure combines three of Southeast Asia’s most wonderful countries to craft an itinerary full of natural splendour, ancient wonder and culinary delight. Start in Bangkok with ancient temples and a Tuk Tuk food tour, before hopping across into Cambodia for a Phare circus show, an urban forage trail in Phnom Penh and an ethereal sunrise visit to Angkor Wat. We’ll cross into Vietnam in style, zooming down the Mekong river on a speedboat. Once across, we’ll swap the speedboat for a gorgeous old river cruise – our home for the night. Explore the Mekong’s canals, villages and islets by traditional sampan row boat, before rounding off the trip in Ho Chi Minh City, where an authentic Vietnamese cooking class awaits. If you’re interested in seeing more of Thailand, check out our trips in Northern Thailand, Southern Thailand and a two-week Rail Trip in Thailand and Laos.
From US$2047.65
Next available from 12th Oct 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Summer Sale
Soulful South Korea
From neon-lit city to luscious countryside, ancient temple to eery military tunnels, South Korea always has something different up its sleeve. This 10-day epic is full of surprises, starting in Seoul, where you’ll explore a palace, a traditional Hanok village and a karaoke bar (or two). Then it’s off to the notorious DMZ, or Demilitarised Zone, on the border with North Korea. You explore the luscious mountains of Seoraksan National Park and the landmarks of Gyeongju, before spending the night at a sixth-century Buddhist temple, where you’ll practice meditation and martial arts. Seafood, soju and a cooking class awaits in foodie Busan, while your final taste of Korea comes in the form of a hearty bowl of Bibimbap in Jeonju, its birthplace.
From US$3021.75
Next available from 29th Sep 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Seoul, South Korea
ENDS AT
Seoul, South Korea
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
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