Top Trips for Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

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Jo Fernandez

Push yourself to do something different on your next break with these out-of-the-ordinary Culture Trips.

Want more than the usual fly and flop with a good novel? Embrace a whole new type of trip as part of a small group of like-minded travellers, daring to try new activities in exciting destinations for the ultimate rush. From entering Petra as the sunrise kisses its pink perfection, to hiking across the Himalayas and cave-rafting in the Thai countryside, if you want to challenge your holiday status quo, these Culture Trips are the way to go.

Hiking in the Wadi Rum desert of Jordan with outcrops and cliffs amid an orange-coloured landscape

Discover Jordan

How many people do you know who have hiked, camped and snorkelled through the Jordanian desert? Our eight-day adventure reveals a lesser-known side of this welcoming country, promising an itinerary full of surprises. Delve into the street food scene in Amman, dine on Jordanian wine, hike through red-tipped mountains, then cool off in the salt-saturated Red Sea before falling asleep under the stars. Lace-up those boots again to enter rose-coloured, Unesco-listed Petra, a heritage beauty everyone will love.

From US$2379

Next available from 6th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Amman, Jordan

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ENDS AT

Amman, Jordan

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
Three hikers in silhouette against the orange sun in northern Thailand

Tropical Northern Thailand

Look forward to jungle treks and reviving swims through cooling waterfalls on this 10-day revelation of authentic northwest Thailand. Nothing quite prepares you for feeding an elephant hand to mouth – but that’s what you’ll do in an elephant sanctuary on this trip – after watching the sun rise over Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. Slip underground to raft through the largest cave in the country before a soporific soak in the balmy Sai Ngam hot springs, large enough to swim in. Hungry? You’ll sample street food specialities in Chiang Mai and feasts of sticky rice, pork and chilli with deep-fried pork crackling.

From US$1189

Next available from 12th Nov 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Chiang Mai, Thailand

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ENDS AT

Chiang Mai, Thailand

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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A trekker looks over a forested river valley as they trek to Mount Everest base camp in the Khumbu region of Nepal

All-Action Nepal

Whether it’s a rickshaw ride through the labyrinthine streets of Kathmandu or a rural hike through paddies and farmland with the Annapurna looming large, moments from our mesmerising nine-day Nepalese adventure will stay with you for years to come. Foodies will be in their element as they undertake a traditional momo dumpling cooking class, taught by refugees in a camp. A certain hit at your next dinner party back home. The thought of white-water rafting on the Seti River might give you butterflies – but the adrenaline rush will give you a flavour of how you’ll feel if you’re lucky enough to spot a Bengal tiger in Chitwan National Park.

From US$

Next available from 1st Jan 1970

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Kathmandu, Nepal

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ENDS AT

Kathmandu, Nepal

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
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Volcanic Iceland

Our frosty five-day adventure across this epic landscape will test your limits in just about every way imaginable, from tricky terrain to brutish colds and the odd challenging culinary must. You’ll traverse glaciers, waterfalls and rugged coastlines on foot, as well as taking charge of a snowmobile on an unforgettable glacier-crossing ride. In Iceland the unique experiences extend to the dining room, where you’ll sample the local delicacy of fermented shark, washed down with a hearty shot of Brennivín, Iceland’s signature spirit. Don’t worry, after pushing your mind, body and palate to the limit, we’ll return you to your comfort zone with a soothing soak in the Blue Lagoon.

From US$2369

Next available from 21st Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

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ENDS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
A woman swings from a tall treehouse swing with mountain views at La Casa del Arbol (The Tree House) in Baños

Adventurous Ecuador

Eight days in Ecuador is all you need to explore the Andes, the Amazon and more. Our trip warms you up nicely with a comforting chocolate tasting session in Quito before the adventure begins with a hike around Limpiopungo glacial lagoon and a horseback ride in Cotopaxi National Park. Then it’s into the jungles of Banos, where you’ll get to go on the Swing at the End of the World and cycle the stunning Banos waterfall route. As we wind down to the Amazon, you’ll white-water raft down one of the river’s main tributaries and spot wild animals on a nocturnal rainforest trek. Don’t worry, you can soothe those well-worn muscles at the end of our trip in the hot springs of Kuyana Amazon Lodge.

From US$1459

Next available from 9th Dec 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

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ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Additional reporting by Gethin Morgan.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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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!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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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.