Top Trips for Feeling Like a Trailblazing Explorer

Bike to see waterfalls in the wilds of Ecuador
Bike to see waterfalls in the wilds of Ecuador | Luis Herrera / Stocksy
Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

Grab your map and get ready to chart the stars – these Culture Trip adventures will send you on an incredible voyage, the like your Instagram followers have never seen.

Who said you can’t live out the adventures of your favourite fictional trailblazers? Exploration is inherent to human nature, so characters like Don Quixote, Phileas Fogg and Bilbo Baggins only fuel our deepest desires to venture into uncharted territory. The time has come to depart from the page and embark on your own adventure. Imagine cruising down uncharted rivers, snowmobiling across icy glaciers, or setting up camp in the middle of the desert. These expeditions – all bookable with Culture Trip – will have you feeling like a modern-day Indiana Jones.

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Incredible Thailand and Laos by Train

Sure there’s nothing trailblazing about Bangkok, or even the elephant sanctuaries of Northern Thailand. In fact much of Southeast Asia has been discovered by just about every English-speaking young adult with a few bucks to spare. That’s where our two-week Rail Trip comes in to breathe new life into this seemingly over-discovered part of the world. Sure, we’ll spend some time in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but we’ll also go bamboo rafting and camp in the middle of the jungle. Things get really off-grid when we cross into Laos, swapping trains for a boat as we cruise down the Mekong River, deep into the heart of darkness. What awaits is pretty delightful, though, as we stop by in remote indigenous villages, meet whiskey-making locals and discover caves, uncharted rainforests and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. By the time you take the sleeper train back to Bangkok you’ll feel like a bona fide adventurer.

From US$2311

Next available from 11th May 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

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ENDS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

DURATION

14

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Stephantsminda, Georgia. Gergeti Trinity Church Or Tsminda Sameba - Holy Trinity Church Near Village Of Gergeti In Georgia. Spring Day.

Georgia and the Caucasus

Have any of your friends been to Georgia? No, not Atlanta, we’re talking about the tiny country sandwiched between Europe and Asia high in the Caucasus Mountains. This is one of the few genuinely under-explored nations left on the planet, but not for long, we fear, as people are bound to start discovering the many joys of this beautiful old land. Our nine-day adventure blends remote mountain excursions with unique cultural discoveries. Hike the lush hilly forests of Lagodekhi, discover the Unesco World Heritage Site of Mtskheta and hike to a gorgeous old church high in the Caucasus. Meanwhile, back in the capital Tbilisi, you’ll learn about ancient bread-baking and wine-making techniques, as well as having a traditional cooking class and spending time soaking in the city’s soothing sulphur baths.

From US$1287

Next available from 18th May 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

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ENDS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Woman walking in the middle of a wooden bridge in a waterfall in Devils Pailon, Ecuador

Adventurous Ecuador

Forget Peru and its bucket-list ruins, or Colombia and its famous cities, if you want to embark on an Andean adventure like a true explorer, then Ecuador is your gateway to the unknown. Much smaller than its famous neighbours, but packing just as much incredible natural scenery, it’s a wonder that this equatorial gem hasn’t caught the eye of the mainstream. Get ahead of the curve and join our eight-day trip, which takes you horse-riding in Cotopaxi National Park, hiking around Quilotoa crater lake and cycling the Baños Waterfall Route. Not to mention the chance to white water raft down the Amazon and fly over an epic valley on the Swing at the End of the World. Now that’s what we call an adventure.

From US$2089

Next available from 27th Jul 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

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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This is an updated version of an article originally written by Nick Dauk.

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.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

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