The group tours you need to know about in 2023

Discover Costa Rica's wildlife

Costa Rica’s lush green landscapes hide a dizzying array of creatures, from cheeky monkeys and sleepy sloths, to brightly coloured tree frogs and tiny hummingbirds.

Our two-week Costa Rica wildlife holidays tap into the country’s magical flora and fauna, taking you to the mangroves and canals of Tortuguero National Park, the bird-filled rainforest surrounding Arenal volcano, and the misty cloud forests of Monteverde.

Guided tours of the cities of San Jose and, across the Panama border, Panama City complement the wild elements of this unforgettable holiday. The icing on the cake? A day spent cruising the Panama Canal, enjoying the scenery along this spectacular man-made wonder.

Or try… Wild Borneo, an adventure that takes you to the rivers and rainforests of Borneo in search of orang-utans, sun bears and pygmy elephants.

Tour India's Golden Triangle

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are the three cities that make up the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ – our 10-day organised group holidays tick off all three, plus much more.

You’ll begin your trip in India’s colourful, chaotic capital: New Delhi. After an afternoon exploring its sights, you’ll spend the following morning in Old Delhi, where you’ll see UNESCO-listed Humayan’s Tomb and the marble monument to Mahatma Gandhi.

In Agra, you’ll enjoy a memorable day discovering the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Two nights in the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur offers plenty of time to explore the Amber Fort, City Palace and Palace of Winds.

Our escorted tours of India’s Golden Triangle also side-step to allow a couple of days in Ranthambore, a national park that’s home to leopards, sloth bears and the majestic Bengal tiger.

Or try… Uzbekistan. Our organised tour holidays introduce you to the country’s spectacular Silk Road cities, ancient mosques and dazzling madrasahs.

Experience ancient and ultra-modern in Japan

It’s not hard to see why Essence of Japan is one of our most popular escorted tours. Japan is a truly incredible country, with a rich culture and heritage to discover.

Our guided holidays to Japan aim to give you a real taste of what these islands have to offer, from the neon lights of Tokyo to the hushed temples of Kyoto. Experiences are high on the agenda – think sake tasting, tea ceremonies, bullet train journeys and an optional stay in a ryokan.

What’s more, there are all sorts of special events and festivals throughout the year that we can help you experience, whether that’s the cherry blossoms in spring, the traditional Takayama Festival in the Japanese Alps, or even a sumo wrestling tournament.

Of course, if you've got three weeks to play with, you could opt for one of our newest group holidays here: Grand Tour of Japan. Sweeping from Tokyo down to Fukuoka, you'll do everything from walking ancient rural routes to making udon noodles and oyaki flour buns.

Or try… The Best of Sri Lanka. This small group holiday packages up the best bits of this teardrop-shaped island, from temples and tea plantations, to the wildlife-filled Yala National Park.

Journey to Ecuador & the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are a real wish-list destination for animal lovers. As well as being home to white-sand beaches, volcanic cliffs and reef-fringed bays, these islands play host to all sorts of incredible wildlife – marine iguanas, lava lizards, seals, sea lions and much, much more.

Our Ecuador holidays include a 4-night cruise around the archipelago, with expert guides to offer extra insight on the amazing wildlife found here. Ports of call include Mosquera Islet, Isabela Island, Rabida Island and Fernandina Island.

There’s time to explore mainland Ecuador, too. A week gives us the opportunity to tour historic Quito and Cuenca, browse for handicrafts at Otovalo market, and drive through the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ in Cotopaxi National Park.

Or try… combining an Alaskan cruise with a tour of the Canadian Rockies. As well as spectacular scenery (snow-capped mountains, powder-blue glaciers), you’ll have the chance to spot whales, bears, seals and more.

See ancient Egypt the traditional way

From the Pyramids at Giza to the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple to the Sphinx, our Egypt's Nostalgic Nile itinerary packs a whole host of incredible sights into one fantastic holiday.

This Egypt tour and cruise begins in Cairo, where you'll stay in a former palace on an island in the middle of the Nile. You'll journey to the mesmerising pyramids and the awe-inspiring Sphinx, and wander through treasure-filled rooms at the Egyptian Museum. Then, it’s south to Luxor, where we’ll explore Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings.

Boarding a traditional dahabiya sailing boat, a cruise then takes us along the Nile to Aswan, stopping at a whole host of awe-inspiring ancient sights along the way. Throughout the trip, an Egyptologist will be by your side providing context and commentary - vital for truly understanding the significance of these sights.

Or try… a truly luxurious adventure by private jet. Discover a medley of incredible ancient cultures as you explore Rome, Petra, Rajasthan, Samarkand, Istanbul and more.

For more 2022 inspiration, browse our website, view our online small group tours brochure, or speak to one of our travel advisors. Not sure if group tours are for you? Have a read of our common touring myths blog – you might be surprised!