Once in a lifetime

The trips you’ll talk about for years

Walk the Inca Trail, stand at Everest Base Camp, watch the Great Migration or sail the Greek islands. Here are 50 of the world’s great trips, the kind best done with a guide, a boat or a permit, each linked to small-group tours from local and international operators.

Guided from start to finishGuides, stays, transport and often meals and permits, all in one booking.

Thousands of tours to compareTourRadar lists tours from over 2,500 operators, with traveller reviews for each.

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50 trips

Treks and summits

Peru · Americas

Walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Four days on stone paths the Incas built, over high passes and through cloud forest, to arrive at the Sun Gate as Machu Picchu appears below. Tours handle the permit, guides, porters and camps, and many add the Sacred Valley.

Best time: May to September
Length: 4-day trail, tours of 4 to 10 days
Level: Challenging

Trail permits are limited each day, so the best dates go months ahead. The trail closes each February.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Cusco too

Treks and summits

Nepal · Asia

Trek to Everest Base Camp

Fly into Lukla, then walk the Khumbu valley past Sherpa villages, monasteries and suspension bridges to the foot of the world's highest mountain at 5,364 m. Days are paced for the altitude, with teahouse stays each night.

Best time: March to May, October to November
Length: 12 to 16 days
Level: Challenging

No climbing skills needed, just good fitness and time to adjust to the altitude.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Kathmandu too

Treks and summits

Tanzania · Africa

Climb Kilimanjaro

Africa's highest peak at 5,895 m, and one you can walk up. Routes climb from rainforest through moorland and alpine desert to a glacier-topped summit at sunrise. Longer routes give more time to adjust and a better chance of the top.

Best time: January to March, June to October
Length: 6 to 9 days on the mountain
Level: Challenging

Many people add a safari or a few days on Zanzibar's beaches afterwards.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Zanzibar too

Treks and summits

Torres del Paine, Chile · Americas

Hike the W Trek in Patagonia

Granite towers, blue glaciers and turquoise lakes on one of South America's great walks. Tours sort the refugio or camp bookings, which fill early, and the transfers in and out of the park.

Best time: October to April
Length: 4 to 7 days
Level: Moderate

Patagonian weather changes fast, so pack for four seasons in a day.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Santiago too

Wildlife and nature

Serengeti, Tanzania · Africa

See the Great Migration on safari

Over a million wildebeest and zebra follow the rains around the Serengeti each year, with lions, cheetahs and crocodiles never far behind. Safari guides know where the herds are that month and put you in the right spot.

Best time: All year: calving January to March, river crossings July to October
Length: 5 to 12 days
Level: Easy

Combine it with the Ngorongoro Crater, or finish on the beach.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Arusha too

Wildlife and nature

Uganda and Rwanda · Africa

Trek to see mountain gorillas

Walk through misty rainforest with a ranger to spend an hour with a gorilla family. It's one of the most moving wildlife encounters there is, and permit fees go towards protecting them.

Best time: June to September, December to February
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Moderate

Gorilla permits are limited, so check whether the tour includes yours.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Kigali too

Wildlife and nature

Ecuador · Americas

Cruise the Galápagos Islands

Snorkel with sea lions and turtles, walk among blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises, and see why Darwin never forgot these islands. A small ship moves between islands at night, so you wake somewhere new.

Best time: All year
Length: 4 to 15 days
Level: Easy

Choose your route by the islands and animals you most want to see.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Quito too

Wildlife and nature

From Ushuaia, Argentina · Polar

Sail to Antarctica

Cross the Drake Passage to a continent of ice, with penguin colonies, whales and landings by small boat. Expedition ships carry naturalists who lead every trip ashore.

Best time: November to March
Length: 10 to 21 days
Level: Easy

Longer voyages can add South Georgia and the Falklands.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Buenos Aires too

Islands and sailing

Greece · Europe

Island-hop the Greek islands

Santorini's sunsets, Mykonos by night, quiet Naxos and Paros: island-hopping tours sort the ferries and the stays between them, so you just move from one harbour to the next.

Best time: May to October
Length: 7 to 15 days
Level: Easy

Sailing tours on a yacht reach smaller islands the ferries skip.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Athens too

Islands and sailing

Croatia · Europe

Sail the Croatian islands

A week on a small ship or yacht along the Dalmatian coast, swimming off the boat and stopping at Hvar, Brač, Korčula and the walled city of Dubrovnik.

Best time: May to September
Length: 7 to 10 days
Level: Easy

Some sailings suit younger groups and some are calmer, so check who each is for.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Dubrovnik too

Islands and sailing

Thailand · Asia

Island-hop southern Thailand

Limestone cliffs, long-tail boats and white beaches around Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Samui, with snorkelling, kayaking and night markets along the way.

Best time: November to April
Length: 8 to 15 days
Level: Easy

The Andaman and Gulf coasts have different dry seasons, so pick the side that suits your dates.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Bangkok too

Islands and sailing

Philippines · Asia

Explore Palawan by boat

Hidden lagoons, coral reefs and empty beaches between El Nido and Coron. Many tours spend nights camping on remote islands, travelling by traditional outrigger boat.

Best time: December to May
Length: 5 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Expedition trips between El Nido and Coron are the highlight.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Manila too

Great journeys

Egypt · Africa

Cruise the Nile and see the pyramids

The pyramids of Giza, then a cruise between Luxor and Aswan past temples, tombs and village life on the riverbank. Guides bring 5,000 years of history to life at each stop.

Best time: October to April
Length: 5 to 12 days
Level: Easy

Many tours add Abu Simbel, one of the most striking sites in Egypt.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Cairo too

Great journeys

Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden · Europe

Chase the northern lights

Head north of the Arctic Circle for the best chance of the aurora, with husky sledding, fjords, glass igloos and ice hotels to fill the days. Guides know where to go for clear skies.

Best time: September to March
Length: 4 to 10 days
Level: Easy

The lights are never certain, so a few nights gives you the best chance.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Tromsø too

Great journeys

Japan · Asia

Discover Japan in depth

Temples in Kyoto, Tokyo's neon, a night in a ryokan with an onsen, and the bullet train in between. A guide opens doors that are hard to find on your own, from tea ceremonies to hidden local restaurants.

Best time: March to May, October to November
Length: 7 to 16 days
Level: Easy

Cherry blossom and autumn colours are the most popular times, so book early.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Tokyo too

Treks and summits

Nepal · Asia

Trek the Annapurna Circuit

A loop around the Annapurna massif, from green rice terraces to high desert and over the Thorong La pass at 5,416 m. Villages, hot springs and huge mountain views every day, with teahouses to stay in along the way.

Best time: March to May, October to November
Length: 12 to 21 days
Level: Challenging

Finish with a few days by the lake in Pokhara.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Pokhara too

Treks and summits

France, Italy and Switzerland · Europe

Walk the Tour du Mont Blanc

Europe's most famous long walk circles Mont Blanc through three countries, with glaciers above and mountain huts, cheese and wine below. Tours book the huts and hotels, which fill fast, and many carry your bags between them.

Best time: Mid-June to mid-September
Length: 7 to 12 days
Level: Moderate

Self-guided versions let you walk at your own pace with everything booked.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Chamonix too

Treks and summits

Spain · Europe

Walk the Camino de Santiago

The ancient pilgrim way across northern Spain to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Walk the whole route or just the last 100 km, which is enough for the Compostela certificate, with village bars and fellow walkers for company.

Best time: April to June, September to October
Length: 5 days to 5 weeks
Level: Moderate

Tours can book rooms and move your luggage, so you just carry a day pack.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Santiago de Compostela too

Treks and summits

Italy · Europe

Hike the Dolomites

Jagged pink-grey peaks, alpine meadows and mountain huts serving proper Italian food. Walks link rifugio to rifugio, with cable cars to skip the steepest climbs if you want to.

Best time: Mid-June to September
Length: 5 to 10 days
Level: Moderate

Add a few days in Venice or Verona before or after.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Venice too

Treks and summits

China · Asia

Walk the Great Wall of China

Walk wild, unrestored stretches of the wall far from the crowds, sleeping in farmhouses in the villages below. Most tours add Beijing and the Terracotta Army in Xi'an.

Best time: April to May, September to October
Length: 5 to 14 days
Level: Moderate

Some sections are steep and uneven, so good boots help.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Beijing too

Wildlife and nature

Kenya · Africa

Safari in the Masai Mara

Big cats, elephants and the dramatic Mara River crossings, on open plains made for game drives. Many tours add Amboseli for elephants under Kilimanjaro, or Lake Nakuru's flamingos.

Best time: July to October for the migration, good all year
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Easy

A balloon flight at sunrise is a popular extra.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Nairobi too

Wildlife and nature

South Africa · Africa

Look for the Big Five in Kruger

One of Africa's best places to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, with game drives from lodges or private reserves. The Panorama Route's canyons and waterfalls are close by.

Best time: May to September
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Easy

Pair it with Cape Town and the Winelands for a full South Africa trip.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Cape Town too

Wildlife and nature

Botswana · Africa

Explore the Okavango Delta

A maze of channels and islands full of wildlife, explored by mokoro canoe, on foot and on game drives. Quiet, remote and one of Africa's great wilderness areas.

Best time: June to October
Length: 4 to 12 days
Level: Easy

Many tours combine it with Chobe and Victoria Falls.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Victoria Falls too

Wildlife and nature

Zambia and Zimbabwe · Africa

Stand at Victoria Falls

The spray from the world's largest curtain of falling water can be seen from miles away. Walk the rainforest paths, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, or fly over in a helicopter.

Best time: February to May for the most water
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Easy

Later in the year the water drops and Devil's Pool opens on the Zambian side.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Victoria Falls too

Wildlife and nature

Peru, Brazil and Ecuador · Americas

Stay deep in the Amazon

Jungle lodges and river boats in the world's largest rainforest, with guided walks, night hikes, canoe trips, macaws, monkeys and pink river dolphins.

Best time: All year
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Easy

From Peru it pairs well with Machu Picchu and Cusco.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Lima too

Wildlife and nature

Malaysia and Indonesia · Asia

See orangutans in Borneo

Orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants in ancient rainforest, with river cruises on the Kinabatang and nights in jungle lodges.

Best time: March to October
Length: 4 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Some tours add a climb of Mount Kinabalu or diving off Sipadan.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Kuala Lumpur too

Wildlife and nature

Costa Rica · Americas

Go wild in Costa Rica

Sloths, toucans, turtles and volcanoes in a small country packed with national parks. Zip lines, hanging bridges and hot springs fill the days between cloud forest and beach.

Best time: December to April
Length: 7 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Turtle nesting season on the Caribbean coast is July to October.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in San José too

Wildlife and nature

India · Asia

Track tigers in India

Jeep safaris in Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh or Kanha give some of the best chances anywhere to see a wild tiger. Many tours pair the parks with the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan's palaces.

Best time: October to June
Length: 5 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Most parks close for the monsoon, roughly July to September.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Jaipur too

Wildlife and nature

Norway, the High Arctic · Polar

Look for polar bears in Svalbard

Expedition ships sail around Spitsbergen under the midnight sun, looking for polar bears, walrus and whales among glaciers and sea ice, with small-boat landings each day.

Best time: June to August
Length: 7 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Summer means 24-hour daylight, so bring an eye mask.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Oslo too

Wildlife and nature

Australia · Oceania

Dive the Great Barrier Reef

The world's largest coral reef, with snorkelling and diving from Cairns, liveaboard boats and the Whitsunday Islands' white sand. Many tours add the Daintree Rainforest.

Best time: June to October
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Easy

You don't need to dive: snorkelling shows you plenty.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Cairns too

Islands and sailing

Vietnam · Asia

Cruise Halong Bay

Thousands of limestone islands rise from emerald water. Spend a night or two on a junk boat, kayaking into caves and floating villages, with dinner on deck.

Best time: March to May, September to November
Length: 2 to 5 days
Level: Easy

Quieter Lan Ha Bay next door is worth asking about.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Hanoi too

Islands and sailing

Indonesia · Asia

Sail to Komodo

Island-hop by boat to see Komodo dragons in the wild, snorkel with manta rays, hike to viewpoints and swim at the pink beach, sleeping on deck under the stars.

Best time: April to December
Length: 3 to 7 days
Level: Easy

Combine it with Bali or Lombok, a short flight away.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Bali too

Islands and sailing

Turkey · Europe

Take a gulet cruise on the Turquoise Coast

A traditional wooden gulet drifts between hidden coves, Lycian ruins and swimming stops along Turkey's Turquoise Coast, with fresh meals cooked on board.

Best time: May to October
Length: 4 to 8 days
Level: Easy

Add Istanbul or Cappadocia's balloons for a longer trip.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Istanbul too

Islands and sailing

Fiji and the Pacific islands · Oceania

Island-hop the South Pacific

Palm-fringed islands, reef snorkelling and village welcomes across Fiji and its neighbours, travelling by boat between beaches that look like screensavers.

Best time: May to October
Length: 7 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Easy to add on to a trip to Australia or New Zealand.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Nadi too

Islands and sailing

Scotland · Europe

Tour the Highlands and Isle of Skye

Glencoe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan castle and the Fairy Pools, with small-group tours from Edinburgh that take the single-track roads for you.

Best time: May to September
Length: 3 to 7 days
Level: Easy

Longer tours reach the Outer Hebrides' white beaches.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Edinburgh too

Great journeys

Iceland · Europe

Drive Iceland's Ring Road

Waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glacier lagoons and hot pools on a full loop of the island. Join a small group or drive yourself with every night already booked.

Best time: June to August, or winter for the northern lights
Length: 6 to 12 days
Level: Easy

Summer brings the midnight sun; winter brings the aurora.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Reykjavík too

Great journeys

Morocco · Africa

Sleep under the stars in the Sahara

Cross the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in a desert camp, with kasbahs and gorges along the way.

Best time: March to May, September to November
Length: 3 to 10 days
Level: Easy

Longer tours add Fes, Chefchaouen and the coast.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Marrakech too

Great journeys

Jordan · Middle East

Discover Petra and Wadi Rum

Walk the Siq to Petra's Treasury, sleep in a Bedouin camp among Wadi Rum's red cliffs, and float in the Dead Sea. A small country with a lot packed in.

Best time: March to May, September to November
Length: 4 to 10 days
Level: Easy

Petra by Night, with the Siq lit by candles, is worth planning for.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Amman too

Great journeys

India · Asia

Travel India's Golden Triangle

Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra and the pink city of Jaipur, the classic first taste of India. Longer tours carry on through Rajasthan's forts and desert cities.

Best time: October to March
Length: 5 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Add a tiger safari at Ranthambore, on the way to Jaipur.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Delhi too

Great journeys

Vietnam · Asia

Travel Vietnam from north to south

Hanoi's old quarter, Halong Bay, lantern-lit Hoi An, the imperial city of Hue and the Mekong Delta, with overnight trains and street food all the way.

Best time: February to April
Length: 10 to 21 days
Level: Easy

The north is cool in winter while the south stays warm.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Ho Chi Minh City too

Great journeys

USA · Americas

Drive Route 66

The Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica, past neon diners, ghost towns and the Grand Canyon. Join a guided tour or drive yourself with the stops planned.

Best time: May to October
Length: 10 to 16 days
Level: Easy

Many tours finish with a few days in Los Angeles.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Chicago too

Great journeys

New Zealand · Oceania

Adventure across New Zealand

Fiords, glaciers, geysers and Hobbiton, with bungee jumps, jet boats and some of the world's best short walks on the way from Auckland to Queenstown.

Best time: November to April
Length: 10 to 21 days
Level: Moderate

The South Island's scenery is the highlight for most people, so give it time.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Queenstown too

Great journeys

Uzbekistan · Asia

Follow the Silk Road

Samarkand's turquoise domes, Bukhara's old town and the walled city of Khiva, the great trading cities between China and Europe, linked by fast trains.

Best time: April to May, September to October
Length: 7 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Some tours carry on into Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Samarkand too

Great journeys

Bolivia · Americas

Cross the Uyuni salt flats

The world's largest salt flat, blinding white in the dry season and a perfect mirror after rain, with flamingo lagoons, geysers and red deserts beyond.

Best time: January to March for the mirror, May to October dry
Length: 3 to 5 days
Level: Moderate

It's high, about 3,650 m, so take it easy on the first day.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in La Paz too

Great journeys

Canada · Americas

Explore the Canadian Rockies

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, with glaciers, bears and turquoise lakes. Some tours travel by train through the mountains.

Best time: June to September
Length: 5 to 12 days
Level: Easy

Start or finish in Vancouver for the city and the coast.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Vancouver too

Great journeys

Bhutan · Asia

Visit the kingdom of Bhutan

Himalayan monasteries, prayer flags and the cliffside Tiger's Nest. Visits are arranged through licensed tours, which makes it one of the most unspoilt places you can go.

Best time: March to May, September to November
Length: 4 to 12 days
Level: Easy

Visitors pay a daily sustainable development fee, so check whether the tour includes it.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Kathmandu too

Great journeys

Sri Lanka · Asia

Tour Sri Lanka

Ancient cities, the Sigiriya rock fortress, tea country by train, leopards in Yala and palm-lined beaches, all in a country you can cross in a day.

Best time: December to April
Length: 7 to 15 days
Level: Easy

The scenic train from Kandy to Ella is a highlight, so book a window seat.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Colombo too

Great journeys

Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary · Europe

Cruise the Danube

Glide between Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, with the vineyards of the Wachau valley and baroque abbeys in between. Unpack once and wake up somewhere new.

Best time: April to October, and December for the markets
Length: 7 to 15 days
Level: Easy

December sailings stop at the Christmas markets.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Budapest too

Great journeys

Cambodia and Vietnam · Asia

Cruise the Mekong

Floating markets, stilt villages and temples from Phnom Penh down to the Mekong Delta. Many cruises start or end with Angkor Wat.

Best time: November to March
Length: 4 to 14 days
Level: Easy

Add Siem Reap for Angkor Wat at sunrise.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Siem Reap too

Great journeys

Australia · Oceania

See Uluru and the Red Centre

Watch Uluru turn red at sunset, walk through Kata Tjuta's domes and Kings Canyon's rim, and sleep under outback stars, learning about the land from Aboriginal guides.

Best time: May to September
Length: 3 to 7 days
Level: Easy

Days are hot even in winter, so start walks early.

See tours on TourRadar Plan a few days in Sydney too

Before you book

A few things worth checking on any multi-day tour.

What’s included

Each tour lists what the price covers. Look for flights, park fees, permits, tips and single rooms, which vary between tours.

The pace and fitness level

Treks at altitude need good fitness and a few days to adjust. The tour’s daily itinerary shows how far you walk and how high you go.

Travel insurance

Choose cover that includes trekking at altitude, safaris or sailing where your trip needs it. Compare travel insurance

Visas and flights

Check the entry rules for each country on the route, then book flights that fit the tour’s start and end. Visas and more

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