You should leave your schedule to the pros for genuinely extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime destinations. A group tour is the most convenient method to visit the Big Five on an African safari, traverse huge mountains, discover European capitals, or do something even more adventurous.
Choosing the wrong group tour company, on the other hand, is the quickest way to spoil your trip. Make sure to select a tour provider that shares your objectives and travel preferences. Do you prefer an intimate group tour or making plenty of new acquaintances in a large group? Is the price in accordance with your preferences (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary taking you to all of the areas you want to go?
We researched and discovered the top group travel tour companies for 2023 for every sort of tourist.
The Best Guided Tour Companies for Group Travel
- Trafalgar
- Globus
- Grand Circle Touring
- Collette
- Tauck
- Expeditions by National Geographic
- Cosmos
- Disney Adventures
- Adventure Travel Abroad
- Adventure Travel
- The G Adventures
- AdventureWomen
- Abercrombie & Kent Inc.
- Exodus Journeys
#1. Trafalgar
Trafalgar offers over 350 guided trips in 72 countries.
They are one of the world’s most renowned guided tour operators, offer traditional coach tours, small group active tours, private tours, hiking and biking tours, and special interest trips centered on nature, history, food, and other specific interests. Trafalgar provides over 350 guided trips in 72 countries across all seven continents. Some of its most popular destinations include England, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Egypt, Ireland, Argentina, and Thailand.
Trafalagar’s target demographic is seniors and travelers 50 and older, while youngsters as young as five years old are welcome on its family tours. Many of Trafalgar’s most popular itineraries offer free or reduced single supplement costs for solitary travelers. Each tour director has three to five years of road experience, and many have been with the organization for decades.
On the bulk of its abroad excursions, Trafalgar’s guided tours include all lodgings (usually four-star hotels where available) and most transportation during your stay, including airport transfers. The majority of meals and activities are provided. Trafalgar also provides unique experiences such as dining with locals, resting in a castle or historic hotel, and getting early access to major tourist attractions.
All Trafalgar visitors are automatically enrolled in the company’s Very Important Traveler (VIT) program, which provides savings and priority access to future excursions.
Quick Facts About Trafalgar Guided Tours
- Average group size for guided tours: 40 participants (regular bus tours); no more than 17 passengers on small group active trips.
- Upscale/Premium pricing
- What’s included: lodging, transportation during the trip, admission fees, and most meals.
- Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips are not included.
- Seniors and travelers over the age of 50 are the primary target group.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
#2. Globus
The company provides a wide range of group tour options, including small group trips and self-guided excursions.
Globus, the main brand of the Globus family of companies (which also includes Cosmos and Avalon Waterways), offers coach excursions to more than 70 destinations across six continents.
The company provides an impressive range of tour styles, including small group tours on European and North American itineraries; choice tours, which allow guests to choose from three or four possible excursions (all included in the price) rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule; undiscovered tours, which take a deep dive away from popular tourist areas; self-guided independent tours without a group; and Escapes by Globus, which operate during the slower seasons.
Globus caters to older adults, typically between the ages of 50 and 70, with the majority of clients traveling as part of a pair or family. Globus offers single supplement waiver specials on select itineraries for solitary travelers, who make up around one-fifth of its visitors.
The company also has a reward program called Welcome Back Credit. Each journey gets you a credit of up to $250 against a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.
Quick Facts About Globus Guided Tours
- The average guided tour group size is 38 people (for traditional coach excursions) and 20 to 24 people (for small group discovery trips).
- Budget to Moderate price range
- Hotels, all breakfasts, some additional meals, all transportation, VIP “skip the line” access, and local guides are all included.
- Gratuities and travel are not included; however, Globus offers the option to purchase airfare when booking, which includes free airport transfers.
- Adults, especially couples aged 50 to 70, are the target audience.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, and Oceania are among the destinations.
#3. Grand Circle Travel
Grand Circle Travel, which has been in business since 1958, is another well-known tour operator for persons over the age of 50. The flagship brand of the Grand Circle family of companies (which also includes Overseas Adventure Travel) offers a diverse range of land-based tours and river cruises for groups of 24 to 47 persons.
Grand Circle Travel’s itineraries are tailored to elder travelers. The Grand Circle experience is distinguished by its leisurely pace and emphasis on value. Like its sister firm Overseas Adventure Travel, which is a top pick for active single travelers over the age of 50, Grand Circle is a wonderful fit for solo travelers looking for friendship and community while on vacation. On all of its itineraries, the firm provides complimentary or low-cost single supplement expenses.
Grand Circle provides guided tours on all seven continents. The destinations and tour options vary, including the 14-day land-only Ireland in Depth, the 13-day Cruising the Rhone: Lyon to Provence and the Cote d’Azur, and the 15-day Athens and Ionian Sea Voyage from Greece to Albania. Land-based group trips typically have 30 people, and river cruises can have 38 to 45 passengers.
The Inner Circle Club, Grand Circle’s loyalty program, offers savings for frequent visitors and numerous vacations booked within the same calendar year.
Quick Facts About Grand Circle Travel Guided Tours
- Average tour group size: 24 to 30 people (land excursions); 38 to 45 people (river cruises).
- Moderate to Upscale price range
- Airfare, meals, activities, lodging, transportation, special events, gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers (land tours); airfare, accommodations, most meals, onboard drinks, and house beer and wine, port charges, and gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers (cruises).
- What’s not included: Airfare is available for purchase individually.
- Adults over the age of 50, primarily lone travelers, are the primary target population.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
#4. Collette
Collette, a family-run company with hundreds of guided tour options on all seven continents, offers a mix of small group trips (14 to 24 people per tour) and traditional guided tours (up to 44 people). Its excursions start at around $1,500, and the majority of its visitors are over the age of 55. What began as a tiny enterprise in 1918 has grown into a global travel brand with offices in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Collette provides a choice of options to travel, including optional excursions and pre- and post-tour nights at your destination, ranging from land tours and river cruises to rail travels, small group tours, and city stays. While the organization caters to an older, budget-conscious audience, many of its hotels are four-star grade, and meals are served at well-reviewed local restaurants with extensive menus.
Collette hires local guides for all of its trips and prioritizes patronizing local businesses and restaurants. It also provides community sustainability initiatives for its visitors in places around the world, and a portion of its profits are reinvested in the local community or sustainability projects.
Guests are instantly registered in The Collette Passport Club, where they can earn points toward future vacations.
Quick Facts About Collette’s Guided Tours
- The average guided tour group size is 44 people (for classic excursions) and 14 to 24 people (for small group tours).
- Budget to Moderate price range
- Hotels, activities, museum and attraction admissions, local guides, transportation, and airport transfers are all included.
- What is not included: air travel, food, and gratuities.
- Adults, typically couples, between the ages of 50 and 70 are the target audience.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
#5. Tauck
Tauck, a family-owned business, has a simple philosophy: deliver more than what is anticipated. And for almost a century, the award-winning guided tour operator has done just that by providing real experiences and behind-the-scenes access to sites all over the world.
Tauk’s century of experience is evident in practically every facet of its guided journeys, which include over 100 places in 70+ countries on all seven continents. The excursions offered by the organization are well-known for their knowledge of local customs, traditions, flora, and fauna. Meals and lodging are of high quality. Its tour guides, known as Tauck Directors, come from 40 different nations and have an average of a decade of experience.
Land tours, small group adventures, river cruises, small ship cruises, and family journeys are the five distinct trip kinds available to guests. In addition, the tour operator has an exclusive connection with award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, offering deep-dive journeys that examine the themes of his films, such as the American Civil War, national parks in the United States, baseball, and jazz.
Quick Facts About Tauck Guided Tours
- The average size of a guided tour group is 35 persons (for normal tours) and 24 people (for small group excursions).
- Upscale price range
- Gratuities, excursions and admissions, most meals, airport, and luggage transfer, and taxes are all included.
- Airfare and booze are not included.
- Adults over the age of 50 are the primary demographic.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
#6. Cosmos
Cosmos, a budget-friendly member of the Globus family of travel brands (together with Globus and Avalon Waterways), offers a variety of excursions across the world, with a special emphasis on Europe. They offer identical itineraries to its sister company Globus but saves money by choosing good-but-cheaper hotels. While Cosmos is best known for its bus tours, the company also provides small group trips, off-the-beaten-path itineraries in major countries, event-focused tours, and Christian faith-based vacations to the Holy Land, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
Cosmos operates trips in over 60 countries across five continents. Britain & Ireland, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United States are among its most popular locations. Many of Cosmos’ tour directors are native to the countries where they organize excursions, and some have been with the organization for decades. Local guides are also employed by the organization to assist with additional on-the-ground parts of its programs.
Cosmos has a loyalty program called Welcome Back Credit. Each journey gets you a credit of up to $250 against a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.
Quick Facts About Cosmos Group Tours
- The average guided tour group size is 36 people (for normal coach excursions) and 20 to 24 people (for small group tours).
- Budget price range
- Hotels, guided city sightseeing trips, ground transportation, and some meals are all included.
- Airfare, extra excursions, and gratuities are not included; flights and airport transfers can be arranged separately through Cosmos.
- Adults in their early to mid-50s are the primary demographic.
- Europe, South America, Central America, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania are among the destinations.
#7. O.A.T. stands for Overseas Adventure Tours.
Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) provides active trips for persons over the age of 50.
Overseas Adventure Travel (commonly known as O.A.T.) is a small group adventure travel tour company offering guided excursions on all seven continents. It is part of the Grand Circle family of companies, which also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.
Overseas Adventure Travel’s passengers are mostly over 50, and many are solo travelers wishing to join like-minded travelers on active itineraries all over the world. What makes O.A.T. so popular among elderly solo travelers? One reason for this is that the company almost never charges a single additional on its excursions. Women-only departures are available on a number of the company’s guided tour itineraries.
Overseas Adventure Travel evaluates all of its tours on a scale of one (easy) to five (difficult). The organization offers over 60 distinct journeys across all seven continents. There are multi-country and single-country trips available; some itineraries (such as Scotland Revealed) emphasize culture, while others (such as Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador’s Amazon Wilds) emphasize ecology. In contrast to many other guided tour companies, O.A.T.’s costs often include airfare, though visitors can also book their own flights.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Club is Overseas Adventure Travel’s loyalty club, with perks beginning with your third trip.
Read Also: How to Move to Another Country
Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) Guided Tours in a Nutshell
- The average size of a guided tour group is 13 individuals.
- Moderate to Upscale price range
- Airfare, most meals, all transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides are all covered.
- Gratuities for tour leaders and some meals are not included; however, airfare can be purchased separately.
- Primary demographic: Active persons over the age of 50, particularly lone travelers
- Europe, Africa, North America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
#8. Intrepid Travel
The heart and spirit of everything Intrepid Travel does is sustainable and experience-rich travel. The non-profit group tour operator organizes excursions for young adults, women, solo travelers, active travelers, and families, and it generally attracts clients that value responsible travel, conservation, and respect for indigenous cultures.
Indeed, many of Intrepid’s most captivating guided trips make personal connections with local communities a focal point of the experience. Baking bread from a traditional recipe with a Berber family in Morocco, playing football with Massai tribesmen in Kenya, and learning about indigenous cultures in Costa Rica are among the highlights.
Intrepid has a variety of trip styles and themes to appeal to a wide range of audiences: Basix caters to independent travelers who prefer free time to explore on their own; Original tours include a mix of activities and free time; Comfort tours move at a slower pace; and Premium tours provide the best accommodations, most comfortable transportation, and exclusive experiences. Among the several topics are Active, Food, Expeditions, Family, Solo, 18 to 29s, and Trekking.
With their first trip, travelers are automatically registered in the Intrepid Insiders program. The loyalty program notifies members of upcoming sales and new vacations.
Quick Facts About Intrepid Travel Guided Tours
- The average size of a guided tour group is 12 individuals.
- Budget price range
- Accommodations, local transportation, and some meals are all provided.
- What is not included: airfare, travel insurance, and gratuities.
- Adults aged 25 to 40 are the primary demographic.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
#9. AdventureWomen
AdventureWomen, a women-only travel group, makes it simple for female travelers to see the world in a safe and meaningful way alongside other women. The company which was founded in 1982, today offers approximately 50 tours in over 65 countries. Women traveling alone, women traveling together, mother-daughter pairs, sisters, and others are all welcome on AdventureWomen’s guided travel excursions for women.
The most popular guided trips offered by the organization are a winter tour of Iceland to see the Northern Lights, a Galapagos Islands wildlife cruise on a private yacht, and a trek along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Mongolia and Oman are two of AdventureWomen’s most isolated destinations. Each tour description specifies the level of fitness required for the travel.
These adventure excursions for women only include lodging, ground transportation, most meals and activities, guides, and some gratuities. The typical tour group size on AdventureWomen is small, with trips greeting 12 to 15 women per departure. On these guided trips, guests frequently credit the small group size for developing camaraderie with other visitors.
Quick Facts About AdventureWomen Guided Tours
- The average size of a guided tour group is 12 to 15 people.
- Upscale price range
- Accommodations, most meals and activities, ground transportation, tour guides (called Managers), and some gratuities are all included.
- Pre- and post-trip transportation, alcohol, some gratuities, and certain meals are not included.
- Women looking to travel with other women are the primary audience.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, and the Middle East are among the destinations.
#10. Abercrombie & Kent Inc.
Abercrombie & Kent has been providing guided tours for over 60 years and is a pioneer in the area of luxury small-group travel. The tour company now offers vacations on all seven continents and in over 100 countries. Among the highlights are luxury vacations to Machu Picchu, history-focused tours to Israel, and African wildlife safaris.
Each of Abercrombie & Kent’s small group excursions is led by a Resident Tour Director who stays with the group during the trip, with additional expert local advisors assisting tourists in gaining unique insider experiences. Because Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury tour operator, lodgings are usually in high-end hotels. Participants are frequently Gen X and Baby Boomers.
On their third trip with Abercrombie & Kent, guests are automatically enrolled in the company’s Marco Polo Club loyalty program.
Quick Facts About Abercrombie & Kent Guided Tours
- The average size of a guided tour group is 14 individuals.
- Upscale price range
- Inter-trip flights, luxurious hotels, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry services, all activities, and expert guides are all included.
- What’s not included: Airfare to and from your vacation location.
- Adults aged 40 and up are the primary demographic.
- Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions are among the destinations.
Methodology
We sifted through dozens of travel companies, looking for excellent service, amenities, creative itineraries for a variety of travel styles, and positive client feedback. Specialized travel companies, as well as family- and solo-friendly travel options, were given extra consideration. We also evaluated travel companies’ environmental and social policies.
Conclusion
You’ll discover high-quality service and unforgettable experiences no matter which company you choose. All you have to do is choose the correct travel agency!
Let us know what you think of our list of the best travel companies, if you enjoy luxury travel if you have any questions… I’ll gladly respond!
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