Guided tours are an easy and stress-free way to discover new places, and they’re not just for beginners. When you travel with the best tour operators, you can often dig deeper into the history, culture, and daily life of your destination than if you’d gone it alone. In fact, the top tour companies employ knowledgeable local guides, handle all of the details to keep everything running smoothly, and often deliver special insider experiences you simply can’t book independently. And they’re a good value, too.
To learn more about the best tour companies and the guided tours they offer, click on any company name in the list below to go straight to the site and start your search. Or, scroll down to read my profile of each tour company, including what is and isn’t included on a company’s guided tours and which types of travelers each best serves.
The Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours
- Trafalgar
- Globus
- Grand Circle Travel
- Collette
- Tauck
- National Geographic Expeditions
- Cosmos
- Adventures by Disney
- Overseas Adventure Travel
- Intrepid Travel
- G Adventures
- AdventureWomen
- Abercrombie & Kent
- Exodus Travels
1. Trafalgar
One of the most established guided tour operators in the world, Trafalgar offers standard coach tours, small group active tours, private tours, hiking and biking tours, and special interest tours built around nature, history, food, and other special interests. Trafalgar offers more than 350 guided tours in 72 countries and all seven continents. England, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Egypt, Ireland, Argentina, and Thailand are some of its most popular destinations.
DEEP DIVE: Everything You Need to Know about Trafalgar Before You Book
Seniors and travelers 50 and older are Trafalagar’s core audience, though children as young as five years old are welcome on its family tours. Trafalgar’s solo travel options include free or reduced single supplement prices for many of its most popular trips. Each of its tour directors has at least three to five years of road experience, and many have been with the company for decades.
Trafalgar’s guided tours cover all accommodations (typically four-star hotels where available) and most transportation during your trip, including airport transfers on the majority of its overseas tours. Most meals and activities are included. Trafalgar also offers special one-of-a-kind experiences such as dining with locals, sleeping in a castle or historic hotel, and early entry to popular tourist attractions.
All of Trafalgar’s guests are automatically enrolled in its Very Important Traveler (VIT) program that offers discounts and priority access on future trips.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Trafalgar
- Average guided tour group size: 40 guests (standard coach tours); no more than 17 guests on small group active tours
- Price range: Upscale/Premium
- What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, most meals
- What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, tips
- Primary audience: Seniors and travelers over the age of 50
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
2. Globus
The flagship brand of the Globus family of companies (which also includes Cosmos and Avalon Waterways), tour operator Globus offers coach tours on six continents spanning more than 70 countries.
Globus offers an impressive variety of tour styles, including small group tours, offered on Europe and North America 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 that take a deep dive away from the tourist areas in popular destinations; self-guided independent tours without a group; Escapes by Globus, which operate during the slower tourism season between November and March to offer lower prices and smaller crowds; and faith-based trips to destinations such as the Holy Land.
THE SCOOP: Everything You Need to Know About Globus Before You Book
Globus caters to older adults, generally from about 50 to 70 years old, with most guests traveling as part of a couple or family. For solo travelers, which comprise about one fifth of Globus’s guests, the company offers single supplement waiver promotions on select tours.
Globus also offers a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Globus
- Average guided tour group size: 38 guests (classic coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group discovery tours)
- Price category: Budget to Moderate
- What’s included: Hotels, all breakfasts, some additional meals, all transportation, VIP “skip the line” access, local guides
- What’s not included: Gratuities and airfare; however, Globus offers the option to purchase airfare when you book, which comes with free airport transfers
- Primary audience: Adults, primarily couples, between 50 and 70 years old
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, and Oceania
3. Grand Circle Travel
Operating since 1958, Grand Circle Travel is another highly regarded tour operator for adults over 50. The flagship brand within the Grand Circle family of companies (which also includes Overseas Adventure Travel) offers a wide selection of land-based tours and river cruises for groups ranging in size from 24 to 47 people.
Grand Circle Travel’s trips are specifically designed for older travelers. Leisurely pacing and a focus on value are hallmarks of the Grand Circle experience. Like its sister company Overseas Adventure Travel, which is a top choice for active solo travelers over age 50, Grand Circle stands out as a great fit for solo travelers interested in finding camaraderie and community on vacation. The company offers free or low-cost single supplement fees on all of its itineraries.
Grand Circle offers guided tour experiences on all seven continents. Destinations and tours types are varied, including the land-only Ireland in Depth (14 days), Cruising the Rhone: Lyon to Provence and the Cote d’Azur (13 days), and Athens and Ionian Sea Voyage from Greece to Albania (15 days). Land-based group tours average about 30 travelers, while river cruises can range from about 38 to 45 guests.
Grand Circle’s loyalty program, called the Inner Circle Club, offers discounts for frequent guests and multiple trips booked within the same calendar year.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Grand Circle Travel
- Average guided tour group size: 24 to 30 guests (land tours); 38 to 45 guests (river cruises)
- Price category: Moderate to Upscale
- What’s included: Airfare, meals, activities, accommodations, 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 can also be purchased separately
- Primary audience: Adults, including solo travelers, over the age of 50
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
4. Collette
A family-run business with hundreds of guided tour options across all seven continents, Collette offers a mix of small group trips (14 to 24 people per tour) and classic guided tours (up to 44 people). Its tours start around $1,500, and most guests are over the age of 55. What started as a small operation in 1918 is now a worldwide travel brand with offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.
From land tours and river cruises to rail journeys, small group tours, and city stays, Collette offers a variety of ways to travel, including ways to customize your journey with optional excursions and pre- and post-tour nights at your destination. And while the company tends to attract an older and budget-focused audience with an eye toward value, many of its hotels are four-star quality, and meals favor well-reviewed local restaurants with generous menus.
Collette employs local guides for all of its trips and puts an emphasis on utilizing local businesses and restaurants. It also offers community sustainability programs for its guests in destinations across the world and invests a percentage of its proceeds back into local community or sustainability projects.
Guests are automatically enrolled in The Collette Passport Club and receive credit toward future trips.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Collette
- Average guided tour group size: 44 guests (classic tours); 14 to 24 guests (small group tours)
- Price category: Budget to Moderate
- What’s included: Hotels, activities, museum and attraction admissions, local guides, transportation, airport transfers
- What’s not included: Airfare, meals, gratuities
- Primary audience: Adults, primarily couples, between the ages of 50 and 70
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
5. Tauck
Family-owned Tauck has a simple philosophy: Deliver more than what’s expected. And the award-winning guided tour operator has been doing just that for nearly 100 years by offering authentic experiences and behind-the-scenes access to destinations all over the world.
Tauk’s century of experience is evident in nearly every detail of its guided trips, which cover more than 100 destinations in 70+ countries across all seven continents. The company’s tours are well-regarded for their expertise in local customs, traditions, flora, and fauna. Meals and accommodations are upscale. Its tour guides, called Tauck Directors, come from 40 countries and average a decade of experience each.
Guests can choose from five unique trip styles: land tours, small group journeys, river cruises, small ship cruises, and family journeys. The tour operator also boasts an exclusive partnership with the award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, offering deep-dive trips that explore the themes of his films, including the American Civil War, U.S. national parks, baseball, and jazz.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Tauck
- Average guided tour group size: 35 people (standard tours); 24 people (small group tours)
- Price category: Upscale
- What’s included: Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport and luggage transfer, taxes
- What’s not included: Airfare and alcohol
- Primary audience: Adults over age 50
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
6. National Geographic Expeditions
Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions leans into its parent company’s core values of exploration, science, education, and storytelling to offer exceptional guided tours on all seven continents. From exploring the Swiss and Italian Alps by train to photographing Machu Picchu at sunrise, National Geographic Expeditions takes guests to some of the most celebrated natural wonders, archaeological sites, and wildlife-rich destinations in the world.
A guided trip with National Geographic Expeditions is all about meaningful exploration of the world and its many cultures. Whether by land, small ship, train, river cruise, or even private jet, guests traveling with National Geographic Expeditions can expect a guided tour that goes way beyond the ordinary. And with itineraries geared specifically for photographers, families, or independent travelers, you’ll be exploring alongside both like-minded travelers and subject matter experts.
The company offers two unique ways to travel: National Geographic Signature Land, led by NatGeo experts, are its flagship trips and feature high-end accommodations, special access to field researchers and sites of interest, and even photography workshops; National Geographic Journeys, led by local guides, utilize mid-range hotels and blend hands-on exploration with more free time to explore on your own. Many National Geographic Expeditions trips also offer pre- and post-trip extensions.
The National Geographic Lifelong Explorers program offers loyalty discounts for return guests. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from each trip helps fund the National Geographic Society’s research and conservation programs around the world.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with National Geographic Expeditions
- Average guided tour group size: 16 to 25 people per departure; cruises are all in small ships under 200 passengers
- Price category: Premium (National Geographic Signature Expeditions); Budget to Moderate (National Geographic Journeys)
- What’s included: Meals, accommodations, excursions, services of a National Geographic Expert, ground transportation, most transfers, baggage handling, most gratuities (for National Geographic Signature Land); some meals, accommodations, excursions, local guides, ground transportation, and some transfers (for National Geographic Journeys)
- What’s not included: Airfare, some meals, some gratuities
- Primary audience: Photographers and families with a passion for learning
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
7. Cosmos
The budget-friendly member of the Globus family of travel brands (alongside Globus and Avalon Waterways), Cosmos offers a range of tours around the world but has a particularly strong focus on Europe. Cosmos offers similar itineraries to its sister brand Globus but brings costs down by opting for good-but-more-budget-minded accommodations. While Cosmos is best known for its coach tours, the company also offers small group trips, off-the-beaten-path itineraries in popular destinations, event-focused tours, and Christian faith-based trips that highlight religious history in the Holy Land, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
COMPANY PROFILE: Everything You Need to Know about Cosmos Before You Book
Cosmos runs tours on five continents spanning more than 60 countries. Among its most popular destinations are Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. Many of the company’s tour directors hail from the country in which they lead tours, and a number of them have spent decades with Cosmos. The company also employs local guides to help with additional on-the-ground aspects of its tours.
Cosmos offers a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.
Quick Facts about Group Tours with Cosmos
- Average guided tour group size: 36 guests (standard coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group tours)
- Price category: Budget
- What’s included: Hotels, guided city sightseeing excursions, ground transportation, and some meals
- What’s not included: Airfare, optional excursions, gratuities; flights and airport transfers can be purchased at additional cost from Cosmos
- Primary audience: Adults in their early to mid 50s
- Destinations: Europe, South America, Central America, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania
8. Adventures by Disney
Founded in 2005, Adventures by Disney offers upscale small group tours to 37 destinations on all seven continents. And while you may associate Disney with princesses and talking animals, a vacation with Adventures by Disney is more about the Disney way of doing things than it is about The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment brand.
When you travel with Adventures by Disney, what you’re getting is top-notch service, people-pleasing trip leaders (called Adventure Guides), and special experiences created just for Disney’s guided tours (think skip-the-line access to tourist attractions like the Louvre in Paris, special backstage tours on Broadway, or traditional bread-baking demonstrations in Iceland). Each trip also includes at least one Adventure Guide from the host destination, who brings local knowledge and a deep connection to the destination.
COMPLETE GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know about Adventures by Disney Before You Book
On guided tours with Adventures by Disney, things run smoothly and right on time. That makes it a great choice for stress-free family travel adventures. Most of Adventures by Disney’s guided tours feature built-in family time as well as built-in alone time for the adults. On some evenings, the Adventure Guides may host a “Junior Adventure” movie night. Other times there may be a kids-only dining table for the evening meal.
Guided tours with Adventures by Disney include upscale accommodations, transportation within the trip (such as airport transfers, internal flights or trains, and motor coaches), admission prices and VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and many meals. There are typically some “on your own” meals, and pre-trip transportation is not included in the price. Adventures by Disney vacations tend toward the luxury side of the price range: an eight-day Peru vacation starts at $5,299; an Arctic expedition cruise starts at $11,999. In addition to its family-oriented trips, Adventures by Disney also offers private tours and adults-exclusive tours.
Adventures by Disney travelers can enroll in the company’s Adventure Insiders program to receive special offers, including advance notice of new tour destinations.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Adventures by Disney
- Average guided tour group size: 35 to 44 guests
- Price range: Upscale/Premium
- What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, most meals
- What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, tips for your Adventure Guides
- Primary audience: Families, adult Disney fans
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
9. Overseas Adventure Tours (O.A.T.)
Part of the Grand Circle family of companies that also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line, Overseas Adventure Travel (also called O.A.T.) is a small group adventure travel tour specialist offering guided tours on all seven continents.
Overseas Adventure Travel’s guests tend to be over the age of 50, and many are solo travelers looking to join like-minded travelers on active itineraries around the world. Why is O.A.T. is so popular with older solo travelers? One reason is that the company rarely charges a single supplement on its trips. A fair number of the company’s guided tour itineraries also have women-exclusive departures.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Everything You Need to Know About Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) Before You Book
Overseas Adventure Travel rates all of its tours by activity level ranging from one (easy) to five (strenuous). The company operates more than 60 unique trips on all seven continents. Both multi-country and single-country tours are offered; some itineraries (such as Scotland Revealed) focus on culture while others (such as Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador’s Amazon Wilds) have an ecological focus. Unlike many other guided tour companies, O.A.T.’s prices typically include airfare, though guests also have the option to book their own flights.
Overseas Adventure Travel’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club, which offers benefits beginning with your third trip.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)
- Average guided tour group size: 13 people
- Price category: Moderate to Upscale
- What’s included: Airfare, most meals, all transportation, accommodations, activities, gratuities for local guides
- What’s not included: Gratuities for trip leaders, some meals; airfare can also be booked separately
- Primary audience: Active adults over 50, particularly solo travelers
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
10. Intrepid Travel
Sustainable and experience-rich travel is the heart and soul of everything Intrepid Travel does. The not-for-profit group travel tour operator runs trips geared toward young adults, women, solo travelers, active travelers, and families, and it generally attracts like-minded guests who value responsible travel, conservation, and respect for indigenous cultures.
In fact, many of Intrepid’s most compelling guided tours make personal connections with local communities a centerpiece of the experience. Highlights include baking bread from a traditional recipe with a Berber family in Morocco, kicking a football with Massai tribesmen in Kenya, and learning about indigenous cultures in Costa Rica.
Intrepid offers a wide range of trip styles and themes to suit a variety 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 goes at a relaxed pace; and Premium tours offer the best accommodations, most comfortable transportation, and exclusive experiences. Different themes include Active, Food, Expeditions, Family, Solo, 18 to 29s, and Trekking, among others.
Travelers are automatically enrolled in the Intrepid Insiders program with their first trip. The loyalty program offers advance notice of sales and new trips.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Intrepid Travel
- Average guided tour group size: 12 people
- Price category: Budget
- What’s included: Accommodations, local transport, and some meals
- What’s not included: Airfare, travel insurance, tips
- Primary audience: Adults ages 25 to 40
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
11. G Adventures
Small group tour operator G Adventures offers guided trips suitable for a wide range of travel preferences. The company’s driving philosophy is all about improving the world through travel, and it supports this mission by utilizing local businesses and community resources on its tours. Many of G Adventures’s guests share this philosophy as a core value.
The company’s guided tours cater to a variety of fitness levels and cultural interests. Its classic tours hit a sweet spot between backpacking and traditional group tours; active tours focus heavily on hiking, trekking, biking, and other physically intense activities; family tours lean into age-appropriate activities and kid-friendly accommodations; local living tours let you participate in the rituals of daily life in unique destinations around the world; and 18-to-thirtysomething tours let young adults explore the world with similarly aged companions.
G Adventures also partners with National Geographic for both general tours and family journeys designed to provide guests with an even deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions of each destination. And the company’s one-of-a-kind Jane Goodall Collection of guided tours offers a responsible way to experience wildlife up close.
G Adventures offers a unique perk on all of its trips. The company’s Lifetime Deposits program allows passengers to retain their initial deposit for use at a later date at no extra charge if they need to postpone a trip due to a change in plans or circumstances.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with G Adventures
- Average guided tour group size: 12 people
- Price category: Moderate
- What’s included: Accommodations, activities, and some meals
- What’s not included: Airfare
- Primary audience: Adults ages 30 to 55, but also families and younger travelers
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
12. AdventureWomen
The women’s only travel group AdventureWomen makes it easy for female travelers to explore the world in a safe and meaningful way alongside other women. Founded in 1982, AdventureWomen now offers nearly 50 tours across more than 65 counties. AdventureWomen’s guided travel tours for women welcome solo female travelers, women traveling together, mother-daughter pairs, sisters, and more.
The company’s most popular guided tours include a wintertime tour of Iceland to view the Northern Lights, a Galapagos Islands wildlife cruise by private yacht, and a journey along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Some of AdventureWomen’s more remote destinations include Mongolia and Oman. Each tour description clearly outlines the required fitness level for the journey.
These guided women’s only adventure tours include lodging, ground transportation, most meals and activities, guides, and some gratuities. AdventureWomen’s average tour group size is on the small side, with tours generally welcoming 12 to 15 women per departure. Guests often credit the small group size for fostering camaraderie with other travelers on these guided tours.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with AdventureWomen
- Average guided tour group size: 12 to 15 people
- Price range: Upscale
- What’s included: Accommodations, most meals and activities, ground transportation, tour guides (called Managers), some gratuities
- What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, alcohol, some gratuities, certain meals
- Primary audience: Women seeking to travel with other women
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, and the Middle East
13. Abercrombie & Kent
A pioneer in the world of luxury small group trips, Abercrombie & Kent has been operating guided tours for more than 60 years. These days, the tour company runs trips on all seven continents spanning more than 100 countries. Among the highlights: luxury journeys to Machu Picchu, history-focused trips to Israel, and wildlife safaris in Africa.
Each of Abercrombie & Kent’s small group tours is run by a Resident Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the trip, while additional specialized local guides help travelers enjoy one-of-a-kind insider experiences. Because Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury tour operator, accommodations tend toward high-end hotels wherever possible. Participants are often Gen X and Boomers.
Guests are automatically enrolled in the company’s Marco Polo Club loyalty program on their third journey with Abercrombie & Kent.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Abercrombie & Kent
- Average guided tour group size: 14 people
- Price category: Upscale
- What’s included: Inter-trip flights, upscale accommodations, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry services, all activities, and expert guides
- What’s not included: Airfare to and from your trip destination
- Primary audience: Adults aged 40 and older
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
14. Exodus Travels
A worldwide adventure travel tour operator, Exodus Travels offers small group and independent cycling, walking, hiking, wildlife, and cultural tours in nearly 90 countries across all seven continents. Exodus has operated small group guided tours, self-guided tours, and private tours around the world since 1974, and today offers more than 500 unique tours ranging from popular locales like the Amalfi Coast in Italy to remote destinations like Tajikistan.
The company’s small group tours average between eight to 16 guests and utilize local trip leaders and experienced local guides. Solo travelers comprise nearly half of Exodus’s guests, who are given the option to pay a single room supplement or share a room with another guest at no additional charge. For those who want the convenience of a curated trip (pre-planned accommodations, activities, and transportation) without the constraints of traveling with a group, Exodus’s self-guided options give you freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
While Exodus is popular with budget-minded travelers, the company also offers premium guided tours to some popular destinations. A partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation allows Exodus to offer luxury safaris, for example.
Guests are automatically enrolled in the tour operator’s loyalty program, called Exodus Collective, after two trips. Exodus Collective offers special discounts and members-only sales. After your seventh trip, you’ll be upgraded to the company’s Pioneer level, which comes with even greater discounts and perks.
Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Exodus Travels
- Average guided tour group size: 8 to 16 people
- Price category: Budget to Upscale
- What’s included: Accommodations, some meals, activities, local guides
- What’s not included: Airfare, airport transfers, gratuities
- Primary audience: Adventure travelers, solo travelers, active independent travelers
- Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions
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