15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

The best tour companies for guided tours in 2024 deliver special insider experiences you simply can't book independently.

Horseback riding on a guided tour in Montana and Wyoming with Adventures by Disney (Photo: Matt Stroshane)
Horseback riding on a guided tour in Montana and Wyoming with Adventures by Disney (Photo: Matt Stroshane)

Guided tours are an easy and stress-free way to discover new places. When you travel with the best tour operators, you can often dig much deeper into the history, culture, and daily life of your destination than if you’d gone it alone. In fact, the world’s top tour companies employ local guides, handle all of the details, and often deliver special insider travel experiences you simply can’t book independently. And travel tour groups are a good value, too.

To learn more about this year’s best tour companies and their guided tours, click on any company name in the list below to go straight to their website and start your search. Or, scroll down to read more about my picks for the best tour operators in 2024.

2024’s Best Tour Operators for Guided Tours 

1. Trafalgar Tours

view of lavender and sunflower fields near Valensole, France as seen on a Trafalgar tour of France
Trafalgar offers more than 350 guided tours in 72 countries (Photo: Trafalgar)

One of the largest and most established tour operators in the world, Trafalgar offers everything from standard coach tours and small group active tours to private tours, hiking and biking tours, and special interest tours built around nature, history, food, and other interests. All told, Trafalgar hosts 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. (Read our full Trafalgar review here.)

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. 

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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. Anyone who books a tour with Trafalgar’ is automatically enrolled in its Very Important Traveler (VIT) program that offers discounts and priority access on future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Trafalgar

  • Average guided tour group size: 40 guests (standard coach tours); no more than 17 guests on small group active tours.
  • Price range: Upscale.
  • What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, and most meals.
  • What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and 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.
  • How to book: Directly through Trafalgar or through a travel agent
  • More tours: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. G Adventures

female tour traveler buying fruit from a floating market boat in Bangkok, Thailand
Guided tours with G Adventures cater to a variety of fitness levels and cultural interests (Photo: G Adventures)

Small group tour operator G Adventures has 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. 

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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 you to retain your initial deposit for use at a later date at no extra charge if you need to postpone a trip due to a change in plans or circumstances.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company 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.
  • How to book: Directly through G Adventures or through a travel agent.
  • More tours: 10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

3. Adventures by Disney

Junior adventurer on an Adventures by Disney tour holding the paddle of power in Peru
Adventures by Disney is the leading tour operator for guided family tours (Photo: Steven Diaz/Disney)

Founded in 2005, Adventures by Disney offers upscale small group tours to about 40 destinations on all seven continents. 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. 

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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 $6,199 in 2024; an Adriatic expedition cruise starts at $8,999. 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 Tour Operator 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, and most meals.
  • What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips for your Adventure Guides.
  • Primary audience: Families and adult Disney fans.
  • Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
  • How to Book: Directly through Adventures by Disney or through a travel agent.

4. Globus

Bryce Canyon National Park view from a Globus tour
Globus offers a variety of group tour types, including small group tours and self-guided tours (Photo: 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. Tour styles include small group tours, offered on Europe and North America itineraries; choice tours, which allow you to choose from three or four possible excursions rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule; undiscovered tours that take a deep dive away from the tourist areas; self-guided independent tours; Escapes by Globus, which operate during the slower tourism season between November and March; and faith-based trips to destinations such as the Holy Land.

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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 20% of the tour company’s guests, Globus offers single supplement waiver promotions on select tours. Globus also has 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, and 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 between 50 and 70 years old.
  • Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, and Oceania.
  • How to book: Directly through Globus or through a travel agent.

5. Grand Circle Travel

The Acropolis illuminated at night, Athens, Attiki, Greece, Europe
Grand Circle Travel offers tours to iconic destinations like Athens (Photo: Envato/imagesourcecurated)

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. 

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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 (O.A.T.), 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 has guided tour experiences on all seven continents. 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 Tour Operator 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 motor coach drivers (land tours); airfare, accommodations, most meals, onboard drinks and house beer and wine, port charges, and gratuities for local guides and motor coach 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.
  • How to book: Directly through Grand Circle Travel or through a travel agent.

6. Road Scholar

Guests on a Road Scholar Independent City tour in Venice on a gondola
Road Scholar is a non-profit tour company with a strong lifelong education focus (Photo: Road Scholar)

What started as the tour company Elderhostel in 1975 has since evolved into Road Scholar, a non-profit tour company with an educational focus that offers guided tours around the world. Its primary audience is senior travelers, but it also has the special and unique Grandparent Adventures, which support grandparents and grandchildren traveling together. Road Scholar is also very solo-traveler friendly—about 25 percent of Road Scholar tour guests are solo travelers. And the tour company has a number of itineraries for women-only tours as well.  

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Road Scholar’s educational tours include all accommodations plus most meals, expert-led lectures, field trips, and hands-on experiences, as well as transportation and gratuities. Road Scholar is able to book airfare for international tours, which allows you to have your travel monitored and supported by the company from start to finish. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company Road Scholar

  • Average Tour Size: 22 people.
  • Price Range: Budget to luxury (from about $699 to $21,999 per person).
  • What’s Included: Accommodations, most meals, expert-led experiences, transportation, gratuities, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan coverage.
  • What’s Not Included: Pre- and post-trip transportation.
  • Primary Audience: Older travelers, grandparents traveling with grandkids, women, and solo travelers.
  • Destinations: Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Australia and South Pacific, and Antarctica.
  • How to book: Directly through Road Scholar or through a travel agent.

7. Collette

Northern lights display in Alaska
Collette’s tours include experiential adventures such as Northern Lights viewing (Photo: Envato/langalvezjen)

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 group tours start around $1,500, and most guests are over the age of 55. Collette is worldwide travel brand and tour operator with offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

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From land tours and river cruises to rail journeys, small group tours, and city stays, Collette offers a variety of ways to travel, including 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. Tour 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, and airport transfers.
  • What’s not included: Airfare, meals, and 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.
  • How to book: Directly through Collette or through a travel agent.

8. Tauck Tours

Zip lining in Costa Rica (Phoo: Tauck)
Tauck’s group tours span more than 100 destinations across all seven continents (Photo: Tauck)

Family-owned Tauck has a simple philosophy: Deliver more than what’s expected. 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. Tauck’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.

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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. You can choose from five unique trip styles: land tours, small group journeys, river cruises, small ship cruises, and multigenerational family journeys called Tauck Bridges. 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 Tour Operator 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, and taxes.
  • What’s not included: Airfare and alcohol.
  • Primary audience: Adults over age 50 and multigenerational family groups.
  • Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
  • How to book: Directly through Tauck or through a travel agent.

9. National Geographic Expeditions

National Geographic Expeditions put a focus on science, education, and storytelling (Photo: National Geographic/G Adventures)
National Geographic Expeditions put a focus on science, education, and storytelling (Photo: National Geographic/G Adventures)

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 you to some of the most celebrated natural wonders, archaeological sites, and wildlife-rich destinations in the world. 

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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, you can expect a guided tour that goes way beyond the ordinary. And with itineraries geared specifically for photographers, families (in partnership with G Adventures), 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 tours, 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 Travel 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, and 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.
  • How to book: Directly through National Geographic Expeditions or through a travel agent.

10. Cosmos

Siem Reap tuk tuk ride on a Cosmos tour
Cosmos is the most budget-friendly member of the Globus family of travel brands (Photo: 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 European tours. 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.

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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.
  • How to Book: Directly through Cosmos or through a travel agent.

11. Overseas Adventure Tours (O.A.T.)

tour guests gathered on a sand dune on an Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) tour
Overseas Adventure Travel offers active adventures for people over the age of 50 (Photo: 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. O.A.T.’s tour group guests are over the age of 50 and many are solo travelers looking to join like-minded travelers on active itineraries around the world.

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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. 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 focus on culture while others 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, and 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.
  • How to Book: Directly through OAT or through a travel agent.

12. Intrepid Travel

Intrepid's Morocco Berbers Expedition (Photo: Intrepid Travel)
Intrepid Travel centers conservation and respect for indigenous cultures (Photo: 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.

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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 Tour Operator 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, and tips.
  • Primary audience: Adults ages 25 to 40.
  • Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
  • How to Book: Directly through Intrepid or through a travel agent.

13. AdventureWomen

Adventure Women guest in Nepal (Photo: Adventure Women)
AdventureWomen is a leader in the women’s only travel group space (Photo: 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. Each tour description clearly outlines the required fitness level for the journey. 

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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. 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 Tour Company 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), and some gratuities.
  • What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, alcohol, some gratuities, and certain meals.
  • Primary audience: Women seeking to travel with other women.
  • Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
  • How to Book: Directly through AdventureWomen or through a travel agent.

14. Abercrombie & Kent

Amboseli National Park in Kenya (Photo: Abercrombie & Kent)
Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent runs trips on all seven continents (Photo: 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. 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.

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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/premium.
  • 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.
  • How to Book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent or through a travel agent.

15. Exodus Travels

View of the cliffs and town of Positano and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Exodus Travels offers both small group and independent tours to destinations in 90 countries, including Italy’s Amalfi Coast (Photo: Envato/edb3_16)

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. 

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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 Tour Operator Exodus Travels

  • Average guided tour group size: 8 to 16 people.
  • Price category: Budget to upscale.
  • What’s included: Accommodations, some meals, activities, and local guides.
  • What’s not included: Airfare, airport transfers, and gratuities.
  • Primary audience: Adventure travelers, solo travelers, and active independent travelers.
  • Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
  • How to Book: Directly through Exodus or through a travel agent.

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Josh Roberts is the co-founder and Editorial Director of TourScoop and FamilyVacationist. He is also a novelist and the former Senior Executive Editor at Tripadvisor, SmarterTravel, Airfarewatchdog, and FamilyVacationCritic.