The Best Private Trips to Book in the Americas

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Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

From the mystical cloud forests of Costa Rica to the glamorous beaches of Brazil, these immersive Culture Trips in South and Central America can all be booked as private tours for you and your favourite travel buddies.

There’s plenty of pros for going private. Obviously it means you can keep the guest-list locked down, but it also allows for far greater flexibility on travel dates, group sizes (minimum of 4) and even age requirements. Simply get in touch with our Travel Experts to organise your personalised Culture Trip adventure.

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Aerial shot of Puerto Angelito in Puerto Escondido, Mexico

The Complete Mexico Experience

If this sprawling, diverse nation is the dream destination for your travel group, this might be the ultimate taste of Mexico you can have in just over a week. You’ll start with sightseeing and fine dining in Mexico City, before travelling back in time to Mesoamerica at Teotihuacan. Next up is the pretty city of Puebla, famous for its ceramics, followed by an off-the-beaten-path adventure to cacti fields of Zapotitlan Salinas. In Oaxaca you’ll learn how to make tortilla, partake in an expert cooking class and a punchy mezcal tasting session. Having traversed the heartlands of the Mexican Plateau, we’ll eventually reach Puerto Escondido and a gorgeous beach resort with multiple pools and exclusive access to one of the region’s finest stretches of sand.

From US$2399

Next available from 24th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Mexico City, Mexico

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ENDS AT

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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A woman in a bikini bathes in a rocky stream in the lush Costa Rican jungle.

The Real Costa Rica

This Central American paradise is one of the most unique and biodiverse countries on the planet. Our eight-day tour takes in the volcanic landscapes of Arenal National Park, the mystical cloud forests of Monteverde and the laid-back surf vibes of the Pacific coastline. In Arenal you’ll soak in natural hot springs and spot sloths on a forest hike, while the highlands offer a rural lodge retreat, Costa Rican cooking class and a nighttime jungle hike in search of howler monkeys and pumas. We’ll wrap things up by chilling out in the seaside town of Tamarindo, where you can either keep the outdoor adventures going by surfing and mountain biking, or simply chill out on the town’s golden beaches.

From US$2199

Next available from 6th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

San Jose, Costa Rica

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ENDS AT

Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Aerial photo of a waterfall falling into a round lake amid cliffs in the middle of the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador

Adventurous Ecuador

Ecuador might be small but it packs one hell of a punch with its diverse array of landscapes waiting to be tackled by adventurous explorers. This eight-day itinerary is an outdoorsy person’s dream, as we go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park, cycling along the Baños Waterfall Route and whitewater rafting down one of the Amazon’s main tributaries. Real adrenaline junkies will have a go at the Swing at the End of the World, while fine chocolate tasting, an Ecuadorian cooking class and a series of gorgeous country lodges will keep you refuelled and refreshed throughout the trip.

From US$2199

Next available from 9th Mar 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

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ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Aldama Street Parroquia Archangel church Dome Steeple San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Authentic Central Mexico

If culture, history and architecture is what you want from your cities, then Mexico is ready to offer you more than value for money. The central heartlands are dotted with gorgeous cities, characterised by their colourful collections of cobbled streets and colonial buildings. You’ll start in the capital, where you’ll visit Frida Kahlo’s home and take a boat tour down Xochimilco. You’ll visit the remarkable archeological sites of Teotihuacán and Tula en route to pretty Queretaro. Learn about the city’s crucial role in the independence movement before moving on to the Baroque town of San Miguel de Allende, where a cooking class and a thriving local art scene awaits. Get a taste for revolution in Dolores Hidalgo, a taste for fine wines at Cuna de Tierra vineyard and wrap up the trip with a visit to the beautiful city of Guanajuato.

From US$2299

Next available from 10th Feb 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Mexico City, Mexico

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ENDS AT

Mexico City, Mexico

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Go Wild in the Galapagos

It doesn’t get more exotic than this iconic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. Across five days of outdoor adventure with us you’ll understand exactly what Darwin was so obsessed about. Kayak or paddleboard in the Itabaca Channel, spot rare birds while hiking lava trails and snorkel off Punta Carola Beach. You’ll have encounters with penguins, iguanas, sea lions and potentially even sharks, but your favourite travel companions will surely be the giant tortoises, over a hundred of which freely roam around Galapagos Magic Camp, where you’ll be staying for half of the trip.

From US$2499

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

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ENDS AT

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

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