The Remotest Island Vacations in the World

Explore the unspoilt natural beauty of the Azores
Explore the unspoilt natural beauty of the Azores | © Westend61 GmbH / Getty Images

Leave the city lights behind and discover the remotest destinations in the world on these specially curated Culture Trip adventures.

We all love a city break, but there comes a time when you really need to get away from it all. Cue a trip to one of the remotest places in the world. Often hundreds of miles from the mainland, these isolated island vacation spots offer unspoilt natural beauty and incredible biodiversity. Whether you’re snorkelling with sea turtles in Indonesia or hanging out with giant tortoises in the Galápagos Islands, Culture Trip’s small-group remote vacations will fully immerse you in blissfully peaceful, unspoilt nature.

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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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Sea lions on a sandy beach in the Galápagos Islands

Go Wild in the Galápagos Islands

A vacation to the Galápagos Islands means leaving the human world behind and entering the animal kingdom. Giant tortoises, penguins, sea lions, sharks, iguanas and an abundance of colourful birds will be your company on this five-day trip around the islands. You’ll be led by our Local Insider and will get to see the more rugged side of the archipelago with an exclusive visit to some of the uninhabited islands. No roads, no cars, no bars or restaurants – just pure, unspoilt nature at its most majestic.

From US$2499

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

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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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Aerial view of Miradouro da Vista do Rei, Sao Miguel, Azores

Atlantic Azores

Bottle-green crater lakes, sprawling fields of blue hydrangeas and steaming volcanic hot springs: you’ve made it to the Azores. Far out in the Atlantic Ocean, this string of Portuguese islands might lack the gorgeous sandy beaches of other isolated vacation spots, but they more than make up for it with their abundance of thrill-seeking activities. Get your adrenaline pumping on this six-day trip, where you’ll rappel down rushing waterfalls, kayak across shimmering lakes and hike through subtropical forests. Plus, you’ll learn how to make cozido – a traditional Azorean stew cooked underground, using only geothermal energy.

From US$1529

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

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ENDS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

DURATION

6

GROUP SIZE

8

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Aerial shot of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland

Volcanic Iceland

Iceland may have grown rapidly as a tourist destination in the 21st century, but this epic landscape still feels overwhelmingly remote once you leave Reykjavik behind. Our five-day Iceland trip focuses on the adventurous side of this Nordic nation. You’ll hike across icy glaciers that look like they’ve never been traversed, stroll along black-sand beaches that make you feel like you’re in a sci-fi film, and snowmobile across seemingly endless white expanses. Discover epic waterfalls, secret hot springs and remote communities as you tackle the volcanic countryside, before coming back to reality with a last-morning dip in the Blue Lagoon, arguably the country’s most popular attraction.

From US$2889

Next available from 17th Feb 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

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ENDS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Tropical sea with turquoise water and trees. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

Blissful Bali

A holiday in Bali is the ultimate tropical escape as it is, but this 12-day itinerary takes it to the next level as we spend three nights on the tiny island of Gili Trawangan, part of the Gili Islands between Bali and Lombok. We’ll hop on a speedboat to get there and spend our time fully immersing in the serene joys of tropical island life. Snorkel with sea turtles, discover the eery life-sized underwater statues near Gili Meno and spend sunset barbecuing and sipping cocktails on the beach. You’ll have loads of free time during your time here, so you can enjoy the luxury of our island resort with yoga sessions and massage treatment, chill by the pool or hit the beach. Gili Trawangan is so small that you can actually walk around the entire coastline in just a few hours. – that’s the best way to discover the island’s most amazing hidden beaches.

From US$1929

Next available from 16th Mar 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bali, Indonesia

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ENDS AT

Bali, Indonesia

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Additional words by Gethin Morgan.

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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.

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