Custom Transformative Tours & Trip Packages

Custom Transformative Tours & Trips

3,360 Custom trips. Tours from 446 tour companies. 9,007 reviews. 5/5 avg rating.

30 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Transformative
Amazon Rainforest Adventure
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5/5 Excellent
81 reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve been recognized by major travel publications for their pioneering adventure travel expertise that spans back to their founding in 1979.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains, Quito

Highlights

  • Cruise along the Napo River. Seated comfortably in your covered motorboat,
  • Visit to the Quito community for a lesson on local culture, After that, another short hike will put us at our second clay lick of the day for another round of unique viewing
  • You'll discover how the community has evolved over the years for the better, developing leaps and bounds in areas such as health care and education
  • As we canoe away from this awesome area, otters, monkeys and rare bids will be around to bid us farewell.

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I have travelled with ROW numerous times, including four trips on the Rogue River. Every trip has been wonderful and every person associated with ROW has been nice, knowledgeable, professional and fun. The Rogue is a great river and the trip is an excellent one for two people or a large group—and I have done both. I’ve taken both of my kids, one time each, and have organized groups of colleagues twice; most recently in 2019 when 14 of us gathered. The guides at ROW are great and help to make the trip very enjoyable. The scenery, lodging and the wonderful outdoors including warm air and refreshing water, make for a wonderful escape from the everyday routine. The fact that this trip offers beds and indoor plumbing is a nice benefit and allows those who have an aversion to camping a chance to see the wilderness. I have recommended ROW and the Rogue trip more times than I can count and my group has already reserved our trip for 2021. What are you waiting for?"

Trip dates & details
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Yoga Adventure & Kayak Tour
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5/5 Excellent
31 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

La Paz, Mexico City

Highlights

  • Explore our Sea of Cortez kayaking tours feature encounters with blue & fin whales in the wild and secluded camping on remote desert islands. To prepare for your day of Baja kayaking, you'll find yoga or pilates to be an ideal addition to a blissful Baja vacation. All tours are suitable for beginners.
  • See the islands of the Sea of Cortez contain striking natural beauty in a dramatic setting formed by rugged islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches, which contrast with the brilliant reflection from the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters.
  • The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers the perfect blend of kayaking, hiking and snorkelling.
  • Watch abundant wildlife, massive whales, sunny weather and warm, crystalline waters make the Sea of Cortez in Loreto Bay National Marine Park or Espiritu Santo National Park the best winter adventure destinations in North America and Mexico.

Themes

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Relaxing Retreats, Transformative, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Scuba Diving

What travelers are saying

"When my partner and I went on a whale watching trip with Sea Kayak Adventures five years ago, we concluded that it was one of the best things we had ever done - especially the encounters with the grey whales in Magdalena Bay. I decided that I wanted an excuse to visit the whales again and I found this in a plan to go back with my family so that we could introduce them to my family and share their joy in this trip. As always, when organising such a treat, I was desperate that it would be as good a second time. I need not have worried, under the expert guidance of Monica (who amazingly had been a guide on our first trip) and Fabian our family group were wowed by whales that swam close, sky-hopped, breached and swam to our boat, rubbed against it, looked us in the eye mammal-to-mammal and then let us rub their skin. Wow oh wow! My niece even discovered that one whale had shared two of its sealice with her! Simply amazing and thanks to Monica and Fabian for sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise with us, and to Vicky for the excellent food."

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Guatemala Explorer
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Tikal

Highlights

  • Explore Guatemala City
  • Discover Antigua
  • Enjoy visiting Santiago de Atitlan, Flores and Tikal Ruins
  • Explore Chichicastenango
  • Enjoy visiting fascinated places like Panajachel, Camino Real Tikal, Comalapa and San Juan la Laguna

Themes

Cultural, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"At first I thought, maybe it was just me. Maybe I just had a poor customer service experience with Adventure Life. On my recent trip to Antarctica I met several other passengers, including my roommate who booked through Adventure Life. Each time and immediately they expressed the same exact challenges and concerns when working with Adventure life that I experienced. Being supplied with broken links to resources and documents, vague responses to specific questions, lack of pro-actively from Adventure Life, and a plethora of other issues. But I would recommend using Adventure Life, call them to help find the best dates and trip for you. Then book directly through the tour operators. I met several people on the trip that were able to find and negotiate discounts by skipping the agency and going directly to the tour operator."

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Fiji Escape
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4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Snorkel over brilliant rainbow-colored coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and kayak through crystal-clear waters
  • Hike to sweeping mountain vistas with scenic waterfalls and go whitewater rafting on Class II and III rapids
  • Get off the grid with three days of relaxation in the unspoiled Yasawa archipelago
  • Share in the friendly Fijian culture as you join lovo feasts, watch traditional dances, and play with the local children

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

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India: Ladakh Sampler
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4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Delhi, Jama Masjid, Ladakh, Red Fort

Highlights

  • Signature MTS guides lead you on a 3-day trek through Ladakhi villages, where you'll have the rare opportunity to visit local homes
  • Visit ancient monasteries set against a harsh but breathtakingly stunning landscape
  • Explore Old Delhi and Leh, ancient capital of Ladakh

Themes

Cultural, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

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Vietnam: Meet the Locals
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cu Chi Tunnels, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Mekong Delta, Saigon

Highlights

  • Explore Hanoi
  • Visit to Ba Be National Park
  • Discover Ha Long Bay
  • Explore Hoi An
  • Visit the Chu Chi Tunnels
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Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Education / Learning, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"It is a difficult job to make everybody happy all of the time, but you ladies do a superb job. We were definitely off the beaten path, and when following that path there are sometimes unexpected surprises, but every bump was handled beautifully."

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Vietnam and Laos: Ethnic Villages and Untraveled Roads
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Hanoi, Luang Prabang, Mekong River , Vientiane

Highlights

  • Explore Temple of Literature, Presidential Palace, Cooking Demonstration, History Museum, Opera House and Old Quarter.
  • Enjoy Meeting Puppet Master and Private Puppet Show.
  • Book Trip to Brother Mouse and Khouang Si Falls.
  • Visit Pratuxai and that Luang.
  • Kayaking River and Exploring Another Cave.

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Transformative, Religious

What travelers are saying

"It is a difficult job to make everybody happy all of the time, but you ladies do a superb job. We were definitely off the beaten path, and when following that path there are sometimes unexpected surprises, but every bump was handled beautifully."

Trip dates & details
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Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia: Borobudur, Bagan and Angkor Wat
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Angkor Wat, Bagan, Bali, Banyon Temple, Lake Inle, Shwedagon Pagoda, Siem Reap, Tonle Sap Lake, Yangon

Highlights

  • Visit Salay and Gubyaukgi Temple in Myinkaba
  • Explore Yangon and see the Sule, British colonial buildings, National Museum, meditation center, circular train ride, River Gallery
  • Visit Salay and Gubyaukgi Temple in Myinkaba
  • Visit Minnanthu Village for sesame and peanut oil
  • Discover Bangkok
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"It is a difficult job to make everybody happy all of the time, but you ladies do a superb job. We were definitely off the beaten path, and when following that path there are sometimes unexpected surprises, but every bump was handled beautifully."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Custom Reviews & Ratings

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9,007  Reviews
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A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

History in the Heat

I've always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn't disappoint. Seeing & bein...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

postscript

Sorry, I meant to add that Exodus should perhaps delete the reference to the "library" on the cruise from the Trip Notes. The library consisted of 16 dog-eared bo...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

This was a wonderful trip - I enjoyed it enormously. Visit to the temples at Karnak & Luxor Khaled Lotfy was an excellent & inspirational group leader. He ...

A

Anonymous

Feb 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

I do not have a very long 'bucket list', in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight ho...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Egypt - Truly a Wonder of the Wordl

I have always dreamt of visiting Egypt and seeing for my self the many ancient wonders going back to the dawn of history. This trip was a dream come true. Having b...

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