Small Group Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours & Trip...

Small Group Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours & Trips

5,230 Small Group trips. Tours from 569 tour companies. 25,109 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

172 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
14-Days Peru and Ecuador
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Charles Darwin Research Station, Cusco, Lima, Pacific Ocean, Puerto Villamil, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Wander through the charming streets of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Inca and colonial architecture.
  • Discover the vibrant culinary scene in Lima, sampling traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado.
  • Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can explore Pisac Market and the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo.
  • Encounter unique and diverse wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and Galapagos penguins.
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Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Trekking & Expeditions, Photography

What travelers are saying

"We just returned from a wonderful 3-week trip in Ecuador that included Quito, Amazon jungle, touring down the Andes to Cuenca, and Galapagos cruise. Our travel agent Alvaro did an excellent job helping us plan our trip - he was very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. All our guides were excellent, special shout-out to Christian, Sergio (aka Mike Tyson), and Pablo. Our favorite experiences were the Napo Cultural Center in the Amazon, biking/hiking at the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, and cruising the Galapagos."

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Golden Triangle with Mumbai Goa & Varanasi
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By Varanasi Excursion
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They have a special focus on Varanasi and other holy places of Buddhism.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Varanasi

Highlights

  • Tour guide in Delhi - Chandani Chowk (Cultural street market), Jama Masjid (Historical), Rajghat Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb.
  • Visit to Agra Fort and one of the seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal
  • Explore Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Sheikh Salim Chishti Tomb, Jodha Bai Palace, Moti Mahal etc with 16th century city - Fatehpur Sikri.
  • Pink city tour - Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace Jantar Mantar and the local bazaars of Jaipur.
  • Holy Ganga Aarti & Close experience of open Cremation & Sarnath with Guide.
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Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"Had an amazing experience of seeing varanasi with Sachin. He was with us throughout our stay there. He was so nice and accommodating and professional yet personable.we wanted to experience Varanasi the way locals do..Sachin helped us a lot in this..He helped us visit many interesting places which I was hearing for the first time..He is extremely knowledgeable and I highly recommend him.. Thank u Sachin for a very wonderful and a memorable trip.."

Trip dates & details
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South Africa – Wildlife Conservation Experience
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5/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Johannesburg, Kruger National Park

Highlights

  • Going behind the scenes of the conservation efforts to protect endangered species
  • Visiting an elephant sanctuary to learn about South Africa's gentle giants
  • Tracking the “Big 5” throughout Kruger National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • Learning firsthand about wildlife conservation from experts at the country’s largest reserve
  • Reading and playing with disadvantaged children who want to learn English
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Themes

50 plus, Birding, Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Safari, Transformative, Volunteering & Community Service

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

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Tanzania: Safari & Service
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5/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park

Highlights

  • Volunteering with local children at a village primary school
  • Meeting local families and learning about Tanzanian society firsthand
  • Seeing zebras, elephants, lions, rhinos and more on an African safari
  • Hiking to a waterfall on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Seeing firsthand the nomadic lifestyle of the Masai
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Safari, Transformative, Volunteering & Community Service

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

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Belize: Research & Conservation Experience
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4.9/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Toledo

Highlights

  • Volunteering directly with manatees to monitor conservation efforts
  • Taking a boat to a remote island off the coast of Belize
  • Exploring pristine beaches and rainforests scouting for wildlife
  • Uncovering waterfalls tucked deep in the jungle & exploring mystical caves
  • Snorkeling over colorful reefs in the crystal blue Caribbean waters
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Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative, Volunteering & Community Service

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

Trip dates & details
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Australia Beachside Wildlife Adventure
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4.9/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Sydney’s iconic harbor including the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House
  • Take a ferry across the bay to Sydney’s Northern Beaches
  • Soak in the sun along Australia’s most famous beach – Bondi Beach
  • Enjoy free time to explore Sydney’s cosmopolitan city center

Themes

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Education / Learning, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative, Volunteering & Community Service

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

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Costa Rica – The Sea Turtle Initiative
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1/5 Terrible
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Caribbean

Highlights

  • Volunteering with a sea turtle conservation organization
  • Getting up close and personal with howler monkeys, toucans and reptiles
  • Visiting a center that rescues and rehabilitates ocelots and pumas
  • Hiking through lush rainforest with a naturalist guide
  • Live steps from pristine Costa Rican beaches
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Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Volunteering & Community Service

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

Trip dates & details
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Geminids Meteor Shower - 15 Days
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Ait Benhaddou, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Erg Chebbi, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech, Midelt

Highlights

  • Marrakech - Head out to explore the medina and Djemaa el Fna independently, or join an optional guided tour of the city
  • Geminids Meteor Shower - Watch the annual spectacle from the darkness of the Sahara and see hundreds of meteors streaking across the sky
  • Casablanca - Visit the film made famous by the Humphrey Bogart film 'Casablanca' and opt to visit the famous Hassan II Mosque
  • Rabat - Take in the sights of Morocco's imperial capital on a tour, including the Chellah necropolis and Royal Palace
  • Chefchaouen - Enjoy a guided tour of the enthralling Blue City, nestled in the picturesque Rif Mountains
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Themes

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

What travelers are saying

"First time we (mom and daughter) have done a tour and first time with on the go tours. What a special trip we had doing the 13 day Casablanca to Essaouira Morocco tour (26 Nov - 6 Dec 2023). We started the first 8 days doing the totally Morocco tour and the last few days at our own pace with down time in Essaouira. Jamal our guide led the tour from start to finish and took us safely on a culture filled journey. His knowledge of the country, it’s history and people was informative and inspiring. Every request was “no problem” and delivered with a smile and happy demeanour. Everything in Morrocco was “no problem” and we felt safe and looked after. We were driven in a comfortable coach with enough stops along the way to not feel long by our competent driver Suleman. The hotels, Riad and Dar were extremely comfortable with exceptional service. We would not have had the same experience travelling on our own, we felt as though we truly experienced Morocco. Everything was a highlight for us and we will definitely book another on the go tour in the future. If you wanting to see true Morocco we would strongly recommend doing this tour."

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Small Group Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
25,109  Reviews
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Excellent
13,590
Great
3,623
Average
354
Disappointing
69
Terrible
43
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Oct 2023

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Pure Brazil

The time in the Pantanal was amazing. Did the day trip to see the jaguars which was a long day, but worth it. Lots of animals around the lodge too. If you are lucky,...

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Pure Brazil

Visit to the pantanal. Amazing lodge and wildlife.

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Pure Brazil

Covered the highlights of Brazil making sure the traveller saw the best of its highlights with sufficient enough time to take in the various areas and experience wha...

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Pure Brazil

Pure Brazil was one of the few tours that covered my personal highlights of the country, Amazon, Pantanal, Iguazu falls and Rio. Accommodation overall was both comfo...

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Small Group Tour Selection Trips

  • ‘Small groups’ are loosely defined depending on which tour company you choose. Always read the details of the specific itinerary you are interested in or call the tour company to find out how many travelers will be in your group.
  • Be mindful of minimum number requirements, which means the minimum number of travelers that a tour must meet in order to depart. If it’s an option, look for ‘guaranteed departures’ which mean the tour will depart no matter how many (or few) travelers book on.
  • Small groups are a great way to see the world but usually also mean you have less variety regarding your fellow travelers. If you’re concerned about the group composition, ask your tour operator if they can tell you the general age range of people on your trip.
  • Find out how much flexibility there is in the itinerary. Are your days and nights fully booked with group activities and meals or are there opportunities to explore independently?
  • Make sure the pace of the tour is a good fit for your travel style. The best experiences happen when you don’t feel like you are being slowed down or slowing down others.

Additional details

How Many People Will I Be Traveling With?

Just how many new friends will you be making on your small group tour? That depends on the tour operator. We’ve found that there are group tours with intimate groups of 10 to 12 travelers, while some skew slightly larger with between 20 and 25 guests.

The sweet spot seems to be around 16 travelers and certainly no more than 25 if you want to maintain that small group ambience. The size of your group will depend on the popularity of the destination (hello, Europe tours!) and the time of the year in which you are traveling. 

These low numbers enable you to connect with other travelers, yet never feel like a face without a name in the group. There’s a great social vibe to that magic number of about 12 to 18 people that allows for a just-right level of camaraderie and energy.

It’s easier to delve deeper into your destination and spend more time in the places of interest to you when your tour size is manageable. Plus, smaller group sizes enable the tour operators to arrange for smaller-scale, boutique-style accommodations, meals in cozier, locally owned restaurants and off-hours visits to popular sightseeing attractions.

Are Departures Guaranteed?

Regrettably, not all small group tour departures are guaranteed. Perhaps there isn’t enough interest in a particular date. In some cases, the tour company will have to cancel that departure date.

This varies widely by tour operator, so read the fine print when researching and selecting your small group tour, even if you’re visiting a popular destination like Europe.

In some cases, the tour company won’t cancel the trip, but will instead collect a “small group fee” when the numbers drop significantly, say, to a group of just one couple. This is a helpful option, particularly in you are traveling a long distance to your destination, perhaps Australia or New Zealand, and are wary about putting down a deposit on an unguaranteed tour departure.

Benefits of a Small Group

  • A perfect blend of planned activities and independent exploration time
  • A great value, usually including admissions and fees (possibly discounted) that you would have to pay for individually if you planned your own tour
  • Just the right number of people to ensure a congenial ambience and enable you to stay in boutique hotels and dine in smaller, out-of-the-way restaurants
  • A tour operator specializing in small group tours that will take care of the itinerary, arrange your guides and plan your meals and accommodations
  • More time and independence to gain a deeper understanding of your destination with like-minded travelers
  • Passionate, local, expert guides eager to share the top experiences in their own countries
  • Spontaneous, off-the-beaten-path experiences 

Who Are Small Group Tours Good For?

If you have aspirations of traveling to the world’s top destination - from Europe to Asia to New Zealand - yet feel daunted by the planning and logistics, a small group tour is a great choice.

These thoughtfully curated escorted tours to some of the world’s most intriguing places - Europe, in particular - take the guesswork out of your planning. You’ll benefit from the knowledge and behind-the-scenes access a local guide can provide, while still maintaining a level of flexibility and independence that makes this feel like a trip you planned yourself.

When faced with a new destination, far from home, it can be overwhelming to determine how much you can fit into your schedule, which sights are not to be missed (and which ones can just as easily be skipped) and how to get from point A to points X, Y and Z. Don’t fret - just because you’re hearing the words “group tour,” doesn’t mean you’ll end up just another anonymous face on a giant tour bus.

Small group tour operators, from Egypt to Alaska to Italy, make it their mission to introduce you to real life in your chosen destination, taking you off the beaten path and with like-minded travelers with which to enjoy the journey. 

I’m Traveling Solo. Do I Need to Pay Extra?

If you have a thirst for adventure, what in the world are you waiting for? Get out there and explore on a small group tour. These days, more and more tour companies aren’t requiring a single supplement fee if you’re willing to room with another single traveler.

And, since you’ve chosen the same trip, it’s likely to be a fast friendship with your new roomie. Don’t balk at the opportunity to travel to a bucket list destination just because you might be going solo. Some of the world’s most intriguing destinations (think Iceland, Machu Picchu and Vietnam) are best explored with an esteemed guide leading the way and like-minded travelers at your side.

This way, you won’t fall into typical tourist traps or venture into an unsafe area. Your small group tour guide has your back! This being said, often the most high-end of small group tour operators still require a single supplement, so do your research in advance.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 5230 trips to Small Group and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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