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While most of us enjoy a lazy beach holiday or sophisticated city break, sometimes, it’s nice to venture beyond our comfort zones. Travelling to far flung places is a chance to rediscover the beauty and diversity of our world – and can turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime.
A once-in-a-lifetime tour isn’t just a great way to see more of the world, it can also leave you with a wealth of stories and treasured memories. And while many of these tours take you to some of the world’s most iconic sights, they also give you the chance to venture off-the-beaten track.
To show you just how epic some of these tours are, we’ve partnered with Cosmos, one of the UK’s leading providers of escorted tours. Cosmos holidays take the hassle out of travelling, as everything is taken care of for you, from transport to sightseeing to accommodation. And, while you have expert guides to show you the sights, you have plenty of free time to explore in your own way too.
So, if you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime, let’s take a journey to the extraordinary…
Here are 10 tours that defy imagination – and to browse Cosmos’ full range of tours, head to their website below.
1. Patagonia with Buenos Aires, Bariloche & Santiago
Few places in the world evoke adventure like Patagonia. The southernmost tip of South America boasts vast glaciers, ancient forests, turquoise lakes, wild plains, and jagged peaks – and, on Cosmos’s 15-day Patagonia tour, you’ll see them all. A highlight is a four-night cruise through waterways glistening with icebergs, stopping off for excursions. You can soak in hot springs, visit traditional villages, sail through fjords, and spot penguins, seals, seabirds, and perhaps even condors and whales.
The tour also travels to two of South America’s most sophisticated capital cities: Argentina’s Buenos Aires and Chile’s Santiago. In Buenos Aires, you’ll enjoy three days of exploration, touring the main landmarks, as well as characterful neighbourhoods like La Boca and San Telm, and taking in a tango show.
You’ll have three days in culture-rich Santiago too; why not go wine tasting, or take a day trip to the quirky coastal city Valparaiso, and the chic Viña del Mar resort? You’ll also have two days in the alpine town of Bariloche, in the heart of Argentina’s stunning Lake District.
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8% off | Argentina & Chile | 15 days | Book with Cosmos
2. Tantalising Thailand
Thailand might be Asia’s primary travel destination, but this captivating country has managed to hold on to its cultural integrity. While capital Bangkok is known for its high-rise buildings, neon lights, and vibrant street life, the typical Thai community is still a rural village – and, on this 12-day Thailand tour, you’ll see both sides of the country.
Beginning in Bangkok, you’ll visit the city’s most celebrated sights, from the gleaming Grand Palace to the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and cruise the canals in a long tail boat.After three nights, you’ll head to the awe-inspiring Sukhothai for a day. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 13th-century city was once Thailand’s capital.
Then, in the northern city of Chiang Mai, you can feast on mouthwatering cuisine at night markets, take a tuk tuk tour, and meet rescued elephants at Elephant Nature Park. That’s not all; you’ll also visit hill tribes, tour a tea plantation, and travel to the legendary ‘Golden Triangle’ – where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
3. Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
If you’re more drawn to the Far East, this 12-day Japan tour might be for you. You’ll begin in capital Tokyo and end in Kyoto, the historic heart, along the way visiting many of the country’s most fascinating sights, from snow-capped Mt Fuji to the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
You’ll have three nights in futuristic Tokyo to explore the sprawling metropolis, enjoying a guided tour and a full free day. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, just visit one of the peaceful, pristine gardens. After, head south to the beautiful Five Lakes region, where you can hop on a cable-car for jaw-dropping views of Mt Fuji and the serene, mirror-like Lake Kawaguchi.
All this before boarding the famous bullet train to Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital, the next day. Here, you’ll take a sightseeing tour, visit Osaka castle, and feast on the delicious local cuisine. You’ll also have two days in Hiroshima to learn about its historical significance, before visiting Kyoto to browse markets, enjoy a time-honoured tea ceremony, explore temples, and wander the iconic geisha district of Gion.
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3% off | Japan | 12 days | Book with Cosmos
4. On Safari in Kenya and Tanzania
If you’re dreaming of an African adventure, few countries are as iconic as Kenya and Tanzania. Home to many of this vast continent’s most impressive sights, from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti National Park, this 11-day Kenya and Tanzania tour is unforgettable – particularly for wildlife lovers. From Nairobi, you’ll travel to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the country’s most famous game area, for a safari.
Over two days, you’ll search for the ‘Big 5’—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos – while learning about the unique ecosystem. Later, during two nights in Amboseli National Park, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro, and look out for elephants, zebras, buffalos, and wild dogs. And, after crossing over to Tanzania, you’ll be based by Lake Manyara, where you can spot primates, giraffes, and hippos on a game drive.
There’s plenty more to come, though… Observe lions, elephants, and flamingos as they go about their lives in the Ngorongoro Crater, before finishing in Serengeti National Park, home to crocodiles, big cats, giraffes, and gazelles. A dream-come-true for adventurous animal lovers.
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2% off | Kenya & Tanzania | 11 days | Book with Cosmos
5. Mysteries of the Inca Empire
Peru inspires, mystifies, and awes – and, on this 11-day tour, you’ll learn what makes it so intriguing. You’ll begin in the capital, Lima, exploring the city’s historic heart as well as the modern corners, and tucking into its fabulous food scene, before moving onto colonial Cusco, the ancient Incan capital. Here, you can tour the cobbled streets and delve into Andean culture before moving onto the Sacred Valley.
From here, you’ll visit Ollantaytambo – the only place to resist Spanish attacks – and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, where you can see some of the best examples of Inca masonry. You’ll also travel to the once-lost kingdom of Machu Picchu. Sprawled across steep slopes, set against a backdrop of soaring forest-covered peaks, this 15th-century site will quite literally take your breath away.
Another tour highlight is Titicaca, South America’s largest lake. Here, you can take a boat tour to the famous floating islands, meet indigenous communities, see how the Uros people make their homes and boats from reeds, and learn how locals integrate their Inca and Spanish pasts.
6. Highlights of Australia
Australia’s size – and far-flung location – mean many of us never take a trip Down Under, no matter how much we may want to. But on Cosmos’s 12-day Highlights of Australia tour, you’ll see the very best this continent-sized country has to offer. In trendy Melbourne, you’ll tour the city’s landmarks, and have plenty of free time to sightsee in your own way.
Uluru, the prehistoric red monolith, boasts shallow caves, Aboriginal paintings, and 36 domes to explore. A highlight is watching Uluru change colours at sunset while enjoying a champagne toast. After flying to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World – a catamaran cruise awaits. You’ll have the chance to snorkel over the reef, take a semi-submersible boat tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist.
Then, after another free day exploring, you’ll fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city, to explore its splendours over three nights. Cruise along the famous Sydney Harbour, go inside the iconic Opera House, and stroll the cobbled streets of the Rocks district. Or why not take a day trip to the beautiful Blue Mountains?
7. New York City, Niagara Falls & Washington DC
New York is one of the world’s most exciting cities and, on this 11-day East Coast tour, you’ll explore over four nights – long enough to take a large, juicy bite out of the Big Apple! A guided city will show you many of the most iconic attractions, from the Empire State Building to Rockefeller Center, still with plenty of time to sample local delights, from hotdogs to pizza slices.
And Cosmos’s tour also visits two more important cities – Philadelphia and the capital, Washington DC – as well as some of the country’s other dazzling scenery. In Philly, the birthplace of US independence, historic landmarks and modern ones, like ‘the Rocky steps’ await, while, in Reading Terminal Market, you can try local favourites like Philly cheesesteaks, or traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food.
In DC, you’ll tour the main sights, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, stopping off by Capitol Hill and the White House. But that’s not all; this 11-day tour also includes a cruise of the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls and scenic drives through both the Appalachian and Poconos Mountains.
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4% off | United States & Canada | 11 days | Book with Cosmos
8. Highlights of Southeast Asia
If you’ve always wanted to visit Southeast Asia, why not choose a multi-country tour? Cosmos’s 17-day Southeast Asia tour visits Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, revealing the unique history, culture, and beauty of this part of the world. After exploring the capital, Hanoi, you’ll head to Halong Bay where you can cruise through emerald waters, past limestone islands, and visit secluded caves and islands.
The riverside town of Hoi An is next; take a walking tour, sample local delicacies, and enjoy a river cruise into the surrounding countryside. Next up is Siem Reap, in Cambodia – home to the magnificent Angkor ruins. After three days exploring this vast complex, you’ll fly to Laos’ ancient capital, Luang Prabang, to tour the city and travel through scenic countryside to visit cascading waterfalls.
Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s mountainous north, is next. You’ll have three days to explore, visiting elephant sanctuaries, touring temples, and sampling the city’s famous cuisine. Bangkok is the last stop, and you’ll have a full day of sightseeing to take in all the main landmarks.
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9% off | Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & 1 more | 17 days | Book with Cosmos
9. South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger
South Africa is an unusually diverse country. Its landscape includes rolling grasslands, rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and tree-dotted savannahs, and some of the world’s most fascinating animals are found here. On Cosmos’s 13-day South Africa tour, you can experience this country’s unique culture, spectacular scenery, and wonderful wildlife.
The highlights are safaris in Kruger National Park and Mkuze Game Reserve, where you can spot lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and hyenas. A cruise on Lake Jozini may also reveal hippos, crocodiles, and elephants. But there’s much more to South Africa than safaris. You’ll also spend three nights in Cape Town, taking a cable car ride to Table Mountain, driving along Chapman’s Peak – one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads – and spotting endangered penguins on the nearby beaches.
There’ll be plenty of chances to admire the varied scenery too, as you’ll visit stalagmite-adorned caves and trek through the coastal forests of Tsitsikamma National Park. Plus, you’ll travel to the heart of Zululand to visit local villages and learn about South African culture.
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3% off | South Africa & Eswatini | 13 days | Book with Cosmos
10. Southern Sounds and Elvis
If you’re a rock ‘n’ roll and soul lover, few tours can be more epic than this eight-day Southern Sounds and Elvis tour, which starts with exploring New Orleans, from the French Quarter to historic St. Charles Avenue. You’ll then have three nights in Memphis, Tennessee. Here, you can uncover the city’s cultural and musical past at Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, visit the world-famous Sun Studio, and be taken ‘backstage’ by a local guide on a fascinating sightseeing tour.
You’ll also visit Graceland, Elvis’s opulent estate. Tour the King’s old home, board his private jet (which has a living room, bedroom, and gold-plated seat belts!), and visit the Meditation Garden, where his only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, is laid to rest.
Also included is a visit to Nashville – ‘Music City’. Here, you can visit the famous RCA Studio B, tour the Stax Museum and Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, stroll down lively Beale Street, and see a show at Grand Ole Opry, the world’s top country music venue. A once-in-a-lifetime trip for music lovers!
Final thoughts…
Whatever far-flung part of the world is calling you or whatever adventures you’re dreaming of, an escorted Cosmos tour is the best way to make sure it’s a truly unforgettable experience. Not only will you see more than you would by yourself, but you can relax knowing that everything is organised for you.
These 10 tours are very different, but all promise a trip packed with exhilarating experiences, special moments, and treasured memories. And, as an added perk, customers can save up to £900 per couple if they book a 2025/2026 departure before 5th December 2025!
To find out more about Cosmos, head over to their website.
Are you tempted by any of these tours – and if so, which ones excite you most? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.
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