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While backpacking and staying in hostels can be a rich and rewarding way to experience different cultures and see the world, you don’t have to rough it to get the most out of far-flung travel.
If you’re looking for something more deluxe, there are plenty of excellent tours out there that mix high-end accommodation and comfortable, fuss-free travel with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with tour provider Luxury Escapes to bring you 12 luxury tours in far-flung destinations.
1. Intimate South Africa Tour
Heralded for its spectacular scenery, astonishing wildlife, and diverse mix of cultures, South Africa offers a bounty of once-in-a-lifetime experiences for travellers – and what better way to explore it than in luxury?
As well as nights spent in decadent hotels, this tour from Luxury Escapes offers explorers the chance to witness the jewels in Africa’s wildlife crown, the Big Five, at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. You can also take in the sweeping landscapes from the glamorous carriages of the Rovos Rail while indulging in a formal dinner.
Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to delve into bustling cities like Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg. Here, you can admire the vast vista from the top of Table Mountain, sample delectable delights at some of the famous food markets, and learn about the country’s tragic past at the District Six Museum.
Witness the spectacular sights of South Africa
2. Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights Tour
From the energetic streets of Hanoi to the dazzling spires of Angkor Wat, this tour aims to provide a rich, authentic, and varied Southeast Asian experience. Starting in the Vietnamese capital, travellers will then embark on a cruise through Ha Long Bay, where they can admire the looming limestone rock formations that rise out of the sapphire sea.
From there, you’ll head to the ancient and tranquil ‘yellow town’ of Hoi An, where you can shop for souvenirs and stroll along the riverbank, twinkling lights overhead. Then, in Ho Chi Minh City, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to learn about Vietnam’s wartime past.
Once in Cambodia, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the elaborate architecture of Phnom Penh and visit significant educational sites like the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. And, of course, no visit to Cambodia is complete without a trip to the 12th-century Buddhist temple Angkor Wat, which tops off the tour.
Immerse yourself in the culture of Vietnam and Cambodia
3. Western Canada Tour
If you’re interested in combining wilderness exploration with the comforts of luxury accommodation, this tour of Western Canada might be for you. Beginning in the cultural city of Vancouver, you’ll head to British Columbia’s capital, Victoria, where you can admire the kaleidoscopic floral blooms at one of the world’s oldest and largest display gardens.
While heading north along Vancouver Island, travellers will have ample opportunities to spot and learn about some of the region’s famous wildlife – including migrating orcas and humpback whales. Then, a luxury cruise will take you up the picturesque Inside Passage, past snow-capped peaks and lush swathes of emerald forest.
At Port Rupert, you’ll turn inland, stopping at iconic sites to learn about First Nations people and admire the jaw-dropping natural scenes. Highlights include exploring a shimmering glacier in a purpose-built all-terrain vehicle and taking in the postcard-worthy vistas at Banff.
Embark on a Canadian wilderness adventure
4. Peru Small-Group Discovery Tour
Home to ancient and captivating cultures, mysterious mountain peaks, and dense rainforests that hum with the sounds of wildlife, the secrets of Peru have captivated explorers for centuries. So, if you’re interested in an intrepid adventure, why not check out this tour from Luxury Escapes?
The eight-day experience begins in the coastal city of Lima. Here, you can immerse yourself in the country’s famous culinary scene and learn about its past at the Museo Larco – a cabinet of curiosities with 45,000 artefacts dating from pre-colonial times. Then, it’s on to Cusco, the once capital of the Inca Empire, and the mystifying peaks of the Andes.
You’ll also follow in the footsteps of the Incas as you head into the famed Sacred Valley, stopping along the way at some of the best-preserved ancient settlements and icons of bygone times. High points include the stone temple of Ollantaytambo and, of course, the lost city of Machu Picchu.
Unlock the mysteries of Peru
5. Sri Lanka Small-Group Tour
For a relatively small country, Sri Lanka is astonishingly diverse. Hindu, Buddhist, and European influences have created an eclectic mix of architecture – from UNESCO-listed colonial forts to ornate temples. And between the white-sand beaches and mist-shrouded mountains, there are plenty of spellbinding landscapes to admire.
To get the full experience of this tropical island, why not check out this tour from Luxury Escapes? As well as visiting stunning sites like the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla, travellers will be treated to unique encounters with nature in Yala National Park. You can spot elusive animals like leopards and Sri Lankan sloth bears here.
However, there are also plenty of opportunities for restorative downtime. You can treat your senses at Matale Spice Gardens, unwind with a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment, and relax at night in hand-picked five-star hotels.
Stimulate your senses on the island of Sri Lanka
6. Australia Highlights Small-Group Tour
From the quiet beauty of the outback to the dazzling display of the Great Barrier Reef, there’s plenty to see in the land down under – and this tour from Luxury Escapes offers Australia’s highlights in a compact 10-day package.
After checking into your deluxe accommodation in Sydney, you can marvel at the sparkling white sails of the Opera House before listening to lively buskers and wandering through colourful market stalls in the historic laneways of The Rocks. Then, head to Bondi Beach to relax on the soft sands or set off along the famous coastal walk.
From Sydney, you’ll go north to Queensland to hike through the chattering rainforests and snorkel over the rainbow reefs. Keep an eye out for the famous wildlife, including graceful green turtles and prehistoric-looking cassowaries. And, to end the trip, you’ll venture into the outback, to the sacred site of Uluru, for a tranquil dinner under the shimmering desert sky.
Get the complete Australian experience
7. South Korea and Japan 2024 Small-Group Highlights Tour
From the neon-hued megacities of Tokyo and Seoul to the peaceful serenity of Buddhist temples and cherry blossom gardens, this 12-day Luxury Escapes tour offers a vast and varied Northeast Asian experience.
Kicking off in the South Korean capital, the tour takes travellers to the cities of Gyeongju and Busan. Here, you can visit historic sites like Seokguram Grotto and sample scrumptious seafood.
In Japan, there are many more spectacular experiences to unwrap. You’ll enjoy wandering through the bamboo grove at Arashiyama, basking in the awe-inspiring vistas of Mount Fuji, and exploring the ornate feudal castles in Osaka. And between these action-packed outings, luxurious hotels await to help you recharge.
Discover the past and present of Northeast Asia
8. Egypt Luxury Small-Group Tour
If you love history, why not head to a place where ancient marvels and modern luxuries collide? This Egyptian tour from Luxury Escapes offers travellers the chance to delve deep into the mysteries of pharaohs and gods – all while sampling various modern comforts.
Unveil the secrets of wonders like the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, and wander through the ghostly tombs of the Valley of Kings, where Tutankhamun lies. You can also explore riches from millennia gone by at the Egyptian Museum, informed by a private Egyptologist.
Between excursions, you can lead the opulent lifestyle of a pharaoh yourself, with stays in swanky spots like the Four Seasons Hotel and the Hilton Cairo Heliopolis. You’ll also spend four nights sailing on the Nile aboard a luxury cruiser, with fine dining and stops at the Aswan Botanical Gardens and Egypt’s best-preserved Pharaonic temple.
Live the life of a pharaoh
9. India Luxury Railway Tour
Want to embark on a grand adventure where your journey is just as luxurious as your destination? Then why not take a look at this railway tour of India on the Deccan Odyssey? Complete with lavishly furnished rooms, dining cars, a bar, gym, spa car, and more, it’s considered one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world!
You’ll start in Delhi – where you can lose yourself in the lively market of Chandni Chowk or marvel at Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the country – before setting off in the palatial cars of the Deccan Odyssey. Next, ride the rails to Ranthambore National Park, where you can spy a leopard, tiger, or sloth, before continuing south with sun-soaked scenery whipping past you.
Along the way, you’ll stop off in once-in-a-lifetime destinations like Agra, Jaipur, and Aurangabad – delving deep into the Ellora Caves and marvelling at the astounding architecture of the Taj Mahal. The tour finishes in Mumbai, where you’ll set off on a guided tour that mixes the city’s rich heritage with its modern cultural icons.
Take to the rails
10. South America 2024 Odyssey
From the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires to the snow-capped mountains of Chile, South America is a vast and diverse continent – and this tour from Luxury Escapes aims to deliver a taste of everything it offers.
Explore vivid cultural tapestries and mouthwatering cuisine in the Argentinian capital, marvel at unrivalled landscapes at Sugarloaf Mountain and the roaring Iguazu Falls, and sip on world-class wine in tranquil Chilean vineyards. This four-country tour takes you from the modern-day festivities of Rio to the centuries-old mysteries of Machu Picchu.
Rest in lavish, hand-picked accommodation each night before setting off on unique excursions. Whether you want to enjoy a tangy caipirinha overlooking the sugar-white sands of Copacabana Beach or journey into the jungle to spot wildlife, there’s something for everyone on this tour.
Embark on a South American adventure
11. Southern USA 2024 Sights and Sounds Tour
Starting in Atlanta – the hip-hop capital of the country – this tour from Luxury Escapes takes travellers on a delightful journey through some of the United States’ iconic music hotspots.
Wander through the hallowed halls of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville before catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary venue that kickstarted the careers of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Then, head to Memphis, where you can visit Graceland, the palatial former home of Elvis Presley.
Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the cultural complexities of each city. Take a stroll through the lively streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans and learn about the Civil Rights Movement at the Dexter Parsonage Museum in Montgomery.
Take in the swinging sounds of the South
12. Borneo and Malaysia Small-Group Tour
If you’re looking for a holiday that mixes luxury with one-of-a-kind wildlife experiences, then this Borneo and Malaysia tour from Luxury Escapes might be for you. Starting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s grand capital, travellers can enjoy some retail therapy at the glamorous malls and visit the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Then, after exploring the city, you’ll head to the island of Borneo. Brimming with biodiversity, it’s a nature-lovers paradise – and there’ll be many opportunities to spot unique wildlife and find out about conservation efforts. Highlights include learning about the reclusive Malayan sun bear and witnessing the wise and playful orangutans.
You’ll also set sail into the humming wilderness on a rainforest river cruise, marvel at the highest peak in Southeast Asia, and have plenty of downtime to immerse yourself in the local culture cities like Kota Kinabalu. Plus, you can completely enjoy yourself, knowing that comfortable, luxury accommodation awaits you each night.
Experience one-of-a-kind wildlife
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re a history buff looking to learn about ancient civilisations, a nature lover in the market for unique wildlife experiences, or simply interested in immersing yourself in different cultures, we hope this list of luxury tours has given you some far-flung travel inspiration.
Use the button below to explore more tours with Luxury Escapes.
And to discover more ideas to satisfy your wanderlust, why not head over to our travel section?
Are you interested in a luxury tour? If so, which of the ones on this list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.