13 Best Small Group Travel Companies for All Kinds of Adventures
If you’re interested in booking a fun, social getaway, then you’ll want to look for the best small-group travel companies.
Many great small group travel businesses are out there, each offering something unique.
Whether you’re after adventure or luxury or old or young, you’ll find a group travel company that ticks your boxes.
That being said, it can also be tricky to find the travel company that offers the exact kind of experience you’re after.
So, to help you, here’s our list of the best small-group travel companies. These companies are all ideal for solo travellers, couples, or small family or friend groups looking to join a crew of like-minded travellers.
1. Skyhook
Best for: Adventure travellers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts
Top destinations: Iceland, Nepal, Peru, Norway, USA, Switzerland, and Scotland
At Skyhook, we specialise in adventure and expedition-style travel. Our enormous range of adventure tours caters to small groups interested in outdoor experiences like hiking, trekking, and kayaking.
All tours are led by expert local guides and focus on giving travellers an authentic, immersive experience in nature.
At Skyhook, we connect you with highly-rated small-group travel guides in some of the most exciting destinations in the world. We’ve carefully hand-selected each travel partner to ensure you get the best travel experience.
While we offer tours to all corners of the globe, most experiences are focused on unique adventures. Forget about the overly-travelled tourist traps—we’ll take you on once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Whether trekking to Everest Base Camp or summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, all Skyhook tours emphasise safety and sustainability.
You’ll get all the equipment and support you need on these adventures, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure without worrying about logistics.
The small group sizes make for a more intimate and personalised trip, perfect for solo travellers and small groups.
Our tours are great for meeting like-minded travellers and enjoying a fun, social environment.
Inspired to have the adventure of a lifetime? Check out our wide range of small group tours on offer.
2. Intrepid Travel
Best for: Responsible travellers, adventure seekers, solo travellers, and families
Top destinations: Thailand, Morocco, Peru, and Australia
Intrepid Travel is one of the best small-group travel companies in terms of popularity.
Known for its commitment to responsible travel, Intrepid offers more than 1,000 itineraries in over 100 countries.
It focuses on low-impact, sustainable travel and partners with local communities to provide authentic experiences.
Their tours range from budget-friendly trips to more luxurious offerings, catering to different travel styles.
Whether you’re into hiking, cycling, or cultural immersion, there’s an Intrepid trip that fits the bill.
The company also strongly emphasises eco-friendly practices and supports various social causes through its non-profit, the Intrepid Foundation.
3. G Adventures
Best for: Young adults, adventure seekers, and eco-conscious travellers
Top destinations: Costa Rica, Egypt, Vietnam, and Antarctica
G Adventures is known for its adventure travel offerings, which include a wide range of tour styles, such as special trips for young travellers, active tours for the adventurous, and family-friendly options.
Their philosophy centres around “changing lives through travel,” focusing on ethical tourism and giving back to local communities.
G Adventures tours all seven continents, offering unique experiences like wildlife encounters, cultural exchanges, and even polar expeditions.
Many travellers choose G Adventures for their small group sizes and the flexibility to cater to different budgets and travel styles.
Overall, they’re one of the best small group tour operators if you’re after flexibility.
4. Exodus Travels
Best for: Active travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, and solo travellers
Top destinations: Italy, Kenya, Japan, and Tanzania
Exodus Travels has been offering small group adventure travel for over 45 years, strongly emphasising active adventures.
Their trips range from trekking and cycling to wildlife tours and cultural journeys. This is one of the best small group travel companies if you’re looking for a wide range of experiences.
With over 500 itineraries in more than 90 countries, Exodus specialises in in-depth, experience-driven travel.
It’s known for its knowledgeable guides, many of whom are specialists in fields like wildlife, archaeology, and mountaineering.
Exodus also focuses on sustainability, ensuring that their tours support local communities and minimise environmental impact.
5. Contiki
Best for: Young travellers (18-35), social and party-focused trips
Top destinations: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand
Contiki is designed exclusively for young travellers aged 18-35. It offers social group tours that mix sightseeing with a party atmosphere.
Famous for their vibrant and energetic vibe, Contiki tours often include nights out and a busy social calendar. This makes them one of the best solo travel companies for young travellers looking to meet people.
While they do cover a wide range of destinations, their European tours are especially popular. Contiki is a great choice for those who want to balance adventure with fun, although it’s not the best fit if you’re after a quiet, relaxed trip.
6. TourRadar
Best for: All travellers, tour comparison shopping
Top destinations: Worldwide
TourRadar isn’t actually a tour operator but an online marketplace that aggregates tours from more than 500 operators worldwide.
It allows travellers to search and book various guided tours, ranging from adventure trips to cultural experiences.
This makes it an easy choice for anyone trying to find the best small-group travel companies wherever they visit.
TourRadar is a convenient tool for comparing options across multiple providers.
It’s ideal for travellers who want to find the best tour that fits their preferences without spending hours researching individual companies.
Get the genuine experience
7. Trafalgar
Best for: Seniors, families, and history buffs
Top destinations: Italy, Ireland, Egypt, and Japan
Trafalgar is one of the most established tour operators on this list, offering guided tours in over 70 countries. They cater mainly to older travellers and families, providing a mix of coach tours and small-group experiences.
Trafalgar tours are known for their insider experiences, where guests can dine with locals or visit exclusive sites. Their packages include most meals and accommodations in premium hotels, making it a hassle-free travel option.
Trafalgar is perfect for those looking for a well-organised, educational, and comfortable travel experience.
However, it’s certainly not a good option if you’re looking for the best adventure travel companies.
8. Globus
Best for: Older adults, couples, and solo travellers
Top destinations: Europe, USA, Australia, and South Africa
Globus offers various tour styles, from traditional coach tours to small group explorations and even self-guided options.
Their trips are designed for older travellers, typically aged 50 and above, focusing on comfort and convenience.
The company’s tours include VIP access to major attractions, accommodations, transportation, and many meals. All in all, it’s a stress-free travel experience.
Globus is ideal for those who want a structured, in-depth tour with lots of included activities. However, their tours also offer flexibility with some independent time built into itineraries.
But, just like Trafalgar, these are certainly not adventure tours.
9. For the Love of Travel (FTLO)
Best for: Young professionals after a social group travel experience
Top destinations: Worldwide
For the Love of Travel (FTLO) is a group travel company that caters specifically to travellers aged 25-39. They offer curated experiences for those looking for small-group adventures.
Based in Los Angeles, FTLO asks travellers to fill out a travel profile to help match them with like-minded companions and create tailored itineraries.
The company strikes a balance between budget and luxury. They try to provide value without compromising comfort.
FTLO also places a strong emphasis on responsible travel, partnering with vendors who share their commitment to sustainability and supporting local economies. Their trips range from quick weekend getaways to longer international journeys.
This is certainly one of the best small-group travel companies if you’re after a social experience.
10. Classic Journeys
Best for: Culture-focused travellers looking for immersive small-group walking tours
Top destinations: Italy, Japan, Peru, Spain, and the US
Classic Journeys, also headquartered in California, specialises in small-group walking tours across 50 countries and six continents.
These trips are designed for culture seekers who want to immerse themselves in local life through the guidance of expert cultural hosts.
The company also offers private, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like exclusive access to sites like Stonehenge.
Whether you’re interested in walking, food and wine, multisport, or heritage tours, Classic Journeys offers a wide range of travel options. This includes unique, limited-edition trips such as viewing Japan’s cherry blossoms or witnessing a solar eclipse.
11. Collette
Best for: Older adults and couples seeking value-focused, guided tours
Top destinations: Europe, Alaska, Africa, South America, and Australia
A family-run company with over a century of experience, Collette offers a variety of guided tour options across all seven continents.
Collette’s trips are designed to offer good value. At the same time, comfort is a top priority. Most accommodations are four-star quality, and meals are taken at highly-rated California restaurants.
The tours typically attract older adults, especially couples. Collette offers everything from land tours and river cruises to rail journeys and city stays.
The company also invests in community sustainability programs and supports local businesses.
12. Tauck Tours
Best for: Upscale travellers, multigenerational families, and those seeking exclusive experiences
Top destinations: Europe, North America, South America, Antarctica, and the Middle East
Tauck Tours is another family-owned travel company that’s been delivering premium travel experiences for nearly 100 years.
Specialising in upscale guided tours, Tauck covers over 100 destinations in more than 70 countries across all seven continents.
Known for its deep expertise and attention to detail, Tauck provides travellers with access to behind-the-scenes experiences and unique cultural insights, thanks to their highly trained tour directors.
The company offers a range of different travel styles. This includes land tours, river cruises, small ship journeys, and multigenerational family trips.
This is one of the best small-group travel companies for older adults, mainly over 50s, who want comfort and exclusivity. If you’re after a fast-paced adventure, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
13. Abercrombie & Kent
Best for: Upscale travellers aged 40 and older, small groups, immersive experiences
Top destinations: Africa, Europe, Polar regions, North America, and South America
Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury tour operator with over 60 years of experience. They offer high-end small-group trips across all seven continents and more than 100 countries.
Known for its upscale accommodations, personalised attention with Resident Tour Directors, and exclusive insider experiences with local guides, the company caters mainly to Gen X and Boomers.
Their tours are all about comfort, convenience, and meticulous planning, with perks like mid-journey laundry services and luxury hotel stays.
Summary
These are some of the best small-group travel companies for various experiences. Wherever you want to go and whatever travel style you’re after, these companies will take you there.
Travelling with a small group is a great way to meet other people, join a fun social environment, and get more out of your adventure.
However, it’s also important to join small group tours that match the exact kind of travel style, crowd, and experience you’re after.
Interested in booking some of the world’s best small-group adventure tours? Check out the trips we have available on Skyhook for an unforgettable experience.
