5 Things to Know for Your First Small-Group Tour

So, you’ve never been on a small group adventure tour? Neither had I until I started working in the travel industry. Most of my traveling was done post-college, solo, and with a big backpack. While I had a lot of fun, saw some amazing sites, and had life-changing experiences, I won’t return to that way of traveling. A small-group tour offers security, comradery, and knowledge you just can’t get going it alone. If you are still not sure where to go give our team of travel experts a call (800-941-8010) and they will help guide you through the many great journeys we offer. 

Now that I have a few walking tours under my belt, I’d like to offer some observations to help those thinking of joining us to understand what it’s like.

1. Traveling with strangers isn’t awkward, regardless if you’re joining the group solo or with a companion. You already have two things in common with everyone—interest in the same destination and enjoyment of being active. The first group meeting is a flurry of introductions; by day 2, everyone is chatting away on the trail. The immersive, shared experience of traveling together creates a unique bond.

2. Unless you are on an inn-to-inn hiking trip, you’ll have some options during the trip to opt in or out of activities. Most of our itineraries are flexible enough to allow you to join the group for a walk or extended hike or stay back to meander through the town or relax at the hotel.

3. You won’t hike en masse—everyone walks at their own pace, stopping for photos, taking in the views, or resting. While everyone stays within the immediate area, the group naturally spreads out—sometimes you’ll be hiking with more people than others. Everyone congregates for snacks and lunch!

4. Your guide’s insider knowledge is invaluable. I had wrongly assumed that managing on my own with a creased map and dog-eared guidebook was the only way to travel—it’s not. I know I’ve missed massive amounts of fascinating information because I didn’t have a local tour guide. As useful as guidebooks are, nothing compares to having a real life, experienced person (who lives there!) by your side.

5. The pressure’s off! Your biggest decision of the day is whether to eat dessert or not. It’s so refreshing to have everything taken care of, from transportation to restaurant reservations. Instead of thinking about logistics, you can just enjoy being in the moment, which is what travel should be about.

But don’t take my word for it! If you’d like to know more about traveling in a small-group with Boundless Journeys, we have many previous guests who love sharing their experiences, and we’d be happy to make the connection. Give us a call at 1.800.841.9010 or contact us.