Discover more of the world, with the details thoughtfully taken care of. Luxury Escapes tours include expert-guided adventures, luxury rail journeys, exclusive celebrity-hosted itineraries and more – each with its own pace, selected accommodation and inclusions. From a small-group tour of Japan to a private charter over the Arctic, from a luxury train through Australia’s Red Centre to a safari in Africa – here’s how to see the world’s best destinations.
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Why Choose a Small-Group Guided Tour
Some destinations reward depth over distance, and the best version of most requires local knowledge that takes years to acquire.
Whether it’s a tour of Egypt, Japan or Vietnam, the same logic applies: local knowledge and pre-arranged access change what you see, not just how you see it. A local guide can put a temple, market or archaeological site into context. A planned itinerary can also connect places and transport across a longer route, without you having to organise every step yourself. On some trips, specialist hosts, rail routes or access to remote places are part of the experience.
- Guaranteed departures for two: Book with confidence. Only two travellers are needed to guarantee your departure.
- Small-group travel: A more intimate look at each destination, with no more than 24 travellers.
- 4 and 5-star accommodation: Enjoy selected accommodation, ranging from 4-star hotels to iconic stays, depending on your tour.
- Curated experiences: Discover experiences and itineraries carefully designed by travel experts.
- A dedicated tour concierge: Our team is with you from booking through to the end of your tour.
Find a Tour Style That Matches the Way You Travel
Before anything else – before dates, before destinations, before price – the most useful question is how you want to travel. Where you’re going. How you want to see it. How many other people you want in the frame when you do.
Luxury Escapes Deluxe tours – generally limited to 24 travellers per departure date – suit destinations where you want expert guidance without sacrificing spontaneity. Premium and Ultra Lux tours tighten the group and elevate the hotels, ideal for travellers who want the small-group experience at its most refined.
Private charter tours are different: built around a journey, not a departure, often linking places that regular commercial flights can’t reach efficiently. Luxury rail journeys sit somewhere between sightseeing and staying still – the Indian Pacific and The Ghan are Australia’s most iconic examples, where the scenery passing by the window is the focal point.
From carefully planned group itineraries to more intimate, private routes, each tour style offers a different way to experience a destination. Group size, accommodation and experiences vary by tour.
| Tour style | Group size | Accommodation | What it does | Experiences you’ll love |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe | Up to 24 | Typically 4 to 4.5-star hotels | A well-planned guided itinerary covering a destination’s essential highlights, with local support along the way. | Stay in a cave hotel in Cappadocia, camp under the Sahara stars or explore Japan by bullet train. |
| Premium | Up to 16 | 5-star hotels throughout | A thoughtful pace, enhanced inclusions and selected stays to make the journey special from one stop to the next. | Sail the Nile, stay in a Relais & Châteaux riad or discover Croatia by small ship. |
| Ultra Lux | Up to 12 | High-end and iconic properties | A more intimate way to travel, focused on exceptional properties and distinctive experiences. Some itineraries are private. | Stay in an Oberoi palace or travel aboard the Blue Train or Rovos Rail. |
| Signature Series | Varies by itinerary | Varies by itinerary | A one-off departure shaped or hosted by an expert, with a particular theme or perspective. | Join a food-focused journey with experiences led by chefs or other specialists. |
| Private charter | Varies by itinerary | Varies by itinerary | A private charter journey designed to reach places that are harder to connect on a conventional itinerary. | Connect remote destinations on a multi-country journey by private charter. |
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Where to Go, at a Glance
Not sure how to decide where to go on a guided tour? Here are some of our most popular tour destinations.
| Destination | Known for | Best time to go | How long to explore | You’ll see | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Temple culture, seasonal landscapes, exacting cuisine | October to early December (autumn colour); late March to April (cherry blossoms) | 10 to 14 days | Kyoto’s temple districts at dawn, Tokyo’s contrasts, Mount Fuji, regional ryokan | First-time visitors, food-focused travellers, returning visitors wanting more depth |
| Vietnam | Street food culture, dramatic coastline, French colonial architecture | October to April, outside the central and northern monsoon | 10 to 14 days | Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoi An by lantern light, Halong Bay, the Mekong Delta | Food-focused travellers, first-time visitors to Southeast Asia, multigenerational groups |
| Egypt | Ancient archaeology, the Nile, desert landscapes | October to April, avoiding peak summer heat | 8 to 12 days | The pyramids of Giza, Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, a Nile cruise, Abu Simbel | History-focused travellers, first-time guided tour travellers, bucket-list itineraries |
| South Africa | Safari, wine country, coastal cities | May to October (dry season, peak wildlife viewing) | 7 to 10 days | Game drives in Kruger and private reserves, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, Table Mountain | Wildlife-focused travellers, honeymooners, multigenerational groups |
| Sri Lanka | Compact variety – temples, tea country, beaches, wildlife | December to April (south coast); May to September (east coast) | 8 to 10 days | Sigiriya rock fortress, the Temple of the Tooth, Ella’s hill country, south coast beaches | Travellers wanting variety in a short time, short trips from Australia |
| Morocco | Medinas, Atlas Mountain scenery, desert journeys and rich culinary traditions | March to May or September to November; spring and autumn are particularly well suited to combining cities and desert | 10 to 14 days | Marrakech, Fes, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara | Culture- and food-focused travellers, first-time visitors, travellers drawn to desert landscapes |
| Spain & Portugal | Historic cities, regional food and wine, architecture and Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines | April to June or September to October for milder weather in many regions | 12 to 16 days | Lisbon, Porto, Seville, Granada, Madrid or Barcelona | First-time visitors to the Iberian Peninsula, culture- and food-focused travellers |
| South America | Andean landscapes, ancient sites, wildlife, wine regions and vibrant cities | Varies by itinerary: May to October for many Andean itineraries; November to March for Patagonia | 14 to 21 days | Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Buenos Aires, Patagonia or the Atacama Desert | Travellers seeking a multi-region journey, history and nature enthusiasts, active travellers |
| India | Layered history, sacred sites, regional cuisines and striking contrasts between cities and landscapes | October to March is generally more comfortable for many northern India itineraries; conditions vary across the country | 10 to 14 days | Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi or the palaces of Rajasthan | First-time visitors, history and culture enthusiasts, food-focused travellers |
| Australia | Vast landscapes, Indigenous cultures, wildlife, coastlines and distinctive rail journeys | Varies by region; March to May and September to November suit many itineraries, while northern Australia is generally drier from May to October | 10 to 14 days for one region | The Red Centre, Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, the Top End or the Australian outback | Rail enthusiasts, nature and wildlife travellers, visitors looking to explore one region in depth |
| Türkiye | Ancient sites, Ottoman history, distinctive regional cuisine and landscapes stretching between Europe and Asia | Spring and autumn are well suited to sightseeing; the best time depends on the regions on your itinerary | 10 to 14 days | Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale or the Turkish Riviera | History and culture enthusiasts, first-time visitors, travellers looking to combine city and landscape |
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What Other Travellers Are Saying
‘I absolutely loved this tour! We had an incredible time. It was so nice not having to think about what to do and where to go, because everything was organised.’
– Nicola, 10-day Deluxe Vietnam Highlights Tour with Halong Bay and Hoi An
‘We were well looked after and enjoyed preferential treatment, skipping long queues at attractions, and stayed in beautiful accommodation throughout. Our tour guide was lovely and took good care of our group. I really enjoyed the holiday experience.’
– Margo, 12-day Premium China Highlights Tour 2026 with the Great Wall of China, Bullet Train Journeys and Shangri-La Stays
‘Very well organised and well designed private tour. There was a driver waiting exclusively for our group of four at every airport and every hotel for all our transfers and day tours. All the driver-guides were professional, always on time, friendly and knowledgeable. We felt very safe and comfortable.’
– Takis, 12-day Private Deluxe South Africa and Zimbabwe Tour with a Five-Star Safari Lodge and Victoria Falls
‘The hotels on this tour are among the best we’ve visited, and the guides and drivers were very professional. The Taj Mahal was a highlight of this tour – it was incredible and something I’ll always remember.’
– Russell, 9-day Private India Tour with Oberoi
‘I’ve travelled all over the world using many tour operators, but this was our first time with Luxury Escapes and it was our best experience ever. From the tour guide, who guided every part of our tour and made our experience so easy... to the luxury hotels, the breakfast, lunch and dinner options were all incredible. China isn’t an easy place to navigate because of its size and language barriers, but our tour guide was always there every step of the way. The sights we saw, the included excursions and the optional excursions were all incredible. I honestly don’t think we would travel with anyone else after the experience we had with Luxury Escapes.’
– Catherine, 12-day Premium China Highlights Tour with the Great Wall of China + 3-Night Stay at Harbour Grand Hong Kong
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are on a guided tour?
Group size depends on the tour style and itinerary. Some tours have a maximum group size of 24, while other styles have smaller groups. Check the individual tour page for its stated maximum.
Are tour departures guaranteed?
Some tours are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of two passengers. Check the individual tour page to confirm whether this guarantee applies to your chosen departure.
What type of accommodation can I expect?
Accommodation varies by tour. It may include 4 or 4.5-star hotels, 5-star stays, boutique properties, cruises or distinctive accommodation such as desert camps. The tour page shows the planned accommodation or category for that itinerary.
How busy are the itineraries?
The pace varies. Some tours cover several destinations and include early starts or long travel days; others allow more time in each place. Read the day-by-day itinerary to understand the balance between sightseeing, transfers and free time.
How much walking is involved?
Walking requirements differ by destination and itinerary. City tours, historic sites and natural attractions may involve uneven surfaces, steps or longer periods on foot. Check the tour details and contact the team if you need more information about a particular departure.
What’s included in the tour price?
Inclusions vary. A tour may include accommodation, transport, selected meals, guided sightseeing and activities, but the exact mix differs by itinerary. Review the inclusions on the individual tour page before booking.
Who leads the tour?
Depending on the itinerary, you may travel with a tour leader, local guides or specialist guides at particular destinations. Their roles can differ, so check the tour details for information about the support provided on your trip.
What should I know before departure?
Your pre-departure travel pack should explain meeting points, arrival arrangements, transfers and any key preparation needed before you leave. Review this information carefully and contact the team if anything is unclear.
Are meals and drinks included?
Meal inclusions vary by tour and are shown in the itinerary. Some tours include selected meals, while others leave more time for you to choose where and what to eat. Check the tour page for details on meals, drinks and water.
