VBT Bicycling Vacations and Country Walkers launch the Discovery series of small group walking tours designed for travelers looking for a relaxing cultural experience.
The series of five itineraries will debut in 2027 in Egypt, Australia, India, Patagonia and Colombia. These itineraries prioritize a slower pace and built-in free time for guests, but also offer more local experiences and local guides.
“Discovery tours are about exploring deeper,” says VBT Travel Designer Kevin Wilks. “With a more relaxed pace and built-in free time, guests can truly explore, connect and enjoy cultural experiences in a way that wouldn't be possible on a quick bike ride or hike. Real travel only happens when you step into everyday life. Interactions with local communities allow guests to experience a culture firsthand – not behind a bus window, but through real life.”
11 days Egypt trip Includes a three-night Nile cruise on a private Dahabiya boat, a private cooking class in Cairo, a sunrise visit to Karnak Temple, and tea with family along the Nile. Pricing starts at $7,595.
this Australia trip Starting at $8,995, the 10-day itinerary combines the country's rainforests, coral reefs and outback. The operator advertises the trip as a “rare gem”, which includes Aboriginal guides, snorkeling on the Outer Great Barrier Reef and Blue Mountains wine tasting.
In India, a 14 days itinerary Includes a Lake Pichola cruise, a camel cart ride through the Thar Desert and a visit to Jaipur. Other highlights include visiting Chandni Chowk, one of Delhi's oldest markets; visiting the Bhil tribe; and embarking on a leopard safari. Pricing starts at $6,095.
In Colombia, a Eight days tour Medellin and Cocora Valley take visitors to the country's coffee country and coast. Trips start at $4,995 and include visits to Bogota and Cartagena. Highlights include planting palm trees in the country's endangered cloud forests, eating traditional foods like ajiaco (chicken and potato soup), and visiting the nonprofit Pescador de Letras, which benefits children in fishing villages.
this Patagonia trip Starting in Buenos Aires and ending in Santiago, spend 11 days in Argentina and Chile. Visitors will cruise through the Tigre Delta, ride along gaucho horses, and admire the Perito Moreno Glacier. Trips start at $7,695.
